Nowadays, there are so many baby products to choose from, sometimes it’s hard to figure out which ones you absolutely can’t live without. But trust, me, there are definitely ones that you can live without. So, here’s a list of baby essentials and non-essentials for the first year. Check it out!

When I became pregnant with my fifth and final baby, I had already gotten rid of all my baby stuff. So, when I started buying the essentials, I thought long and hard about what baby essentials and non-essentials for the first year I really needed. Because you can spend a lot of money and take up a lot of space in your house with baby stuff that you really don’t need. Here’s the list I put together.

20 Baby essentials for the first year

This isn’t a complete list of EVERYTHING that you’ll need for the first year, but it covers most of the main stuff. As a first-time parent, having a baby can be overwhelming, so just start with the absolute essentials and then consider the other non-essentials if you think you might need it.

• Swaddling blankets: Swaddling your baby is a must in my book. Learn how to swaddle your baby. You’ll thank me later.
• Stroller and car seat combo: This goes without saying.
• Bouncer: Until your baby can move around on her own, you’ll need a safe place to put her down when you’re at home
• Pack ‘n play with bedside bassinet: I used this for the first couple of weeks when my baby slept next to my bed and then I had the pack ‘n play to use whenever we went out of town.
• Electric breast pump: If you’re nursing, don’t even think about using a manual hand pump! Plus, most insurances will provide a free breast pump.
• Nursing cover/car seat cover: This is a two for one! Cover your boobies when you’re nursing and then cover your baby in her cart seat. Plus the nursing covers are so much better than they used to be. They actually cover you.
• Bottles: Even if you think you’re only going to nurse your baby, buy some bottles just in case.
• Diaper cream: Newborns poop a lot and sore bums are inevitable. Plus, Triple Paste is the best diaper cream.
• Baby bath: It’s always scary giving your newborn their first bath. A really good, safe baby bath is a must.
• Front carrier/wrap: Some moms prefer the wrap carrier. I prefer a front carrier. Either way, sometimes you want to keep your baby close around the house or when you’re out and about. This is a must.
• Diaper backpack: These are catered for the modern mom with everything you need on the go with a baby.
• Convertible crib: As your baby grows, you can switch the crib to a toddler bed.
• Plastic bib: Don’t buy any fabric bibs. These are so much easier.
• Infant Tylenol: When your baby won’t stop crying in the middle of the night, you’ll be glad you have this.
• Humidifier: These really do when your baby sleep better at night.
• Activity Center: Once my babies start to sit up around six months old, the bouncer won’t work anymore. An activity center helps will their development and keeps your baby entertained so you can get stuff done.
• Binky/binky clip: Don’t buy a binky without a binky clip. Your baby will spit it out and your binky will be lost in binky land for eternity.
• Baby fingernail clippers: These are made specifically for tiny baby fingers. Then you don’t have to worry about your newborn clawing her face to death.
• Baby snowsuit: If you live in a colder climate, you don’t have to feel like you’re stuck inside with baby all day. I took my baby on walks all winter long.
• High chair: I prefer the kind that attaches to a chair so it doesn’t take up extra space.

20 Baby non-essentials for the first year

Believe it or not, you don’t have to buy every baby product that is out there. There are some products that aren’t totally necessary but are more of a convenience. Here’s 20 items that you don’t really need when you have a baby.

• Bottle warmer – It takes just as long to warm water on the stove.
• Shoes – Babies usually just rip them off and plus they can’t even walk
• Nursing pillow – Just use a regular pillow
• Play mat – They tend to just take up space. My kids have never liked these.
• Bottle sterilizer – One word: dishwasher
• Diaper Genie – These start to stink up your house and plus you have to pay for the bag that go in them.
• Baby wipe warmer – For reals?
• Changing table – This is basically a glorified dresser that takes up space. Try a changing mat instead.
• Baby monitor – These are pricey. I just crack my baby’s door and listen for her.
• Bumbo – None of my kids like sitting in Bumbos and I think they aren’t totally safe.
• Baby food mill – Just use a blender.
• Formula dispenser – These are just the same amount of work as measuring your formula each time.
• Car mirror – I have never used one of these. I just don’t consider them essential.
• Teething toys – Just an excuse to buy more toys
• Noise machine – If your baby gets used to a noise machine, you have to have one anytime you go out of town.
• Crib bumper and bedding – Choking hazard
• Umbrella stroller – I usually don’t use these until my babies have outgrown their car seat/stroller combo.
• Grocery cart covers – Put a blanket in the cart if you’re worried about germs.
• Snack cups – These seem to take up a lot of space in my diaper bag. I prefer ziplock bags
• Jumparoos – I always worry about safety with these and I can’t ever find a place for them in my house

Well, there you have it. There’s 40 baby essentials and non-essentials for the first year. Hopefully this list will help you as you’re preparing for the arrival of your little one. Is there anything I should have added to one of these lists? Let me know in the comments below.

