Newborn Gadgets: Other Bits

The final post in the Newborn Gadgets series covering some other bits and pieces I'd highly recommend! 

I found newborn Lena surprisingly more alert and aware of her surroundings than I expected. The Bright Starts activity gym was an instant hit. Even more so when she could actually focus on objects more than 5cm away! 

We similarly found the Bright Starts Swing a life saver, for a different reason which was to generally relax her. Most of my friends found vibrating seats useless at sending them off to the land of nod, but this was a sure winner for us. The Baby Bjorn bouncer is a perfect gadget in terms of activity time when they are happily kicking away, but for quiet relax time when you're desperate for a shower a motorised swing is a must.

After week one of Lena being in our lives my wardrobe changed completely. Every top I owned was packed away and a selection of striped Bretons from Boden hung in their place. Babies love contrast and there is nothing better than being the object of your baby's wonderment. So get those stripy tops on!! 

Next on my list is the Manduca. There are many points in the first few months of your baby's life that you start to miss doing things with two hands. I remember week six being particularly challenging as Lena refused to be put down. I also remember wishing I had hulk like arms by month six as her weight increased and she refused to wrap her legs around my waist. This is a snazzy baby carrier that keeps them in the "frog" position and therefore hip healthy. We still use it now as a back carrier and it's extremely comfortable. 

A sheepskin liner makes a perfect gift for new parents. Because of it's heat regulating and cocooning properties it instantly settled newborn Lena when we tried to put her down. We ended up getting three - one for at home and relaxing, one for the car seat and one for the pram.... so you could say I'm pretty convinced that they are super. 

A night light is also a must for all of those interrupted night feeds and changes. Initially we survived on the bedside light being on most of the night, but this was too bright. Then we had a teeny weeny night light that literally produced the dimmest of glows that it was difficult to see her features. Now we are happily operating in the glow of the Heico rabbit lamp. I do feel like Goldilocks for prams, and evidently for night lights too!

Lastly, huge high fives for the Aden & Anais swaddle cloths. Sure they are on the expensive side but I think these actually saved our sanity in the beginning.  As I've said before Lena and her Moro Reflex resulted in lots of self waking and therefore, not the happiest of parents. As with the sheepskin, swaddling seemed to provide her with instant comfort. Plus they're great as summer blankets, covers for breastfeeding, shades over the pram hood and general tidy uppers of drips and spills. 

Take a look at my cleaning essentials and feeding essentials