What to Buy/Register for Baby!

Tranquil Seasons BabyRegistry Recommendations

(if it's not on this list, you probably don't need it)

Newborn Necessities:

v  Layette  - Fave Brands:  Carters, Sage Creek Organics, Under the Nile and Kicky Pants

Ø  Onsies - #5

Ø  Footies (coveralls with feet) - #5

Ø  Sleep Gowns (elastic bottoms) - #5

Ø  Receiving/Swaddling Blankets (fave brand: Aiden and Anais) - #8

v  Diapering - Fave Brands: Honest Co. and Pampers Swaddlers

Ø  Diapers, newborn-size and size 1

Ø  Wipes (fave brands: California Baby, Mustela or just get regular and rinse the brick)

Ø  Cloth Diapers - (fave brands: G-Diapers, Kissaluvs)

Ø  Diaper Rash Cream - Burts Bees wins hands down

v  Feeding

Ø  Lansinoh Nipple Cream, or Earth Mother Angel Baby brand nipple cream

Ø  My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow (yes, this is important!!, if you plan to bfeed)

Ø  Burp Cloths (anything absorbent and soft against baby’s face will do) #8

Ø  Medela Pump in Style breast pump, if you’re going to be breast/bottle feeding

Ø  Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags

Ø  Dr. Browns or Tommy Tippee bottles, if you plan to bottle feed at all

Ø  Soft, sleep bras (at least 3 of these in the beginning, 1 size bigger) + Breast pads

v  Furniture

Ø  Changing pad

Ø  Rock-n-Play Sleeper - we call it the “Taco Rocker”

Ø  Co-Sleeper (fave brand: Arm’s Reach Mini)

Ø  Co-sleeper sheets

Ø  Stroller/Car Seat Travel System (fave brand: Britax)

v  Other Misc.

Ø  Nail file (you can use the fine gauge side of your own emery boards)

Ø  Thermometer (fave brand: Thermoscan)

Ø  Baby Carrier (fave type:  Pouch-Style - check out “Go, Baby, Go” to try them on)

Ø  Baby Bath Wash & Lotion/Massage Oil (fave brand: California Baby or Weleda)

Ø  Target Brand or Purex Baby Laundry Detergent (fave: same as but less expensive than Dreft)

 

Newborn Nice-to-Haves:

v  Layette  - Fave Brands:  buying from WAHMs is a great way to support your community

Ø  Carseat cover (in winter)

Ø  Additional blankets are nice, chenille or fleece layered blankets are especially warm

v  Diapering -

Ø  Wipes Warmer (fave brand: Lionheart)

Ø  Changing Station, either on top of dresser or pack-n-play

v  Feeding

Ø  Breast shells (fave brand: Avent)

Ø  Pumping bra for hands-free pumping (fave brand: medela)

Ø  Mother’s Milk Tea by Traditional Medicinals or Nursing Mother Tea by Yogi

v  Furniture

Ø  Rocking Chair with foot stool/ottoman for mom

Ø  Nursery crib and dresser set

Ø  Baby Swing (fave brand: Mamaroo)

Ø  Bumbo Seat (this is for baby once he/she is 3-4 months, but awesome nonetheless)

Ø  Pram-style stroller / jogger (depending on your lifestyle)

v  Other Misc.

Ø  Bath Time (fave brands: Under the Sea Sponge and Spa Baby Eco)

Ø  Pacifier (if you use them, get several Wubbanubs, they are so great!)

Ø  Skin Care (Calendula Cream by California Baby solves most skin irritations)

Ø  Pelvic Support for Mom (you want a thicker band like: Medela Postpartum Support)

 

Did we forget something?  Have a question about a product?  Just ask!

Call 210-548-8800

email Anne at annecwj(at)gmail.com
or visit us on the web:  http://www.tranquilseasons.com

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Tips For An Easier Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

Here is a great little article I wrote back in 2002 with a list of tips for pregnant mothers...
Enjoy!

To make life easier as a pregnant mother, we've put together some wonderful tips and reminders for you!

• Take time to pamper yourself. Relaxing benefits you, the baby, AND the new dad!
  
• Drink lots of water and fruit juice. Traditional Medicinals brand and Yogi brand (found in the natural foods part of the grocery store) have a wonderful pregnancy tea and Red Raspberry Leaf teas.
  
• Red Raspberry Leaf tea is also a wonderful uterine tonic, used by women for centuries to strengthen their uterus and ease/hasten childbirth.
  
• Buy lots of pillows and USE them in bed!
  
• Make sure to take your prenatal daily. A "green" prenatal is going to allow your body to absorb more nutrients because they are made with food, not synthetics. Some women even find that switching to a "green" prenatal lessens their nausea tremendously.  After the birth, sometimes those prenatals can be the source of baby's tummy discomfort. 
  
• Be sure to get plenty of protein. Your body needs lots of it to grow a healthy baby. High blood pressure can often be avoided by keeping your high quality protein intake high. Try almonds, yogurt, eggs, cheese and lean meats. Women struggling with high blood pressure will find help here.
  
• Read all you can get your hands on, and look at birth photos, videos, etc. Familiarity with what to expect can prevent anxiety.

• Hire a doula. Doulas are very knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth and can help you brainstorm to solve any comfort issues you may have.  When looking for a doula, consider her training, certification and make sure her credentials are legit and current.  Oh, and always, always do a background check!  Here's my agency's website:  http://www.tranquilseasons.com

 

• Journal. Your child will find your ramblings so precious and reassuring when they are having their own babies or as a graduation or coming of age present.
  
• Buy an exercise ball and sit on it as often as possible. This can relieve back pain, and also keep your pelvis limber for the big day.
  
• Find a local La Leche League group and plan to attend a meeting or two before the birth. These ladies will become a great resource for after the baby arrives.  If you find them too militant, seek out other local lactation support groups.
  
• Don't apologize for having to go to the bathroom all the time.
  
• Buy a reacher/grabber thing to get things up high and down low. You'll be surprised how off-balance that belly can make you.
  
• Buy slip on shoes. It's nice to eliminate bending over at the end of your pregnancy.
  
• Recruit your other children to help out around the house.
  
• Plan and ASK for help from family and friends for after the birth. Don't try to be Superwoman!
  
• Consider hiring a Postpartum Doula.
  
• Buy lots of paper plates - even one package can make a big difference.
  
• Store pre-made casseroles in the freezer.
  
• Don't go crazy decorating the nursery and buying tons of "stuff". Simplifying your life makes having a baby easier. Valuable baby equipment might only include diapers and blankets at first.
• Write a birth plan.  Ask your doula to help you.  This will help you to educate yourself on what is available to you as far as options and will also help you to narrow dow what you feel is most important to you, in regard to your birth experience ideals.