(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best baby

We're almost eleven months out (OMG, HOW?) and this has been our experience:

> If you use a dresser for a changing table, do you need a way to keep the baby from falling off while you’re reaching for supplies?

• You'll figure this out really fast, but you pretty much NEVER take your hand off baby when s/he's on the changing table. It's like an alligator bred with a honey badger, and that resulting spawn is your baby - rolling and thrashing around all over the changing table. And they don't give a FUCK. SO. What works for us is having my son's Hatch changing table on the left side (husband and I are right handed) of the Ikea Hemnes dresser. One of the nice things about the Hatch is that it has a grippy bottom and nice weight to it, so it can sit directly on the dresser itself. No "box" needed to secure it. Our diaper pail is to the left, next to the dresser, for immediate disposal. Creams and bum brush and lotions and hair brush/gel are within easy reach in a wooden stand on the right side of the dresser. Wipes are in the middle of the dresser, at the foot of the hatch. We don't have a lot of electronic toys (because they drive me up the wall) but the small, light up/music playing hand toys we do have are kept in the wooden stand, within arms reach, because they're novel and interesting enough to "distract" my son (sometimes) long enough for me to change his diaper. The diapers themselves are kept in the first top left drawer of the dresser, the one right under the Hatch. Everything is within easy arms reach. I never have to step away from the dresser. One thing to keep in mind when looking for a dresser/table/whatever is width. I love that the Hemnes is nice and wide; I have enough surface area to set the dirty diaper down so I have two hands free to wipe, set his clothes, his towel, his whatever. My friend has the standard pad length/width only table and often complains about there not being "counter space."
  
  > Are diaper pails necessary over a regular trash can?
  
  
• This totally depends on your "lifestyle." For us - YES. Absolutely. I have a basset hound who LOVES to bathe in shit of any kind (WHY.) and can sniff it out from a mile away. We couldn't use a regular trash can. We couldn't use the kitchen trash can. And we certainly couldn't run out to the outside trash 15 times a day/all hours of the night. We needed something hound proof, and the Ubbi fit the bill. It's metal, so it really locks in the smell. Downside is it's more on the expensive side. Upside is that it locks nice and tight (my son is learning to walk now and loves to open everything he shouldn't but hasn't busted through this thing) AND you can use any bag in it, so over the long run you'll probably even out cost-wise anyway (refill bags for the diaper genie and/or munchkin are actually pretty expensive). It's been 11 months for us. My hound lays right next to the Ubbi while I change my son and has never once even noticed it or its contents. We take the trash out now once, max twice a week. On the other hand, my brother had a Diaper Genie with his first. They just had their second and when he mentioned needing another diaper pail I asked him what kind. His response was a resounding "ANYTHING BUT A DIAPER GENIE." Over time it basically absorbed the smell and there was nothing to be done about it. I think they have a Munchkin now, though I'm not sure how well they like it.
  
  > Should we store diaper change equipment up on an open shelf that doesn’t require hands to open a drawer?
  
  
• This is certainly an option, though I find it no problem at all opening the little drawer I store diapers in (as long as the drawer is within easy reach of the table). If you do store above, make sure it's high enough that a kicking baby won't catch a limb on it. We used to have some wire baskets that housed wash cloths and creams and rattles hanging above the middle of our dresser, but pretty low because the dresser itself is centered below a large window. Anyway, a few months in, when my son really got his stanky legs goin', he caught his toe a few times on the wire baskets so we had to take them down. sigh. We just can't have nice things.
  
  > Ambient vs task lighting? Nightlights?
  
  
• Yes. Yes. And yes. All kinds of lighting options. What works for us is having the regular room light - bright, white, whatever. It's the ceiling light. His rocking chair is in the corner opposite his crib - hanging above this I have two pendant lights with Edison bulbs. Our son slept in our room for the first 9 months, but all diaper changes took place in his room, so I kept one or two (as needed) of these Edison lights on at all times. They were great for the middle of the night diaper changes because I could walk into an already lit room that I could see perfectly in without it being too bright/blinding myself/waking my son up even more than he already was. Pro-tip - I also have a hanging pendant light with an Edison bulb on at all times in the living room, where I did his middle of the night feeds, and it worked perfectly as well. I also recommend a small tap light of some sort. I love this little lamp - I kept it on my bedside table when kiddo was in our room and could carry it around the room with me as needed, down the hallway, into the kitchen to make a bottle, whatever - all with a baby in my arms. It's now in his room and I can tap it on really quick if I need to check things out without waking him up. Along the same lines as lighting, I also recommend something like a star projector. We didn't get this until we moved our son into his room at 9M, but he loves it. Some babies end up getting distracted by these things and are unable to fall asleep with them, but in our son's case it soothes him to sleep. You'll figure out soon enough which kind of sleep environment your baby prefers.
  
  > Blackout curtains for napping?
  
  
• This is also one of those "it largely depends" type things. For us, creating our son's naptime environment was heavily influenced by what kind of environment he'd need to be able to nap in while at daycare - which was one giant classroom filled with 10-15 infants, fluorescent lighting, one solid wall of windows, and allthenoise - crying, music, classrooms filled with older babies and elementary school aged children, and constant interruption. So... we didn't bother with blackout curtains. For naps in the infant stage we kept our son in the living room - TV on, music on, lights on, "inside voices" but not too quiet. Very different than nighttime, where it was obviously darker (though still not pitch black), a white noise machine to muffle "life sounds," and in his pack n play or crib.
  
  > A recliner that’s comfy enough to doze in?
  
  
• This is kind of tricky. You want somewhere you'll be comfortable sitting in for hours at a time, all day and all night long, but not something you have to struggle to stay awake in. I ended up doing all feeds on our living room couch, which I hadn't planned on but it ended up being the most comfortable for me. My husband prefers the living room recliner. We also converted an Ikea Strandmon Wingback into a rocking chair and have this in his nursery, which is where we do reading and cuddles, and where my husband or I will sit with him as he plays with crap on the floor. The most important thing to look for, I think, is back support, neck/head support, and arm support. You need something tall enough so that your head isn't sticking up above the chair back, and you need arms that are high enough so that they can support you while you're holding, say, a bowling ball, at chest height for over an hour (bend your arm at the elbow so it's at a 90 degree angle across your chest - whether you breast or bottle feed, this is the height at which you'll hold your baby while feeding. Try to find an arm high enough to support your elbow. A boppy of some sort offers a little extra elevation, if you go that route.).
  
  > Is a light colored rug a terrible idea?
  
  
• Yeah. The era of light furnishings is probably closed for the foreseeable future. I don't know how an immobile potato gets sticky fingers and jammy toes, but they do. And it gets on everything. Also pee. And poop. And spit up. They're pretty much bodily fluid rocket launchers.
  
  Anyway. Our experience. Hopefully you find a few pearls in there that are helpful to you!

>Recommendations for the best crib mattress or what to look for and stay away from would be helpful.

I like the double-sided ones: firm side is for infants, soft side is for toddlers and older. As far as materials, many folks are looking into organic mattress material that does not have flame-retardant on it, but that's totally a personal choice you can determine on your own, with Google's help.

>Recommendations on bouncers or something that can be next to my bed for nighttime. I am also looking for something that is easily to move.

This is the bassinet we used next to our bed for the first 3 months of our daughter's life. It's easy to move, easily collapsable for travel and storage, and really easy to travel with. The only downside is that traditional bassinet fitted sheets don't fit the mattress, so I just used a receiving blanket as a "fitted sheet" instead. No biggie - just a mild annoyance.

But, my daughter had reflux so she napped in a Rock N Play and we kept her bassinet mattress inclined. Many parents of reflux babies use the Rock N Play for nighttime sleep as well, and it's very easily transportable.

> Bottle brands - which is best and why?

This is 100% totally up to the baby, not you. You can buy a hundred Playtex Drop-Ins (because that's what we use, and what my mother used with me!) but if your baby doesn't like it, then it's money wasted. I'd recommend buying one bottle of one brand and see if your baby likes it before buying more of them. Also, there are different nipple styles for some brands (Playtex is one of them) so it's not just about your baby liking the bottle style, but mainly the nipple style.

So, what's "best" is completely dependent on what your baby ends up agreeing with.

>What items can mom or dad not live without?

For me...

• video baby monitor
  
• velcro swaddles, because they're so much easier to figure out than plain blanket swaddles
  
• a baby carrier - I'm a huge, huge fan of Lillebaby because it doesn't need an infant insert, it doesn't use loud velcro, and it has lumbar support. Baby carriers are great even if you're not into attachment parenting. I can easily multitask when I wear my daughter, and it's way easier than pushing around a stroller in crowded, public places like museums, supermarkets, malls, etc. - especially places where there are lots of stairs!
  
  >How important are swings and play yards for a newborn?
  
  Depends on the baby. Play yards (I assume you mean this?) are great because you can just plop your baby on/in it and they will stare and eventually swat at all of the dangling toys. It's also great for tummy time. But, my daughter stopped using it at around 5 months and now it just sits in the corner of her play room, folded up.
  
  Swings are great for some babies, but others hate it. My daughter, again, had reflux and it's very common for reflux babies to need a swing to keep them upright and in motion after feedings so they don't get uncomfortable from the acid. But, in general, babies love the motion! We got a super cheap swing and it was one of my favorite things while I was on maternity leave - after her morning bottle, I'd put my daughter in her swing, drag it into the kitchen, and she'd just swing there while I did dishes, made breakfast, and cleaned. I'm glad I didn't spend a ton of money on it, though, because it's just a one-trick pony and she outgrew it by the time she was about 6 months. Friends of ours went off-registry and bought us a MamaRoo and my daughter liked it... but loved our $30 swing way better. I'm glad we didn't spend the $300 on the MamaRoo or else I would've been pissed!
  
  >Are there any items I can wait to get until the baby is a little older?
  
  Exersaucers, high chairs, walkers, doorway bouncers, sippy cups, bumbo seats... those can all wait until around the 4 month mark.
  
  Also, you may want to check out /r/babybumps if you're pregnant, and keep /r/beyondthebump on your radar if you want to ask current moms lots of questions. :)
  
  Congrats!

Get ready for too much information....

Amazon wants you to put something from every category under the sun, but you can also check "this category is done" or something so it will stop prompting and you can get your welcome box! Tips on getting your welcome box

I really liked Alpha Mom's list because she kind of goes through what you can get and what you can skip and wait until baby comes. It is really helpful to have people buy some of the stuff though! I also liked Lucie's list- I would still just concentrate on one or two categories at first, then come back around once I was less overwhelmed a week or so later.

I wouldn't register for : clothes, blankets, bibs, toys etc unless you have a particular one you really want. You may get a lot of those kinds of things. Ex I registered for 2 cute hooded towels and ended up receiving 5. For this baby that is not bathing everyday.... I did still want the muslin blankets from Aden & Anais (and we use them all the time). They weren't purchased off the registry so I got them myself later on. The only newborn clothes I liked for our summer baby was newborn kimono shirts - very helpful for easy diaper checking, don't have to pull over baby's head and helps you not put something over the cord stump in the first week. She was also swaddled so much of the time or skin to skin that we regulated her temp that way instead of with clothes.

I did register for a starter set of bottles from Dr Browns (baby still won't take a bottle- tried 4 brands so far)- I wouldn't register for a lot of any one brand of pacifiers or bottles- maybe just 1 set to try out. It totally depends on your child, but we got a hand me down swing and we bought a bouncer that can rock itself- both have helped a lot starting around 6 weeks when no sleep was happening (smarter parents might have tried them out sooner!). Bouncer we like Smartbounce. Some kids will love a bounce, hate a swing, and vice versa. Our girl is a movement junky but hates all car rides, so go figure.

I did like having a wrap early on. Baby ktan can be nice for the newborn stage if you're unsure about tackling a wrap, but you have to pick on for your size and I'm not sure how long I'll keep using it. I have a bunch of baby wearing options, but if I had to start with just one I would keep the Boba wrap- it's not as intimidating as it seems to tie once you practice a bit and baby loved skin to skin early. It's just a little annoying to put on, but really was the only sure fire way to make baby sleep, after about 2 min of protest crying.

Crib, changing table or to not changing table, etc all depends on your needs. We did an IKEA crib and chest of drawers with changing pad on top. If you're really tall or have a bad back you may want the changing area taller, but that hasn't been an issue for us so far. I also really like having changing pad liners (lots of options on Amazon)- we get these a little to a lot dirty throughout the week and just wash them as needed- my changing pad cover has only gotten poop-tagged once- so much easier to not wash it all the time.

Someone here mentioned safe spaces to put baby and that really helped. We have a bassinet in our room, crib in her room and a bed, pack n play in the living room with portable napper/changer - this is one of our most used changing stations and an easy safe space for baby to nap early on, especially when she was less sensitive to sound. I like the pack n play we got because you can pop the napper/changer out and use it on the floor of needed. We took it to the in laws for a day trip and that was nice, but not totally necessary. Only $10 more than the "reversible" (not "portable") one- the ones that just say reversible can not be put on the floor. We also have relatively big dogs so we got child safety gates to install on key rooms (ex her nursery, where she might be on the floor while I run to the restroom).

For toys, I would register for an activity mat- I got this hand me down but use it everyday. She's still really enthralled with it.

For carsear/stroller, we went with the Chicco keyfit magic (the hood comes out farther than the other chicco once you unzip the back portion and expose the mesh for air circulation) and the stroller frame because its such a light weight stoller for before they are ready to sit up. But this will depend on what you like. I did a lot of research online and then went to the most overwhelming stores to finalize /change my mind. :)

Other stuff that is stupidly expensive but people will buy so let them IMHO are: diaper bags ($60 or more! My hand me down bag was $200!), travel changing pads (we'll be using these in the living room once she outgrows the changer in the pack n play), diaper organizers for the house (I like the Sarah Bear ones here and here- we have one for living room and one for bedroom. This one has a changing mat too).

Lastly, wipes dont get outgrown, so mega box of those is great to register for. Depending on if you think you'll have a big baby, newborn diapers might be outgrown quick, so 1s might be a better thing to register for. We also got little packs of newborn diapers from people. We didn't need to buy diapers or wipes until about 7 weeks which was nice!

It is so overwhelming to tackle the registry - but I found that 1) having slow weeks at work and 2) taking only 1 category at a time then going baby brain dead before trying to do the next category helped me get through it.

Wishing you luck! I'd be happy to share my registry if you'd like to PM me.

On the advice of friends, I got a Pack and Play to use as a cosleeper, as well as an extra one for the living area. I'm getting two cribs that can convert to toddler beds, but we plan to only set up one at first. My ideal set up would be to have a non-mini Arm's reach cosleeper in the bedroom, but I haven't yet found one at reasonable price.

Some babies love swings and others dislike them, so I'm starting with one swing, a rock n play, and a vibrator/bouncer and I'm going to see which item is most popular. I've been told that all of those can cause head deformities if the babies are in them for too long, so I have two maya wraps, two slings, and an ergo so we wear them.

I went with the Chicco keyfit car seat wise since it had the highest rating on consumer reports and, after playing with what friends had, I liked it the best. The chicco cortina together is very nice and I loved it when I tried it out, but it wouldn't fit in my car, so I found a used Snap N Go for $25 instead. I decided to get that style instead of the side-by-side because I've heard of people having problems fitting the side-by-side in small doorways.

In addition to the double stroller, I also got a Chicco keyfit caddy because I plan on wear one baby and push the other around.

I decided to get the car seat strollers for when they are young because I want to make things as simple as possible when I'm still new to this whole parenting thing. I also want to try out a single versus a double stroller since I know people who prefer each, and the frame strollers are small enough that I can fit both in my car.

I've been using craigslist, a local message board, and Mothers of Multiples consignment sales to get good deals on a lot of items, so in the end, I expect to spend less on my strollers than many people pay for one new one. I'm buying the crib and carseat new, and I've gotten a few other items as gifts, but everything else is used because I'd rather be overstocked and try out items than find myself lacking something useful later.

