#infant essentials

Welcome to part two of Surviving Baby. I’ve tried writing this, I don’t know how many times. So many things have gotten in the way of this second part, and it was so frustrating that I just had to take a break.

This part is going to include a few essential items that I feel are a must have because I don’t think I would be able to get ANYTHING done without them. And I literally mean, nothing. If I have time, I may dive into my pumping experience as well. If not, then the next part will definitely be about pumping.

Like last time, I will include links to the items I am using, or something similar.

First on my list, is my Jeroray Baby Wrap. This has been my number one item while having two kids. When my infant won’t nap on his own and I have stuff that needs to get done or my four-year-old wants to do something, I just wrap it around my body as instructed and put baby in it. Usually around his nap time, so that he sleeps and doesn’t become fussy. Hands are free and baby gets in a good nap. It’s the best. I highly recommend it over a regular baby carrier. They can be pricey, but I found mine for $20 on Amazon and it is comparable to the leading name brands.

Next on the list is a bouncy seat! This is something that I always encourage any mama-to-be to get. I didn’t think I would need one when my oldest was born, but my sister-in-law convinced me to get one. It was a lifesaver. It let me take a shower in the middle of the day while baby sat in it on the bathroom floor. Also gives them some time to relax by themselves, while you wash bottles or fold laundry. It can be moved to any room in the house and most come with toys to keep them entertained as they get older. This is the one I have. 

Remember, you do not have to get the top of the line for everything. Having a baby is expensive, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I’m not saying cut corners on everything, but there are somethings that are worth saving the money on.

A baby swing. Definitely something to consider buying. If my almost 3-month-old is fussy and nothing I do is helping, a few minutes in his swing, helps calm him down. If he can even take a small nap, so I can quicky eat something, awesome. These can cost a little over $100, but because of the technology, you don’t have much of a choice, but to pay the price. Mine was a gift from my mother-in-law, so it cost a little over $130. It is pretty great though. It comes with some gentle music loaded on it already, but you can connect your phone via Bluetooth and play any music or noise you want. It always swings side to side instead of back and forth. It mimics the gently sway of a mother’s hips while she is walking with her baby in the womb. My son loves it, and it allows me to enjoy some alone time while he’s swinging.

One last thing to talk about and that is a stroller. Unless you get the infant car seat/stroller combo, then you don’t have to worry about this, but I would still recommend looking into this item that I am going to recommend. You don’t have to have a giant stroller right away. Your little love isn’t going to using it until they are able to sit up by themselves without slouching over. I simply take my son’s infant car seat with him inside of it and place the car seat inside what is called a frame stroller or a car seat carrier stroller. It is exactly what the name implies, a stroller frame that you rest the car seat onto. It takes up less space in your trunk and is easy to open and close, while still giving you the storage of a stroller. It’s perfect to use while baby is still using their infant carseat. No need to keep taking them in and out of the seat to put in a stroller. 

I have a run out of time, so I won’t be able to talk about pumping. But if you have any questions at all, send them to me and I will answer them in my next post that will be about exclusively pumping!