Parentastic List

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It is easy to get overwhelmed with your number of options and get caught up in the “moment” of cutesy baby products. But from experience, I can tell you there is a lot out there that isn’t worth the money, even if it’s cutesy. You will be a lot happier with what you have when you buy practical. With my first I tried a lot of products, returned a lot of products and have improvised what my original “wants” were when I had my first child, to having “practical” and “useful” be my main goal with number two and three. Most importantly, that it was a good product. I’m extremely picky and feel my suggestions are very useful for new parents.

Feeding

Baby Bottles / Playtex Disposable System (BPA Free)…if breastfeeding (or if not) these are my favorite. There are not a whole lot of parts to clean. That’s great when tired with little sweet baby. The Target brand (Up & Up) pre-formed liners are identical to the Playtex Drop-In liners, but with almost ½ the cost and yes, they are BPA Free. Other generic brand liners I have tried have not been as successful – usually due to a discrepancy in liquid ounces. Here’s the trick with the liners…to push out the air you need to push directly up on the liner, not from the side. If you push on the side the liner pulls away from the bottle and whoops, it spills all over. Not the mess you want to be cleaning up at 3am or anytime for that matter.

The First Years Take & Toss Infant Spoons, Toddler Spoons/Forks, Bowls with Lids and Cups with Lids (small version of bowl) (BPA Free).  The spoons are inexpensive, comfortable to hold and fit in baby’s mouth well v.s. many other styles. The cups and bowls are also great for baby cereal and other baby food. **Drinking Cups (not pictured): I wouldn’t extremely recommend them –they leak a lot (adequate for water with supervision)**

Hygiene

Infant/Toddler Bath Tub-The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe…This tub has a hammock feature for infants 0 to approx 3 or 4 months (depending on baby weight). This is great since babies slip all over the place. I had tried 3 other tubs before this…this is by far the best style I’ve tried. Once baby has out grown the hammock, I’d suggest purchasing a foam bath support sponge for bathing and place where baby sits and reclines back (can be found near the bath tubs). This helps with the slipping, sliding and floating.

Diapers (Disposable)*… I had come to learn in 2011 that Target Brand Up & Up are the BEST. They have made great improvements over the years – I was not a fan previously, but they really do work now. My son had ZERO potty leaks since changing (and he would go potty a lot at night). Not only do you save a lot of money on something a kid just goes to the bathroom in, but they really do work better than any other I’ve tried. I have tried all the pricey brands, along with one or two other generics. SAVE your $$$, buy Up & Up.

Diaper Tip: Any diaper will leak when baby is outgrowing the size they are in. Most diapers will have a weight range; I have found my kids started leaking about 4-8 pounds before the weight cap. When this happens you can usually get away with using the smaller diapers during the day hours, but purchase a size larger for night time use. Once all of the smaller diapers are gone, you can use the larger size for day and night. NOTE: all diapers will at some point have a “blow out”. When your baby is young, that is more likely to happen. Your baby/child goes potty a lot more overall and potty leaks should be considered more when choosing a diaper.





For Baby’s Room

Breathable Bumper Pad…I’m a huge SIDS advocate and will do anything to avoid it.  These are great, I have one. 

Baby Pads…great to set on top of the changing contour pad.  If baby pees while changing, you’ll only have to wash this, rather than the whole pad cover.

Blankets

Ultimate Receiving or Marquisette Swaddle Blankets…by SwaddleDesigns
The Receiving Blankets are made from 100% cotton flannel and come in 42” x 42”. The Marquisette Swaddle Blanket is made from Cotton Marquisette Muslin and come in 46” x 46” – great option for warm climates. These blankets have a sewn on tag with swaddle instructions. Blankets are approx $25 each. Go to SwaddleDesigns.com to find a retailer near you or to order online.

Travel

*View Consumer Reports for best/safest Car Seats* - below are my recommendations – they rate very well with CR.