More from My Silly Squirts: Capture memories with this DIY newborn shadow box

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An umbilical hernia in babies is more common than you might think. But when your baby’s belly button starts bulging out, your first reaction is to fix it right away. Although it’s not that simple, I found a temporary solution that I felt helped a lot.

When my baby girl was first born, her belly button was sticking out a little bit. However, it seemed like it started bulging out more and more. As the weeks went by and it didn’t go away, that’s why I started doing a little research and here’s what I found out.

What is an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia happens when part of a child’s intestines bulges through the abdominal wall inside the belly button. It shows up as a bump under the belly button. The hernia isn’t painful and most don’t cause any problems, according to Kids Health. This occurs in about 20% of babies, which was more common than I realized.

How to get rid of them

I asked my baby’s doctor about it and he said that most umbilical hernias go away without doing anything at all. However, sometimes it can take up to three, four or even five years! In some cases, doctors can perform surgery if the hernia becomes incarcerated (or it can’t be easily reduced).

The perfect solution: umbilical belt

Since my baby’s doctor didn’t seem too concerned about her umbilical hernia, I still didn’t want her to have such an unsightly belly button for possibly years to come. I took to the internet and found a non-invasive solution that costs less than $20. It’s called an umbilical belt.

The belt fits snugly around my baby’s tummy directly over her belly button and attaches with velcro. There is a plastic bump on the belt that you place over the belly button and essentially pushes the hernia back in. It seems simple right? I had my doubts but I figured why not try it out.

I put the belt on my baby everyday and would take the belt off at night. After just two weeks, her belly button was back to normal. After a while, I would just leave the belt off and her belly button would still stay down. My doctor said that in the “olden days” moms used to tape a thimble onto their babies belly buttons. So this is essentially the same thing.

The material on the belt is super soft so it didn’t irritate my baby’s skin. Plus, it’s such a simple solution that I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it out and I was really happy with the results. Within less than a month, my baby didn’t even have to wear the belt anymore. Her belly button was back to normal.

I think the only thing that I would have done differently is bought two belts. After wearing the belt for several hours, it became very sweaty. It would have been nice to have two belts so that I could wash one while she was wearing the other. Other than that, I’m completely sold and I would recommend an umbilical belt to anyone whose baby has an umbilical hernia.

What other solutions have you come up with to resolve your baby’s hernia? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Molluscum: What is it and how do I treat it?

The post My simple solution to my baby’s umbilical hernia appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

They grow up so fast. So why not capture all those adorable memories of your new little one with a do-it-yourself newborn shadow box. You display it in your home and then give it to your child when he or she moves out. It will be a treasure in your family for years to come. Here’s how to do it.

I got the idea for this ridiculously cute shadow box after my fifth and last child. I realized that I hadn’t done anything special for any of my previous kids. So, I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity. It’s so simple and beautiful memories can be encased in such a small space. Here’s how you can do it too.

Buy your newborn shadow box supplies

This DIY project won’t work without a shadow box. Here’s a few options depending on what kind of look you’re trying to achieve:

• White shadow box display case (11×14)
• Rustic wood shadow box (11×14)
• Flagship Shadow box with back easel (8×10)
• Black Shadow Box (12×12)
• Rustic shadow box with drawers for keepsakes

I like the shadow boxes that open and close magnetically and allow for easy access to the objects inside. You’ll also want to buy some cute push pins to hold the items in place. Here are a few ideas:

• Metallic push pins
• Decorative floral push pins
• Geometric wooden push pins

Gather your newborn memorabilia

Newborns are so freaking cute. But they don’t stay that little for very long. You’ll want to gather all the items that you can that remind you of this precious time. Here’s some ideas:

• Small picture of your newborn
• Small picture of your newborn with the people he or she was named after
• First onesie that your baby wore
• Item related to her gender reveal
• First pair of knitted shoes or stockings
• A bottle or binkie that she used
• Ultrasound picture
• Letters of her name
• Date of birth and weight cut out from paper
• Family picture
• Clay casting of her hand or foot
• Tiny bow that she used

Put it all together

This was the fun part. After I had everything I needed, I assembled all of the items together where I wanted them in the newborn shadow box. Make sure you arrange them so you can see each item. It’s your project so lay it all out however you want.

