Survival Tips for Newborns

So time is getting close when we get to meet the new addition to our family and I had "a moment" the other day where I wondered if I would be able to remember how to care for a newborn. I know it wasn't that long ago when I had one (like what? three weeks or so ago??) but folks I can't tell you how much I studied, mulled over countless books, tried to memorize schedule plans, prepped the belly and boobies (yes apparently there are things you can do preventative to ease the pains of breastfeeding), and frankly drove myself insane from being up all hours soaking my brain with this information. There were countless nights of 10+ pee-trips, but I think I might have woken up abruptly even more times with the sudden fears of "Oh my gosh! Was it 'sleep/eat/wake-time' or 'eat/sleep/wake-time'" moments...by which of course I would have to go grab the book, pamphlet, or google the answer before I could rest easy again.

So this time around - yeah, none of that. I guess I self-consciously consider myself a "pro" - right. So it got me thinking today about what were some of the essentials that helped us survive those first few months. And don't get me wrong - it's not about "survival"...I would never describe those precious first months in that way, but let's be honest - those first few months can be CHALLENGING!!!!! Lincoln hit his stride at 4 months. That's when his gassy, tummy issues subsided and when he started sleeping through the night.

So I put together a list of our survival tools those first few months for my own reminders (cause let's face it - Noah will be here SOON!!) and for those that are expecting and could maybe find it helpful:



First, I know this is uber cheesy (so roll your eyes if you must), but Jason and I headed into this newborn thing truly 50/50. I wrote some stories about it last year when he was born, but I cannot emphasize enough how easy our partnership in this made those first few months!! We equally changed the poopy diapers, took shifts when letting the Mr. cry-it-out (which we will this time around start much earlier!), and since my milk supply became a bare nothing at 3 months, he definitely had his share of night-time bottles. Most importantly, he created an early bond with the little monster that was one of the most precious things to watch.



Bear with me on this one. Oh the infamous "Babywise" book. Yes, it offered some great insight and strategies, but topped with all the other recommended "top sellers" (which of course I also read), they all say something that contradict each other and before I knew it, everytime I would read one of these or run to it for answers when I couldn't figure out why Lincoln was screaming, the end result was always the same - "Oh my gosh I've been doing it wrong!" Which then led me to believe I was ruining my child and World's Worst Mom.



So one day I had a ceremony and this is where the books went. Can't tell you how much easier it made my life!!!!

I love to work out and so a jogging stroller was essential. It's been fantastic. We use it all the time and will stop half way through or at the end for a swing or slide in the park - Lincoln stinking loves this thing, too.

Okay. If I could only put one survival tool on here, the following would be IT. This was a LIFE SAVER. I swore I would buy one for every expectant mother because it made such a difference for Lincoln. It's gripe water. I will say it didn't do much until about month 2...and I believe we continued to use this through month 6 or so. Lincoln had bad tummy problems and would cry CONSTANTLY when the gassiness would invade. Mylicon drops (which will be discussed later) didn't seem to help the gassiness much, but this stuff was GOD-SENT. And ONLY THIS BRAND!! You can get it at Target and we would stock up everytime we were there. The beauty trick of it, too, was it would, within 5 minutes, cause a huge poop that wold help relieve him, and if you dabble a drop on his passy - it'd help him stop crying and help him get to sleep. We used the "dabble-drop-on-passy" FREQUENTLY. Jason discovered this trick and it was fabulous. At church and he suddenly wakes up crying? Dabble trick and he's back asleep. And it has no sleep agent (if you're wondering), and is made with all-natural ingredients. FANTASTIC.

This nipple cream was recommended to me and I found it great! Never cracked or had much soreness to be honest with you.

My child LOVES music. And Coldplay's soothing sounds, and the fact that mommy LOVES them, was a regular hit.

Baby Einstein videos had a CRAZY way of grasping baby's attention and captivating them - I don't understand it because it looks like they were made for pot-smokers in the 60's, but they're great if you need a quick shower or to clean something up. Lincoln watches them still when we show the house.

We tried a lot of different bottles when he was little from the Drop-Ins to Dr. Brown's...everyone swears by Dr. Brown's, but to be honest, they're a hassle to clean. I think these were my favorite and the ones we'll use this time around. At the time he was born, we were on-the-go a lot (between tons of basketball games and the holidays), so the ole Medula Breast Pump (which that just reminded me I need to clean!) and stored breastmilk in carrying case was a must - along with these tiny little bottles.

[I had a picture of AVENT BOTTLES here, but I accidentally deleted it and don't wanna upload it again]

And the Mylicon drops. These were helpful with the "Dabble-on-the-passy" trick more than relieving gas pain. We used these a lot the first month and then Gripe Water took over from then one. We still always had a bottle of them though.

The boppy is great and useful for many things including breastfeeding, holding, and helping him with tummy time - Jason always used it, too, when he would feed Lincoln. As I mentioned before, we were on the go a lot and it was winter, so the below bundle thing was GREAT!!!! It kept the little guy snug and warm and protects them from the wind.

Oh the SWING. We have the below swing and Lincoln LOVED it. In fact, the wold only sleep in it for the first 3 months of his life. I had a few panic attacks at times that he would in fact ALWAYS sleep in it and we would be looking for an adult size papsan swing. I think I cried a few times over this because what mother let's their child sleep in a swing??!!! But he did - for 3 months. No joke. And then magically, he transitioned to his crib - quite well, actually, and I stopped searching for the adult-sized version. :)

Pacifiers. Some like them and some don't...ours LOVES them and this is the new "I wonder if it wold look weird for him to still have it as an adult??" worry I have. They were his soother and still are. And I only use the following brand because they are clear and don't hide his precious face. Target sells them and I LOVE THEM.

So that's a list to start I guess. The one I left out is the double pump Medula Breast Pump that was fantastic and essential. I am hoping breastfeeding lasts longer this time - I'm pretty confident about since since I won't be working this time, so we'll see how it goes!!!