Yes, folks, Amelia is 13 weeks old today and will be exactly 3 months old tomorrow! We didn't think we'd make it, but we did. I realized, though, while talking with some visiting friends who are expecting a baby in May, that my memory of her first 3 months is pretty much a blur. So, soon, Amelia will make her debut as a writer by beginning her own journal, an idea she got from Oliver of AD. Today, though, I wanted to write about our top 10 baby items for the first 3 months, both for memory's sake, and because I hope that some of the many new parents-to-be that I suddenly know can use the list.
These were a bit difficult to rank, as I would not want to live without any of them, and I ignored clothes and humdrum items like diapers, that bulb that sucks snot of the baby's nose, and pacifiers (Amelia likes Soothies, but only the green ones). Anyway, here you go:
Number Ten:
The Gentle Giraffe: Friend of the Sleep Sheep, the GG for short, this little white noise animal helps both during naps and at night. Its only flaw is that it's on a 45 minute timer, so you have to turn it back on during the night. Another option might be to just get a regular white noise machine. But the GG was a gift--and sadly, although I remember writing the thank you note, I can't remember who gave it to us. Thank you, whoever you are!!! We love it.
Number Nine:
The Pack and Play with Bassinet Feature: This is our downstairs area for A. She slept a lot here when she was a newborn, and now she will--sometimes--play there, watching her mobile and looking in the mirror. It really is easy to "pack," too. Just remember that the outside bars have to be set up or taken down before you push in or pull up the bottom.
Number Eight:
The Mini Co-Sleeper: Meg and Sophie loaned us this co-sleeper. I remember talking to Meg before A was born, telling her didn't think we needed it because we were just going to carry the Pack and Play up and down the stairs every morning and night. Ha! Meg was kind not to tell me how ridiculous that idea was. Anyway, the co-sleeper is great. You can lean over and touch the baby--perhaps making sure she is breathing, for example, or rubbing her belly to put her back to sleep. (What a little puppy.) Once I got over the feeling that Amelia would be too lonely in it, it let both of sleep more soundly.
Number Seven:
A Black and White Mobile: As I write, A is cooing at this mobile. She loves black and white books, too, but the mobile has the benefit of creating a type of independent play. If you get the one that I've linked to, you can make it truly "mobile" by adding a rubber band between the plastic links.
Number Six:
A Play Mat: Amelia has this rainforest one, but it probably wouldn't matter what type, as long as it had lights and music. Mainly lights. Amelia started liking this around 6 weeks or so. She will sometimes watch it while we eat dinner, and it is the sole reason I can take a shower while I am home alone with her.
Number Five:
A Baby Carrier: We have the Ergo and the Moby. They are both great but for different reasons. The Moby is softer and better for your more intense "babywearing" sessions, such as napping or sitting at the computer. The Ergo is better for long distance walking, since the Moby tends to loosen up over time. We are currently in a transitional period with the Ergo: Amelia is too big for the newborn insert but too small for the hold. But I think soon we will be back to using the Ergo a lot more.
Number Four:
A Breastfeeding Pillow: Both the Boppy and My Breast Friend (I know, such sophisticated product names) were passed on to me by friends or neighbors, and both were good. The Breast Friend was a little firmer, but we seemed to use the Boppy more, maybe because there wasn't room in the living room for two breastfeeding pillows and the Boppy won. A has recently outgrown both of them, but the shape of these pillows made them ideal not only for breastfeeding but also for holding a baby that hated to be put down. I would, in fact, highly recommend taking a breastfeeding pillow to the hospital, in case you get stuck there while you are learning to breastfeed like I did.
Number Three:
A Baby Bathtub: I remember bathing my sister Heather in the sink, but Amelia loves this bathtub. She lost her umbilical cord stump very early, so we were able to give her a bath the same week we brought her home. Even when she was very new, the bath seemed to calm her (although getting in and out of the bath was another story). Now taking a bath is a part of her bedtime routine, and we think bathtime is her favorite part of day. She sits in the bath with a very serious look on her face and splashes wildly, kicking her legs and waving her arms. Last night she was even laughing at Dean as he washed her hair.
Number Two:
A Breast Pump: When I got my breast pump, I cried during the walk home. For some reason, it was the baby item that most symbolized to me the drastic changes I was facing. Like many baby-related items and situations, it is the ultimate paradox, both a chain and a key to freedom. Regardless, if you are breastfeeding, you need a good pump. Then, occasionally, someone else can feed the baby. (If you are more flexible than me, you could also just occasionally use formula. But that's a whole other post.)
I have the Medela Pump In Style (and it is oh so stylish). I got it used for $40. Liz recommended her Medela Free Style, too, but I couldn't find it used. I think if I was planning on having a lot of babies it would be a great investment, because you can pump and walk around and do things. As we know, though, Amelia is going to be an only child. :)
And the Number One baby item is...
A Swaddling Blanket! Although it gets rave reviews, we never had any luck with the Miracle Blanket, but that may just be because Dean was so good at swaddling that we didn't try much. We just used the blanket we took from the hospital (they said we had to leave it, but after 5 days we were attached) and later this baby blanket that is just like the "Bucky" I had as a child. Swaddling was and is the key to Amelia's long nights of delicious, wonderful sleep. Okay--also to MY nights of delicious, wonderful sleep.
So--I am aware how many of my top 10 items have to do with sleep. In fact, each one has to do with sleep, breastfeeding, or getting the baby to entertain herself. Hmm. In any case, thanks to all of the parents who came before me with recommendations of their own. I am looking forward to the next three months, when we'll get to use our stroller more, and try out more toys, the Bumbo, and maybe even a highchair!
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