Things We Need/Want for Baby #3

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By the third baby you really know what the essentials are when it comes to “needs” versus extra things. And listen–a lot of times those extra things are very helpful, so don’t hear me knocking them! For this baby, there are a few things we need to replace or update, and I need to start doing my research into the latest and greatest since I’ve been out of the newborn game for almost 3 years!

First up, we need a new baby monitor. We prefer a video monitor that has a parent unit (versus relying solely on your phone) that can connect up to 4 cameras. Our existing Motorola baby monitor, which was over $300 if I remember correctly, has been pretty disappointing. It worked fine in the beginning, but it didn’t take long for the sound to start coming in and out, and the battery life on the parent unit is a grand total of 2 minutes. The parent unit has to be plugged in constantly if we need to use it, and the antenna is also broken. Admittedly there is 4 years of use on it, and technology gets better with time, but this thing started failing earlier than I had anticipated for the price we paid.

I got some great recommendations from Instagram Stories for baby monitors several weeks ago, and now I just need to do some good old fashioned Googling to compare and contrast.

The second thing, and this kind of falls under the “want” category, is a safe sleeping bassinet to put in our bedroom. This next baby will be the first one we are bringing home to this house, since we lived in our townhome when both the boys were born. Our master bedroom was unusually large at the townhouse, but it’s much smaller at this house. I’ve seen a few new options from different bloggers or Instagrammers but I haven’t looked into them quite yet. The Snoo looks interesting along with the Halo Bassinest sleeper. Have you used either of these?

Honestly, beyond that, our need list is pretty small. We saved almost everything from the boys, from car seats to strollers to all the contraptions for the baby to sit in and play in, when that time comes. I still have my pump, though they have gotten much more compact than the huge black bag I bought over 4 years ago! Have you seen this one? It’s so small!

I’m looking very forward to wearing the baby in the Solly Wrap, as that was one of my favorite things to do with Luke when he was an infant.

I’d love to hear what things you have been loving if you’ve had a newborn recently! Just a reminder that we do not know if the baby is a boy or a girl–we’ll find out on delivery day!

*update 2/11/2018: thank you all so very much for your recommendations on baby gear! The comments section is filled with very helpful tips and suggestions! 

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 02.06.18

You’re pretty much all prepared already! 🙂 Can’t wait to find out about your new baby ❤️❤️

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Neely says · 02.06.18

I used the halo bassinet for our little boy(now 1). We loved it but he was very very long for a newborn so at 5 weeks he was almost too big for it. But the features are amazing and I love that it swivels into your bed!

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AJ says · 02.06.18

We had the same experience with the Halo Bassinet. It was nice (and stylish), but our son outgrew it by about 6 weeks! At that point, we moved him to a bassinet attachment on a pack n play next to our bed, and in his crib. And I ended up feeling like we could have simply done without the Halo.

Also, the Halo was really heavy and bulky to store, so we sold it even though we plan to have another child. It was just too big to keep around in storage when I knew it would only be useful for a few weeks for the next baby.

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Melissa says · 02.06.18

The summer infant monitors are great. We have the In View 5” screen one and love it. It has been 2 years now and still works just as great as the first day we got it.

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Taylor says · 02.11.18

We have a summer infant monitor and LOVE it! We’ve only had it about 6 months now, but have 3 cameras hooked up to it and it works wonderfully!

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Melissa says · 02.06.18

Our Motorola did the same-the battery life drove me nuts. I got this one for #2. We’ve had it about 6 months & it’s been much better.
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECHYTBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_e8zEAbW39KF6Q

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Jess says · 02.06.18

We just got this one too for our baby that’s due next month and we tested it out and it’s awesome !

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Amanda says · 02.07.18

We’ve had this one for about a year and a half and love it! No complaints!

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Katie Jo says · 02.11.18

Have it too. Loved it for 2 years but now the connections between the cords and the receiver/camera have gone bad. We have to wiggle it around to get a connection and it sometimes loses connection and the battery then goes dead in the middle of the night. Huge bummer as it had been a great purchase until recently!

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Valerie says · 02.06.18

We used the Fisher Price Rock-n-play this time around and I LOVED it. Very compact and can be moved around the house if necessary. Rocks on a timer, it’s been a dream. My daughter has slept great in it since day one and shes 6 months old now. If I could recommend just one thing, this would be it.

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Lindsay says · 02.07.18

Rock ‘n Plays are great for the daytime, but they are not recommended for nighttime sleeping. Safe sleep practices say that babies should be sleeping on a flat surface on their backs in their own bed.

I used a Pack ‘n Play in our room for the first two months. Ours had a bassinet attachment, so baby wasn’t all the way to the ground. If you have one the fancier Pack ‘n Plays, they sometimes have seats for newborns on them. These too are NOT safe for nighttime sleep.

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Jen says · 02.11.18

My son slept in his rock n play until he was 6 months old due to reflux. It worked great and he’s almost 2.

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Lindsay Wolocki says · 02.06.18

Honestly we use the fisher price rock and play as a bassinet. We got the highest model that has four different levels of vibrating and two different rocking speeds. It also plays music or white noise, she takes her naps in it it folds up so we take it with us when we go to our parents or friends houses and we have her sleep in it next to our bed. It also has a slight incline and not completely flat so that helped with her reflux! And it was only 100 bucks!! Best purchase we invested in!

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Michelle says · 02.08.18

We too used a Rock ‘n’ Play in our room. Ours was used for 4(!) babies, and it was one fo the original models (without any bells and whistles; you had to actually push it gently ot rock it), but it is my favorite baby item we’ve owned. Our first baby dealt with reflux, and the incline helped him so much with that. It is also SOOOO portable (easier than most strollers…push two buttons and bam, it’s folded up), and we brought it on tons of trips, even after baby was transitioned into the crib. Ours was less than $40 at the time, and it was worth that and more in my opinion!

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Gina Davis says · 02.06.18

Loved the halo bassinet for my third, although my first two would have hated it due to reflux. It’s Big but it is truly amazing to have at night. You look great

Another suggestion is a long phone charger.

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Danielle says · 02.06.18

I’m feeling the same way as you. Preganant with baby number two and number one is three years old. I would love for you to include more posts about what you buy and what’s new and improved! Also I think we have the same monitor. Mine is also motorola and doesn’t hold a charge past 5 minutes. Let me know what one you are getting!

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Rena says · 02.06.18

I think really it becomes easier with each baby 🙂 How good you saved almost everything for your boys!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

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Delana says · 02.06.18

I second the rock and play. I would swaddle them and tuck them in tight and both of my kids slept very well in there 😊

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Tara says · 02.06.18

Kate,
Congratulations on your upcoming baby! I HIGHLY recommend the Halo bassinet. I too had a c-section and this bassinet made life so much easier with all it does. And the mesh is just so nice to be able to see your baby easily through the night. The only issue is we bought the one with the vibration and music and that part broke about a month in. But our daughter loved being in her bassinet.

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Autumn says · 02.06.18

I recommend a Fisher Price rock-n-play for the baby to sleep in. This keeps them elevated so if they have any reflux problem it’s amazing for that and it doesn’t take up much space at all and it’s wonderful to travel with. I also recommend a nose freida.

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J says · 02.11.18

They are NOT recommended for nighttime sleeping. Babies have died in them. They are for daytime, supervised use only.

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Jessica says · 02.19.18

It is true. A friend’s baby died because he twisted into the side and suffocated. I immediately got rid of mine that same day.

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Kate says · 02.19.18

horrible, thanks for sharing

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Mindy says · 02.06.18

Fisher Price Sit Me up Floor seat. I didn’t have it with my first and wish I bought it earlier for my 4 month old because she loves it!

