Show us Your Life - Baby Gear

Today, Kelly is having us show everyone our favorite baby gear.

If there's one thing I've learned after having 3 kids, it's that you don't need half of all that fancy stuff that's out on the market now. There are alot of things out now though, that just make life easier, and I think it's all just personal preference and what works for you!

One thing I had with Madison that I hated was the diaper genie! Have you ever had to open one of those things to change it? Stinky! Ugh! So, with Kaylee and Lily, simple plastic baggies did the trick! I just put their dirty diapers in a plastic baggie, sealed in the stinkiness, threw it in the regular trash can, and out with the garbage it went!

One thing I didn't think I needed, but ended up using with all three girls was our changing table. It really did come in handy and was a great storage place for blankets and toys and other things.

Our bassinet was a must-have too when they were little. That way I could lay them down for a nap wherever I happened to be and not worry about them. Ours had wheels, so you could even move them while they were sleeping to another room if needed. My girls also rocked many a mile in their Graco swing too! Lifesaver!!!! The exersaucer is great too, for once they start becoming mobile, but you need to entertain them and get some things done. Also, the boppy was great for laying them in to play or even while napping.

As for bottles, I don't think you need any of those special super-expensive ones on the market. I have always used the cheap old Gerber bottles and my girls never had any problems with them. They're actually getting harder to find now that the fancy ones have taken over! LOL! Gasp! You mean I didn't breastfeed? My kids must have horrible allergies and be sick all the time and have cognitive delays and all that too!?! Nope! I used Enfamil formula with all 3 girls and none of them have allergies, sickness, ear problems, and they are super smart. I think breastfeeding is wonderful, but it breaks my heart to see new Moms feeling like failures when it just isn't for them. I am here to tell you that it's okay if you choose to bottle-feed!!!! I do wish that I could've breastfed, but it stressed me out so much that it really is the only thing I can remember feeling so stressed about when I was a new Mom (besides the lack of sleep, ha!).

None of my girls ever liked any kind of baby-wearing carriers. They would scream their heads off if I tried to put them in one! I never used wipe warmers or bottle warmers either. I loved the little play mat we had for them to lay on, with the toys that hang down.......those are great to entertain them before they start rolling over.

One splurge when I knew I was expecting Lily? This Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag. I LOVED it!!! Their bags are great, roomy, with lots of pockets and the cutest fabrics ever!! I have gotten so many compliments on this bag. I saw it in a Parenting magazine and had to have it. I loved it so much that when I was mugged and afraid to carry a real purse anymore, I bought the little wallet purse from them too, so I could carry it across my shoulder and not have to worry about anyone being able to steal it! It comes in handy on trips too!

Another lifesaver when I had Lily, and no one was around to help during the day so I could just take a shower..............this aquarium take-along swing!!!! You have to have one of these! It's kind of like a bouncy seat (which I loved too), but it's a swing and it sits low to the floor and is super light, so you can put it in whichever room you need at the time. I would sit it right in front of the shower so that I could take a shower in peace! It plays music and lights up and has different swinging speeds and it will fold up too so you can take it with you wherever you go!

I used that until one day I walked in and Lily had turned over in it and was holding onto the top, with her feet hanging off the end. LOL! I have a picture of that somewhere, but I can't find it!

As for high chairs, I found that I liked having the high chair that you could strap onto your regular chair better than I liked the stand-alone high chair. It took up much less space and was much easier to clean. Then, when they get older you can take off the tray that comes with it and just use it as a booster seat at the regular table.

And of course, all babies seem to like soft, silky blankets and any kind of soft toys that have tags or make that crinkling sound. And those linking rings that you can attach toys too.......definitely get some of those! Those are great to attach toys to their car seat handle for them to play with and you don't have to worry about them dropping their toy every five seconds. Oh, and of course, the stroller is a must-have! You can only carry around that 20 pound baby seat for so long before you do permanent damage to your arm!

Well, I could go on and on.........don't even get me started on the actual brand names of baby clothes and shoes and stuff like that that I love! Most of it, I could never afford when I had little ones, but I sure did like to window shop! :)

Now, I better stop all this baby talking before I change my mind and decide that we need "just one more!" LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!