When Dawson was a newborn we had so many struggles getting him to sleep. He had acid reflux so laying flat was not really working for him. He would gag, spit up, hiccup and cough. At first we used a fisher price rock-n-play for him to sleep in, but once he got a little bigger he would push up with his feet so that wasn't working. My brother and sister-in-law had bought us a snug-a-bunny bouncer, which Dawson would nap wonderfully in during the day. We decided to try the bouncer for night-time sleep. OH MY WORD...this thing was a life saver for the first 8 weeks of Dawson's life! It is cozy, warm, and hugs him just right! Great for day time and if need be, night time!
Once we transitioned Dawson to the crib...He HATED being on his back. We tried swaddling...we tried putting blankets rolled up on the sides of him...we tried laying him on his side...nothing would work...HE HATED IT! So one day during tummy time he conked out...I mean out for 2 hours solid! Never had Dawson slept so hard. Brent and I discussed trying his belly for naps...and to our surprise he slept amazingly each time! SIGH...I was sooo not wanting to allow him to tummy sleep, but you do what you gotta do for you and your child to get some rest. Well I really wanted to know that he would be ok breathing etc. So naturally as all mothers do...I researched for a product to help ease my mind. We ended up getting an angelcare monitor off of amazon, and I absolutely LOVE it!
Another battle we faced was with nursing. In all honesty I absolutely LOVE nursing. I know it is not for everyone, but if it is the route you choose to go then in all honesty...there will be difficulties in the beginning. Dawson was great at the hospital, but as soon as we got home he really struggled with latching etc. I got so uncomfortable and just in pain everytime we would try! I had a friend at work give me these AMAZING lanolin gel pads. I highly recommend them for the first couple of weeks when nursing. They truly helped relieved discomfort after feedings!
I had already decided that Dawson would nurse as well as be bottle fed. Little did we know our little man would struggle with terrible tummy issues. I started off bottle feeding with Medela bottles, but he seemed to be getting tons of air as well as gas and spitting up. (As you know a lot of his issues were due to Milk Protein Allergy) but also I truly believe switching bottles helped with the burping and gas! We absolutely LOVE Dr. Brown bottles. Yes they are somewhat annoying to wash, but they truly seem to work for the gassy baby!
Living far away from family has been tough! I will admit I truly miss having them around for needed help. One weekend I decided I really wanted to go to Raleigh but did NOT want to drive with just me and Dawson. He is NOT a good carseat rider unless he can see Mom or Dad. I just knew that it would take forever and a screaming baby the whole way was not my idea of fun! I decided that I would take the train from CLT to RAL. I knew that I would have a carseat, diaper bag, luggage ...etc. and that I would need my hands free. We had originally purchased a moby wrap which was wonderful for those screaming newborn days, but just would not work for the train. I could just see me taking the 100 ft. of fabric and saying..."Excuse me, could you hold my baby while I wrap myself up in this" So I decided I needed a baby carrier that would be fast, easy and last a LONG time. I had heard all of the "rave" about ergo carriers so I started looking around. Target ended up having them on sale and get a free gift card with purchase! That is the route I chose. But I know TJ Maxx has them sometimes and also zulily.
Last, but most certainly not least....the NOSEFRIDA!!!! AHHH yes my newest most favorite product! Dawson has come down with an awful cold this past week. His poor nose has been so stuffy and well, those hospital bulbs just weren't cutting it! The girls in my Bible study class (all moms) had recommended the nosefrida. I had heard of it online, but didn't know if it really did the trick. Well, poor Dawson was waking from sleep because he just couldn't breathe...his nostrils would literally be stuck to the inside of his nose from so much mucus. We use saline drops and a bulb, humidifier etc...but still he was super stuffy! SO I told Brent we must go purchase this magical nosefrida and give it a whirl...OH MY! It seems soooo gross, but won't moms do anything for their children?!? The nosefrida is a Swedish contraption that has a long "straw" connected to a funnel shape syringe. Essentially how it works is you place the syringe part in baby's nostril and suck the straw! Yes, I know, but it has a loooong tube and filter and from my experience mucus really doesn't even ever reach the filter. This thing sucks allll and I mean allll of the mucus stuck in the sinuses. My child can breathe for hours after using it! So to all moms to be...seriously if you aren't grossed out...go invest in a nosefrida!
Well like I said these are all of MY favorite baby products to date. Take them or leave them but I thought I would share! Hopefully somebody will get some use out of this post or I will knowing I just love these products ! Good luck to all of the future mommies! Welcome to the best job in the world! Being a mommy!
