Now I have only been a parent for just over 2 months, so I aren't an expert on what the best baby products to buy are, but I wanted to share with you the ones I have found extremely helpful. There are a lot more products I love and advice I would like to share with you, regarding things I have found helpful, but I will save those for another day. For now, here are the top 5 things I have been loving as a first time parent, that have helped me that I recommend you check out.
Are you half asleep, making a feed at 2am (
well at any time)? This is how I feel 90% of the time and I am very thankful for purchasing the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine. The one we have is in the colour white (
as it was the cheapest at the time) and it is one of the best products I have purchased as a first time parent. Bottles are prepared in several easy steps, shortens the length of time to under 2 minutes to make a bottle as there is no need to wait for it to cool down and on the plus side it looks stylish sat on your kitchen counter.
- Set the dial on the top to the amount of ounces you are needing to make the bottle.
- Place bottle on the stand and press the big on/off button to get a hot shot of water in the bottle.
- Add the amount of formula you need, place the cap on the bottle and SHAKE well to ensure all the formula is dissolved.
- Remove cap and place back on the stand and press the big on/off button again to dispense the remaining amount of water. (then I shake again to make sure the temperature of the milk is even.
This then gives you a bottle that is ready to give your baby at room temperature!!!
When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started searching for those baby "must haves" that mums go on about. A baby monitor was one of those, but I didn't realise how many different types there was. I knew I wanted one with a video monitor so that narrowed it down a lot, but there are ones with just sound monitoring, ones that have a sensor pad you can put in your child's bed (this kinda freaks me out a little) and ones where you can play music, talk to your baby so they can hear your voice and so on...
Me and Ben finally decided on a Motorola Camera because you could link the camera to an app on your phone, so if one of us is away we can still check in on the baby. Also our phone is something we have with us all the time, so to have a quick look on it is very useful, as well as having the monitor with the screen of course.
The one we chose, linked above, is a Motorola MBP667 Connect Smart and it is a video and sound monitor, you can connect to the app on your phone, talk back to your baby, view the temperature in the room where the baby is and lots more. I would 100% recommend this product if you are searching for something like this.
One thing I started to do was search YouTube for "mummy must haves" or "new parent essentials" and I came across these things called Muslin Squares or "Musys" as they are known. These can be used for a wide variety of things such as a burp cloth, bib, wiping away baby sick and dribble, lining your change mat or a blanket. The possibilities are something that seem endless. I had never heard of these before seeing them featured in several YouTube videos, and got introduced to the brand, Aden and Anais.
I purchased a pack of 3 from them, they aren't cheap but worth it, and they are white with blue stripes, blue spots and blue stars. They wash lovely each time, making them feel brand new. 100% cotton means they are extremely absorbent and super lightweight and soft to touch. You can buy them from most baby stores and supermarkets, but I would 100% recommend trying the brand as they are by far my favourite Muslin Squares I have.
Another BIG product that was on my list to purchase was a pram. I wanted to invest in this product as it needs to be durable, well made, solid and last a long time (if there are any more babies in the future...) A brand I knew really well already, as they are a household name, is Silver Cross. I knew straight away this was the brand I wanted to get my pram from. I had to convince Ben however that they looked good and was durable and had value for money.
We searched everywhere and eventually Silver Cross brought out an *exclusive to Mothercare" stores Silver Cross pram in a mottled grey colour. It was the Silver Cross Pioneer Brompton Pushchair, as seen above. The colour was great as it was neutral and is suitable for use if we have another baby. It is easy to adjust the handle, as I am short and Ben is tall, has durable wheels that will last a long time and it is extremely easy to collapse and put up. Something you will need to check is that it fits in the boot of your car, as the chassis is quite chunky, and also don't forget to try their
Simplicity Car Seat in your car to make sure it fits. They also have an
Simplifix ISOFIX Base which we purchased too, and the matching change bag.
5. Knitted hats, cardigans, mittens and booties
As I have had a winter baby, in the UK it is very cold so my baby needed to have hats, cardigans, mittens and booties for going outside. My Granny is a SUPER KNITTER and she is always knitting for new babies for family and friends. I knew I wanted her to do some for me, but before I asked, she surprised me at our gender reveal with the matching white and blue pom pom set in the picture above. Now I would show you all the teeny-tiny-new born cardigans she knitted for Thomas, but they are all packed away in a box with all his new born clothes that don't fit him any more (why cant he be that small again). However here are all of the ones we have knitted from her, my mum, friends and family. I know a lot more are coming from her and other people, Ben's mum is currently knitting a jacket with a "T" on the front for Thomas, and I cant wait until he can wear it. Its like a USA Varsity Jacket haha. He will look SOOO cute!
And there you have it. My favourite products I have found helpful as a new parent and that I recommend you look into when you are thinking about what to buy.
Love
Kelley-Jay M
