Baby Registry Must Haves Series {Bath}

Raegan loves bath time. Ever since she was little. Splashes around and doesn't mind having water poured over her head one bit. I'm glad bath time is a non stress time. She looks forward to it every day!

1. Blooming Bath- This insert fits right in the sink and gives a little cushion for baby to sit on. We started using it once Raegan could sit up. The only downside is that it holds onto a lot of water! So make sure you wring it out real well and throw it in the dryer after every use!

2. Summer Infant Bath Sling- We didn't have this for Raegan, but will be great for Hudson. It's small enough to put in the bath tub with Raegan so I can bathe them at one time.
3. Summer Infant Tub- We were very lucky to have one of these tubs sent home with us from the hospital. The sling part is meant for newborns then it can be removed when baby gets bigger. We bathed Raegan in this for the first 4 months of her life. Then she started splashing like crazy and it was time to transition to the sink with the Blooming Bath. We probably won't use this as much with Hudson since I plan to bathe both the babes together and this is a little big for the bathtub. But it is perfect for someone who is just bathing 1 babe.
4. Just Born Washclothes- Love these wash clothes. Small enough to use all over the house too. We use them when she has a cold too. Perfect for wiping noses.
5. Aden and Anais Bath Towel- These towels are warm and absorbent. They are perfect for newborn size babies.
6. Nuby Bath Tub Toys- Raegan loves these guys! She loves sticking them on the wall and chewing on them. Great for teething!

I hope my "Baby Registry Must Haves" series has been helpful! Be on the look out for "Hospital Bag Must Haves" in the next couple weeks!

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Baby Registry Must Haves Series {Play}

Glad to have you back today for the 4th installment of the "Baby Registry Must Haves" Series. Today we are focusing on play. Now when baby is little, they don't really "play" much, but these items allowed baby to engage either with the item or allowed baby to just chill.

Mamaroo- This little guy is the best! We loved having it to help us get Raegan to sleep when she was little. She would take multiple hour naps in it and it also includes white noise and an iphone dock to play music from your iphone.
Fisher Price Deluxe Bouncer- So here is why I love this piece. It's small and travel size. It's a great little bouncer to take places like the grandparents or friends houses when you need something for baby to sleep in or hang out in.
Skip Hop Playmat- Raegan loved laying on her mat and swatting at the animals hanging over her. Love it!
Baby Einstein Activity Jumper- This item was the best when Raegan started sitting up. It gave me a place to allow her to jump her energy out while I made dinner, did my make up, or took a shower. Once she learned how to walk though, the appeal of this piece was gone. Girlfriend wanted to be mobile!
Bumbo- This was a great little piece to have around to help Raegan practice sitting up and we used it as a high chair when we started trying solids.
Chewbeads- When Raegan was teething these necklaces were the best! I could wear them around my neck and she would go to town. Chewing and drooling.
Sophie- Raegan didn't have one of these, but I've heard great things, so I'd love to try it with Hudson.

Join me tomorrow for the "bath" portion of the series!

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Baby Registry Must Haves Series {Sleep}

Sleep is a toughy and I swear I've used pretty much every item recommended to me to help Raegan sleep. Since she had sleep apnea we did have to do a few extra things for her because it wasn't good for her to sleep on her back. Swaddling was a life saver for us which is why I have more than 1 type on this list. I know I'm set for when Hudson arrives because we have tried everything with Raegan!

1. Graco Pack 'n Play- This is a necessity. Well at least in our house it was. It has this amazing bassinet that can be removed and placed anywhere in the house. Kitchen, bathroom, living room, or anywhere else you need baby to be. And the attached changing table makes it just perfect to put in your bedroom before baby moves to their nursery.

2. Fisher Price Rock 'n Play- Raegan quickly grew out of her bassinet in her pack 'n play and the rock n' play was the next step. She slept in it until she was 4 months old. For awhile next to our bed then around 3 months we moved her into her nursery. Then transitioned to her crib around 4 months.

3. Halo Bassinest- I've heard this guy is the bomb! It sits right next to your bed and has a side that bends down so you can easily bring baby into bed to nurse, then back into the bassinest. AND the dockatot (the next item) fits in in perfectly!