As far as books go, I highly recommend When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets and Quads because of its scientific, fact filled approach. Mothering Multiples for breast feeding techniques. I'd also recommend going to your library and checking out various books on raising twins. I can't remember all of the books I found helpful because I read so many. For general child care, Happiest Baby on the Block is a must read (or see, there's a DVD). My friend who had a premature baby said that this book saved her life. At first she thought her daughter just didn't like being swaddled, but it turned out that you are supposed to swaddle premature babies differently than full term ones. Now that her daughter is properly swaddled, she's much calmer. That book also inspired me to spend the money on a sleep sheep which is currently kidnapped by a friend.

Another thing that you may want to consider is cloth diapering. I've attended a few Mother of Multiples groups, and cloth diapering has been repeated many times as a way to save money on diapers. Even though I live in a small town, there are local stores and groups for parents to share techniques and tips on cloth diapering. Mine are due to November, so I haven't personally tried it out, but on the advice of other multiple members, I have a bunch of premature diapers for when they are newborn, and a growing collection of cloth (bought used to save money) for once they are bigger. Since I'm having two boys, I'm also making/buying cloth wipes so I can avoid pee mishaps during changing time. You can also buy wash cloths in bulk that perform a similar function, but I've priced making my own or buying used as cheaper.

Congrats!

Crib mattress - Just make sure it's firm, fits your crib tightly, and highly reviewed. You don't have to spend a ton on one. I think we bought a $50 Sealy and it's gone through three babies without showing any signs of wear.

Bouncer - I used one of these for a reflux baby and it was awesome. My second and third slept in their crib from birth, but it was still nice to have something light and easily transportable to put them in while I was cooking or doing other chores. Lots of parents rave about the Rock N Play for a bassinet substitute. For that, I used a cosleeper type thing. I like it because we travel to visit family a lot and it's easier to carry and set up than a pack n play. It's good to use until they start sitting up or crawling.

Bottles - I personally prefer Dr. Browns. They were the miracle bottle for my babies, and with this specially made dishwasher basket getting them clean is super easy if you have a dishwasher (I wouldn't have them if I had to hand wash every time though, that's kind of a pain). However, you might find your baby prefers something different, especially if you mostly breastfeed. Don't make a big investment in one type of bottle until you know your baby will like it.

Misc. items - If you are formula feeding, do yourself a favor and get one of these pitchers. Also, I don't know how anyone survives without a Boppy pillow. And like /u/glory87 mentioned, skip the glider and go with a rocking recliner, sleep deprived you several months from now will thank you. Personally, I have loved my cloth diapers, but that's a whole other investment and something I'd be happy to talk about if you want to hear about it. If you can spare the money, I love my video monitor. It's one of those things you don't really need, but are wonderful to have.

Swings and play yards - Only one of my three babies liked the swing. And even then, she could have done without it. If you have a colicky baby or one that's otherwise difficult to settle, it might be worth it. So my personal experience says wait and see, and if you do end up finding you need something like that, just go out and buy one then. I've never used a play yard. I liked play mats like this one for tummy time.


The biggest thing is that newborns only really eat, sleep, and poop. If you've got boobs/bottles, a crib/bassinet and some pajamas, and diapers, anything else can come as you find a need for it (Amazon prime shipping is pretty amazing for those instances!).

I know you said you don't have time, but making a sandbox for her (of course with parents permission) would be awesome, and they could keep it for years. Plus you could always update it each year- repaint the sides, add decoration, etc as a birthday gift.

From Amazon: A turtle that shows the constellations. My baby brother had one and loved it- and my parents enjoyed having a pretty night light that they could use as a learning tool.

Also this keepsake kit will allow the parents to make a new Christmas ornament of their girl's first Christmas, plus they can make an extra one for the favorite grandma. Yes, this isn't really for the daughter, but lets be honest; she'll play with the box and be completely overjoyed.


If you want to really make the daughter happy, this sensory tub is AMAZING. Just a tub, you say? Oh no. This can be filled with sand, small pebbles, noodles, water, beans, etc to fully engage her sensory experience. I teach with a program that has one-year-olds and they go crazy when these tubs are brought out. You can even make it into a cute basket by including things like this and this and still stay in your budget! :)

For me? I'd like this so I can sleep in a few mornings :) Good luck to you in your quest for the perfect present!

Warning - lots of text below! My baby is about 6 weeks now and I'm exclusively breastfeeding. My Medela Harmony manual pump has been fine for building a stash - I pump 1-2 times a day for the freezer and occasional bottle feedings from Dad. I think it's pretty convenient, but I'll be using a double electric pump when I go back to work (waiting to see what Tricare will cover in 2015!).

Whatever you decide to use for diapering, I'd strongly recommend getting some prefolds (I got Osocozy unbleached). They're great for burp cloths, catching milk from your other boob during letdown, etc and they're also way cheaper and more absorbent than fancy burp cloths. Personally I love prefolds and covers for diapering, but don't buy too much into any one system or brand until you know what works for you. My husband hates prefolds so now I'm having to add pockets and AIOs to appease him.

I'd get some swaddlers (at least 2; my favorite is from Nuroo but that was a gift and they're pricey, the summer infant SwaddleMe wraps are good now that she's bigger but didn't fit well until about 10 lbs). My girl lives in footed pajamas and I love the Gerber zipped ones, we found tons at goodwill for $1.50 each but if you can't find them used, they're on Amazon for $10 for a 2 pack. You're right that other people will buy clothes, but they'll pick cutesy stuff and you need some practical choices too.

Nursing pillow - I had an unexpected C section and this has been so necessary. I love the Luna Lullaby since it's big and I had a big baby.

Some kind of baby carrier, I got a Moby wrap while she's small and it's amazing for running errands (I put it on before getting in the car and pop her in before going in the store, WAY easier than a carseat and stroller).

We were gifted a used swing and it is a freaking godsend. It's the only way I get chores done since I can pop her in there and cook, do laundry, clean, etc without her crying. YMMV, some babies hate them, but buy used and you won't be out too much cash.

Wubbanub pacifier is easy to keep track of and super cute.

Pack n Play with a mattress for cosleeping (recommended to reduce SIDS risk for the first 6 months). At least 2 mini crib sheets.

Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter is amazing for the first couple weeks.

QuickZip crib sheets will be amazing once you use the crib.

Simba baby safety nail cutter - no bleeding!

Finally, the Itzbeen pocket nanny timer is so helpful for keeping track of feedings and diaper changes, especially in the first few weeks.

Hope this wasn't too overwhelming. Good luck!

*Edited to add links to products.

Here are a couple more pictures.

Top Five that money can buy:

1. Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 crib. I’ve seen this crib in lots of nursery pics. It is easy to put together and sturdy. We picked ours up off Facebook Marketplace for $125, including the conversion kit.
   
   
2. Hatch Rest sound machine and night light. we got a chance to trial run this little gadget a couple days ago when a friend’s toddler napped at our house. It was nice being able to change the sounds and light colors and turn up the sound using an app on my phone. Toddler was fussing and we turned up the sound a little and he went to sleep! Magic!
   
   
3. Jellycat stuffed animals. They are just so cute. I give one to all the new babies in my life. My brother and SIL gifted this baby with one.
   
   
4. Ubbi diaper pail. I don’t have experience using it, but it calms my nerves about poop. 🤷‍♀️
   
   
5. Nambe photo frame. This was a gift. It is the sweetest little frame ever and not something I think I would have splurged on for myself, but seeing it in person, I think it would be an amazing gift for new parents and even worth buying for yourself. It’s so precious.
   
   Top Five that money can’t buy:
   
   
6. The quilt hanging in the wall was made by my great grandmother and was my baby quilt! My mom surprised me with it at my shower.
   
   
7. The framed art and picture. The top is a painting of baby garibaldis (sooooo cute!), which is the state fish of California. The bottom is a photo of my husband riding on his dad’s shoulders as a toddler.
   
   
8. This book collection. We asked people to just gift baby with a book (they gave us soooo much more in addition), and we ended up with the most wonderful collection of funny and sweet books that will continue to remind us that we have an amazing family and network of friends.
   
   
9. Box full of Beany Babies. Sentimental gift to baby from my mom.
   
   
10. The yellow giraffe basket. My best friend gave us this and told me that she had bought when I was pregnant the first time (with a baby I lost to miscarriage). For some reason it just makes me so happy that there’s something meant for that baby in this room. ❤️🌈

First of all...

Realize that you are entitled to ask for help if you need it. If you need a little break for a couple of hours after work for yourself (and if you can afford it), then I recommend spending that time at the gym, and that you get a babysitter to come and cover for just a couple of hours. I know you feel obligated to be there to care for your son, and you are obligated to participate in his care. But you are also obligated to take care of yourself for your own sanity and health, and taking a little bit of time for exercise is going to benefit your son as much as it does you. If you get off work in time to take care of him, have a babysitter come during that time instead. Head straight to the gym or the track and get a vigorous workout in, then come home and send the babysitter on his/her way and take care of your son for the rest of the evening.

See, exercise is not only good for your body, it's also good for your mind. And most of us with ADHD here can attest that a good workout is just as essential and effective for clarity of thought and mental focus as a dose of medication is. You will control your symptoms better if you get regular exercise. So if you do anything to "pawn him off", it should be that.

I know from experience that this can be a hard thing to do as a parent. But my non-ADHD partner has insisted on getting child care (from grandmothers and paid babysitters) so that I have time to exercise during the day at some point. He wants me healthy and functional, and if we have to spend a little money to do that, it's worth it because I operate so much better. Still, the guilt gets to me. Just gotta get over that and realize that, as dedicated you are to your child, you must also be dedicated to yourself in order to give that child the best parenting possible.

Otherwise, here are other tips:

• If you can't get away to the gym, pop that baby in his stroller and get out there for a walk together. He'll love it and it'll help clear your head after the work day so that you can come home and get things done. Make a routine out of it and soon both of you will look forward to the bonding time on your walks. You can talk to him and show him the world, and it will create special memories for the two of you while ensuring your sanity.
  
  
• Set a timer each night for 15 minutes and spend that 15 minutes cleaning. Put Little Man in the backpack so he doesn't cry. Get one like this if you don't have one already. For the 15 minutes you dedicate to it, you can get a lot done. Sweep through a room or two and just pick things up, dust, return things to their rightful places, put away some laundry, whatever. 15 minutes a day and you'll have a clean house before you know it.
  
  
• Don't let him have too many toys. Seriously. We've got a "One in, One out" rule. Every time a new toy comes in, one old one goes away. They end up not playing with most of them anyway, and they blow up everywhere and just end up getting broken. If he gets used to not having a ton of toys, he really won't know what he's missing.
  
  
• This seems like a trivial one, but it helps anyway: store your food storage containers with the lids on. Makes organization easier, even though it takes up some more space. I know you'd love to have your lids and containers all nicely stacked and filed, but fuck it. You've gotta do what you've gotta do. Keep the lids and containers together and you won't end up with the godawful mess that the container cabinet always turns into.
  
  
• Make sure you keep a routine at all times. It's good for you and it's good for him. Kids need structure, but ADHD brains need structure just as much. Get into a routine so that the same things happen at the same time every evening. "Get home, go for walk, come home and read a book, holding time on the couch while you close your eyes for 10 minutes, get up, put him in the backpack and clean for 15 minutes, prepare dinner (also with baby in backpack), eat dinner, bath, massage him with lotion to relax him, read another story, bottle, cuddles, bed by 8." That's just an example of a possible routine, but you get the idea. If you get him into a set bedtime routine, then you can use the time after bed to do stuff for yourself.
  
  
• Sometimes babies won't stop crying. Remember that crying won't hurt him. If all his needs are met (food, sleep, diaper, physical comfort, etc), and he's still crying because he wants to be picked up, you can either carry him on your back wherever you go, or you can learn to tune it out and let him learn to self-soothe. Those moments when you feel like you're going to toss him out the window if he doesn't stop crying? That's a moment when you go put him in his crib where he can't get hurt, turn on the monitor, and close the door behind you as you leave the room. It's better to take time to cool off than it is to get increasingly frustrated with a screaming baby.
  
  
• Set up a safe play area that's large enough for him to move around, but is fenced off so he can't escape. Don't worry too much about the effin' mess in there. Let there be pillows and blankets and toys and all that, and keep all that stuff in that one area. Don't let it extend to the rest of the house.
  
  
• Keep his clothes in bins instead of a dresser. Baby clothes are a bitch to fold. Don't bother. Just separate them and toss them into those square baskets you can put on shelves or something. Saves on laundry time so much.
  
  
• Get a big toy box and just toss all the toys in there. Just like the clothes, it's pointless trying to keep them organized on shelves.
  
  
• Remember that this stage will pass and other new joys and nightmares will take its place. He won't scream when he's put down for 2 minutes forever.
  
  
• Keep a lot of teething rings in the freezer.
  
  That's all I got for now. Good luck! You can do this!

I have a Spectra S1 and love it. Only difference between S2 and S1 is the S1 has a rechargeable battery- this was huge for me as I like that I don’t have to turn it off and unhook myself to just go grab water or something. Once you know what flange size you need, I’d recommend getting an extra set of parts as well. As an FYI the duckbill valves need to be replaced every couple months as they will eventually get little tears at the opening.

I have a couple Elvies as well which I mainly use to pump if I’m driving and need to pump at that time. I don’t get as much as I get with the spectra.

Boon grass also SO HELPFUL for drying all the little pieces. I thought it was just a frivolous registry item but it is CLUTCH.

I’d also recommend getting a haakaa (editing to add: this one specifically has worked best for me, the older styles have a weird neck that doesn’t suction as completely: https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Breast-Manual-Silicone-Breastfeeding/dp/B07CWK4S5W) to catch letdown - you put it on one breast while feeding from the other, and make sure to switch it to the other breast when you switch sides so it’s not ALL foremilk. It’s been huge for helping me build up a stash- I get 1-2 oz extra at each feeding without spending any extra time, because it just catches what would be dripping out anyway. Sometimes I’ll hand express a little extra into it at the end of a feed. You have to wait for the milk to all be at the same temperature before you can combine it, but every 1-2 days I have enough for a whole bottle and then I’ll give that to hubs to use and pump a full bottle’s worth to keep in the freezer or fridge depending on what needs we have coming up. I loved it so much that I just bought like 4 of them so that when I’m home all day on the weekend I have a clean one to grab for every feed.

If you are returning to work, find out if your lactation space has a pump there. Mine has a Medela symphony, so I got a set of parts for it so that I wouldn’t have to schlep the spectra around. It works great.

If you do need to carry your spectra around and want a professional looking bag, the Sarah Wells bags are great.

FWIW, a friend of mine got the Medela pump in style and HATES it. She says the Symphony works great for her, and she likes the baby Buddha as well. I find the Symphony to be comparable to the spectra, but wasn’t about to rent that giant hospital grade thing to keep at home.

I love this list, I kept thinking "ditto!" with almost everything you wrote! Because I can't help myself, here is some of my feedback on some of those products:

For boob cream- I loooove the Motherlove Nipple Cream. The Earth Mama Angel Baby one was really grainy to me, and I'm not a big fan of the cocoa butter smell (to each their own!). The Motherlove cream saved my nipples those first few weeks and I still use it after a long pumping session.

Leak management- gurl I feel you on being leaky! I am SO leaky. I love the nighttime Bamboobies, they're the only ones that work for me (and I have to switch them out three times a day). The downside is they're pretty obvious through clothing, so when I have to go out of the house I'll pop a disposable lansinoh one in there instead. But Bamboobies all the way!

Leak Collection!- Yes! The Milkies Milksaver I have has been great at catching the ~1oz I leak from the non-nursing side. Now that Miss V and I have more of a breastfeeding pattern that involves her only eating from one side per session I'm going to try out a Haakaa Silicone Pump to see if the suction will draw out even more ounces from the neglected boob.

Extra Pump Parts- NeneSupply on Amazon is a Spectra pumping girl's best friend, especially for hard-ish to find and expensive spare Spectra parts.

Nursing Bras- They're expensive but I'm a total Bravado fanatic. I'm a big girl and they carry a wide variety of sizes, even for the much bigger bust sizes. And they recently released this hands free pumping attachment that, the few times I've experimented with it, was freaking awesome. I hope it continues to be awesome when I go back to work!

