The Top Ten things I Couldn't Live Without

I have several friends who are going to be first time moms in the next few months and so I thought I'd make a list of the top 10 things I've found that I couldn't live without as a mother. (#1 is the least essential most essential thing, and #10 is the most essential essential thing)

1) Boppy Pillow

This was a life saver for the first few months of breastfeeding. It is hard enough to try to figure out how to hold the baby and get then trying to everything adjusted is impossible. This pillow REALLY helped. I would say that any mother planning to breastfeed should get one of these, especially if it is your first time.

2) Crib Mobile

Asher's Grandma Farrell gave this to him for Christmas and he loves it! I was really skeptical about mobiles. I thought they were just to make the crib look cute and for parents to look at. I was so surprised that he likes it so much. He gets really excited when I turn it on and flaps his arms and smiles. It will entertain him just long enough for me to get a load of laundry in or to go to the bathroom-- oh the joys of motherhood!


3) Shout Spray and Wash

When I was single I NEVER had to use this stuff. But now with two boys in the house I think I am going to have to start buying cases of it at COSCO! Between Jon's greasy messes (from working on cars, bikes, in the chemistry lab, and who knows what else) and Asher's poopy messes I've been very grateful for it. I hate washing out poopy clothes and usually just wait to treat it with this stuff and wash it two or three times if I have to (not very environmentally friendly- I know).

4) Medela Hand-held Breast Pump

This is great and very handy. What more can I say. I'm sure electric ones are nice too but I didn't have the money for one. This works really well and only takes about 10 min to do both sides. So if you are looking for a less expensive pump I recommend this one.

5) This crazy rattle

I got this at a baby shower and can't remember who gave it to me (so thank you who ever you are). I thought it looked weird and didn't really like it, but it is Asher's FAVORITE! Whoever designed it knew what babies like-- it has a big ball for easy sucking, different rings of texture to chew and slobber on and rings to shake to make noise. It is great!

6) Pacifier

I am SO grateful that Asher will still take his pacifier (even though sometimes we have to trick him and dip it in water to get him to suck on it). It is the only way he will fall asleep (okay not the ONLY way, but the easiest and least noisy way. I know that some people don't like pacifiers and that sometimes they can teach baby bad sucking patterns, but it has been a life saver for me. We really like the MAM brand.

7) Bouncy chair

This is another thing I was skeptical about getting - I thought it would just take up room in our house- but it has been a necessity! Asher thinks this chair is the greatest thing since getting his diaper changed. He learned at a really little age that if he kicks both his feet he can make it bouncy crazy hard. I usually put him in it while we eat breakfast or dinner and it is cute to watch him kick and kick to get himself going. (PS. Asher is wearing Jon's socks in this picture-- Asher's socks are always falling off so this was Jon's solution :)

8) Fleece swaddling blanket

Asher is a little Houdini baby. He can get his arms out of almost any swaddle that you put him in-- except in this blanket. This is just a piece of stretch fleece that someone surged the edge on. But the best part is that you can stretch it and make it super tight around him so that he can't get his arms up and punch himself in the face with them. We've found that if we swaddle him tight up in this blanket, put a pacifier in his mouth and then wrap a fuzzy blanket around his face to keep the pacifier from falling out he will fall asleep by himself. That is the BEST thing he has learned to do so far!

9) Moby wrap

When I was pregnant I saw a lady wearing one of these with her four-month-old at a BYU football game. I went up and asked her how it worked and where she got one. She had made it and told me it was really simple to make. It is! It is just one long piece of material (4 yards of stretchy cotton material that is 22 inches wide). Mine has a seam in the middle because 1) my material was only 2 yds long and I cut it in half 2) it makes it easier to find the center. This is the BEST sling! Especially for little babies. It keeps them snug and warm and they can fall asleep in it pretty easy. We've been putting Asher in it since he was a week old and he loves it. It is great for taking him to church in because he will fall asleep in it for about 2 hours. Here are instructions of how to put it on and ways to wear your baby in it.

10) Jon

Sorry ladies but I have to one and only, and he isn't for sale. This beautiful boy has been WONDERFUL with Asher and is enthusiastic about changing diapers, cleaning up spit up, doing laundry and getting up in the middle of the night (even when he has to be to work early). He is always wanting to hold, carry, play with and snuggle Asher. He especially loves carrying him around in the moby wrap- he says he likes the attention he gets and feels that it gives him more empathy for what it must feel like to be pregnant! Yep--basically I got the dream man.

What have you found is a MUST HAVE for new moms (or "old" moms)?