*Must haves* for new mamas!

[HeatherB]

Since most of the October mamas are still waiting, but a few of us have got our little ones, I thought perhaps those of us who are in the newborn stage can share the things that we're loving, while those in the waiting stage still have time to get stuff!

Here are a few things I'm totally loving this time:

- Little Beetle Organic Wool Breast Pads - these are thin, soft, and while they seem really big (5" diameter), they are just right to disappear under clothes! I have been using them unlanolized and they hold up well. I've leaked through some, but that's no surprise given the engorgement I've had! And you can get 2 pair for $15. I'm on day 6 pp and just started using the 2nd pair!

- Hug-a-Bub Wrap Carrier - I have been SO looking forward to using this, and it's as great as I'd hoped! Right now, Judah is snuggled up on my chest, tightly wrapped in this stretchy carrier. It's a lot like a Moby Wrap, for comparison. I love that it has a pocket that the whole carrier can store in, as well as for taking along keys, cell phone, diapers, etc., for quick trips sans diaper bag.

- Cloth pads - I have a ton of different ones, but the organic velours are just wonderful! Seriously, I am SO glad I did cloth this time instead of disposables! For those first couple of days, the very best thing was wrapping an infant sized prefold around an ice pack (I got the hot/cold packs from In His Hands and they fit perfectly). Ahhh!! So nice! And no paper or plastic on those sensitive areas. Preemie prefolds are a great size to use by themselves for pads, too. My MW handed me one as I got out of the birth pool and my first thought was, "wow, that's so soft!!" Which is pretty nice when you've just pushed a baby out!

- Nipple shields - I've had to use these with each of my babes, and it has really saved me from wanting to just STOP breastfeeding some times! Helps baby latch better and can make a huge difference in pain of sore nipples. The ones linked to are "extra small" but I have no idea if that's actually a usable size for most. I ordered mine with birth supplies from In His Hands.


So those are a few things I'm loving and hope other mamas will love, too! Anybody else have favorites to share?

[Stayseeliz]

The Miracle Blanket! I couldn't get DD to nap AT ALL when she was tiny until we got this. It's great for swaddling!!!
http://www.miracleblanket.com/viewpoint.htm

[hammycakes]

I'm loving the giant insulated mug with a lid and straw to help me drink all my water. Nice to have overnight too, I just fill it up with ice and a little water before bed- nursing makes me SO thirsty!

[Brisen]

Mesh underwear. I use cloth as well, and these are so comfortable & held the pads snugly. I used small prefolds at first, actually. Since my mw provided me with these ones, I have no idea where one would buy them. We went through a few bottles of hydrogen peroxide cleaning the cloth, I was glad I stocked up.

Grape juice. To keep things running smoothly. I found that having to strain at all is quite uncomfortable for my whole bottom for a while after the birth.

Food. Lots of food. I was starving after the birth, and suddenly had room to fill my stomach. Keeping snacks and drinks by the bed was helpful.

[Jenlaana]

I wish I could justify the cost of that wrap carrier. It looks SO cozy! I'm going to have to settle for making my own I think w/ some $1 fabric from Walmart.

Same with the Miracle Blanket. It looks so nice. I'm just so cheap. I was thinking of sewing some velcro on one of my baby blankets to keep it from coming undone. Wonder if that would work. (I have 1 baby blanket that is SO nice and stretchy that it would work well I think)

I just got a suprise from my mom in the form of funds to spend on baby "stuff" (I would spend it on bills but I know she is going to want a detailed list of every "gift" she gave me) I have absolutely NO idea what to get though since I've been going the frugal as possible route so far because we've been in rough shape financially. I love the miracle blanket...maybe something second hand from ebay? they had a ton of them up for sale. I cant believe spending money is this hard! lol

[pbjmom1029]

I am loving the boppy pillow for nursing - where were these 10 yrs ago (the last time I gave birh) - soooo comfortable for both me and baby when I am in the rocking chair or on the couch nursing- much easier than a bed or couch pillow for propping - ahhhhhhhh

[bygones75]

Ok, so the vegetarian in my was offended, but DH's aunt got us a Lamby, and James has slept so much better since we put him on it.

(Heather -- just bid on a Hub a Bub on ebay! I love my ergo, but the infant attachment ain't my fave.)

Mother and Maiden cloth pads. My yeast infection didn't go away til I started using them. And they're so comfy. Thanks for setting the co-op up, Ashley!

[DoomaYula]

I have to say that when my dd was born 2 years ago, my life got DRASTICALLY BETTER when I discovered the Amazing Miracle Swaddling blanket. It's worth the money!

And my boobs got drastically better when I discovered Nipple Shells -- not shields. The soreness healed in about 2h with the shells.

