Tips and Products for new mommies

When you discover you are expecting a new baby, the helpful people at the doctors office will give you a list of things that you need in your home for the new arrival.  BUT, this list outlines the BARE ESSENTIALS.  In my experience, there are things you can have around the house that make life with the new little one SO MUCH EASIER!!!!   Some of the products i will mention below are cost effective, some are a little pricey but last a long time.  All of them have helped make life with baby just a little smoother.

GOWNS: no, not for you, for BABY.   Sleepers are cute.  they are warm. BUT, those little buttons or snaps are a real pain when changing a diaper at 2 am.   SO, for the first few days, gowns are easier.  no snaps. no fuss.  they cover baby, keep baby warm, and are easy access.
RECIEVING BLANKETS: on the list the docs give you it usually suggests 5 or so recieving blankets. BUT, you are going to need a heck of alot more than THAT....... these can be used for changing when a changepad isnt nearby. thrown over the shoulder they make a great burpcloth and protect your clothes. draped over your shoulder and babys head, they keep prying eyes away from you and baby while breastfeeding.  wrapped snuggly around the lil one, they are great for swadding. rolled in a cylinder they are terrific for propping baby on her side in the crib after a good feeding..... SO, keep these around..... they are really handy.  My favorite brand: CIRCO.... they are pretty, soft, large, and come in many many colors.
BOOTIES: I have found that fitted booties are much better than little socks...... i have lost so many socks while walking with baby..... they just arent fitted right and fall off..... booties stay on better, and are just as nice and comfy and warm as socks.
BOTTLES: even if you are breastfeeding, keep bottles in the house.   you never  know when you are going to need them..... and for a newborn, choosing a bottle is all about the nipple..... choose a shorter nipple with a wider base, and ONE small pinhole..... DONT choose the nipples with the X flow-hole, or the double flow-hole. those flow toooooo fast for a newborn.  I reccomend GERBER SLOW FLOW EASYHOLD.
BEANBAG BOPPY: Some of you may be saying "what the heck is THAT??"   if you have never seen a boppy pillow, its just a contoured cushion that looks a bit like a horseshoe..... but the BOPPY brand is PRICEY..... for my pillow, i chose a beanbag NECK PILLOW...... its a bit smaller than a boppy and perfect for my little one. she nestles so comfortably in it..... these are great if you want to Co-sleep with your baby.....  anyone who has held an infant all night long knows about stiff arms. lol.....but, put one of these pillows in your bed, nestle baby inside, and snuggle up next to her...... very comfortable...... i use mine every single day.   I can lay her on the couch in it, on my chair, i can prop her up during her wide awake hours while we talk and sing..... its a MUST HAVE!
DISPOSABLE DISHES:  Honestly..... who wants to do dishes right after you give birth????????!!!  standing at the sink trying to wash dishes is NOT my idea of a relaxing homecoming....... so, get some disposable paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware...... easy cleanup till you are back on your feet.....
PREMADE SMOOTHIES: Prebottled yogurt smoothies, a staple in my house.... WHY???? because between feeding and changing and rocking and 2 am crying and upset tummies.... sometimes you wont have time in the morning to feed yourself...... SO, grabbing something good like a yogurt smoothy will put something in your stomach until you CAN feed yourself. 
BABY MONITOR: I have found that some of the most expensive baby monitors really arent that good!  The volume doesnt go high enough to wake me when im sleeping..... you gotta really really pay attention to hear ANYTHING from those things. And, theres always alot of static noise.   I have found a BETTER product!  A RADIO SHACK 900MHz WIRELESS INTERCOM W/AUDIO.   this thing picks up a breath. a hiccup..... I can hear my husband making a sandwich in the kitchen when the monitor is in BABYS room and the reciever is on my headboard!!!  Its a powerful little device, small, compact, and attractive, and the reciever can be mounted on any wall.  Dont buy an expensive monitor that wont work properly.   GET ONE OF THESE!!!!!
GRIPE WATER: Alot of people have never heard of this product.   Its called GRIPE WATER. its an organic product, a licorice flavored liquid that you HAFTA HAVE!!! its a MUST in my house. if i run out, we get more IMMEDIATELY.   Its a little pricey, and runs about 10 dollars for a small bottle BUT...... we love this product.    Its used to help babys with upset tummies, gas, colic, or hiccups.   I give my daughter 2.5 ml of this product and IMMEDIATELY her hiccups stop, or her tummy feels better, or she can sleep without discomfort of gas!   This stuff is NATURES MIRACLE. check it out!  I reccomend BABYS BLISS brand. :)

Of course, there are so many other things that you are going to need for your baby. But, this list is of the little extras that some new moms dont think about...... or have to learn about the hard way.   With my first child I spent alot of time with stiff arms from trying to hold my newborn while we slept,  alot if time buttoning and rebuttoning sleepers at 2am, searching for lost sockies that fell off, washing dishes ( or searching for a clean spoon cuz i DIDNT wash dishes),  sitting in my rocking chair looking longingly at my breakfast wishing i had another hand, or with my ear pressed to a baby monitor all nite, straining to hear something......
This time, im doing things the easy way. :)