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Step By Step Guide to Help Your Baby Nap

Does your baby just cry during naps?? Don’t worry! Keep reading to find out the easy steps you can do to prevent your baby from crying so they can have an amazing nap!

It took me a while to finally master putting my baby down for naps. Make sure you don’t make the same mistakes I did! I’d love to share with you my tips and tricks to help your baby accomplish a successful nap.

Since this post is about what to do when your baby just cries during naps, I recommend you read “How to Start a Nap Schedule with Your Baby” first.

This way, you can get accustomed to the nap schedule that I am talking about in this post. If you have already read that post, great! Let’s talk about what to do when your baby just cries during naps.

If you’re baby just cries during naps don’t worry because there are things that you can do to help figure out why this is happening, how you can prevent it, and how to help your baby nap better. We’ll talk about all of these things!

To better help you if your baby just cries during naps, we’re going to discuss the following topics in my step by step guide:

How to Put Your Baby Down for A Nap
What to Do if Your Baby Just Cries During Naps
How to Figure Out Why your Baby is Just Crying
How to Prevent Your Baby from Just Crying During Naps

The Step by Step Guide to for What to Do When Your Baby Just Cries During Naps:

Step 1: Start a Nap Routine

How to Put your Baby Down for a Nap

Before we can access why your baby just cries during naps, its best to go over the routine to put your baby down for a nap. Most times, a baby is crying during naps because they either were not ready to sleep, they are used to falling asleep doing something else, or they are uncomfortable. (We’ll get more into how to prevent crying during naps in a minute.)

I find that most parents’ issue is resolved when they start an effective nap routine with their baby. This routine is done every time your baby goes down for a nap. In your nap schedule, you will be adding this routine before each nap. This nap routine can be used for babies of all ages (just tweaked a bit to accommodate their age).

So what does that routine look like?

Get My FREE Sample Nap Routine so you can start a nap routine that actually works!

This sample is a solid nap routine. Not only does this nap routine help my baby take a successful nap, but it also helped my baby start sleeping 8 hours through the night at 8 weeks old!

Keep in mind that it does NOT happen overnight, but it takes time for your routine to be established. That is why I recommend following a nap schedule so within that schedule at every nap time you are doing your same routine. After a week or so- you should see the benefits of the routine and your baby sleeping during naps consistently.

Step 2: Choose What to do When your baby is crying

It is VERY possible that after you complete this routine and put your baby down that they can begin to cry. Here are a couple of options that you have and techniques that I have personally used.

Option 1: Soothing Technique

If your baby starts to cry, offer them a soothing technique such as a pacifier or their favorite blanket. (Do not worry about them getting attached to something right away. Your goal at this point is to accomplish a nap- your next goal can be weaning them off of soothing technique when they are ready.)

A soothing technique is just to soothe them- it is NOT a sleeping prop. A sleep-prop is something that the baby cannot sleep without. There are some soothing techniques that can turn into a sleep prop- such as your baby will refuse to fall asleep without a pacifier.

At this point, if your baby is still young and a newborn, do not worry about your pacifier turning into a sleep prop. Take things one step at a time.

If you’re worried about sleep props, try to avoid your baby only napping in things that auto vibrate or auto swing. If your baby falls asleep in one that’s fine- but do not make it a part of their specific nap routine.

Option 2: Stay in the Baby’s Room but out of sight and sing or shush

I have done this a NUMBER of times. As soon as I put my daughter down to nap and she began to cry I would stay in the room out of sight and begin to sing softly. Sometimes I would sing and sometimes I would just do a soft shushing sound.

Your baby may just be so used to being with you that when they get put down to nap they instantly miss you being there and the comfort you bring. If they can hear your soft and quiet voice then it can calm them down and allow them to drift into sleep. You may have to do this a couple of times. (See bullet point below about how long to do the soothing technique.)

Combination of 1 and 2

You can certainly combine both options. If your baby begins to cry you can offer her a soothing technique and then remain in the room out of sight. If your baby continues to cry then offer him a soothing technique again. If your baby is still crying, then remain out of sight and start to quietly sing or shush.

Now, they should have their pacifier (or other soothing technique you choose) and will be hearing your voice. This should help them feel comforted enough to go to sleep.

Like I mentioned in Option 2, this may take a couple of cycles before your baby actually falls asleep. That’s ok, just remember it will get better after you begin to consistently implement the routine. Eventually, your baby will fall asleep and settle themselves.

If your baby is still starting to cry a couple of minutes after you leave, I suggest adding another minute to your waiting after each time you go in to soothe her. This way, your baby isn’t getting used to you going in there every 5 seconds.

Option 3: Figure Out What Is Wrong

After you have tried options 1 and 2 with no improvement, then it’s time to figure out exactly what is wrong and why your baby is just crying during naps. I would recommend trying soothing options first and if there is no improvement then it’s time to access a little further why this is happening.

Most of the time parents immediately jump to “Oh my gosh what is wrong with my baby?!” instead of giving the nap routine and the soothing options any time for there to be an improvement. But what we DON’T want is for your baby just to perpetually cry.

Unless you prefer the “cry it out method”, I would recommend trying to figure out what is preventing your baby from napping. This is Step 3.

How long do you let your baby cry until you do the soothing technique?

If my baby started to cry as soon as I put my daughter down to nap I would wait about 30 seconds to see if she settled herself. If she continued to cry, then I would use the soothing technique.

If she settled down and then started to cry again, I would wait another minute and then go in again to offer her the pacifier. If she started to cry again then I would wait 2 minutes until I went in. if she cried again then I would wait 4 minutes.

After every time, I would add 2 minutes of waiting so I could give her time to settle herself. You may have to do this a couple of times until your baby finally goes to sleep. That is the nature of the nap routine- it will get better with time.

The key is consistency! Also, do not soothe right away in a way that your baby now expects you to run to him every time he cries. The goal is for him to go to sleep, not expect you to come every time he cries.

Step 3: Figure out Why Your Baby Just Cries During Naps

Remember, if your baby is fully fed, has had activity time, is up to their nap in their daily schedule and is showing tired cues then your baby should be going to sleep.

If you already did steps 1 and 2 thoroughly then it’s time to start figuring out why your baby just cries during naps. Here are a few reasons why this could be happening. (Be sure to read them carefully and honestly access which reasons could be happening.)

Baby is used to being held or rocked to sleep in arms:

One main reason your baby is crying can be that they want to be picked up. I know this sounds super obvious but if your baby is used to be being picked up and being held to sleep then he isn’t going to be happy about the fact that he now has to sleep in his crib.

If you find yourself always rocking your baby to sleep then it could be a major contributing factor as to why she isn’t sleeping. She may be tired but can’t sleep without you holding her because that’s what she is USED to. Remember, babies thrive on schedules and routines so if this was part of their sleep routine then this is what they are used to.

Baby is used to being rocked to sleep:

Being rocked to sleep is different than being held and rocked to sleep. Some babies are used to being specifically in a rocker. Rockers can definitely turn into a sleep prop. Don’t get me wrong, I really loved our rocker. It was a safe place to put Baby L when she was a newborn and I had to get things done around the house or even just jump into the shower. Rockers can be great!

But rockers can also be dangerous. If your baby is just used to being in a rocker then they will have a hard time being in something else. Like anything, an excess of something can be dangerous. If you are only putting your baby in the rocker for everything all day then they will only be used to the rocker, especially when they sleep.

Baby is used to being in another sleeping area:

Sometimes your baby is used to being in another sleeping area or is not used to their crib. For example, if you have been co-sleeping or if your baby has been sleeping in a nestled bassinet then they might have a hard time transitioning to the spacious crib.

This can just be a transition adjustment. If you strengthen your nap routine and go through the soothing techniques, over time your baby will acclimate to their crib. See the steps above to help the transition go as smooth as possible.

Baby is still hungry:

As parents, sometimes we can overcomplicate things. If your baby is still just crying during naps then is quite possible that they are still hungry. If you haven’t read my post on “Knowing Your Baby’s Full Feeding Schedule- Accomplishing the Full Feeding” then I really recommend you check it out.

