Future Moms! You don't always need what you think you do!

About 9 months ago, I began the search for all the baby items that I HAD to have. My mother-in-law and I jumped in the car and made our way to BABIES R US to get Baby Strickland registered for everything he and I would need. From the moment that I walked in, I was overwhelmed. Strollers, bottles, diapers, cribs and car seats galore, all neatly in place in the store to ensure an easy find.

Now grant it, I know I have only been a Mommy for 3 months, so I don't pretend to know everything. However, some things that I HAD to have in the end I really didn't need at all. Other things, I chose by how great it looked (I mean I wanted to be a sassy mom with my perfect stroller) rather than whether or not it was truly the easiest and best item to have.

So, with so many of my friends having little ones these days, and all you other ladies who may be expecting and on the search for all your wants and needs- here is my advice...

1. Eddie Bauer Travel System $279.00

While this Eddie Bauer travel seems great, it really ended up being a pain in my rear end. We chose this system because of it's ease in folding up. It seemed light at the time and the infant car seat seemed perfect for Maddox for a while.
I was wrong-
-Car seat is so hard to fasten once baby was in it. And seemed to get heavier with a baby in it duh!
-Stroller was huge! Not to mention more complicated to fold and put in car once you had a crying baby in your arms

What we ended up purchasing to make out lives easier:
Combi Stroller $99.00
This stroller is only 13 lbs and folds up and can be carried on my shoulder. To top it off, it will carry the weight of Maddox for a long long time. Sure it does not have a million and half bells and whistles but it is AMAZING.
The Combi Stroller


Check out how tight it folds

Note: You can also order accessories for this stroller ie. infant car seat etc.

This car seat rocks: Evenflo Symphony $125.00
=Simple, and easy to get baby in and out of
-Adjust from 5 lbs up to 100 lbs


2. Graco Sweet Soothing Swing $169.00
-Great swing, cozy, cute
-Music, IPOD compatible
-Various speeds and swings multiple directions


While this was great for us, Unfortunately, we lost it in our house fire. We didn't realize how much easier a swing could be until we got a temporary replacement with this one:
Bright Start Travel Swing $59.00
-We love that it folds right up and can travel with us anywhere we go.
-Plays soothing music just like the Graco
-7 speeds and visual toys for baby to see and play


3. Medela breast pump $275.00
-Many people told me to wait and not buy one til I knew for sure if breast feeding would be successful. I didn't listen.
-I should have rented a hospital grade pump until I was 100% confident that I would use it a lot.
Take my advice... wait to purchase!


4. Bottles and Pacifiers
-You think you will know what kind of bottles and pacifiers that your baby will like but mark my words, 9 times out of 10 you will be wrong.
Funny, we went through 4 different type bottles before we found the right kind for Maddox. He was very picky.

We ended up with these and he loves them:
MAM Anti Colic Bottles 3/$12.99



These things Maddox and I can't live without!!!!
1. Baby Bjorn $75.00 or in my case a hand me down that I am most thankful for!


2. Angel Care Monitor $169.00
-Detects movement, temp of room and breathing
-PEACE OF MIND!

ps. there is no reason to have a monitor that is video... unless you sleep with your eyes open.

3.Nap Nanny $129.00
-Helps with fussiness, gas, colic, acid reflux and stuffiness
-Maddox slept all night for the first time in THIS!


4.Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse $14.99
-Calms Maddox in worst of times
-Puts him right to sleep
-Makes him smile!
-We named him GILLY
-We have 2 of them (just in case we lose one)


Hope this helps!