Super Sippy Cuteness: MAM Baby's New Products

I have to say that I totally heart Austrian-based MAM (pronounced "Mom") products. Pooka and I have been through several bottle styles, but really fell hard for the MAM Anti-Colic bottles. Unlike most of the other anti-colic choices on the market, MAM bottles are super easy to take apart and clean without needing specialized brushes or worrying about tiny pieces growing mold where I can't see it. This is especially important to me because I don't have a dishwasher or sterilizer in my tiny NYC kitchen. The bottles have a great nipple style (they refer to them as teats) that mimic Mama's own and is designed to be harmonious with breast feeding. We never had a problem with switching between breast and bottle with our MAM's. I should also mention that the bottles are very cute, coming in pink, purple, aqua and light blue.

New to the market for MAM is a line of sippy cups. The lovely ladies I met from MAM sent me the new sippy's to test and we adore them. You can start with the Hold Me Bottle as a transition from breast or bottle towards sippy cups. Then move on to the Trainer Cup with perfect sized handles for wee ones and a hybrid nipple/sippy spout. Pooka is using this one frequently now, and can even tilt it up and hold it by herself. The final stage is the Learn to Drink Cup which has a harder spout and no handles. Pooka is just starting to try this cup. They became available in stores last month, so go out and get yourself one and be the first on your block to have one.

MAM has tons of other great products to check out like their famous pacifiers. We sampled the new Air Pacifier that is open around the mouth so the skin can breathe and reduce rashes from frequent paci use. Other products we love are the Starter and Clip teether and Massaging Brush for sore gums and first teeth. Oh, and I forgot to mention that all MAM products are BPA free! What's not to love?

What I really needed at the Hospital

Every pregnancy book, birth book or website has a helpful list of the things you will need to take to the hospital. They are very helpful because, thanks to pregnancy brain, remembering to pack things like your toothbrush or comfy socks might get lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, there are tons of things that you might not ever need, and how big of a bag do you plan to take? The most important thing to remember is that what every mama will need is different based on the type of birth they are planning. We were hoping for a natural birth and packed many items to help with pain management. In the end we were induced (Pooka had no fluid left to swim in) and after 12 hours of Cervidil and 7 hours of Pitocin with zero progress I took an epidural, which made many of the comfort items we packed obsolete. If you are planning to use pain medication or have a scheduled c-section you may not need essential oils, a massage ball, or hot/cold packs. The list I am making here is based on my experience, but should apply to every birth scenario. It is designed to supplement the more extensive list you get from those books and websites.

1. Pillows, Pillows, Pillows: Check with your hospital to see how many pillows are available in your delivery room. Ours literally only gave one per mama, and they were flat as pancakes. Perhaps your hospital will give you several, but if they don't make sure to bring your own. I brought two, but wish I had brought four. Sounds crazy, right? But I would have given my right pinky toe for a couple more before I took that epidural. Besides, you may be at the hospital for a few days and having some creature comforts like your pillow from home may soothe your tired soul. Oh, and make sure if you do bring a favorite pillow that it has a pillow case you don't care about because things do get messy with all that birthing going on!

2. Towels: You know how those towels at the gym barely cover your essential parts? Our hospital had the same size towels, and they didn't even begin to cover my ample pregnancy assets. I brought a big fluffy towel from home and was thankful for it after every shower during the four days and three nights we spent at the hospital. Again, bring an old towel if you are worried about any stains. In fact, just looking at that towel makes me shudder a bit so you may want to toss it when you get home.

3. iPod with Speakers: I made two playlists for the hospital. The first was gentle but upbeat music laced with songs that made me happy and meant something to me, like our wedding song and songs from concerts my husband and I attened. The second playlist was composed of my favorite lullabies from Rockabye Baby. We used both playlists during labor and after delivery. The doctor and nurses especially liked the lullabies and asked us about them when they were in our room. We had also played the same music for a few weeks prior to Pooka's birth so playing them in the hospital gave her a sense of continuity. Make sure to bring battery operated speakers and plenty of extra batteries, because most hospitals won't let you plug anything in.