Hang your shadow box in your baby’s room or anywhere in your house. You could do one for every child that you have and display them together on the wall. Your options are limitless and you will love the way it turns out.

What other ideas do you have to remember your newborn baby? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

Related link: How to swaddle a baby

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It’s a touchy topic but none the less, very important. Am I going to breast feed? For some moms, there’s no question. But for other moms, it’s up for debate. For me, it was a tough decision but in the end, choosing not to nurse my fifth and last child was one of the best decisions I could have made. Here’s why.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog post does not constitute professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or physician regarding the health of you and your baby.

#4: I already knew what it meant to breast feed

Prior to the birth of my fifth baby, I nursed all four of my other babies. I already knew how my body handled breast feeding. I understood what was required physically, mentally and emotionally in order to be a nursing mother. Had this been my first baby, it would have been a much tougher decision.

#3: I was worried about my baby’s health

I was diagnosed with preeclampsia during my pregnancy and was forced to deliver three and a half weeks early. My baby was only four pounds. Having nursed before, I knew that my body didn’t produce a lot of breast milk. As a result, I knew I would constantly be worrying whether or not my baby was getting enough nutrients. Her health was my main concern.

#2: I had four other kids at home

If I had decided to nurse, I would have needed to weigh my baby before and after breast feeding and top my baby off with a bottle of formula afterwards every time I nursed. Considering the fact that preemies need to be fed every two hours, I would basically be nursing all day long. With four other kids to take care of, it would have been very difficult.

#1: I had to consider my own mental health

I’m a happier and healthier mom when I’m not nursing. I’ve learned that about myself. Nursing isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. I didn’t feel guilty about not nursing at all. It’s a decision that is very personal and no one else should make that for you.

Hopefully this is helpful as you are considering whether or not you are going to breast feed. For some moms, they aren’t even able to nurse. And for some moms, nursing is a wonderful bonding experience. It’s different for everyone. When it comes down to it, all that matters is that you feed your baby.

For more information about nursing, check out these books and resources:

• Lactivate!: A User’s Guide to Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding made simple: Seven natural laws for nursing
• The womanly art of breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding may not be your thing and that’s okay

Related link: My #1 post-partum regret

The post Five reasons why I chose not to breast feed my fifth child appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

If you are a new mom or dad, then you need to learn how to properly swaddle a baby. It will make your life and your baby’s life so much easier. And it’s not that hard to swaddle. It just takes a little bit of practice. So here we go!

Before the birth of my first baby, I was shown a video that detailed the importance of swaddling. I was hooked. So from the moment my first child was born and for each of my five kids, I have swaddled my babies. Now I’m here to pass on my knowledge to you.

Why swaddle a baby?

It might seem like a lot of work to swaddle a baby all of the time, but the positive impact it has on your child is amazing. According to Intermountain Healthcare, here’s just a few benefits of swaddling:

• Swaddling protects your baby against their natural startle reflex, which means better sleep for both of you
• Helps calm a colicky baby
• Assists in eliminating anxiety in your baby by imitating your touch, which helps your baby learn to self-sooth
• Keeps her hands off her face and helps prevent scratching
• Helps your baby sleep longer and better
• Helps prevent SIDS by keeping unnecessary items like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals out of your baby’s crib
• Keeps your baby on his back while he sleeps

Use the right blanket

You don’t need a special swaddling blanket in order to swaddle a baby. Basically you just need to make sure it it large enough to swaddle your baby without any problem.

Here’s blankets that I DO NOT recommend for swaddling:

• Muslin blankets: These are too stretchy and you can’t get a good, tight swaddle. Instead, these are great for the summer time when it’s super hot outside and your baby needs a light blanket to cover her.
• Silky blankets: Although these blankets are soft and comfy, they are super slippery. Your baby will fall right out of your arms if you try to swaddle them in these.
• Sleep sacks: These are ideal for babies who are a little bit older. But if we’re talking about newborns to 3 months old, you’ll want a traditional blanket. Sleep sacks just don’t wrap your baby tight enough and they can break free and wake themselves up very easily.

Here’s some blankets that I DO recommend for swaddling:

• Fleece blankets: With just the right amount of stretch, these blankets are perfect to swaddle a baby.
• Receiving blankets: These are super handy and are perfect for a good swaddle as well.

Don’t stress to much about finding the perfect blanket. And don’t spend a bunch of money buying a fancy swaddling blanket. A regular blanket should do the trick.

