SCRT Babies

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: If you have to have a c-section, you'll live in these types of clothes for about 6 weeks. It's important to be comfortable. I still wear mine as regular pajamas."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: easy maternity to nursing top."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: I invested in a few nice things that I would want to wear that are also nursing friendly. I loved this brand and store for maternity and nursing clothes."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Simple tops for easy breast feeding."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: "Breast feeding is free" - is a total lie, but there are other good reasons to at least try to do it. I probably spent $1,500 total between 2 kids on breast pumps and apparatuses. this pump was a winner in the end. You won't really need it until you start going back to work but if you want to carry on with breast feeding and work, you'll need a good pump. Your insurance may cover this so don't purchase until you confirm that your insurance will or won't cover it. Go to this website to see if your insurance will cover the cost - https://www.babylist.com/health"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: any bag will do but I can pump directly into these using a spectra breast pump which is less transferring and washing while pumping"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Breast feeding is not as intuitive as most people will have you think (it wasn't for me at least). There is a lot of moving and adjustments before you get the hang of it. A pillow like this or something similar will be helpful and less strenuous while you're trying to find the right fit for you and baby."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: you won't touch these until month 7 or so but once month 7 hits, you'll never leave home without one."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: I couldn't find the brand of bottle warmer that I used but this one has the same features and seems to adapt to lots of different types of bottles"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: You won't realize how valuable this is until you are breast feeding and start leaking from the other side and are nearly in tears from the wasting the liquid gold. It's simple design and easy to use. I kept one in every room where I breast fed."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: I've never met a baby that doesn't like a Dr. Brown's bottle. For baby, they are a good bet. For parents, there are a ridiculous amount of parts to clean but it's worth it to have a happy, full baby."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: This drying rack is simple and not as aesthetically pleasing as the others but because of it's shape, it takes up less room on your counter"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: The Dr. Brown Bottles have so many parts! when you are washing them and constantly and pulling them out of the food disposal, it will feel like they were designed by a group of conspirators working against exhausted parents BUT I've never met a baby that doesn't take a Dr. Brown bottle. They are ideal for babies but a headache for parents. Anything you can do to make washing them easier, will add to your quality of life."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Not all babies will need it or like white noise and a night light but ours loved it and we are still using it at bed time 4 years later."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: for a family that likes to travel, these can be helpful but I'd caution it's usefulness. Almost all hotels have a crib, almost all Air B&B that we've been to have one of these on hand for us to use. It's only really needed if you are a family that 1) travels by car and 2) stays with families that don't have kids. I only put this on here to say you don't really need one of these."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Can't say enough good things about this carrier or wearing babies during the first 0-9 months. It's easy to get on and off, babies love it, it's easy to clean but perhaps the most important part is that Dads really love using this. A lot of dads just don't use the fussy, fabric wraps so getting a universal carrier like this will mean both mom and dad can get the benefit of baby wearing."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: A little on the expensive side and can only be used for about 6-7 months but both my kids loved being in this chair. When they become more alert, we would put this on the kitchen counter and they would watch us cook and eat dinner with us. It's also easy to move around and wash."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: the 3 most essential features in a stroller for a family that travels a lot by car or plane 1) it's relatively light and ideally you can collapse it with just one hand 2) it easily goes from car seat to stroller without a lot of reconfiguring and 3) (for city or mountain babies) it can easily navigate rough terrain like Philly streets or Utah Mountain Trails. Things to keep in mind for any stroller purchase: 1) your baby will likely out grow the stroller/car seat within 12 months and you'll spend just as much on the next one, but it's still worth it to buy the right stroller for your family at whatever cost because being able to go places with your baby makes you feel less isolated as a parent and you want to show off all your hard work and let friends and fans admire your best work 2) I didn't really mention safety because all car seats that you buy new in today's market are safe. You only need to worry about safety if you are buying a second-hand car seat and in that case, you can't really do a background check on it anyway. Don't buy used car seats!"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: All diaper advertising is meant to make you think you are a bad parent if you don't go with their brand but there are only two brands that truly work at containing poo and pee better than others: huggies and pampers. The ones that are better for the environment come at a cost of constantly cleaning poop explosions from clothes and furniture. I can't recommend or exclude cloth diapering because we never tried it . If I had more patience, I might have given cloth diapering a go."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: This doesn't have to be fancy but it has to be durable. It will go everywhere with you for at least 2-3 years. Choose one that dad will carry so that you aren't stuck being the diaper bag person just because it suits your taste. No sense in each of you having your own diaper bag to transfer things back and forth."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: I really like this diaper pail because there was never any odor leaking from it but it is a tad annoying in that you have to use special bags for it. I put the bags on auto-purchase every 2 months. The special bags, while annoying, are also simple to change and carry. Even though it's my own kids pee and poo, I'm still a bit squeamish about managing it."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Diapering is 30-35% of your entire existence as a parent for the first 3 months (or maybe first 2 years). We loved this pad because 1) it doesn't get too cold at night, which will make babies scream as you try to change a 3 am diaper 2) is easy to clean and sanitize and 3) is easily moveable from room to room if you want to just stay in one place for a few hours without going up and down stairs. Ours has lasted for 4 years and we're still using it for Sebastian. It's probably the only baby thing that hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear or has to be replaced."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Some babies like them, some babies don't but if your baby likes it - they are the most important thing in the world. Now, getting them off the pacifier if they really like it is a nightmare but let that be your parenting problem years from now - not today!"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: This will seem like something you won't need for decades but it happens faster than you think and best to have other people buy it than have to purchase it on your own when you need it ; )"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: We were given this book and didn't think much of it at first but when Helena was crying for no reason, we tried a couple of these techniques and it really soothed her. We started giving her a little baby massage every night after the bath and it was just a great way to calm her for bed and have a nice moment with her that wasn't about breast feeding or diaper changing. Maybe it was more soothing for me than her?? ha - oh well."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Cutting baby nails with a clipper was my worst nightmare, especially when they are super tiny but if you don't cut them twice a week they scratch their little faces. A tool like this + everything you need for grooming is a godsend."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: go to a baby store and try and couple different styles and brands. I liked this one but a whatever your preference, a rocker where you are comfortable breast feeding will make everyone relaxed (see note about awkwardness of breastfeeding in early months)."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: there are lots of options for baby shampoo but this classic never went out of style at our house"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: : use generously for that new baby smell - there's nothing like it!"

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: I like a bath where you can partially submerge a new born in warm water. You can't submerge a newborn in the baby bathtub for a month or so but they get so cold if they are naked and just getting a sponge bath without warm water surrounding them. Bath time should be relaxing and pleasing for anyone so if they are screaming because they're cold, it's no fun for anyone."

Note from Baby:

"Note from Abi: Someone bought this for me and I didn't really use it until we traveled (Helena was only 4 weeks old for our first trip). it's portable and easy to use anywhere that has a sink. It can also be used for a long time, so long as teh sink is big enough."