I’m also loving the Costco brand wipes. I used to like the Huggies Natural Care but the Costco ones are much better!

Last, Scooties. Booties that wrap around and the ankle and Velcro. I bought ours on amazon and they are great! Not the most attractive baby shoes out there but REALLY functional since you don’t have too much time to be finding/fixed my socks anymore.

Best of luck, I’m really happy for your family!

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Elisabeth says · 02.11.18

Interesting fact, Costco (Kirkland brand) requires a 20% improvement on ALLL their supplier’s products and huggies is their diaper/wipes supplier. So not only are they cheaper than any of the leading brands, they are also 20% better!
#winning

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Chelsea Hulstein says · 02.06.18

Congrats on your pregnancy! That is such a great thing! We love our angel care monitor! Their newest one have the ability to hold up to 4 screens on one monitor and the battery life is pretty good for the price. We love ours so far. And angel care has that baby Mat that can be put under a crib mattress for detecting movement and breathing, which was a life saver for me 🙂
With baby #2 we used the fisher price rock and play and were not disappointed. Our little one slept in that thing till she was almost 7 months old! It was a great life saver and worth every penny spent 🙂 hope these suggestions help!

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Meg B says · 02.06.18

I have a spectra pump and looooove it! It’s practically silent and has less pieces than the medela. Recommend totally. For you I might recommend the battery powered one though since your boys are active. I got mine through aeroflow breast pumps, they filed it with my insurance and it was totally free. They send me free replacement parts every 4 weeks. No affiliate link, I am just so happy with them.

We used the fisher price rock n play and were very happy with it too, the #1 reason is that it is ridiculously portable which I think would be a big plus for you since you visit family a lot.

The other thing I recommend to people is the baby shusher (you can get it on amazon). It is worth every penny!!!!!!!!!!!

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Chelsey says · 02.06.18

We love the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper also! Get the one that plugs in and automatically rocks—sometimes they go on sale on Amazon!!

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Jenny says · 02.06.18

Definitely recommend the rock n play too. Super lightweight and compact so it’s easy to move from room to room if necessary. And it folds easily so it’s so easy to travel with. Also if baby has any reflux the incline is SO helpful. And it snuggles baby well so they sleep better!
Even though you still have your pump you should check in to your insurance since they usually provide a pump for free (minus the bag and some of the extra supplies). With my third I got a new pump and I was shocked at how much suction and power my original one had lost even though it was only 5 years old. I used my original once every day with two kids though so yours may be different but if you can get one free through insurance it’s worth it!! 🙂 Congrats on baby 3!! Can’t wait to find out gender! 🙂

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Erin Colburn says · 02.06.18

You look gorgeous! Definitely check with your insurance about a new pump! ACA requires that they cover the full cost of a pump every 3 years, I believe. And even if you already have one, it’s definitely nice to have another, especially if your insurance is paying for it!

Plus, it seems like the covered pumps are much better now than they were 3 years ago when I had my first!

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Stefanie says · 02.06.18

The Solly wrap is so great! Such an essential thing when you’re chasing around toddlers! My second and third babies lived in that thing for months! I, too, was so excited to use it again for my third!

I like my nursing cover that goes all the way around and doubles as a car seat cover since baby #3 does a lot more napping on the go! Copper pearl (amazon!) or milk snob.

Love the rock and play for naps anywhere in the house when they’re little and can sleep through anything. Once they are older and sleeping in their room,
I highly suggest a sound machine for baby’s room to drown out the noise of big brothers. My two boys share a room right next to baby’s room and the sound machine is great for not worrying that every little thing they do will wake her up during naps or getting ready for bed.

Congratulations and good luck! I bet it will be so fun seeing your boys be big brothers together! Soak up the newborn stage… it goes even faster the third time around!

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Carrie says · 02.06.18

The Halo Bassinet was one of my favorite newborn items, especially after a c-section! We have had the Infant Optics DXR-8 monitor for a little over a year and it has been great. Not sure if you will be pumping outside the house much but wish I would have discovered Sarah Wells pump bag much sooner, her bags are pretty and I was able to setup and much quicker.

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Shana says · 02.06.18

We have the summer monitor and I love it! Our daughter is 16 months old and it’s going strong and it has good battery life. I’m sure you’ve already done it but check the expiration date on the car seats. You can occasionally trade them in for a credit on a new one if they are expired. I have a lot of friends at work who have used or are using the Spectra pump and rave about it. I did fine with my medela and had the backpack size and the travel size. There are so many options now! It’s fun to look at everything again 🙂

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Katie says · 02.06.18

If you end up needing to pump the Spectra is awesome (I have the spectra 2). Our kids are 4 yrs apart so it had been awhile since I had used a pump (I had a Madela with my first). Spectra is night and day difference – so nice. Worth it!! Good luck!

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Beth says · 02.06.18

Once you do your research on baby monitors can you do a post?

We also have a Motorola and absolutely despise the thing! I literally could throw it out at any minute for how bad it really works.

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Emilie says · 02.06.18

newer things I am loving with my 3rd are: the milk snob, mainly for car seat cover. The boppy newborn lounger, the angel care bath tub, and my spectra pump (free through my insurance! Look into it ).

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Jessica says · 02.06.18

Echoing every one else on the rock n’ play. That’s what both of our girls slept in for their first ~6 weeks, and then for naps after that. Easy to take around the house. And our pediatrician said the slight incline was great for kids with any sort of reflux issues. Congrats!

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AmyL says · 02.06.18

I have read that car seats have an expiration date and that is due to heat exposure use etc. I haven’t researched this since we only have one child. But, it might be worth looking at for this newest baby. Many congratulations.

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Sue says · 02.06.18

Yes, I was going to mention the same. They’re usually about 5 years. Just mentioning since maybe you purchased when your oldest was born.

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Hannah says · 02.06.18

We have the Halo Bassinet and love it. My favorite baby product I use with my 2 month old is the Ollie swaddle. It’s the only swaddle I use. It grows with your baby and it’s the only swaddle my son hasn’t been able to escape from. Highly recommend!

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Kristin says · 02.06.18

To echo what everyone else is saying, the Spectra 2 pump is awesome and free through insurance )at least through my plan). The Fischer Price Rock and Play is amazing. I can’t rave enough about how it keeps our boy asleep and the incline gives me peace of mind against choking.

Also huge with peace of mind has been the Snuza breathing monitor that clips to his diaper. I love it and it’s so much simpler and cheaper than the other fancier monitors they’ve got.

Our baby monitor is the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens on Amazon. It hits all your requirements. It communicates with the camera unit on its own “network” that doesn’t require wifi and up to four cameras can be used with one parent unit.

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Kayla says · 02.06.18

We also have a Motorola monitor and it SUCKS! Like you said, battery life is about 2 minutes!

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Tracy says · 02.07.18

We had the same problem. As a stop-gap measure, we purchased a new, off-brand battery on Amazon for around $10 and we’re back to getting a few hours of battery life. Best $10 I’ve spent in a long time.

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Brittany says · 02.06.18

The SNOO 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I got it for my third baby who is now 7 wks and it’s amazing. Wish I had it for my first two, would have had much more sleep if I did. Worth every penny in my opinion.

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Tracey says · 02.06.18

First, congrats! We didnt find out the sex of our babies (both boys) and it was the best surprise ever. My littlest is 7 weeks and my oldest will be 3 this month. We purchased everything gender neutral the first time around and like you are reusing most everything.