Edit:
Oh! I forgot one of my favorite pumping accessories! The Pumpin' Pals Super Shields have made a difference in my output but are also a thousand times more comfortable that regular flanges. Plus you can recline while pumping without spilling breastmilk everywhere! I was gifted these by a friend at my shower and I was skeptical about them living up to the Amazon reviews hype but I am definitely happy to have them.

Oh gosh, you are right in the thick of it right now! Even for one baby, the first 12 weeks of breastfeeding can be a nightmare. And with two it's just that much harder. Is there a reason tandem doesn't work for you? Because you're right, if you don't tandem then you are on a constant cycle of feeding. Maybe you can breastfeed one, and formula feed the other and then switch off at the next feeding?

I know it's not recommended (even though pretty much every twin parent I know has done this) but I would hold one baby to feed and use blankets to prop up a bottle for the other baby. Obviously sitting right there, watching. It helped cut down on the feeding time.

If you don't have these, get them: http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Podster-Sling-Style-Infant-Lounger/dp/B003HIXOTQ

I love the podster so much. They slept in these every single day of their lives for the first 3 months. And even now at 8 months, I plop them in there and give them each their own bottle, which they can hold up themselves. And I reddit while they drink. It's amazing. :P

I really do think the podsters helped the babies sleep better. It's like a snuggly little nest for them. Also, swaddles and white noise machine. Huge help. All these things combined might help with those middle of the night wakeups.

Also, a trick I found was that if you are QUICK, and you get a bottle or boob into a baby's face asap for those middle of the night feedings, they don't actually fully wake up and they will go right back to sleep after finishing up.

Around 12 weeks that my babies started sleeping much better, so just keep going! Even though every day feels like an eternity, you're inching your way toward some relief.

Your twins are absolutely adorable. I know it's so tough right now, but try and soak in the little moments of peace or cuteness you can snatch up in a day, and with the hard stuff, just know that it will get better eventually.

P&Ps: We have two Graco pack & plays that have seen a lot of love and use over the last 2.5 years. I had one with an infant napper and changing pad, and one without the napper. We really used these mostly for Grandma's house and traveling, but they're fantastic to have.

Crib: We did a Baby Appleseed Davenport crib, which was pricey ($700), but we love it. My son is 2.5 and still in the crib, but it can transition to toddler bed and full standard bed as well. I am pregnant with our second child, and instead of buying a new crib, we're going to buy my son a low loft bed and use this crib again for the new baby. The workmanship and quality of Baby Appleseed is amazing, and you can use 20% off for them at BuyBuyBaby.

Carseat: We actually did two, we initially bought the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite system with the B-Agile Stroller. This stroller is amazingly light and compact. The carseat is manageable weight, easy to install base, and holds baby snug and secure. It's also infinitely easier to move the shoulder straps because it's on a slide, rather than having to take the seat apart. We also bought a Graco ClickConnect Jogging Stroller and Carseat. I was not a fan of this carseat when my son was a newborn. It was too large for him, and he moved around too much when strapped in, ending up at weird angles that gave me anxiety. Once he was about 3 months old though, this was fantastic. I highly recommend getting a jogger if you like to be outside. Despite being in a brand new development, our sidewalks are wonky and the jogger absorbs a lot of the shock. We took him to Renaissance Festival in this stroller and we still take walks with this stroller, when he tolerates it. Once he was around 8 months, we transitioned to Graco Extend-2-Fit and we're still in that now.

Extra non-newborn necessity item: Summer Infant Portable Play Yard - we spend a ton of time outside and this was great for when my son was smaller (5-11 months) and we didn't want to plop him in the grass or throw down a blanket. It's super portable, super easy to set up and take down. Highly recommend.

:( That does sound hectic. My registry is kinda all over the place because I've already bought a ton of stuff, but just some suggestions of some things (FTM so no idea really if these are good or not, some were recommendations from friends, some were recommendations from various online resources).

• car seat, extra base if you have more than one car, and stroller
  
• baby carrier - I got the ergobaby 360 with infant insert but the Lillebaby 360 is also super popular.
  
• swaddles - aden & anais seem to be hugely popular.
  
• bathing supplies - washcloths, bathtub
  
• first aid kit supplies - NoseFrida, nail clipper, thermometer
  
• feeding - bottles, sterilizer (some people told me I had to have it, some said it was totally unnecessary), bottle cleaner brush, drying rack (seems like everyone else loves the Boon grass, but I don't have the counter space!) You can get a pump through your insurance if you plan to breastfeed, I ordered mine through Aeroflow. I ultimately chose the Spectra S2 over the Medela PISA because it's a closed system, which apparently means less chances of bacteria getting into the system and thus easier cleaning.
  
• burp clothes - I was told to just get a ton of cloth diapers to use as burp clothes, and to have them everywhere.
  
• diaper pail - I have two friends who say this is good enough, so I went with it. They also said to use doggie poop bags to contain the smelly diapers.
  
• humidifier
  
• Boppy for nursing
  
• Backpack style diaper bag
  
• baby may need a more convenient place to be set down other than the crib, something you can have near you in the kitchen, shower, whatever. Popular options are the rock n play, Boppy lounger, or a pack 'n play. I plan on getting the Chicco FastAsleep pack 'n play because the crib/dresser/changing station is on our 2nd floor, so I figured this could double as a changing station/napper on the first floor.
  
  Lucie's List is probably the best resource I found online.

Dad nerd time!

The gist of it is you've got an outer diaper that keeps clothing dry, and then an insert inside to soak up all the waste. I would recommend getting mostly pre-fold inserts, several outer covers, and then some pocket diapers for overnight.

Outer Diaper

Most of the ones we use are a simple water-proof outer shell. There are buttons arrayed all over it that let you size it to your baby over time. This is the piece that (usually) holds everything in and keeps clothing dry. There's also little pockets you can stuff diapers into if you'd like.


Pre-Fold Inserts

We mostly use what are called Pre-Folds which are just little squares of absorbent cloth. You wrap them around baby and then clasp them together with a little rubber thing that grips the fabric.

We also have a few pre-folds that have become too small. Now we simply fold them up into long rectangles and insert them into our pocket diapers (more on that soon)


Fitted Inserts

Some inserts are 'fitted' which just means they have buttons all over them. You don't have to use a clasp or fold them at all, you just put them on and snap them in place. They're slightly easier to use than the pre-folds but not by much.


Pocket Diapers

These are pretty cool and very absorbent. The only draw-back to them is the cover is directly exposed to pee/poop so you can't use it over and over like with the others. They're basically a normal cover but they're soft on the inside and will be put directly on the baby. There's a pocket inside them where you insert an absorbent pad. They do a surprisingly good job of wicking all of the moisture to the insert and off of the baby's skin.


Pocket Hybrid Diapers

These are like normal pocket diapers but they come with an insert sewn in to the. You can throw these on the baby by themselves and they will work just fine. We like to put an extra insert inside them to make them even more absorbent and we use them for overnight diapers.


Renting Diapers

It surprised me that this was an option, but it turned out to be really effective for us when our baby was brand new. Newborns grow fast, and they'll get too big for your newborn diapers pretty quickly. Renting some newborn diapers initially helped a lot and it wasn't as gross as it sounded. The diaper company was very careful to clean the diapers and when we got them you couldn't tell they were used.


Wet Bags

Get two large wet bags for your house and several smaller ones to take out with you. You need two large ones for the house. When one becomes full and gets carted off to the laundry room you don't want to be stuck using your small wet-bags while the big one goes through the wash.


Cleaning the Diapers

This really isn't that bad if you've got your own washer and dryer. Our baby is breastfed so the poop was basically mustard. There's no solids in there at all; it just dissolves in the water. If you use formula things may be different for you, I'm honestly not sure how that affects baby stool. I can't imagine there's much solid poop at all either way.

• Cold rinse, no soap - Gets rid of all the poop
  
• Hot wash, with soap
  
• Second cold rinse
  
• Dry
  
  Your diapers should come with care instructions. We bought 'Charlie's Soap' which has worked out well for us. You might end up needing to get their whitener product if stains bother you.
  
  We do a load of diaper laundry every 2-3 days.
  
  
  That's the long and short of it I think. I really can't think of much of a reason to use disposable diapers beyond a lack of laundry facilities. If we didn't have a washer and dryer it would be way too cumbersome to keep up with. Cloth diapers are cheaper, more reliable, more absorbent, less wasteful, and not much more difficult to use. Don't be intimidated. Get some rentals for your first one or two months, get an idea of what you like and what your daily diaper process will be and then buy your own.

Here's the rest of the pictures 😁😁

https://imgur.com/gallery/Q03hZZk

Top Five

In the living room

Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 Travel System
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 travel system

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-FastAction-Fold-Click-Connect-Travel-System-Bennett/374308673?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228237510206&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=283899052272&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-539613311477&wl5=9003876&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=374308673&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG10R9JBufXv4b1xe6xeFntXyvAzYwQKzGB07mpet7ccLlbFaEL0MxMIaA

(We'll probably have the stroller in the car most of the time)


Evenflo Versatile Play Space, Cool Gray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2zNPCb6QQMGHB

(Usually comes with a sixth panel, but we wanted to save space until we needed to add it)

Our room sharing set up

Bassinet was handed down to us all put together, and I can't find a link sorry!

Night Lights for Kids, VAVA Baby Night Light, Bedside Lamp for Breastfeeding, ABS+PC, Touch Control, Timer Setting-Pink

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HSTL75K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MCNPCbBNG4FR6

(Not pictured)


Ubbi Money Saving, No Special Bag Required, Steel Odor Locking Diaper Pail, Gray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00821FLSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_byNPCbWY1Z2F8


Honeywell Mistmate Ultrasonic humidifier

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honeywell-Mistmate-Ultrasonic-Humidifier-HUL520B-Black/37690122?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228027316373&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=43910449232&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-84286515392&wl5=9003876&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=37690122&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG12UXQFyrKBbTM4Eq7IlBEg7IxwOorzgvPuFbH8x7isxW8BIMyNhJ_QaAk4HEALw_wcB


Munchkin Laundry Hamper with Lid, Grey

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PTSZVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6hPPCb84MDT0G


Super Strong Folding Step Stool - 11" Height - Holds up to 300 Lb - The lightweight foldable step stool is sturdy enough to support adults & safe enough for kids. Skid resistant and open with one flip

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ0VCQD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TINPCbBERP8HJ


Her side in my closet


South Shore Litte Smiley's Changing Table, Chocolate

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFJ9S1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JANPCbP4FX2PG


GAGAKU Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer - Baby Shower Basket Portable Nursery Storage Bin Car Storage Basket for Wipes Toys Tote Bag

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBXH1BP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3MNPCbDNHVK1V


Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNOIQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LJNPCbGX20KF4


mDesign Soft Fabric Dresser Drawer and Closet Storage Organizer Set for Child/Kids Room, Nursery, Playroom, Bedroom - Rectangular Organizer Bins with Textured Print - Set of 4 - Linen/Tan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071P9GPV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_czNPCbQ2QWJHZ

mDesign Soft Fabric Dresser Drawer and Closet Storage Organizer, 8 Section Divided Bin for Child/Kids Room, Nursery, Playroom, Bedroom - Textured Print with Solid Trim, 3 Pack - Gray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYC4439/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MNNPCbH4F8YGB


Modish Labels Baby Nursery Closet Dividers, Closet Organizers, Nursery Decor, Baby Girl, Deer, Floral Antlers, Flowers, Woodland

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WLQ8B5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nBNPCbR1DRJ22


AmazonBasics Kids Velvet Hangers - 30-Pack, Pink Polka Dot

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FXNAD6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.HNPCbRTDQ9P5


For the kitchen

Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VBXKG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mMNPCbGSZ1NJY


Boon Bundle Feeding Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KGPWGZJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fQNPCbJJKFAD7


Gourmia Jr. Single Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Warmer, Digital Display, Dishwasher-Safe Removable Parts, JBW150, ETL-Certified

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JZ991WH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TQNPCbAMJZFRJ

Not Pictured items

Rustic Wood Frame Gray Felt Letter Board 10x10 inches. 440 White & Gold Letters, Months & Days Cursive Words, Additional Symbols & Emojis, 2 Letter Bags, Scissors, Vintage Stand. by whoaon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKT6S6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qRNPCbYJZKZF8



Fisher-Price Auto Rock 'n Play Sleeper, Aqua Stone

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Auto-Rock-n-Play-Sleeper-Aqua-Stone/39577511?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228031612947&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=55217708312&wl4=pla-113855432192&wl5=9003876&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=39577511&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG10bahlDvXNs66-ReAkUjjQSfucHTHxORdYUyZ92T0oddQGzOtGb360aAoXjEALw_wcB


Fisher-Price Bath Tub, Rainforest Friends

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUO464Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_txPPCb7ZEHWCC

Sadly, there's no really tactful way to dictate what people buy for you. Even if you create a handful of registries at different stores, there will always be the people who buy random other things... especially clothing. The best way is to kinda float (through whomever plans your baby shower, or whatever) the idea that you guys have a very limited amount of space, so you're trying to limit the "extras." Hope for gift receipts or attempt to get store credit for items that are really not needed/wanted.

I'm not a huge fan of the Pack 'n' Play type things as a sleeping area... and even though it's not always a popular thing to say, co-sleeping can be dangerous... But as an alternative solution... They make mini cribs which can be used for a good amount of time and look really nice.

You can change the baby's diaper anywhere. I think at a certain point, most parents end up doing it on a bed or the floor or whatever anyway. But if you want a changing table, try getting a dresser... Like this one from IKEA... That way it can do double duty. We just bought a pad and put it on top. It has worked very well and is the perfect height for diaper changes. Bonus: This cart from IKEA also makes a GREAT rolling storage unit for diapers, creams, medicines, etc.

Another thing we found SUPER useful was this pillow. I used it for my daughter ALLL the time until she was like 4-5 months old. We could move it from room to room with us, or put it on the sofa while we were watching television (with her facing AWAY from the screen, of course.) It was a cozy, safe place for her when she was NOT in her crib or being held.

In terms of swings, bouncers, etc... I would personally just wait and see. Every baby is different, and they all seem to like different things... No need to buy several large items only to find out your baby isn't really into swings.

Don't do a "Diaper Party." As much as people rave over them, it's silly to have so many boxes of diapers to have to store until you need them. Not to mention you might find your baby does better with a certain brand, or that another brand is more prone to leaking... Then you are stuck with all these diapers you might not even want to use... Doubly so if you plan to use cloth diapers.

Been there, done that. Moved into this house with a 2-year-old, started the garden, got pregnant, had that one, had another one, still gardened all the way through.

My advice to you is: Figure on dialing it wayyyy back for 2017. New Babby can be overwhelming. You probably won't have time or energy for much else besides Babby, and you don't need guilt about the messy garden added to that. I made the mistake of basically digging up my entire yard in enthusiasm the first few years, and it turned out to be a maintenance nightmare that gradually, inevitably, nearly all went back to weedy lawn, because I couldn't keep up. My husband just basically started mowing the weedy overgrown bits that were obviously no longer garden.

> We already have blueberry bushes, black currant bushes, grapes, strawberries and raspberries that come back each year.

Don't add anything else to this that can't survive on its own. These are already a set of "enough to do, enough to think about" things for this year. Those things require paying attention to them, which you can't do if you've got Baby Brain all during May, June, and July.

Honestly, I would strictly limit Super E-Z new baby stuff to add to this to the one no-brainer: tomatoes, and cage them, don't single-stake them or florida weave because those require training and pruning, which cages don't. Make them some concrete reinforcing mesh cages and turn them loose.

Everything else--zukes, cukes, pole beans--if you ignore them, they stop. They ripen that one fruit to monster size, and then as far as they're concerned, they're done, so you finally get around to going out there one day and there's nothing to pick except a baseball bat cuke or zuke, and a few pods of monstrously huge dried Kentucky Wonders. Great, your seedsaving for 2018 is all taken care of, or you can make a very small pot of bean soup. Lettuce needs thinning, which you can't do in April when you've got a bowling ball strapped to your front. You might be able to get kale in and out by the time Babby arrives, but it really does better as a fall/winter crop, as trying to beat the summer heat deadline doesn't always work. Doing it in the fall gives you a lot more leisurely harvest.

