Even More Mommy Recommendations

If only there was a TimeHop for my posts. Almost a year ago my first couple of posts were about Mommy Recommendations. In those posts I gave you a list with links and pictures of items I thought were a life saver in my daughters first year of life. I'm sorry I haven't been more on top of the recommendations, but I am here to share a few more with you!

These ones I am super excited about. I have been waiting several months to talk about a cup! Yes, a CUP!
My daughter is 14 months old (turned 1 in February!) and I have been working to get her off of the bottle. She was formula fed until a year, but honestly I gave her watered down milk around 10 months old (when she started walking..no joke) and eating more solid foods - more so when we were at home and running low on formula. It helped us financially as well.

Okay, so on to these amazing cups (there are two brands that we have found). I don't really favor one brand over the other - they are just a convenient concept and they are WAY better than any bottle or sippy-cup. The perfect transition to a real cup.

Now WIC and doctors alike, like to suggest starting a real cup at 6 months old. To the mothers that have successfully done this, congratulations. But realistically...this was not easy. We tried the straw around 7 months old. We tried sips from the cup. We use a cup during bath time. She knows what a cup is. I guess that isn't a total fail.

Then we saw the 360 cup and scratched our heads at it a few times before we bought a couple to try. It looks so strange, so don't freak out too much. I also found that they come apart for easy cleaning - which was my first question (How in the world do you wash these things?). I have taken a few pictures for you all to see it apart in stages as well as together - all in one photo to save space.

First brand is Sassy

Sassy Grow Up Cup

Sassy brand has a screw top in the center and the spout can be removed for cleaning. Just pull the silicone spout away from the center!

Second brand is Munchkin

Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup

Munchkin brand has a different texture on the cup part, it isn't a slick plastic like the Sassy brand. And the lid screws on like - well a lid. The spout, however, can be popped off of the center. Just pull the spout back from the edges and pull it off. The lid part it attaches to underneath, honestly looks like a sink strainer. 

My daughter does VERY well with these cups and I am one proud Mommy! We are still weaning her off of the bottle, some days are easier than others, and honestly she only wants one when she is SUPER fussy-tired and sometimes when she first wakes up in the morning. Throughout the day though she will drink juice, milk or water from them with no problems. 

The BEST PART about these cups is...they don't spill - at least like a regular cup. Now if you throw them on the floor like a toddler, then yes they will drip. And if they are laying on their side for long periods of time, they will drip. But if you hold it upside down it won't soak your lap, floor or your toddler! Yay!

So, even if you are a mother-to-be or if you're child is still under a year old - I would recommend you run out and buy at least one of these types of cups! You won't regret it.

OH and one more thing...

We have also discovered a neat little snack cup, also by Munchkin that my daughter loves! She is at that stage right now where she loves putting her hand into the Puff snack containers or bags of Yogurt bites and pulling one out. These snack cups help her do just that! She hasn't pulled the top off yet (which is easily removed). The edges aren't sharp and the opening is flexible and soft for them to reach in and pull the snacks out. 

Munchkin Snack Catchers

More Mommy Recommendations

After I posted my last 'Recommendation' entry, I thought of even more products that I have found useful in the first few months of my daughters life.

The first few items are clothing items that were useful, especially for diaper changes. Who wouldn't love that?
These are a personal preference, so I'd suggest getting just a couple of each to see if you find yourself 'Loving' or feeling 'Meh' about them.

Sleeper Gowns

Sleeper Gowns
For some it is 'hit and miss'. For me, I loved them. I feel my daughter grew too fast to keep wearing the ones I had, plus the weather here in the first 3 months of her life were crazy! Cold then hot. Gotta love Ohio!







Sleep Bags

For me these were a LIFE SAVER! When the weather was just cold enough for layers, these were the PERFECT clothing item for my little Emi. Put on a onesie, zip them in the sack and they are all snug!
These are also PERFECT for the mommy's that have that debate in their head "blanket or no blanket". Although blankets and any other item/fabrics in your baby's crib/bassinet can be a dangerous SIDS risk.
Also, when your baby gets older (most Sleep Bags are 0-9 months - one size) and you feel more comfortable putting a blanket on them while they sleep OR a swaddle, these Sleep Bags are great because they can't kick them off!

Cloth Diaper Pre-Folds

Cloth Diaper Pre-Folds
This item here is a Mommy Life Hack that is not uncommon. Personally, I do not cloth diaper, but KUDOS to the mommy's that do! I use these for a BURP CLOTH! Easy enough.

Ulubulu Clip

Pacifier Clips
Now I have two personal favorite pacifier clips. Depending on what pacifiers you will go with will depend on which style you will want to use. The Ulubulu Clip will be your most universal clip, as it will fit just about any pacifier brand. I personally like MAM, the elastic end fits through the little holes in the surrounding plastic. They are also good for the ever-so popular hospital-style paci, I preferred the Gumdrop brand because the base doesn't cover baby noses.

Nuby Clip

Unlike the Nuby Clip, which is only good for the pacifiers that have the little flapper-handle (see Avent brand for example) because they have
a wide velcro piece that holds the pacifier itself.

Car Seat Strap Buddy

These next two items are my car seat MUST HAVES.
The Car Seat Strap 'Buddy' helps keep your baby's neck from
flopping over if they fall asleep.

The Carrier Toy Bar is fun to have if you need a distraction.
My daughter is 5 1/2 months old and she pulls on the middle flower
all by herself and she LOVES it. They also have a more neutral or boy version.

Product Recommendations: Starter Items Part 1

As a new mom I have watched dozens of videos on YouTube, read multiple blogs through Pinterest pins, and made so many lists of products you MUST have for a baby that it's enough to pull your hair out.
But don't sweat it, momma! You will not only get into your own routine, but you will find the products you find yourself using daily if not weekly!

I have been doing a lot of thinking and trying to come up with a decent list of products that I've found useful for my little Emileah. We all have our opinions and our favorites and these are just a few of my own...in this post any way. The more I think of, the more posts I will write for you!

Hope these items help!

Munchkin Steam Guard Electric Baby Bottle Sterilizer

Sterilizer:
My first product of recommendation would have to be this bottle sterilizer. I got mine from Target. It is electric (plug in) and doesn't take up a lot of counter space. It really comes in handy with those bottle nipples, pacifiers, baby spoons and bottles. This is definitely a must have!
**DO NOT PUT TEETHERS IN STERILIZER! I learned the hard way. They melt.

Medicine Despenser:

My next product of recommendation is the 

Safety 1st Comfort Check Pacifier Thermometer. 

The SUPER find would be the medicine dispenser that 

comes along with it. It is SO much easier than using the 

syringe that often comes with infant medicines.

*NOTE: When your child is scheduled to get any series of 
shots at their Pediatrician, I HIGHLY recommend giving them 
Infant Tylenol PRIOR to the appointment. I learned the hard 
way when Emileah got her first set of shots. She was in so much 
pain and was so stiff from the discomfort. Under 2 years old,
 the recommended dose is 2.5 TEASPOONS. 
DOSE FOR TYLENOL ONLY!                                                          

Safety 1st Pacifier Thermometer