New Mom Must-Have Items

If you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time, you’re probably going through a lot of “first” moments-first bouts of morning sickness, feeling those first kicks, and soon being a mom for the first time. As the time draws closer to your due date, you might be wondering if you are truly prepared for baby. There are millions of gadgets and baby gear items to chose from when you register for the first time and it can be very overwhelming. What are the things you can’t do without? We’ve got a list of must-have items to make sure you are ready for your bundle of joy!

1. Boppy Pillow

If you are going to be breastfeeding, a Boppy Pillow is a must! It offers comfort for baby and support for you so your back isn’t aching for days. It comes in one standard size and a variety of patterned slip covers are available. Not to mention the Boppy makes a great little support seat for baby once he/she starts sitting up or a pillow you can use with baby during tummy time.

2. Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair

There are oodles of high chairs on the market and all of them are equally bulky. If you are low on space or if you just want to save some room in general the Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair is the one for you. It attaches securely to your kitchen chair, the cover is removable for easy cleaning, and the tray is dishwasher safe. Need we say more?

3. Graco Snug Ride Carseat

The Graco Sung Ride is a great, lightweight carseat. Again, it is offered in a variety of colors. It fits baby up to 32 lbs. so your child can stay rear-facing past their first birthday

4. Born Free Bottles

There is are lots of major reason we love these bottles! They are easy to clean, don’t have too many parts, and really do help reduce gas.  They come in two sizes, 5 oz. and 9 oz., so you won’t be changing bottles sizes too much. Born Free also offers all kinds of nipple sizes so your little one will always get just the right flow.

5. Snack Trap

While you baby won’t use these right away, we suggest registering for them anyway. The Snack Trap will save you from lots of spills once your little one can self feed. They are easy for little hands to handle and come with lids so snack won’t go stale.

6. Jeep Universal Car Seat Carrier Stroller

This is a great stroller for the price ($69.99) and it is compatible with many carseats. Here is a list of seats that will work with this stroller:

• Cosco Designer 22 Series
• Cosco First Ride DX
• Evenflo Discovery
• Graco Safe Seat
• Graco Snug Ride Series
• Maxi-Cosi Mico
• Peg Prego Primo Viaggio SIP
• Safety 1st Designer 22
• Safety 1st Starter

We love this stroller because it is an affordable option when compared to the “combo systems”. You can easily put this on your baby registry and, since it is at an affordable price point, someone will most likely purchase the item. Later, you can decide on a better lightweight stroller for when your little one is sitting up a bit better.

7. Fisher Price Space Saver Swing and Seat – Luv U Zoo

This is a NEW baby gear item that just debuted this month. We love the pattern because it is great for boys and girls. Best of all this is a swing and seat all in one! As mentioned in the description on the Babies R Us website, “The Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Space Saver Swing & Seat is the smallest size swing in the market offers two great formats in one space saving product. The swing includes a stationary positioner for easy and secure conversion to an infant seat. Additionally, convenient parent handles provide easy portability for mom. The product includes a machine washable pad, vibration and a removable toy bar. Music and sfx can be used in both modes and the swing offers five variable speeds. This swing comes with a sweet momma and baby rhino mobile and new Luv U Zoo styling in both the soft pad and the music.”

What’s not to like?!

8. HALO SleepSack Swaddle

We really like the HALO SleepSack Swaddle because it is another great two-in-one product. If want to swaddle your baby great but, if you don’t, you can simply detach the swaddle wrap feature and you will be left with just the zip-up sleepsack. You’ll be swaddling baby quite a bit and receiving blankets are great for swaddling but the HALO Velcros and is very secure, so baby will be less likely to unswaddle on their own.

All products can be found on Babiesrus.com or any Babies R Us location. All images courtesy of Babies R Us.

Am I Pregnant? Sure Signs That a Baby is on the Way!

Think you might be pregnant? If it is too early to take a pregnancy test and you think you might be pregnant, look for some of these signs.

1. Sore Breasts: This is a tell-tale sign and will usually appear within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Your breasts may feel sore or heavier than usual.

2. Cramping: It may feel as though Aunt Flow is knocking on your hormonal door, but it is just your uterus stretching and therefore causing some period-like cramping.

3. Spotting: Many women mistake early pregnancy spotting for a period. If your period seems lighter and shorter than usual, take a pregnancy to see if your “period” actually means pregnancy.

4. Extreme Fatigue: Okay, we all know tired, BUT if all you can think about is a nap, and isn’t even 9am, you might be pregnant. Tiredness is a big symptom of the first trimester.

5. Nausea: Certain smells turning your stomache? Can’t eat your favotite snack? Nausea is a sure sign that you are pregnant. Morning sickeness plagues about 85%of pregnant women.

6. Bloating and Constipation: Can’t zip your favorite pair of jeans? Bloating may be the cause. While this sympton is also a characteristic of PMS, it can be a major side effect of pregnancy.

7. Peeing more often: Getting up at all hours of the night to tee tee can also be a sign that you are pregnant. Your kindneys kick into high gear when you conceive and this can also be a problem near the end of pregnancy as well.

8. Headaches: Increased blood volume and hormone changes can trigger lots of headaches during the first trimester.

9. Mood Swings: Hormomes are raging and added fatigue can cause a lot of moodiness. If you notice that some things are bothering more than before, take a pregnancy test.

10. Increased Basal Body Temperature: Charting your BBT can usual help you tell when you ovulate. However, if your BBT stays elevated this is a good sign that there is a bun in the oven.

While many of these symptons mimic PMS, it can be hard to tell if you are acutally pregnant. If you think you are pregnant and have not had a period in 40 days, take a home pregnancy test. You know your body best and will be the best doctor when it comes to knowing if some things are not adding up.