The past 8 weeks have been nothing short of a whirlwind. I became a mom to a precious baby girl on May 11, and it’s truly something I couldn’t prepare myself for until I was in the thick of it. My days consist of lots of feeding, changing diapers, and bouncing the baby to stop the crying. Some days are tough, and I just want to go to bed in hopes for a better day and a longer nap when I wake. Other days are filled with big smiles, loving embraces, and cozy naps on the couch. Those days definitely make up for the long ones for sure!
In the midst of the whirlwind, I’ve discovered a few products that have made those tough days a little easier and the good days icing on the cake.
All babies are obviously different. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. These are the products that have we’ve loved so far.
Some links are affiliated for your shopping convenience.
Fisher Price Rock n’ Play
First on my list is the Fisher Price Rock n’ Play. Olive slept in this in our room for the first few weeks before transitioning to her crib. We also travel with it since it packs up so easily. Our baby could take or leave the rocking and music feature, but the shape just snuggles her up and is super cozy for her. It’s just the perfect size and easiest crib-like product to lay our daughter down for naps or just to give our arms a break.
Fisher Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
Around week 2-3, we started experience tummy issues. We were all miserable. We tried gas drops, tummy massages, lots of bouncing and burping. It feels like we tried it all! We went to a friend’s house, who also has a newborn, and we placed Olive in their vibrating rocker. It immediately soothed her! I went home and immediately started researching vibrating chairs or rockers. I read several good reviews on this one, and I also liked that it could grow with her for a few years. It can be a stationary reclined chair, infant rocker, and toddler rocker. This has become our go-to after almost every feeding. After we burp her, we place her in this rocker and turn on the vibration. She will contently sit in it for about 30 minutes and will usually have a dirty diaper afterwards.
I swear this is the product that has resolved our tummy issues! I’m just trying to figure out how we’re going to fit it in the car when we travel to the beach. We may have to strap it to the top of the car.
It’s recommended that you swaddle a newborn up to 3 months at night to eliminate the baby waking from her startle reflex and it makes her feel like she’s still in the womb. Olive hates being swaddled. If she’s awake with a swaddle on, she’s fighting it until I take it off or until she falls asleep. Though she hates it in the waking hours, it allows her to sleep for much longer stretches during the night.
We tried the Swaddle Me swaddles, but Olive would always wake up with a hand wedged up against her face. She’s definitely a Houdini baby.
We received a Halo swaddle in the mail and decided to give it a try. Not only did she have more space to kick her legs, but her arms were more secure to her sides throughout the night. Sadly, she’s already outgrown the newborn swaddles, but I immediately ran out to purchase the next size up because I’m such a huge fan.
Diaper Genie
There are so many diaper pails on the market. Some cost up to $70-$80! Unreal. But the basic Diaper Genie gets the job done and has been so easy to use, plus it’s only around $35. Though some people just take dirty diapers straight to their kitchen trash or outside bin, it’s so nice to have an odor trapper next to the changing table for those late night or early morning changes. The Diaper Genie we chose is just the basic white one, so it blends in seamlessly in our sweet girl’s nursery, but they come in an array of colors to coordinate with your décor.
Babyganics Foaming Dish Soap
Washing bottles consume my time. I never really catch up on this task, which is frustrating. Babyganics foaming dish soap certainly makes this job easier. It’s free of so many chemicals and fragrances, so you can wash a bottle without fear of your baby ingesting harmful ingredients. I also like that I can easily pump the soap right on my bottle brush, so that I don’t have to fill up the sink with liquid dish soap every time I wash a bottle. I will definitely be repurchasing this for as long as I have a bottle to wash.
I have several other Babyganics products, and I have loved them all. Their foaming hand sanitizer is a must on any diaper changing station!
Sweet N’ Swag
Just a few weeks after finding out we were having a girl, I purchased a hand full of bows from Sweet N’ Swag. I originally found them on Instagram and loved their style. They make simple leather and suede bows in classic designs. I didn’t necessarily want to plop a bow larger than my baby’s face on her head, so I love the size and simplicity of these bows. I also like that they’re different than the typical cotton bows that you see everywhere. They also make adorable moccs and moxfords. I have my first pair of moxfords in transit now!
Turbans for Tots
As much as I like to put a bow on my daughter, I like a headband even more. Turbans for Tots make the best knotted headbands in the cutest, softest fabrics. I have 4 or 5 of their head bands, and I know I’ll only purchase more as Olive grows out of the ones she has. They even make adult sizes if you’re interested in matching your little one.
Along with these items, the most important things to have when caring for a newborn is loving arms and tons and tons or patience. I keep hearing that it only gets easier. Please tell me I’m not being lied to!
What is a product that was a life saver for your newborn? I’d love to know in the comments below!
