Baby Stuff 3-6 Months: Stop Researching Everything

Little Mitchell Man is now 6 months & 1 week old. In this season we finally hit that place where you just know your baby - what each cry, crazy face and sound all mean. It's wonderful because we just got to this point around 5 months where we stopped researching things and just did it. Don't get me wrong, we still Google things - "What kind of baby rash is this?" or "What's the best solid foods to start a baby on." but we. . . ok mostly me. . . aren't spending hours worrying over issues like sleep anymore. I've learned, he'll sleep when he's full and feels good and he won't we he doesn't. I bought two books on sleep that I was certain we would read and figure this "sleep" thing out. . . never even opened them! Because, as experienced parents know (THANK YOU to all of you who gave me kind advice when I would throw something up on facebook.), you'll have good nights and bad nights and some in between but neither last more than 3 days to a week and everything changes again.

So with all that being said, here's a quick list of things we couldn't live without and even some thoughts on things you shouldn't even get.

STILL RECOMMEND:

• Happiest Baby on the Block - even to this day I remember tips from that book to help calm and understand our baby. 
• All of the "Baby Stuff" and "Websites" from this post we still use everyday, except the activity mat and swaddles - both just b/c he outgrew them. 

NEW BABY STUFF that we love -

Jumperoo/Bouncer Thing - I still don't know what these things are really called but Toby loves it! I remember the day Dustin and I went to make our baby registry and we saw these things and thought....oh my color overload! But Toby loves it! He bounces and turns and pushes all the buttons, spins the wheel. It's fun for him and great to give us a break too.

I purchased this from a Buy/Sell/Trade group on facebook. I DEFINITELY recommend finding these groups in your area and using them! Great prices on gently used baby stuff! I LOVE the Kid's Seven Oaks group - it's super active.

Maya Wrap - I have actually used this since LMM was like a month old. It was perfect for carrying our fussy newborn around in and is still great for hands-free babywearing. I love having him so close and having my hands free. Most of the time he falls asleep within 10 minutes. It's his heaven. Even today my sister wore him in it and he passed right out. Again, this is something I purchased on a facebook group - Tampa Bay Babywearing.

We are kicking around the idea of getting a Tula - got to try one out today -that was much easier to get on! I think we might upgrade!



Teething Toys - When LMM started teething we literally purchased 10 different teething toys. . . none of which worked, until we found Sophie! As he has chewed more and more, almost all of them have been used but to this day, Sophie, the giraffe is the clear winner in the teething toy arena. She's a $25 toy that I almost didn't buy because. . . who would pay $25 for a toy that baby will chew on but all the RAVE reviews and the simple packaging (I could always just put it back in the box and return it - so I thought) led me to go for it.  I'm so glad I did. For a month, it was literally the only toy he would chew on - and he needed to chew! He still chews on her everyday. She's simple to hold and the rubber is just perfect for his little jaw. He also loves this orange monkey.



NOT RECOMMENDED -

• All-in-One Baby First Aid kits - We got one of these and literally nothing in it has worked properly! And when you need it and think you have it and then it doesn't work...that's definitely not the time to have to go get it.  I recommend purchasing/registering for each item separately. You'll have quality pieces then. I mean, even the bag is weird...the only thing that does work well in it is the fingernail clipper. 
• Baby teething "toys" that are shaped like baby's mouth. None of these worked for us - just a waste of money. But they could work for you - every baby is different.
• Baby Sleep books like I mentioned above. Seriously, do some general research so you understand how a baby sleeps and how their sleep changes but don't overdo it. Seek out advice of friends/family who have been there/done that and that's all you need. Maybe we are just lucky or I just accepted waking up 2 times a night until he was 5.5 months old but it was fine. Now he only wakes up once per night and it's fine. Even when he wakes up alot b/c of teething or being sick or growth spurt, you just figure it out and adjust. . . and use the baby swing!!!
• Too many Newborn-3 month size clothes - maybe I just have a chunker of a baby but he's been wearing 6-9 months clothes since he was 3 months old. They still seem to fit him well - he's gotten longer versus the little round butterball he used to be. 
• Medela Pump 'N Save breast milk storage bags - these were terrible! They didn't close properly, would leak, didn't accurately measure the milk going in. It would sometimes be ounces off! Don't waste your money, they are not worth the convenience of not using bottles. I only use Lansinoh Breastmilk bags. Super easy to use, never had any leak and they are easy to label and store.    

I think I'll drum up some more resources and thoughts on breastfeeding for my next blog post. I have had a wonderful experience breastfeeding Little Mitchell Man and I want to help other mom's be successful at it.

These past 3 months have been much less about the things we need for Toby and more about him. Like I said, we have all really gotten to know each other more and can just snuggle in bed together or go for a walk and it's the best time spent. But we are blessed to be able to have things that help make our lives together more comfortable. I often think about and pray for the mom's who live are homeless that live in our housing at work when I'm rocking Toby in the rocker while I'm feeding him and wonder how they do it without a rocker or a swing. I have so much respect for them and I'm determined to figure out how we can get some rockers in the family rooms. I mean there are nights that rocking LMM is the only thing that worked. . . I just can't imagine the stress of not being in your home and trying to calm your baby. Like I said, we are blessed and thankful for what we have.