Motherhood -

The Only 12 Things You Need For A Newborn

Now that I’m officially in my 3rd trimester I’ve been putting a lot of thought into the essentials we’re gonna need when our son is born. We had so much stuff for the first baby it was ridiculous and lots of it never got used. Having learned so much from my first pregnancy about what I did and didn’t need I wanted to share this list of things you really need for a newborn.

1. Car Seat

For newborns always get an infant car seat. When you go to leave the hospital after delivering they won’t let you take the baby if you don’t have a car seat. We loved the Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat.

2. Diapers

You will definitely need lots of these. At the hospital they had an unlimited supply of Pampers Newborn Swaddlers for us to use and take home. When we got home we used the newborn size for maybe another week and went right into size 1. So don’t many newborn diapers. Our favorite diapers are: Pampers Pure Protection.

3. Wipes

These are a must have. My daughter is 2 and we’re still buying a large box of wipes monthly for her. You will be using wipes for a very long time so make sure to get a good brand that you are comfortable with. I like using the: Pampers Aqua Pure Baby Wipes.

4. Diaper Rash Cream

A good diaper rash cream should always be kept on hand. Make sure that it soothes, heals and helps to prevent further diaper rash. Our go to diaper rash cream is: Pinxav.

5. Somewhere For Them To Sleep

Whether it’s a bassinet, crib or pack ‘n play, you’re going to need a safe place for your little one to sleep. Whatever you use make sure that it will grow with your baby and if you want fit by your bedside. Our daughter slept in a bassinet on the side of our bed for the first 3-4 months and it was comforting to have her there next to us. A great bassinet is: HALO Bassinet Premier Series. Crib: DaVinci Charlie 4-in-1 Convertible Crib. Pack n’ Play: Graco Pack ‘n Play Care Suite.

6. Baby Monitor

If your baby is sleeping in the room with you for the first couple of months you may or may not want a monitor. We had one and used it to monitor my daughter during nap time, she would sleep in her bassinet and I could monitor her from the kitchen or home office. When they move to their own room/nursery you definitely want to have one, having a monitor when she was in her room gave us peace of mind and helped us sleep better at night. Our favorite baby monitor: Miku. Check out my blog post review on this unique monitor.

7. Swaddle Blankets

When I got pregnant with my daughter this was one of the most recommended items for us to have. You seriously can never have to many swaddle blankets. We used them as receiving blankets, burping cloths, swaddles, stroller blankets & covers, and car blankets for our daughter. They are so soft and last forever. Our favorites are the: Aden + Anais Essential Swaddle Blankets.

8. Comfortable Zip Up Sleepers

We made the mistake of stocking up on the button up sleepers and let me tell you, we’ll never do that again. When changing them in the middle of night or day when they are sleeping its easiest and best to have the sip up sleepers. They are soft, comfortable for little ones, easy to take off and put on and a lifesaver when it comes to diaper changing when they are sleeping. One of my favorite sleepers is: Burt’s Bees Baby Footed Pajamas.

9. Baby Food: Breastmilk Or Formula

After giving birth I had the hardest time with breastfeeding in the hospital. I ended up having to supplement with formula for a few days and after that I was ok breastfeeding. I breastfed my daughter for 18 months. Some moms cannot or choose not to breastfeed and they use formula. At the end of the day, fed is best and that’s all that matters. When I formula fed we used: Similac Pro-Advance.

10. Nasal Aspirator

After my daughter was born and we got her home she started having a really stuffy nose daily. As gross as it seems we used a nasal aspirator to suck the snot out her nose and it was immediate relief for her. You will do whatever it takes to comfort your child. The nasal aspirator I swear by is: Nose Frida.

11. Pacifiers

Since I breastfed my daughter all day we didn’t really use pacifiers a lot. The few times we tried a pacifier for soothing it worked but didn’t last long because she started sucking her thumb, lol. The only pacifiers that worked for her were: Philips Avent Soothie Pacifiers.

12. Babywash & Babylotion

Newborns don’t need baths everyday. We gave our daughter baths 3 times a week when we came home from the hospital. I made sure the products I used on her skin were gentle, moisturizing and for babies. Baby skin is so delicate and dries out easily so be mindful of what products you use. My favorites are: Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel & Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion.

