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The Fashionable Housewife

The Fashionable Housewife

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My 2017 List of Must-Haves For A New Baby

Modified on July 5, 2017 at 1:38 PM

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My fourth child is due in just a few weeks so I’ve been thinking about all the things I need to find that I have packed away from previous children like my newborn cloth diaper stash and muslin swaddling blankets. Even though this isn’t my first time around the block, I don’t have absolutely everything I need, though I do have most of it!

In order to save space in my basement, I sold or consigned a few of my bigger “must-haves” like my baby bouncer, baby swing, stroller, high chair and pack n play, even though I knew I’d have more children eventually. Now I find myself procrastinating buying these items again since they are all big ticket items!

Meanwhile, I’ve been gathering up small must-haves and adding a few new things to my newborn arsenal that I think you’ll find essential!

Baby Nail Trimmer

There are few things more nerve-wracking than trimming a tiny newborn baby’s little translucent finger nails which is why newborn kittens are common to just completely avoid the risk of them scratching their little faces with those razor sharp newborn nails. I never liked restricting my newborns in that manner so I’ve always very carefully trimmed my baby’s nails with one of those teeny tiny nail clippers. I personally prefer these newborn nail clippers but I’m still always nervous I’ll make a mistake and trim baby’s delicate skin too! That’s why I was happy to test out the new Olababy Trimmo electric baby nail trimmer!

Trimmo is the next must-have for all parents. It’s a nifty little electric nail trimmer that has been meticulously designed so you can effectively trim your baby’s soft, growing nails. The Trimmo features a central disk with a tiny rotating buffer pad that lightly files and polishes baby’s nail, without causing pain. With two rotating speeds and 3 interchangeable buffer pads with various grit sizes, the Trimmo can be safely used from birth to 12+ months. The

The Trimmo is ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of your hand and features a soft grip for comfort. It’s gentle egg shape and pastel color makes the device non-intimidating for baby. A built-in LED light and quiet operation set this trimmer apart from the crowd, allowing you to trim baby’s nails while they sleep.  Best of all, the device is rechargeable.

Trimmo sells for $39.95 on www.Olababy.us and www.Amazon.com.

Changing Mat and Cover

Since we always cosleep with our babies till they are at least two years old, we’ve never set up a formal “nursery” for any of our babies. Thus, we have never had a changing table either, as we just didn’t have room for it in our bedroom. I’ve had two out of my three children in our current home and I found it was easiest and most convenient for me to just have a changing mat right on our kitchen counter near the sink. It certainly makes cleaning up epic diaper blowouts much easier with the sink right there!

Our last changing mat bit the dust at some point in the past two years so we needed a new one for the coming baby. Since I suspect we will have more children in the future, I wanted a nice changing mat and cute cover that would last for at least two kids (this one and possibly one more in the future?!) so I chose Ah Goo Baby!

I am in love with The Ark Memory Foam Changing Mat from Ah Goo Baby because, well, it has memory foam! What could be comfier? This thing seriously feels like a pillow. What could possibly be comfier for baby?! Not only that, Ah Goo Baby makes ADORABLE Plush Pad Changing Pad Covers that come in a variety of cute prints, like Blueberry! I think the Blueberry print will match my farmhouse kitchen, just fine.

If you are itching to get your hands on some of these cute Ah Goo Baby products, head over to their site today because they are having a 30% off Site-Wide Sale at www.ahgoobaby.com right NOW thru 3/31!

Baby Wipes and Wipes Warmer

Even though I generally use cloth diapers 90% of the time with my kids under 2, I still like to have disposable wipes on hand for convenience, especially for the times I’m unable to change baby’s diaper near the sink. Babies do not like to be shocked with a cold cloth on their bare bum and how can you blame them?! If I am unable to get to the sink to change baby’s diaper with a nice, warm washcloth, then I like to have disposable on hand, preferably in a wipes warmer. We use the Munchkin Warm Glow Wipes Warmer ($15) and it keeps the wipes just warm enough to not shock the baby when you start cleaning their tiny little butt.

I like Water Wipes because they are literally the world’s purest baby wipes. If you want wipes that are completely chemical free, these are the wipes for you. They only contain two ingredients – 99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. They are thin, but durable enough to clean up the worst diapers. I like not having to worry about potentially harmful chemicals or ingredients my baby might be sensitive to. My first son was extremely allergic to something in the gWipes (which I see they no longer make…) and his skin would turn bright red and get a splotchy rash, even if I just used a wipe on his arm. After that, I knew I needed to find some more natural wipes with fewer ingredients. Thank goodness we found WaterWipes!

Newborn Diapers

Again, I generally use my cloth diapers to save money, but I learned the hard way that baby’s first few poops do not wash out of cloth very easily! Meconium (baby’s first few bowel movements) are like black tar and I found that was less than pleasant to remove from my brand new newborn cloth diapers. I vowed to never do that again. This time around, I got a small package of Pampers newborn disposable diapers to use for the first few days until baby has regular poop and I’m able to get out of bed to wash the cloth diapers myself, rather than having to rely on someone else to wash them properly. It’s just one of those things that will make life with a newborn a little bit easier on this mama. After I’ve used up all the disposable diapers, I will get to use my GroVia Newborn Diapers that I love so much.

