Baby Goodies :: First 3 Months

WHOOPS!  I went to write a "Baby Goodies :: Months 3-6" today, and realized I'd never posted the first one.  All things in due course, so here's the 0-3 mo. list!  

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As mentioned previously, Riley Girl is 3 months old.  And gaining.  And by gaining, I'm talking not just time, but poundage as well.  My little nugget is up to 13 pounds and we're all very proud of her accomplishments.

While I was home last week, I got to meet up with my cousin who is 20-some weeks preggers, and we got to chat about all sorts of baby things.  She asked me what items I would definitely recommend, and I rattled a few off.  But that got me thinking, and I think I'll make my list here, along with some links, in case anyone else wanted to know what we at the Magagnotti hiz-ouse find indispensable (or maybe just useful) for infant rearing.

• Woombie.  Oh woombie, how do I love you, let me count the ways.  I love you in the small size and I love you in the medium size.  I love you with legs and with wraps and without.  I love you in pink and I love you in blue.  Love love love the woombie.  I think we'd start with this rather than any other swaddle next time.  The only thing I don't love is that I already bought my woombies before they came out with these super chic ones!

• Wubba-Nub.  We've got a dog, a penguin (who is currently MIA) and a pink elephant.  RG doesn't care what animal is on her paci, as long as there is one.  These were great when she was new and didn't move much in her sleep, as it stayed on her chest and she could spit it out/root around and find it as needed.  I actually had a moment of terror the first time she used it, thinking that she'd be hungry but not able to cry around the pacifier.  As Handsome watched me plunge off the edge into new-mommy insanity (sobbing), RG let out a big 'ole wail from the next room.  With her pacifier in her mouth.  Crisis averted.

• White Noise Machine .  We use this one.  Any will do.  We actually like it so much, and she's sleeping so soundly with it, that I just purchased this portable one , for when she falls asleep in the car or when walking in the stroller, or so I don't have to take the bigger one with me to hotels and things and risk forgetting it. 

• Infant Play Bridge thing.  I don't know what these are called.  Its not really a bridge.  It just a thing that baby lays under and looks at.  I like this one especially because its hard, and so its easy to wipe down and dog hair doesn't stick to it.  Riley loves hers and spends quite a bit of time flailing her arms at the turny things on the sides.

• Beco Gemini Carrier.  I like this carrier for many reasons, not the least of which that I can put it on by myself.  Since Handsome works so much, this was a huge deal.  I had planned to use a Moby Wrap, and we're still trying it out, but RG doesn't seem to be a fan.  She is a fan of the Gemini, and so we're going with that as a solid customer review.

• Blankets.  Quilts, afghans, flannel, whatever.  RG uses blankets to lay on the floor for independent play and tummy time.  Most of ours are homemade, but any will do!  

• Bouncer Seat .  This little contraption gains me a good amount of time.  She can sit in it and watch me unload the dishwasher, make dinner, brush my teeth, whatever.  Super handy.  There are much nicer ones than what we bought, but as long as it vibrates, girlfriend is a fan.

• BumGenius Diapers.  Seriously, I love these things.  The first few weeks with them were a little stressful, as it seemed like a lot to keep up with.  Not so much anymore.  I find that they aren't much more trouble than an extra load of laundry every other day, and they also keep my little darling's little bottom clean and clear of diaper rash.  We used disposables while we were in the Great North, and I was actually looking forward to getting home so we could use our cloth diapers again.  Pretty sure that seals my fate, I've officially gone crunchy.  Also, cottonbabies.com sometimes has a Seconds Sale that makes these guys even more affordable!

• Carseat/Stroller Combo .  We have the Evenflo carseat combo, and it is working well for us.  The seat is a lot lighter than others I've held, which I like a lot.  The stroller is fairly hardy, although it isn't made for off-roading (she says from experience).  I don't find the stroller to be overly heavy, either, and I can close it up with one hand, which was a criteria of mine.  And that basket underneath?  Totally roomy.

• We've also used these Tommee Tippee Anti Collic Bottles , which have been great.  RG only gets about 1 bottle a week or so, but still, she never hesitates to eat with these bottles.  As you can tell from her recent weight gain, the girl doesn't mess around when it comes to food.  These ones are nice as well, because the little blue thing in the center turns pink when they are warm enough.

• Speaking of bottles, my sister gave me the Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump (you can purchase sterile accessories new for a fraction of the price of a pump), which I would recommend.  I've never used any other pump, so I can't say definitively, but I do know that I've heard nothing bad about this product.  I mean, no one says "oh, I just looooooved pumping with this" but no one has reported any problems, either.  So if you've got to use one, this is a solid choice.

I think that about wraps it up.  Thats what we use on a nearly daily basis.  Do you have anything to add?  Any recommendations for the very young babies?

<3 M.

[Note: Most amazon links are "affiliate" links, but thats just... whatever... do what you want ;)]