In short, when your baby has not had a full feeding (feeding to be full) it can disrupt their whole schedule including their sleep. I encourage you to read my full feeding post and access if this is what is happening with your baby.

If you find that THIS is the reason why your baby just cries during naps then the solution is easy- increase their feeding by your pediatricians recommended amount. All babies grow and develop at different rates so don’t be discouraged!

Baby is uncomfortable:

Always check to see if your baby is comfortable. I know it sounds really simple but in reality, it is! Double check your baby’s mattress, clothes, and the area where they are sleeping. Is it too cold? Too hot? Too humid? Too dry? Is your baby congested? DO they have gas? It can be anything! Just like us- we get uncomfortable, and so can your baby!

If your baby’s room is too dry then I would suggest a cool mist humidifier. It can help your baby breathe easier, sleep better, and help with dry skin as well.

If your baby is uncomfortable, try the swaddle! It can work miracles! Babies like to feel nestled and snuggled so this can be a lifesaver for when they sleep.

If your baby has gas, start to track what your baby is eating and figure out if something is making them gassy. If you are breastfeeding you may have to change your diet or eliminate something you are eating.

Make sure your baby is always going to sleep with a clean diaper, clean clothes, and remember to remove any tags and plastic from the clothes. You’d be surprised what can keep a baby up. Especially since they cannot properly communicate what they are feeling!

Baby has colic:

If you have tried all of these things and still are finding that your baby is crying at the same time every day for a long time then it is time to consider colic. Colic is diagnosed when the baby cries for more than 3 hours, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. I know, no one ever wants to hear that their baby has colic!

Start to track when your baby cries and for how long. I recommend tracking everything your baby does the whole day. That way you get a better look at what times the crying begins. You can also track what they are eating and when and see if it has any correlation to the crying. If this is the case, talk to your pediatrician!

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Have you had any success with these steps? Do you have any tips of your own? Feel free to share in the comments below!

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Newborn Baby Discharged with Jaundice: What to Know and Do

Baby Routines

There’s nothing better than knowing that you can take your newborn baby home after delivery! Sometimes there are complications that arise after your baby is born and jaundice can definitely be one of them. I personally went through my baby showing levels of jaundice the day we were set to go home. So how do you care for your newborn baby discharged with jaundice?

It’s important to ask your doctors for specific instructions for what you have to do, what signs to look for in case things get worse, and what signs to look for that your baby is getting better It’s very important to make sure you feel confident knowing you can take care of your baby.

Please know that I am not a doctor or physician and I am not medically trained. All tips and advice given is based on my own experience and given to me by my own pediatrician. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor. This post is solely to offer encouragement from my experience and not designed to offer medical advice or treatment.

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is a very common condition in newborn babies that takes place because the baby’s liver is still immature. Your baby’s liver is trying to get rid of bilirubin, the substance in red blood cells that builds up in the blood after your baby is born. When bilirubin levels become high, it can negatively affect the growth of your baby’s brain and nervous system. The doctors will see signs of high levels of bilirubin because babies will begin to turn yellow. To diagnose your baby with jaundice, doctors will check for the level of bilirubin. There are different levels of jaundice (caused by different levels of bilirubin).

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My Experience:

My baby did not have alarmingly high levels of bilirubin but she did have higher levels than normal. When Baby L was born she was sent to a care unit because she needed to be put on antibiotics for 2 days. On the last night before I was set to go home with her, the nurses informed me that Baby L was turning a shade of yellow and they needed to check her levels of bilirubin. The test came back in the morning and she was borderline medium/high so the doctor’s thought they would have to keep for her another day. I was supposed to be discharged at 11 am but I chose to wait until 5 pm to see if she was improving so I could take her home with me.

At 2 pm the doctors informed me that they did not see signs of improvement but that I would be able to take her home only if I scheduled an appointment with her pediatrician for the next day. They gave me a packet of discharge information but did not specifically tell me what to do concerning jaundice. At that point, my newborn baby was discharged with jaundice. As a new mom, I was so worried that I wouldn’t know what to do and I was worried about my daughter’s health.

So, the next day at Baby L’s pediatrician appointment, the pediatrician gave me great tips for helping my baby. The pediatrician also conducted a blood test specifically to check the levels of jaundice so she could see if the levels went down. She also gave me the confidence I needed in myself to know that I was able to take care of Baby L.

Tips To Helped your Newborn Baby Discharged with Jaundice

1- Listen to doctor’ instructions:

If you have a newborn baby discharged with jaundice it’s so important to follow the doctor’s instructions. Do not leave the doctor’s office without clear instruction and knowledge of the situation. Yes, you can always call the doctor’s office but I find it better when I ask questions in person and receive the full explanation in a way that I can understand. I always find it helpful to have the doctor write down or print anything that I am supposed to do.

2- Be aware of worsening signs:

When you have a newborn baby discharged with jaundice you need to be aware of worsening signs. In line with listening to your doctor’s instructions is to make sure you know the signs to be aware of if the jaundice is worsening. My doctor told me to watch for the color of yellow spreading throughout my baby’s body. If the yellow spreads make sure to contact your doctor. The yellow will usually spread from the eyes to the face, to the skin, to the arms, and then to the feet. Be sure to ask your doctor what signs you should be looking for.

3- Know the signs of improvement:

When you have a newborn baby discharged with jaundice knowing signs of improvement is just as important as knowing worsening signs. I love to know what signs of improvement I should be looking for because it gives me hope that things will get better. One of the signs that my pediatrician told me to look for that shows Baby L was improving from jaundice was the return of her natural skin color. When the yellowness was beginning to fade is when I felt a wave of relief.

4- Practice Doctor’s instructions:

It’s easy to know your doctor’s instructions but it’s different to actually practice the instructions. One of the instructions for healing jaundice was to make sure your baby was breastfeeding as much as possible because the bilirubin is removed from the body through the baby’s stool. So it was suggested for me to breastfeed 8-10 times in a 24 hour period. At the time, I was breastfeeding during the day (and pumping) and supplementing with formula in the evening.

(I was going through my own struggles with breastfeeding so I needed to make sure Baby L was still eating as often as she should be to produce stool steadily). If you are bottle feeding, make sure to ask your doctor how many bottles or how many ounces you should be feeding your baby.

Another important instruction was to put Baby L in the window with as much natural light as possible. If it was possible, even take a walk with her and get natural direct sunlight. The pediatrician said natural sunlight helps reduce the yellowness in the skin and helped reduce the levels of bilirubin. (I never researched this for myself- I just listened to my amazing pediatrician and it definitely helped Baby L quickly improve!)

Make sure to actually practice what the doctor instructs you to do. if you feel that it is something that you are unable to do then speak up and be honest. Do not be afraid or intimidated- you are your baby’s caregiver and parent so you are entitled to speaking your mind and asking for clear instructions.

5- Document signs/symptoms:

The doctor didn’t tell me to do this but I did it out of my own motivation. I wanted to make sure that I remembered how my daughter was progressing and kept track of when she was passing stool and how it looked. This came in handy because there was a day that she turned a little yellow again and when I called the doctor they asked me if I had any memory of what her past 3 stools looked like. If I didn’t write this down I would have never remembered.

As a new mom, your body goes through so much healing and your mind can easily get tired. Don’t put too much strain on yourself to have to remember everything. Just write everything down and keep track of how your baby is doing daily and it will give you peace of mind!

6- Follow Up With Your Doctor:

Be sure to follow up with your doctor accordingly. Sometimes doctor’s will not call you back right away with the bilirubin test results so you may have to call. Your doctor may also tell you to keep an eye on certain symptoms or signs and call them if anything worsens, gets better, or if you have questions. Know that you can take them up on this! Do not be afraid or shy to call your doctor if you have any questions!

If you feel like you cannot properly explain your baby’s signs or symptoms over the phone then do not be afraid to ask if you can bring your baby in for an emergency appointment. I’ve done all of these things countless times and even though I was afraid of looking like a worried mother, the peace of mind it gave me far outweighed my shyness.