Helpful link… http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/child_restraints/default.html

MY Car seat two cents. Way too many people, of many I’ve known DO NOT properly secure their child in their car seat. When installing make sure to follow instructions well, when securing the infant base (or even a bigger car seat many months down the road), put some of your weight on/in the base/seat by lightly sitting on/in it and pulling on the securing strap to tighten. The base/seat should NOT move more than a ½ inch at the site of the belt or latch system. I think the instruction manuals will say 1", but we have always got ours in to not move or ever so slightly. If in doubt go to a car seat safety check site – I think most fire departments have that resource available. Second, once your baby is strapped in make sure that the belt is properly tightened. You should not be able to pinch the belt. It should be tight enough just so your fingers can just slide between the belt and babies chest, no tighter and no looser. Also when baby is rear facing (many are now suggesting keeping baby rear facing beyond 12 months / 20#) – legally baby must be 12 months and 20 lbs before baby can be moved to forward facing. Please see link above, it provides a lot of helpful info. I suggest 24 months – as long as you are within the seats weight limits for rear facing, it can only benefit your baby to stay rear facing for as long as the seat allows. It truly is the safest option. Also the belt must start below baby’s shoulders when rear facing (when forward facing it’s opposite, the belt should be level with baby’s shoulders or above). Having your baby properly secured can make a world of difference if in an unfortunate accident.

Safety Guidelines as of 3.2011 – American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend keeping kids’ rear facing until age 2.

Infant Car Seat…
My favorite is the Chicco KeyFit 30, it holds up to 30 lbs and 30 inches (highest rated and recommended by CR – 2010). This is also great if you have limited space in your vehicle (seat dimensions 28.6 x 17.4 x 15.1).  **2009 models - HealthStuff.org did not test this seat for toxins that I can find**

Bundle Me Infant Car Seat Cover/Bunting Bag OR this less expensive variation with the same concept…Over-the-Top Car Seat Cover/Bunting Bag…the best invention for winter --- it’s wonderful not having to bundle your baby in a snow suit.  I wish I would have had this for my first child.  A snow suit is good to keep in the car for a case of emergency. Good for babies 0 to approx 9-11 months --- depending on your kids’ size and car seat weights/height limits.

Playard/Play Pen…great for traveling, keeping your kid out of trouble or even good for when baby outgrows bassinet/moses basket if you still want baby in your room. I recently come across a Baby Trend Deluxe 6-In-1 Nursery Center and really like its versatility. If you get this model, you could possibly avoid purchasing a Bassinet or Moses Basket (or the Rock ‘N Play Sleeper) all together.

Soothing and Entertaining

Pacifiers (BPA Free plastic)…My favorites are the Nuby™ Natural SoftFlex™  pacifiers, they are open on the other end so they don’t collect bacteria – sold at Diapers.com and The Soft Landing.

I’ve also gotten great reviews from other moms on WubbaNubs…
These cute little stuffed animals help keep your baby’s pacifier from falling out constantly. To locate a retailer near you, visit WubbaNub.com

Cradle Swing by Fisher-Price…this has the front to back AND side to side motion options.  Most babies seem to love the variety, my kids did. I bought/tested 3 other swings prior to this style. All 3 went back for various reasons…lack of motion, comfort and ease of assembly – but mostly had issues with lack of motion.

Exersaucer by Evenflo…Love, love, love.  There is a large variety of activity with this 3 in 1; Grow-with-Me model / good approx 4 months to 2 years – other models that do not have the 3-in-1 feature are good from 4 months to approx 12-15 months. Plus this one and other Exersaucer models have the arch that is great for encouraging babies to reach up.





Baby Pajamas/Sleeping Attire

Sleeping Gowns (8)…One of the best clothing inventions for sleep.  Sleepers with snaps are not ideal on a squirmy baby, especially in the middle of the night when you are very sleep deprived.  These are good to about 3-5 months. The packaging usually says 0-3 months (a few say 6 mo), but all of my kids fit until about 5+ months.