We did invest in a new sleep arrangement this time around since I’m not ready to disrupt a finally sleeping toddler with an infant in his room 🙂 we went back and forth on the bassinet/cosleep solution and decided on having a pack and play (4moms breeze – HIGHLY recommend) next to our bed using the bassinet feature and placing the SnuggleMe … similar to a DockaTot in the bassinet. It’s been a dream setup for us since I’m terrified of rolling on an infant in the bed or our toddler sneaking in in the middle of the night.

The rock and play we have too and use for naps.

We have a Motorola too and like you also have yet to find a monitor with long battery life, so I’m also reading comments from others here ha.

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Robin says · 02.06.18

Along with everyone else- the Infant Optics baby monitors, Fisher Price Rock N Play, Spectra Pump are all great.
There are so many neat swaddlers they make now, too. My favorite are the arms up ones- my my second HATED being swaddled with her arms down but these still stifled the Moro reflex. So much easier to put on than wrapping with a blanket, too. Then, when they are older, the Zipadee Zip sleep sacks are also awesome.

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Elizabeth says · 02.06.18

I also TOTALLY recommend the Spectra pump! You should get a new pump with each baby through insurance so upgrade!

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Kaitlyn says · 02.06.18

We preferred a rock and play for our baby girl to sleep in over the bassinet in our room! It takes up less space and it elevates the head in case they have reflux! You can even get one that will rock on it’s own to help put the baby to sleep.

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Amanda says · 02.06.18

How fun to wait and be surprised! We did that with both of our kids and it was such fun! And by the way I love your blog – I’ve been an avid reader for many years.
I love undercover mama tanks – https://undercovermama.com/ they have been a true life saver when it comes to breastfeeding and nursing and I can’t imagine how other moms do it with out using any of their stuff. I can wear all of my regular clothes and these make them easily convert to a nursing shirt. Their nursing dresses and tunics are also wonderful – I think I own almost everything they make.

Congrats!

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Laura says · 02.06.18

I highly recommend the Spectra pump! I used a Medela with my first and have the Spectra this time around – it is so much better! It is much more comfortable

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Rachel says · 02.06.18

I started my son off in the Halo bassinet but moved him into our bed in a DockaTot after a week or so. The bassinet was nice but we wanted him closer and having him in our bed made those late night breastfeeding sessions so much easier. He was giving us 6 hour stretches at six week old in his DockaTot. They are pretty expensive but you can’t put a price on a good night sleep. Plus, it light weight and 100% breathable. I also recommend a boppy lounger. At only $30 it was one of the best purchases we made!

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Jen D says · 02.06.18

I’m also due with #3 (I have 2 boys ages 3 & 4) so I I feel like we are living parallel lives! haha. I’ve heard the Freemie pump cups are amazing. I’m definitely going to try them this time around and some health insurance plans even cover them. I have a Halo cosleeper and plan on using that again. Other than that this baby will be getting hand me downs 🙂 Oh and as far as baby monitor goes I’ve been getting a lot of recs for the infant optics! Good luck!

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Kristen says · 02.06.18

An Owlet monitor and a lily jade diaper bag!

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Kelly C. says · 02.06.18

I’m an exclusive pumper, and I use that pump that you linked. It’s actually not that small, and it’s definitely not very portable. I’ve broken the pump parts multiple times on accident, it’s just not that great. It is quiet however, I will give it that!
I have multiple pumps because of having to pump every 3-4 hours, and this is the one I keep at my office: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S3F5PD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I MUCH prefer it than the Spectra S2. Also, how can you beat $60 for a pump?! Just thought I’d share. Also, I second the Rock N Play. Yay for baby #3!!

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Elizabeth says · 02.06.18

In regards to your pump, I have the Spectra S1 which is the same size as the S2 that you have linked. I recommend the S1 as it has a rechargeable battery which lasts a LONG time! The S2 has to be plugged in all the time.

So excited for you!

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Heidi says · 02.06.18

Would you be willing to share the monitor recommendations you received? We are also disappointed with our Motorola and looking for a new one before baby #2. Thanks! 🙂

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Kelsey says · 02.06.18

I just had baby #2 in December and just got a Wild Bird Ring sling and love it! It is easier to put on than my Solly and holds her just as well! I will still use my Solly but it is nice to have some options. We also got a Dock-A-Tot for her and we really like that as well!

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Allie says · 02.06.18

Getting all the baby stuff ready must be so exciting! Congratulations again! xAllie http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com

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KarahLitman says · 02.06.18

I’ve been out of the baby game for 6 years! Our first 2 were very close in age so I didn’t have to buy anything. This is my 3rd baby & my necessities were: summer baby monitor & Ubbi diaper pail (takes regular trash bags 🙌🏽) .

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Michelle says · 02.06.18

The Halo worked great for my daughter but honestly you could get a cheaper one that would do the same thing. The key thing for us with a baby and a four year old was the Hush Hat. You can find it on Amazon and it’s a baby hat with ear muffs built in. It really helped the baby sleep on the go as I took the four year old to all her activities and then I didn’t feel like I was depriving the baby of sleep. Best $15 I ever spent!

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Jordan P says · 02.06.18

Check the expiration on the car seats! We saved my daughter’s car seats thinking to reuse them and discovered the infant seat would expire a few months in. We were luckier with the convertible, it still has a few years left.

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Kathy says · 02.06.18

We used something very similar to this in our very small master bedroom. I loved it. It rolls, which is great and also rocked a little. But my most favorite part was the storage underneath. Perfect for diapers, extra blankets, pajamas…the things you need in the middle of the night and don’t want to have to go search for.

https://www.target.com/p/arm-s-reach-cambria-co-sleeper-bassinet-natural/-/A-14514620#lnk=sametab

Happy baby shopping. IT’s still my favorite thing to do!

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Kari says · 02.06.18

The Fisher Price Deluxe Auto Rock n play was a life saver! My little guy wouldn’t sleep in an ordinary bassinet (flat, stationary). This one with the slight incline and auto rock function has given us some much needed sleep!

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Austyn Jenkins says · 02.06.18

The Uppa Baby bassinet is rated for safe sleeping! You can buy a beautiful wooden base to attach the bassinet to when it’s in your bedroom. The base can be turned into a laundry hamper down the road, too!

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Kate Allain says · 02.06.18

I have a 3 month old but had been out of the newborn game for 12 years so LOTS had changed since my last go around! You may already have one since it’s only been 3 years but the thing everyone said I should get was a Rock N Play. I disreguarded those suggestions knowing I had a bassinet ready to go. But after 2 nights at home hearing her waking herself a ton I decided to try it. LOVED IT! It kept her nice and cozy and she slept MUCH better! Totally worth it and it was the perfect size for our room as well. I could easily transport it through the house and it fit nicely by my bed at night. So that’s my 2 cents! Congrats on your next one!

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Kate Allain says · 02.06.18

One other thing to get is the Dohm sound machine by marpac! Great white noise machine!

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jennifer says · 02.06.18

yes~ all my friends love theirs as well.

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Steph says · 02.06.18

We have a snoo that was gifted to us from my in laws for our second. It’s nice but I wouldn’t have spent the money on it myself. Our daughter slept in it for 10 weeks and then I switched her to her crib. It just felt too cramped in the snoo (they say you can use for 6 months) and I didn’t want her transition out of it to be worse as she became more aware of her surroundings. It was also tough with travel since it’s really not transportable. The snoo is definitely cool but no device will magically change the fact that babies need to eat every 2-3 hours for the first few weeks so definitely keep those expectations in mind. It also took her about a week to actually like it. The rock n play was our friend until then but I know it’s not an ideal sleep space for many consecutive hours.

