Transitioning out of the Swaddle: Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit Product Review

Christian was back to his birth weight before he was even a week old and once we didn't have to wake him up every 3 hours to eat, he immediately started sleeping 6-7 hours straight! This kid was a pro sleeper...just like his mama! I love my sleep, so I was a very HAPPY mama too! 

I used to joke that "God knows I can't handle not getting sleep, so he gave me a good sleeper." 

Then it happened...I put his "Slept through the Night" sticker on his calendar the day before he was 12 weeks old... and then he STOPPED sleeping through the night!

I think I jinxed myself because at this point this kid was sleeping 9-10 hours straight on a consistent basis! I was in love with swaddles and swearing by them, even buying all my new mom friends a SwaddleMe for their newborns! 

But also right around the 12 week mark, our little guy started trying to roll over from his back to his tummy and was often getting to his side...so we decided it was time to part ways with the SwaddleMe and break out the Halo Sleep Sacks and just swaddle him arms out. 

The first few nights it wasn't a major difference and decided we would just keep trying it. Then time got away from us and it was nearly a month later and we were realizing that Christian was waking up A LOT! 

In fact, a few nights he was up every 1-2 hours! This kid had NEVER done this even as a newborn. What was going on!?! We tried swaddling him arms in again and our sleep still hadn't returned.

So I got desperate. Despite our Pediatrician recommending waiting until 6 months to start rice cereal, we started rice cereal at 4 months. And the night that he had his first taste of rice cereal (and loved it by the way) he was awake FOUR times! That wasn't the answer either. 

We returned to some of our old sleep practices of napping in the swing...and even sleeping in the swing at night. While the swing did give him some better naps during the day, it still hadn't gotten me more than 2.5 - 4 hour stretches of sleep at night. 

Here is what we have done for sleep: 

Black out curtains in his bedroom 

White Noise

Swaddled arms out 

Swaddled arms in (used to get 10 hours until we switched to arms out)

Sleeping in his swing 

We had tried EVERYTHING...and our 10 hours straight had yet to return. 

Then entered Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.

I'm not even sure how I heard about this miracle product, but I am SO excited to be able to share it with you over at Mommy's First Year!! I really believe that this Sleepsuit is the answer to our sleep prayers!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Visit Mommy's First Year to read the full review of this product**

Mommy's Breastfeeding Essentials!

When I was pregnant people would ask me if I planned to breastfeed and my response always was "I plan to try." Sometimes it works, sometimes it takes lots of work, and other times it just doesn't happen despite mom's best efforts. 

I was very blessed and breastfeeding "just happened" for us. Yes, there were a few things that I knew to do to help the process, but I attribute a lot of our success to Christian just knowing how to latch and suck and the many items that supported my breastfeeding. 

If you are planning to breastfeed, this post is for you! 

Here are my "must haves" for breastfeeding: 

1. Mother Love Nipple Cream

I knew before Christian was born that nipple cream was going to be a must. I originally opted for the Lansinoh Brand Lanolin Nipple Cream. I began using this right away at the hospital because my nipples were SO SORE from feeding our little guy every 2-3 hours. However, after about 12 hours of using this and feeling barely any relief, I asked the nurses what they suggested and they brought me a sample of Mother Love Nipple Cream. OMG. This stuff was THE best! It was like bringing heavenly soothing to my nipples! Seriously. After using this I finally was able to stop cringing every time it was time to feed the baby again. It made breastfeeding in those early weeks and days so much more bearable. 

You can buy it on the Mother Love website for $9.95 for 1 ounce 

OR 

It is also available on amazon for $9.65 for 1 ounce

2. A Breastfeeding Pillow (Boppy, Mombo, Brestfriend)

Personally, I use the Boppy and love it! However, I have heard great things about the Brestfriend which is much firmer for positioning baby up higher and closer to you. The Brestfriend also has a strap that goes around your back so it doesn't slide out away from baby. The Brestfriend is a definite must if you are going to have a smaller baby. My little guy has been pretty big since day 1 and we haven't had any troubles with the Boppy. It also is multipurpose and is great for playing with baby on the floor and using for tummy time! The Mombo seems like a great mix between the firmness of the Brestfriend and the usability of the Boppy. Either way, you will want some sort of pillow as breastfeeding can be quite the job at first! You want the baby positioned as best as possible so you can have your hands as free as possible to help baby latch. All of them also come in a variety of designs! Unless you are choosing to use the Boppy or the Mombo (which can also be used for a tummy time and various other things) I would hold off on buying a Brestfriend until you make sure that breastfeeding is going to work for you and your baby. 