Eight steps to a good swaddle

There are eight main steps to a swaddling. The key is to keep the blanket tight. Don’t be afraid to make the swaddle really snug. You want your baby to stay in place and not wiggle her arms free.

1. Lay blanket flat like a diamond on the floor or bed.
2. Fold down the top corner to the center of the blanket.
3. Place baby in the center of the blanket with her shoulders just above the folded edge of the blanket.
4. Fold the left corner of the blanket to the right, across the baby. You may need to gently hold down each of the arms one at a time to ensure they are secured by her sides.
5. Tuck the blanket under the baby on the right side.
6. Bring the bottom corner up over her feet.
7. Fold the right corner of the blanket to the left, across the baby.
8. Tuck the blanket underneath the baby and back over the top.

If you would like a printable version of these step-by-step swaddling instructions, feel free to download our FREE printable PDF by clicking on the link below:

Click here for your free printable instructions about “How to swaddle a baby”

Of course, if the instructions above aren’t helpful enough, feel free to watch my YouTube video about how to swaddle a baby. It’s super easy and after just a few tries, you’ll be a pro.

Related link: Advanced Maternal Age: Pregnancy after age 35

The post How to swaddle a baby (the easy way) appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

Most of the time, life doesn’t work out the way you expect and you find yourself pregnant in your late 30s. Your doctor will mostly likely tell you that you’re at Advance Maternal Age, but what does that mean? Well, don’t stress. Here’s my experience on how I navigated this important time in my life.

Important note: I am not a healthcare professional. The tips suggested in this blog post are not endorsed by a doctor. For complete and accurate information regarding pregnancy and Advanced Maternal Age, please contact a healthcare professional.

So, I recently had my fifth child and I am 38 years old. It was always the plan to be done at 34 years old but then we decided to have one more. Although being pregnant at any age is difficult, it definitely has its own set of challenges at Advanced Maternal Age. But I’ve also learned some great tips to make this short 9 months of my life very manageable. Take a look.

What is Advanced Maternal Age?

According to the Mayo Clinic, many women are delaying pregnancy well into their 30s and beyond — and delivering healthy babies. It’s just that at age 35 or older, various risks become more discussion worthy, such as:

• It might take longer to get pregnant
• The risk of chromosome abnormalities is higher
• You’re more likely to have a multiple pregnancy
• The risk of pregnancy loss is higher
• You’re more likely to develop gestational diabetes
• You might need a C-section
• You’re more likely to to have a low birth weight baby and a premature birth

With all of that being said, more women are having kids later in life, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In 2010, 45.9 out of every 1,000 women aged 35 to 39 gave birth, and in 2018, that number was up to 52.6 out of every 1,000 women aged 35 to 39. So, don’t be afraid to have another child just because you are older.

Swollen ankles

I didn’t noticed a huge difference physically between this pregnancy and any of my four other pregnancies before I was placed in the high-risk category. I was still the same amount of tired. Heart burn was still constant and I was still gaining the same amount of weight. I think the only exception is that my ankles were swollen and I never had swollen ankles during pregnancy.

I developed preeclampsia

I’m not sure if I got preeclampsia because I was older, but I definitely didn’t have it during my other pregnancies. Basically, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. My blood pressure starting getting higher around 34 weeks. Immediately, my doctor implemented various precautions to ensure a safe delivery:

• Non-stress tests twice per week
• Blood samples once per week
• Steroid shots
• Weekly doctor visits
• Early induction at 37 weeks

At first I wondered what the big deal was but then I realized that doctors don’t mess around with high blood pressure. If you let it get too high, it can cause liver and kidney failure, seizures and other complications. So, in the end I was grateful because I ended up being induced at 36 weeks because my blood pressure was 183/100. If I had waited until I was 40 weeks along, me and my baby might not have survived.

I received magnesium sulfate

I had never heard of this drug before. But when I was in the delivery room, I was informed that I would be receiving magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of seizures. The only draw back was that I had to be on the drug for a full 24 hours after I delivered the baby. Side effects of the drug included vomiting, hot and cold flashes, headache, nausea and exhaustion. In other words, you feel like you have the world’s worst flu. I am not going to lie, it was awful and miserable. Just when I wanted to be up and moving around and enjoying my baby, I was forced to stay in bed with a catheter and an IV. But the alternative was much worse, so I had to grin and bear it.

Worth it

Despite the physical challenges that I experienced, it was all worth it when I held my new baby in my arms. That little baby made me forget all the pain and struggles. She is beautiful and I feel so blessed to have her in my life. If you’re wondering if you are too old to have another baby, just consider the lifetime of joy and happiness that little baby will give you. It will make the nine months of being pregnant definitely worth it. Here’s a cute video of my boys meeting our cute baby for the first time.

