My Favorite Things...

So, being a new mom I didn't know what to expect or what products I'd need/like/hate etc.  I relied on the wisdom of other mothers around me to help guide that.  I figured I benefited so much from that wisdom that i'd pass it on...Here are my top 10 things I can't live without in the first few weeks as a new mom (in no particular order):

1. The BreastFriend! - My cousin bought this for me and boy I'm glad she did!  The best thing about the Breastfriend is that it buckles around you, has a back support and actually stays in place.  That's not to say I don't love my boppy too but for nursing the Breastfriend is the best!

2. Blankets, blankets, blankets - Particularly the Dwell Studio Flannel blankets from Target and the Aden and Anais muslin blankets. I thought I had wayyyy too many but no, they're all coming in handy!  Noah tends to like to pee on things when you change his diaper and he has impeccable aim and manages to hit the blanket each time!  We've been going thru them pretty quickly - in fact, i know it's time to do laundry when we run out of blankets to swaddle him with.

3. Changing stations both up and downstairs - never thought it would be that much of a PIA to have to walk up and down the stairs to change his diaper but really, when you have a sleep infant on your chest, it's just much easier to stay on one level (plus, when you're sore after delivery, it's just easier to stay on one level and leave the stair climbing to once or twice a day)

4. The swing - my sister in law gave this to us as a gift and it's come in handy.  Since we have nothing downstairs to put little man in (the pack n' play is upstairs in our room) the swing is a great place to stick him and he's actually starting to like the motion (at first it was too much for him)


5. Medela Pump in Style breast pump - Noah's a slooooow nurser...like 30 - 40 min per side to get an adequate amt of milk to keep him sated for more than an hour.  He just likes to nosh and snooze...after about a week of that not only was I very sleep deprived but my poor nipples were about to fall off.  To top it off I was so nervous that he wasn't getting enough to eat and due to his jaundice I was just a mess.  I'd started pumping in the hospital to help my milk come in (because I couldn't feed him as often as I needed to due to the bili bed stay) and just continued once I came home.  I'm not as diligent as I need to be but right now I'm getting enough to keep him in milk. I'm generally pumping a day ahead of what he eats - although after this growth spurt I may be in trouble.

6. My laptop - So not necessarily a new mom "product" - I can't live without it!  It has been my constant companion from the day we came home from the hospital.  Dr. Google, thebump.com, and babycenter.com have been my saviors (in addition to Momma K and K).

7. A good water bottle - the hospital gave me this great water bottle that I've been carrying around everywhere.  Since I'm breastfeeding (or pumping) I'm constantly thirsty and for some weird reason, I prefer to drink water out of a straw than out of a glass - call me odd.  Plus the water bottle keeps things nice and cold for a long time.

8. The Moby wrap - especially lately.  Noah's been clingy and only sleeps well when he's sleeping on me.  That of course is a problem when you need to get things done so I broke out the Moby.  Today I actually used it outside the house at Baja Fresh and Starbucks (it was actually easier to plop him in the wrap than it was to pull the car seat out, break out the snap n' go, and wheel him in to a crowded fast food restaurant - plus it kept prying fingers away from his mouth and face).  There's been a lot in the press about slings and wraps and positional asphyxiation which of course has me paranoid - but - I've found a position with him that keeps his head up and I can constantly check on him to make sure he's doing okay.

9. My Canon 50D with a 50mm 1.8f prime - Again, not a new mom "product" but again something that I use at least daily and couldn't imagine not having.  It may be a bit large and not the best for outings (the point and shoot takes care of that), it takes amazing pictures and allows me to document all of Noah's cute moments!

10. My hubby - yes, not a new mom "product" but again, he's been a life saver.  I know it's hard for him because I'm the milk machine tend to be able to calm Noah when no one else can but he such a loving father and an amazing hubby and he wants to help out wherever he can!  He's taken over all the other duties of this house including cooking, cleaning, full duty with the pup and relieving me in the evenings on Noah duty.  He's even jumped out of bed at the wee hours of the AM when I just can't take it anymore and handles little man.