The One with a Few of my Favorite BABY Things

Recently I've had several friends and family ask me about various baby products we use now or have used in the past. I thought I'd make a list.

Favorite Baby Wearing Device

Cooking Dinner in the Moby

We absolutely adored our moby wrap. We haven't used it as much lately. Now that Andy is bigger - we've started using the Ergo carrier more, but I know we could use the Moby still without any trouble. Even my husband wore the Moby with no problems and he enjoyed it - I swear! She would usually fall asleep once we got her situated and I always felt like she was safe.  The greatest thing is that your hands are totally free and you can do loads of things...
During Andy's first 3 months of life, we traveled up and down the East coast. The Moby saved our lives several times on that trip.
It also makes a great gift. As I mentioned we now use the Ergo more (which the hubby also wears). There are loads of studies and tons of research to support the benefits of baby-wearing. It helps solidify the bond between parent and child and assists in making their transition from womb to world easier.

Favorite Pump and Bottles

Andy's first bottle

I rented the hospital grade breast pump made by Ameda when we first brought Andy home and it worked perfectly. So much so, that when it came time for us to buy our own pump - we knew exactly what we wanted. I have the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra and I use it EVERY SINGLE DAY! We didn't do a lot of research on bottles for Andy, but some of the mom's in my mom's group (more on that later) recommended Dr. Browns and I listened. We've never had trouble with Andy taking a bottle, she doesn't have any nipple confusion and she switches back and forth easily. I can't say it's definitely because of the bottle, maybe we're just lucky, but I do think they help with gas and prevent/eliminate her swallowing too much air. I'd recommend getting mostly a stash of the 8oz bottles - they wont use the 4oz bottles for too long and why not just save the money and go straight to the bigger ones. The nipple size is the exact same for the smaller bottles as it is for the larger ones.


Best Items for Traveling

Resting in my Boppy

She slept with her hands over her head

Because we traveled so much those first few months we learned a lot about what you need and don't need. And, because we were gone from home for literally months at a time, we had to TRY to pack lightly. This meant we didn't buy a pack and play or playard or whatever name they're called now. We got a fold up tiny little bed that folded up nice and neatly and would slide in any tiny space in the back of the car. It was made by Eddie Bauer and we bought it at Target. I know they've outlawed the sleep positioner in the picture - don't judge.
We also loved having my Boppy every where we went. I used it for nursing in the beginning and then we'd use it to help her sit up or be comfy where ever she was.  Be sure to get more than one cover - it will get dirty.
We also spent a lot of time on the beach during those traveling months and enjoying having this tent that protected Andy from the wind and sun. It was big enough that we could change her in there as well as keep our belongs sand/salt free. We'd carry her in the Moby from the car to the beach, set up the tent with the Boppy in it, and then sit her in her little beach hut.

Feeding, Making Baby food and Solids

Thanks to my mom's group (sponsored by the Birthing Inn where I delivered) I've learned about a lot of interesting, helpful and useful items. One of these is the mesh feeders that Andy absolutely adores. You can put frozen food in them (apples, mango, etc.) or soft foods (avocado) and let her suck away. You don't have to work about choking hazards and it's great for her poor teething swollen gums.
The other great item for all things baby food related is actually a website. Wholesomebabyfood.com has given us so many ideas for what to feed Andy and what to avoid, what ages we should feel comfortable starting certain solids, recipe ideas, tips, tricks, etc.


It's a wonderful resource for those wanting to make their own baby food. Which might sound daunting but it's truthfully not as hard as it seems. If you want your child to grow to enjoy all sorts of foods, and not eat special meals different from what you're having it's a great way to start. If we're having peas for dinner, we just make a few more, and puree them for her. Speaking of babies eating what you eat - I saw this list on facebook (see below) and thought it rather relevant to our life right now and dead on in-line with our thoughts for how we'd like our children to eat. And I couldn't make a list of my favorite things without mentioned the Bumbo seat. We could sit Andy on our dining room table during our meals so she could join us. We could sit her up in the living room so we could fold laundry. She liked being fed sweet potatoes in the Bumbo seat and she even carved pumpkins in the Bumbo! Her thighs are a bit too chunky now to fit, but the Bumbo is a lifesaver! 

Other things that we love that I'll review later include:
Our cloth diapers: a mixture of Gdiapers, Fuzzibunz and BumGenius
Sophie the Giraffe (a must for all stylish babies)
My Babe Au Lait Nursing Cover


I'll close now, but I just wanted to share a few of my favorite BABY things.  Thanks for reading!

Respect Your Child's Appetite: Young children tend to eat only when they're hungry. If your child doesn't want to eat don't force a meal or snack. Likewise, don't bribe or force your child to clean his or her plate. This may only ignite, or reinforce,  a power struggle over food.

Set a Routine:  Serve meals and snacks around the same time every day. Try not to serve liquids or snacks for at least one hour prior to eating a meal. This way your child will come to the table with a larger appetite.

If your child still isn't eating look back at what they may have had earlier in the day. Perhaps a larger meal at breakfast, or lunch, is what's causing them stomach's to be full.

Set a Good Example: If your child isn't used to sitting at the table during every meal this could be why he or she has learned to get up and go. Try getting your family to sit down, together, for every meal rather then letting them sit in front of the television or in another room.

Set a Timer:  Start low. Maybe five minutes the first few days and then ten. This will create sort of a game for your little one to eat what they can before the timer goes off. You could even reward them for staying at the table until the timer goes off.

Keep Distractions Limited:  Shut off the television, put away the games and try not to have any toys at the table.

Be Patient: If a child is new to table food or if they are trying something for the first time it's important to realize they may not like it. Young children often touch or smell new foods and may even spit it out after trying.

Your child may need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she commits to it. Encourage your child by talking about a food's color, shape, aroma and texture.

Don't Force It: This could lead to obesity if your child is being told to eat when not hungry. Once they are finished eating tell your child they get nothing else. No meal substitutes or snacks. Just what's in front of him or her. If your child is that hungry they'll learn to eat each meal.

Hide It: If you're child is against fruit and vegetables try chopping them up and hide it in your meals. Smoothies, cereals or sauces are just three examples. 

Offer a Menu: Sit down with your child each day, or week, to determine what they'd like to eat. Or offer two or three meal options per meal, as if they were ordering from a menu. But, do not get into the habit of preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal as this may encourage your child's picky eating. 

Have Fun: Take your child grocery shopping and have them select fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods that they'd like to try at home. When preparing a meal, have your child help you by mixing ingredients or placing the items on their plate.

Allow your child to choose which sauce they'd like to dip their foods in. You can also cut foods into various shapes.  One idea is to make "fun toast" by toasting a piece of bread and cutting out a shape using a cookie cutter before adding a healthy margarine or jam.

Dessert Alternative: If you eat a variety of healthy foods then your child is more likely to follow. When it comes to offering dessert try to serve strawberries, watermelon or pineapple instead, all of which have their own natural sugars. Yogurt is another option.

If you decide to give your child dessert, after they've eaten their meal, try not to serve one every night. This may send the message that dessert is the best food, which may only increase your child's desire.

If you're concerned that picky eating is compromising your child's growth and development the best advice is to consult with your child's doctor. In the meantime, continue to work with your child and introduce them to healthy foods and habits that might convince them that mealtime isn't so bad.