Monthly Must Haves : Birth - 2 Months old

Jack is officially 3 months old! The first 3 months have just flown by, not like the first three months of pregnancy which took forever, so here is my list of things that we just couldn't have possibly survived this long with out. Keep in mind this doesn't include necessities like a car seat, crib, diapers, etc.

Newborn

1. Bobby - Let me just start off by saying this is the best thing in the world! I won't lie though I didn't use it until a few weeks in. At the hospital I kinda forgot I had it and then once we got home it didn't fit quite right in the rocking chair we have so I didn't use it. But once everyone left and I could nurse Jack in the living room on the sofa this became my bff. It holds him up for me so I don't have to hold all his weight. And if I fall asleep during those late night feedings he is nestled in close and won't fall off. Not that I have ever fallen asleep ;).

2. Breast Pump - I started using this earlier than most. The hospital recommends not using it until week 2 but since Jack was so dehydrated and I needed milk fast the pediatrician recommend I start using it at week 1. I would nurse Jack then pump, while I only got a tiny bit out it really helped boost my supply and in only a few days we had Jack back on track. I highly recommend getting one and using it whenever you feel ready.

3. Milk Freezer Storage Bags - The pump only comes with four bottles so as soon as you get some milk to freeze go for it. These Lansinoh bags are the best because they freeze flat which takes up less space in your freezer.

4. Swaddlers - We used two different types of swaddlers depending on Jack's mood. I love these muslin swaddlers because they are lightweight for the hot desert nights. But sometimes he liked to be swaddled super tight so we bought some Swaddleme swaddlers. They are super easy to use if you aren't confident in your swaddle skills and they are tight so he wont startle himself awake.

1 Month Old

1. Moby Wrap - I was so confident that I was going to only wear Jack that I didn't even want to buy a stroller. But we did anyway and I'm so glad. Jack didn't take to this until about 7 weeks. But when he did I was so grateful! I could just wrap him up and go. I could do dishes, clean house, relax, all without him crying from being separated. My only complaint is this wrap is bulky. The fabric is really thick and makes us both pretty sweaty by the end. But a quite baby is worth it :).

2. Bouncer - I love having a bouncy chair. It gives us a place to put him down so we aren't constantly holding him. Our's was a hammy down so I'll just tell you some of my favorite features. I love that its in the reclined position not too straight up and down. We had another one that sat up more and when he was little he would slump over and cry. I also love the obvious, bouncing. He loves to bounce, not vibrate or sway but bounce. So we are thinking about upgrading to this one with an auto bouncer; which would be awesome!

3. Burp rags - I know this seems obvious but they are more necessary than you think! Jack really didn't start spitting up until he was around a month old and then he didn't hold back. My favorites are these because they are larger and thicker so they absorb more.They aren't the most stylish but when they are covered in spit up no one cares :).

4. Binkie - Max and I swore up and down that we wouldn't be binkie parents. But Jack loves to suckle. When he's done nursing he quits swallowing and just suckles. At the beginning I would let him do this until he feel asleep which took forever! If I tried to take him off earlier he would cry. So in the interest of saving time and getting some life back I thought since he's not eating maybe we try a binkie to suck on and that would serve the same purpose. BINGO. Now we are binkie parents. It took us a few tries to find the kind that he liked the most so if your little one doesn't take to it right away, maybe try a different shape or brand.

5. Jungle Gym - My favorite feature about this is that there is a setting that only makes sound based off motion like if Jack hits a toy or does something. This means it's not constantly playing the same song over and over and over. It's also the perfect place for him to get some floor time so he can learn new things. He loves looking at the lights and hitting the toys.

2 Months Old

 

1. Swing -When we first got this from a friend I immediately regretted it. It is ENORMOUS and our house is so little. I had no idea where we were going to put it. I thought with all the other baby stuff we had surely this was over kill. But my mom assured me that it was her #1 baby item and that we would get endless use of it. So after a few days we plopped Jack in it to watch the magic my mother spoke of...he hated it. Great. But after many tries it eventually became his favorite nap spot and now I can't imagine not having it. Watching the mobile go around and the night time music really helps him fall asleep for naps. Of course my mother was right.

2. Books - Around 2.5 months Jack really started to take less and less naps so I needed to fill his day with something and of course I wanted it to be something that would help him develop so I grabbed some Dr. Seuss books we had and started to read them to him. At first he didn't seem to care about the book but liked to hear my voice which couldn't make a mommy happier.

3. Bumbo - We started using this for short bursts around 11 weeks. Jack could sit up in it pretty well and we have a toy that attaches to the tray that he can bat at. While he only lasts a few minutes in it and of course we only use it on the floor and supervised it has really helped him enjoy sitting and being more independent. Plus he looks so cute! :)

4. New Swaddlers - Around 2 months Jack started fighting being swaddled. I would wrap him up and lay him down and he would fuss. Until one night I swaddled him up a little looser than normal and he fussed until his arms popped out and he put them over his head and fell asleep. He officially no longer likes his arms being stuck down. So we bought these new kinds of swaddlers that can be wrapped around his arms or under his arms. And the best part is that they unzip at the bottom for super easy diaper changes at night!



I'm really excited for this next stage in his life; this is when things will get interesting (well at least according to the billion pinterest posts I've read). He'll start giggling, rolling over, sitting better, cooing more, I just can't wait :).