Boppy

 Mombo

 Brestfriend

3. A Nursing Cover 

My biggest fear after Christian was born, was taking him out in public and feeding him. Breastfeeding was going fine for us, but I wasn't yet confident in feeding him with a nursing cover...at least not until I tried the Bebe au Lait nursing cover! During those first few days/weeks, nursing can be a three person job (mom, baby, and an extra set of hands). Trying to manage all of this out in public with a cover on is a daunting task! I had a cover which I thought was going to be great...but really, it just covered us up like a blanket and I couldn't see a thing! Then I met the Bebe au Lait nursing cover at Amma Parenting Center and knew I needed one! This thing has been a life saver and is worth every penny! The BEST part about this specific cover is the rigid neck line. This one is the BEST! Every nursing mom needs one! Plus, they are available in many different patterns. Again, I would make this purchase AFTER baby, just to make sure that breastfeeding is going to work. 

Source

You can buy one online at www.bebeaulait.com for $35-38

OR 

They are also available on amazon for nearly $10 less! 

If you want to see one in person before making a purchase and you live in Minnesota, then I recommend visiting Amma Parenting Center in Edina!

4. WATER WATER WATER 

I can't emphasize this one enough! You need a lot of water to stay hydrated, but you need even more when you are breastfeeding. I started off drinking the recommended 8 glasses a day and soon realized 8 wasn't nearly enough! 10-12 glasses leaves me feeling much better! So get that water in! Find a water bottle that you easily drink from. For me, that means carrying around a cup with a straw because I can easily down 12+ glasses a day when I have my straw cup with me. Not only do you need the water to stay hydrated and feeling good, but you also need it to keep your milk supply up...so drink away! 

Available on amazon.com

5. Resources

Mom Friends  - Chances are you are going to need some emotional support at some point during your breastfeeding stint. Other moms can relate. Don't be afraid to reach out, whether that be to your current friends that might already have kids or by joining a local moms group like New Mama Group at Amma Parenting Center or MOPS. 

Supportive Partner - Take your partner with you to any classes you take on breastfeeding and fill them in on the whole process. You will be glad you did when you need that extra help in the first few days/weeks. Tell them what you are going to want to hear to be encouraged in your breastfeeding as well. 

Lactation Consultant - Despite our best efforts, sometimes we need extra help and encouragement. Generally a lactation consultant will visit you during your hospital stay and offer various tools and ideas to help you in breastfeeding. Make sure you know how to contact this person again if you need further help or have concerns in the future. Or, if you live in Minnesota, Amma Parenting Center offers free drop in baby weight checks and every Tuesday a Lactation Consultant is on site to answer any questions. This is an AMAZING resource! 

That's It! My top 5! 

You're probably wondering, "What about the nursing tanks, nursing bras, pump, and breast pads???" 

Well, I figure the bras, pump, and breast pads are givens...and you'll have to stay tuned for my thoughts on nursing tanks! Don't waste your money mamas!

Wordless Wednesday: Ultrasound pics!

When we first found out we were pregnant, we KNEW we wanted to find out the sex. But we KNEW we wanted to pass on the 3D/4D ultrasound and leave something to be a surprise. 

Well, we couldn't wait and go the 3D/4D ultrasound done and look how much baby boy looks like them! 

Christian's Birth Story!

Visit www.mommysfirstyear.com to read Christian's FULL Birth Story! 

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

Chapter 2 - Mommy and Daddy Meet

Chapter 3 - First Comes Love

Chapter 4 - Then Comes Marriage

Chapter 5 - Mommy and Daddy Get Married

Chapter 6 - Then Comes a Baby in a Baby Carriage - We're Pregnant! 

