Top 10 for babies (Ok, there are really 11)

I'm stealing this idea from Rose (I don't know how to link the blog without it just being the link but you can find her under the blog list titled "growing colin"...)

We have had and used so many different baby products in the past 8 months. Some we loved and I don't know how we would have made it without them...others we could have done without. My list is probalby not like anyone elses becuase not everyone likes the same things.
...all photos are stock photos from the net except where specified...

These are in NO particular order ...enjoy!

*JJ Cole Bundle Me

This was perfect for having a baby in the winter. There was no need for a snow suit. No need to wake Laura up if she was asleep and we went into somewhere inside. We could just unzip the cover and she wasn't going to overheat. I recommend it to anyone with a winter baby. Probably not as great for a baby who is older in the winter because they would want their arms out... Laura used it probably until she was 5 months old and then it got warm enough that we didn't need it anymore.

*Aquaphor

This is great stuff. Use it for diaper rash when you've got a baby. Use it for dry cracked skin if you don't. This is the only thing we've tried for healing diaper rash and it does a wonderful job of clearing it and preventing it. Oh, and the packaging doubled as a toy when we were using it almost every night with her - she loved gnawing on the crimped end of the tube.

*Prefold Diapers

We bought a bunch of prefold diapers that we thought we were going to use as actual diapers. Turns out we only used the preemie sized ones a diapers and the infant sized ones we used for catch alls - catch all drool, catch all spit up, catch all milk leaks etc... They were all over the living room at one point. I even took them to bed with me many nights. She went through a period of time when she loved sucking on them. She likes to have one in her crib to play with. And now that it's warm out, I use one behind her back in the carseat to absorb sweat and I use one under her head when I'm feeding her so she doesn't sweat. Great all purpose "cloths". (And yes, these are the actual diapers I dyed and we used...and continue to use).

*Breast Pump

The one piece of equipment that has allowed me to provide Laura with breastmilk alone for the first 6 months of her life. I'm still using it and she has not ever had a drop of formula.

*Footed Sleepers
Laura lived in footed sleepers from probably weeks 4-12 and beyond. And after that time, she slept in them almost every night. And even tonight - she's wearing one. They're a great all purpose outfit. *Don't have to chase socks - don't have to worry about baby removing socks. *No drafts. *Super simple diaper changes. *Some people think they're "pj's" ... but if it has ribbons and bows on it, it can certainly pass as an everyday outfit.

*New Fangled cloth diapers
(Yep, Diapers are making the list twice!)

These are so easy. Anyone who is reading who is thinking of using cloth diapers - feel free to ask me about our system. It's not hard at all and not even gross.

*Lactation Consultant
Her name is Kit. She was invaluable to me in those first few weeks while we were struggling with breastfeeding. I had her home number. I had her cellphone number. I called her. I went to the office to see her. I cried in front of her. I learned how to breastfeed my daughter with her help and support.

*Soothie

I'm so glad she finally decided to take a pacifier instead of my pinky finger. I think it was the first 4-5 weeks that she wasn't "allowed" to have a pacifier becuase of fear of preference to a plastic nipple. And then once we were allowed to give her one, it took us 3 brands to find one she liked. she didn't like gerber. She didn't like Nuk. She liked (loved) her soothie.

*Carters Clothing
This line of clothing is just great. Fits really well. There are too many brands out there that don't fit chunky thigh kids. That don't fit consistently from one item to the next, but I haven't found anything else we like as well as this. They use really soft fabrics too.

*Infant carseat

My first thought when we were looking for a carseat, was to save money and just get a convertible car seat and skip the infant carseat. HECK no...that's not the way to go! It's so nice to be able to carry the whole carseat in and out of the car and not have to disturb the sleeping baby. If anyone reading this is thinking of NOT getting an infant seat - rethink that very carefully. I even used the carseat instead of carrying a purse most of the time...just tucked my keys and wallet down by her feet under the JJ Cole bundle me cover.

*Richie. He wanted me to put him on the list too. :) And of course, there is no way I could have made it without him here for support.