Month 1 Favorites & Registry (pt. 3)

Boogie Mist - Saline Spray - It's impossible to get baby boogers out of their tiny noses, but just spray this stuff up the nostril and it clears baby's nose within 5 minutes.  Xavier never minded this stuff, probably because it smelled like grape!
Summer Infant Changing Pad - We put this on top of Xavier's dresser and diaper changes now make him smile and giggle.  A large variety of covers are available.
NUK Pacifiers - Xavier couldn't keep the green hospital pacifiers in his mouth.  These have a flat part on the tip that made it easier for him to suck on.  NUK also makes bottles that have the same design for the nipple.  It might make it easier for baby to use the same bottle and paci.  I hear the MAM brand pacifiers are good too.  They have a similar design.
Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier - We rebelliously used a warm mist instead of cool mist because Xavier's room is always cold in the winter months.  We monitored the temperature with his baby monitor so it never bothered us.  This humidifier has Vicks drops you can put in it that push a Vapo-Rub type smell/effect into the air.  When Xavier was congested, the humidifier kept his mucous loose.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Oil - I hate the smell of cocoa butter, but in this oil form, it's not so bad.  This oil worked wonders on my c-section scar.  I used it several times a day and now I just have a faint, pink line.
Nuna SENA Play Yard - Fits in with my all black and white gear preference.  It is very sturdy so Xavier won't tear it up when he gets older.  It sets up and tears down with the push of one button and one hand!  Other play yards can take up to 10 minutes to set up/take down.
Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair and Booster - Our dining room is small so we wanted something that either attached to the table or to a chair.  We opted for this because it also has a booster that Xavier can use when he gets older.  And for the price, nothing compares!

See complete registry list here.

Month 1 Favorites & Registry (pt. 2)

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier - We used this baby carrier the first couple months until Xavier got to be too heavy for me to comfortably carry around.  It was comfortable to wear and had nice neck support for the babe.
Munchkin Bottle Brushes - Super cheap, which is good since you are supposed to replace them every 30 days.  The brush gets in the bottles well and the nipple brush is a nice feature.
Avent Bottles - Every baby is different, but after trying out the Playtex brand we found Xavier liked these better.  We tried the Dr. Brown bottles too, but there were so many parts it made cleaning difficult.  The nipple is very sturdy on these and Xavier found it easier to latch onto them.  I believe drop-in liners are available on Amazon but we never used them.  I hear the liners are nice for day care because you don't have to wash bottles as frequently.  Oh, and don't waste your money buying too many of the smaller 4 oz. bottles.  You won't use them long enough to justify the purchase!  Stock up on the 9 oz.'ers!  Buy enough to get you through an entire day or you'll be constantly washing bottles!  If only formula feeding, babies usually eat every 3 hours.
Similac Neosure - Our little guy was a preemie arriving 6 weeks before his due date.  The hospital recommended feeding him this formula for the first 9 months to help him catch up in weight and height.  Since Xavier was a big preemie at 7.5 lbs birthweight, we only used this formula for a few months before switching to regular formula.  He was starting to get in the 99th percentile and around 2 months, we figured he'd been on this formula long enough and decided to stop using NeoSure.  You have to use your own judgement sometimes!
Similiac Sensitive Formula - Xavier was in the hospital his first 2 wks of life, which made it nearly impossible for me to breastfeed since I was home.  After a week of trying to exclusively pump (pumping is a nightmare, by the way), we decided to formula feed him.  Hospitals will try to brainwash you in to thinking breast is best, but you have to do what's best for you and baby.  Breast feeding is not for everyone, especially if your baby is premature, and Xavier is one of the healthiest babies my pediatrician has seen.  He is 7 months old and made it though this winter without ever getting sick or having a fever/infection.  Other moms are shocked when I tell them that.  Oh, young babies tend to have constipation issues, but my pediatrician recommended giving him an ounce of apple juice 3 times a day and using gas drops.  It kicked the problem!
Motorola Digital Baby Monitor - Great for easing your fears of not hearing your crying baby when you're asleep.  I was afraid to sleep the first few days Xavier was home.  This monitor helped ease my worries.  It has night vision, tells you the temperature of the baby's room, and has a feature that lets you talk to your baby.  We sometimes take the monitor with us when hanging out on the back porch.  After 3 months or so, you will want to throw this thing out the window, but it put us at ease early on.  Some monitors have features where you can stream the video to your phone or hook the video up to wi-fi so you or grandparents can see the baby at all times.  I was around him a lot when I was on maternity leave and didn't feel the need to be THAT connected.
BabyGanics Hand Sanitzer - Great for after all those diaper changes and first few months when you don't want anyone to touch your baby without clean hands.  This sanitizer doesn't dry out your hands so feel free to use as often as you like!  But make sure to wash with real soap after all poopy diapers!
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive diapers - newborn - We didn't have any trouble with these diapers leaking and there is a cutout for the baby's healing belly button.  A little expensive, so we just used these when Xavier was in newborn/size 1 diapers.  Don't stock up on too many packs of newborn diapers; they aren't in them long.
Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes - Huggies diapers aren't my favorite, but their wipes are great!  We tried several brands and found these to be the best value.  They are thick, which is nice for poopy diapers because you won't go through as many wipes, and they are a good price.  Stock up on a TON of these.  You will go through them quickly!!
Boppy pillow - I've been using this pillow almost daily the past 7 months.  It's great for supporting the baby while he's feeding, you can prop him on it laying down on his back, use it to for tummy time, and we are now using it to support him while he sits.
Boon Lawn Drying Rack - A stylish way to dry your bottles and accessories.  We also use it to dry his spoons and sippy cups.  Buy the largest one you can find (the lawn version, not the grass version) and you can purchase branches that are good for holding the bottle nipples.
Aden & Anais Swaddle Wraps - My absolute favorite for swaddling the first few months.  These blankets are big, stretchy, and made of breathable material.  As Xavier grew, we found he outgrew other swaddle blankets, but these were big enough to always work for him.  Now we use these as his security blanket and don't have to worry if they cover his mouth.  He can breathe right through the material.