Swaddling Blankets

My first child was quite the handful. Not just because she was my first! She was an extremely fussy, high needs baby that could not be kept content with the standard methods like rocking, car rides or swaddling. She hated being swaddled. People kept telling me to swaddle her and that she would calm down and go to sleep. Unfortunately, that never worked, not even once. If she was swaddled, she cried and fought and kicked and complained until I gave in and took her out.

Because of this, I got rid of all my swaddling blankets and sacks and anything remotely related to a blanket before having my second child. Turns out, he loved being swaddled. Go figure, right? We made up for that with baby wearing and like, two blankets.

With my third child, I decided I’d be prepared and invest in blankets and swaddles again. So, of course, he turned out to be like his sister and wanted nothing to do with the confines of being swaddled. *sigh*

Due with my fourth child in just a few weeks has made me think about the blankets and swaddling again and I decided better safe than sorry! I decided to get a couple muslin blankets and I’m dying to try the Nested Bean Zen Swaddle! It has a weighted chest and sides to simulate your touch, super soft fabrics and flexible sizing allowing it to be used from birth to 6 months. It looks like the ideal swaddle and I’m looking forward to trying it out on my new baby!

Nursing Bras

I’ve nursed all three of my previous children till they were at least 20 months old. I stopped nursing my first at 20 months because of a bad latch that couldn’t be corrected which kept resulting in recurring mastitis. After the fifth bout of mastitis, I had to quit.

I nursed my second till his second birthday and it was a blissful experience from start to finish. I would have nursed him longer but had bad advice from well meaning family members advising me to stop and get him into his own bed “because he’s big enough”. It wasn’t  because we were having any issues with him, I was just being pressured to do things someone else’s way. Live and learn.

So naturally, after that experience, I learned to trust my mommy instincts instead of other people. It’s worked out quite nicely for me in all areas of motherhood. Always trust your mama gut. I’m still nursing my third child who will turn three years old shortly after my fourth child is born.

Breastfeeding for the win.

That said, my nursing bras get a run for their money!!!! I highly recommend investing in a comfortable, well fitting nursing bra that can go the distance. My favorite brand is Bravado.

Hands down, I’ve found Bravado nursing bras and nursing tanks to be the most reliable, longest lasting and able stand up to whatever life throws at them. Wash after wash after wash and they still out-perform newer bras.

 

What must-haves would you add to this list? What am I forgetting?! Let me know in the comments below…

 

Other articles you might be interested in:

  • 5 Must-Haves for Successfully Cloth Diapering Your Baby
  • Maternity & Nursing Clothes at Shoptiques.com
  • 3 Products That Make Motherhood Easier
  • The No-Cry Sleep Solution For Newborns

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on March 31, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Filed Under: Baby Gear, Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapers & Diapering, Parenting
Tagged With: Ah Goo Baby, baby nail trimmer, Bravado, diaper changing, diapering, disposable diapers, disposable wipes, Munchkin, muslin blanket, nail trimmer, Nested Bean, new baby, newborn, nursing bras, nursing tanks, Olababy, Pampers, papmers, swaddlers, swaddling, swaddling blankets, Trimmo, water wipes, WaterWipes, Zen Swaddle

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

Disclaimer

The Fashionable Housewife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for blogs and websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission on purchases made through our links. There is no extra cost to you! For more info, please see our Disclosure & Privacy Policy.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

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𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 | Fashionable Homemaker & Large Family Life
You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
I’m addicted and I just can’t get enough 😂🫣

I’m loving my no -toxic, non-stick cookware from @caraway_home  It’s as beautiful as it is easy to cook with. And it makes my kitchen look prettier too! 💁🏼‍♀️

Want to learn more about why I’m obsessed with these pots and pans? Visit my blog and search CARAWAY! Or scroll through my feed! 🥳

#homemaker #housewifelife #homestyler #momlife
Today was my due date for Dylan. Considering he w Today was my due date for Dylan.

Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

Despite my best efforts to be strong and stay positive, I am completely brokenhearted. I’m just being honest. I could pretend I’m fine, but that doesn't do me or anyone else any good to be dishonest about the pain of miscarriage or the grief that comes with losing a child. 

My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

This isn't how it's supposed to be! I should be holding a newborn right now! It’s so unfair. 

In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

The grief doesn't just go away, even if you try to ignore it, it's still there. Like the sun. You don’t have to look at it to know it’s there. You can turn your back on it but it will still warm your skin. 

The grief from losing a child is unbearable. 
It is unpredictable.
It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
It is all-consuming.
And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

#babyloss #babylossawareness #babylosssupport #babylosscommunity #babylosssurvivor #stillbornstillloved #stillbornawareness #stillbirth #miscarriagesupport #miscarriageawareness

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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