As I now only have nine weeks left until our little bump is due to enter the world I have finally started to think about what we need to prepare for her arrival. How different it is second time round!! By this time in my pregnancy with Isabella the nursery was complete, wardrobe full and hospital bag packed 🙂
Whilst planning what I need to prepare I sat and had a thought about the 10 things I found most useful and here they are:
1. Amby Baby Hammock
http://www.amby.co.uk
Instead of a Moses basket Isabella slept in this and I was an absolute god send for me. Even after night feeds she was so easy to settle and if she moved it would rock her back to sleep, I will definitely be using this again with baby number 2.
2. Puckababy Piep
http://www.puckababy.co.uk
Isabella kept hitting herself in the face or startling whilst sleeping and I found this amazing the first night I used it she went from waking every three hours to going 5 1/2 hours a miriacle when you are sleep deprived. She continued to use the next size up until she was over a year old.
3. Baby Carrier
There are hundreds of different types and brands and I think  it is really down to personal preference and comfort for you and baby. There are loads of sling library’s across the UK where you can go and get advice and trial all the different styles as well as hire them before you spend out money buying one. I would really recommend this as I found my sling to be an absolute lifeline allowing me to keep on top of house work, prepare dinner and just have my hands free. If Isabella was crying or clingy I would also put this on and walk around the house and it would settle her.
4. Motorola MBP30 Digital Video Baby Monitor
http://www.babymonitorsdirect.co.uk
With loads of great functions this baby monitor gave me absolute piece of mind with Isabella, you also had the ability to play music or talk back through the monitor. The picture was really clear and had great night vision. We have recently just swopped this for a newer model of the Motorola Monitor with two cameras so we can keep a watch on both children.
5. Rocking chair
I was given my grandma’s old rocking chair so I still have this to use but for those night feeds, settling baby or just a nice comfy place to feed and comfort baby I found my rocking chair the most relaxing place to go.
6. Bouncy chair
http://www.kiddicare.com
If you want to be able to have dinner in piece or grab a quick shower I would recommend purchasing a bouncy chair, a safe place to put your newborn that they seem to relax and enjoy themselves in. There are several models and they all vary in price but I would definateley say make sure it vibrates and plays music.
7. Brother Max 3-in-1 Digital Thermometer
http://www.brothermax.com
A newborn is so precious and temperature is so vital that I found the Brother Max thermometer a real necessity and also not only used it to test her temperature or check if she had a fever but to control the nursery temperature and decided what she should wear to bed.
8. Breastfeeding Pillow
http://www.kiddicare.com
At the beginning breastfeeding can be tough and if anything makes it easier or more relaxing then it is a necessity in my eyes.
9. Sophie la Giraffe
http://www.sophielagiraffe.co.uk
When your baby is teething and grizzly you will do anything to make them happier, for some reason this giraffe works miracles for teething pain. I purchased so many different types and styles of teething toys including the frozen ones and necklaces but Sophie was the preference by far.
10. Fisherprice Jumperoo
http://www.kiddicare.com
This is for when your child is 6 months + but as soon as Isabella was old enough it gave her a sense of new found freedom and she loved it! This by far was the most useful toy she has ever had and she never seemed to get bored of it.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my ‘top 10 baby must haves’Â if any of you reading this have any good tips or recommendations I would love to hear from you!
Sophie
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A Mothers Instinct 