10 Things we couldn't live without

A really good friend of mine who is pregnant (Thanks A!) with her first little one asked me the other day what were the things that we couldn't have lived without when we had Gabby. That really got me thinking what are the things that really helped us during the first year with Gabby. So here are my reviews of my Top 10 list.

#10: Handsfree Pumping Bra:
Yep I am starting there. I really couldn't have gotten through 10 months of pumping 3 times a day, 5 days a week during meetings, during the work hours with out it. When I first started out pumping I didn't have one, I would hold the left side, pump for 20 minutes to a 1/2 hour, then the other side. Or I would hold both at the same time and then you can't do anything. While I was at work I had to come up with something, I couldn't take an hour and a half out of my day to pump and not be able to do work. So I started out with a sports bra and used that by cutting 2 holes into it. This worked great, but I was finding it difficult to put on and off while at work. So I broke down and spent the 30 bucks and got a nice strapless pumping bra! One of the best purchases ever!




#9: Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump 
This was clearly my best friend for 10 months. As I stated above I pumped 3 (sometimes 4) times a day 5 days a week. If you are going to be pumping a lot I highly recommend it. One thing that I didn't know right away that would help me, is that the horns are not a one size fit all. If you don't have the right fit or it's hurting get bigger horns. Wish I would have known that earlier.


#8: Moby Wrap
The Moby Wrap makes the list because it's truly been a lifesaver. Gabby didn't really like it much when she was an infant. We used it a few times here or there. I thought maybe I had wasted my money.  But as she got older it really worked well. I was able to carry her and do stuff around the house and the yard. She really liked it. I have to say it was really easy to use. There are a few that require some help to get the hang of the ties, but other than that it was pretty easy. I had a few different holds/ties that I used all the time. You can even carry twins in and breastfeed in it (although I never did either of those). The moby wrap is just one large piece of fabric. It's skinny on the ends and larger in the middle where it supports the little one. I highly recommend them.


#7: Pack n Play
We got the Chicco Pack n Play (or playard) that included the bassinet.  We used this when Gabby was first born every day, it was next to my side of the bed and she slept in our room. It was very convenient to have her right there, so I could nurse her and then put her right back. We also use this a few times a year when we head to the lake - again so convenient with it folding up. This one also had a changing table on it, which was nice because we didn't have one up at the lake. We use it now when we visit places over night!

#6: Bouncy Seat

Gabby virtually lived in this thing from the day she came home! In fact we now have two of them. I got one when the little one we had was too small for her. We have a regular one and one that turns into a rocking chair! Now we have one for each floor when we have our 2nd baby. She would sleep in it during the day, and sometimes at night. This kid never really liked to sleep in her crib, so this saved us many a night!





#5: Swing:
I want to thank a friend of mine and her parents for this item. They let us borrow it when their little one was too big for it. During my maternity leave when Gabby refused to sleep in her crib, her pack n play and her bouncy seat, she slept in the swing. I literally would drag it from the upstairs to the downstairs every morning and back again in the evening to her room. It was the only place I could get her to sleep for an extended period of time. Thank you Rose & Katie!!






#4: Sound Machine

Another thing that has helped us during her first year and even now we still use, is the Sound Machine. We got one from Graco, it plays music, white noise and you can hook it up to an MP3 player. It also has a blue night light on it. I really didn't think we would use it all that much, but let me tell you, I don't think we could have gotten through the year without it. Sometimes we leave it run all night for her, other times I use the 1 hour timer on it. I use the light when I was getting up in the middle of the night with her. It's a light blue light that shows enough of Gabby's bedroom that I can get her out of the crib, change her diaper, feed her without having to turn on the big light or her lamp. Plus that way I don't wake up all that much either ;) 


#3: Boppy Pillow
 I know there are many people out there that say the Boppy Pillow is not worth it. But I have to say it's been plenty worth it for me. I love the thing! I have used it for a nursing pillow, for Gabby to sit up with before she could sit up, tummy time for her, a pillow for me at night in the middle of the night on her floor. It was helpful in the car while nursing Gabby on road trips. Gabby knows it's her nursing pillow, if she sees it she will go up and point to it and then point to me.


#1 & 2: Glider, Ottoman and Nursing Stool
This is by far my favorite and most used item! I really wasn't even going to get one. I thought I didn't need something like this, but I am so glad I did. I used the nursing stool more than the actual ottoman for the first 7 months or so, and then just put it underneath and away and used the ottoman when I nurse Gabby now. It's the perfect fit and so comfy. The chair itself has a lock on it and also a recliner which is so nice when it's 4am and I am up feeding her!

I know there are others, what are the things that you couldn't live with out. Next week I will be doing a Top 10 list of the worst/stupidest items we got/had for Gabby.