Saturday, October 3, 2009

Show Us Your Life - Baby Gear

Kelly, over at Kelly's Korner, is hosting a Show Us Your Life Friday and today's theme is "Baby Gear". This is SO fun for me! I love getting to go with new moms to register and helping them out!! I LOVE me some baby stuff!

Bouncy Seat - We used this constantly with all three of the kids. Mine were not much of the swinging type, so this is where they spent a majority of their time when they weren't being held. I even got a new one when Cash was born because our first one was worn out after both of the girls had used it. I loved it because I could carry it wherever I went (bathroom, shower, on trips) and also because I knew that if they were in it, they were pretty much safe from being stepped on or messed with by other little people roaming around. :)
Fisher-Price Rainforest Bouncer

Sound Machines
- Oh my goodness gracious!!! This is one of our number one priority baby items in our home. Seriously! We have one in all three of the kids rooms. Even Lily's and she is 5! Once my kids get pass the newborn stage, my kids are amazing sleepers and I really believe that this has something to do with it. We use the ocean noise and it is up as loud as it can go. It is especially wonderful when those newborn screams happen in the middle of night by little brothers and sisters. The other kids sleep right through it. When we go on trips and vacations, we always take them with us. We actually brought two with us this weekend when we went to Louisiana. The girls slept right through Cash throwing up all night in the hotel room. Never even phased them.
DEX Products Sound Sleeper SS-01

Gas Drops
- Saved our life those first few nights and months! Enough said!! Thank you, Lord!! Let's just say that it is a good thing you can't over dose on this stuff. HA! We never bought the real Mylicon. We just used the off brand from Walmart and it seemed to work wonders.
Little Tummy's Gas Drops - 1 fl. oz.


Medela Breast Pump
- I nursed both of the girls for at least a year, and plan to do the same with Cash. But, I also pump a TON. When I am home, I nurse exclusively. But, we are a family that is on the go constantly and as much as I wish I could, I just cannot make myself nurse in public. I also don't want to be tied down where I can never leave them or having to be on a super tight schedule where I have to be home for them to eat. I think I would go nuts! We also have babysitters a lot and we love to travel...just Conn and I by ourselves. Therefore, I must have milk for the baby. So, I pump. In the car while someone is driving or even while I am driving. Forget texting...it is pumping for me! HA!! Conn and I even travel while I am nursing and still have a ton of date nights. We once went on a cruise for 7 days and I just pumped the whole time. It is kind of a pain, but you do what you gotta do. So, if you ever need pumping lessons or such, just ask!
Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with Backpack

Medela Nipple Shield
- Even though I nurse all of my children, I wouldn't dare say that it has come easy to me! It has, by far, been one of the HARDEST things I have ever done!! Especially in the beginning. The nipple shield, is one thing that SAVED my life!! I know it sounds so silly and crazy, but trust me, it is truly amazing!!! I used it for about 8 weeks with the girls and then with Cash it was only for the first couple of weeks.
Medela 16mm Contact Nipple Shield


Sleep Positioner
- We used this for about the first 4-5 months or until they outgrew it and it was great. It kept them from rolling all around and you could place them on their sides to sleep and they would stay put. It was also a great way to recline them while sleeping.
Sassy Baby Ultimate Sleep Positioner, White


Pack-n-Play
- A must if you ever plan on going anywhere with your baby, infant or toddler. We also used ours in our room when the kids would sleep in there for about the first 4 months or so. Ours was a pretty cheap model, but we still use the same one 5 years later. Now they have these ones that vibrate and make moving motions. Very cool!
Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Bassinet

Playtex Drop-in Liner Bottles
- I know that there are a bazillion different bottles out there, but this works for us. I love that when they are done with a feeding, you can just throw the liner away and wash the nipple. No scrubbing the inside of bottles that are left with stinky left over milk. The nipples come in different "flows", so they grow with the baby. They are also BPA free.
Playtex Drop-Ins Premium Decorated BPA Free Nurser - 3 Pack

Teething Tablets
- These also save our life when teething time has occurs. We love them! You just pop them right in their mouth and they dissolve instantly.
Teething Tabs


Graco Snap-n-Go Stroller Frame
- Okay, we didn't use this with the girls, but I totally would have if they would have been around. When your baby is in the infant carrier, you can just pop it into this stroller. It fits any model. You don't have to haul around the huge stroller that usually comes with the car seat. This folds completely flat and is extremely light. I LOVED it! I saw one today that was made for twins.
Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Stroller Frame


This is all I will list right now! I could list so, so much more! But, I will stop here. I could literally walk up and down baby isles every time I go to the store. I love this stuff so much! If you have any questions, just ask. Would love to help you out!!

6 comments:

Exum Family said...

What a fun post. I may have to do one too even though it won't be posted on Friday. I love baby stuff!

I do have a question for you. I nursed Jackson until he weaned at 2. I plan to do the same with Allison. I nurse at home and when I'm out (I have a great nursing cover), but I have to say that it would be nice to have milk stored for emergencies or date nights. I have the Medela breast pump. So here are my questions: Do you pump every day? If so, how do you schedule your pumpings around your feedings? And how do you have time to sit and feed and then sit and pump. Do you just pump once per day? I'd love to chat about this!

Lindsay said...

We are a sound machine family too. All the boys have one in their rooms and Neal and I can't sleep without one either. Love them.

said...

Thank you for all of your mommy advice and reviews of certain products :) Our little girl is due to arrive in just a few months and getting feedback from mom's who have "been there" is great! I need to add a sleep positioner to my list of things to get since it seems that many mom's really recommend one!

Anonymous said...

Hey Ashley, what brand is the sound machine you guys use?

Julie Marler (Mammy) said...

All this stuff is great - and as Ashley's mom I will tell you she uses them all! But I must tell you this part - you should see their car when they go on a trip! My goodness gracious...you would think they were moving!! Ha!
Mammy

Jennifer said...

I have never heard of a sound machine. I just put it on the list for things to get before this baby comes. I have a question for you about nursing. I work outside the home and had a horrible time with supply with my first one, so I stopped nursing at 6 months. What is your secret to pumping and having enough to last for 7 days? Do you do it after each feeding? Need much advice because I really want this baby to be fed differently.