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Lindsey says · 02.06.18

I have an eight week old little girl and we love the Halo Bassinet – easy to get her in and out of from bed for feeding/nursing and I love the swivel function which lets me move her towards or away from me without waking her (so if I need to get out of bed but she’s in there sleeping!). She loves the vibrate functionality. I don’t use most of the other extra features (lights, music, nursing timer) because we have a separate white noise machine – but the vibrate functionality is key!

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Darcy says · 02.06.18

I have a 7 month old, and a 2 year old and for both I really liked having a Pack & Play with a hanging bassinet & infant cuddler (kind of like this one linked below). It was inexpensive, compact (our 7 month old still sleeps in the bassinet level next to our bed), transitions really well as they get older, and can go anywhere with us. We usually put our babies in a crib (versus laying on the floor of the pack & play once they can pull up on the bassinet part) but it’s handy to still have an option for traveling! It’s not fancy, but it works and is inexpensive.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Pack-N-Play-Playard-with-Cuddle-Cove-Glacier/

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April says · 02.06.18

I have five kids and the one thing I didn’t have until this baby and wished I had for all of them is a snap and go stroller. Amazingly simple and I still use it often (even now that the baby is one), especially at the library! We also love the rock and play and have had babies sleep in it for up to six months or so. I have also enjoyed my Ergo with an infant insert for when the baby is under three or four months. You may already have all those things, but I wanted to mention them just in case. Also, we have found out and not found out genders before, and it is SO much fun at the end when you don’t find out! I’m excited for you!

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Lindsay says · 02.06.18

We loved the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper (the one with mesh sides). It was compact but still had a lot of room for our very big baby. That being said, I’ve heard that the Halo is awesome for C-section moms because it swivels across you so that you don’t have to bend and twist too much.

And like others have said, the Infant Optics monitor is great! The battery works for a few hours, and it has a very clear picture. And the reception works through three floors.

Lovelovelove the Spectra pump! It’s so much more comfortable than others I tried.

One last quick tip (that you probably already know!) – some insurance companies won’t insure a carseat or other safety equipment if it’s over a certain number of years old. It’s usually 5 years, so you should be all set, but it’s worth checking.

Congratulations! So excited for you!

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Laura says · 02.06.18

If you’re nursing I’m obsessed with the my brest friend pillow, makes life so much easier. And the Fawn Design diaper bag is also cute and super easy! Love the hands free part of it!

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Jessica says · 02.06.18

I have an 18 month old girl. Do you have a rock and play? I SWEAR by that thing. Plus velcro swaddles are a life saver and a boppy for breast feeding. You may be able to get a new breast pump from your insurance if you’re interested in getting a new one.

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Nicole says · 02.06.18

I recommended the Samsung Wisenet baby monitor camera system on IG. This is our 2nd monitor system from Samsung and I love it! (we upgraded the 1st one to the wisenet) We have two cameras: 1 for my 3yo and another for baby number 2 coming in less than 2 weeks. You can pair at least 4 cameras that I know of. Easy to setup, and a nice large parent unit and also capability to view on your phone. With our first, my daughter slept in her crib from day 1. We plan on doing the same for #2 and don’t have any plans on purchasing a bassinet. She’s a great sleeper and always has been so fingers crossed this one is as well! I kept all of the equipment and baby items from her, (this baby’s sex is TBD) so we didn’t have to purchase much either. I saw someone recommend the fisher price sit me up seat, which I did purchase this time around. Everything I’ve heard about it is great and that babies love it! There’s better back and head support than a typical bumbo seat.

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Susan says · 02.06.18

I am in the same boat- pregnant with #2 and we have everything we need already.

Make sure you go through insurance for a pump versus spending money yourself. All of the insurance companies are required to provide ones for free. Go to aeroflow.com and they can help coordinate with your insurance.

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Sarah says · 02.06.18

Definitely love the halo bassinet. It made it so much easier to transition from that to the crib since it was basically the same thing as the crib, just bigger.

My girl loved her rock n play and the boppy lounger ( not the nursing pillow)

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Katie says · 02.06.18

The Spectra pump is actually larger than the Medela PISA, but I LOVE it!!! It has vibration along with the suction to help mimic your baby. I would recommend to anyone. If you get the S1 it has a battery vs. the S2 that has to remain plugged in. Just depends how you want to use it!

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Jodi says · 02.06.18

Don’t forget car seats have expiration dates! 🙂

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Elissa says · 02.06.18

We loved our Halo bassinest. My other favorite thing is the Wabi Baby sterilizer. It not only sterilizes, but everything comes out perfectly dry, so no bottle or pump parts all over the countertop.

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Dana says · 02.06.18

I’m so happy to see this post! My oldest is two months older than your David and I’m due with #2 this summer. Definitely out of the infant game! You’ve mentioned a lot of what I’ve been looking at myself. I’ve heard amazing things about the Infant Optics DXR-8 monitor others have mentioned and that’s what we’re planning on since it auto scans between cameras. My friends all loved the Halo (especially for c-sections, which I’ll have again) and I’ve also heard raving about the Spectra pumps and got a lot of recommendations for the Freemie collection cups, so I’m looking into those.

For everyone talking about the bad batteries on the Motorola monitors, pop the battery out and search the number on Amazon to get a replacement for like $10. I can’t believe we went so long always having to have ours plugged in before we thought to do that! Ours was as good as new afterward.

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Adrian says · 02.06.18

If you want a new pump, ask your doctor to write a prescription for one. Most insurances cover them now.

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Jen O. says · 02.06.18

If you haven’t already check out babygearlab.com! They test all the different baby products and review them. I haven’t been disappointed with anything that I purchased based on their reviews. Congratulations on Baby #3 – I’ve been reading your blog since it was just you, your husband and the kitties!

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Nichole says · 02.06.18

I used the Spectra pump with my little boy and LOVED it! I highly recommend it if you want to get a new one. That pump plus the Freemie flanges was my go-to setup.

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Megan says · 02.06.18

Girl, I think anyone who pumps exclusively deserves a medal. I just wanted you to know 🙂

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Chelsea says · 02.06.18

My first baby will be a month old on the 13th, so I’m right in the thick of all things newborn! Items we couldn’t do without: auto Rock and Play, Boppy Lounger, Boon lawn drying pad, portable white noise machine, Halo sleep sacks, and Cloud Island PJs (these are awesome. They zip up from the bottom, making diaper changes a breeze in the middle of the night. Plus, they have great gender neutral design options).

I’m anxiously waiting to see this new baby of yours!

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Janell says · 02.06.18

We have a V-Tech monitor with a parent unit and it has the option to use an app on your phone as well. This was important as my mom doesn’t have a smart phone, so when she watches our baby she uses the parent unit. I didn’t think I would use the phone app as much as I do. It is nice to have because most of the time your phone is right beside you or in your pocket and the monitor is larger an less likely to be carried from room to room.

We used a Rock n Play beside the bed. I had a C-section and I did not have any pain getting him in and out. We had the model that rocked and was controlled by an app as well. I didn’t end up using those features as he went right to sleep swaddled.

My favorite baby item is our Chico playpen with changing table. I needed something downstairs to use and the changing table was the most sturdy I tested. We still use it and he is almost 2. All the others were flimsy and I could not imagine using it after a few months.

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Emily says · 02.06.18

Can you please post your findings on the baby monitors? We will be in the same situation for baby #3. Our trusty Motorola held up well for the first 2 boys but currently has a battery life of 2 minutes, like yours.

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Lauren says · 02.06.18

The pump you linked is the best and worth it! I’ve had two other brands and this one, the spectra is the best. Check your insurance you’ll probably get it for free.