So. You need to batten down the hatches for 2017 because there's a storm coming, smack in the middle of busy season. Line up a selection of tomato plants, either from seed or a garden center, give them to a trusted gardening friend to keep watered and alive until June 1, and plant them after Babby arrives, since it's pretty simple to sit in a lawn chair with Babby on your lap and instruct Daddy in how to drop a tomato transplant into the ground. Dig hole, insert plant. It's not rocket science.

You also dodge your "cold soil" and "frost" bullets if you wait until afterwards, as even in south Michigan the end of April, beginning of May is too early to plant tomatoes outside, so you can't plant them before Babby arrives. I'm in Illinois and generally May 15 is the earliest I'd plant tomatoes. Your date is probably more like June 1. Talk to the extension office about scheduling. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/county Your Tax Dollars At Work.

Mulch them heavily with shredded bark or straw, mulch everything else you can reach, get a big wall calendar and write down your pruning and other duties for your small fruits on it in red Sharpie, and call it done. You'll thank me in July when you don't have to feel guilty that you haven't touched anything in the garden in weeks.



Then once you get your own brain back during the summer, you can start planning for fall crops, which go into the ground at the end of August, and begin picking up your gardening where you left off. If you have your own brain back earlier, garden centers usually start clearancing things like flats of annuals in the middle of June. Put in some cheap 75%-off petunias or marigolds. Just to keep your hand in.

Putting Babby in a playpen in the shade works sooooo much better than wearing him in a carrier. Your back will thank me. Get one of those light cheap portable play yards. https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Play-Portable-Playard/dp/B00KBGTRAC?th=1

You're only going to be using it under your close personal supervision, 10 feet away, and all it needs to do is keep Babby up out of the mud and the bugs. Or strap him into the stroller and park it next to you.

Gerber Diaper Flats for Burp Cloths These are my absolute favorite burp cloths. They are thin, yet absorbent, so they're easy to pack in a diaper bag and they wash really well. They're super affordable too, like 14 for 10 I think?

Sophie the Giraffe Ugh. I have a love hate with this Giraffe. My son LOVED it, but we always lost it, therefore resulting in buying several of them. They are the most expensive, glorified chew toy, but they're easy for babies to get their mouths on.

Woombie If your baby is a swaddle baby, this thing is a life saver. You won't regret it. I like these the best because they have a zipper, no noisy velcro, no annoying snaps. I know you can find them Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, or Amazon. My FAVORITE swaddle! Once they have grown out of the wooombie or swaddle, I highly suggest the Zipadee Zip My son lived in this until about 13 months. I also never had to worry about blankets in his bed!

One last one.... Boon Silicon Teether Skip the mess of a mesh teether and buy this for your sanity. Super easy to clean and the perfect size. When my son was as little as 4 months and teething, we'd put a breast milk ice cube in this thing and he'd go to town. It's awesome.

I'm pregnant with my third and still using cloth. People thought the same stuff about us at first. My MIL said she wouldn't be babysitting with them but gladly does.

Side note, we used disposables before and I babysat for a friends kids who used disposables. People would say "cloth is gross" having never used it. Meanwhile I've had wayyyyy more poop explosions with disposables rather than cloth. Enough that my friends daughter would have to be bathed and outfit changed almost every time she pooped at my house. My friend told me it was common at her house too.

Gonna be honest and I was a little turned off by what people were saying at first. But we LOVE cloth over disposables any day. Now my husband and I joke around and make fun of the people at his job who complain how much disposables cost. I couldn't see adding a ton of disposables to a landfill and the chemicals that go into making disposables.

I'll help you out with any questions you have. Feel free to PM me whenever. We've used pretty much every different type and brand available and have stuck with prefolds and covers. I'd say invest in a couple prefolds if you can. I used the small size (yellow edge) from 3 months to over 2 years old. We buy from green mountain diapers or Amazon. You can get 6 of these for $13. Don't be thrown off by the 7-15lbs. That's about the size you'd use them if you wanted to wrap them around baby. We did that in an "angel fold" from newborn to 3 months and then did a trifold after. Also in terms of "prepping" we prep prefolds with regular laundry. So they get washed and dried with other stuff and not wasting the water and soap by themselves.

i never used one of those baby baths, i always brought her in with me and sat her in my lap.

if youre breastfeeding and want to stick with it, i recommend finding a bottle and nipple you like, (this one is "slow flow" and is the one she liked back when she would take one. slow flow is where its at for breastfeeding, as its closest to the amount of sucking shed do when breastfeeding) and giving her one few days at least til shes closer to a year old. i hardly ever gave mine a bottle and she flat out refused to take one or take a binky til she was 18 ish months old and weaned herself. almost two years and she could never go to a sitter or grandmas house for more than a couple hours max. i liked bottles that took these since you dont have to worry about washing / sterilizing everything.

i never used a crib, she co slept til right around when she weaned herself. one day she just... dragged her blankets to her toddler bed (where she always took naps) and decided she was done co sleeping. was awesome. co sleeping is the best when youre breastfeeding, no getting up and down in the middle of the night, can just roll over, pop a boob in her mouth and doze.

get nipple cream! NIPPLE CREAM! and those handy little nipple shields to go in your bra for when you leak. at about 2 weeks - one month your nipples will be on FIRE. it will suck, but only lasts for about a week after that. its WORTH IT when you dont have to lug around formula and bottles everywhere you go.

get or make a baby wrap / carrier. youll look like a new age hippie, but its more comfortable than any traditional baby carrier, and feels more secure than any of the slings. i made two out of about 10 yards of gauzy cotton fabric, cut longways its about the right width. you can wrap her in front when shes little and breastfeed her without anyone being the wiser, later, you can carry her on your back like a champ without her little legs getting sore from hanging out of one of those "typical" carrier types.

heres a wonderful site that lists all the different wraps by age, this one is my fave. http://www.wrapyourbaby.com/frontwrapcrosscarry.htm

instead of a mobile, get one of those rotating star projectors. theyre move expensive, but will last well into preschool, and double as a nightlight.

I don't remember exactly, but it was probably around 2 months when my daughters started sleeping longer stretches and needed more absorbency.

Prefolds have way more absorbency than microfiber inserts, so I'd recommend using prefolds to stuff your pockets at night (and yes, you will probably need to double stuff those too, especially as your daughter grows and sleeps longer at night). I LOVE OsoCozy prefolds they last forever :)

You can try adding a wool cover to your pocket at night as well. When treated with lanolin, wool covers become waterproof. I've used EcoPosh wool covers for infants and had great success. Learn to Cloth Diaper has some lanolizing instructions with pictures. Hope it helps!

Hahaha, went through the same thing some time ago. A couple bits of advice:

• In general, turn-based games will be your best bet, but by no means does this constrain you to RPGs (at the moment I'm playing Dungeons of Dredmor, which can be done entirely with the mouse). I did well with some titles like Gratuitous Space Battles and Dwarf Fortress (which although realtime, can be paused at any time and controlled by just the keyboard).
  
  
• Consider puzzle or puzzle-like games
  
  
• I seem to recall a few DS / 3DS games having alternate button presets specifically designed to allow the game to be played with just one hand, but can't remember off the top of my head which ones...
  
  
• Also, macros/hotkeys can be very useful. Something like Auto Hotkey / X-Mouse Button Control combined with either a cheap gaming mouse with multiple buttons, or a keyboard-heavy game can allow you to map all the keyboard commands to the mouse, or map any complicated commands to one chunk of the keyboard.
  
  
• In TF2 I can confirm from experience that it is possible to play Sniper, run up to a Sniping Spot by alternating between the mouse and keyboard, then just camp out using only the mouse. Obviously wouldn't work for competitive stuff, but on pubs it went surprisingly well. For extra credit, copy to your clipboard some text like, "You just got sniped by someone holding a baby" and hit Ctrl-V + Enter after every kill :D
  
  
• Something I didn't discover for a very long time: any product similar to a Baby Bjorn is an absolute gamechanger. Hours at a time, with both hands free!

We have loved any and all toys made by the company called Green toys because they are made from recycled materials and they are safe in the sense that there is no small parts, no chemicals in the plastic and if my son(s) chews on them I'm not worried. My Step-MIL actually introduced me to them and I am so glad they did. Amazon has a bunch just search "Green Toys".

http://www.amazon.com/aden-anais-Muslin-Stroller-Blanket/dp/B00BMMOKYW/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1394632384&sr=1-1&keywords=aden+and+anais+stroller+blanket We have two of these blankets and I love them. They are the muslin cloth so keeps baby warm but not thick enough to overheat. Plus I love the fact that they are huge which makes them great to cover baby in the carseat or have a floor blanket.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Birdseye-Count-Flatfold-Diapers/dp/B007VBYVVA/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1394632645&sr=1-1&keywords=gerber+cloth+diapers We used these when my oldest was an infant and using them again with my youngest. We primarily use them as burp clothes but we've also used them as wash clothes for cleaning hands and faces. I'm sure there many more uses for them--like turning them into cleaning rags when you no longer need them for baby purposes.

For toddler dishes we really like these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HZBOFG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1VA53QENRTP66&coliid=I2TQV3KCX2FQSF. The same company makes bowls and sippy cups and I believe utensils (for spoons and forks we use a set made by Oxo). They are durable, and made from recycled materials. They are dishwasher safe I believe (idk because we don't currently have a dishwasher). My son has been known to throw them on the floor and in the sink and they have yet to crack/break. Definitely worth the money in my opinion. Amazon carries them and some Target stores do.

Sure, I'd be happy to give some recommendations.

Now the first thing is, babies don't really care that much about stuff. They don't really do much or play with much for a long time. They'll get more joy out of you just playing peekaboo than any actual toy

That said, it's the thought that counts, so you can pick up a rattle or something. If they don't have one already, you can get a tummy time playmat like this or something similar, that comes with a bunch of toys with it. Alternately, honestly you can just walk down to the dollar store and see whatever cheap stuff they have, it doesn't really matter

On the other hand, you can do something more practical. Baby wipes are a sure thing, they will 100% absolutely be used. You could get similar stuff, like burp cloths or baby soap or whatever. But that stuff isn't really fun, though it's usually appreciated.

Then there's the last category, the one I'd personally go with: Stuff for the parents that makes parenting easier. This is actually a little for your cousin too, because it tends to be stuff that makes the baby more comfortable, which makes the parent more comfortable.

For instance, do they have a baby carrier? You could look into getting them one, or getting them another one (it doesn't hurt to have two), or-- a lot of people don't think about this-- one specially sized for your uncle, because I can practically guarantee unless someone specifically thought about it, any baby carrier they have is going to be sized for mom, not dad.

If you want to go a little more expensive, you can do things like a jumper which the little gal will probably be a little young for, but not by much

or a swing both of those were honestly absolute godsends for keeping my sanity, because i got to put my little guy down and they'd keep him actually quiet, and sometimes even put him to sleep! And for some reason no one ever thought to get us one as a gift.

So anyway, those are some ideas.

But like I said, clothes aren't the wrong choice, just keep in mind that really, any clothes you get the baby now are for you, because you think it'll be cute to dress them up. The baby doesn't care, and I'm sure the baby doesn't really need clothes right now (in a year or so? More likely)

This list is awesome! I was not nearly that organized for my registry! Just a few comments from the other side (my baby is 3 months currently).


Baby nails are sharp and scary, some friends bought us this Electric Nail File and it is absolutely amazing, not painful for baby at all and much more efficient than the little files.

This butt spatula thing has been great for when we apply diaper cream! Saves us from getting it on our hands.

For me personally, I found the Boppy rather ineffective for nursing at first while we were trying to figure out nursing. Baby would kind of slide down between the Boppy and my stomach. Now at 3 months old, the Boppy is super useful for propping baby and sometimes as a nursing pillow if I decide to use one. My first few weeks of nursing I'd use the Brest Friend Nursing Pillow it was great when Baby really needed a little extra support for getting into the best position for nursing.

Breastfeeding was very painful for me the first few weeks. Our LO ended up having a bad latch due to tongue and lip ties we had to get lasered (anterior tongue tie had been clipped by Pediatrician in the hospital, she still had a posterior tie that was diagnosed later by a lactation consultant - just something to keep in mind), by the time we had the procedure done the damage was done to my nipples. These nipple shields are one of the things that really helped my nipples heal in between feedings to keep my bra/clothes off of them. I hope you don't have to use them, but something you may want to make a note of in case you have a similar experience. If you do end up having nipple pain, ask your OB (or Google how to make it yourself) for a script for "Newman's Nipple Cream", that stuff helped save our breastfeeding relationship!


Good luck, looks like you're off to a great start!

YAYS:

Chux pads, hands down, were the best purchase we made. Those saved us so much laundry and so many diapers. The link is hit or miss - one box we got was great and quilted, the second box was not quilted and they fall apart more easily. Which really sucks because we're not going through several a day anymore, so it has time to really fall apart before it gets soiled. Even the shitty ones are incredibly helpful.

A Haakaa breast milk catcher. Best money I've ever spent. I stopped using it every day at 11 months PP. 11 months of daily use.

An electronic nail file. I cut too close once, and decided I don't ever want to do that again. It's quiet, it has a little light on it, two speeds, and a bunch of different nail heads.

Stacking cups. Don't know why we even have other toys. Did you know you can throw them and chase after them and then throw them again, mom? You can put them inside each other! You can put them in the toy basket and then take them out and then put them back in again! You can knock them down when mom & dad foolishly stack them up! You can clack them together! You can bang them against EVERYTHING!!

This inflatable tub. It has a little shoehorn for the crotch so you can use it before baby can totally sit up by themselves. We're still using it because my child is dead set on committing suicide in the bathtub.

Sleeved bibs. Or as we like to call them, eatin' ponchos. We got some "art smock" cheaper ones to alternate with, but the Bumkins one is 👌👌👌 so much better. The art smocks are fabric-y on the body, so they stain.

A ring sling. No link because I actually borrowed from my local babywearing community. But I checked out a ring sling back to back to back. My chonker outgrew the Moby wrap I had (which was super hot and a PITA to get on and off) by 3 months when I finally discovered ring slings. Ring slings are like the cool, breezy older sister.

A yoga ball. We spent hours bouncing our child.

NAYS:

This Graco Swing. Well, any swing, but this is the one we had. Of the several swings at daycare, my baby tolerated one kind...for a few minutes. Obviously this is a my baby thing.

A walker. We got one used from a garage sale before we realized they're not really recommended for babies anymore.

Any chew-toy specific type teether.

Are they not falling asleep? Not staying asleep?

I forgot that we actually transitioned from rnps to bassinets THEN to cribs. We were using the rnps for naps and night time up until about 6-7 weeks, when we got the bassinets. (Kept the rnps in the living room for naps and the bassinets in our room for night time). Then around 4 months they were starting to bust out from their swaddles and kick and roll a little, so we moved them cold turkey to their cribs for naps and night. Somehow we got lucky and it went pretty well. It was hard getting them down by myself at times, but one of my boys was a pretty good self soother at that point so I just put him down with a pacifier while rocking the other for a bit. We never really had any issues with the transition. I think it helped that they were on a pretty good sleep schedule and I was really dedicated to sticking to it. So they were tired and ready to sleep when I put them in the crib. Then once they could roll onto their tummies, forget it. They were asleep in minutes.

This is the bassinet we used. Doesn't take up much room and is good for travel: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rock-Play-Portable-Bassinet/dp/B008DDPL32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452466145&sr=8-1&keywords=Fisher+price+bassinet

Also, have you tried a mobile? We had these and our boys were OBSESSED. http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Toy-Wimmer-Ferguson-Infant-Stim-Mobile/dp/B00009ZIKH

Good luck!

For the 4 month old, toys that build sensory awareness are really good. Things like balls with different textures, different sizes, etc. There is a seahorse that Fisher Price makes that plays music that both my kids loved at that age. They make blue and pink.

For the 1 year olds, I got LeapFrog's Scout/Violet for each of my children on their first birthdays. They were hits with both of them (in fact my 4 year old still plays with her Violet every now and then). Scout is the boy version, Violet is the girl version. They can be personalized with the child's name and it is incorporated into songs that are played and little activities. It's very cool.

For the 20 month old, you could get this Twilight Turtle Constellation Night Light. Each of my children have one (4 yrs and 17 months) and it's a must have at bedtime for each of them. My daughter was so impressed by it, she named hers "wow" and that name has stuck (she's the 4 yo). You could also get the LeapFrog My First Leaptop. Again, both my kids love this (although we only have one and it's my daughter's, my son steals it frequently to play with himself).