If you are a first time mom I understand going overboard and wanting everything because I did the same thing. This list of essentials is really all that you need to get started. More than anything else your baby needs you, so give your little one all the love and snuggles in the world Mama.

Categories: Motherhood, Lifestyle

My Top 10 Pregnancy Must-Haves

With my first pregnancy, I kind of went with the flow because I knew nothing about being pregnant and what I would need or want as an expecting mom. Now that I’m pregnant again I wanted to share a list of my top 10 pregnancy must-haves things that have helped me get through this pregnancy & also my first pregnancy when I started to figure things out.

Prenantal Vitamins– These are the prenatal vitamins I currently use and I also took them when I was pregnant with my daughter and throughout our 2 year breastfeeding journey. I love that these have the folic acid, DHA & Iron which are all great for baby’s brain, cognitive development and spinal cord development.

Pregnancy Pillow– Pharmedoc has the best pregnancy pillows. I love that they come in different shapes because every pregnancy is different and all pregnant women don’t sleep the same. I am a full-time stomach sleeper, lol, but being pregnant it’s difficult to lay on your stomach as you belly is continually growing. My doctor asked me to try laying on my left side and it was a challenge until I found this c-shaped pregnancy pillow. This pillow is so soft, comfortable and is the ultimate lifesaver with helping me sleep comfortably through the night.

Comfortable Underwear– Having a handful of comfortable underwear is a must. Some women prefer maternity underwear that fits under their growing belly, whereas I like full-coverage briefs or as some people like to call them “Granny Panties.” Whatever you’re most comfortable in is all that matters-just make sure that your underwear are comfortable, breathable and at least 90% cotton. Not only are cotton underwear soft, but they also allow your skin to breathe and it absorbs moisture away from your body.

Maternity Belt– I discovering the belly bandit halfway through my first pregnancy and it made a world of difference with easing my back pain from pregnancy. They help to redistribute the weight of your pregnancy and are perfect for all day everyday wear. I love that it is soft, breathable, supportive & comfortable.

Heartburn Tea– I recently discovered this tea from Bamboobies when I was about 22 weeks pregnant and it has been a lifesaver. I’ve reached the stage in pregnancy where I have. heartburn all day & all night long. After trying this for the first time a couple of weeks ago I am sold on this tea. It’s made with it’s made with herbs & natural ingredients, caffeine + sugar free, has no GMOs, preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Exercise Ball– During my first pregnancy I had constant severe pelvic pain and it wasn’t until my doctor explained to me that this was from my body getting ready for delivery that I understood what was going on. She recommended an exercise ball to help alleviate discomfort and I found myself using it daily during that pregnancy. Even now in my 2nd pregnancy I love using my ball on a daily basis because it feels good and it’s helping to open up my hips to make room for baby to descend into my pelvis.

Skin Moisturizer– Although both of my pregnancies have been different, something that has been constant during both pregnancies is dry skin. I used CeraVe during my first pregnancy and it helped to soothe and keep my skin moisturized. So of course I am using this daily during this pregnancy and it has really made a difference in my skin.

Travel Cup or Water Bottle– Staying hydrated during pregnancy is so important. With me being someone who is always on the go, I bring my yeti cup with me everywhere. I love this cup because its large and keeps drinks hot or cold for a while. You can also use a water bottle. I make sure to drink at least 5 of these 30 ounce cups a day.

Tummy Drops– With my first pregnancy I didn’t experience much nausea at all. This time around it hit me like a ton of bricks especially in the first trimester. I was having morning sickness throughout the day and someone recommended these Tummy Drops to me. I love that they are individually wrapped because it makes them perfect for on the go and they taste great.

Comfortable Leggings– I lived in leggings during my entire first pregnancy. This time around I wear leggings at least 3-4 times a week. They are so comfortable, lightweight & soft. I buy mine from Torrid but Target has really nice leggings as well. What I love about leggings aside from the comfort is that come in many different colors and lengths.

Although every pregnancy and person is different, I hope that this list helps an expecting mom during their pregnancy journey and points them in the right direction. If you’re working on your registry check out this post about Baby Registry Must Haves.

