MONTH 1
Medela ‘Pump In Style – Advanced’ Breast Pump:
Pump In Style® Advanced Breastpump | Medela
The Medela ‘Pump In Style – Advanced’ Breast Pump is a double electric breast pump designed for moms who pump several times a day. It’s a great portable option and comes with a cooler bag that holds 4 breast milk bottles and an ice pack to keep breast milk bottles cool. Everything is in the carry tote bag making it super easy!
My take: after 2 weeks, I was exhausted. They usually recommend introducing a breast pump not until after 4 weeks, but I couldn’t keep up; nights were rough. I found double worked best as I got a maximum amount of milk with each pump. Now I just juggle between bottle and direct feeding. Pumping and bottle feeding allows daddy to have his time feeding Heston and I get a much needed break.
Carter’s Lightweight Jersey Swaddle Blanket
Jersey swaddle -CartersOshkosh.ca
Perfect for swaddling, burping and cuddling, this baby soft swaddle blanket is a warm weather must-have.
My take: babies love being swaddled in the early stages. We’d wrap Heston in beautiful swaddle blankets but he’d always pull his arms out. We received this one as a gift and loved the stretchiness. It allows you to swaddle really tight and secured. He couldn’t get out of it and felt comforted. We used this swaddle blanket until he grew out of it and basically gave up on all others. We loved it!
Keekaroo Peanut Changer
https://www.keekaroo.com/peanut-changer.html
The Keekaroo Peanut Changer is unlike any other diaper changing pad! Its strong outer shell makes it impermeable to any fluid, so clean up is easy. The solid shell on the diaper changing pad also limits bacteria growth or deterioration. It makes extra covers and pads unnecessary, saving money and clean up time.
My take: we were recommended the Keekaroo Peanut Changer before Heston arrived. We love how there is no laundry required and everything is just a simple wipe up. It’s soft for when he kicks his feet and comes with a safety belt for when he thinks he’s in the circus. Other than getting a bit cool in the winter months, this change pad is awesome!
Philips Avent Bottle Sanitizer + Bottles + Bottle Warmer
https://www.philips.ca/c-m-mo/philips-avent-and-your-baby
My take: once we introduced pumping, we naturally researched and realized we needed these items. The thing with pumping, you don’t realize just how many bottles you need and how often you’ll be cleaning and sanitizing them! So anything to make the process quicker and easier is a welcome product. Heston started off with Medela bottles but for after a few weeks, he completely hated the Medela nipple and decided he would no longer drink from these hahaha. We purchased some Avent bottles and he has been using these since with no issue. We also purchased the bottle warmer and sanitizer which have been great. We now pump with Medela bottles and either pour the milk directly into an Avent bottle for feeding, or put the Medela bottles in the fridge and use the bottle warmer when it’s time. Also, the Avent series has nipples for 0-3 months and then a slightly larger size for after 3 months.
Pampers Swaddlers
Pampers Swaddlers diapers are the number one choice of hospitals. It has the best blanket-like softness, color-changing wetness indicator, and soft & stretchy sides.
My take: to be honest, we figured diapers were diapers. The first ones we used when Heston was a newborn weren’t great (no wetness indicator, not very flexible) but we quickly switched to Swaddlers and Heston has loved them and we have been sizing up as he grows. They are soft and flexible and “usually” hold in any mess.