4. Cozy Sweatshirt: I frequently felt cold at the hospital and was so grateful I had brought along a 3/4 length tie-front sweatshirt from Lululemon. I'm not a bathrobe wearer so having this sweatshirt was key. I wore it while walking the halls during labor, and later while nursing my newbie.

5. Comfy Socks and Slip-On Shoes: Bending over to put on shoes after you deliver is not easy, particularly if you have a c-section. So bring some big fluffy socks with grippy traction on them so you can head to the bathroom during the night without having to put on shoes. But you will want shoes when you venture out of your room so make sure they can easily slip on. Again, there is a possibility of them getting stained so you may not want to bring brand new Ugg slippers!

6. Breastfeeding Book: Unfortunately our hospital did not have a lactation consultant on duty, but the baby nurses were very knowledgeable when we needed help getting Pooka latched. But I also wanted to remember all the little tips and tricks I had learned at my breastfeeding class and from the books I had read. And by the way, I dragged my husband to our breastfeeding class (he was one of two men there). It was much easier than having him ask a hundred questions after the baby was born, and he was able to provide an extra level of support. We brought The Nursing Mother's Companion by Katherine Huggins with us and we both referred to it regularly over the three days we were in the hospital.

7. Fashionable Hospital Gown: So I know this sounds crazy, but having my own cute yellow and pink polka dot hospital gown to slip into after the birth was like a tonic for my soul and made our first memories with Pooka picture perfect. By picture perfect I mean literally, since pics of Mama, Dada and baby were being snapped left and right and I wasn't sporting a crappy hospital issued gown. It was also perfect because the nurses still had appropriate access to my IV, etc, and it was super easy to breastfeed in because the shoulders quickly unsnap. My family thought I was neurotic for purchasing my own gown, but then again I labored and gave birth in my own tank top and Binsi Birthing Skirt because I hate hospital gowns that much. But hey, I wasn't there because I was sick, I was there to have one of the most memorable moments of my life and I wanted to look good doing it! Just note that the birth process can be very messy, so you may not want to actually give birth in your cute hospital gown (the Old Navy Maternity tank top I wore was very stained and had to be cut off of me after the birth because of my IV). There are several cute options for hospital gowns, including Peanut Shell, Dear Johnnies, and B.Y.O.G. (I had the Lemon Drop pattern).

8. Baby Bottle and Pacifier: Pooka is breastfeed and has never taken a pacifier, but she does take a bottle on occasion. Before she was born I was completely against giving her a bottle or pacifier until she was at least a few weeks old and past the point of nipple confusion. But despite our best laid plans I wasn't producing much milk yet and Pooka wasn't peeing (it's a requirement for your baby to pee before you are released from the hospital), so the nurses began feeding her formula. Luckily our hospital was just a few blocks from our apartment and a family member was able to fetch our bottle of choice. If she had to drink formula I wanted her to have the most breast-like bottle. The same goes for pacifiers. If there is a particular brand you want your baby to use introduce it at the hospital.

9. Multiple Baby Outfits: So you obviously know that you need a going home outfit for your wee one, but I would bring more than one. First, if you stay at the hospital for a few days you might want your little one to wear something other than white during that time. But more importantly, you can never be sure what will actually fit. Pooka was expected to be over 7 lbs based on level 2 scans we had the last few weeks, but in reality she was less than 6 lbs. I had brought three outfits, but only the absolute smallest one worked for her. Other friends have unexpectedly had 9 lb babies when they were expecting 8 lbs. So make sure to pack a good size range so you'll be sure to have something that fits.

10. Baby Nail Clippers: I think this is totally odd, but our hospital would not clip Pooka's nails. And believe me, she had some serious daggers when she was born. Again, we had a family member bring a set from home but you should probably just throw a pair in your bag just in case.

