First of all, there are some things we STILL use from my 0-3 month post... the AngelCare monitor (although, now that he is older, I don't freak out if we don't have it with us.. it really is those first few months I couldn't imagine life without it. We still turn it on if we're home though!). We still use the bouncy chair even though Levi has almost outgrown it. Now that he can sit up unassisted he doesn't prefer it. But when he was 4 and 5 months he still sat in it and did great. We of course still use the Ergo AND Moby and will continue to do so until he doesn't like it anymore (or until my back breaks, which ever). We still use the passy clips, those will always be handy as long as he uses a passy! And lastly, the Pack n Play. Although he sleeps in his crib when we're home, the Pack n Play is GREAT for travel. We've used it a whole lot! I'm sure in my 6-9 month post it will still be used but for a different reason: containing baby while you need to get things done!
Ok now moving onto my "must haves"!
1) Boppy Pillow
I did use a Boppy while I nursed and I also used the My Breast Friend Pillow. But I really find the Boppy to be helpful for 2 things at this stage: assisting a baby who's learning to sit up (incase they topple, which they will!) and also to teach them to feed themselves with a bottle. To do this, you lay baby down in Boppy so their head is supported and teach them to hold their bottle. It helps them do it comfortably while still having enough support and incline to feed well. Can I just say how nice it is to not have to HOLD Levi for every feed? Don't get me wrong I love the snuggle time, but I also love being hands free so I can catch up on the endless housework!
PS this is not Levi.. just a generic pic!
2) An exersaucer or in our case, the "Go Pod"
Baby will soon want to start being more independent and will grow tired of just "laying there". These are SO great for them (only once they can hold their wobbly heads up, which is about 4 months old) because it strengthens their legs as well as gives them a new perspective, an upright one! We opted out of buying a fancy-pants exersaucer (although they are awesome, I wish we did have one!) only because we didn't want to pay $80-$100 for a new one (yea, they're not cheap). We would of graciously accepted a hand-me-down one from someone, but no one offered one to us. And I'm not really comfortable from getting one off of Craigslist from a complete stranger. Unknown germs freak me out! If that doesn't bother you, I'd hit up consignments or Craigslist! Also, these only occupy them for 6 months if you're lucky. Once a baby starts to walk (I only know this from nanny experience) they don't want to be sitting in one of these anymore. So for us, the investment wasn't worth it. So instead, we got the Go Pod, which is a portable exersaucer. Now, it doesn't come with ANY toys or buttons and knobs. It is a plane jane chair, but it folds up which I LOVE. It has hooks on it to attach your own toys. I think this is great because it gives baby a chance to not get bored with the same "twinkling piano". One thing baby can't do, is bounce. That is a downside. Levi still jumps up and down in it, and it does give, but it's not the same as some exersaucers where there are actual "springs" where they bounce. The biggest advantage of having the Go Pod over an exersaucer is that it can be hidden easily (I still like my living room to look like it is inhibited by adults) and you can bring it with you anywhere! Going on a trip to the beach? Bring it! It folds down just like a camping chair making it fit easily in your car. Imagine putting an exersaucer in your car, it would take up the WHOLE trunk, if it even fits in there in the first place! So for us, the Go Pod wins hands down. However, if given an exersaucer, we would of gladly used it!
3) Food Processor
If you plan on making homemade baby food, this is a must! You can use just a standard food processor or buy one more geared towards baby food like we did. We purchased the Cuisinart Baby and we love it! The best thing about it, is it steams AND blends. Most fruits and veggies have to be steamed in order to be the right consistency for baby. The only thing I've put in it so far that hasn't had to be steamed was bananas and avocados. Levi's favorite meals that I make with this is sweet potatoes (mixed with either avocados, peas or squash), apples and bananas, and peaches and bananas. Haven't tried much else yet! This is a smaller food processor than your average sized one, but it still makes a pretty large batch (4 cups). Also this has a bonus feature that we've never used.. a bottle warmer! So this thing is 3-in-1, pretty stinkin' great! My ONLY complaint about it is it can be difficult to clean in the nooks and crannies.
4) Teether Toys
Babies will put pretty much put anything into their mouth, but most toys are plastic with no "give". I'm sure any teething ring will do, but we really love Sophie the Giraffe. Initially, we are starting out with the smaller one and Levi really enjoys it. It's easy for him to grab and works better for smaller mouths. Once he gets a little bigger, we plan on getting the bigger Sophie. PS these things aren't cheap! Not sure why they cost so much, but babies love 'em.
5) Formula Dispenser
If I was formula feeding during the 0-3 month period, this would of been on that list, too. But being we started giving Levi formula at 4 months, it's on this list now! You would think everyone who uses formula would know about this handy dandy item. Maybe they do. But I suffered without one for a month. Maybe it was a blonde moment? I mean I did KNOW they existed, but I kind of forgot haha. Anyway, let's just say for a while I was having a HECK of a time making bottles on-the-go. I would pre-measure formula into a plastic baggie and try with "OPERATION" precession to pour it into the bottle without spilling it (hey, that stuff is expensive, you do NOT want to waste a speck!). Well, I got my act together and ordered one off of Amazon (can you tell I'm obsessed with Amazon?). I ordered this exact one and LOVED it. It came with the 3 section dispenser and a 1 time use dispenser. Well, my Mom was trying to do a good deed and clean my 3 section one by putting it in boiling water with the bottles. Well, the hot water kind of re-shaped the dispenser and the lid didn't fit right anymore so I had to toss it :( Good news is she didn't clean the single serve one, so I still have that! I ended up getting another one, although it wasn't the same one because Target didn't have the one I really liked (I was in a bind and needed it fast). The main reason I prefer the first one I had is because it was smaller (still holds 3 8oz portions though) and I feel like the spout was shaped differently to help the formula out easier. The new one I got still works, but I just don't prefer it for some reason!
Here is the one I really recommend. The one on the left is the single serve, the one on the right is the 3 section dispenser.
Here is the new one I have, it's shaped differently which makes it seem "bulkier" although it holds the same amount.
That's really it. I'm literally sitting here racking my brain trying to think of other things, but I can't! We keep it pretty simple around here. There are lots of items we use on a day-to-day basis but they are items most everyone uses (spoons, bowls, bibs, bottles, toys, ect). I think you use more when you have a newborn!
One thing I was hoping would be on the list was an Amber teething necklace (they wear it, not chew it). Since we haven't tried it yet, I can't put it on here. But I've heard raving reviews! Right now, all we can do to ease Levi's teething discomfort is give him infant Advil, which does help but I'd rather try a natural approach. Maybe in the 6-9 month post I'll have it.. if it works for us anyway!
What are your guys' top picks for this age? I'd love to hear about it!
xox Jessica
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