See complete registry list here.

Month 1 Favorites & Registry (pt. 1)

Right around the time of my baby shower, it dawned on me I had no idea what baby stuff I needed.  My family has no little ones running around and I have no idea how to take care of a baby, let alone how to raise one.  So, when it came time to make my baby registry, I was CLUELESS.  But thanks to the Internet and hours in front of my computer, I compiled a list of must-haves for the new baby.  I did a huge amount of research and talked to as many new moms as I could about things they wish they didn't waste the money on (i.e. diaper wipe warmer) and things they would buy no matter the cost (baby swing with an electrical cord, not battery).  Here's my list of must-haves for new baby.  I'm posting in 3 different posts.

Fisher Price Snugabunny Swing - If there is only one piece of equipment you buy for your baby, let it be this!  This swing was used so much for Xavier during the first few months.  First of all, it's one of the only ones that plugs into the wall, so there's no hassle of constantly replacing the batteries.  It swings side to side, or front to back if you twist the cradle around.  It has several different sounds, speeds and a mobile at the top that Xavier liked to watch.  This is guaranteed to calm a fussy baby in no time at all!  During those difficult first few months, this swing was a lifesaver!!!
Conair Noise Machine - Not sure if Xavier needs the white noise on to sleep or if he just ironically has been a great sleeper, but we use this every night as part of the bedtime routine.  It has several settings, waterfall, ocean waves, etc., but we usually just use the white noise.  And since our house creaks a lot, we turn it up LOUD!
Exergen Thermometer - This is perfect for when you want to check your sleeping babe's temperature and not wake him up.  Just swipe this across his forehead and you're done!
Satsuma Mittens - Compared to other mittens, we liked these the best.  They are made from organic material and they stay on all night!
Lanolin Cream - I used this cream while I was pregnant when I started to get larger in the chest department.  This cream is very soothing and a definite must for dealing with chapped, sensitive ta-ta's.  The hospital will offer you a bunch when you deliver, so be sure to ask for as much as they'll give you.
Diaper Genie Elite - These things do not let the stinky diaper smell in to your baby's room.  We use the Target brand refill bags and they seem to work just fine.  Other moms complain about how they only use this for poopy diapers because the refill bags are so expensive, but I'm convinced they don't know how the refill bags work.  We used this for every single diaper and I had no problems with going through the bags too quickly.  Just got to know how to use the refill properly so you don't waste it.  There is a trick!
Britax B-Safe and B-Agile Travel System - I insisted on having all black and white gear, so this was one of the first ones I tested.  Cannot say enough wonderful things about this travel system!  Not only is it one of the safest out there, I can quickly fold/unfold the stroller with one hand!  The carrier snaps so easily in and out of the stroller and the base.  I also am a fan of the one wheel in the front design - makes it easier to push and turn, plus it looks so cute!  We can adjust the reclining stroller seat based on whether the baby is sleeping or awake.  Only downside - all the accessories (cup holder, stroller lap bar, diaper bag/purse hooks) are sold separately.
Summer Infant Baby Tub - There are tons of baby tubs to choose from, some are crazy luxurious with and considered a baby spa, but we wanted one that was small enough to fit in our tiny bathroom.  This tub has an infant sling we used for the first couple months of sponge baths we gave Xavier.  It has a plug at the bottom of the tub to let soapy water out and clean water in.
Fisher Price Adorable Animals Bouncer - A must-have during those awkward first few months when your baby can't sit up yet.  Xavier spent a lot of time switching between his swing, activity gym mat, and this bouncer.  It has a smooth vibrator that calmed him when he was crying.  We also used it for some of Xavier's day time naps.
Fisher Price Fast Finder Deluxe Diaper Bag - I wanted a diaper bag that wasn't covered in paisley or other loud designs that screamed "Look at me!  I'm carrying a diaper bag!"  I also wanted a bag with a long strap that I could easily wear crossed over my chest, since I knew it would be heavy carrying this and a baby at the same time.  This bag is large enough to carry everything you could possibly want in your diaper bag, has tons of interior pockets to organize paci's, bottles, tissues, etc., but it's not too bulky to carry around.  I love it!

See complete registry list here.