Keep Calm and Get Hand-Me-Downs (A List Of My Favorite Baby Products)

When I found out we were going to be parents, a part of me cringed while thinking about what my house would look like in a year. I have always taken pride in decorating and making my humble abode reflect my personality...and I feared my fragile knick knacks would be replaced with endless piles of plastic Little Tikes crap.

I definitely had the "less is more" mentality, and ((embarrassingly)) thought I could do without a stroller! I saw other new moms rushing to Babies R Us to register, and didn't relate. I always thought, if humans have been reproducing for thousands of years, I'm sure we can make do with what we have! Most "baby" stuff is purchased because MAMA wants it, not the BABY! I think my mentality originated when we weren't even sure where we were going to LIVE with said baby. We moved in with my parents when I was 9 months pregnant, and I certainly didn't want to crowd their house with plastic crap! I scoured over Pinterest boards and asked friends what their "must have" baby item lists were. And now, I've made my own...

MY FAVORITE BABY PRODUCTS:



 

 

1. Sakura Bloom Ring Sling. I wear Lilah every day that I am home with her. She loves it, I love it, and I can accomplish so much more when I have my hands to work with! I like this sling because she could fit in it as a newborn, and she will continue to fit in for a long time. It's easy to use, will last a long time, easy to throw in the washer, and doesn't take up much space. This was recommended to me by my friend, Sarah, and purchased for me from my friend, Jen.
2. Petunia Picklebottom Diaper Bag and Mama's Choice Wristlet. I LOVE my diaper bag. And it just so happens to be a "designer" diaper bag (who knew such a thing existed??). I got very lucky, because the ONLY female anesthesiologist at my work is a mama, and said she used this bag maybe once or twice. One of the best hand-me-downs I've received, ever! I will say...I don't think a "diaper bag" is a "need." I am so grateful for mine and wouldn't wanna give it up now, but we could get by with a big bag/purse. What IS a need, is consolidating MAMA'S stuff into a WRISTLET (get one that you'll like and that is durable, you'll use it everyday). My mom recommended we do this the day I went into labor, and I'm so glad we did. This way, if you go somewhere WITHOUT baby, you just grab your wristlet and go. If you go somewhere WITH baby, you toss the wristlet in the diaper/big bag. The wristlet has your ID, credit cards, cash, and car keys. Bare minimums.
3. Graco Snug Ride and Fast Action Stroller Set. I can't believe I thought I wouldn't use a stroller. Yes, babywearing is amazing, but a stroller is a MUST. I walk Lilah everyday that I'm with her, and we really love that time together. Definitely invest in a set, where you get a carseat that can click into the stroller, as well as the base (that goes in the car). My grandparents gave us this set, and we literally use it EVERY time Lilah goes ANYWHERE, including home from the hospital. Safe, cute, and easy. It's exactly what we were looking for.

First ride in the carseat, ever.

Same carseat, clicks in the stroller. Now she's 4 months old :)

4. Avent Breast Pump. I have to pump when I work, which is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to keep my milk supply. Pumps are REALLY expensive. I have been borrowing this one from my friend, Andi, and am so grateful to her for this! I have already ordered replacement parts so it's in better condition when I return it. I was hoping to breastfeed, but since you never know, I would suggest waiting until you have the baby to buy one of these. You can always borrow from a friend, or rent one from the hospital. But if you buy it, and can't breastfeed, you can't return it. It's a big chunk of change and I don't think it's worth the risk! But if you DO breastfeed, and have to be away from your baby for more than 4 hours, you NEED to pump. You'll be uncomfortable and your milk supply will slow down if you don't.