How you may be feeling:

Like I mentioned before, you are going through a lot as a new mom. Your body just produced the miracle of life and you are certainly healing from it. Each mother goes through different delivery experiences and different strains, difficulties, and tears. On top of your body physically healing you may be figuring out breastfeeding, latching, deciding whether to formula feed or trying to pump. As mothers, we go through A LOT after labor and delivery. It’s totally normal and definitely more than fine to not feel 100%. In fact, no one expects you to feel 100%.

Because you’re experiencing all of that, having your baby diagnosed with jaundice can definitely send you into a crazy spin! Just remember to take one day at a time. I would even dare say to take it one HOUR at a time. Keep in mind that you need to heal properly so make sure to be taking care of yourself too!

When the nurses told me that my daughter was being taken in to get her bilirubin tested I thought I was going to pass out. Then when they told me she was going to have to stay longer until her bilirubin levels went down I certainly thought I was going to faint. The nurses had to send me to my room so I can lay down- that’s how worried I was!

Of course, some new mothers could have handled this better and maybe some people thought I wasn’t “strong enough” to handle it- but at that moment I couldn’t even fathom the thought of my precious new baby girl going through anything that was going to cause her discomfort or pain.

As a new mom- this is totally normal! Remember, take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time! Be sure not to fall down the rabbit hole of comparing yourself to other mothers!

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I designed the planner to help you:

Easily plan your days, weeks, months, and even year so you can clearly see your schedule at a whole!
Focus on your day to day tasks, including to-do lists, appointments and chores so you never forget to do anything!
Track your baby’s feedings, including how much they ate and what they ate so you never have to forget what they ate
Track your baby’s naps so you can see how long your baby is napping and at what time. This helps you create a nap routine that can help your baby sleep longer and consistently!
Plan your workout times and even track your water intake!
Set goals for yourself and your baby so you can accomplish new milestones together!
Ultimately plan and track you and your baby’s day to day schedule in an easy way!

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I hope my experience with a newborn baby discharged with jaundice helps you and your family! Remember, it’s important to ask your doctors for specific instructions for what you have to do, what signs to look for in case things get worse, what signs to look for that your baby is getting better, and very important to make sure you feel confident knowing you can take care of your baby.

You can do this!!!

Have any of your babies every been discharged with jaundice? Feel free to share your experience in the comments!

Want to remember this? Post “What to Know About Your Newborn Baby Discharged with Jaundice” to your favorite Pinterest board!

Diaper Bag Essentials: Items for a Perfect Diaper Bag

Mom Life

Inside: Making sure you have all of your diaper bag essentials will make outings with your new little one easier and stress-free!

Since becoming a mom, the shopping routine I knew like the back of my hand is a distant memory. I no longer throw on a sundress, slip on some sandals, grab my purse and dashed out the door.

Now, I had to pack a whole mountain of things into a diaper bag, get my baby ready, and shuffle out of the door second-guessing if I forget anything.

I didn’t have a system or a checklist. And my stress level went through the roof because of it!

Outings with your baby can be extremely stressful. But the best way to combat that stress and overcome the overwhelm is to make sure your baby’s diaper bag is stocked from A to Z!

Making sure you have all of these diaper bag essentials will make outings with your new little one easier, stress-free, and help you prevent the worry that you forgot anything.

Countless times I would be a half-hour away from my house and facepalm because I forgot something essential. After this kept happening I made a diaper bag checklist and wrote it on a dry erase board next to my diaper bag. And it worked! I stopped forgetting things!

This list of diaper bag essentials is based on everything I thought I would need while my baby was out. Of course, the list changes as your baby gets older so below you will find

the item name
why you need the item
& when I didn’t need it anymore

That way, you can choose what items you want or don’t need in your diaper bag.

First things first- the right diaper bag:

Making sure you have the right diaper bag for you will help you be able to actually pack it. Find a diaper bag that you are comfortable with that is big enough to hold everything nicely, and that is durable preferably and water repellant. (Trust me, there will be plenty of spills in there!)

So let’s get down to it!

My Diaper Bag Essentials List

1. Diapers

You will ALWAYS need diapers in your diaper bag. After all, it is called a diaper bag! The number of diapers you need will change depending on how long you are out and will change as your baby grows. (I’ve noticed that babies typically use fewer diapers as they get older.)

You always want to make sure to have enough in case of accidents or unforeseen circumstances. Since babies always need diapers, I make sure I have some extra in my car in the “emergency baby box”.

See my little chart below for how many diapers I pack. Remember, I like to have extra because I learned the hard way that you can NEVER have too many diapers on you!

How many diapers to pack?

Newborn

1-3 hours: 3-4 diapers

4-7 hours: 5-6 diapers

6-9 Months

1-3 hours: 2-4 diapers

4-7 hours: 5-6 diapers

9-12 Months

1-3 hours: 2-3 diapers

4-7 hours: 4-5 diapers

12-18 Months

1-3 hours: 2-3 diapers

4-7 hours 3-4 diapers

2. Diaper Cream

I always make sure to have diaper cream! It is definitely included in my diaper bag essentials.

A lot of parents only use diaper cream when their baby has a rash but my pediatrician told me to use a preventive diaper cream every time you change his diaper.

This prevents any redness or rash on the front end instead of just using a stronger diaper cream after they have the rash.

I’ve been using this Cera Ve Baby Diaper Preventative Cream since Baby L was 2 weeks old and she NEVER got a diaper rash. Not even in the heat! (It also helps to change the baby as soon as they are wet or pooped!)

3. Wipes

Another obvious item on my diaper bag essentials list!

When Baby L was first born we would buy the travel packs of Huggies wipes. This didn’t work well for us because we had to keep buying travel packs instead of just having a refillable option.

I found these Refillable Wipe Pouches and they work awesome. I make sure to refill the pouch before I leave the house and I’m good to go.

You can easily pull out each wipe and it’s super simple to refill because it has a resealable top. The wipes don’t dry out at all either. (I buy a big box of wipes and then just refill my containers and pouches. I found it so much cheaper than to put individual wipe packs all the time.)

4. Changing Pad

You are definitely going to need a changing pad!

I use my changing pad every time I change Baby L’s diaper, no matter what. I know some parents who use disposable changing pad cloths and some who don’t use them at all.

Personally, I’m kind of obsessed with things being clean and not spreading germs/bacteria so I always use my changing pad. I disinfect it after every use too. Some diaper bags come with a changing pad so make sure to double-check the diaper bag that you purchase.

5. Diaper Disposable bags

I like to have a few disposable diaper bags on me for emergencies. Disposable diaper bags are these little scented bags that you can put your baby’s dirty diaper and it won’t smell.

There are especially great if you find yourself changing your baby and there’s no trash can around to dispose of the dirty diaper. They take up almost no space in the diaper bag so I like to carry a few with me. You can use them for anything too- wet clothes, dirty clothes, or accidents.

6. Bottles

Depending on whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed you will have different items on your diaper bag essentials list.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding then you won’t need bottles. If you are pumping then you’ll have a whole other list of things you will need including your pump, your bottles to pump into, the valves, etc.

If you are bottle feeding then you are going to need enough bottles for all of the feedings that you are planning to be out. There are SO many different bottles out there- some super basic and some with a lot of parts.

No matter what bottle you are using, make sure to remember to bring with you ALL of the bottle parts (nipple, bottle, nipple ring, and so on).

7. Formula (in dispenser)

If you are formula feeding then you want to make sure to bring your baby’s formula!

Some formulas are powder and some are liquid. If you are using a liquid formula then make sure to bring a travel thermos or some sort of freezer travel bag to keep the formula cold so it doesn’t spoil.

If you are using a powered formula then I suggest buying formula cups or a formula dispenser so you can measure the formula for each feeding and have it ready to go.

I used the Tommee Tippee Formula Dispenser It also saves space in your bag!

(I’m one of those moms that experienced breastfeeding, pumping, and formula feeding- so I’ve kind of been through it all!)

8. Snacks

If your baby is eating solids then you want to make sure to have some snacks with you. Baby L loves the Happy Baby Teethers and Happy Baby Puffs. I put in the diaper bag one package of the teether crackers and fill up a little container of puffs.