11. Olive Oil: So you probably know that baby's first poohs are called meconium, and are tarlike and sticky. They can be very difficult to clean off your wee ones bum. A touch of olive oil can make things a lot easier. Apply a little with each change to keep the meconium from sticking and those first diaper changes will be a breeze!

As I mentioned previously, this is not meant to be an extensive list, but a supplementary list. There are many other things you may need, and probably a few that you won't. Things I didn't use included makeup, and the cute going home dress (I opted for my Lululemon pants and sweatshirt...how did my mom ever put on makeup and a dress?). I also brought Booby Tubes for breast engorgement, but didn't have good access to a microwave and ended up using hot wash clothes instead. I think in the end the lighter you make your bag the happier you'll be. There are also a few things you'll need once you get home, so stay tuned for a later post!

Photos of Pooka taken at the hospital by Hannah Hardaway Photography.

Fab Find: Itzy Ritzy Washable Nursing Pads

Okay, so nobody really sees your nursing pads, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that you know you are wearing something totally beautiful in your big ole' nursing bra to suck up the leaks. I mean, let's face it, there is nothing more womanly than leaking milk from our engorged breasts. And yet somehow it feels kind of gross. So grab these lovely Washable Nursing Pads from Itzy Ritzy to pretty up the whole process! They are made of super soft and eco-friendly baby bamboo. And while you're there grab a cute and practical High Chair Cover (I love the Black Skulls print!) or Peek-a-Boo Pod Infant Carrier Cover.

10 Things I couldn't live without for Breastfeeding

Last month I was invited to speak at Big City Moms Expectant Moms Dinner that focused on breastfeeding. As always, it was a wonderful event with every Mom walking away with prizes, and a lucky few winning strollers by Orbit Baby, Quinny, and Baby Jogger. Preparing for this dinner got me to thinking about my own experiences with breastfeeding. One of the biggest surprises with the entire new baby process was how challenging that breastfeeding can be. It seems like it is a natural evolutionary process that mothers should instinctively know how to do. I've travelled all over the world and seen women of every age and ethnicity easily feeding their babies the way nature intended. And yet, here in the states you hardly ever see that! Unlike in many other countries where exposing your breast to feed you child is not considered a taboo, here it is and I had never really seen a mother breastfeed until I went to a breastfeeding support group after Pooka was born. That's why we have to go to classes to learn how to do it! And my mother and other female relatives did not breastfeed their children so I had no expert wisdom to glean from them. So my best advice for those of you who plan to breastfeed is to stick it out for as long as you can to try and make it work. It took us 6 weeks to get comfortable, and 3 different lactation consultants to get all of our issues figured out. My mommy friends have run the gamut of experiences from relative ease with feeding, to low milk production, poor baby weight gain, and even mommy's who exclusively pump for months because their babies won't latch or went on a nursing strike. The bottom line is that breastfeeding doesn't work for everyone, and if trying to breastfeed impacts your quality of life and happiness with your child than it may not be the right choice for you (and don't heap your choice to formula feed onto the pile of mommy guilt that you will inevitably pile up over the years!).

I also want to share my experience with you, because it is one you are less likely to hear: I made too much milk! How is that a problem? You'd be surprised! Once my milk came in, it flowed like Niagra and I had a very fast letdown. The problem was that Pooka couldn't handle the volume and speed of milk flow, so to compensate she would bite my nipples to shut off the flow so she had time to swallow. Not only was the biting extremely uncomfortable (remember those Texas Tittie Twisters from middle school?), but throughout the feeding she would compress the nipple. This led to blistering and scabbing, but also to a more painful condition called vaso-constriction. Pooka was literally slowing down the blood flow to my nipples, and within five minutes after a feed my breasts would feel like they were on fire and full of pins and needles. But we stuck it out and got through it thanks to the help of the amazing Beverly Solow, a lactation consultant on the UWS. Once I knew what was happening and how to manage the pain Pooka and I were back on track. This leads me to my list of essentials for breastfeeding.

