Newborn Necessities: Round 2

Here's a quick recap of the products I am loving these days. Some are repeats from Jonah and some are new.

Aiden & Anais muslin blankets: We got a set of these for Jonah, but honestly didn't use them all that much with Jonah because I felt like they were too light for a winter baby. Nolan is wearing them out though! They are oversized, but thin and light which help in this summer heat. I can swaddle him up in them (and he can break out if he chooses), use them to transition him sleeping in his crib if unswaddled, lay over the infant carrier if we are out and about, and even used them as a nursing cover several times before while sitting in the car.

Baby K'tan: Holy moly. I love this carrier! I used a generic sling with Jonah and it was just okay. We also have the chicco you + me carrier, but you can't use it until they're a little bigger. This is the best carrier out there, I swear. No crazy long wrap to do origami with your body, but major benefits of baby holding for closeness and bonding. This is how I can grocery shop, walk around inside and take J to music class! For shopping, Jonah gets in the cart, Nolan gets in the baby k'tan -- it's like magic. I have two kids and yet both of my hands are free to do things. So far I have only used the "hug" hold with Nolan, but he and I both like it! Fan of the Moby wrap or something similar?? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFNA34DSnbw 

Belleche Nursing Cover: I had a nursing cover with Jonah, but like the carrier, it was just okay. I always felt exposed on the sides and I just never felt comfortable with using it. This cover is awesome. I stumbled across it online and actually found one on eBay (with the matching creme drulee - haha - burp cloth) for $20! I admit that it is an expensive cover if bought from the manufacturer (2Jackaroo for $50), but if you are going to breastfeed longer than a couple months and plan on not living inside your own home, I would seriously consider paying that much for it. Why is it so awesome, you ask? It has 2 straps for each shoulder that you can cross in the back, not a single neck strap like so many others have. The other reason is because they designed it wider than the average cover, with arms slits in the sides so you can reach in to cradle hold your baby while nursing, but still have fabric over your side -- no accidental side boob exposure!! I love it.

Boppy: Loved this for Jonah, still loving it for Nolan. Essential to comfortable nursing and the added bonus of continued use for propping and sitting (when he's ready).

Chicco Double Stroller: I confess I have a love/hate relationship with this thing. First of all, it's a tank. It's big, takes up a lot of space in the back of my Pilot and it's heavy to take in and out. The reality is, though, that I need it to go places. Having two this close in age means I have to be able to wrangle both of them simultaneously sometimes... like outlet mall shopping. :) Pros: you can put the infant carrier in either seat! For example, Jonah likes riding in the front seat because he can see out and interact with the world while buckled in. But what did I do when this kid started to fall asleep and fall out of the seat? I switched the kids! With the back seat flat, Jonah took a nap and Nolan rode in seat number 1.