We have tried to note items that brought mom's
and dad's great satisfaction along with listing products that have a
minimalist approach. We love products that incorporate
multi-use functionality into design. We are not paid by anyone
to publish their products. Only tested, tried and LOVED
products by us are listed.
Strollers
One could easily burn through several of these things in an infants
first few years. You've got your light weight travel stroller,
the infant stroller, a toddler stroller, a jogging stroller...
Keeping it simple is our main task. Some products that we feel fits
the minimalist consumers needs are as follows:
The Instep Stroller is a backpack/stroller that is a smart solution
for traveling. Inexpensive and convenient, this stroller is
super light weight (7 or so pounds) and will go easily wherever you go.
Handles bumps well and baby can chew on the side rails during those
teething times. This stroller is an Infomiss
favorite, but
unfortunately it appears to be discontinued by the maker for
whatever reason. Hopefully because they've come up with an
even better (if possible) replacement product! Genius concept and performance.
This stroller will support up to 30 lbs.
Graco makes some nice Travel systems. Infant car
seat/Strollers are easy to pop into the car seat base and stroller
alike and is easier than taking baby out of the car seat to put in
the stroller. Buy two bases if you have two cars.
Wear Your Baby
Search for these popular carriers on the web and
compare Ergo, The Baby Pouch, Patapum, Mei Tai - Babyhawk, Sachi,
MeiTaiBaby Wraps - Didymos, Storchenweige, Ellaroo. The Ergo backpack is the latest Mom favorite.
It offers more support than a traditional type cloth wrap. Purchase on
My Favorite Baby Carrier and save on shipping and get a 90-day
money back guarantee if you don't like it. Very comfy, light
weight and good on the back/shoulders.
In the wraps arena, we
liked the long cloth wrap around
called "The Baby Pouch - Wear your Baby". It keeps baby
snug next to your body in a cradle position. It's perfect for
infants. One of our staff loved it because it was the first
time in 8 days that she was able to hold her husbands hand because
it was the first time they both
had a free one! This is great for the first couple of months
when the baby is light enough and can be carried in the front
napping position. You will be able to breastfeed baby in the pouch
with no one being the wiser! Baby can sleep in the pouch while you enjoy
a nice meal at a restaurant or a nice long walk. We've
provided some links to assist you with your research.
The Baby Wearer
Mama ToTo
Nine In Nine Out
Eden Baby Carrier
Mom's in Mind
Goo Ga
New Native Baby
My Pouch Baby
Online stores, forums or sites that you help you decide which baby carrier
is best for you.
Attached to Baby
Peppermint
Cotton Cradles
Babyhawk
InfoMiss News You Can Use
Swaddle Blanket
We found a cool swaddle blanket that your baby may enjoy (The
Miracle Blanket). The blanket may give baby more peaceful
sleep if she flaps her arms and legs around a lot. There are
other swaddle blankets out there that are less expensive. You
won't be using this for very long, so that may impact your spending
decision.
Do without a Crib! The Travel Bed solution
If you don't have the space for a crib or want to have one bed that
is multi-functional, you might consider purchasing a travel bed instead
of a crib. This allows you to take the bed with you on our
travels and / or move the bed easily from room to room
when you're at home.
We loved the travel beds/tents offered at One Step Ahead. The
Peapod travel bed/tent for birth to 1 year old is so compact.
It fits neatly into luggage for trips. Easily moved from room
to room. Comfortable baby and well built. It sits on the
floor so when baby wakes up, she can craw out of bed - assuming she
can crawl. It blocks out some of the sunlight for those
afternoon naps too. Part of the bed is inflatable. It's easy
enough to blow up without the included pump. Wish they made
one for adults!
Travel Tent for Baby
The next bed that we liked from One Step Ahead is the
Quick N' Easy Travel Bed. It's inflatable - comes with a
pump, which you will need. Product is listed for ages 2 and
up. This bed allows baby to get out of bed herself when her
nap is finished.
The one benefit of a crib is that in the mornings, if your baby
loves the crib, they will play independently for a bit allowing you
to get maybe a 1/2 more of rest before getting up.
We are a fan of Co-sleeping, feeling that when the baby is able to
at least speak a bit, they can go off into there own bed because
they can communicate their fears, needs and wants better.
Throughout the first year co-sleeping allows the baby to nurse
immediately and go right back to sleep (mom too!). Plus,
having the parent(s) nearby must make the baby feel awfully secure,
warm and happy.
Needing a Narrow
Crib?
Some of these turn into very nice looking junior beds (see
pictures).
The Molly Crib
http://www.cloud9web.com/pali20.htm 29"
The Donna, Paula, Laurie, Ashley, April, Denise - 30"
http://www.cloud9web.com/crib.htm#palicribs
The Graco Travel Lite ($57 from Target online) is great for the
first 6-9 months depending on your babies size. It's a travel/bassinet/crib so can be taken
on trips - plus since it's under 29 inches wide, it's
easily moved from room to room. People with old houses with small
doorways (29-30 inches) know that very few cribs can be easily moved
around the house because of the crib and doorway sizes.
Pack-and-Play/Bassinet sleeping systems makes for a nice multi-use
bed/play pen for baby until baby is ready to move to a toddler bed.
It can also be taken on travels or left at Grandma's for a second
bed. We suggest purchasing one that has a changer so you don't break
your back bending over to change baby in these beds which often
aren't an ergonomically suitable for this purpose.