Also, I did those recordable books from Hallmark as gifts when my daughter was a year old and she loves them very much. You could do one for your son. They are pretty cool.

Hope this helps!

Ah, if you stay home you may not need to, but if the insurance company provides you a pump for free, why not? Plus, if you need to take a trip without the kiddo (it happens!) or you get a plugged duct while baby is sleeping (it happens!) you may want the pump to help out.

We did a bassinet for the first, err... 3 months, 4 months? Eventually though they'll get too big for even a bigger bassinet. I think ours outgrew hers at around 6 months. The pack and plays are okay, but oh boy are they low to the floor (being... on the floor and all...) Maybe look at the convertible bed-crib things? 2 things in one go!

And yeah, wait for Target baby stuff sales. Worst case is you get a gift card that you then spend on diapers.

Oh a few items you didn't know you wanted (but you probably want!)

1. Butt paste wand. Trust me. Get this. https://www.amazon.com/BabyBum-Diaper-Cream-Brush-Blue/dp/B00LYQ53JW/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1538604479&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+butt+wand. Diaper cream is a great thing, but it gets stuck EVERYWHERE.
   
2. Baby changing caddy. https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A04588481Q6AWCSY7ABYX&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDexbaby-Changing-Station-Toddler-Organizer%2Fdp%2FB00512VMVI%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1538604532%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26keywords%3Dchanging%2Bstation%2Bcaddy%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1538604532&id=4049971636655450&widgetName=sp_atf. Can you live without it? Yes. But is it nice when you're changing a kiddo at 2am and need everything in one place? Yep.
   
3. Nose Frida. Seems gross, but oh man is it more effective than the bulbs in a lot of cases. https://www.amazon.com/Nasal-Aspirator-NoseFrida-Snotsucker-Fridababy/dp/B00171WXII/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1538604617&sr=8-4&keywords=nose+frida. When the baby gets its first cold, you'll need at least this, a bulb, maybe a Dyson with an attachment, an industrial vacuum tube... Maybe my kid was just a snot factory...
   
   That's about it. Maybe 1000 swaddles...

YES - my son is a climber, a runner, and loves to get into everything. Babyproofing made my life so much calmer. Here's some of my favorite finds.

Door Monkey - fits on standard (not beveled) door frames, installs in 1 second, and works fantastic as both a pinch guard and to prevent entry/exit. Its also nice on bedroom doors which have locks on them, as I'd get locked out of multiple rooms otherwise as my son knows how to activate those locks.

flip lock - for the front door, as my kid figured out how to move a chair to the front door and unlock it and get outside. Easy to install high up, looks nice, cheap, and is easy to work.

Baby fence - put this around the stuff you want to keep baby out of! Things such as entertainment centers and computer desks can be surrounded by this fence.

magnetic locks - for those drawers that you don't want any possible entry into, i.e. drawers with money. Very solid lock.

Latches - for things that can't be drilled into/that you don't want to drill into. You can lock the bottom drawer of the stove, the dishwasher, regular drawers, etc with this. Easy to install; I don't know how easy to remove.

yes!!! We were dealing with the same things and I was super pregnant and cranky and tired. We ended up putting a door knob cover on her door so she couldn't get out. We tell her to just knock and call for us and we do have to go in multiple times at the beginning of the night, tuck all her dolls in etc. One thing that recently helped was to transition from living room where she gets her pajamas on to our bedroom where we have ' family meeting' which is books and talking about the day. Then brush teeth and bed. I find that spending some time on our bed helped her instead of just straight to her room. Then we say she can play in her room with lights out but nightlight on and to call us when you want to be tucked in. Within 30 seconds shes calling for us. Giving her control has been huge! Then before bed I go over what we will do the next day with great excitement. And lastly this turtle light was a huge help! once again gave her control of her environment, she could turn the dim light on whenever she wants:
https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Twilight-Turtle-Nightlight-Projector/dp/B000BNQC58

As far as car seats go we have used a slim booster like this one. But your kids need real seats.

For babies that actually needed a seat (like your kids) we just had to lug the forward facing/rear facing child seat around. Getting the straps that can secure a forward facing seat to rolling luggage was a godsend. You can even have the kid sit in the seat while you roll the bag/seat through the airport. It makes life a lot easier if not lighter.

For rear facing seats we just had a foldable stroller where the seat clipped into the stroller.

Everywhere we have been (Mexico and Canada) the hotels had cribs. We did use a little foldable bassinet like so for some trips. Though I can't remember when the kiddo grew out of it. When the kid was older we just had her sleep in the bed with us.

Some places also have car seats you can borrow. I have friends that rented a car seat/stroller in Europe when they visited. They did infant in lap on the plane and then rented the seat/stroller when they arrived. Every car rental place I know of has car seats you can rent. So if you can avoid having to lug one around it isn't a bad idea.

Also, don't forget that the little ones need passports too.

A tablet for the 3 year old with some educational games or some movies will work wonders.

If you are still nursing I highly recommend just getting one of those nursing blanket/cover things and nursing during takeoff and landing. It helps pop their little ears and keep them calm.

I am trying to think of anything else that helped. It is going to be a production either way so good luck. Have fun. The cool thing is that the 3 year old might remember the trip. My first memories are of traveling in Europe when I was 3 and I always thought that was pretty cool.

Assume that you'll go through 3 outfits/day in the newborn stage - up to 3 months or so. Figure out how often you are ok doing laundry, and that will help you figure out how many outfits you need. Sleep 'n plays are my personal favorite, but grab a bunch of onesies (short and long sleeve, assuming you're in the US) and a bunch of footed pants. Personally speaking, I HATE baby socks - they fall off too easily; footed pants solves that. Maybe a couple of rompers (one piece shorts/short sleeves) for extra hot days.

We never did newborn clothes - my kids were 7lbs 7oz and 6lbs 2oz. Consignment stores made it easy/budget friendly to grab a couple things in the next size up, so we'd have a couple things to get by while we purchased more.

For other things in the nursery (crib sheets, changing pad covers), 3 was our magic number. We figured one would be on the crib/pad, one would be in the laundry, and one would be clean in case kiddo barfed/pooped/peed on it.

For our August baby in New England, we also had four muslin blankets (47"x47") - that let us keep her covered, but not overheated.

Also, 15 or so cloth diapers worked best for us for burp cloths. A lot of the ones specifically marketed as burp cloths weren't very absorbent.

If you are having a boy, I'd recommend these for "air superiority," as my husband says. They work great for laying over baby's crotch during diaper changes and preventing "fountains."

Even if your wife is planning to breastfeed, have formula on hand just in case. I'd recommend the ready-to-feed (RTF) stuff that comes in the little bottles (like this). That way you don't have to worry about your water source, or washing/sterilizing bottles. You can get individually wrapped nipples for them, too (Amazon link). One of the other commenters said you have to refrigerate the RTF formula, but that's only true once it's been opened.

If your wife *is* planning to breastfeed, i'd recommend a manual breast pump and/or a haaka in case baby has trouble latching and she wants to express milk. They have electric pumps with battery powered options, too, if you want to look into that. (in this case you'd obviously also need bottles and a way to wash/sterilize them).

Obviously diapers and wipes too. Another thing is we do so much freakin laundry, which, in the event of an extended outage, wouldn't really be possible. So more onesies and swaddles than you think you need and burp cloths/rags in case you have a spitty baby.

Some items we Amazon Primed in the first week or two that we didn't know we needed: simethicone gas drops, probiotics, vitamin d drops, velcro swaddle, different size pump flanges, slow flow nipples, saline spray/drops, miracle blanket swaddle, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Newborn babies are hard, and I hope you don't have to deal with a hurricane at the same time! Praying for calm weather in your area!

I plan on getting the same exact car seat (better sooner than later at this point)! I however decided against the Travel System. I love the car seat, has great reviews, great safety ratings, and the price is under $200, which is great for my father who is buying it for me. I read mixed reviews on the stroller, and as a FTM I figure I may want a different stroller all together by the time he's big enough to ditch the car-seat as part of the stroller. For now, while he's an infant, I'm going with the car seat and this stroller frame: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JDOYF0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=OUURZJ8F00GY&coliid=I28HX1QK2Y76YR. I believe I'll appreciate the simplicity, ease of use, and smaller size while I get the hang of this mom thing. You just have to think about what your priorities are! I'm convinced there is no "perfect" stroller/car seat.

Oh OP, I'm sorry for the loss of your sister, truely I am. Everything must be a whirlwind atm for you and your family, my sincere condolences.

Your poor, poor parents. It's going to be rough parenting a child without being able to pick them up all the time, both for your parents and your neice. Could they afford a nanny or live in help, do you think? You could also look into day care. There are heaps of kids in 9 - 5 day care. There might be some that do pick up / drop offs which would benefit your parents. One of the hardest things is getting a kid in and out of a car seat. Do they drive at all?

Get them a baby carrier for right now. Something like this Makes it heaps easier to carry the child. Easier on your back and arms and babies love them.

Good luck, OP, I hope you're doing okay.

No op, but we did tent camping with our daughter at 6 months old in Northern California. We used a Phil and teds bassinet, like this kind of big enough to keep her snuggled, small enough to keep her between us in our smaller tent. We had a bottle warmer for our car (if we had that) or would just use hot water if needed. Something to use up high in the tent, most of time we just used a light up frisbee threw it up top to help her fall asleep. Osprey backpack was great, used the removable bag as a diaper bag. It was fun I highly recommend it!

Pregnancy: Liked Old Navy Maternity I loved wearing foldover waist things like capri pants, skirts, and pants. Though for work I was able to keep wearing my pre-pregnancy pants as my fat redistributed and they are elastic waist anyway. And the Old Navy Maternity tank tops are amazing, I still wear them after giving birth. I also wore Poise pads to catch my pee leaks, they worked great.

Did not like Ginger gum, that shit's gross.

Postpartum: Liked Kotex pads. The squirt bottle they gave me at the hospital. Colace.

Did not like Always pads (fucking cheese grater). Those witch hazel pads didn't do much for me, neither did the numbing cream.

Baby Like Pampers Baby Dry diapers, Fisher Price Rock and Play, Nosefrida snotsucker, Fisher Price plug in swing, Chicco Keyfit 30, Chicco NextFit, Harmony Odyssey stroller, Infantino pouch feeding products, Vtech baby monitor, Cuisinart food processor, lightweight car seat toys, Ubbi diaper pail, IKEA high chair (I probably have more, but these are some of the things I love on a daily basis or have saved my sanity).

Did not like Swaddle blankets (specifically swaddling), moby wrap, boppy pillow, Graco battery operated swing, huggies diapers, and MAM bottles.

Bonus Mom Supplies Pump wipes (my pump room at work has no sink and these are perfect to use after pumping), leisure bra (I cut holes where my nipples are and I can double pump hands-free, so helpful!), and JuJuBe diaper bag (it's small and cute and I know where everything is now!)

My daughter loves these two night/light toys:

Rainbow in my room

And

Light Turtle

She also likes these little kid magnet toys - they are really weird looking - but when she finally figured out the "pull" of the magnets they became amazing to her:
GeoMag

I obviously have a girl - but I'm sure your kid would love any of these! Pretty universal items!

We have a 'Woombie Ecotravel Baby Donut' got it 5yrs ago with the first kid and its still in great condition. Just looked and the specific baby one we have is discontinued, but they have a toddler one which is a bit bigger and appears the same.
I don't recall paying $100 for it 5yrs ago but that appears to be the price of them now.

Either way, its great for any type of travel, even just day adventures with a kiddo.


Wife just looked over my shoulder and added some more info on this.
There is something called a Docatot which is the replacement for the baby one, but more expensive.
Apparently my mom found ours at a consignment shop and got it much cheaper then retail.

What she suggests is a Travel Bassinet like this which is more budget friendly.
Another thing she mentioned is when camping, there aren't many places to put a baby down, so getting something like this a beach mat, will really come in handy.

I had the rock n play bassinet- not the original reclined one, but they make a green flat one. We loved it because it met all safety standards, our newborn could be swaddled in it, and it was a small foot print. Highly recommend.

Edit to add: we bought it just a few days in when we realized how freaking huge the pack n play was. It seemed way too big for a newborn who wanted to be cozy. Plus it was cumbersome. They work great for older babies, though.

I recommend borrowing the following two things from friends -

Summer Infant Pop-n-Play
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Play-Portable-Playard/dp/B00KBGTRAC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1495664261&sr=8-1&keywords=pop%2Bn%2Bplay&th=1

Canopy - for shade and hanging towels

Something that looks like this (or smaller): https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Pop-Up-Canopy-Tent-10/dp/B0145R49C8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1495664326&sr=8-6&keywords=beach+canopy

-------
As for getting them to the beach, you can get a beach cart - or borrow/rent a jogging stroller (with giant wheels for getting over the dunes).

Don't forget that you can always back-carry your twins in carriers (Ergo/Tula, etc) - to leave your hands free to carry stuff and set up.

If you've never back-carried before in a carrier, it's awesome. And generally people will think you and your wife (and babies) look super adorable as you walk along. Here's a how to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImBAhltsbRQ

We love love love our peapod toddler travel tent. Our 1 1/2 year old has slept in it almost exclusively for about 6 months while we travel for work. We put it on top of some blankets or a mattress on the floor for added comfort. They have 2 sizes, we have the small. Can't endorse enough. Easy to clean, don't have to worry about bugs if you end up in a place with mosquitoes, folds up into a carryon, and best of all: he can't quietly escape to go exploring in someone else's un-baby proofed house. While our location changes constantly, at least he always has the same bed.

Summer Infant Baby Jail for an option to keep kid and toys cleaner, camped with other adults do there were people to hold the baby sometimes, especially packing up. Because of course, you want to leave for the long drive at naptime. It would not have been possible to camp just the 3 of us last summer without a baby meltdown packing up. At 16m he was walking for 3m and listened to voice commands to stay close and we spent time establishing the "boundaries of the site" and we packed everything we possibly could the night before and went bare bones in the morning. He didn't mind being in the tent while we packed up what was inside. I could do some stuff in a front carry, there was the cold day he would not nap except in my wrap, and my ultimate plan after 6m was a back carry while packing or cleaning if he wouldn't cooperate. Our biggest issue this summer has been the tent being too hot for naps, but luckily I trained mine to do walking naps in the stroller that reclines as we approached a year ago I could walk the camp loops, etc and then roll him into the shade with me. For sure the brightness of a tent is sometimes an issue too, including at bedtime so some backup plans for naps is a good idea, they are more important than ever. This last trip instead of 8:30-7:30, he slept 9-6:30, so almost an extra 90 min needed to be made up in napping if he was going to stay on schedule. But we didn't stress too much, we just looked hard for nap cues and sprung into action so he could get the best rest he could. And no more elaborate meals, if it takes more than 15min to prep and cook, it's too long.

You mentioned wishing your baby could entertain herself. Our babies are the same age and I completely hear you. It's exhausting trying to entertain a baby, whenever they are awake. I've started putting my baby in his bouncer [This one - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVNEFCM/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474756338&sr=sr-1&keywords=Price+Bouncer] or on his play mat [This one - https://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1474756447&sr=1-4&keywords=Baby+Play+Mat]. He's been pretty good at hanging out there for a good while and focusing on trying to reach the dangling toys. So, something like this might help give you a few moments peace and let baby entertain themselves.

We love our Ubbi diaper pail: http://www.amazon.com/Ubbi-Steel-Diaper-Pail-White/dp/B00821FLT4. Expensive but holds the odor so well and uses standard trash bags, which is nice, and lots of colors to work with your house.

We couldn't live without the Rock and Play or Ergo carrier. Sleepers with foldover mittens were a lifesaver too - Old Navy had ones that worked for us. Also, absorbent pads for the changing table! We set them on top of the changing pad cover, and just wash them when there are poop/pee incidents.

Lots of onesies - it just made sense for us early to just dress her in a onesie and call it good. Carters worked well - the Gerber ones were a bit thinner and ran small.

We used Circo receiving blankets as burp cloths because we received like seven million as gifts.