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Amy says · 02.06.18

Love the halo bassinest! So great after a c section. My baby didn’t really care for the vibration or music, so I wish we’d gone with the less expensive model, but I know some babies love that. She just outgrew it at about 4 months old and I’m so sad, it made life much easier to not have to actually get out of bed for those nighttime feeds!!

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Caitlin says · 02.06.18

I’m pregnant with my first and loved reading this! The Snoo looks amazing, but I’m not sure I can justify it for the money. It’s frequently 40% off but that’s still so pricey! I’m planning on doing The Halo too. I did just see that The Happiest Baby on the Block/ Snoo people just came out with a swaddle, so I’ll probably try that too. (https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/05/the-creator-of-snoo-the-1200-high-tech-bassinet-just-came-out-with-a-baby-swaddle/) I just started looking for monitors, and so I would love to hear what y’all decide on after all this great feedback!

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Bree says · 02.06.18

No need for a fancy bassinet! Get a Dockatot!! Seriously the best thing ever! It’s made for co sleeping but we never did that! Just placed it in the pack n play next to bed!
Next I’d recommended an Owlet! Talk about piece of mind:)
Lastly a Mamaroo!!

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Leah says · 02.06.18

Our 2nd child is almost 4 months old. Our first is 4 years old. We used the halo bassinet for our oldest and then started using it with our 2nd. We decided to purchase the SNOO when they had their black friday deal. It is 100% THE BEST sleeping item for a baby!! omgggggg it is a must have. Splurge and you will not regret. Our baby was sleeping 1.5-2 hour stretches at one month old when we switched to the SNOO. On the first night she slept 5 hours straight and only get better from there. TOTALLY worth it..just buy it lol

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Leah says · 02.06.18

ooo and also, the Spectra pump is amazing. I have never had to use it for more than 4-5 min/breast to completely empties each breast. And, the dockatot is super awesome for carting around for baby to sleep in different rooms.

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Tabitha says · 02.06.18

The best thing I ever got was the Fisher Price Rock-n-Play. Serious life saver. My friends call it “the taco.” I like the mid-range one that rocks on it’s own. So portable, can move it all around the house and take places. It’s around $60 for that model.
I too was disappointed with our first monitor. Been comparing ones on Amazon this time around. They all seem to suck at least a little and we’re choosing from the lest worst.

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angela says · 02.06.18

Can you share your outfit details? Jeans and shirt.

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Cassie says · 02.06.18

I loved the rock and play by fisher price. It’s pretty inexpensive and all three of my babies slept in it for months. It is small, light, easy and easy to fold up.

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Kim says · 02.06.18

I don’t have kids, but I’ve heard good things about the snoo!

Kim

http://trendkeeper.me .. Tip Tuesday – Cheap Flights!

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Emma says · 02.06.18

I don’t have kids, so I can’t speak from experience, however, I use this website for EVERYTHING and have never been steered wrong. I definitely recommend taking a look here when you start your research. I find them to be a really great source for comprehensive reviews (and they do the research part for you!) 🙂

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-baby-monitor/

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Lauren says · 02.06.18

Thank you so much for posting this! After reading the comments, I did more research and cut the Motorola from my registry and replaced it with the Infant Optics one. Let us know if you do any research and find better!

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Megan says · 02.06.18

Hey Kate!

We have a 1.5 year old and are expecting a little one in May as well! Two things- HALO bassinet is wonderful!!! Our little girl slept in it in our small bedroom for 3 months. This is the #1 item I recommend to new mommas. Also-I just ordered the Spectra S1 (the S1 allows you to use a battery if you are on the go vs. the S2 that requires an adaptor). Also-through aeroflowbreastpumps.com, you can input your insurance information which should cover most of the breast pumps. I know the Spectra S1 is covered and the S2 is a small upgrade. Hope this is helpful!

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Christa K says · 02.06.18

FIsher price rock and play!! My babies never slept well in bassinets and with #4 I got this after so many friends recommended it. She LOVED it. I highly recommend it over any bassinet.

https://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-deluxe-newborn-rock-n-play-153-sleeper/-/A-51481548#lnk=sametab&preselect=50059891

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angela says · 02.06.18

I’ve heard these are great to have, but they also aren’t recommended for overnight use.

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Jessie says · 02.06.18

I LOVE the Halo. If you are having a C-section, I think you will really appreciate that it swivels and that you can push one of the sides down. We have the version without the vibrating function and it was great.

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Jen says · 02.06.18

We got a Chicco portable bassinet. Great for a small bedroom and it is travel friendly.

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Emily says · 02.11.18

We have the Chicco one too. Simple design and our son slept in it till about 4 months .

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Hillary says · 02.06.18

Where is your henley from? It looks so cute on you! Also, check out the Annabella breast pump. It’s a newly designed one that is supposed to drain your breast completely by mimicking the way a baby nurses. I hope it’s out by the time my next baby comes!

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Sherry says · 02.06.18

I love my spectra pump!!!

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Kristen says · 02.06.18

Just a suggestion – if your insurance covers a free breast pump (I am pretty confident pretty much all of them do) get one. With my third I figured I had 2 previous pumps that were functioning and that I wouldn’t need another. Then the motors crapped out on me at around 10 months of age for my baby. When I went to my insurance, since my baby wasn’t just born, they said it wasn’t covered at all…so $400 out of pocket. I tried contacting medical device sales to get a new motor since I had all the other components…no go. Don’t want you to be in the same situation. Also, having an extra pump so you can keep one upstairs in the nursery and one on the main floor was handy too. Just a thought.

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vksiev says · 02.15.18

Getting a new pump is a good idea regardless. Your motor is probably more worn than you realize, and these single-user pumps are not “Closed Systems” so there can be mold inside the motor housing. Re: the crapping out motor, contact the manufacturer, not insurance or the medical device company. They’ll usually listen or get your situation over the phone and overnight you a new motor with very few questions asked.

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Kate says · 02.15.18

Good to know, thank you!

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Abbie says · 02.06.18

Just had baby #2 three months ago. I was considering the halo bassinest but decided to do her crib in our room and put the dock a tot in it. We really like the dock.

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Abbie says · 02.06.18

And a spectra pump. Love it so much more than the medela.

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Sarah says · 02.06.18

Kate, I am so excited for you. On the pump I would check with your insurance. They are now giving you one per pregnancy at no cost. My insurance has the option of the Spectra pump, and that’s what I’m getting after all my research. I also use a pack n play with the bassinet option in my room. If you have one of those maybe see if it fits!

When you had Luke I was pregnant and saw the Solly you had and loved it. So exciting.

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Suzanne says · 02.06.18

We have our most recent baby (#6 after a 6 year break!) in a beautiful wooden cradle beside our bed. It’s nice and big so until she starts rolling it’ll fit her. Love that I can pop her soother back in and gently rock her while I’m still half sleeping. I borrowed a mamaroo from a friend and it has been such a blessing for our slightly colicky babe. Now at almost 3 months we barely use it so I’m glad we could borrow. My other necessity was a wrap which I love using especially when we’re out and about. She sleeps well in it and it keeps other people hands away 🙂

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Emily says · 02.06.18

Halo bassinet was great for my little guy! He was 9lbs when he was born but had lots of room.
This is more of a want but the stretchy car seat is awesome!! It keeps wind and sun out. I got mine from the over company. Lots of cute prints 🙂

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jennifer says · 02.06.18

For an excellent sleeper, have you check out rock & plays by fisher price? Not the same you’d expect, but all of our babies have enjoyed it and fits right next to my side of the bed… and we’re looking forward to using it with this next one as well. It is actually my fav baby item! We have one downstairs & one upstairs, so they can nap in either. Have you found any clothes for the newborn baby yet? We’re not finding out either this time & I’m curious of what to do….