Standard sized Crib
Some bassinets and cribs change into toddler beds, junior beds,
daybeds or beds with rails.
Delta Capri from Baby
Depot seems sturdy and changes into a toddler bed and headboard
later on.
Rocking Chairs
Some people swear by them. Then others have babies who will only
stop crying when mom or dad are standing or walking around. If you
don't have the space, maybe wait and see what your baby is like when
you meet her or at least wait for a good deal or perfect solution.
You might try to pick up a rocker at a local thrift store if you
plan to get rid of the chair after baby outgrows the need for it or
if baby doesn't respond to a rocker. Width between the arms
and padded arms are something to consider. Padded arms are
useful as the baby will inevitably rear back and clock itself on
wooden chair arms.
Gliders w/ottoman may be more comfortable than the traditional
rocking chair. A swing is another way (of course they need to be
able to support their own neck) to avoid buying a rocking chair.
Then if you have plenty of space, there's always the Lazyboy cushy
rocker/recliner chairs.
Things you don't need,
or at least for awhile
You won't need a highchair early on or for that matter spoons, bowls, plates
until you're baby starts on solids and can sit up on their own. For
some of you this means 6-9 months, others perhaps 4-6 months
depending on what your pediatrician recommends.
High Chair TIP: Most walkers are
designed with a feeding tray, so this can function as a high chair
as well if you don't have the space to have both.
♥ Bath toys aren't necessary for a few months after baby is born.
♥ Babies start to enjoy toys at about 2-3 months old so these can
wait.
♥ Infant Bibs and maybe bibs altogether
because why wouldn't' you just change the babies top? You get
more baby clothes than you could ever use - so going bib-less lets
you use all the cute clothes you got)
♥
Bottle warmer (stove, pan and water will do)
♥ Bottle sterilizer (water, soap and brush or dishwasher)
♥ Wet wipe warmer (diaper wipes are not that cold and may actually
feel good after being in a hot diaper for 2 years.)
♥ Bigger babies can often just use your
silverware and won't need special spoons and forks.
♥ Highchairs as we mentioned can wait until baby sits up. You
can do without one altogether by feeding baby in a booster at the
table or by feeding baby in your lap or on the floor (that's where
the food ends up anyway...)
♥ Shoes for the little one. Socks are best. Save the
shoe purchases for later. If you do buy shoes, make sure they are
flexible like the Robeks brand of shoes. More on the clothing that can wait.
If your place is small, you might just wait to purchase
the gadgets and toys when the need arises or the baby reaches the
appropriate age. This is useful because when the baby outgrows
(physically and mentally) one gadget, it's generally because they
are ready for the
next more challenging set of gadgets - this will help you avoid
equipment overlap.
As an aside, you may not think your baby needs
some of the standard "equipment" that most families seem
to own. Maybe they don't 'need' the bouncer and saucer and
other such things, but that 15 minutes of time that a saucer or
bouncer buys mom or dad to pee or wash their face or just stair into
space is
worth every cent the equipment costs. And baby probably
does benefit from these sort of interactive toys after all.
Changing Table or Not
Ikea sells a $30 dollar changing table. Can't hardly beat
that. But if you don't have the space,
just purchase a cushioned changing pad and
put the changing pad on your spare bed if you have one. It
will be useful if the changing pad has a felt or non-slippery
backing so that it stays put on the surface you place it. It's
also helpful to buy one with straps to secure baby. The nice thing
about putting the changing pad on a bed is that the bed height will
help avoid back fatigue and if baby rolls over the side, she'll roll
off onto a cushy bed. Do remember to never take your eyes off the
baby though because she can still tumble from the bed.
Using Formula
There is a little Tupperware like container you can get that has 3
compartments. You can fill
with powder and basically, if you are on the go, you fill a baby's
bottle with Evian/Ozarka, add one of the compartments of powder,
shake it up and you've got milk.
Another solution is using the breast milk plastic baggies or even
snack size Ziploc's with your powder already measured out.
Just mark on the plastic bag with a sharpie how many ounces of
powder is in the baggie and even how many ounces of water to add to
make it completely brainless. May get some flack if you take
in your carry-on when flying, so you may want to pack in your
checked baggage.
Formulas
We like Horizon Formula (though recently bought out by Earth's Best) and Target Brand Soy Formula.
Your baby will tell you what he/she likes though.
FYI: Hospitals Give you Stuff
All hospitals are different, but some of the things you may get from
your hospital for free are:
Aspirator (for sucking boogers and snot out of their nose)
A baby blanket
A T-shirt
Breast-feeding accessories that you use in the hospital and later
with your own pump
Formula samples
You may also be able to rent a breast pump from your hospital to see
how you do with pumping breast milk before committing to an
expensive pump.
Great
sites for
bringing up Baby
www.drjaygordon.com -
Some may call Dr. Gordon's advice alternative or even contrarian to
the current mainstream medical establishment. I however, enjoy
his rational, safe and responsible approaches, which seem pro-baby.
That's what a pediatrician should be concerned with after all - the babies
and parents happiness and well-being.
Dr. Gordon has authored many popular books such as "Good Food
Today, Great Kids Tomorrow," "Brighter Baby," examining the
positive effects of attachment parenting. Also "Good Night! The
Parents' Guide to the Family Bed" and "Hug Your Baby," a gentle
guide through babies first year and his latest book, "Listening To
Your Baby: A New Approach to Parenting Your Newborn."
In addition, Dr. Gordon
writes a monthly column for "Fit Pregnancy" magazine.
