First up is the Graco 2 in 1 Glider/Bouncer, now this isn't the exact one I have but this one seems a little more efficient than the one I have. I have the Graco Duo 2 in 1 Swing/Bouncer which is a traditional swing where the seat is removed and used as a bouncer. It's great because if your child prefers one over the other you don't have to clutter your house with two machines and you can easily pick up the seat and move it around the house. The only difference is the item pictured "glides" and takes up less space, which I would've loved but I didn't even know this existed last year.
Again this is very similar to what I have (Graco Pack and Play with Newborn Napper) but in the model pictured, the Graco Pack n Play with Cuddle Cove LX Rocking Seat, the Napper station is removable so you can move the baby around the house. This would have been perfect for us since from Day 1 Ethan has slept in his crib swaddled but he would wake himself but rolling to each side, but he slept great during the day in the Pack n Play downstairs. This would've allowed us to remove the Napper (which rocks by the way) and place it IN the crib like a bassinet. Also, this model has a noise machine which is great!
For the longest time, I thought the Baby Bjorn carriers were a waste of money but it has taken me two mediocre carriers to finally break down and get one and let me tell you, it is worth it! We were using a Mei Tai sash but it was a fiasco putting it on and Ethan never sat in it correctly so we were both uncomfortable. I found a used Baby Bjorn and wonder what took me so long. Ethan is on the smaller side and this carrier fits him perfectly and he really seems happy in it. Not to mention it is super easy to put on and get baby in it. Definitely worth the money, but let's be honest, it is probably only $20 more than most other carriers out there and this was the third one I had to get.
This is the Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym, it comes with various toys that hang from the arch and a wonderful whale pillow that we use to rest Ethan's head and to prop him up during tummy time. One of the best features is the mini soother that attaches to the arch that plays music and has flashing lights. Ethan can't get enough of this thing and I love the ocean theme so it is a win win.
This was an item that I did not request but was given at my shower and it has been amazing as a soother in Ethan's crib. This is the Cloud B On the Go Sound Machine. It is slightly smaller than it's full size sibling and it attaches to any car seat, stroller, or crib. It plays four different sounds at varying tempos depending on what you want. I currently use it in the crib at night to put Ethan to sleep but I can also attach it to his car seat when we go for trips and he loves it.
I had always heard about the benefits of swaddling so I purchased only one of these before Ethan was born when I was still in the States and boy should I have stocked up. We tired swaddling him with receiving blankets but I was not very good at it and DH went to bed long before me and the baby so these SwaddleMe things from Summer Infant were a lifesaver. Summer Infant also makes a Swaddle Pod which zips up and is super easy to use, especially for newborns. But now that Ethan has outgrown the pod we upgraded him to the SwaddleMe which has velcro wings that wrap him up like a burrito and keep him happy. I believe these things are why Ethan is sleeping 8-12 hours at night and that makes me happy!
Last but not least is the Wubbanub. I had never heard of these before but they are so great, I own three and buy them for every baby shower I attend. It is basically a Soothie pacifier with a small stuffed animal attached, this keeps the pacifier in the baby's mouth and allows the baby to grasp the animal to hold for comfort. These are great at night when Ethan is swaddled, the Wubbanub (we have two of the red dogs in the picture and a green frog) lays on his chest and keeps the Soothie in his mouth even when he moves around. I keep one in his crib at all times and one downstairs in his carseat. They are also machine washable for easy cleaning.
So there is a rundown of my favorite products. Enjoy!!