1. Lactation Consultant: In NYC there are multitudes of lactation consultants to choose from and your hospital is likely to have one in-house (unless you give birth at Roosevelt!). Make sure you choose an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), use this website to find ones in your area. Here in the city, my friends and I have had wonderful experiences with Beverly Solow, Ayelot Kaznelson, and Heather Kelly. Please know that every penny spent on a lactation consultant will pay you back in spades, and if you have a hard time coughing up the $200-300 for a home visit try one of the many drop in groups around town (especially those run by the ladies mentioned above).

2. Breastpump: My milk was slow coming in so my doula recommended pumping after every feeding the first few days. If you are going back to work a double electric pump is a must, but even if you are not they are still a good idea if you will pump regularly. Now that Pooka eats solids I am pumping daily to add to her cereal, so the pump is still a necessity. We have the Medela Pump In Style. Pumps are pricey, so if you don't want purchase one you can rent one from your hospital or local nursing or maternity store. Also be sure to check with your insurance company, ours agreed to pay for half the cost of our breast pump!

3. Hands Free Bra: As mentioned in a previous post, I pumped after every feeding for four days after Pooka was born before purchasing a hands free bra. I would have to prop my arms up on pillows because they would get tired holding the cones to my breasts, and forget reading, napping or holding your baby at the same time. My whole world changed after purchasing a hands free bra. Companies like Easy Expressions make hands free bras, or do what my friend did and cut two holes in an old sports bra. That wasn't an option for me, as my cup size grew from a B to a DD/E when my milk came in (eek)!

4. Nursing Pillow: You wouldn't think your little bundle of joy would feel all that heavy in your arms, but trust me when I say they will. First, your arms are not used to holding anything in a cradle position for an extended period of time (unless you played football in high school or college, but that seems unlikely). Second, getting the latch and holds right is not easy at first and you will need to use both hands, which means you will have a hard time juggling baby. I highly recommend purchasing a nursing pillow like the Boppy or My Breast Friend. I've had experiences with both and have some definite opinions. I purchased a Boppy after looking at both options in the store. I thought the My Breast Friend looked odd and really stiff, and I didn't like the idea of being strapped into it. Then I brought Pooka home (at 5 lbs 12 oz and 19.5 inches long) and discovered that she didn't fit well in the Boppy. She sort of fell in the hole between my belly and the pillow, and I had to roll up a towel and place it across the pillow to fill the gap for the first few weeks. Then I went to a lactation consultant and had the opportunity to use a My Breast Friend and I loved it. Because the pillow is attached it fits tightly to your belly (no gap) and the stiffness was really convenient for keeping the baby stable while getting her latch right. In retrospect I wish I had bought the My Breast Friend for the early months, although the Boppy is a perfect fit now with my older baby and I still use it every feed when I am at home. So check out both pillows an choose which one you think works best for you.

5. Breast Pads: Yes Virginia, you will leak milk! Somehow I thought I might get away with not leaking like the way I had dodged other pregnancy bullets like constipation or severe heartburn. But alas, that was not to be the case although there is the rare woman who doesn't leak regularly (maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones!). So do yourself a favor and stock up on beast pads. I tried both the Medela Disposable Bra Pads and and Lansinoh Pads. Both work great, but I preferred the Lansinoh pads because they had a larger circumference and were a bit thinner. I also have some reusable organic breast pads made by Imse Vimse they I used a lot when I was at home. They are super soft, particularly if you are cracked or scabbed. Oh, and if you produce lots of milk and leak while feeding check out the Milkies Milk Saver to catch and save leaky milk.