9. Sippy Cup

If your baby is using a sippy cup then be sure to add it to your list of diaper bag essentials. Sometimes your baby will be using bottles and a sippy cup- that’s fine! Just remember to pack them both.

When Baby L was 11 months she was still drinking milk out of her bottle but she liked drinking water from her sippy cup. So I needed to always have both.

10. Hand Sanitizer

Like I mentioned, I’m a little obsessed with things being clean so hand sanitizer is definitely on my list of diaper bag essentials! I use the mini size of Purell with Aloe and love it. It fits perfectly in a little side pocket and it easy to access.

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11. Lysol wipes (travel packet)

Keeping your baby away from germs is very important, especially if they are a newborn or if it is flu season.

Having these wipes are a lifesaver when you need to disinfect a surface quickly or clean something. You’ll be surprised at how many times they come in handy!

I clean down every shopping cart before Baby L sits in, clean down public high chairs, and table surfaces that she will come in contact with while eating (I don’t let her eat off of where I used the bleach!). I purchase these Lysol Disinfecting Wipes.

12. Lysol Spray (travel size)

Like the Lysol wipes, I like to have a Lysol to-go spray in my diaper bag as well. Sometimes I spray down the area where I am going to place the changing pad down and other times I just use it to quickly clean something off. (Always make sure to rinse off anything that you are going to give your baby after cleaning it with Lysol.)

13. Nail clipper

I always like to have a nail clipper on hand. Especially when Baby L was a newborn, I would make sure to clip her nails as she slept and sometimes we were outside when I would do it. Don’t underestimate how fast baby nails grow!

14. Extra outfits

Extra items are absolutely on my diaper bag essentials list!

You never know when your baby is going to have an accident- spitting up, vomiting, diaper explosion, spills, etc.! Having an extra outfit will give you peace of mind that you will be able to change their clothes and not have to leave them dirty.

I always carry 2 extra one-piece bodysuits and leave them at the bottom of the diaper bag for emergencies. As your baby gets older the type of extra clothes will change.

If you have a newborn you might only carry extra onesies but if you have a one-year-old you may carry an extra shirt or pants.

15. Extra plastic resealable bags

This one goes hand in hand with the extra outfits. I always carry my baby’s extra outfits in a resealable clear bag (such as a Ziploc bag or sandwich bag).

On multiple occasions, I have not only needed the bags but they have prevented the extra clothes from being dirty. One time we got caught in a horrible rainstorm while visiting a theme park and we were soaked, including the diaper bag. I wanted to get Baby L out of her wet clothes and because I had the extra clothes in a sealed bag the clothes were dry!

If I hadn’t had them in a bag, the extra outfit would have been wet as well. The bag also then comes in handy to put your wet or dirty clothes in them!

16. Bibs

Your baby will need bibs for feedings so I always make sure to pack 2 just in case one gets dirty. If I know I’m only going to be out for a short amount of time then I usually will only pack one. As Baby L started eating solids, I would bring a regular cloth bib and a plastic bib so I can wipe off food easily.

17. Extra socks

Along with having extra outfits, I also make sure I have extra socks. Especially in the cooler months. I can’t even count how many times I needed an extra pair of socks for her!

18. Blanket

A blanket it a part of my diaper bag essentials because no matter what season it is Baby L like to have a blanket when she naps. For colder months I carry a thin, fussy blanket that is small enough to be folded.

For the warmer months, I carry a thin cotton muslin blanket. The thicker blanket doesn’t always fit in my diaper bag so I’ll make sure to have it in my car or at the bottom of the stroller. The thin blanket folds small and fits perfectly in my diaper bag.

A blanket also comes in handy when you are outside and you want to block the sun if your baby is napping.

19. Toys

Having a couple of small toys will come in handy throughout the day! Sometimes you need a quick distraction or something to calm your baby down quickly.

20. High Chair and Shopping Cart Cover

I started packing this High Chair and Shopping Cart Convertible Cover in my diaper bag when my daughter was able to completely sit up on her own and was strong enough to hold her head up and look around. (This was at about 5 months).

I found this awesome shopping cart cover that was also a transitional high chair cover that you can use at restaurants. If I didn’t want to use my stroller while I was shopping I would just make sure to have the shopping cart cover with me so I can put Baby L in the shopping cart.

I know some parents who think this is unnecessary but I like to use one because it feels more sanitary to me.

21. Disposable Table Liners

If your baby is starting to eat solids and table food (and is not eating with utensils just yet), then you might want to consider bringing along disposable table liners with you.

Disposable table liners are these awesome placemats that have sticky strips on all 4 sides that you can peel and stick to the table. They also come in fun colors and characters for your baby to play with and look at.

Instead of being worried about her eating on a dirty surface, I wipe down the surface and stick on the disposable table cover. They come in folded small squares so they don’t take up a lot of room in your bag either. I always have about 3 with me just in case. I purchase these Table Topper Disposable Stick-On Placemats.

UPDATE: Now that Baby L is almost 15 months old and learning to use utensils by herself, I use this reusable silicone placemat that has a built-in bowl. Baby L is a master at feeding herself but she also loves to turn her plates upside down so I had to start using built-in bowls when we go out so I can start teaching her not to throw her bowl/plate upside down.

I use this Multifunction Security Food Baby Silicone Placemat with Bowl and Groove.

22. Pacifier

If your baby uses a pacifier then you’ll definitely want to make sure you have one- and maybe even an extra one on a pacifier clip so it can’t get lost. Baby L used a pacifier from when she was a newborn to about 6 months old so I made sure to have 2 on me whenever I was out.

23. Mini first aid kit (Band-Aids)

It never hurts to have a mini first aid kit on you. I don’t carry a whole kit in my diaper bag but I do carry at least 5 band-aids. I always have a full first aid kit in my “emergency baby box” in my car.

24. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is important whenever your baby will be exposed to the sun. Especially in the warmer months. If you live somewhere that is tropical or mostly sunny throughout the year then sunscreen will definitely be a diaper bag essential for you. If you live somewhere with all the seasons and cooler months with less sun, then you probably won’t be carrying sunscreen with you all the time.

Seasonal:

Some of your diaper bag essentials will change with the seasons. Here is a list of seasonal things I have in my diaper bag and when I use them.

Bug replant (June-September)

Swim Suit (June-August)

Swimming Diapers (June-August)

Optional:

Nursing Cover: As we talked about earlier, if you are breastfeeding then you may want to carry a nursing cover if you chose to use one.

Mini Cooler Bag: If you like to bring fresh snacks with you, like fruit or veggies, then I bring a separate mini cooler bag with me when I know I’m going to be out of the house for a long period of time. I just put her fruit in a container and add an ice pack int he mini cooler bag and I’m good to go.

If you are feeding your baby liquid formula that needs to be refrigerated once the bottle is opened then you’re going to need to travel with a mini cooler bag as well.

If you are breastfeeding and bottle feeding your baby pumped breastmilk then you’re also going to want to travel with your breastmilk in a cooler bag. I had to do this for the first couple of weeks when I was breastfeeding/pumping.

For Mom:

Some moms decide to use the diaper bag as their bag as well. Why carry a purse and a diaper bag if you can combine it into one bag? I personally use my diaper bag as a bag when I am running an errand somewhere local. If I am actually going out I tend to use a mini bookbag purse as my purse so it’s one less thing I have to carry on my arms.

Either way, no matter what you carry your essentials in you’re still going to want to make sure you have them! Here’s a list of essentials for mom:

Wallet

Phone

Portable charger

Beauty bag

Lip balm

Keys

Personal necessities

Get the Free Diaper Bag Checklist Now!

Never forget any of your diaper bag essentials with the Diaper Bag Checklist! Glance over the checklist each time you pack your bag so you can be sure to pack the perfect diaper bag every time!

So there you have it- a list of diaper bag essentials to make a perfect diaper bag!

Remember, making sure to have all of your diaper bag essentials will make outings with your new little one easier, stress-free, and having a list of those essentials will prevent you from worrying if you forgot anything!

Now you can overcome the struggle of packing your diaper bag!