Worst purchases: lots of newborn sized clothes - she grew out of them so fast and never wore 90%! We've yet to get any use of our baby shoes, because her feet are teeny, so we stick with just socks.

I nursed my son for 18 months, including pumping at work for months 3-12.

For bottles, I'd start with the Medela ones that come with your pump. Some babies are picky and some aren't - my kiddo would take breastmilk from a garden hose. If baby is not into these, go from there.

For your pump, double check to make sure it will come with some kind of cold-storage bag and ice pack. I have the PISA tote bag one from when my 4yo was a baby, and it came with this, but I bought it myself so I don't know about the insurance options. You might also be interested in milk storage bags or some other longer-term milk storage solution as you pump more.

Finally, I'd recommend having some flat cloth diapers around in addition to nursing pads. After a few washes, they're super absorbent and perfect for spitup messes, overspray when your kiddo gets distracted and lets go of the nipple, and putting in your bra while you sleep in case you end up on your belly and start leaking!

Even if you don't buy a big formal stroller, you might want a lightweight frame, something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Keyfit-Caddy-Stroller-Frame/dp/B005JDOYF0, but for whatever carseat you buy.

If the baby falls asleep in the car, it's really really nice to be able to leave them in the carseat and just clip the car seat into a lightweight, super-easy to fold frame. I found it was particularly awesome for grocery shopping; i could do the shopping in ten min while the baby slept, and just put the groceries under the stroller until I got to the checkout line. I'm already watching for one to come up on craigslist!

edit to add: I think the frame-style stroller lasted us most of the first year, so it definitely would hold off the larger purchase and give you time to evaluate options. I did mostly baby-wearing too, but sometimes it was a relief to only carry my own body weight ;)

This pillow: https://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Podster-Sling-Style-Infant-Lounger/dp/B003HIXOTQ saved us so many times in the first months. I had two, and could easily bottle-feed them both by tucking a pillow in on each side and holding the two bottles. I was never much able to prop up bottles without it being more work than it was to just feed them.

Sometimes they both cry, and they just do that. I'd pick up one and sing a song to them, then swap out and sing another song, so they both got the same amount of comforting time, and at some point, one would stay calm when I put them down.

And it gets way easier as they get older. We are at 7.5 months now, and they sleep at the same time (for the most part) and not only do they hold their own bottles, they get mad if we try to hold them and feed them.

We also got a lot of good entertainment value out of these: https://www.amazon.com/Wee-Gallery-Cards-Jungle-Collection/dp/B001CBEGCO/ -- we'd just prop them up on the sides of the pack n play and they'd stare at them for sometimes whole minutes at a time! (And every minute totally counts.)

When they get older, you can use a baby gym/mobile holder kind of thing that you can attach stuff to. We just used the ones from Ikea, and swapped in all kinds of things, but until they can hold and turn their heads to look straight up, which takes a bit, just propping stuff up on the wall/against things works just as well. These cards you can just buy and print out: https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1173226584 -- and that shop has some books on infant activities too, that we found pretty fun. Especially the box with Christmas tree lights stuck into it. It sounds crazy, but it sometimes calmed a baby when nothing else would.

It would definitely increase SIDS risk since it's not a firm surface. My advice would be to get a travel bassinet or in-bed cosleeper like this. It will make it safe for babe in your bed until s/he grows out of it, when your bed will probably be safe anyway. Added bonus is that s/he can nap in it too when you're not in bed, and if you travel with babe you can take it with you, making for a familiar sleeping environment in another place. I can't recommend these things enough. I would not flip the mattress as it is not made to be safe or comfortable for anyone when flipped.

You don't need a wipe warmer.

You don't need pee-pee-tee-pees.

You don't need baby shoes. Shoes are for people who walk.

You don't need 12 bottles. I recommend between 2 and 4 bottles. If you have more bottles you'll just end up having to wash more bottles. We do very little formula though so if you're going right for formula then I don't know.

​

PJs with zippers. Snaps are fine but take forever when he's crying.

Diaper Cream paddle. It seems silly and people who don't have them give us shit for using one of these but seriously. The cream goes on fast and even and you don't have goop on your finger that you have to wipe off before doing up the onesie. We're near the end of a tub of cream and I can barley get my finger down there but the paddle reaches easily.

A bath with a hammock. This one has been great. We used it next to the sink when he was a newborn. He laid in the water supported by the sling. Once he was a little bigger but not quite sitting up it adjusts to give a more upright position. Then you just get rid of the sling when he can sit up.

Nose Frida. Bulb aspirators don't work very well and are hard to clean and you're supposed to replace them incredibly frequently. The Nose Frida works better and is less disposable. He'll still hate it though.

Nail Grinder. You'll need clippers too but this nail grinder is great. If you use it regularly you can skip the clippers almost entirely. That's nice because clipping baby nails is terrifying. This has the added benefit of rounding the edges which makes those razors attached to the end of your baby's fingers a little less sharp.

​

I'm sure there's more for both lists. I'll edit if I think of them. You could also share your current registry and get comments based on that. I don't think that violates forum rules, but I haven't checked.

Lots of good advice here, but if you want to simply "put your child down", I LOVED the Leachco Podster. It's just a pillow, so he can't outgrow it. I moved that pillow all through the house. He took naps in it on the floor in every room, at grandma's house, there were even a few nights I put it in his crib because he slept SO WELL in it. We called it the magic pillow. That and a play mat with lots of shiny/jingly bits.

Hi newbie!
Congrats on the new addition! First of all, let me try to put your mind at ease by telling you there is no right or way to cloth diaper.
That said, as most have already stated, you need to run a prerinse cycle on all types of diapers before the full wash. This is to get most of the pee and any residual poop bits out so that it isn't all swishing around in the main wash (i.e. keeping your diapers from getting clean). The good news is that the pre-rinse cycle is usually pretty short. My washer is in the basement too and it never bothers me to do two cycles (pre-rinse and full wash).
Everyone's answer for the BEST inserts is going to be different. It's really a matter of preference. If you want to to start out inexpensively you can just pick up some prefolds and either use them with a snappi or just fold them and lay them into the diaper.

A little pricier than other options, but I got this one for my GSD puppy and it has been awesome. It's technically for kids but it has worked well for her.

I like that the bars are metal and there are no horizontal bars across it so it keeps them from being able to climb. It is basically indestructible. You can buy additional panels that are super easy to attach. It also comes with a kit to anchor it to walls if you want to use it as a gate to block off rooms instead.

We did this with both kids at < 1 yr. Backcountry canoing for a week too (in the summer). We found the PeaPod to be a very useful tool for naps, since it gave us freedom to get things done (like washing diapers :) ).

Camping with the little ones gets better and better. Now they are carrying their own packs on the portages and stomping through the mud.

​

The pea pod was one like this. ours had an inflatable floor for cushioning. https://www.amazon.com/KidCo-P3010-Peapod-Cranberry/dp/B00CCKC108

I agree with you on the Baby Bjorn. My wife and I both love it and it's especially great for me as a guy. I carried my nephew around in one for a few hours at the park and he slept almost the entire time. It's definitely one of the more comfortable carriers that I've used. If anyone is looking to get one, I'd check online for more information and prices. Amazon is the cheapest I've found.

I looked at both in the store and decided on the Chicco because it was easier to install (it took all of 20 seconds) and because it fit better in my car's tiny back seat. It also just felt sturdier, although I don't know that that's necessarily true.

They're both heavy, so I would highly recommend a snap-on stroller base. I bought the Chicco brand one, but Baby Trend makes one that will work with the KeyFit too. Plus it's cheaper. If this is your first child I would not recommend getting a convertible car seat just yet. You're going to have a hard enough time maneuvering your newborn in to that carseat and getting him or her strapped in safely with it sitting on a flat surface in front of you. Now imagine trying to shove your little bundle of joy through the small space between the carseat and the back seat, get it all strapped in and comfy, buckled up without pinching anything, all while supporting its floppy little head. And you can forget about not waking him or her up! Oh, and did I mention you'll be leaning over and in to the car to do this? Yeah, not so good for your back either.

I strongly, strongly advise against a convertible for a newborn.

You should really get an infant carseat then buy a convertible one once baby outgrows the infant one. The infant carseat is the one you can remove from the car to carry baby in, which is a HUGE bonus - you don't have to wake baby when you're out running errands, he can just stay sleeping while you carry him around. Having to take baby out of the seat and put him back in while running errands will piss him off and it's very annoying. Also, you'll have to find something to put him in while you're in the store, for example. It's also SO much easier to buckle him in the seat in the house then click it into the car.

You can also buy a travel system where the carseat clicks into a stroller frame - HUGE plus! This is what we had: https://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Keyfit-Caddy-Stroller-Frame/dp/B005JDOYF0 & the matching Chicco Keyfit 30 carseat.

I understand wanting to save money, but your life will be so so so much easier with an infant carseat. I'd find another item to save money on if money is an issue.

Also, convertible carseats don't have the neck support that infant ones do because they don't recline as much, so your newborn's head will flop forward, which is a safety issue on its own (positional asphyxiation).

I would recommend this awesome diaper pail because you don't have to buy special bags. It just uses regular garbage bags. Save you money in the long run.

I love ours

I had a similar concern. So I went with the Rock N Play Bassinet. It worked great for my LO. I could rock it back and forth when needed, but it still had a flat bottom. It was super easy to move to the pack n play and then ultimately his crib.

-1. Here's an amazing bed!

-1A. Here's another bed, which corresponds to my bonus answer

-2. The best bedtime snack for camping!!

-3. Can you picture yourself in these flannel pajamas??

-4. Multi-purpose for when you just want to cuddle!

-5. Whispering waves to help your baby sleep! (And match your adult nightlight!

BONUS: What's black and white and red all over?^^a^sunburnt^^panda!


She used to say she could taste sleep and that it was as delicious as a BLT on fresh French bread.

You could get them an indoor star projector thingy like this. Or maybe a moon in my room and a really soft throw blanket.


Or how about a theme park gift card? That way they can buy the tickets when they want. Maybe if they like a certain theme park with certain characters you can buy them a novelty from it (like a Steamboat Willy) and some candy themed from there.


Nature? Awesome! How about wildlife documentaries on DVD? Maybe a cool wilderness guidebook? What about a butterfly kit? Oo! How about a firefly light?


Ok I'm out of ideas off of the top of my head for now, but I think it really is doable. :)


^I'm ^trying ^here

Best toy. My son has had these for awhile and we use them to teach him letters, animals and other items.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005KBQGH0

Best teether. Yes it's expensive but it's worth it. Instead of trying a bunch of others, just buy this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000IDSLOG

He loves this doll. You can customize it to say their name, what songs it plays and a few other things.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001W30D2O


We used this for a nightlight. He has used it since birth (almost 2 now).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BNQC58

Also this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GKWA66

If this is allowed, I'd love to enter for my sister's baby (my new niece/nephew!). She had a miscarriage about a year ago and we were worried for her. But now she's pregnant again and it's looking good so far! Due date is around Christmas! She finds out the gender in a month ish... I'm so anxious!

ALSO

I'd totally get her this because she loves the color green and animals are awesome! <3

So, what I have done is pump one side and nurse the other. That way I'm not stuck in the chair all day long. I usually do it once or twice in the early morning (thats when your milk is usually most plentiful, from 4am on) and it is enough for one solid feed at night.

I also have a fast let down and pumping for just one or two moments on that side can help with the squirt to the back of the throat. A haaka is a nice affordable option for this as it doesn't require lot of cords and tubes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_wJlPDbQZ0BJNJ

I know it's exhausting. I also know you are a great mom for giving it your best.

We have this:

http://www.amazon.com/Ubbi-10000-Diaper-Pail-White/dp/B00821FLT4/ref=sr_1_10?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1414244485&sr=1-10&keywords=Diaper+pail

Yes, it's expensive but it works! We also got it at Buy Buy Baby with a 20% off coupon which is incredibly easy to find. It uses regular trash bags so that's great, and as long as you remember to close the lid, it keeps all the smell contained. The only downside we've found is that because it's so big, it holds like a weeks worth of diapers, and then the bag is so crazy heavy when it's time to change it that I can't lift it and my husband has to do it! Not such a bad downside for me actually :)

My gosh, my SON LOVES this

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Melodies-Lights-Deluxe/dp/B000FFL58Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371668591&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+floor+gym

It is amazing, he pulls on everything and looks at the lights. He is 6 months and we sit him on it and loves to play with the butterflies.. BUY IT.

We honestly bought Alva's through Amazon and they have held up better than most of our other diapers. We used pockets and the prints are pretty cute. Our son is now almost 2 and a half and he can still fit into them for night time and naps, though he started to toilet train himself about a month ago. Alva Diapers

The boys are 3.5mo

The only secret weapon I can really think of is shower-baths. We get the shower going, then plug the drain. One of us then sits in the tub and holds one of them so they can play in the water. We started doing this regularly when they were pretty young. Now they love the water so much that just bringing them into the bathroom puts them in a good mood, even if they are feeling crappy.

The other thing is the podster. It's a cross between a boppy and a bean bag chair. They are super comfy and really secure. These are what they lounge in while waiting their turn in the bath

My kids have a bit of a different age range (my first two are less than a year apart and they were almost 4 and 5 before i had the twins). But as for survival, quiet activities were a god send for me, something that was brought out when i needed to feed the babies or they were sleeping. Whether it be a tablet or one of those quiet books/boxes, keeping it a novelty helped keep them interested. I bought one of these so i could take the twins outside when the older kids needed to get outside for some running around. My kids loved being big helpers for the babies so i had them help out if they wanted, little things like asking them to pick out a baby's outfit or singing/talking to them during a diaper change.

We got two of these to create a baby pen for my son, with the expectation that we'd be adding two more kids to it. It's expensive, but it's awesome. Solid as a rock and because it's bars, rather than a grid pattern on the panels, he can't climb it.

There's nothing wrong with putting your babies in a confined space to keep them safe.

Fisher Price makes a rock n play bassinet that someone bought us for our baby shower. That could be a better option because baby lays flat, and it's only a little bit lower than our bed so baby is closer. Our bedroom is teeny and with this bassinet it's a bit cramped, but not as cramped as with a Pack N Play. Also someone gave us one of those bassinets that goes into your bed so baby can safely co-sleep. Will something like that work?

What organisms are you planning to work with?

(tl;dr read refs 1,2,3; google "baby bottle microwave sterilizer)

1) If you are considering culturing environmental samples, read the diybio.org "Ask A Biosafety Officer" responses to the questions about culturing samples http://ask.diybio.org/questions/.

2) In general you should familiarize yourself with the CDC's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition (pdf direct link) if you are not already.

In particular, Appendix B—Decontamination and Disinfection (pg 326) defines and reviews principles of sterilization vs disinfection.

An interesting and useful project would be to measure effectiveness of one or more "diy-friendly" alternative sterilization/disinfection tools + procedures. One way to start researching how to design such an experiment could start with reading the BMBL (at least the appendix B and related sections) to learn conceptual starting points & technicals terms. Van Doornmalen 2008 (ref 3 below) is a good review to learn more.

microwave baby-bottle steam "sterilizers"

Now, with that said, I'd like to suggest another set of consumer products that might be useful for home lab disinfection: baby bottle sterilizers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VBXKG2. In particular some are designed to be used with microwave ovens. They are usually plastic containers with an internal rack for holding the bottles along with a resevoir for water. The microwave is used to vaporize the water into steam. Unlike lab autoclaves, these are not pressure vessels and so the pressure & temp of the steam is at ambient and thus not capable of true sterilization.

However, it may be that the incident microwaves compensate for this to some degree - or not. Lit review + research required! Here is a PubMed search for relevant MESH terms ("Disinfection/methods"[MAJR]) AND "Microwaves"[MAJR]. It seems as if there has been some research into using microwaves to disinfect dentures and toothbrushes.

more lit

3) Van Doornmalen, J., & Kopinga, K. (2008). Review of surface steam sterilization for validation purposes. American Journal of Infection Control, 36(2), 86–92. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.02.002 (scihub)

4) ANSI AAMI ST55:2016 - Table-top steam sterilizers - FDA supplimentary information sheet

5) FDA.gov: Recognized Consensus Standards - Specialty Task Group Area: Sterility Standards; Title or Keyword: Sterilization. 1-119 results.