4. DockATot- This guy is NEW NEW NEW! And I want one! Must have, I don't know. But for me, I want it! I like the idea of the bassinest, but I know baby would need to feel snuggled and comfy, which is where the dockatot comes in. Keeps baby nice and snug and can be moved to their crib when they are ready too! 

EDITED: Now that Hudson has been born, I can't say enough good things about it. You can move it anywhere so baby can sleep anywhere. Including when we aren't at home. He can easily sleep anywhere. It's kind of like his lovey. I am actually getting the next size up next week. It is a little pricey, but worth it and can be used over again for future babies.

5. Summer Infants Monitor- For me a monitor is a top must have. I like being able to look at Raegan whenever I need and I can link multiple cameras to the video monitor so all we have to do is buy another camera for Hudson's room.

6. Angel Care- Raegan had severe sleep apnea when she was little and worried about not breathing throughout the night. With her sleeping in the rock 'n play she was elevated which helped her breathe, but when she moved to the crib and chose to sleep on her tummy, I was a wreck, until Angel Care. It goes under the mattress and detects if baby stops breathing. An alarm goes off so you can attend to baby right away. I'm sure we will use it with Hudson too when we move him to his crib.

7. Aden and Anais Swaddles- I loved wrapping Raegan in these. Now girlfriend was way too good at breaking free, so we didn't use these to sleep in, but we used these for naps and in the carseat. She was a summer baby and these were thin enough that she didn't get too hot.

8. SwaddleMe Swaddles- These were the best! They velcro and baby is nice and snug!

9. The Miracle Blanket- Once Raegan started breaking out of her swaddle we moved to the miracle blanket. If you have a houdini who can get out of any swaddle, this is the answer to your prayer. It's like a double swaddle. Baby's arms are swaddled down next to them then swaddled around them. It does take some practice to get it right, but once you do, it's all worth!

10. Boppy Lounger- This is a great little pillow for baby to hang out on and take cat naps on. Especially when they are a new born.

11. HoMedics Sound Spa- Raegan is 15 months and still sleeps with this one. She loves it and it helps drown out any extra noise around the house. For Hudson, poor guy, it'll be drowning out Raegan's screams more than likely.

12. Wubanub- This paci is the best! I loved the little stuffed animal on the end because when she was first born, I could swaddle it into her swaddle and it would keep the paci in her mouth. Then it kind became her thing, her wubi as we called it. She was never found without it.

13. The Ollie Wrap- This is not an item we've used yet, but I've heard great things, so I'd love to try it with Hudson.

Make sure you stop by tomorrow for the "play" Must Haves Series!

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Baby Registry Must Haves Series {Feeding}

So glad to have you back for my "Baby Registry Must Have Series". Yesterday we talked about my must haves for travel. Today I am talking about must haves for feeding.

This list is for the breastfeeding mama and the bottle feeding mama. Most of the items I used with Raegan, and some items I'm hoping to use with Hudson like the My Breast Friend pillow and the Milk Snob nursing cover.

1. Boppy- This pillow is great for nursing or bottle feeding. It can also be used for tummy time when baby is practicing holding its head up.

2. My Breast Friend Pillow- Since I didn't get to breastfeed with Raegan I'm putting this on here in hopes it'll be great for breastfeeding Hudson. I've heard great reviews.

3. The Windi- Get this. You'll thank me later. This was a lifesaver for us when Raegan was tiny and had tummy problems. It's a little catheter that goes in baby's bottom to help release air or umm the other stuff. And watch out. Because when it's the other stuff, you don't want to be in the line of fire. Lesson learned.

4. Gas Relief Drops- We liked the gas drops more than the gripe water. The amount she had to take was less and you could it up to like 10-12 times a day, which we never got close to, but it was nice to know we couldn't OD on it.

5. Countertop Drying Rack- Since Raegan was exclusively bottom fed we needed somewhere for the bottles to dry. Instead of putting it on the counter, Kyle drilled holes in the bottom tray, and we placed it in our side sink. It fit perfectly and wasn't an eye sore in the kitchen.

6. Milk Snob Nursing Cover- Remember seeing this guy on the travel section as a car seat cover? Well you did! And guess what? It can double as nursing cover. Sold.

