What Every Mother needs...

The Halo Swaddle Sac

This sleep sac/swaddle blanket is featured on The Happiest Baby on the Block. My only regret is that it took me a month to find out about it! It was the only swaddle that our little Houdini couldn’t break out of. It allows for easy access to change diapers and is easy to use. We tried for weeks to get the whole swaddle thing down. We even went back to the hospital to have the nurses teach us again. Neither of us could replicate it once we got home. I started to have anxiety at night every time I needed to change her. Once we started using this sleep sac, it changed everything.

The Sleepy Wrap (now is is called Boba Wrap)

A family member gave this to us before Madeline was born. I will admit, I was a little intimidated by it at first! But, after getting on youtube and learning how to wrap it, it quickly became my bestfriend. Madeline fit perfectly and comfortably in it. It sits her close to my heart (which is calming), next to me (warm and snuggly), and bounces her perfectly (as if she were still in my belly). It earns its name too! She is usually asleep within 10-15 minutes of being in the carrier. I am able to use both of my hands to cook, clean, go grocery shopping, etc. I absolutely love it! I don’t leave home without it.

Medela Breast Pump

A good breast pump is essential for nursing Mommas! I was fortunate enough to receive this as a gift and have really appreciated it! It helped in the early days of breastfeeding to relieve engorgement. As Madeline grew, I was able to store milk so that I could go out with Jeff and we could spend time together. Anyone with a newborn knows that nights like those are rare!

Zip up Jammies with Feet

I didn’t know how important these would be to me! I used to shop for what was cute, now I look for practicality too! These are great at night-time. I am able to change her diaper quickly, rather than fooling with tons of snaps in a dim lit room. I like the ones with feet, so I don’t have to worry about keeping socks on her. This particular one is from Children's Place. They seem to fit really good on Madeline!

Bath Tub

Don’t underestimate a good tub! I loved the one that I received. It came complete with a newborn sling, which was wonderful when Madeline was super tiny!

Bouncy Seat

This is a safe place to sit Madeline while I am doing stuff around the house. I can carry her into the kitchen and she can watch me cook, or sit her next to us at the table, while we eat. She also sits in this while I am getting ready in the morning!

Swing

Madeline didn’t love her swing in the very beginning, but it has become a quick favorite as of late! When she is drowsy, I can put her in her swing and it lulls her to sleep. She stays asleep longer in here versus her bassinet.

Bassinet

Ours is actually a pack and play that can be a bassinet too. We were SO naïve when we came home from the hospital and thought that Madeline would just sleep in her crib (Some babies will….ours would not). We quickly realized that we needed a place for her to sleep in our room, so a pack and play was ordered within a few days of our homecoming.