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.

Planning a Picture Perfect Baby Shower

Welcome to Baby Showers 101! If you think baby showers have to be planned around tacky party games like guess the poop, then think again! There is absolutely nothing wrong with games at a shower or event, but many soon-to-be-moms and their hosts are taking a more sophisticated and fun approach to planning baby showers and leaving the games behind. Showers these days let the mommy-to-be spend more time socializing and, of course, include many presents to shower mom and baby as the main focus of the party. Here are a few ideas and planning tips we have to help you throw a great baby shower!

1. Have a “Baby-que”~This low key backyard bbq is a great idea for a couples shower. Throw on some hamburgers and hotdogs, throw some bottled beverages into a galvanized party tub, make some virgin daiquiris for the expectant mom. Throw on your favorite tunes, hang up some party laterns or string some lights, and have some fun. This is a more low key kind of party, but a guaranteed good time and a great way to include men at the event.

2. Talk it up~Be sure to ask the mom-to-be about a guest list. If she is having more than one shower you may be planning for a small gathering vs. a larger one if your shower will be her only one.

3. Choose great invitations~Part of party planning fun is choosing a great invitation. If you are crafty, you can make invitations with scrapbook supplies. Other hosts will opt to order invitations in bulk. We love printed invites for guests because they give a nice clean look. Don’t forget to include all the details and a map/address to the event. Do some research online. We’ve found some of the best deals are online and not a your local shops. Order invitations 8 weeks in advance and be sure to send them out no later than 6-4 weeks in advance.

4. Plan the party schedule~Most showers will only last 1.5-2 hours so keeping time is important. As the host, greet guests as they arrive and allow 30-45 minutes for mingling and eating. At about 30-45 minutes into the party, cut the cake with the mother to be (or serve cupcakes, depending on what you choose). Then delve into the presents. If you have alot of guests this part could take up to 30 minutes or more. After presents are opened, usually there is more time for socializing and eating. Be sure to help the mommy get all her loot to the car before she leaves.

5. Decorating~Rather than picking a theme, we suggest choosing a few colors to work around. For boys we like brown/baby blue, brown/blue/mint green/orange/white, or red/yellow/blue/green. For girls we think pinks, greens and yellows are a good fit. You can always add jungle animals as a center piece or cake topper for a litte more fun, but finding paper products to coordinate with a color scheme will be easier to find. You can always jazz things up a bit with stripes, dots, paper lanters, pictures of the mommy-to-be, etc.

Preparing for a New Sibling

Having another baby is always exciting. There will be a lot to do and prepare as you wait on the arrival of your new bundle of joy. One thing you will need to do is break the news to the other child/children. If you child is younger, they may not fully understand the concept until your belly starts to grow and they can “see” their baby brother or sister. An older child will have a better grasp of time. You may relate the due date to a larger event, maybe saying the baby will be here around Christmas, in order to give your child a better sense of when the new baby will arrive.

How did you break the news to your child that a new baby was on the way? SharpMoms wants to know!