Within a few weeks, you’ll be a pro at throwing on some jeans, packing the diaper bag without a worry and happily pushing your baby out the door 🙂

Do you use any item on this list of diaper bag essentials? Feel free to share in the comments below!

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Our Experience at the Orlando Informer Meet Up

Family Life, Family Travel

On June 2, 2018, my husband and I attended the Orlando Informer Meet Up at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We enjoyed every minute of the event and would encourage others to attend at least one event in the future!

First things first…. Why My Husband and I Went Away

One of my secrets to keeping your marriage alive as a new parent is to make sure you and your husband spend quality time together and even try to get away for a day or two. My daughter had just turned 14 months and we wanted to celebrate our 4 year anniversary to spend some much needed time together. I found out about the Orlando Informer Meet Up and it was a perfect mini get away for my husband and I to pamper ourselves! We only went away for 2 nights, but because of the Orlando Informer Meet Up, our mini vacation felt like a whole week long!

I’m sharing our awesome experience with you because if you ever need to get away for a mini vacation but still feel like you accomplished so much on a small budget, the Orlando Informer Meet Up’s are a great option!

Who is the Orlando Informer?

If you are unfamiliar with the Orlando Informer, they have a super helpful website with a ton of information about the attractions, hotels, and restaurants in Orlando. In their own words from their website Orlando Informer “is the world’s leading Universal Orlando vacation planning resource.” They have an amazing community including a blog and Facebook group that is encouraging and resourceful when planning a vacation. You can visit the official Orlando Informer site here!

What is a Meet Up?

A Meet Up is an exclusive event organized by the Orlando Informer that varies in activities. Some Orlando Informer Meet Ups are exclusively for the Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley) and some include the whole park or both parks. Each Orlando Informer Meet Up is unique. The Orlando Informer has had multiple Meets Ups in the past and is planning on creating more!

Last year I attended an Orlando Informer Meet Up event in September 2017 that included exclusive access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both Universal Studios Hogsmeade and Island of Adventure Diagon Alley that included unlimited Butterbeer, desserts, ice cream, and little to no waits on rides. This year, the event was massive and included exclusive access to both full parks- Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure- and all of the rides in them including unlimited food and beverage service throughout both parks and unlimited butterbeer, desserts and drinks.

No further a do- here is our…

Experience at the June Orlando Informer Meet Up

(Please know that my opinions are my own.)

What was Included for this Meet Up:

All night exclusive access to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure including over 25 attractions including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™, Race Through Jimmy Fallon™, Incredible Hulk Coaster™, Amazing Adventures of Spiderman™, and more. With unlimited access to over 50 food and beverage options throughout both theme parks and unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. Included unlimited Butterbeer and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour too!

Price:

The price for the Orlando Informer Meet Up is always, in my opinion, super affordable- especially considering the worth that you are getting for your money! This June 2018 Meet Up was $156 per person. My husband and I found that very reasonable considering that you are in the parks for 8 hours, with 6 hours of that time being exclusive to only Meet Up participants- and included unlimited food, snacks, ice cream, AND Butterbeer!

Registration/Check-in:

Upon paying for your ticket to the event you will receive a confirmation email at the time payment. About 2-3 weeks before the event you will receive a detailed email explaining the registration process and the details of the event. In our email, we received information about where to sign in to the event. The registration sign-in process was very easy and fast. We simply had to arrive at the check-in area, get on the line that had the first letter of our last name and show ID at the table. Then we received an information brochure about the evening and a special wristband that lit up. We were instructed to active the band to light up for the duration of the whole event so park security would know we were part of the event and any day guests without a band past a certain would be kindly asked to exit the park.

Hotel Group Rates:

Along with all the other amazing perks of the Orlando Informer Meet Up, they have amazing hotel discount rates for the Meet Up group. We never dreamed of being able to stay in the Hard Rock Hotel but because the hotel discount rate was so incredible we were able to stay for 2 nights at the Hard Rock Ho
hat offers complimentary Express Passes! There was also a discount rate at the Portofino Bay Hotel (which we plan to stay at hopefully at the next meet up!), and Cabana Bay. (You can read about our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel here!)

Food:

Food service began at 8:30pm in Islands of Adventure and 10:30pm in Universal Studios and ended at 1:00am.

The availability of food and the number of places offering food was tremendous! In every “land” of both parks there was at least 1 restaurant open serving a delicious variety of food. Some lands had 3 or 4 eateries open! Throughout the night we must have eaten over 7 times, including a number of desserts.

When the food service began in Islands of Adventure we were walking through the park just browsing and looking for rides to get on. We first had soft serve ice cream with toppings at Cathy’s Ice cream spot in Toon Lagoon. We then made our way to Marvel Super Hero Island and ate at the Cafe Four restaurant there having pepperoni pizza and Caesar salad. We then walked through Seuss Landing and had the famous green eggs and ham sandwich! We continued through the park and ended up in Mythos restaurant having a buffet of veggie pasta, burger sliders, and desserts. We ended in Hogsmeade getting Gilly Water and Pumpkin Juice!

After taking the Hogwarts Express we went to Diagon Alley and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour. We wanted to get on other rides and then come back to shop at the end of the night so we went to Krustyland/Springfield and got in line for some tacos but the wait was super long. We stopped by Mel’s diner to take some pictures and ended up in Richter’s Burger place to get a burger and chocolate shake. Before the meal service ended we were able to slip in a trip to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream just before they closed the door and ordered some Butterbeer as well! The line for Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour was veerryyy long most of the time but there were ice cream parlour employees walking around Diagon Alley with single scoop Florean Fortescue’s ice cream, which was super helpful and allowed us to have unlimited ice cream without waiting on that long line all the time.

The food service was delicious! Everything we ate was the perfect temperature, the perfect size, and tasted amazing. We were able to try so many different things and went into so many different places that we didn’t even know were in the parks! There were some foods that I always wanted to try when I visit Universal Studios but never got around to actually trying it but at the Meet Up I was able to try it- for free!

Mind you, not ALL restaurants were open and not all restaurants open were serving a FULL menu. Each restaurant had about 3-4 things they were offering.

Rides:

The number of rides open was unbelievable! It was like having full access to the park all alone! On some rides, we were completely alone and on others we walked through the line and straight on to the ride. The only mistake we made was being in the Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter for too long. Everyone had the same idea to go there first and ride Gringotts or the Forbidden Journey. We waited 25 minutes for the Forbidden Journey and 35 minutes for Gringotts. These were the longest times we waited for the night. But of course, the wait times are substantially less than a regular park day where the wait can be up to 80-100 minutes long. My goal was to do everything but as 11:30 approached I realized that was an impossible task!

Meet and Greets / Activities

Not only are there rides and unlimited food/desserts but there was these amazing little meet and greet opportunities! In Marvel Super Hero Island I met Dr. Doom and the amazing, neighborhood Spiderman! There were also street dance parties in different areas throughout both parks with live DJ’s. I was able to dance with Frankenstein and then jump on the Mummy ride- how cool is that?? During registration and check in they gave us an Orlando Informer Meet Up handout that included a map of all the available food, rides, and activity areas.

Amount of People:

When I attended the September 2017 Meet Up I thought that it was a good amount of people. This Meet Up, I felt the amount of people was decent, except for in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. A lot of people crowded those areas and it was very packed most of the time (which I’m sure was to be expected). But I understand that the capacity for this event was larger due to the fact that both entire parks were open. If people were spaced out evenly throughout the night I’m sure we wouldn’t have run into any issues with crowds. While Diagon Alley was packed and the line for ice cream was all the way down to Knockturn Alley, once you stepped outside into London or Krustyland the park was empty! So, considering the Harry Potter areas aside, the park was empty. Next time I would strategize better and go to the Harry Potter areas at different times than when we did. We didn’t get to do as much as we wanted in the rest of the parks because we had spent so much time in the Harry Potter worlds due to crowds and waiting in lines.