7.  Dr. Brown's Bottle Warmer- LOVE this wamer! We had the Cuisenart warmer and quickly switched to this one because it has a water reservoir that you fill up on the side. That way you don't have to fill it up with water each time you need it.

8. Dr. Brown's Bottles- There are tons of bottles to choose from and each baby is different. Raegan was on a special bottle until after her cleft palate surgery then we used these. I'm hoping Hudson likes them too. If not, like I said, there are tons of bottle options out there.

9. Green Sprouts Drip Drop Bibs- These bibs are the bomb dot com! They have a collar around them that helps with the milk dribble. Raegan would get a red ring around her neck from milk getting caught ahd it was almost impossible to get rid of until we got these amazing bibs. Cleared it up right away.

I know that was a lot, but I couldn't leave any of them off because they were all so helpful! 

I'm taking a break tomorrow since it's bump update day. Head back on Monday to hear my must haves for sleep.

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Baby Registry Must Haves Series {Travel}

As I'm now more than half way through this pregnancy it's time to start thinking about everything we need for this sweet baby. Lots of what we got for Raegan we can reuse, but there are a few things I want to add to our home for baby #2.

All of the items I'm listing are items we have in our house and they proved to be must haves. Then a few items I'm wanting to try out for Hudson.

I will say if you're reading this and you are pregnant with your first, you can read all of the "baby registry" posts you can get your hands on, but once baby is here is when you will really realize what works for you.

Yes, having these posts to read were a life saver for me, which is what I hope this post is for you, but just know, you won't get everything you need before baby comes.

I can't tell you how many times Kyle and I went to our local Buy Buy Baby store in search of the next item we needed that we hadn't thought about before she arrived.

I'm hoping this time around I can use what I learned with Raegan and skip the many many trips to the store.

When I started complying everything I loved I realized I needed to break up these posts. I don't want them to be overwhelming at all so I've decided to do a "Baby Registry Must Have Series" and will post all of my must haves for travel, feeding, sleep, play, and bath separately.

Also, keep in mind that every baby is different. What works for 1 baby may not work for another. So don't worry if you have to try a few different types of items before finding the one your baby loves. These are just what have worked for us.

So first up in the series are my must have for travel.

1. Britax Car Seat- When we registered for a car seat with Raegan we didn't really have a preference, but once she was here I was glad we got this one. Some of the infant car seats are too plush and when baby gets bigger, they get really cramped. So this was a nice middle ground between the two.

2. Britax Car Seat Insert- While Raegan was tiny we used this insert to help secure her a little better and keep her head from falling over. Once she didn't need it, we took it out and put the Britax insert that came with the carseat back in.

3. Brica Backseat Mirror- I love being able to look in my rearview mirror and see my baby. This mirror goes on the back of the headrest on the seat that baby's carseat is installed in. Now that Raegan is older she can see my reflection in the mirror too and it helps 

4. City Select Baby Jogger- what I love about this stroller is that it's a single stroller when you need it to me and then when you're ready to turn it into a double stroller, all you need are the attachments and another chair. AND you can also get attachments for it to hold your infant car seat. Or if you want the bassinet attachment you can use that too, when baby is really little. Yes, the price tag is high, BUT you never have to buy another stroller again! It was well worth it in my opinion.

5. Solly Wrap- This wrap is the best when the baby is itty bitty. It does take a little practice to get the hang of tying it, but once you do, baby will be a happy camper. When Raegan was little she was take her naps in it or when she was super cranky and I needed to get stuff done she'd just hang out on my chest, happy as can be!

6. Ergo 360 Baby Carrier- We have the regular Ergo carrier from when I had Raegan, but I love this one, because baby can face forward or towards you. Raegan loves looking out so I wish they had had this one when I had her because she wasn't a fan of the Ergo we have now.

7. Milk Snob Car Seat cover- This thing is so cool! It just stretches right over the carseat and voila! Baby is protected from the wind and maybe any wandering hands that want to touch baby.

8. HoMedics Sound Spa On the Go- This little guy was so nice to have when Raegan was itty bitty and we were in a noisy place. I'd turn on the white noise and she'd be good to go. No outside sound bothered her at all.

I hope this post was helpful as you plan for your little one. Join me tomorrow for the feeding must haves of the series.

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