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Owen Davis says · 02.06.18

We got the Halo bassinet and honestly never used it because our baby went from sleeping in the Rock n Play beside our bed straight into her crib in her nursery. We never really needed the bassinet because she hated laying flat at first so the Rock n Play was a lifesaver! Then by the time she was old enough to be “ok” laying flat, into her nursery she went!

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Jojo says · 02.06.18

Will you let us know the baby monitor choices or once it’s chosen?!! I feel your pain with your current baby monitor probs and need a new one for my May baby!

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Anna says · 02.06.18

Just an FYI to those with a Motorola monitor-I bought a replacement battery on amazon for $10 and it works better than the original. Totally shouldn’t have to for the amount paid for the monitor, but I would rather spend $10 here and there to replace the battery than buy a whole new monitor

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Sara says · 02.06.18

I just got the Halo Bassinet for my daughter who’s 3 weeks old. Overall, I like it! The swivel motion is great because I can actually pull her over the bed which makes it easy to pick her up for night feedings. Also, I’m able to sleep with her literally at eye level. Very reassuring to be able to look right into the bassinet instead of having to get up and look down into it. One downside is that it is gigantic. Even with one leg hidden under the bed, the remaining three take up a good amount of space and it is heavy. You won’t be able to move it around the house at all.

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Gretchen says · 02.06.18

We love our Dock-A-Tot! It was perfect for naps and loved being able to have a safe space for the baby around the house. We plan on using our grand to transition our daughter to her big girl bed this fall!

Congrats on the new addition. Surprise genders are the best – we did it with our first and plan to continue the tradition.

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Pamela J says · 02.06.18

We used our Uppababy Vista bassinet from our stroller as our bassinet. You can buy a stand for it so you can place it easily next to your bed- we received our stand free with our stroller purchase. Worked great for the short time we used a bassinet.

I have the Freestyle pump from Medela and got a lot of use out of it as a working mom. Very compact (handheld sized) and came with a normal looking black bag for storage and transporting. I LOVE my Kindii Twist storage bags for pumping- they connect to almost all pumps with the Kindii attachments and are so nice for pumping, storing, and reheating the breast milk because they stand upright and have twisting lids.

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Becky says · 02.07.18

The halo Bassinest is a lifesaver! I love it so much and would hands down buy again if I needed to. I tell every new mom about it. My 4 week old is sleeping in it now, and it just makes life that little bit easier. You won’t regret it!

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Tayler says · 02.07.18

For safe sleep I definitely recommend the Halo! Our little guy is big 90% on height and weight and we were able to use it for 3 months. Also by learning how to sleep on a flat surface it made the transition to crib so much easier 😊 I recommend the owlet oxygen monitor too

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Sarah says · 02.07.18

That Spectra pump is AMAZING! I had the Medela with my first, but the Spectra is much better. It’s small, SO quiet, and has a few more settings that I believe allow you to get more with each pump. Only downside is the parts are kind of a pain to clean. Good luck! 🙂

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Kirsten Vining says · 02.07.18

The Fisher Price Rock n Play is amazing! My daughter took her naps in it and on restless nights it was a lifesaver to be able to easily carry it to our room and let it rock her gently to sleep. Loved the fact it easily folds up and can be taken anywhere. We took it ya to friends’’a d parents’ houses. I’m sure it will get just as much use with baby number 2!

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Sara says · 02.07.18

Can’t recommend the rock n play bassinet enough. We actually bought the HALO bassinet because I knew I would be having a C-Sect and I thought it would be helpful. Not a fan. It was just so dang huge and I didn’t find it helpful when reaching in to get baby with an incision. I LOVED the rock n play. Super portable, can be moved about the house. Sits baby at an angle so it was perfect for my colicky baby who never wanted to be flat. We packed it easily when traveling anywhere by car. It’s just awesome! My baby slept in it for the first 3 months! It has a vibrating and rocking setting so that are constantly in motion. If I had to do it all over again I would have forgot the swing and Halo bassinet and just done the rock n play all the way!

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Kait says · 02.07.18

Our baby slept in a pack and play in our room for the first five months. Our’s had two different options for the mat, so baby slept higher up for the first three months (until baby is 15 pounds or can roll over is what the manual said) and then we dropped it down the lower level.

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Megan says · 02.07.18

Our daughter slept in a pack and play at the foot of our bed for almost 10 months. Ours had the same set-up as yours, so she slept higher up at first, and then we dropped it down. Worked perfectly.

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Brigette says · 02.07.18

We used the Guava Family bassinet/travel crib for our little one. The bassinet was perfect right next to our bed and we used it for what seems like forever (took our nugget quite a while to roll over and/or sit up). We travel a lot, too, so this was perfect for us. The bassinet folded up nice and small so we could take it where ever we were going and once we graduated to the travel crib we didn’t need to worry about a weight limit because it sits on the floor. Definitely worth checking out!
(We bought the Lotus Crib/Bassinet bundle https://www.guavafamily.com/ )

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Katie says · 02.07.18

My favorite and most-used baby item -hands down- was the Fisher Price Rock N Play. It’s so lightweight, easy to move from room to room, easy to travel with, and my little boy was always so content in it! I am due around the same time as you with baby #2 and this time, the only thing we will buy (as a want, not really a need) is a Blooming Bath (we like sink baths and I think the Blooming Bath will be perfect for sink baths when she’s too little to sit up by herself).

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Bethany says · 02.07.18

Do you plan to set up/decorate your nursery at all before baby? I have two boys in close ages to David and Luke and just had a girl! I saved most of my stuff but it’s been so fun to update and get sweet girlie stuff. Besides a few special outfits the boys wore that I saved for her she needed a whole wardrobe! 😄

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Amy says · 02.07.18

A few others have mentioned this, but FYI the Fisher Price Rock n Play is not safe for overnight sleeping. Here is an article about it- https://www.kckidsdoc.com/kc-kids-doc/dear-fisher-price It is great for supervised naps though!

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Jessica says · 02.19.18

It is true. I loved mine until my friend’s baby died in one. I couldn’t use it after that, even in the daytime. It was too sad of a reminder. I got rid of it right away.

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Miranda says · 02.07.18

Just with personal experience from having my daughter 18 months ago and expecting #2 in September I enjoy the following in the categories you have mentioned…..I plan to use the rock n play for a bed side bassinet again. My daughter never enjoyed sleeping flat until around 4 months, and this was perfect and very portable!!! I too am looking for a monitor. I have a small video one I use that allows more cameras but the screen is super small. I did purchase the Spectra breast pump after 6 months with a medela. I got the S1 model!!! It was amazing, and it is rechargeable and portable so you dont have to always worry about a cord. I really enjoyed the control you have with the settings with this pump. And even tho I have the tula with my daughter still to this day and love it–I want to try a k’tan carrier. With the k’tan you dont have to worry about tying it the several ways recommended on youtube, and its perfect for when they are little nuggets. You can also nurse while they are in it. Hope this is helpful. Love reading your blog and following your insta-stories 🙂 M

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Paula says · 02.07.18

The Spectra pump isn’t actually small at all! I love it, but its huge! The base is probably 10 inches in diameter. It works much better than my Medela Pump in Style, but you can undo the Velcro for the PiS to travel with it making it much easier to pack than the spectra. I still highly recommend the Spectra as its functionality is FAR better than Medela’s, but I would never describe it as small.

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Kate says · 02.08.18

oh!