6. Lanolin Cream: It was on the list of essentials to have, but I chose an organic olive oil based nipple cream from Mother Love. This cream is great if you have minor irritation, but less effective if you are severely chapped, cracked, or bleeding (I was all three). On my first trip to a lactation consultant she recommended switching to a 100% pure lanolin-based cream, as lanolin is the only cream proven effective at healing nipples. The standard in this category is Lansinoh and it's easy to find and works great. My only concern was were the cream was sourced, since I was rubbing it on my nipples and my vulnerable newborn baby was sure to be ingesting some. I ended up using a Medela Pure Lan 100 because it was recommended by a lactation consultant who shared that it was pesticide free (although I can't seem to find any info to back that up).


7. Itzbeen Baby Care Timer: I couldn't have made it through the first few months without this amazing gadget. Read more about it here in a previous post.

8. Nursing Bras: I bought my first nursing bras at 30 weeks of pregnancy and wished I had bought them sooner. The lovely ladies at the Upper Breast Side pointed out how my underwire bras were leaving marks on the underside of my now ginormous breasts and could potentially lead to pluged ducts (ouch!). Trust me, nursing bras are much more comfortable than standard bras. My first two choices were a Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra and an Elle MacPherson Maternelle Bra. To get fitted, head to one of two NYC stores dedicated to breastfeeding: The Upper Breast Side on the UWS, and the newer Yummy Mummy on the UES. The two stores carry similar stock but definitely have different vibes. There is often a wait to be fitted at the UBS, the bras and clothes are kept in closets and brought to you rather than allowing you to browse, and you try things on Loehman's style (no dressing rooms, so don't be shy). But they are the original and certainly know their stuff, as well as advocate tirelessly on behalf of the rights of breastfeeding moms. Yummy Mummy is a more pleasant shopping experience with a beautiful store that allows you to browse the racks freely, try things on in a dressing room, and promotes an overall sense of tranquility. When I shopped there recently there were only a few other women who came in while I shopped. And Yummy Mummy ladies certainly know their stuff too.

9. Nursing Tops: Whichever store you choose, make sure to grab some nursing tops. You won't regret it the first time you feed in public and your torso is covered rather than on display for everyone to see how much baby weight you are still carrying. My favorites for warm weather or as an underlayer are tank tops by Bravado and Glamour Mom (go for the longer length on these) that don't require a separate bra. I lived in these last summer, and wear them now under sweaters and cardigans. I also love my hidden nursing tops and dresses by Mayreau, Boob Design, and Milkstars. Each company approaches nursing access differently. Mayreau does super soft jersey tops that are great when you want a slightly dressier look, using cowls or wrap styles to hide the nursing access. Boob Design from Sweden makes their organic cotton nursing tops and dresses with a hidden overlap right under your bust that you lift up for access. Their designs are sportier and good for everyday, and include pieces like hooded sweatshirts. Finally, Milkstars makes t-shirts with great details like micro-puff sleeves and double v-necks. They use a double layer for the entire front of the garment, and you simply lift the top layer for nursing access. Start with one or two styles , and add more as you find a favorite (and are sure you are going to continue breastfeeding).

10. Nursing Cover: If you choose to breastfeed you will eventually have to do it in public. The funny thing about using a nursing cover is that I don't actually use it for me, but to make sure that others don't feel uncomfortable. By the time I left the hospital and saw multiple lactation consultants I had no shame left about baring my breasts to strangers. These days I'm comfortable enough with my nursing tops that I can feed well in public without flashing any nip, and besides, Pooka loves to try to pull the cover off and expose me rather than concentrate on eating so I don't use one anymore. But you will definitely want a cover for the early months. It takes quite some time to get comfortable juggling your baby, unhooking your nursing bra, and getting a proper latch in public without the whole restaurant seeing your goods! I use a Bebe Au Lait, but Peanut Shell and Itzy Ritzy make great covers too.

So that sums up the bounty of my breastfeeding wisdom. Pooka still breastfeeds several times a day, and when her little hand reaches up and touches my face while she drinks I realize it has all been worth it! Oh, and when in doubt, the absolute best resource for breastfeeding info is the website KellyMom. Go there regularly to keep your sanity while going through this process!