I'm really looking fwd to using my cloth mama pads from MM. I'm planning to use Depends for the first day, til things slow down, then using the mama cloth.

If there are any crib-sleepers -- DON'T HURT ME, PLEASE! -- I really liked the Breatheable Mesh Crib Bumper.

[HeatherB]

I remember everyone raving about the Miracle Blanket three years ago when my DS was born. I may just have to get one this time! Judah loves to be swaddled and snug (hence his love of the Hug-a-Bub!). I adore my swaddling blanket from Bamboosa (though mine isn't square, I think, and they've dropped the price, so maybe they're a little different now). The fabric is INCREDIBLE! This is "his blanket" now - we use it all the time. But we're not all that good at swaddling, so that doesn't actually happen that much. There are some other swaddle-type products that I've looked at, too, like the Cozy Cocoon. I like that I can get organic cotton in that one, but I'm not sure how they compare in usefulness...

[thorn]

all the sites I'm seeing for the hug-a-bub are Australian so I don't know the conversion, but the Moby wrap is the same thing and usually goes for $30-35

[bygones75]

Originally Posted by thorn

all the sites I'm seeing for the hug-a-bub are Australian so I don't know the conversion, but the Moby wrap is the same thing and usually goes for $30-35

Dang! I wish I had known that before bidding on ebay. I'll be spending over $50.

[HeatherB]

Originally Posted by thorn

all the sites I'm seeing for the hug-a-bub are Australian so I don't know the conversion, but the Moby wrap is the same thing and usually goes for $30-35

If you search for stockists in the US there are several. Mine came from Cotton Cradles, who is also the US distributor. I think it runs about $85. There are some distinct differences from the Moby, but they're the same type of carrier.

[HeatherB]

Originally Posted by bygones75

Dang! I wish I had known that before bidding on ebay. I'll be spending over $50.

That's a great price for what I (IMHO, obviously!) think is an awesome product! There are several differences in the two... appearance is one. The HaB has the center panel that adds visual interest as well as practically helps you find the middle (mine, at least, is loooong!). The middle is also a pocket, so you can fold up the HaB and turn it into the pocket for storage/travel. You can also use the pocket when wearing the baby - that's a big one for me! I hate shoving stuff in my pockets, yet there will be times when it's easiest not to carry a bag, just the baby. So a pocket was a big feature for me! The tails on the HaB are also tapered, so you're not tying as much fabric to make your knot as on a Moby. I believe the fabrics are pretty much the same for both of them.

I'd also considered the Moby-D which has a beautiful fabric panel in the center - very pretty! But pricing on that runs higher, of course. It's just the basic, plain-and-simple Mobys that are in the $30-40 range.

Here's a site that has a variety of stretchy wraps:
http://store.attachedtobaby.com/Cate...chy-Wraps.aspx

[HeatherB]

Originally Posted by Brisen

Mesh underwear. I use cloth as well, and these are so comfortable & held the pads snugly. I used small prefolds at first, actually. Since my mw provided me with these ones, I have no idea where one would buy them. We went through a few bottles of hydrogen peroxide cleaning the cloth, I was glad I stocked up.

I bought 4 pairs from In His Hands! So glad I did, too. You can wash them out but it was nice to have a change when the others were drying. They really are amazingly nice to have!

And I love the grape juice idea. I never would've thought of it as helping everything along. Does it matter if it's red or white?

[thorn]

the regular moby has tapered ends, too, just no panel/pocket.

another choice for a stretchy wrap is the bali baby stretch by gypsy mama - it is $67 (I believe) and it's a lighter jersey than the moby so better for warm climates (it's what I'm going to use with this baby, the moby was a little warm for me even with my november born DD down here in atlanta!).

they are batiked and so very pretty, and the batiking takes away some of the stretch so they can be more supportive with a heavier baby.

but the cheapy moby works great if cost is a big factor - or you can buy jersey material and cut your own, too

[bygones75]

oy, i just got outbid anyway.

is the moby difficult to get on? i am not gifted w/ complicated baby wearing.

[HeatherB]

They should be very similar if not exactly the same to wear.

[Stayseeliz]

I got a moby for $2 including postage on diaperswappers. I'm excited about using it in a couple of weeks!

Also I've seen other swaddling blankets that are cheaper. I went to BRU today to get a changing table pad and they had a Swaddle Me blanket (I think) for about $15. Seriously though, that Miracle Blanket was worth EVERY PENNY!!

[Brisen]

A low-brightness bedside light has been helpful. I can get baby rewrapped and latched on or even changed without making the room so bright that it bugs him or wakes our toddler.

Originally Posted by HeatherB

Does it matter if it's red or white?

I don't know, but I always get red. Brighter/darker colours are supposed to mean more nutrition, generally, so I take the risk of stains with the red.

[Wildecat]

Loving the tips- keep 'em coming!