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Hey beautiful mamas!
Buying gear for your soon to be babies can be fun and totally overwhelming. I’ve created a list of the tried and true favorite brands and products I used for my kids. I’ve tried to include a less expensive and more expensive option. Buying some of this gear used is always an option to keep in mind.
Carseats
Your infants carseat is one of the most used items you will have. From bringing the baby in and out of stores with you, to setting the baby down in anywhere knowing that they are safe and secure. Your babies’ carseat will be the most commonly used thing for them so choosing one that you love will make a big difference. On the market, manufacturer’s have infant carseats, to all-in-one, to toddler and booster seats. It’s overwhelming and who has the time to research all of that?
The best advice I can share is to start with an infant seat. One that starts from 5-35lbs. An infant seat will have a secure base attached to the backseat of your car, where the carseat can easily be lifted in and out. Most babies love their infant carseats and fall asleep when going for a car ride, after feeding and diapering of course! My favorite one is Graco Snugride 30. It is easy to carry, and snap in and out of the car and is suitable with most strollers. The 30 refers to, holds up to 30lbs. Keep in mind you won’t be turning your infants carseat to front facing until usually around 2 years old depending on your states laws. If you want one that holds a little older child I suggest Graco Snugride 35. It also refers to a 35lb weight limit.
Depending on what season and where you live, there are inserts you can buy. For a newborn, there are many to choose from, but I like the Infant Carseat Support by Summer. It’s only needed for the first 2-3 months and it primarily keeps the babies’ body snug and head supported while traveling. If you live in colder weather, a Bundleme Bunting bag is a must! Just buckle baby in the carseat and zip up the blanket and bay stays warm and protected. Also a carseat protector is a must. Use one for each carseat base and help protect your car from getting permanent imprints on their seats.
Strollers
Strollers are possibly the second most important thing when purchasing a traveling system for your baby. There are so many kinds of strollers and different uses for them. I’ll go over that below.
If you love to go for 2+ mile walks or runs, I 100% recommend The BOB Revolution. It definitely is one of the priciest baby items, but keep in mind the price you’re paying to gain your sanity, going for walks, runs on trails with a happy baby. Bob gear does sell an infant carseat attachment that works with the all Graco Sungride 30 or 35’s. I will admit after all my children outgrew our Bob stroller, it was the piece of equipment hardest to say goodbye to, because of all the miles and memories we had with it.
Having a quick, fold up and go stroller, is handy to keep in the car. They are usually great to use when baby is a little bigger and able to sit up a little better, usually around 3-4 months. There’s so many to choose from, my favorite is by Chicco.
Sleeping
In choosing what is the best set up for baby, it really depends on the size of the room and if the baby has their own nursery. Something I did with my babies was convert a space in our walk-in-closet, or corner of our room, to a sleeping area for our newborn. It was always nice to have the baby close, but not right next to me. For that set up Graco Pack and Play has a great set up. The bassinet and diaper station are great for caring for a newborn with a section to put diapers, wipes and powder. The bassinet has a built in vibration/noise maker, which the helps baby to fall asleep. And when your child gets older, you absolutely need a pack and play for travel and an alternative place to let your baby sleep. If your interested in co-sleeping Mini-Ez has a great set up. The sleeper can be adjusted to the height of your bed so that your baby is always and arms reach away.
Something every parent should have (and there’s a book written on it Happiest Baby on the Block) is a swaddle wrap. One thing about newborns is that after they are born they enter something called the 4th trimester. Basically the next 3 months that your newborn is adjusting to being earthside, you, as the mama, try to gently adjust them to this new world. One of the biggest helpers in getting your infant to sleep is mimicking the womb. So how do you do that? You start with a swaddle wrap, that mimics the tightness inside of the womb. White noise, wether it be a small fan or an actual noisemaker, there are a few things that can help make the transition for your newborn.
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