So far a few things have proven absolute lifesavers with Kat, so I thought I'd pass it on! I'll surely add things as she grows and becomes attached to new stuff, but for now, these are the things helping me keep my sanity these last 2 weeks...
1. The Boppy Pillow- 
OMG I love this thing, especially since I had to have the emergency c-section, it helps me hold her without irritating my incision. Even without the incision, she loves just sitting up in it looking around (yes she's holding her head up already and looking around, super early!). I use it to feed her, play with her, and in the hospital it helped hold her in the bed when my arms were too weak from medicine and sleepyness. I think this will definitely continue being useful. Yes, a regular pillow would have worked, but the shape of the Boppy really helps us use it for more than just feedings. We were lucky and got one with a super soft case, so Kat just loves rubbing on it and is immediately comforted when she's laid on it, knowing that food and/or playtime is coming!
OMG I love this thing, especially since I had to have the emergency c-section, it helps me hold her without irritating my incision. Even without the incision, she loves just sitting up in it looking around (yes she's holding her head up already and looking around, super early!). I use it to feed her, play with her, and in the hospital it helped hold her in the bed when my arms were too weak from medicine and sleepyness. I think this will definitely continue being useful. Yes, a regular pillow would have worked, but the shape of the Boppy really helps us use it for more than just feedings. We were lucky and got one with a super soft case, so Kat just loves rubbing on it and is immediately comforted when she's laid on it, knowing that food and/or playtime is coming!2. The Moby Wrap- 
This was another gift from Jen, and lordy lordy.... not sure what we ever could've done without it! Kat has reflux and bad gas, and she has periods that she simply cannot rest on her back. I could spend all day comforting her tied to the couch or chair holding her so she can rest, or I can just strap her into the Moby and work around the house, surf the internet, or just walk her back and forth around the house! (It really helps her ease those nasty gassy bubbles out!) I wear it and Tim also wears it quite a bit. I've become a HUGE fan of babywearing, and Kat just adores it. She just cuddles right in, gives a coo, and goes right to sleep. It helps her sleep, and helps me keep my sanity just a little longer. :o) I know there are cheaper versions out there, I can't speak for them, but this is one of my absolute life saving baby gifts!
This was another gift from Jen, and lordy lordy.... not sure what we ever could've done without it! Kat has reflux and bad gas, and she has periods that she simply cannot rest on her back. I could spend all day comforting her tied to the couch or chair holding her so she can rest, or I can just strap her into the Moby and work around the house, surf the internet, or just walk her back and forth around the house! (It really helps her ease those nasty gassy bubbles out!) I wear it and Tim also wears it quite a bit. I've become a HUGE fan of babywearing, and Kat just adores it. She just cuddles right in, gives a coo, and goes right to sleep. It helps her sleep, and helps me keep my sanity just a little longer. :o) I know there are cheaper versions out there, I can't speak for them, but this is one of my absolute life saving baby gifts!3. Boppy Vibrating Chair- 
this thing retails at Toys R Us for almost $60.00, I was lucky enough to score an almost brand new one at a yard sale this summer for $5.00. According to Tim, it would've been worth the $60.00 simply to be able to put Kat down once in awhile. She doesn't really get into the vibrations or sounds so much yet, but the shape of it is very comforting to her and she will sleep on her back for periods of time in the chair. I think because it's slightly reclined and she feels cradled she sleeps a bit better in that than her bassinet for now. We have another vibrating chair we picked up, but the round shape of this chair makes it FAR superior, especially for a fussy newborn. Kat loves it, and it does allow us to put her down for periods of time, which is a current priority for us.
this thing retails at Toys R Us for almost $60.00, I was lucky enough to score an almost brand new one at a yard sale this summer for $5.00. According to Tim, it would've been worth the $60.00 simply to be able to put Kat down once in awhile. She doesn't really get into the vibrations or sounds so much yet, but the shape of it is very comforting to her and she will sleep on her back for periods of time in the chair. I think because it's slightly reclined and she feels cradled she sleeps a bit better in that than her bassinet for now. We have another vibrating chair we picked up, but the round shape of this chair makes it FAR superior, especially for a fussy newborn. Kat loves it, and it does allow us to put her down for periods of time, which is a current priority for us. 4. Super soft fuzzy blankets- 
we got like 3 of these at the baby shower, and she LOVES them. At her fussiest, all we need to do is take off her onesie, and cradle her in the soft fuzzy blanket next to her skin and she immediately calms down, starts cooing, and falls asleep quickly. She's big on contact and soft textures, this helps keep her calm when her tummy hurts.
we got like 3 of these at the baby shower, and she LOVES them. At her fussiest, all we need to do is take off her onesie, and cradle her in the soft fuzzy blanket next to her skin and she immediately calms down, starts cooing, and falls asleep quickly. She's big on contact and soft textures, this helps keep her calm when her tummy hurts.5. Blanket sleepers- 
the Halo Sack, and Blanket Sleepers from Carters- we have swaddlers, she's not really a fan of these so far, but she adores her fleece blanket sleepers that Tim's mom and our friend Luna got for her! They're a bit big on her, but it works because it keeps her hands covered and she doesn't need to wear mittens so much. She lives in these when we're at home most of the time, and they keep her nice and snuggly warm while still letting her kick her legs to work out nasty gas bubbles!
the Halo Sack, and Blanket Sleepers from Carters- we have swaddlers, she's not really a fan of these so far, but she adores her fleece blanket sleepers that Tim's mom and our friend Luna got for her! They're a bit big on her, but it works because it keeps her hands covered and she doesn't need to wear mittens so much. She lives in these when we're at home most of the time, and they keep her nice and snuggly warm while still letting her kick her legs to work out nasty gas bubbles!6. Microwave Sterilizer- 
Another gift from Jen- we use this at least 2 times a day, it helps cut down the time we spend pre-making bottles for Kat and gives me the peace of mind that all her nipples and covers are sterile. It's super easy to use, and gets a ton of use already! Totally worth it, especially if you don't have a dish washer!
Another gift from Jen- we use this at least 2 times a day, it helps cut down the time we spend pre-making bottles for Kat and gives me the peace of mind that all her nipples and covers are sterile. It's super easy to use, and gets a ton of use already! Totally worth it, especially if you don't have a dish washer! 7. Playtex Drop In's Feeding System- 
once we got her off of the hospital bottles (she would scream alllll night long from gas) and onto her new Playtex bottles, her episodes of very painful gas have really decreased. Add in the fact that they're BPA free, and I get not only a less fussy baby, but less to worry about (which at this point is a blessing!). Also for those dishwasher free homes, the less clean up is totally a life saver for you!
once we got her off of the hospital bottles (she would scream alllll night long from gas) and onto her new Playtex bottles, her episodes of very painful gas have really decreased. Add in the fact that they're BPA free, and I get not only a less fussy baby, but less to worry about (which at this point is a blessing!). Also for those dishwasher free homes, the less clean up is totally a life saver for you!Ahhh... the WeeKat beckons... that's it for this post... more later if time permits... hope this helped!