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Meg says · 02.07.18

If enough people havn’t said it already… yes yes yes to the spectra pump! I exclusively pump and this pump is amazing.

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Maria says · 02.08.18

First off Congratulations on baby #3! I’ve used a traveling bassinet on wheels, and the Halo. I so badly wanted to like the halo but it wasn’t practical for us. I couldn’t roll it Anywhere because the base is huge and heavy. My daughter grew out of it so fast because it’s small. I loved my bassinet you can roll around.

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Jen says · 02.08.18

I’ll cast the 100th vote here for the Rock ‘N’ Play! We have an older model that we have to manually rock, but we used it for both of our kids and loved it. I pulled it up right next to my side of the bed for nighttime sleep and we could also move it around the house during the day to use as a baby seat. It was around $50 and probably the has the lowest cost-per-use of any baby item we’ve had!

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Jessica says · 02.09.18

I had my first son 16 weeks ago. We use a pack and play with the bassinet insert in our small master bedroom. Our babe won’t sleep well unless he is swaddled – we LOVE the Halo brand swaddles. We have a Summer Infant Monitor and so far we really like it, but I am not sure how many cameras can attach. Lastly, the Owlet monitor. Even though baby is in your room, it still gives you complete peace of mind. Our little guy had some breathing issues when he was first born, so I was terrified to bring him home, but the Owlet has made everything better! Congratulations! 🙂

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Jessica says · 02.09.18

I forgot this: We don’t travel a lot, but I stay at my parents from time to time. We purchased a travel bed by Brica – it can stay in your bed or on the couch or somewhere close to you. We LOVE it! It won’t work as well once he starts moving around, but for now it is perfect. https://www.target.com/p/brica-fold-n-go-153-travel-bassinet/-/A-13463069?sid=1447S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9015695&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwoay0JWZ2QIVDBmBCh0GywSrEAQYASABEgK4LvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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Heather Payne says · 02.09.18

My favorite baby product this go around is the arms reach co-sleeper versatile bassinet. It’s flat, mesh all the way around, and you can adjust it to different heights. It’s also very sturdy! I wish I had found this bassinet with my first baby! I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Congratulations on the new baby!

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Terri says · 02.10.18

Baby Bargains is an awesome book that reviews almost every baby product out there and rates them on an A-F scale, and also recommends the good/better/best of some items. It really helps narrow down your search.
I got a Madela pump through insurance, which is okay, but bought the Freemie cups to use with it. You can pump much more discreetly and completely hands free, even though they will make you look a bit like Dolly Parton.

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Lena says · 02.10.18

Another plug in for the Spectra! Personally I like the S1 as it had a rechargable battery so you could walk around/get ready while pumping. So nice! And much better (for me) than Medala PISA. If you still have your Medela parts, buy some of the converter parts so you can still use your Medela parts.

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Amanda says · 02.11.18

I just had a baby in December! We were to the point of transitioning her to her crib in her own room, however she would not sleep on her back, only on her belly. Given the safe sleep back is best campaign , I started doing some research on different things, doc a tot was highly recommended, but pricey. I decided on the merlin magic sleep suit. $40 off amazon, best $40 i’ve Ever spent! I can lay her on her back, without her waking and it muffles their startle reflex so she is getting anywhere from 8-12 consecutive house of sleep! 🙌🏻 Congrats on the new baby! 🤗

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Natasha says · 02.11.18

I have the Halo bassinet and love it! You can raise it to the height of your bed. My other favorites with second baby are lots of Muslin swaddles, bandana bibs and the Cloud Island sleepers from Target!

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Allicia Shingledecker says · 02.11.18

I really like our Infant Optics monitor, so far the battery life is good, n o complaints!

Another nice thing to have is this: BabyBum Diaper Cream Brush (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYQ53JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bhiGAb12TCAJ5
May seem silly but it’s so nice to not get diaper cream all over your fingers!

I also really liked our 4moms infant tub & I used it up until this month for our 7 month old, moved to a clothes basket in the big tub since he is sitting up well and likes to play with toys in there. 4Moms Infant Tub, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L0CGTXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cjiGAbWC2WT1Q

No bassinet recommendations but I am considering some type of arm’s reach sleeper bassinet for the next one. The Dockatot has also been a great investment for us to transition him into his crib (he coslept and slept in a rock n play for like the first 5 months)

Good luck! Can’t wait to see if it’s a boy or a girl!

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Jill says · 02.11.18

My only comment about car seats is to check the expiration date! We are still using our infant seat from my first (almost 4) and I just saw that it expires next year!

Looooved my solly wrap for newborn carrying! Check out Wildbird ring slings!! I didn’t find them until my second baby but they are amazing and the company is great too, she hires stay at home moms to sew them!

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Samantha says · 02.11.18

I love the Spectra breast pump! I exclusively pumped for 14 months with it since my son had issues latching and it is so gentle compared to my Medela pump. I also loved the auto rock-n-play for next to our bed. It moved and played music with the press of a button!

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Julia says · 02.11.18

We just ordered a Snoo for our third!! Crossing my fingers it works as advertised.

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Kate says · 02.11.18

We have three and never found out as well. It’s so exciting. For nunber 3, we ended up buying a Rock and Play. It saved us. She has a acid reflux and it helped a ton. The Solly wrap was helpful and a good double stroller. For the future, you’ll want to buy a Munchie Mug. 🙂 Best Wishes.

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Kate says · 02.11.18

Oops. Lots of typos as I sit here and rock number 3. The Dock a Tot was great as well.

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Heather D. says · 02.11.18

I had a c-section as well and I was seriously SO thankful for our Halo Bassinest! I saw some people said their baby outgrew it but my baby was 22 and a half inches at birth and he is 3 months old and hasn’t outgrown it! And he’s in the 96th percentile for height.

I have the Spectra S2 and it is wonderful!

I used a Rock N Play a lot (not for nighttime sleep) but for naps and just to contain him while I did makeup, cooked, etc.

And I second the Solly! I love it!

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Ashley says · 02.11.18

We also used the rock n play and loved it! My son slept so much better in it since it’s cozier than just a hard flat surface and since it’s more compact it fit better in our small bedroom. I loved how easy it was to transport too. I would move it all around the house, bathroom to shower, kitchen to cook, everywhere and we brought it with us when we had to go to different places for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was so sad and lost at what to do with him when he grew out of it!

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Shauni says · 02.11.18

We have a Moses basket with rocking stand, I really liked it. My friend had the halo bassinet and her newborn did not like sleeping in it, she borrowed my Moses basket and baby slept way better in there. My theory is baby does not like how open the halo bassinet feels

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Laura says · 02.11.18

You def need a new pump. You should get one after you stop with each kid bc of mold build up. (Free with most insurances… look into i)… also we loved the rock and play with our third. It didn’t exist with our first two kids but was a game changer and so easy to use with the baby in any room.

We got the infant optics monitor for this baby as well and LOVE it!

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Jeannine says · 02.11.18

Mom of 4 here. With baby #4 I had to start from scratch as we got rid of everything after #3 (don’t ever joke you are finished, lol)

I got a simple delta bassinet. I knew he would outgrow it fast, so I couldn’t justify the price tag on some of the fancier models. We did get a dock a tot too, because having him in bed with us actually was easier, especially for nursing. Best investment ever. He still uses it at 10 months old.

I recommend a ring sling over the sollybaby or in addition to. You can use them for a lot longer! Wildbird is my favorite brand and momma owned in the USA.

Diaper bag recommendation: Miss Fong. Less than half the price of a Fawn, but better quality and more practical. I have a gray one and I love having a backpack. So much easier than an over the shoulder one that falls off all the time.