5. Dr. Brown Bottles. I heard these were the best, and I don't know if that's the reason or not, but I'm proud to say Lilah drinks from these like a champ, and still breastfeeds everyday. They are great for controlling gas, and easy to clean and store. And my baby likes them, so that's awesome. Anytime somebody else is watching your baby, you need to have a bottle and either breast-milk or formula ready. If you're trying to do this whole parenting-bit on a budget ((like yours truly)), DON'T BUY FORMULA!! Breast feeding is free, first of all. But if you supplement, and you see a pediatrician, just ask them for samples. Every time I've taken Lilah to the doctor, I've asked for samples, and I have more formula than we know what to do with! The doctor offices get flooded with formula companies pushing their brands. And from what I hear, formula is pricey. Just get the free stuff! Brands TRULY don't matter (in my opinion). My daughter prefers "the real stuff" to formula, but if she's stuck with formula, she's drinking it whether it's Similac or Enfamil. Doesn't matter. But it does need to be warm. :)

6. Halo Sleepsack. These were gifted to us, and we LOVE them. Lilah sleeps in one of these every night. I've tried putting her down in other pajamas or a diaper, and I swear, she sleeps better in these. Big price range on these bad boys. We have a precious one from Pottery Barn with her name embroidered (a gift from one of my patients) and of course, I love it. But Target sells them, too, for a reasonable price.

7. aden + anais Muslin Blankets. If you have a baby in the summer, you're going to need these. Everytime I take Lilah Grace outside, it's too hot for clothes, but mosquitoes are awful. These blankets breathe and are super light-weight. Also, they're better, I hear, for swaddling/sleeping at night, because babies won't suffocate if it covers their face during the night.

We always have one of these blankets with us. I was glad we did the other day on our walk, so we could stop to "smell the flowers."



8. Clothes...hehehehe. If you have a girl, you're going to be given a ton of precious girly outfits. Which is actually REALLY fun everyday when you dress your babydoll. But if you have your baby in summer, and you happen to live in Texas, clothes are totally not necessary. She wears a diaper and a bow as her complete outfit all the time.

 



But we LOVE getting dolled up and showing off how cute she is, too.

I just couldn't imagine spending money on clothes when she'll only wear them once or twice! She grows SO fast. I've literally bought her one onesie, ever. All her other outfits were either gifted (and we've been given some DARLING outfits!!!), or hand-me-downs from my friend, Crystal. We are so blessed to be in line for her daughter's hand-me-downs, and hope we keep getting them!

9. Diapers...I wanted to do cloth diapering initially. But going back and forth from my parents to George's parents, and not being able to use cloth at my parents (washer/dryer situation), made disposable diapers the easier answer. Not to mention, we were gifted countless diapers at our shower (which was awesome, because diapers are also expensive). I guess every baby is different, so you have to test out different brands, but I'll say...PAMPERS fit our baby perfectly. Luvs is 2nd best. Huggies...epic fail. Multiple leaks and blow-outs. Store-brand, same thing. The Huggies were actually such a poor fit on Lilah, we exchanged the unopened boxes of Huggies for Pampers. So once you discover your brand, switch out your other gifted diapers for the right ones! It'll be worth it!

10. Vibrating Seat/Swing/Bumbo. I got a great baby swing as a hand-me-down from my friend, Misty, and Lilah loves it. We got a new vibrating seat from our friend Wendy, and she loves it, too! We got a hand-me-down Bumbo from Crystal, and I recently purchased a new cover from Etsy to go over it. I would say, if you can get hand-me-downs on these, do it. They are bigger items, take up space, and your baby will outgrow them eventually. BUT, you definitely need a place to set the baby down other than the place she sleeps. But I don't think the brand/model really matters! Lilah slept in a Moses basket from Craig's List, and we had a crib gifted to us from a local church (we made a connection in our Dave Ramsey class). She also slept in a hand-me-down cradle initially (from Al and his family), and then her Pack 'n Play (a gift from the McKinley/Walter family!), when we stayed at George's parents' house. Sometimes, she just sleeps in bed with us.


She loves sitting in the Bumbo!

Really, what my daughter and I use/do/need more than anything, is love and patience. We like Burt's Bees bath wash, but that's a luxury, not a need.





We never use nail clippers because I suck royally at clipping her nails, and would rather bite them off (also free). We never pre-washed clothes/blankets in a "special" detergent. We never pre-washed anything at all, actually! And her clothes get washed with ours, with normal detergents.

The baby product world can be overwhelming, if you let it! Keep Calm and GET HAND-ME-DOWNS! Or the hook-up, at least! :) We are really grateful for our network of people, helping us out!

xoxo,
L