Time in Parks:

The amount of time we had in the parks included with the event was remarkable. We were able to go into the park starting at 5:00pm! Islands of Adventure closed to the public at 7:00 and Universal Studios closed to the public at 10:00. The event ended at 1:30 giving us 8.5 hours in the parks! We had 6.5 hours of exclusive time in Islands of Adventure and 3.5 hours of exclusive time at Universal Studios. I wish we had more time at Universal Studios because that was the park I wanted to do more in but didn’t get a chance to. But it was still totally worth it!

A Recap of our Night:

We started our evening at 5pm when the parks opened for us. We entered though Islands of Adventure and since we were staying at the Hard Rock Hotel we utilized the free Express Pass we got! The parks were still open to daytime guests and we didn’t have any special privileges until the parks closed to the public so we used our Express Passes to get on as much as we could before the parks closed to daytime guests. We got to ride the Hulk and the Forbidden Journey and then took the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios to ride Fast & Furious for the first time. Then we headed back to Islands of Adventure because that park had closed to daytime guests and we took the opportunity to ride rides with no wait time. We were able to get on the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Amazing Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, and went back on the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios. There we rode Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, and Escape from Gringotts.

We then returned back to Diagon Alley where we waited for some more of Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream (pistachio soft serve is my favorite) and sat in the ambiance of the Diagon Alley to enjoy our ice cream and Butterbeer. We visited every shop and used that time to purchase souvenirs and take loads of pictures. By this time the area was almost empty and most of our pictures only had about 5 people in the background.

Community:

The Orlando Informer Universal Facebook group is by far my favorite group! They are encouraging, helpful and really funny. People post their countdowns to their next vacation and people who are at Universal post pictures for us at home to enjoy. If you’re ever feeling like you need a smile because you wish you were on vacation but you’re stuck at home or working- the Orlando Informer Facebook group is the place to go! Even before the Meet Up I was able to connect with others who were attending the Meet Up and when I saw them in person it was like friends reconnecting. It was a lot of fun!

Our Rating:

We give the Orlando Informer Meet Up FIVE STARS! We ran into time issues because we didn’t plan our time properly and wasted too much time in areas that were crowded when we should have kept moving. But that is in no way Orlando Informers fault. We took each minute to enjoy our surroundings and even though we didn’t get to do everything (I know my expectations were crazy high!) the things we got done were so much fun. It gave me and my husband much needed time to laugh, rest, eat together, take “coupley” pictures and enjoy our time together!

The staff is tremendous and the effort they put into this event is huge. The Orlando Informer Meet Up is very well planned and executed.

We would absolutely, positively attend the next Orlando Informer Meet Up!

If you ever get a chance to go- I highly recommend it!

Want to remember this? Post this “Our experience at the Orlando informer meet up” article on your favorite Pinterest board!

The Ultimate List of Everyday Baby Necessities

Baby Routines

Inside: Wondering what baby items you’ll actually use? Keep reading to find out my ultimate list of everyday baby necessities plus a pro and con list for each item!

My mother in law told me I needed a bassinet…

My mother told me I needed a crib….

My friend told me I needed a diaper warmer…

My head was spinning from all of the different baby items that everyone told me I needed!

Figuring out what baby items you need is overwhelming– especially for a new mom! Every parent has some sort of advice to give new parents about what they should be buying for their new little addition.

After getting through the first 6 months of mom life, I composed a list of things that are an absolute necessity to have. Not just because the item was useful, but because I used it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

And today I want to share with you my ultimate list of everyday baby necessities. (These items are for infants and I used most of them from 0-12 months.)

My ultimate list of everyday baby necessities includes:

a list of pros and cons for each item
a rank of importance
where you can find the item for the best price

That way, you can assess for yourself if you need the item based on your family’s needs- not just because someone told you to get it and wanted you to be “trendy”.

So, let’s get down to it!

My Ultimate List of Everyday Baby Necessities

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I purchased all of these items on Amazon and most of the items were purchased from my Amazon Baby Registry. (You can purchase these items yourself by clicking on the link of each item below!)

Bottles

We purchased 2 sets of bottles: Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown’s

Rank of Importance: Bottles are an essential everyday baby necessity if you plan on bottle feeding (whether breastmilk or formula).

I added bottles to my registry just to have even though I was planning on breastfeeding– and I’m so glad I did because I ended up having to supplement and I’m so grateful we didn’t have to run to the store to buy bottles.

Tommee Tippee Bottles

Pro: These bottles have a “closer to nature” function so the nipple is wide and makes it an easy transition between bottle and nursing. These bottles are also affordable and can find them on sale.

Dr. Brown’s Bottles

Pro: The bottles are designed for gas relief and have a system of airflow that lets the bubbles/air pockets out the milk before the baby drinks it.

Con: The bottles have multiple parts and it can become quite tasking to clean every part thoroughly every single time you have to wash bottles. It also takes up more space on drying racks and takes a second longer to assemble the bottle.

Stroller

Rank of Importance: A stroller is definitely essential is a 5 for everyday baby necessities.

Choosing a stroller can be hard! This was the only baby item that really took me a long time to make up my mind. Make sure to do research, maybe a cost analysis, and see which stroller will be long-lasting and make the best of your money.

After all, a stroller is an investment.

Choose a great one and you can use it for years and maybe even not have to buy a new one if you have another child down the road.

My husbands family blessed us with the Uppa Baby Vista stroller. It was on my wish list but I couldn’t afford it and his grandma surprised us with it!

Pro: This stroller is long-lasting, durable, a great size, and can accommodate up to 3 children (with added parts). It also comes with a bassinet and has a connecting car seat.

Con: The stroller is kind of pricey in comparison to other travel system strollers. We were blessed to have a family member buy us this stroller as a gift! (If you have it on your Amazon Registry, maybe a few family members can chip in together for this gift!)

A Second Stroller Option

We were going to purchase the Britax Travel System with included infant car seat. This stroller has great reviews and is so durable and afforable!

Car Seat

Rank of Importance: A car seat is an essential everyday baby necessity, especially if you own a car!

Pro: Having a car seat will allow you to be able to take your baby in the car with you and travel. I recommend getting a car seat that comes with a travel system stroller. That way, all of your travel gear locks into each other and is interchangeable.

Con: There really aren’t any cons to have a car seat. BUT I live in New York City and surprisingly know some parents who do not own a car seat because they do not have a car and only use mass transportation.

(But I recommend investing in a car seat because most hospitals won’t let you leave with your baby unless you show them your car seat.)

We purchased the matching car seat for our Uppa Baby Vista Stroller: the Uppa Baby Mesa Car Seat

High Chair/Booster Seat

Rank of Importance: For us, buying a high chair/booster seat was probably only a 2 (since we didn’t need it for the first few months). But after our baby starting eating solids, having a high chair or booster seat was a 5 for everyday baby necessities!

Pro: Having a highchair/booster seat is a safe seat to place your baby in order to feed them.

Con: Depending on which one you buy, they can be quite pricey and take up a lot of space. We didn’t start using one until Baby L was about 5 months.

We purchased the: Graco DuoDiner 3-in-1 High Chair

And for my mom’s house (which we visit often) she purchased a booster seat so we didn’t have to lug our high chair with us every time we stayed with her. She purchased the Fischer-Price Space Saver High Chair for Baby L.

Baby Monitor

Rank of Importance: Definitely a 5 for everyday baby necessities.

Pro: A baby monitor can be very useful when your baby is in another room and you want to be sure to hear your baby. It is helpful when the baby is sleeping, playing, anything!

This baby monitor can be charged and doesn’t just run on batteries.

Con: I can’t really think of a con for a baby monitor!

We purchased the: VTech Audio Baby Monitor (with 1,000 foot range, vibrating sound alert, and talk back intercom)

Nest Camera

We had a baby monitor but as first-time parents, we wanted some sort of camera in Baby L’s room since she was going to be sleeping in her crib in her own room from such an early age.

We purchased the: Nest Camera

Rank of Importance: For us, this was a 5! Hands down! (Could possibly be a 2 for other parents though.)

Pro: The Nest camera in my daughter’s room gave me indescribable peace as she slept every night knowing that I can watch her throughout the night right on my device.

The Nest Camera functions with an app and can be used on any device- phone, tablet, computer. We put a tablet on our nightstand throughout the night to be able to watch her.