What what your experience with having a baby at Advance Maternal Age? Leave your comments below.

Related link: My #1 post-partum regret: Don’t let this happen to you

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Being pregnant is so exciting! Every mom can’t wait for that big day when her new baby finally arrives. It’s like Christmas but for adults, ha ha! That’s why I created this adorable 40-week pregnancy countdown so you can mark off every week that you get closer to meeting your little one. Check it out.

So, I am well into my 30th week of pregnancy. This will be baby number five and we’re finally getting our girl. Yay! I have to admit even after having four babies, I still get nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. Plus, people are always asking me how far along I am. This printable is an easy way to keep track every step of the way and enjoy every moment. Check it out.

Download your pregnancy countdown

I designed three different countdowns depending on your tastes. Each one is cute though, ha ha. Just click on the link below to download your printable to hang in your home for 40 weeks!

Click here for your 40-week pregnancy countdown printable

Fill in the dates on the countdown

Once you’ve printed off your countdown, write down the beginning date of each week of your pregnancy. To figure out the exact weeks leading up to your due date, you can buy a pregnancy calculator wheel online. Or, you can use one of the many pregnancy due date calculators available online.

Start adding your stickers

The funnest part is adding your stickers each week. If you have kids, it’s also really fun to get them involved and let them add stickers week by week as well. I purchased my stickers at the Dollar Store. I tried to get some shimmery pastel-colored stickers that matched the colors of the printable. They turned out adorable.

I loved the way this pregnancy countdown turned out. It’s such a fun and easy way to remember this exciting time in your life. Although the struggles of pregnancy are real, it’s a time you’ll never forget. Good luck on your pregnancy. I’m including a link to the free PDF below if you missed it above.

Click here for your 40-week pregnancy countdown printable

Related link: Smash cake gender reveal

The post Expecting? 40-week pregnancy countdown printable appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

I’m currently pregnant with my fifth baby. Yeah, I know. And having done this four times before, I have learned a few things about being pregnant along the way. That’s why this time around, I have discovered five things that I no longer do during pregnancy that have made a big difference in my overall health and happiness. Check it out. See if these tips can help you too.

Although being pregnant is one of the most wonderful and life-changing experiences, it can also have its challenges. That’s why there are a few habits that I have changed to make the entire process a little bit easier.

#5: Spending hundreds of dollars on baby gear

From monitors to cribs to strollers, baby gear can get pretty pricey. And after having four babies already, I’m not about to spend hundreds more on items that I will just give to goodwill a year from now. There’s no shame in buying a rocking chair or bouncer second hand from a garage sale. Or graciously accepting your neighbor’s gently used high chair instead of spending $200 on a new one at Target.

#4: Googling everything

I read, “What to expect when you’re expecting” during my first pregnancy. And while very informative, pregnancy and parenting self-help books and online forums can really stress out an expectant mother. They tend to over-complicate and overwhelm instead of inform and instruct. So before you rush to your internet search browser, try asking your doctor first. Keep it simple.

#3: Counting calories

Every expectant mother worries about gaining too much weight. But counting your calories and obsessing over every extra pound will only stress you out. Yes, of course you’re going to gain weight, you’re supposed to! Just try to eat healthy and forget the rest. Although it seems like your body will never be the same, you’ll be surprised how fast you bounce back after you have your baby.

#2: Making exercise excuses

Aside from contact sports, skiing and rock climbing, you can basically continue all of the other exercises that you enjoyed before you were pregnant. That’s right. Running, swimming, weight-lifting, aerobics, kick boxing and cross fit. Since becoming pregnant, I have tried to workout at least 3-4 days per week consistently and it has made all the difference. I can honestly say that even at 38 years old, my fifth pregnancy has been my best because of it.

#1: Ignoring my intuition

If something doesn’t feel right, speak up! You are the one who is pregnant, not your doctor. This is particularly applicable during your delivery. These nurses and doctors deliver babies every day. Although it may seem like another day at work for them, it’s definitely new to you. Ask questions, voice your concerns and stand up for yourself when something doesn’t seem right. I remember leaving the hospital after my first baby feeling very unsure about breastfeeding. It was so difficult for me but I didn’t want to bother the nurses. But that’s why they are there, to help you.

I hope some of these tips will help you during the next nine months. Although being pregnant definitely has its challenges, the rewards (obviously) are worth it. Congrats on your bundle of joy!

Related link: Dr. Google vs. the new mom

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