In case you missed my announcement last week, I am pregnant, and we are having the baby pretty soon! Preparing for a baby is always exciting, and since we have a 6 years old daughter, it’s more enjoyable for her.
Here’s the announcement:
No two pregnancies are alike, and this time I am having more “experience” than my first pregnancy. I had a miscarriage before conceiving this one, so things started out pretty stressful. This whole pregnancy, I have been extremely sick, the nausea and weakness were terrible in the first trimester. The second trimester was better- nausea-wise, but my chronic shoulder and back pain came with a vengeance. And after that, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GD). GD always comes with complications for the mom and the baby, and there are a lot of restrictions and rules you must follow if you want to stay healthy. I am not going to get sidetracked and into the details….. long story short, I had to focus on my health, prioritize it, and take it slow this whole year career-wise.
As a second-time mom, I still have lots of stuff from my firstborn. Some of her gender-neutral clothing and other essentials are still new, and some are unused so that I can reuse them. But some stuff we needed to get – new fresh, and improved. Here’s a quick look at them.
Preparing for the baby- the essentials:
Juniper Dreams 6″ 2-Stage Edge Support Earth Air Crib Mattress:
Though we are still using the old crib, we got this brand-new mattress for the baby. I absolutely hated the mattress we got for our older kid, it was hard, waterproof, had a plastic-y surface, and did the “things” that a mattress is supposed to do. But after a year, the top waterproof plastic layer was getting flaky and coming off., So we needed to get another one. This one from Juniper Dreams looks and feels fantastic! Its top layer feels soft, but the whole structure is not too soft- just the perfect balance of hardness and softness.
It’s Hypoallergenic and Water-Repellent, and it’s a 2 stage baby mattress, meaning this baby crib mattress is designed to firmly cradle infants in their first months. Then you can flip it over to use the comfortable plush side for your growing toddler. I especially like the fact that this mattress is wrapped in an organic cotton cover, and it allows air to pass through, which can help regulate your child’s body temperature (so unlike the first-ever mattress we bought 6 years ago!)
For now, I am keeping the plastic wrap until the baby arrives because I do not want it to collect dust. However, I will share my experience once we start using it.
Baby Bath Essentials:
Towels and washcloths are something you will need almost every day! So quality was the first thing that was on my mind for these. So I opted for KeaBabies Organic Bamboo Hooded Towel and Organic Bamboo Washcloths.
This towel is made from premium bamboo, ultra-absorbent, and specifically made for sensitive skin. The washcloths are incredibly soft, thick, and absorbent. Each set comes with 6 washcloths. I have already washed all of these and they held up well in the washer and dryer- delicate cycle.
Baby Wrap Carrier:
For my older kid, I didn’t get a wrap carrier thinking it would add more pain to my existing shoulder pain. Boy, oh boy! I was so wrong! I developed carpal-tunnel pain and added back pain because, most of the time, I was not mindful of the posture and position I was holding her. So this time around, I got a wrap carrier.
At first, I got a widely popular one, but as soon as I took it out from the packaging, it didn’t feel that soft and comfortable. Given that I will stay at home (perks of a winter baby) and use it around the house 90% of the time, I wanted something smoother, breathable, and washable. That’s why I looked into KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier. This is an all-in-one, breathable, lightweight, and hands-free baby carrier sling for newborns and Infants.
The material is not too stretchy and is made with soft cotton. It comes with a carrier bag. I washed this in a delicate cycle, and so far, I don’t see any negatives.
AspenClean Unscented Laundry Pods:
Speaking of washing, my older kid had very sensitive skin in the first few years. As a result, we needed to be careful about skin products and which detergent we were using. So to be safe, this time, I am washing the baby’s clothes with AspenClean plastic-free detergents. These are eco-friendly natural cleaners made with organic, plant-derived ingredients. These plastic-free unscented laundry pods are hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive baby skin.
The Canadian brand’s laundry detergent pods, dishwasher pods, oxygen bleach powder, and stain remover, all with plastic-free packaging, now ship anywhere in the United States.
I am not including the obvious, like onesies, socks, clothes, and winter gear. I have got some for the newborn stage. As the baby grows, I can get them according to necessity.
Do you have any special tips for preparing the arrival of the baby? Comment below!
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