The camera is not just a live feed but can also record the footage for up to 30 days so you can rewind and watch the footage.

This was a HUGE help to us when Baby L would be tired after waking and we could go back to footage from 12 hours ago while she was sleeping to see what she was doing in her crib.

Con: Some parents may think the camera is a waste of money or a redundant device (especially if you already have some sort of monitor or security device). It is an extra cost and does need constant WIFI to function properly.

Breast Pump

Rank of Importance: A breast pump for me was important. I was a first-time mom but so I never experienced breastfeeding before but I knew I wanted to try to breastfeed and eventually pump.

With health insurance, on most plans, pregnant women can receive a free breast pump!

If you are planning on breastfeeding and do not wish to pump, I would personally recommend getting one for free (if it is on your insurance plan) just to have in case you need it. My plan is to always keep my options open!

I chose the Spectra Baby S2

Pro: Having a breast pump can relieve pressure off of you to constantly be the only one to feed your baby. It was a great deal of help to me to be able to pump and have my husband feed my daughter for certain feedings while I rested (especially during the first month). It also allowed my mother to help me when my husband went back to work after paternity leave.

Pumping has the benefit of feeding your baby breastmilk from the bottle, without compromising having to feed them formula.

Con: Breastfeeding your baby directly from your breast can be different than giving your baby pumped breastmilk in the bottle because it doesn’t require the “latch” between mom and baby. (This personally was a big thing for me to get over but once I felt that my baby and I were bonding with the bottle as well I felt so much better!)

Boppy Pillow

Rank of Importance: On a scale from 1 to 5, the Boppy Pillow for us was a 3

The Boppy Pillow is a U-shaped pillow that is great for breastfeeding, tummy time, or when your baby just wants to be propped up. We purchased one because I was planning to breastfeed and I heard great things about it.

Pro: I used it often when I was breastfeeding the first couple of weeks. Then I used it to lay Baby L down on for her to be propped up. It definitely came in handy at times because she even used to nap in it while I was laying next to her.

Con: I can see if some parents think the Boppy Pillow is unnecessary or just “another” item to have.

We purchased the: Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner

Cool Mist Humidifier

Rank of Importance: For us, we found the cool mist humidifier to be a 4 out of 5.

Pro: Having a cool mist humidifier in your baby’s room has a number of benefits including prevention of dry skin, prevention of congestion in baby’s nose/sinuses, reduce the amount of time your baby has a cold, helps your baby sleep better, and so much more.

We use the humidifier every night for the first 4 months since Baby L was born and then we would use it when she was congested, sick, had dry skin, or needed to sleep better.

Con: Some cool mist humidifiers can be expensive so be sure to do your research and if you want to buy one check for the best ones that you can afford. Humidifiers can also be quite large and take up space so if you are limited on space try to find one that is compacted.

We purchased the: Crane USA Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

Baby Carrier

Rank of Importance: A baby carrier for us definitely came in handy but we didn’t use it all the time so it is a 4 out of 5.

Pro: Having your hands free and being able to still hold your baby is amazing. Having a baby carrier also helps with bonding in the early stages and allows your baby to feel nestled into you.

Baby L had a bit of colic so babywearing was a lifesaver for us because it was one of the things that would calm her down.

Con: There are literally hundreds of different kinds of baby carriers and they all have different extra functions and features. They can range from cheap to really expensive as well.

So I recommend to do your research and visit a store to see which ones you are interested to test them out before you purchase the one you want.

We purchased the: Infantino Flip 4 in 1 Convertible Carrier

Burp Cloths/Bibs

Burp cloths and bibs can be found in any baby store, where baby items, are sold, and any type of fabric can serve as a burp cloth or bib.

Rank of Importance: I used burp cloths and bibs every day, all day! I would say this is a 5 for everyday baby necessities.

Pro: Burp cloths are used every time you feed the baby. If the baby spits up and I have the burp cloth on my shoulder, it’s so much easier to clean the burp cloth than to change my clothes every 3 hours after a feeding.

Con: Babies do spit up quite often in the infant stage so I went through about 4 or 5 burp cloths a day! It’s best to have a lot of them on hand just in case. If you only have a few, then you could be washing each one after every feeding.

We purchased the: Gerber Baby 3 Pack Terry Burpcloth Set

One Piece Body Suits

One-piece bodysuits snap around the bottom of the diapers. Footies are one-piece bodysuits with legs and feet and snap down the baby’s belly to their feet (can also be a zipper). You’ll see these in most baby clothing stores!

Rank of Importance: Super essential!

When Baby L was first born she LIVED in onesies and footies. It really helped me as a new mom when it came to changing her.

Pro: Your baby can just be in a onesie and it eliminates the need for separates (such as having to dress than with a separate bottom and top).

When the onesie gets dirty it’s easy to remove from the baby and very easy to wash and dry. It’s easy to change a diaper because the snaps are right at the bottom of the diaper so you don’t have to remove all of their clothes just to change their diaper.

Con: Some brands aren’t well made and it can easily tear or unravel stitches.

Here are some brands we purchased:

Carter’s Baby 6-Pack Short Sleeve Body Suit

Luvable Friends Infant Baby Infant Basic Body Suit

Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Body Suit Set

Swaddle

Rank of Importance: On a scale of 1 to 5 we found the swaddle to be an absolute 5! It was definitely an everyday necessity.

Pro: A swaddle was the number one thing that allowed our daughter to sleep. It also helped her sleep through the night at such an early age (4 months).

We used it every night and it prevented her from waking herself up involuntarily when she moved her arms in her sleep.

It also gave her the comfort of being “snuggled” because the swaddle kept her nestled inside of the sleep pouch- this resembled us holding her.

Con: Some people say a swaddle in unnecessary because a baby doesn’t NEED it to sleep. There are also many kinds of swaddles that work and don’t work so you have to choose which one works best for you.

Here are types of swaddles that we purchased that were successful:

Swaddle Me Original Swaddle 3 Pack

Swaddle Me Pod

Halo SleepSack

Sound Machine

Rank of Importance: I would definitely say a sound machine is a 5 for everyday baby necessities!

Pro: A sound machine can help your baby sleep, it travels well and is portable and comes with about 6 different sounds.

Con: I can’t really think of a con for a sound machine other than if someone just doesn’t want to use one.

We used the sound machine from the first night that we brought Baby L home from the hospital. It quickly became part of her bedtime routine and eventually became a cue for her that its time for sleep.

We use it during naps and nighttime sleeping. I personally believe it also helped her sleep through the night so quickly.

We purchased the: Homedics White Noise Sound Machine
Wipe Warmer

Rank of Importance: For us, this was a 2 for everyday baby necessities.

Pro: A wipe warmer does just that- keeps the wipes warm. It’s a container where you insert a stack of wipes and when you turn the warmer on it keeps the wipes warm all the time.

It doesn’t startle the baby with a cold wipe when you change their diaper and clean them. It’s soothing and warm for their fragile baby bottom.

Con: It does have to be plugged into the wall and can take up unnecessary space if you are space limited. Some babies don’t mind the cold wipes so it could possibly be a waste.

This wasn’t on my baby registry but someone ended up buying it for us anyway so we ended up using it for the first 3 months.

We were given the: Munchkin Mist Wipe Warmer

Diapers

Rank of Importance: A 5 for everyday baby necessities!!

Diapers are obviously essential every day. Your newborn will go through many, many diapers! You have 2 options: disposable diapers or reusable diapers (cloth diapers).

Once you choose your diaper preference, then you can find the brand that works best for you and your baby.

We went the disposable diaper route and personally love Pampers Swaddlers. We tried Luvs, Huggies, and wholesale warehouse brands. Pampers cost a little more than other brands but not much.

It never gave Baby L a rash and it has a wet indicator so there a line that turns blue on the diaper when she peed. This really helped me as a new mom when I couldn’t distinguish when her diaper was dirty or not!

We purchased: Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Diapers

Diaper Cream

Rank of Importance: For us, diaper cream was a 5 for everyday baby necessities! (We found this out after having Baby L)

I thought diaper cream was only used when the baby has a diaper rash. Our pediatrician recommended purchasing a diaper cream that can be applied to every diaper change as a preventative measure.

