Sunday, February 7, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Plainbellied's Top Baby Items
Because so many of my friends and cousins are pregnant right now, and Don't Mess With Texas is pregnant with her first, I decided to compile a list of my top favorite baby items. These have my highest recommendation. While I believe you don't need stuff to raise your baby right (my second is nearly 16 months and we've never owned a crib), I was sure glad I had these to make things a little bit nicer.
1. Balboa Nursing Cover (I've got the one called Suri)
This has a better fit than other nursing covers. I know, because I used to have a different kind. This one is broader, and has some actual planning involved in it's design. It isn't just a square with tie behind the neck. It conceals the baby better, allows me to see the baby better and has some darts in it to wrap around both me and the baby a bit.
2. Ergo Baby Carrier (I've got the black one with the camel hood)
This thing is awesome. It is so much more comfortable than a Baby Bjorn carrier. It is better for your shoulders and back because it puts the weight on your hips, just like one of those belts for heavy lifting. It is also better for baby because he or she won't be hanging by his or her crotch. It has a sort of fabric seat that is much better for his or her hip development and fertility.
3. Fleurville Diaper Bag (I like my print better than the ones they are selling now. You can see mine if you scroll down a little and check out number 2 of the 'additional images')
This bag has the works. First of all, it's highly practical. It has a clear plastic lining for the outside and metal feet, protecting the bag. It comes with a wipes container, bottle holder, and changing pad. It has tons of pockets. It can be a shoulder bag, a messenger bag, or attache to a stroller. It has a carabiner for keys, a zippered pocket for my wallet, and pockets for my phone and sun glasses. It has plenty of pockets on the inside, too, to keep the baby stuff sorted. I also love, love, love that the main body of the diaper bag can be zipped shut. I don't always use this feature, but after being targeted by thieves twice while carrying my baby and a bag when I was in Europe after Her Nibs was born, security is a big issue for me. And of course, this is adorable. I have had my bag for 3 or 4 years now and I still love it and use it. I splattered something on it which has slightly marred the clear cover, and one of the shoulder straps (I pretty much always use these) is starting to come out a little (an easy mend). I don't fault the manufacturer for those. I will say that the snaps that hold the side pockets closed have come out. I always put them back in, but I wish that was sturdier. Maybe it is in the ones being sold today.
5. Lansinoh Lanolin
This is essential if you are breast feeding, but even if you aren't, I use this stuff all the time. And I stopped nursing three months ago. Use this on chapped lips and cheeks, and any tough dry spots at all. Most recently, I've been putting it on The Boy's eyes. He's got mucus coming out. I don't want it to get crusty on his eyes and irritate the skin, so I cover his eyes with this stuff and his eyes are protected.
6. Boppy
This isn't a must have. I didn't have one in Spain with Her Nibs because it would have taken too much space. And I didn't use it every single time I nursed The Boy, but it certainly made it nicer. Using this, I wouldn't have to hold The Boy's weight while I was nursing because this supported him. I carried this to the bedroom at night (when The Boy was still waking up at night) and back to the living room again in the morning every day for a very, very long time.
7. Wooden Activity Arch
This is so versatile. The height of the bar adjusts so it can be used over baby when he or she is tiny, but it can also be used for tummy time by putting it in front of baby and hanging things down from it with links. And as baby grows, he or she can use it sitting up at various heights as he or she grows. And it's classic looking and made of wood. Very cool
9. Baby Bjorn Potty
The Boy is very advanced in this respect, at least by American standards. This little potty fits his tiny tush very well, and his feet can still reach the ground. It doesn't have lots of nooks and crannies that can be a problem when you're cleaning it. And it looks pretty cool. We got the white one. Much better than the thing with a drawer we had for Her Nibs.
1. Balboa Nursing Cover (I've got the one called Suri)
This has a better fit than other nursing covers. I know, because I used to have a different kind. This one is broader, and has some actual planning involved in it's design. It isn't just a square with tie behind the neck. It conceals the baby better, allows me to see the baby better and has some darts in it to wrap around both me and the baby a bit.
2. Ergo Baby Carrier (I've got the black one with the camel hood)
This thing is awesome. It is so much more comfortable than a Baby Bjorn carrier. It is better for your shoulders and back because it puts the weight on your hips, just like one of those belts for heavy lifting. It is also better for baby because he or she won't be hanging by his or her crotch. It has a sort of fabric seat that is much better for his or her hip development and fertility.
3. Fleurville Diaper Bag (I like my print better than the ones they are selling now. You can see mine if you scroll down a little and check out number 2 of the 'additional images')
This bag has the works. First of all, it's highly practical. It has a clear plastic lining for the outside and metal feet, protecting the bag. It comes with a wipes container, bottle holder, and changing pad. It has tons of pockets. It can be a shoulder bag, a messenger bag, or attache to a stroller. It has a carabiner for keys, a zippered pocket for my wallet, and pockets for my phone and sun glasses. It has plenty of pockets on the inside, too, to keep the baby stuff sorted. I also love, love, love that the main body of the diaper bag can be zipped shut. I don't always use this feature, but after being targeted by thieves twice while carrying my baby and a bag when I was in Europe after Her Nibs was born, security is a big issue for me. And of course, this is adorable. I have had my bag for 3 or 4 years now and I still love it and use it. I splattered something on it which has slightly marred the clear cover, and one of the shoulder straps (I pretty much always use these) is starting to come out a little (an easy mend). I don't fault the manufacturer for those. I will say that the snaps that hold the side pockets closed have come out. I always put them back in, but I wish that was sturdier. Maybe it is in the ones being sold today.
5. Lansinoh Lanolin
This is essential if you are breast feeding, but even if you aren't, I use this stuff all the time. And I stopped nursing three months ago. Use this on chapped lips and cheeks, and any tough dry spots at all. Most recently, I've been putting it on The Boy's eyes. He's got mucus coming out. I don't want it to get crusty on his eyes and irritate the skin, so I cover his eyes with this stuff and his eyes are protected.
6. Boppy
This isn't a must have. I didn't have one in Spain with Her Nibs because it would have taken too much space. And I didn't use it every single time I nursed The Boy, but it certainly made it nicer. Using this, I wouldn't have to hold The Boy's weight while I was nursing because this supported him. I carried this to the bedroom at night (when The Boy was still waking up at night) and back to the living room again in the morning every day for a very, very long time.
7. Wooden Activity Arch
This is so versatile. The height of the bar adjusts so it can be used over baby when he or she is tiny, but it can also be used for tummy time by putting it in front of baby and hanging things down from it with links. And as baby grows, he or she can use it sitting up at various heights as he or she grows. And it's classic looking and made of wood. Very cool
9. Baby Bjorn Potty
The Boy is very advanced in this respect, at least by American standards. This little potty fits his tiny tush very well, and his feet can still reach the ground. It doesn't have lots of nooks and crannies that can be a problem when you're cleaning it. And it looks pretty cool. We got the white one. Much better than the thing with a drawer we had for Her Nibs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)