Heather says:
Fellow blogger Amy is expecting her first rugmonkey and is looking for suggestions on baby paraphernalia.
She says she plans on breastfeeding, prefers plain to battery operated toys, and doesn’t want a lot of plastic crap strewn about.
Well, Amy, I hate to break it to you, but the plastic crap arrives whether or not you actually purchase any. Well meaning friends insist on passing along their unwanted much loved cast offs. Grandparents and other family members scour every garage sale within a tri-state area (yes, even if you live in Hawaii) to procure every battery operated piece of garbage to give the new darling. You can’t stop it, just have the Kidney Foundation on speed dial, as they will often pick up large donations.
Baby Necessities:
- A Swing – Even if you are the most devoted attachment parent ever, there will be times where you have to use the restroom, answer the phone, cook a meal, or walk away before you pull your hair out. My son had
colicundiagnosed reflux that left him screaming for hours every day. The only relief was his swing and yes, I wore him in slings and packs all the time. Ivy says: I cannot agree more. Get the kind of swing you can plug in. Batteries are ‘spensive. - Onesies – If you aren’t going anywhere and the weather is warm, these are perfect every day outfits. Your house is not a fashion show, don’t stress yourself out with expensive outfits that will get just fall victim to bodily fluids. Ivy says: When they’re really tiny, I love those little baby gowns. No unsnapping, just pull up the bottom. Theyr’e fab.
- A sling or carrier – for tiny infants, I had great luck with a Maya Wrap and with older ones I prefer a Mei-tei (thanks Bramble, you’ll get it back eventually) Ivy says: I had a front pack carrier I used with my kids. They say they’re bad for their developing hips or something, but I loved mine.
For Mama:
- Good nursing bras – Make sure they fit you properly, get measured.
- Lansinoh
- Ivy says: Get you a diaper bag that makes you feel cool. Go ahead and spend the extra bucks on it. Make sure you put yourself an extra shirt in the diaper bag, your baby will leave spitup stains on you, and if you have an extra shirt, you can change.
Here is the best advice I can offer you from the bottom of my heart. No matter how protective you are of this child, let Dad help. I mean this. Even if you have to leave the room because you can’t stand to see how he fastens the diaper, let him help from the beginning. He may not do things your way, but that’s OK you aren’t perfect, either. He is equally invested in the well being of your child and the more hands on he is in the beginning, the easier things will be for all involved. If Dad is a little standoffish, hand him the baby and go take a shower anyhow. They will both survive.
Ivy says: Seconded. Do whatever it takes to get some “me” time. Even if that means (and this is totally Heather’s trick) leaving and going and sitting in your car in a Target parking lot reading a book, get some alone time.
Happy babying!
