A Few of My Favorite 0-6 Month Things

Dapple wins the bottle washing soap competition with me.  Compared to other brands I can both see and feel a difference with the way it cleans.  Particularly breastmilk is beautifully rich with fats that can get tricky to get completely clean.  This is the soap that does the trick!

I swear they used to make refills in a soft pack that was more environmentally friendly, but this is all I could find now.  Unless you have separate bottle washing stations you only need the one pump bottle and you can just refill it.

There are several disposable breastmilk storage bags on the market these days.  Lansinoh is one of my favorite because of the pouring shape.  I feel like some of the companies tried to make it easier but wound up... not.  When you're pouring liquid gold, you want to spare every single drop and these bags are the most successful for me.

Ok, I've actually never used these before but I am a heavy supporter or reusable items over disposable when possible.  Having said that, if mom is a large producer of milk and the freezer starts getting full, this can get expensive!  Especially in those early months when baby isn't eating large amounts and you don't want to waist so you freeze in small amounts.  I also have no experience with the pour out which if you read the paragraph to the left, is a deal breaker for me.  I wanted to include this on the list to encourage reusable items when possible so if you do commit, please do let me know your experience with them

The LaVie lactation massager is an added luxury to prevent a very serious discomfort and possible infection.  It is a terrible day when you have a clog in your milk duct so regular massaging can help keep the pipes from getting clogged.  Sometimes it can get a little tiring pushing the heel of your hands and your knuckles around your boobs.  This is lovely alternative that vibrates to keep the lines flowing and preventing build up.  It is made for every size and shape of breast and if you're a leaker it's waterproof so you can massage in the shower, that is, if you have time to take one.  Not a MUST HAVE but can be extremely helpful.

I've never met this model but I quite like the two pack and this one has HEAT.  If you've ever had a clogged milk duct you know... heat = good so I felt obligated to included it on my list.  If you pick one up please send some feedback with what you think and why, I do really want to know the truth!

This is the camera with a floor stand that safely gives you the perfect view of the entire crib.  It also comes with a breathing band that works perfectly with the positioning of the view.

This is the camera with what they refer to as a "flex stand".  It's compact, great for travel and cheaper than the floor stand!  It can get a little tricky when trying to get the right angle if you don't have a place to set it but if you do, and you travel, it's perfect! 

This is the camera with a wall mount that can be very convenient if you don't have the space for a floor stand or a shelf for the flex stand.  It's great if baby essentially only sleeps in one spot and you can get that perfect overhead angle.

These are the bands that velcro around your baby's body so that the camera can pick up the motion of their breathing.  You can also buy them individually but I highly recommend having a few on hand for spit ups and diaper blow outs!

These are a great option for  when it's too hot for an additional layer, if your older baby fusses with the band or for newborn naps.  They come is a few different colors and several sizes.

To be perfectly honest if you have the breathing bands you can just wrap them around the sleeping bags of your choice but if you don't feel like an extra step or your older baby is fussing with the band these can be a nice option.  

This is a cribs sheet that uses the technology to measure your baby.  Now, my experience with it is that a baby essentially needs to be in the position of the baby in the photograph above to get an accurate measurement and some babies don't sleep like that.  Don't get me wrong, it can happen and it is accurate but it usually takes placing baby in the crib, positioning and hoping they don't move before the camera can take the reading.  I recommend this as something extra, not for a staple.

Admittedly I do not have a ton of experience with this night light/ sound machine and what I had was with a toddler age.  I have never dived into the app but what I do love about it is that it is one night light for all ages and can grow with your child.  There is a physical button instead of a touch sensor which is just easier when it's in a space that you're constantly moving/ touching everything.  This button can also be locked so when little hands get to it they cannot turn it off or change the settings.   Another feature that I love for transitioning out of the crib is the color change to signal when it's time to go to be and time to get out of bed.  If you set up these colors before you transition into a "big bed" it can be much smoother.

Now I actually have mixed feelings about this item but I wanted to include it because it can indeed be a life saver, especially if you are gifted multiples.  My absolute favorite thing about this bottle washer is that... you don't have to wash bottles.  And for someone that has washed a (literally) countless amount of bottles in her lifetime, it made the favorites list.  Not only bottle parts but you can throw pump parts, pacifiers, teethers ultimately spoons and plates.   I also love that is an all in one, it washes, sanitizes and (mostly) dries.  Just like a standard dishwasher it misses some spots and leaves puddles so you still need to shake and dry out the bottle and pump parts before reassembling for storage but it sure does help.  The drawbacks are that it's expensive and to get all the residue off you still need to swipe the bottles and nipples with a brush before running through the washer.  Hmmm.... wait a minute... what I haven't tried is Dapple dishwasher pods.  I might have just solved that problem.  However, the Dapple pods are for a full size dishwasher so they might need to be cut down for this little washer.  I'll have to give that a try when I come across a family that is using one of these and write an update!

So these are the detergent tablets for the bottle washer, again, just like a dishwasher they need the detergent tablets.  I'll have to see about the Dapple dishwasher detergent tablets for this little guy.

The verdict is out if key ingredients can help produce lactation or not.  However... it definitely can't hurt and even if it's all psychological, that's not such a bad thing either!

If I am, or will be, your postpartum doula then I have an amazing lactation cookie recipe!  You know, with all that spare time you have (dripping with sarcasm)!  So one idea is to assign that friend/ aunt/ mother that is foaming at the mouth to help you to bake you a nice batch of homemade organic lactation cookies!  Or... you can grab some of these guys.  The mom's I've worked with enjoy them as a snack if they are effective or not, and when you're breastfeeding, snacking is a good thing.  They come in three different flavors as of now, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Muffin and Peanut Butter.  This link is to individual boxes of each flavor but they are also offered in a variety pack  if you want to try them all and you can save a few dollars.  

One  mom swore it was when she started eating the bars that she noticed an increase in milk production.  I say either way, just make sure you eat!!

Boobie brand also makes some other fun stuff that looks pretty good but I can't speak for any other of their products personally.  I do like the company, founded by a Lactation Consultant and mother of three, and I wouldn't mind getting some feedback on their other products so I'm including the link to their store on my list.  If you end up getting another Bobbie product please let me know what you think and I'll pass it on!

Bottle brushes are conveniently shaped just the right size for bottles and nipples so they are generally worth it to get a properly clean nipple.  My favorite thing about the Dr Brown's model is that it has the bottle and the nipple  fitting brushes on the same brush.  Although other brands have this concept, Dr Brown's is the one one with it's own stand with airflow so it doesn't get yucky as well as a suction bottom so it doesn't go flying all over the place.  Most of the time.  The drawback is you need to run it in your dishwasher or sanitizer if not every day then every other day to stay ahead of any bacteria growth and it is not built to last.  Hopefully you will only need one but no promises, especially if you have twins!

This is the new model of the same design in the more hygienic silicon version.  I do love the concept and personally own several silicon items in my kitchen, I personally prefer the original, older bristles.  The original model holds soap better and longer, that's the only reason.  When you've washed thousands of bottles you get pretty efficient at it and having to stop and refill the silicone brush is a speed bump.  Both of these brushes can be popped into the dishwasher  or if you have a sanitizer can go in every time you run either of them.  That helps keep the bacteria out of the original model but... it does NOT last nearly as long :o(  So I definitely wanted to include this link as well but wanted to be perfectly honest with my opinion!