eSCAping Type 1

One of the most universally challenging parts of pregnancy – something every new parent goes through – is creating the registry for your baby shower.

You go into it all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – so many cute objects to choose from! And then you quickly realize that choosing the best items is super challenging. The more choices, the harder the decision. Plus how do you know what is best for YOU? It’s not like you have experience with this, and you can’t exactly get an opinion from the person who will be using half of that stuff.

Throw in having a disability and creating a registry just became even more difficult. What am I going to need help with? What can I use to make that easier? What items are completely pointless?

Now, being a mom for three whole months basically makes me an expert… KIDDING! Is there even such a thing as an “expert” parent?

I can, however, confidently tell you what I have actually used and what helps so far.

 

 

[As an affiliate, if you purchase anything from the links in this post, I could make some money, at no additional cost to you.]

 

Babyganics Hand Sanitizer

First for a reason! You’re going to want a lot of these. It would literally take me 10 minutes to get up and wash my hands every time I needed to touch Leo’s face… so I use this instead. We also made pre-quarantine guests put it on right in front of us before holding Leo because we’re crazy first-time parents. I like that it’s foamy so it doesn’t drip or run or get on anything it’s not supposed to. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, so I can use it all day without my hands drying out.

 

Boppy Nursing Pillow/Positioner

I have three of these and use all of them more than any other item I have. I suppose if you can walk and carry something at the same time, you only need one. But I keep one in my bedroom, one in the nursery, and one in the living room, so I can easily hold and feed my baby comfortably for hours no matter where I am. (Note: I also have a ‘My Brest Friend,’ and love how wide it is, but Leo doesn’t like its firmness, so we use the Boppy more.)

 

Boppy Newborn Lounger

Leo loves laying and napping in this. I love that it’s safe and has no “walls,” making for easy transfer. It has a permanent position next to me on the couch, so I can just slide my baby from one Boppy to the other.

 

Graco Pack ‘n Play

This multifunctional item is such a useful thing to have right in your living room (or bedroom!). Get the kind where the bassinet can flip over, doubling as a changing station… which can easily be removed once Baby gets too big. Basically, you can use this thing for a few YEARS.

 

mamaRoo Baby Swing

Beyond rocking in a chair, there’s not much movement I can do while holding my baby. Luckily, the mamaroo can do that for me! Sure, swings are great, but the size and functionality of this object sets it above the rest. The price is worth it for the five different motions and speeds it can simulate, including “kangaroo” and “car ride.”

 

Magnetic Onesies

For the love of God do not buy any onesies with snaps. I don’t even know why companies still make them. Zippers are definitely the way to go. BUT my dwindling fine motor skills make even zipping challenging. So I recommend getting onesies with magnetic closings. Again, more expensive, but worth it – especially on those days where pajamas double as daytime outfits, too.

 

Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser

If you are formula feeding in any way get one of these! Think of it as a Keurig for bottles… I’m telling you, a hungry baby will let the entire world know that they don’t want to wait for you to even heat a bottle up. This machine mixes, serves, and warms the perfect amount in literally 10 seconds at the push of a button.

 

Gerber Cloth Diapers

Speaking of feeding, you’re going to want lots of burp cloths handy! Cloth diapers make great burp cloths because they’re inexpensive and super absorbent. You’re welcome.

 

WubbaNub Pacifier

If you’re using pacifiers (and honestly, I recommend you do), invest in a couple of these! Not only are the attached stuffed animals adorable, but they also help the pacifier stay in your newborn’s mouth because it lays on the baby’s chest without moving. Plus, eventually, your newborn will love having something right there to grab and hold. AND if it does fall out, the animal makes it a heck of a lot easier to find.

 

Blooming Bath Lotus

Giving a slippery baby a bath is possibly one of the scariest parenting tasks. This product helps make bath time easier, and therefore actually pretty fun! The flower fits right in a sink of any size, plus the petals all fold for additional support. It’s so helpful to have the faucet right there for rinse off, etc. We also have a “normal” Baby Tub that we use (and like!) but there is absolutely no way I could use that on my own…

 

Portable White Noise Machine

While we do have a Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine in the nursery, Leo isn’t quite sleeping in his crib just yet, so we’ve been using a portable sound machine instead. I like this one because it attaches anywhere and is super easy to use. Plus it’ll be able to travel with us on future road trips, I mean, to Grandma’s house.

 

HALO Bassinest

As I said, Leo isn’t quite cribbing full time yet. It’s especially nice having him sleep right next to us since I can’t exactly walk. I recommend this bassinet in particular because it adjusts up and down to fit the height of your bed, the mesh sides make for safe breathing and easy viewing, it swivels so the baby can basically sleep right next to you, and the front rim easily folds down to simplify transfers.  

 

Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor

Since Leo currently doesn’t leave my side, I’ve actually only played around with our Owlet a few times. But I already know this thing is going to be an absolute lifesaver once he’s sleeping in his crib at night. Since I physically can’t get up to go stare at him every 10 minutes, it is SO comforting knowing he’s safe via a sock that continually monitors his heart rate and oxygen level. How new moms sleep without one of these is beyond me.

 

Primo LapBaby

To be honest, I haven’t used this yet AT ALL. But I wanted to include it because I’m still pretty excited about its potential helpfulness. Technically it’s meant to secure a baby in a parent’s lap during a flight, but I am going to use it with my wheelchair. I’ve watched countless videos on securing a baby with a Boba or K’tan, but the LapBaby was basically made for this. I’ll let you know how it is.

 

 

As you can probably tell, my 3-month-old isn’t doing a whole lot right now. However, I plan on writing another similar post once he starts using all the toys we have stored in his nursery closet. Until then, I’ll be enjoying life while I can still move faster than my kid.