The other day I met up with a good friend who is expecting her first child in July, Inshallah. I remember when I was pregnant, I honestly didn’t know what to buy, or what products/brands were good…it was all too much for me. Thank God, I have amazing mom friends who told me not to worry and gave me their ideas of what to get for JJ. Well based on my experience of almost 5 months :), I’ve complied my own list of products that I liked, and stuff that I thought were a waste of money.
Swaddle Me. Hands down, BEST INVENTION EVER. I used it from Day 1 at the hospital up until JJ was around 3 months. Took under 30 seconds to swaddle the baby and put her to bed. Loved it during the night-time feedings, where I was barely awake and just wanted JJ to get to sleep pronto.
Happiest Baby On The Block. My best friend recommended this book to me and it’s just genius. The author is like the baby whisperer. His 5 S’s of Swaddling, Side Position, Sushing, Swinging and Sucking worked like a miracle when JJ was crying her head off. There are also videos on YouTube as well. Check them out.
A playmat. I have the Baby Einstein Caterpillar & Friends mat (which is on sale right now at Toys R Us), and found it useful to entertain JJ while I did my chores. Now that she’s almost 5 months, I took off the bars and just use it as a mat. Love the fact that it’s easy to clean and the toys can be attached directly on the mat (which helps her reach over and roll over)
A video baby monitor. The one I have is Motorola one. Loooooove it. I’m really paranoid about JJ crying and I won’t be able to hear her, or now having her roll over in her sleep. Now I can just watch her on the screen, and don’t have to go into her room and disturb her (she’s a light sleeper).
A glider. Puts both mom and baby to sleep 😛 I have the Luca Glider from Monte Design. Love the modern design and glad I can be able to put it in any room later on. I love to rock JJ to sleep on it, and even read her books to her.
Saline spray. JJ had issues with too much mucous in her system and so this helped clear it out. Along with the snot sucker. Funny enough, JJ actually LIKES when I use the snot sucker. Whenever I bring it close to her nose, she arches her neck and gets in position. LOL. These days JJ has a cold, and so the saline spray really is a lifesaver.
Pampers Swaddlers. THE BEST. I honestly have no idea why Huggies are still in business, because they leak like mad.
Diaper Genie. No pooh smell. Enough said.
SKUBB Box from Ikea. They are great for dividing the drawers for different things such as burp clothes, diapers, bibs, socks, onesies. Keeps the drawers all organized and easy to find things.
JJ Cole Urban Bundle Me. JJ was a winter baby and this car seat cover was awesome. No need for snowsuit or a blanket to cover her while we went out. The outside lining is also water proof, great for when it snowed or rained too.
The stuff that I wasted my money on was anything that had to do with nursing. I had stocked up on Lanolin and nursing pads, which are now gathering dust in the trunk in the nursery. After renting the hospital’s breast pump for a month, I had purchased my own. That also is now collecting dust in my storage room, since unfortunately, I could nurse JJ on my own. I had heard and read great reviews on My Brest Friend, and again, I didn’t get a chance to use it. I would suggest to wait until after the baby comes and there are no issues with nursing to buy all these products.
What are some baby products that you found were helpful? What products did you think were a waste?
Confessions of a Hijabi Mind 