BPA is not just in baby bottles: Ditch your SIGG for stainless steel bottles

About 5 years ago I traded in my Nalgene bottles for the cute and slender SIGG reusable drinking bottle. Then there was the controversy about the harmful plastics in Nalgene bottles leaching into the water. I smugly swigged from my SIGG and thought myself superior for making the switch. That is until last week, when SIGG announced that any of its bottles made prior to August 2008 contained BPA in the liner. Turns out that aluminum leaches baddies into your water too, so the bottles were coated in a liner containing BPA. Oops, BPA also leaches baddies into your water! The worst part is that SIGG kept the contents of its liners secret for proprietary reasons, while at the same time ensuring the public that the bottles were perfectly safe (read more at The Soft Landing). The slew of legislation currently taking place all over the US to ban BPA in baby products finally forced SIGG to admit to BPA in their bottles. Did I mention that SIGG also makes sippy cups? Or that I have been drinking out of their bottles for years? Or that I drank from my SIGG bottles throughout my pregnancy and while breast feeding? Actually, I drank out of them right up until last week! So glad I give Pooka BPA free bottles and teethers but expose her to it in my breast milk. Shame on you SIGG!

But fear not, there are plenty of fabulous options for replacing your old SIGG bottles. First stop, The Soft Landing. This site is dedicated to anything and everything BPA free. I have order great teethers, toys, and bottles. They even have a section for pets. They are running a great program right now if you have some SIGG bottles lying around: The Bigg Bottle Swap. Ship them your SIGG and they will recycle your bottle and give you a 30% discount on a new stainless steel bottle from their site. If you don't have a SIGG you can still register and receive 20% off a purchase.

But what bottle should you choose? There are plenty of options out there in plain old stainless steel, which appears to be the safest material at the moment. Kleen Kanteen has a wide range of bottles in all different sizes. You can choose from 6 different top styles, including an Avent sippy cup top to use with the smaller bottles in the range. I use a 18 oz pink bottle that fits perfectly in my stroller cup holder. Missing the cute graphics on your old SIGG bottle? Try a U-Turn 2 Tap bottle. The only come in 27 oz, but have beautiful illustrations by Laguna Beach artist Shane Towley. I have the green "Hope" bottle and find it to be the perfect size for car trips. Finally, if you want an insulated bottle to keep your beverages hot or cold I like the bottles from ThinkSport. They come in two sizes and incorporate a mesh screen to keep ice or loose tea leaves from clogging the drinking spout. I think I may have to get one of these for my husband to replace his SIGG hot beverage mug.

While new SIGG bottles are being produced without BPA in the liners, they have lost me as a customer. The SIGG CEO recently released an apology statement and they have instituted an exchange program to replace your old bottle with a new BPA free bottle. I think the most ironic part of this issue is that we buy things like SIGG bottles to try to lessen our impact on the environment and we end up hurting ourselves. Sometimes it feels like you really can't win, but I still want to keep trying!

Things we couldn't live without the first 3 months with Pooka

My expectant mom friends love to ask this question, and I'm sure the answer is different for every new mom, but I thought I would share some of the things my husband and I couldn't live without those first few weeks and months.

1) Itzbeen Baby Care Timer: We used the timer to mark the end of each feeding and the last diaper change. When things were crazy and sleep-deprived it helped to keep track of the time between feedings, as Pooka ate every 2 hours in the early days. It's much simpler than marking a log or trying to remember the exact time of the last feeding. I also used the timer to keep track of how long she fed on each side, and there is a helpful button to remember which side you last fed on. Also useful is the button that lights up the timer so you can check the time in the middle of the night without turning on the lights.

2) Aden and Anais Muslin Wraps: Pooka has been swaddled in these wraps from day one. They are a little large at first, but if you fold in two of the adjoining sides in a few inches they work for even the teeniest baby (Pooka was 5 lbs 12 oz when she was born). They are nice and light too, so you don't have to worry about the baby overheating.