Our pediatrician told us that most babies get diaper rash because they don’t have cream/moisturizer.

We purchase the: Cera Ve Baby Healing Ointment for Treating and Preventing Diaper Rash

Pro: This diaper cream is the best! It is light, lasts a long time and my daughter has NEVER got a diaper rash because of it! We use a small amount every diaper change and if she’s at all red down there- by the next diaper change the redness is gone!

Con: It is a bit more expensive than other diaper creams you can find.

We tried MANY different brands but love Cera Ve the most because even though it costs a little more you only have to buy 1 a month, compared to having to buy 2 of the other brands a month.

Baby Bath

Rank of Importance: I would say a baby bath is about a 3 for everyday bay necessities.

Your newborn doesn’t need a bath every day, only about every 3 days. This is why some people chose to get an infant bath that can fit in a sink and then just bathe their baby later in the tub. You can also buy a transitional baby bath, one side is for infants and the other side is for when your baby can sit up.

Pro: A baby bath is a safe place for the baby to take a bath. It’s also earlier to give them a bath when they are laying back in a semi-sitting up position like the baby baths are shaped. As a first-time parent having a bath for her helped us! We used it until she was about 11 months.

Con: It can be a waste of money if you are on a tight budget. It also does take up space because you will need to store the tub somewhere when you are not using it.

We chose to purchase a transitional baby bath. We purchased the: Moby Baby Bath Tub 3 in 1

Pacifier

Rank of Importance: A pacifier’s importance is based on the parent. No one can decide whether you will give your baby a pacifier except for you.

After birth, my daughter had to go to the special care unit for antibiotics. The nurses in the unit gave her a pacifier to soothe her when I wasn’t in the unit and she would cry.

When we went home, we decided to keep giving her the pacifier for a little while. By 4 months, she was completely off the pacifier and didn’t even want it!

Pro: Having a pacifier can help soothe your baby and can help them fall asleep.

Con: Some parents are afraid that giving their baby a pacifier will cause an attachment and even nipple confusion. (This personally never happened to us but I know some parents who agree to this.)

We purchased the: Avent Soothie Pacifier

(This was the pacifier they gave us in the hospital and we just continue to purchase the same one.)

Comfortable crib/bassinet sheets

Rank of Importance: Sheets for your crib or bassinet are essential everyday baby necessities!

Pro: Having good sheets will help keep your baby comfortable. Itchy, scratchy sheets are no fun.

Tip: Try having a couple of sheets so when it gets dirty you can have another sheet set on hand and available.

We purchase the: Burt’s Bees Baby Solid Fitted Crib Sheet

Baby Laundry Detergent

Rank of Importance: For us, this was a 4 on a scale from 1 to 5 for everyday baby necessities.

Pro: Having baby laundry detergent gives you the peace of mind that your baby’s clothes will be cleaned with good ingredients and chemical-free.

Baby detergent also specializes in cleaning baby-related stains such as urine, poop, milk, and so much more. I even use it on my clothes when I can’t get a stain out!

Con: It can be an extra cost if you are on a tight budget. You can always buy another form of laundry detergent that is safe for baby skin.

We purchase: Dreft Stage 1 Hypoallergenic Liquid Baby Detergent

Recordkeeper (for keeping track of baby’s napping/feedings)

Rank of Importance: Having a record keeper is not super necessary but having one for me helped me tremendously! For me, on a scale from 1 to 5, it is a 4 for everyday baby necessities.

Pro: Writing down your baby’s naps and feedings can help you keep track of your baby’s daily schedule. It also helps when your baby is having an off day, you can see when it started or after which activity or feeding.

Having a place to write this information down can be super helpful! Be sure to write down milestones too so you can always remember them! You can use your phone, a printout, or a journal.

Con: Writing down your baby’s naps and feedings can be just “one more thing” you have to do.

Get the ultimate record keeper and baby tracker in my Mommy & Me All-In-One Planner below!!

How to Purchase These Items

Amazon Baby Registry:

If you’re still creating a list of things you will need for your registry, ALL of these items are available on Amazon. Think about making an Amazon Baby Registry!

I used Amazon’s Baby Registry when I was expecting and it was quick to sign up, easy to start, and everything I wanted was available!

It’s also really easy for friends and family to access to purchase something off of your registry. You get Amazon perks too! (A free welcome box filled with goodies, easy returns, and 10-15% completion discount!)

Amazon Family:

If your bundle of joy is already here and you don’t need a registry anymore, Amazon Family is the way to go!

Amazon Family is for Prime Members and offers exclusive coupons and discounts on baby/family-related items. You also receive up to 20% off of subscriptions to baby food, diapers, everyday baby necessities and more!

(This is how I purchase diapers, wipes, diaper cream, baby detergent, and other baby stuff.)

The best part is that you order online, save money, and it comes right to your doorstep. No more running errands for baby-related things! Spend that time cuddling with your new addition.

Not an Amazon Prime Member? You can sign up today for a FREE 30 Day Prime Trail by clicking here!

Free Mom & Baby Tracker!

Plan your mom schedule AND track your baby’s feedings, naps & activities all int he same place! Get the free 5-page mini mommy & me planner!

And there you have it!!

Turns out, my mom was right…I did need a crib.

But my friend was wrong…I didn’t need a diaper warmer.

Now you can assess for yourself what everyday baby necessities you’ll need based on your individual family needs!

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Family Travel (old)

The Step by Step Guide to for What to Do When Your Baby Just Cries During Naps:

Step 1: Start a Nap Routine

How to Put your Baby Down for a Nap

Get My FREE Sample Nap Routine so you can start a nap routine that actually works!

Step 2: Choose What to do When your baby is crying

Option 1: Soothing Technique

Option 2: Stay in the Baby’s Room but out of sight and sing or shush

Combination of 1 and 2

Option 3: Figure Out What Is Wrong

How long do you let your baby cry until you do the soothing technique?

Step 3: Figure out Why Your Baby Just Cries During Naps

Baby is used to being held or rocked to sleep in arms:

Baby is used to being rocked to sleep:

Baby is used to being in another sleeping area:

Baby is still hungry:

Baby is uncomfortable:

Baby has colic:

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Don’t forget to Get Your Free Nap Routine Now!

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What is jaundice?

Free Mom Planner & Baby Tracker!

My Experience:

Tips To Helped your Newborn Baby Discharged with Jaundice

1- Listen to doctor’ instructions:

2- Be aware of worsening signs:

3- Know the signs of improvement:

4- Practice Doctor’s instructions:

5- Document signs/symptoms:

6- Follow Up With Your Doctor:

How you may be feeling:

Get the Free Mom Planner & Baby Tracker!

Want to remember this? Post “What to Know About Your Newborn Baby Discharged with Jaundice” to your favorite Pinterest board!

My Diaper Bag Essentials List

1. Diapers

How many diapers to pack?

2. Diaper Cream

3. Wipes

4. Changing Pad

5. Diaper Disposable bags

6. Bottles

7. Formula (in dispenser)

8. Snacks

9. Sippy Cup

10. Hand Sanitizer

11. Lysol wipes (travel packet)

12. Lysol Spray (travel size)

13. Nail clipper

14. Extra outfits

15. Extra plastic resealable bags

16. Bibs

17. Extra socks

18. Blanket

19. Toys

20. High Chair and Shopping Cart Cover

21. Disposable Table Liners

22. Pacifier

23. Mini first aid kit (Band-Aids)

24. Sunscreen

Seasonal:

Optional:

Get the Free Diaper Bag Checklist Now!

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Who is the Orlando Informer?

What is a Meet Up?

Experience at the June Orlando Informer Meet Up

What was Included for this Meet Up:

Price:

Registration/Check-in:

Hotel Group Rates:

Food:

Rides:

Meet and Greets / Activities

Amount of People:

Time in Parks:

A Recap of our Night:

Community:

Our Rating:

Want to remember this? Post this “Our experience at the Orlando informer meet up” article on your favorite Pinterest board!