5 Most Used Items as a New Mom
As a new mom, I didn’t really know what I would need or wouldn't need and every mom had their own opinion on what items were lifechanging for them. There are so many gadgets and products out there, it can be pretty overwhelming trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t! After 5 months of trial and error, there were items I thought I needed and never used and some I didn’t know I needed till I had them. These are my 5 lifechanging items I could not do without!
Breastfeeding Pillow
In the hospital, I had a my brest friend pillow that buckled around my waist. It was perfect for after my c section. I could sit up straight back in a chair and eat while he was eating really comfortable.
Then a friend gave me a Boppy and I have never stopped using it since! It doesn’t buckle in the back like a my Brest Friend but it is sooooooo versatile that I use it for more than feeding time! Tummy Time? I can put him in the boppy on my bed. I have to run to the bathroom? I can prop him up in the bobby so that he can see me and I can see him. Teaching to sit up right? I put the boppy around his tummy and he hugs the pillow while looks at the cut little drawings. And I am sure I can find more uses for this thing. The cover is easy to wash and changeable. Is comfortable to wear and baby seems to like it. He falls asleep on it while eating all the time
Baby Nail Clippers
Baby nails grow ridiculously fast! I feel like as soon as I clip baby J’s nails, they are back to being raptor claws in a matter of a day! There are two ways of taking care of those persistent baby nails. The right way and the wrong… JK I use both. The first way is to use standard baby nail clippers. I have the Safety 1st Fold up nail Clipper 2 pack. These are amazing because you can throw them everywhere and take them anywhere. I have a one in my purse and one in the baby bag at all times. My issue with these is baby moves A LOT and it can be difficult to trim his nails, especially when he is awake. Even when he is asleep and I can comfortably clip his nails, his nails are so small, if I cut at even a slightest angle and don’t round it out they are SHARP. There were days I looked like I got attacked by a cat. Even still, these are great to have around for emergencies
The second way is life changing. The Haakaa electric baby nail trimmer. It’s like having a baby nail file on a drummel. Super easy to use, just pop in a couple batteries and file away. I can get all 10 of his tiny little fingers done in less than 5 minutes and his nails are smooth and rounded. I absolutely LOVE the HaaKaa trimmer. The set comes with various different roughness pads to account for the hardness of baby’s nails as he grows. Though it is not without any qualms. Because it is electric and comes with all the tools, the set is quite bulky and takes up a lot of space so it isn’t very portable. I leave this as an at home trimmer and take the Fold up nail clipper when I am out and about. My other qualm is that because it is battery powered, as the battery dies, so does the efficiency of the trimmer and if I don’t have the time to go get batteries it gets annoying
Elvie Portable Breast Pump
As a mom who is constantly on the go for adventures and meetings, the Elvie portable pump has been a game changer for me. Of course, I have a hospital grade breast pump for the house to completely empty my boobs at night when before I go to sleep, but the portable pump gets the job done during the day or when I forget to bring my hospital grade pump on my work trips. When I have my baby with me, I don’t have to worry because he eats straight from the boob but there are days when I have meetings I can’t take him to, so grandma feeds him and mama pumps in the car on the way home or to the hotel! These are pretty pricey, but worth it. They are easy to charge up and throw in my bag when i need them. These are also amazing for long haul travels when space is limited! I take them everywhere.
Travel changing Mat
I have tried a few portable changing mats and the Kopi Portable changing pad is by far my favorite. Initially, I thought I was just going to keep this one as my car changing pad, but I end up taking it EVERYWHERE with me. It lives with the stroller and me. I like it because I can have everything in one place, even if I don’t want to carry a big diaper bag with me. It may not look it, but It fits quite a bit! I pack it with 5 diapers, an extra onesie, baby wipes, diaper cream, nail clippers, saline solution and one of those nose bulb thingies! The Kopi Changing pad is perfect for when I need to change him in my car, in public bathrooms and… I mean, you get the point. Basically anywhere!
Baby Car Camera
This was an item I didn’t know would be a game changer until it was gifted to me. I had considered getting a car camera, put one on my baby registry but didn’t think too much about it. It was one of those “do I really NEED one?” type of gadgets. A nice to have if you will. I wasn’t given one and as a new mom, not hearing my baby made me nervous. What if his head is hanging too low and he can’t get air? Is he breathing? All those crazy thoughts that go through almost every new mom’s head. More often than not, he’s fine. Then, as I was rearranging the baby space, I noticed an unopened amazon box. And what was it? You guessed it! I was gifted a baby car camera and didn’t even know it! I installed it right away and it is probably the best thing since sliced bread. I love being able to see my baby boy in the camera, although I warn you… it can be a bit distracting. And while it does take care of many worries and stresses of the mom brain, it sure does add some too. Now I can SEE than his head has fallen forward uncomfortably while asleep and I CANNOT do anything about it unless I want to pull over and fix it only for his head to fall forward again. Is he fine? Yes. Will he fix it on his own? Eventually, but now I can SEE it and am a little anxious until he does where as before, I was none the wiser haha. All in all, 11/10 would recommend. I am gifting this to every friend having a baby from now on