3) Sling: My husband would work on his computer while the baby slept in our Serena and Lily Prague Market Sling. It's organic and has padded rails, not to mention beautiful embroidery. Not super manly, but that's because I purchased it for myself, only to discover the size was too large for me. Pooka would sleep in the cradle position for hours, we even took her to a cocktail party when she was two weeks old and she slept right through it. Slings are also useful for protecting your newborn from prying eyes and germy hands. After purchasing a Zolowear Ring Sling for myself, I would carry Pooka in the tummy-to-tummy position which worked like a charm to put her out. It's so easy to carry them this way and be hands free when they are so little.

4) Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump and Hands Free Bra: Double electric, that's all I've got to say! My milk took a few days to come in, and pumping after every feeding the first week made a huge difference. I eventually had more milk than I knew what to do with, but I'll save those issues for another post. A few days into the pumping extravaganza I got a hands-free bra and it totally changed my world. It is a NECESSITY if you are going to pump regularly! I used the time with my free hands to catch up on some reading.

5) Lullabies: We started playing lullabies before Pooka was born so she would recognize them once she was out in the world. We definitely have our favorites: any of the Rockabye Baby albums that do lullaby renditions of famous bands such as U2, Bob Marley, AC/DC, etc. (available on itunes, we actually only downloaded the specific songs we wanted from each artist and made a playlist); the Putamayo Dreamland albums, we have Africa and Asia; Jewel's new album Lullaby. We play them each night starting during the final feeding.

6) White Noise Machine: Living in NYC I already slept with one of these on at night and we have continued to do so with Pooka. We use a Marpac Sleepmate.

7) Exercise Ball: We have both a rocking chair and an exercise/birth ball (ours is a Gaim, but you can get them anywhere), and have found that bouncing a fussy Pooka on the exercise ball works like a charm every time. It take a fraction of the time of a rocking chair to quickly calm her and put her to sleep. Plus its great for exercises both pre and post baby.

8) Maclaren Rocker Seat: Pooka sat in this chair from her first week, although the safety straps were much too large for her at the time. To be honest, they seemed unnecessary when she was so small and not moving around much. If she was fussy or wouldn't go back down after an early morning feeding we would put her in her "Magic Chair." Magic, you ask? It was all about flipping the switch and turning on the vibrations which usually knocked her out cold so mom and dad could get another hour or two of shuteye. We did make a promise to only use the vibrations during extreme situations so she would not get desensitized to their magic calming effect!

9) Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners: So the books will advise you to get two changing pad covers. But what about the night you ruin two in less than an hour? If you are blessed with a baby like Pooka, one of her favorite pastimes was to pee on Daddy during diaper changes. At first we just used the changing mats from our diaper bags to keep the cover dry, until I found these Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners. They seriously reduced the number of times we had to wrestle off a wet or poopy changing pad cover. I also have friends who put disposable changing pads down on their tables over the real cover so they can just toss them when they get dirty.

10) Eurobath Bath Seat: If space is a premium, as it is for most NYC parents, this bath seat may just do the trick. It fits in both a large sink or bath tub, but stows away more easily than a traditional baby bath tub. It is only designed for the first six months, which is fine by us as we plan to have Pooka sit up in the tub once she is comfortable and stable on her own. And in the overpriced world of baby gear, you can't beat the price at $12.00!

Put leaky milk to work! Milk Savers Review

If you are anything like me, when Pooka eats on one side the other side flows like Niagra Falls. During the day I would usually have a pad in there to collect the leaking milk, but sometimes in the early AM or late PM I would be bra-less and just shove a burp cloth against my boob. I always wondered how much perfectly good milk was going to waste. Now I know, thanks to the ingenious invention of the Milkies Milk Saver. More importantly, I am able to save that milk and work on creating a decent stock of milk in the freezer. I usually save around 5 ounces per week, and only use the Milk Saver for the first morning feeds or after an extended period between feedings when my milk is fullest. This morning I saved a whole ounce from just one side during the first feeding of the day. It sure beats a wet shirt!