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Laura says · 02.11.18

Hey Kate!
First of all – contrats on the new baby, I’m so excited for you and your family!

For a bassinet I can wholeheartedly recommend the Chicco Next2Me. It’s not expensive, you can make it fit to almost any bed height, it has wheels so you can move it and it has a zipper. We used it in our living room for baby to nap in all the time and this biggest pro: it’s the biggest bassinet I’ve found, so my daughter could’ve easily fit in it for the first six if not more months. I will use this thing for any future baby for sure!

And for pumps – I’ve used and loved the Medela Swing for a good 7 months. It’s also super small, it’s not super loud and it does the job pretty damn well. I love this thing. If you’re more a two at a time kinda gal, they also have the Medela Swing Maxi.

All the best,
Laura

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Alisa says · 02.11.18

I have the Specrta S1 pump which has a rechargeable battery, it is also compatible with philips agent bottles so it is the most convenient for me. It was a $70 upgrade from what my insurance would pay for – so worth it!

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Taylor says · 02.11.18

I LOVE the chicco Lullago Portable Bassinet. It so minimal and it’s super easy to take town of you want to travel with it. Our baby slept next to me in this until she transitioned to the crib at 6 months. It’s awesome. And the Greg is super neautral 🙂 We bought ours online from Target.

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J says · 02.11.18

Cannot day enough good things about the Halo Bassinest, especially post c section! HIGHLY recommend the newborn insert for it, too. Our son slept so much better once we put the insert in.

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Kelly says · 02.11.18

The bassinest is great! They make one you can move around the house now. If you are interested in the bassinest, just know that it will stay put until you are done using it. It’s rather heavy for the best reasons. I love how it swivels and the options for lighting, sounds, and songs. I used it with both of my babies and highly recommend!

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Kelly says · 02.11.18

Also, the Friday baby package from Target or wherever you can get it. GOD. SEND.

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Kelly says · 02.11.18

Ugh Frida**
In addition – both of my babes slept in the bassinest until they were moved to their cribs at 4 mos.

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Shelb says · 02.11.18

Loving our Nuna Sena in our room with the bassinet in it. We chose this since it could be a pack n play later vs the halo that has a shorter usage.

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Sarah says · 02.11.18

I just had a baby a month ago and we brought him home to our 2 bedroom apartment. He’s been sleeping in a Dock-a-tot that’s in a pack and play. It’s working out great and fits in our bedroom.

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Carter says · 02.11.18

I would recommend getting a hand pump! With a toddler running around it has been so much easier to use that then to finding somewhere to plug in the electric one and keep him from pushing all the buttons :).

I would also be careful if you get a rock n play, using it too much can cause babies to develop a flat head…

The boppy infant lounger has also been a lifesaver for us this time around!

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Dorothy says · 02.11.18

Snuggle Me Organic is the best thing we got! Still using it at 7.5 months.

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Nikki says · 02.11.18

Sakura Bloom scout or ring sling! It’s so addicting!

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Addie says · 02.11.18

Hey Kate – your insurance should pay for a new pump! Depending on your coverage, certain models will be zero cost to you. I’ll bet you can get one of the newer ones FO FREE! Just call your provider and they’ll walk you through it.

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Brady says · 02.11.18

If you are contemplating getting a new pump, I highly recommend the Spectra. The one you linked I have and LOVED it so much more than my medela. Spectra makes another one that comes with a rechargeable battery. This pump was a game changer for me. The only downside is that it does not come with a bag. I ended up using a bag I had (wasn’t really a pumping bag). Good luck with all things baby!

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Shannon says · 02.11.18

I believe every health insurance company is required to provide a new breast pump (I got a wonderful Medela one) for every pregnancy!

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Meg says · 02.11.18

A Nesting Days carrier is a lifesaver! My second son lived in one for the first five months of his life. I loved that I could keep him close and snuggly without having to learn how to wrap and tie yards of fabric—ain’t nobody got time for that!

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Beth says · 02.12.18

I just had my second baby in November and i have no regrets on buying a new breast pump (the one you linked actually!!) My son is 3 and I had the classic pump in style medela bag and it hurt and was loud. My sister told me about the spectra and after reading the reviews on Amazon I ordered it and have genuinely not been bothered by pumping this time around! A backpack diaper bag and a solly wrap were my other two additions this time and no regrets there! Oh and I had a girl this time so the Little Poppy bow subscription was necessary 😜.

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Liz says · 02.12.18

Baby Monitor: We Love our Infant Optics DXR-8. Great reviews on Amazon. Can use up to 4 cameras (we currently use it with 3 cameras). Love that it’s not connected to our phones or the internet at all so there’s no chance of creepers hacking into it.

Sleep bassinet: We have used the rock n play with all 4 of our babies now and they all love it. Our 3 girls all used it until 6-7 months old and then transitioned pretty easily to their cribs and our baby boy has loved the last 2.5 weeks of his life in it so far! I think the incline and the snuggle factor help them sleep better.

Breast Pumps: Even if your “old” one still works you should/may be covered to get anew one through your health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Typically you can get a new pump through your insurance with each new baby as long as they are 2 or more years apart. I got the Spectra S2 through my insurance and loved it and I did a lot of pumping trying to get my supply up for my twins.

Other: For peace of mind with our twins and now our last baby we use the Owlet Baby Monitor when they’re sleeping at night. It monitors heart rate and oxygen levels and as an RN and a Momma I think it is amazing technology!! I HIGHLY recommend it. Not cheap but sooo worth it and the IRS has approved it to be covered under FSA/HSA accounts.
Another baby carrier that I love is my Wildbird ring sling. They have beautiful colors and fabrics for a pretty affordable price! A little bit of a learning curve while first using it but then it’s wonderful!

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Jasmine says · 02.12.18

Rock -n- play sleeper! Used this for my little one to sleep in during the night until he was old enough to roll over. I loved that it isn’t completely flat. It has an angle that helps with acid reflux rather than being flat. Loved that it was portable and I could fold up easily and take with me.

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Brooke says · 02.14.18

I’ve heard great things about the SwaddleMe By Your Bed Sleeper which is less than $100! I’m planning on using it when we have our next baby.

Also I have the Summer Infant In View Digital Color Video Baby Monitor that has been great over the past 3 years and I love that you have can multiple cameras hooked up. We did not want a WI-fi monitor so this video monitor has been great.

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Lindsey Scott says · 02.15.18

I loved my wrap, but also highly recommend a ring sling. 🙂

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Sophia says · 06.14.18

May your new little baby bring you a lifetime of happiness!

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Kellie says · 06.22.18

Any update on what baby monitor you decided to go with? How do you like it?

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Mindy says · 11.14.18

Which video monitor did you end up purchasing and loving? I remember you trying some before your littlest came and ended up returning. I need one soon for baby number four and don’t have the time for trial and error.
Thanks

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R says · 01.23.19

What baby monitor did you decide to go with? I am looking for one that integrates with Alexa.

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Jennifer says · 04.17.19

I remember you tried out a bunch of baby monitors and wanted ones that connected to each other so you could have them in multiple rooms. Can you please share again which one you landed on that you liked? I tried to find it on your stories and blog and couldn’t. Thank you so much!

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Ellen says · 08.29.19

Kate,
Did you ever share which monitor you bought and have you been happy with it?
Thanks!

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decumar new says · 02.12.20

By the third baby you really know what the essentials are when it comes to “needs” versus extra things. And listen–a lot of times those extra things are very helpful, so don’t hear me knocking them! For this baby, there are a few things we need to replace or update, and I need to start doing my research into the latest and greatest since I’ve been out of the newborn game for almost 3 years!

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