Priceless: First Year Favorites

When Miriam turned one, I made a list of all of my favorite things to take care of baby the first year. You can read it here. I reread it just tonight and was surprised how many of those items still rang true the second time around. There are, however, a few new favorites on the block. When I discovered these products, I immediately knew that I wanted to share them with all my readers! All two of you!

Oh! Before I get to the good stuff, might I make a product suggestion that you likely would not put on any baby registry?

WD40. You will thank me when you can whip out a can of emergency WD40 and spray down those squeaky hinges on baby's bedroom door. I can not tell you how many times I have held my breath as I slowly crept out of my girls' bedroom door, praying that after all it took to get one or both asleep, they wouldn't be awoken by the dang bedroom door.

I swear I'll start this post in a minute, but first.....look at this sweet picture of my second born daughter. Awwww......

This first product is one that I had already heard and read about with Miriam. It's called The Miracle Blanket. The "miracle" that this product claimed to bring forth really rang true with Eve. I had read other blog mamas experiences with the blanket and really wished I could have had it during the deep despair of colic with Miriam. So, when my cousin, Kellie, asked me if there was anything special I needed for the arrival of baby #2, I didn't hesitate to mention it. I was super excited when I received it in the mail and then immediately intimidated by the seemingly complicated swaddle instructions. So intimidated, in fact, that I didn't even use the blanket until Eve was about 8 weeks old.

Both my girls started fussing and breaking out of their swaddles at around 3 weeks old. I convinced myself that my babies didn't like to be swaddled and then went about my miserable newborn nights with my fussy babies.

But then, I saw a friend post on Facebook about how their 9 month old liked to be swaddled still. They were concerned that their baby should be broken of the habit. TWENTY EIGHT moms responded and every single one of them said their babies enjoyed the swaddle for longer than that.

Seriously?

Did I really think that I produced the only babies on the planet who didn't like to be swaddled?

So, I resolved to try again. I got out the Miracle Blanket and diligently read the directions and practiced swaddling on a stuffed animal. Over and over and over. And you know what? It really wasn't that complicated. Just looked intimidating.

Then, I tried it on Eve.

It. Was. A. Miracle.

Slept through the night at 8 weeks and never looked back. For the most part. As all mommies know, there are always new habits and hiccups to work through. Nevertheless, I was sold.

The night she started kicking out of her Miracle Blanket, she was 13 weeks old; the time the experts recommend discontinuing the swaddle.

But, I wasn't ready yet. She was sleeping so well! She loved to be swaddled! Even if she fussed at first, I knew she slept better when she calmed down. In fact, I started looking at it similarly to making Miriam eat her vegetables. I knew what was best. I'm the Mama.

So, I typed in "older baby swaddle" into Google and found my NEXT favorite product: the Woombie.
Made out of stretchy material that seems slightly tight at first, it's essentially a sleep sack with no arm holes. It's made to mimic how babies are able to move within the womb; freely with slight restriction. SHE LOVED IT. And this one had no wrapping involved. Just zip 'em up! I now own 3 of them. Eve used it until she was almost 10 months old.

Both of these swaddles were used in conjunction with my last favorite product, but definitely not the least. The Snuggle Me Cushion was a gold mine! My OB told me about it at my 6 week post-partem check up. I was explaining to her how my little cuddle bug only slept when you held her. She, of course, was worried about suffocation and suggested this little gem. WORTH EVERY PENNY. (See below picture where Eve is using the cushion AND the Woombie.) There are all kinds of positions and ways that you can use this cushion; including propping the top up like I did to help with acid reflux. Of course, they don't suggest you use it for sleeping or in the crib, but reading all of the testimonials on their website, it was obvious that's what everyone uses it for (including my OB). I felt more comfortable using it for sleep because I had the Angel Care Monitor that worked underneath the cushion.

Now, it should be noted that when baby starts moving and trying to roll over, you should immediately discontinue use of both a swaddle and any type of sleep positioner, such as the cushion.

But, no joke......this cushion was amazing. LOVED IT. I even bought another one to use for Olivia when she was over.