Chapter 7 - Growing a Baby

Christian's Full Birth Story

How Many of Each Size Diaper Do I Need? What brand is best?

Before Christian was born, we debated stocking up on diapers.  

We had heard that it can help to buy a case or package of diapers each week to just build up a supply so that you don't have to buy a ton all at once after baby arrives.  I had also read to buy a gift card each week so you don't have to worry about exchanging pre-bought diapers for a different size later but then you have the money set aside so it isn't a big expense all at one.

We decided not to do either of these things and to just buy diapers as we needed them once baby came. We did, however, get a case of newborn diapers (96 count) at our baby shower, as well as several cases of various other sizes. We had thought that one case of newborn diapers would probably be plenty before we moved on to size one. We also bought a giant case of size one diapers (234 count).

Our baby boy was a healthy 8 pounds and 20 inches long at birth and newborn diapers fit him perfectly. We are actually just starting to transition to size 1 diapers now and he is 7 weeks old.  I believe newborn diapers are made to fit up to 10 pounds. They fit Christian up to 11 pounds, though.

Pampers size 1 diapers are said to fit babies 8-14 pounds, but between needing to fold the diaper over so it wouldn't rub the cord stump the first few weeks and baby boy just not being long enough, size 1 was too big until Christian was about 7 weeks old,  11 pounds 5 ounces, 22.5 inches long.

So for us, we used 504 Newborn Size Diapers, but could have gotten by with a few less, as we were just using up the last 30 or so before starting size 1. Next time we will probably stock up a bit just to save on trips to the store when you are constantly running out!

We also started off using strictly pampers diapers. Personally, I think diaper choice is more of a mom preference than anything. I really like pampers for our baby boy. They are lined with mesh that keeps the poop from being right next to baby's bottom and I just they they are soft. However, I have heard from some mom's of baby boys that the mesh would often get stuck to the little boy parts, but we never experienced this.

While we started off using pampers, we have now been using Target Brand Diapers.  I worry that they aren't as soft on his bottom, but they seem to do the job just the same. They also have the wetness indicator strip just like huggies and pampers. The strip is nice, but it probably causes you to change the diaper more often than you really need to. You can feel when the diaper is full without looking at the stip. We did use the strip a lot in the first few days when we were religiously tracking wet and dirty diapers to make sure baby boy was healthy and everything was working right.

The Target diapers also seem to be leaking lately, but I think this may be more because of them getting too small as baby boy is about a pound and half bigger than recommended for newborn size. Hoping it gets better now that we are switching to size 1. He is also having a lot more poop these days, so leaks may just be our life now :)

One big advantage to Target diapers, though, is price.

Target Diapers = 13 cents/diaper

Pampers = 26 cents/diaper...that's DOUBLE the cost of Target brand!

As far as wipes go...We started off using Huggies. Mainly chose them because this is what I used when I was a nanny. However, Target brand is slightly cheaper and after using them for awhile, I think they are so much softer!

Target Wipes = Just under 2 cents/wipe

Huggies Wipes = Just over 2 cents/wipe...so not a HUGE difference

If you use facebook and check out Target's new Cartwheel App you can also save an extra 5% off Up and Up diapers and wipes at Target! 

So there you have it! Stock up on newborn diapers if you plan to buy ahead and don't be afraid to try "off brand" diapers and wipes! 

New Blog

The new blog is done and 'Mommy's First Year' is now live! 

Swing on by to www.mommysfirstyear.com and check things out :) 

Like I mentioned in my previous post, updates on Baby Christian and life as a mommy will now be posted to my new blog, 'Mommy's First Year'. Continue to follow 'Mommy in the Making' for all my pregnancy related posts and posts on preparing for baby! 

Be sure to 'Like' the new blog on facebook! 

Hope to see you at 'Mommy's First Year'! 

And if you haven't taken my survey yet, I would love your feedback! Check it out here...

Blog Feedback

Now is your chance! I would love to get your feedback on 'Mommy in the Making!' There are only 10 questions and I would greatly appreciate your input! Click the link below to get started. 

THANK YOU!!! 

Click here to take survey