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Lauren McBride

Baby•FAMILY•Favorite Products

First Month Essentials for Mom and Baby

July 16, 2013

I’ve officially been a mom for over a month. This still feels surreal to me! Being a first time mom, as all you moms know, is a little challenging in the sense that you feel like it’s all trial and error. Is that horrible to say? Because I feel like it’s true. When you’re pregnant for the first time, everyone loves to throw advice at you on baby products, ways to do things, etc. etc. which I thought was going to be totally annoying, but I actually ENJOYED it. I never was a babysitter and I was terrified of having children for years, so I didn’t know squat about what was good/bad/better/best when it came to the baby world. And while I did hours of research myself, I found that asking moms for their expert advice was super helpful because I got a ton of feedback and was able to choose what I felt was best.

So now that I’m one month in, I thought I would share my favorite baby products with you that have helped me “survive” this first month!

First Month Essentials

1. DRIA Cover: DRIA stands for Discrete Reliable Infant Accessory. I didn’t want the typical nursing cover because I actually can’t stand the bright, colorful patterns I see on most of them. This cover is a neutral, lightweight fabric that can be used for not only nursing, but for a carseat and stroller cover as well. I’ll elaborate on this in another post!

2. Medela Pump in Style: Unfortunately, I’ve had a not-so-easy time with breast feeding. Can any moms relate? I’ve developed an issue that has been preventing me from breast feeding the past two weeks that will HOPEFULLY resolve soon (hopefully?!). As a result, I’ve had to pump AROUND THE CLOCK and bottle feed my little guy. Lemme just tell you that pumping around the clock ain’t fun. But if it wasn’t for this pump, who knows how long it would take me! Also a tip to new moms: if you have to go back to work or plan on using a bottle at some point, just start pumping and building a milk supply in your freezer ASAP. Because you NEVER know what could happen!

3. Aden and Anais Bibs: Since we’ve had to initiate bottle feeding (earlier than I would’ve liked), I found these bibs to be really helpful for cleaning up any leakage that happens during a feeding! They’ve saved me a few outfit changes!!

4. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets: Just buy these. Seriously. You won’t regret it. They are so soft and lightweight, and I love that they’re breathable so you don’t have to totally worry about suffocation. I tried to use them for swaddling, but I have a little Houdini on my hands, so now I use them as a lightweight blanket for when he sleeps. Perfect for these hot summer days we’ve been having lately, and warm enough to cut the chill of the central air conditioner. I always keep one in my diaper bag as well!

5. Snugamonkey Rock ‘N Play: Let’s just talk about how much this has saved our lives. I had registered for a cradle for the side of our bed for the little guy to sleep in the first few months. The first night he managed to wiggle his way over to the side of the cradle and smooshed his face into the rail! I also tried the pack ‘n play, the swing, and more with no success. Little man would wake right up and refuse to go back to sleep.  A friend suggested this rock ‘n play, and it’s seriously been our best friend. Landon loves sleeping in it (the deep seat almost seems like it’s hugging him), and I’m able to rock him back to sleep if he wakes up. Plus, it’s portable! My plan is to have him sleep in this for a couple of months, and then transition him to the cradle which will make for an easier transition to the crib. But this is the best $75 I’ve ever spent!

6. Summer Infant Swaddlepod: As I said before, Landon is a Houdini baby and would bust out of his swaddle no matter how tight I wrapped him. He has a tendency to want to keep his arms above his head (I have ultrasound pictures of him like this!) He was a little peanut when he was born and wouldn’t fit into the Woombie or Swaddleme garments that I already had, so I purchased the Swaddlepod – which is meant for smaller babies. Problem solved! We’ve used this the past month, and have only recently transitioned to the Swaddleme.

So those have been my essential baby products for this first month! What products were must-haves for you? Leave them for me in a comment, I’m always looking for things that can improve our experience!

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Comments

  1. Misty Moyle says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Oh Lauren,

    The photos in your last post are absolutely breathtaking! I mean BREATHTAKING! I have been following your blog for quite some time and I am so honoured to be able to have an eye into how greatly God has blessed you over the years. I’m not sure if you remember me from a while back … I had written to you when your last dog passed away … from there on, you and your family have had a special place in my heart. I know you have gone through a lot in regards to having a family … I can relate. I am so pleased to see how richly God has blessed your family with Landon. Your photo shoot pictures took my breath away as did your letter to Landon. Literally in tears over here! Your love for him is so beautiful and so pure and so authentic … and it shows in every detail of your words and your expressions. My favourite photos are the black and white of you and Landon (outside, I think (?) – you have your hand holding him in such a beautifully protective way) and the colour one of him on your chest with your hand on his back … (perfection!). I love seeing this kind of love … and your shout out to God in regards to the fact that this is the way He loves us – and then some! – love it! πŸ™‚ I wish you and yours continued blessings as you soak in His great gifts in your lives. Love and hugs and lots of happiness for you! Misty xx

    Reply
    • Misty Moyle says

      July 30, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      I hope you received this? xx

      Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 6, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      Thank you Misty!!! I do remember you and your sweet comments πŸ™‚ And that photo is my favorite as well…takes my breath away every time! Thank you for being such a loyal follower, and following me through my journey! <3

      Reply
  2. corrine says

    July 16, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    absolutely love all of those products! good luck with the bf’ing, it was the hardest thing i have EVER done the first 3 weeks, and then it got so much easier! stick with it πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 16, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks Corrine! I keep trying to encourage myself to push through! Hoping for some relief soon!

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    July 23, 2013 at 10:30 am

    We LOOOOOVE our rock n play sleeper! Best invention ever! Love that DRIA cover.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 23, 2013 at 11:01 am

      Yes, isn’t it?!? I don’t know what I would do without it!!!

      Reply
Previous Landon’s Newborn Photo Shoot
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