I wasn't a huge fan of tiktok until I was pregnant and then I think I watched every single video that every new mama posted with info on all things baby and childbirth related. In hindsight, I should have reigned it in a little. But then again are any of us surprised that I went all in? The all or nothing struggle in my life is real. Now with a little bit of new mama experience under by belt here are my 'would prefer not to live without' things...
CAR CAMERA
The first time I had B in the car by myself I could hear what sounded like puking in the seat behind me. We had one of those mirrors that everyone with kids have... but unless it was angled just the right way... all I got was a good view of the bar on the carseat.
So... as this first time mom is driving down the road and hears her two week old vomiting in the backseat, worst case scenario was where my head was at. When I was able to pull over, make sure she was ok and get my anxiety under control... I was sure I would never drive alone in the car with her again.
I got home that day and immediately ordered this. Crazy enough I never saw one video where someone recommended this. I'm obsessed! It is by far my favorite baby item.
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PORTALE SOUND MACHINE
This item came up over and over again in my pregnant video watching days and often times the moms would say order multiple of them. I remember thinking why in the world would I need multiple sound machine?... I get it now! They come in a pack of three... my recommendation is order that! We use this all the time! Every night, every car ride, and in the stroller. When if I forget to charge it and it dies on me, I want to cry. I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping one with me to sleep even after we kick B out of our room.
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JOLY WELL LIGHT
We leave this on every single night. Actually to be honest both this and the sound machine are just on all the time in our bedroom. It easily taps on and off, has yellow and white light options, and dims or brightens just with a touch. It's on ALL. THE. TIME. And.... I only have to charge it like two times per month. This was also super handy to have in the hospital! I could use it with out turning on the annoyingly bright hospital lights or getting out of bed because let's be honest walking hurts after giving birth!
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ITZY RITZY DIAPER BAG
I'm officially a diaper bag snob. I love my Itzy Ritzy backpack and all the matching accessories that are available with it. It's expensive, but.... I'm putting this in the same category as I put my phone. I hate spending a grand on a phone... but it's the thing I use most in life so it probably should be something I invest some money it. My diaper bag has become a close second. Totally worth the money! And it's the cutest diaper bag ever. They guy holding it is pretty cute too.
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MOCKINGBIRD STROLLER
I love my Mockingbird Stroller... and all it's accessories! We invested in the single to double one and I'm desperately hoping we get the opportunity to take advantage of the double feature! Pictured is the carseat adaptor. We have the bug net cover, the rain cover, the seat pad, an extra cupholder, and a stroller bag attached (itzy ritzy of course!). In hindsight the one thing I wish I would have gotten was the bassinet to go with it. I really feel like we used it enough that it would have been totally worth it!
You'll have to check out Target or the Mockingbird website for this one!
STROLLER FAN
We now own 3 of these! I had this with me in the hospital giving birth. Loved it. We used it all summer on our stroller. Loved it. And post partum me was dying at night so I started using it at night to keep me sane. Oh and our preteen requested one too!
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OBALL
As soon as B figured out how to grab things, she loved this. She could easily grab it and hold onto it, she loved trying to stick her tongue through it and she could pretty easily get both hands on it. The best part.... it's only like $6!
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SOPHIE THE GIRAFFE
This stupidly adorable giraffe cost an insane amount of money for what it is. But it is worth every penny! From about 6 months on little Sophie has gone everywhere with us and for some odd reason can entertain for hours. Did I ever think I'd be spending $27 on a plastic giraffe? No. No, I did not. Would I buy it again? In an instant.
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FISHER PRICE PLAYMAT
I really wanted all things matching. I wanted my baby stuff to match my house. All that esthetically pleasing nonsense, I know..... Probably not the most important thing in life, but I enjoy décor that all goes together. After watching videos and reading reviews I caved and bought the Fisher Price playmat. And as luck would have it... it is by far her favorite. She would lay on this for a half hour to an hour easy kicking the piano, grabbing the hanging items (which can be switched out) and looking in the mirror. And now she thinks she's hot stuff sitting at the piano pretending that she's actually playing the music she hears!
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AND FINALLY.... The item that is basically the only reason I slept at all in the last 8 months....
OWLET BABY MONITOR
I struggle deeply with anxiety when it comes to some things. It's something I have to continually work on and something that can consume me if I allow it. SIDS terrified me. And I definitely watched a few to many tiktok videos about this topic. I was terrified that I would put my baby down to sleep and not be able to wake her up. Ultimately, I needed to come to turns that I'm not in control and whatever happens God has a plan, but while i worked thorough and continue to work through that... I found some comfort in this owlet baby monitor. I loved being able to see her heart rate an O2 levels when I got anxious. I definitely spend more than one night with that heart rate and O2 screen on next to me all night long so I could glance over and know that she was ok. I know there's a lot of debate on these monitors, but for me this one is worth every single penny!
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