Get the keyfit stroller frame, not the travel system with the big stroller. SO much lighter, better basket space and accessibility, cheaper, and once they're out of the car seat you can just get a cheaper umbrella stroller cause they'll be old enough. We love our chicco and their customer service is awesome. Also if kid is asleep it's so much better to be able to move their seat instead of pulling them out and waking them up.

http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Keyfit-Caddy-Stroller-Frame/dp/B005JDOYF0

We used the boppy lounger in the corner of our sectional couch when she was still super tiny. Then I used this travel bassinet because I was paranoid about her being out of sight but wanted her out of the lounger. We eventually transitioned to her being in her bassinet in our room with a cheap baby monitor (sound only) and I'm just now having her nap in her crib at 5mo. Honestly, if we were to have a second, I'd probably start them off in the bassinet in our room - it helps them get better sleep and allows for you to get more done OR actually nap when baby naps since you're not holding them.

We quickly found that having small, lightweight strollers was the way to go. We originally bought the Chicco car seat, the snap-in base, and the matching stroller. The only problem was the stroller was giant and heavy, and just a hassle to use.

Luckily we found out they also sold a car seat frame/stroller only, and they also sold a Lite-a-way "Plus" (not the other one, you cannot snap the car seat into it) stroller that also snaps the car seat in. We love them. We use the frame one almost exclusively! It folds up very small, it's super light and easy to handle, and my wife can throw the baby bag and her purse in the bottom.

These are the ones:

http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-05060886970070-Liteway-Stroller-Fuego/dp/B001ODAHF0

http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Keyfit-Caddy-Stroller-Frame/dp/B005JDOYF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1410792975&sr=1-1&keywords=chicco+car+seat+stroller

Yes but only when there was something NEW for us both to see and interact with. This frontpack was the most personally valuable thing I owned for a solid 2 years through both of my kids. We would go out on the town for hours and hours and then take a nap. Seriously one of the best times of my life.

THIS. We've had 2 girls and I have bought this for every single expecting parent I know.

Need a second to rest your arms? Podster. Need to take an oh-so-adorable pic of your baby? Podster. Need to go to the bathroom? Podster.

The thing travels well and is more useful than I can explain. It went everywhere in the house we went. Our kids slept in it great, though I'm sure it's not advised without supervision. 10/10!

Thank you this is very helpful! Here is what I have picked out so far. Could someone tell me if I am even on the right track with these?

Are these pockets or all in ones? or is that the same thing?

These I can use under a cover or as in insert for a pocket one, is that right?

If I got the two sets above and 6 different types of covers, would that be a good start for a newborn?

I would also need wipes, would I need the pins/fasteners for these types?

Thanks!

For disposable diapers, we use and like this brand: https://www.babyadvisor.org/best-biodegradable-diapers/#Nature

We're on the third size up now, and have had pretty minimal blowouts. Really happy with them.

My wife was interested in doing cloth if it wasn't too much, but we don't have a washer which makes it harder. We use these for night time, and they work AMAZINGLY. Like kid goes through 1 or 2 the entire night (<3 months old) compared to like 4+ diaper changes. If we had our own washer/drier and didn't have to pay ~$4 a load, I'd probably say screw the single use diapers. Which I was not expecting honestly.

Lol my two year old is the same with every flashlight he’s ever had. Turtle light we have one of these for the two year old and one in our 9 month olds crib too, the lights aren’t that bright and they can press the buttons to change the colors. We hear the two year old at night sometimes going “wooaahhhhh stars!!!” Haha it’s cute.

I know what you are talking about, the hanging bassinet attachment. I had done some research on it and my husband and I decided that it was still the safest option available, after getting our Pack 'n' Play with the bassinet, we still believe that it's very sturdy and safe. (The Newborn Napper attachment that some PnPs come with is NOT safe for sleep, however.) I understand that it seems like a flimsy design, but it's quite sturdy, the pad stays very firm (as long as you are using it within the weight limit.)

If you are really set on an alternative, another bassinet that is commonly recommended is the Rock'n'Play bassinet. Now, many people will talk about the Rock'n'Play SLEEPER, but that is actually a bit risky for a newborn because it has them sleep at an incline, and that can, in some babies, cause them to slump and have difficulties breathing. Some people do use the inclined sleeper for babies with reflux, but that's up to you and your pediatrician. The RnP bassinet has a nice flat surface and breathable mesh sides, however, so it should be quite safe for a newborn.

We belay with the baby in a backpack all the time on top rope in places with minimal rockfall potential. I've done a few easy leads with her in it, too. [edit: not on my back while I'm climbing!] In hundreds of times doing it, there haven't been any close calls. I'd make sure you know how to go hands-free with a munter-mule, though.

When leading harder stuff where a big fall was a possibility, the baby hung out in a portable tent like this when she was really small, with a foam pad underneath to make it comfy.

Later on, the Edelrid Fraggle harness comes in an xxs version that fits our 18 month old with room to size down. Probably too big at 6 months, but eventually you can get one so you can keep the kid on a safety tether (mine is made from 8mm dynamic accessory cord) at crags where there are ravines or water nearby. She hangs out at eats bugs while roped to a tree with her older brother watching if I'm leading something hard. Also lets her do a little climbing on easy friction slabs. :)

Whatever you do, get a bike or climbing helmet with a closed top for him. I almost beaned ours with a dropped ATC once. Everyone wears a helmet now, always.

Generally I haven't found climbing with the baby all that bad until she started to walk, at which point it becomes more challenging and you need a second set of hands. Babies sometimes get fussy and people might get annoyed, but that's true anywhere you take a baby. Store, restaurant, park, crag, gym. That's how it is. You do what you can to quiet the kid, but in the grand scheme of bad crag behavior, crying babies (even before kids) are NBD compared to the routine annoyance I feel towards poorly behaved adults.

I'd look at the recommendations on mamaot.com and candokiddo.com before buying anything. They have a lot of ideas for things you already have at home as well as ideas for purchases that will work for your baby through a few stages of development. At your baby's age we relied on our play mat for most of her entertainment (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI?th=1) with a few extra toys and plastic links hung on it. Once she could sit up she could play with the toys that way.

Stuff like jumpers and walkers aren't recommended for too much use but if you do want one, there are usually a ton of jumpers on short plastic stands for less than $20 on Craigslist and at Once Upon a Child. If you're just feeling generally spending on the baby (understandable :) ) but don't want to go crazy go to Once Upon a Child. They have lots of toys and should have some of your basic stacking and other simple toys that will work at this age and hopefully for longer too!

There are some super compact (and cheap) portable bassinets... At 4 months, this could be much easier than a portable crib! Something like this : http://www.amazon.com/BRICA-Fold-Go-Travel-Bassinet/dp/B004L2JJ6E/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1458353800&sr=8-2&keywords=Portable+bassinet for 30$...
Full disclosure, never used such a thing, just something I've looked at that I figured could be useful if I were to travel in the first few months :P

Travel safe! Its been years since I didn't check neo in the airport, though, that would be weird for me.

And good luck researching baby stuff. I bought one of these things for a baby shower and man, it was ADORABLE.

At that age my daughter loved the little plush mirror that she looked at during tummy time and her play mat. She also liked those little mini crunchy books that make sound like crackling paper when you turn the pages...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GCH64CC?psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002J4U8M0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1497471878&sr=8-1&keywords=sassy+mirror+baby&dpPl=1&dpID=51R8Pgj9dDL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002DWALTI/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_107_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EDSMZQ3FK9M11G0W48FK&dpPl=1&dpID=91CItN2WZ9L

Check your local Facebook market place for preloved diapers. To get a few used and play around with what you think will work best.

I’m in 7 weeks of cloth diapering my 18 (almost 19) month old. We have pockets (Alva are my fave and fit the best in our stash) — it ranges from China Cheapies , Alvababy and Moma Koala (these are smaller than Alva’s on my 27lbs toddler).

I mostly have microfiber (can’t go against the skin) with only 24 bamboo inserts <I need more!!!>. I’ve recently discovered Flour Sack Towels; check Walmart for them. I’ve been folding them for a boy and then wrapping around a microfiber insert and we’ve been lasting about 3hrs before needing a change.

At night we use Happy Flute Hemp Fitteds with an Alva cover (I purchased Happy Flute covers but they didn’t work for us).

I was gifted a bunch of pocket diapers and all in ones from my registry when I had a shower, but when it came time to actually diaper a newborn, they looked HUGE and uncomfortable.

I also didn't start cloth diapering until baby was a month old. That was just for my sanity.

I ordered a bunch of wraps and used store-bought Gerber diapers with a Snappi fastener. It took a few tries to figure out what folds worked best when she was bigger, but for the first few weeks I just folded the diaper in thirds and put it in the wrap.

Once baby was bigger and ready for daycare, I switched to the all in ones and I haven't looked back.

I have 15 diapers total now that I cycle through and that works for us (3-4 diapers used a day, washing every 2-3 days). I also use disposables at night or when traveling.

I had a pack and play for my first baby and I just sold it to a secondhand store. I think they are too big for their intended use. My daughter never liked it as a sleep device and she hated it as a containment device once she got mobile. We ended up getting a snuggle nest to put in the pack and play for her to sleep in because the pack and play was too wide open.

This time I went with a travel crib to put next to our bed for the first few months. I hope the new baby likes it. I guess we'll find out here in the next week or so.

Another option I considered was the Fisher-Price Rock and Play Bassinet, because as I said the pack and play was just too big.

Eco Friendly, Baby Edition! More suggestions are welcome!

I'm due this winter (being induced in December), and these cloth diapers would be really green and really helpful! My mom used cloth diapers with us, and though they're a little more work, they don't put THAT much extra laundry into the wash cycle, and they save on ALL that waste that's created by baby diapers! Crazy! We do not intend to do cloth 100% of the time, but they'll be nice when baby has already had a poo that day, and we expect no more poo, so they'll be there for pee only. (How predictable is a poo cycle on a baby? We'll figure it out!)

We also want to make most of our own baby food, from local produce from a farmer's market, which cuts down on gas used to bring us our food and all the glass bottles used to store food. Here is a plastic set of little food containers.

I'm also breast feeding, so here are some breast milk storage bags. THAT'S SUPER GREEN, and cheap, because I'm not using all that awful formula.

Apologies in advance for the length of my response. I have no doubt someone will just send you a link for everything you need to know and it'll be awesome, but here's my personal experience, fwiw.

We got a bunch off of amazon that are ridiculously adjustable. They snap together in different ways for the adjustments, but they're basically just like disposables in how they go on and how the tabs snap to the front. Idk if links are allowed, but here's the specific ones we got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7JW3GQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They come with a little cotton insert, but we discovered that it wasn't enough to contain the disasters that happened, so we also got additional liner thingies:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DDFOTFU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You take the diaper (the part that looks like a regular disposable), you lay the white cotton liner thingy that came with it, and the additional bamboo liner inside (just lay it in there, we don't mess with the pockets or anything), and then stick it on the kiddo.

We check more frequently than we had to with the disposables because it's less obvious if they're wet, but when it comes time to change, you can change like you normally do and then instead of throwing away the diaper you put it in a wet bag:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CA7LE7I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We just use disposable wipes and throw them away in a plastic bag if they're extra gross, or just wrapped in another wipe if they're just pee wipes. You can use cloth if you want, though, and then they'd go in the wet bag with the diapers and inserts. If there's poo, you can wipe it off into the toilet, or you can use a fancy sprayer that you attach to the waterline running to your toilet. It just stays connected to the toilet all the time and hangs up on the wall next to it. You turn it on when you need to use it. We bought one, and then almost never used it, fwiw:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017A7GRR0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The diapers and inserts stay in the wet bag until you've got a couple, then you do a load of laundry. We just stick them in the machine and basically run 2 cycles, both hot, because we don't have any kind of "sterilize" option on our machine. You can dry them in the dryer, or do a clothesline or something if you have option, time, and inclination.

They're bulky, and I recommend buying a few packs of them so you don't have little nakey ones running around while you're trying to get laundry done, but I feel like they're worth it.

Sorry for the million amazon links; no affiliation or anything, that's just where we do most of our shopping, ha!

Yes there are Chicco travel systems. I'm going with a CitiMini GT stroller and there is an attachment you can buy for it to fit certain car seats including the Keyfit. There's also a Chicco Keyfit Caddy - http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Keyfit-Caddy-Stroller-Frame/dp/B005JDOYF0/?tag=lucslis-20

Others have already recommended the cloth diapering subreddit, but to add my experience we didn't really cloth diaper the first few weeks despite having the supplies on hand just because we were in survival mode and extra laundry was out of the question. Then we moved on to pocket diapers (which have covers and inserts - the inserts absorb the pee) with liners. The liners seemed silly at first but they make life easier without being as expensive and wasteful as a full on disposable diaper. So no, totally not dumb to switch over at this point.

Now we only occasionally cloth diaper on weekends - lately we've either been travelling or dealing with a yeasty diaper rash and I've heard that yeast in a pain to remove from a cloth diaper so disposables it is. Day care requires disposables and I've never had luck with cloth diapers overnight (I probably could if I tinkered with it more, but I'm just not that committed).

I did the math at one point and even assuming we had paid for all the cloth diaper supplies ourselves (which we didn't thanks to our registry) we would have broken even on costs just over my three month maternity leave, so every diaper now that's cloth instead of disposable is like free money, a little bit at a time. A year later and the diapers and inserts we bought are still going strong.

Also maybe look into trying the Haakaa. It’s a pump you use on the opposite breast while the baby is nursing. It just suctions on and does the work for you. It’s very easy to use and only costs about $15. Just another tool to help keep your breasts as empty as possible. Good luck!

Edit: here’s the link

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump 4oz/100ml,2019 New Style https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CEIrDbDCREG7N

MotherLove makes a great nipple cream that doesn't have any lanolin. This site has some really great videos and fact sheets about what breastfeeding looks like and how to handle difficulties. Have some Soothies in the fridge for at first when your nipples HURT. Don't have formula ready to go "just in case" as it will inhibit your ability to trust that you can feed your baby. Trust yourself, your baby, your body. See if there's a La Leche League group near you and start going to meetings before the baby comes. You'll get a chance to see breastfeeding in person if you haven't before, as well as meet lots of moms who can talk you through tough times in person (which is huge). Some moms there might even be willing to show you how their babies latch and what you can expect.

The single best 2 pieces of advice I got: Don't be afraid to get help. Never quit on a bad day.

One of my wife's coworkers got her a Baby Bjorn, so we do plan on using that a lot, although not exclusively.

I'm not sure why, but it's incredibly rare for me to see anyone using something like the Bjorn around the city. It seems like such an easy thing to do, especially if you're just going out for a walk or quick errand, that I can't really figure out why it isn't more commonplace.

We got a TON of use out of our play mat. But try and find a used one! The one we have is this one, which I got for $5 at a rummage sale!
EDIT: Forgot to say I liked that it played music and had lights, and was easy to fold up and set aside.

I second that- look at the baby bjorn. or a carseat they will greatly appreciate it in 6 months- it's a win, trust me.

This would not work for crowded restaurants, but there may be some situations where a Brica Fold n Go Travel Bassinet would work. We used this at church and it fit perfectly at my feet slightly underneath the pew in front of us, so baby could sleep within my sight.

We got the stroller that the carseat can just snap into. Our 1MO only likes the stroller if you're willing to really zig-zag a lot and make it pretty bouncy. This one

We are about to get a Ring Sling, because holy hell, the Moby wrap is hot AF. The moby should come with a warning that it's only comfortable if the air temp is less than 80. Even better probably 70.

I would absolutely not get a $900 stroller, unless you're very wealthy and just want it. But if that's the case, I'd probably rather have the overly expensive Snoo Smart Sleeper than an overly expensive stroller, since sleep is gonna be the thing you aren't getting enough of.

This may not be what you're looking for, but when my twins outgrew their pack and play s we got Peapods. Love them. http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-P3010-Peapod-Cranberry/dp/B00CCKC108

Yeah, a simple microwave sterilizer like this is cheap and convenient: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-AVENT-Microwave-Steam-Sterilizer/dp/B007VBXKG2

You sterilize everything. You can see all the different pieces in the linked product. I mean, you can probably skip sterilizing the caps since they don't touch either the milk or the baby's mouth, but it's really easier to keep everything together. I basically used my sterilizer as a storage device for all the ready-to-use bottles after sterilizing. Take one set and leave the rest in there, covered up and clean.

As for the brands, Philips is Dutch, Nuk and Tommee Tippee are British, and Tomy (Boon Nursh) is originally from Japan.

I had a C-section. Here's my list of musts:

Nipple Cream: https://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Certified-Organic-Cracked-Nursing/dp/B0007CQ726/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1524170982&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=nipplecreams+for+breastfeeding&psc=1

Nursing Pads: https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Ultimate-Protection-Nighttime-Discretion/dp/B0179BQBP0/ref=sr_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524171034&sr=8-8&keywords=nursing+pads

Huge drinking cup so you don't have to get up so often: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGMBG5Q/ref=dp_prsubs_3

Nursing Bras: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075DBJ53P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Extra Long phone charging cords: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074296YH3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Burp Cloths (which are useful for a million things, I bought 3 of the 10-packs and am so glad I did):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VBYVVA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And my MIL got me this housecoat type thing made of sweatshirt material that was longer than knee length, zipped up, and had 2 massive pockets. I lived in the thing for like a month because I couldn't stand pants after my C-section. Plus it was warm and the pockets were really handy for carrying things (phone, water bottle, burp cloths, etc) while I was holding the baby.

This is what I was going to recommend. I know the last thing you need is more expensive baby products right now OP, but this or this could help your GF immensely (if she's got the back muscles to bear it).

Infants often sleep better when worn, and even when they're awake it'll at least free up your GF's arms so she can do other things.

I'd really strongly recommend the Ubbi Diaper Pail.

First, it's human smell-proof. We have our changing table in our bedroom, and never had a problem with it.

Second, that lid should definitely be dog proof. It even has the locking latch so the hatch won't open, but I'd expect a beagle to bee too short for that to be an issue. Between being able to lock the hatch, and maybe put some small weights in the bottom so they can't knock it over, it'll be safe.

Third, the pail just takes normal 13gal bags. We did disposables for newborn, and our normal kitchen bags did great. We have wet bags in it now, and they're still perfect.

The only, only thing I do, and I have no evidence I need to, is leave it open when there's no bag in it to air-dry out a bit. Diapers are exothermic, and it generates some humidity in there. It's a steel pail so I'd like to think I'm offsetting future rust. I'm at least letting nasty diaper humidity get out.

I've heard the Gerber pre folds have declined in quality. I went for the [OsoCozy] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AJHDQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_f3URCbTVMJ1NA) and love them. Super thick!

Something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Melodies-Lights-Deluxe/dp/B000FFL58Q/ref=sr_1_1_a_it

They key is the shiny vs fuzzy material, it's easy to wipe down, machine washable, and hair may be statically attracted to it (e.g. if the cats decide to rub themselves all over it, don't ask how I know lol) but it doesn't stick to it and in it like a fuzzy material might allow.

The Leachco Podster Sling-Style Infant Seat Lounger
is only $40 bucks. However, I'm not sure if that is better than the boppy because it too is pretty soft and not firm like that Nap Nanny. If you think your daughter likes to be propped up a little more, is there a way for you to put a towel or something under the pad in the co-sleeper? This would keep her upright a little more. If she wants to feel cuddled maybe you could just swaddle her? Also, I know plenty of people who let their babies sleep in their boppies so don't feel too bad about it.

This is the one I got, it looks like there are a few different versions, but they all do the same thing and it's specifically made for putting diaper cream on baby butts. No idea if that makes the material special, but here's hoping it works well enough!

How long do you need the fence for? I did get the relatively expensive North States Play Yard when she was about 6 months -- got 2 connected together. This type of gate has some advantages: first, the gate is made of vertical bars, not lattice work, which means the baby has a harder time climbing it.

Mine is a 17 month old monkey now, and can climb halfway up by putting the bars between her toes. If there had been cross-work, she would have gone over it long ago (she's already climbed out of the pack-n-play and would have climbed out of the crib if I hadn't caught her).

The second advantage is weight -- it is a heavy metal gate, so a toddler can't push it around easily. I guess it depends for how long you need the fence at work and how resilient you need it to be as baby grows up.

Just to say, I haven't regretted the investment in that one at all!

Congratulations! Rock n play bassinet - it's a flat surface and rocks. It is not under the rock n play recall because it's completely different.

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Play-Portable-Playard/dp/B00KBGTRAC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1540482637&sr=8-1&keywords=summer+infant+play+yard&dpID=41ScPp5hwoL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

This is what we have for our 11mo boys. It packs up like a camp chair and is easy to setup and tear down. The floor of it is slightly padded and the boys enjoy it. Also came with a hanging tablet mount if you want to put up a movie or something for them.

I'd say activity mat all the way! You can always buy a bouncer/exersaucer second hand. We loved our little mat, especially because it folded up when we weren't using it, creating more space in our apartment. It would even give us time to make coffee and breakfast while LO was busy playing.

Oh ok. Well maybe just something like this that she can put the carseat on? Cheaper than most strollers and as much support as your car seat has.

Chicco KeyFit Caddy Frame Stroller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JDOYF0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_w5FCCb9GRTE21

My son thought it was hilarious to bite me and get a reaction. I️ would gently press his face into my breast like I️ read about, but that did not help. I️ then just took him off the breast and stopped the session for a few minutes, that seemed to make a better point. I️ used Motherlove nipple salve and it helped but I️ remember one time I️ actually had to avoid nursing on one side for a day (hand pumped when needed, pink milk was interesting). Good luck!

Motherlove Nipple Cream Certified Organic Salve for Sore Cracked Nursing Nipples, 1 Oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007CQ726/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PFhbAbPJS8TFP

Have you tried using a haakaa? It suctions onto your breast and gathers milk from your let down. So when you breastfeed, you put it on the side the baby isn’t currently using. It’s a really good way to stockpile some bottle feeds, without risking creating and oversupply.

I could usually get an ounce or so per feed. You can combine several sessions to get enough for a bottle, then freeze. Just make sure that the milk is the same temp when combining. So if you already have a container of milk in the fridge, let the new milk cool before adding it to the container. You can leave in the fridge for several days before you need to freeze.

https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Breast-Manual-Silicone-Breastfeeding/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=breast+pump&qid=1569093074&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyT01OQTkzREZXUTgwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzk4MjAyM1RFNFMyMzlEOE9IRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTYwMjE2NTRUM0s0WElFTTAyJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

We camped with our then-11 month old and she slept in a PeaPod. We also bundled her up in a pair of thermal pajamas, a fleece snowsuit (with hood) over that, and then a Zippadee-Zip on top. She seemed pretty comfortable.

Adorable image for kicks :)

The Phillips Avent sterilizer is the best invention ever. Give the parts a wash, throw them in the thing, thing goes in the microwave for two minutes and it’s done! Saved me a TON of time over these three kids...


Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VBXKG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D9U2DbZ5C4KQE

I bought this one for a couple reasons: Not plastic, so won't absorb odors. And doesn't take special bags or cartridges, just regular kitchen bags.

Baby's not here yet, but it seems nice and simple, comes in nice colors and can just become a regular trash can when we don't need diapers any more.

But why subject your child to a suffocation risk like this in the first place? You can get well-rated play yards for $55. Is your child's safety really worth less than $35?

I have this applicator and it is amazing! Reusable and super soft. Thanks for the tip too! We had a similar problem with my 2 year old when she ate too many blueberries 😬
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYQ53JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_d1Y5AbSNFYCVW

Right! Let me explain, Tucks are medicated pads that will help with healing and discomfort around your lady bits. A Haakaa is kinda like a manual breast pump but uses suction to stick to your boob so it’s hands free!

Haakaa- Haakaa Manual Breast Pump 4oz/100ml,2019 New Style https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dAcHDbX7JDE5N

Tucks - Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads 100 Pads Per Pack (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VPTHP8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NBcHDbBAZKMT6

Also, add slippers or nonslip socks to your list and an extra long phone charging cord.

I hate lanolin/the idea of wool grease, but MotherLove makes a really nice organic and (minus the beeswax) plant-based one of you ever decide you want to try something else. I like it!

Here's the link if you're interested: Motherlove Nipple Cream Certified Organic Salve for Sore Cracked Nursing Nipples, 1 Oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007CQ726/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VKOFxbT6WEZ29

I have this one with 8 panels
North States 3-in-1 Metal Superyard - 144 inches Long Play Yard: Create an extra-wide gate or a play yard. Hardware mount or freestanding. 6 panels, 10 sq. ft. enclosure (30" tall, Beige) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U5FOT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VoJFDbPZST87Q

We had it over a foam mat. Now that we moved and LO is older, we have 3 panels with the gate mounted to seperate the living room from the rest of the house. Keeps toddler in and pets out.

I have an Infantino Twist and Fold activity mat, and when I am done with it, I just fold it up so the cat and dog don't lay on it. It only takes a few seconds, and is definitely not complicated. It has been working pretty well so far.

hahaha maybe you just need some childlocks! I bought these off of Amazon to keep my toddler out of our cleaning chemicals, and they work well!

I would just get rid of the nightlight. Is it really necessary? When my son was born I bought this chargeable light and it has been a great investment. It's dimmable and since you charge it with a USB I can move it around to wherever I want without worrying about cords or outlets. It's also saved my ass any time the power has gone out.

Edit: and get latches like this for the diaper pail.

We have a set of these:
metal super-gates of awesomeness

no horizontal footholds = no way to climb.
they're more expensive, but they're pretty good quality.

I don’t know if it’s available in the UK but I used mother’s love nipplecream.

link

We're like four days into this cloth diapering things and what we did was ask for a bunch of prefolds (I think we have two dozen of size 1 of these) and I bought some NB covers (6) off of Nicki's Diapers (there was a sale so I think I spent like $25 -- much cheaper than what was on Amazon). So, far, so good. We did use disposables for the first week because of meconium and having to use antibiotic cream on his penis. We also registered for a large (for home) and small (for the diaper bag) [wet bags] (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Wise-Wet-Bag-Medium/dp/B005WWIMGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1398382271&sr=1-1&keywords=wet+bag), and a diaper sprayer. You could also ask for cloth wipes (we're not there yet). Also, we received a lot of newborn and size 1 diapers at our showers (we didn't ask for them), so we haven't had to buy anything diaper-wise. We used up most of the NB diapers but haven't touched the three bags of size 1s. It's nice to have the disposables for going places during the day while we're getting used to the cloth.

Ubbi more expressive but it uses whatever bags you normally would in your kitchen. It keeps ANY smell in. It's awesome. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00821FLT4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1394731099&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

You could save money in less than a month with cloth diapers. I have a friend who does cloth diapers.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Birdseye-Flatfold-Cloth-Diapers/dp/B007VBYVVA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451342332&sr=8-3&keywords=cloth+diapers

Summer Infant Pop 'n Play Portable Playard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBGTRAC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_0sCBwbBJ759YM

This one! It's amazing. Sets up and tears down in less than a minute, no tools or anything, and is big enough so he doesn't feel trapped like in the pack n play / not so huge that it takes up my whole living room

Both our kids loved this play mat

I bought a portable playpen of Amazon bc I too bring my baby to work - works really well. Easy to put up and put down and he still has space to move.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KBGTRAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498957675&sr=8-1&keywords=playpens+for+babies&dpPl=1&dpID=41ScPp5hwoL&ref=plSrch

I think it was that and the fact that the back is velcro and there is a battery pack that could be pulled out. Those would be my guesses. I will say it's super soothing though. So is the Twilight Turtle

When I got the chance I did some searching and found some experts showing how it's done. Same technique applies for adults (of course your mouth is a bit larger so you'll probably end up taking more in, but it all works out).

Aim the boobie for the roof of the mouth, when your mouth takes in the boobie it'll slide down to where it's almost gagging you.

You'll make like a seal and it'll just stay where it's supposed to be. You use your tongue to massage the teat (Don't know how else to describe it, but once you play around you'll figure it out, and breathe through your nose.

As the suckler it was a bit weird and until I learned to relax my jaw got a little tired trying to do more work than necessary.

Your nipples being a little sensitive afterwards sounds normal. I know nursing mothers sometimes get cracking, but there are fixes for that

I love these too! I use the little finger glove (finger cots) to put stuff on but I’ve been seeing those spatula looking things. Have you tried those?

[amazon calls them brushes](BabyBum Diaper Cream Brush (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYQ53JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nWC0Ab9E12Q5B) But they look like spatulas to me.

Invest in a pop and play. It's super portable, much bigger than a pack and play, and you can put the kiddos toys in it and let them go to town no stress.

Summer Infant Pop N' Play Portable Playard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBGTRAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ruHvybGPTTGXX

Either way, it's not like there's a way to go back in time. I'd say for OP's husband to start working ASAP. And also for OP:

> I plan to stop getting takeout food now

Do that ASAP

> Is it worth it to invest more in a deep freezer to be able to save money long term?

No. You can reuse some Chinese takeout containers, cook an entire week's worth of meals one day a week and freeze them. Why do you need some kind of special freezer?

> Cloth diapers? Or are those things not worth it with the upfront costs? What else can we do to pay this off?

Cloth diapers are $12 for 10-pack on Amazon. You can reuse them for your kids and you'll save money in the long run.

Our daughter was in her crib on the night we brought her home. We got her a little bassinet to go inside the crib (BRICA Fold N' Go Travel Bassinet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004L2JJ6E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_z.zBxbQYZM6P3) on top of the crib mattress, so that she was in a smaller space to begin with. I swaddled her and we set up a webcam with audio so I could hear her. She is now nearly two and has always loved sleeping in her room!

I had great luck with one of these adjustable pens: http://www.amazon.com/North-States-Superyard-Metal-Gate/dp/B000U5FOT2/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1462386576&sr=8-4

If it's too large, you can remove two panels and make a square out of it. I used one for my bloodhound/anatolian mix puppy, since he hated being crated. We graduated him to having run of the house after I put him in the pen during the day, and came home for lunch to find him asleep on the couch. :)

Have a couple of friends with kids. I always get a butt spatula for applying diaper cream (https://www.amazon.com/BabyBum-Diaper-Cream-Brush-Blue/dp/B00LYQ53JW) and Boudreaux's Natural Butt Paste.

Have been told they make life so much easier!

Thanks for the suggestions! Do you mean something like this: BRICA Fold N' Go Travel Bassinet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004L2JJ6E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1YRlzb880SE84 ?

Another idea... there are a bunch of childproof locks you could probably use that would be a lot easier than moving a 50 pound chair everyday. Something like this or similar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007A2ZSZ8

Edit: this one is self locking so you’d never forget to lock it in the first place: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SK5BRDL

We were fortunate enough to be gifted the Chicco Keyfit 30 system and the accompanying stroller frame. These things were THE BEST. The base installs in less than a minute and then you just plop the car seat in it and it clicks and secures into place. To get it out you just press in the little handle deal and it comes right out. Easy AF and such a time and back saver. Then if you get the stroller frame the seat will click into that the same way. It folds up with ease and has plenty of storage space. All the while not really having to disturb the little one. We used that shit ALL the time. Only downside is it's pretty expensive, but you're looking at a stroller, carseat and base that will last quite a while.

Just fyi, despite all the advertising, a RNP is not considered a safe sleep surface. Our Daughter almost suffocated in hers, scariest moment of my life.

The Rock n Play bassinet is though, and conforms to the AAP safe sleep guidelines. https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rock-Play-Portable-Bassinet/dp/B008DDPL32

We used this:

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Play-Portable-Playard/dp/B00KBGTRAC

Not nearly as big (especially if you combine multiple giant gates together), but it's easily transported to non-child-safe houses and works great outdoors too.

Until they hit ~2.5, and decide that the tiny area allocated to them is no longer big enough, no matter how many toys are inside. And then they hit 3, and are able to climb over the walls.

My son tossed an animal into his crib this weekend. He climbed in after it, and asked to be let out. Thank heaven there's some kind of cognitive block there; he hasn't yet tried to climb out but he certainly could. I think I have less than a month left before nap time becomes much more difficult.