Categories: Motherhood, Baby

Pregnancy During Covid-19

We found out we were pregnant with our son right after Thanksgiving and although it was unexpected we were excited and so grateful that God blessed us with another child. Pregnancy comes with so many feelings of anticipation and excitement but for me it also comes with lots of anxiety about giving birth due to my traumatic afterbirth experience after I gave birth to my daughter. From great doctors visits that I was able to experience with my husband & daughter, to good diagnostics on myself and the baby, the beginning of my pregnancy was smooth.

When national news of Coronavirus hit it was a lot to digest because at once. Every day it was a different story, symptom and type of person that it did and did not affect. The added stress of worrying if my toddler, unborn child, husband or myself were to catch this started to weigh on me heavily. Our state started the mandatory stay-at-home order in March around the time when I was 17 weeks along.

When the stay-at-home order hit my husband stayed home from work and I was grateful for that because we got in some much needed bonding time as a couple and as a family. He went from working 15 hour work days to being a stay-at-home dad and watching him bond with our daughter was amazing. I was able to have extra time to myself and relax.

Going in for doctors visits was a different experience. I couldn’t have anyone with me, so my husband would drive me to the hospital and when you get to the door they take your temperature, give you a mandatory mask and ask if have any symptoms or if I’ve been in contact with anyone that’s suspected of having the virus.

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We're having a BOY!!!!!! 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can't believe I'm halfway done with this pregnancy. Little man loves kicking my bladder and rolling around as soon as I get comfortable. Every roll and kick is a reminder that he is ok and that I'm blessed to be growing this precious life inside of me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . #curvymom #plussizemommy #werehavingaboy #babydue2020 #mytinytribe #thisismotherhood #newbabydue2020 #2020babies #louisianamom #batonrougeblogger #familyof4 #ourlittlefamily #20weekspregnant #2ndpregnancy #gratefulmama #cantwaittomeetyou #expectingababy #babynumber2 #countingmyblessings #joysofmotherhood #momsofinsta #momdiaries #raisingtinyhumans #bumpdate #motherhoodinspired #lifedailymoms #candidmotherhood #raisinglittles #plussizepregnancybump #plussizepregnancystyle

A post shared by Ashley Tutt (@ahalfbakedmom) on Apr 13, 2020 at 4:00am PDT

It was especially hard when I went in for the appointment to find out the gender of the baby. The nurse was so sweet and wrote down the gender in an envelope for us and when I got back to the car we opened it together and it was a moment I’ll never forget. I screamed because I was happy to find out and cried because it was something that we were able to experience together with this pregnancy.

It sucks that my hubby or daughter can’t come to appointments with me and see the baby move around in my belly on ultrasounds. Sitting in the room by myself with the nurse doing the ultrasounds I wish that they could be there with me to see those small movements, facial expressions and wiggles the baby makes, but due to Covid they can’t.

I pray that things are better when I’m due in August. I hope that my husband, daughter and family are able to be at the hospital when I bring our son into the world.

Although this has been a pregnancy that I will never forget, this pandemic has made us focus on family life more and taught me to treasure the small moments. It’s also taught me that its ok to be sad about things that have come with abrupt changes, but just don’t get stuck there in those feelings. When things don’t go as planned, just make the best of the situation and try and find the good in each situation.

Categories: Motherhood, Baby, Reviews

Miku Smart Baby Monitor

I RECEIVED THIS PRODUCT FOR REVIEW, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

When I found out I was pregnant again, I started making a list of things we would need and right at the top of the list was a new baby monitor. I wanted an all-in-one monitor that not only had amazing safety features but would give my husband and I peace of mind when our newborn was asleep. I’m so excited to share with you about the Miku Baby Monitor!

Miku is a military-grade smart monitor that tracks your babies sleeping and breathing through it’s camera. Everything is monitored & stored in the secure Miku App that is so easy to download and use. I’ve never seen a monitor like this before, so I was definitely excited when I learned about all of the features and how easy it is to install.

Installation

Upon opening the box I was extremely impressed with the sleek design and to see that Miku supplies you with everything you need to install your baby monitor. In the box along with the monitor & power supply was also a screwdriver, level, measuring tape, drywall anchors, screws and the wall mount.

Here is a helpful video that shows you how to install your Miku:

Features

Once you’ve put together and installed your Miku, you just download the Miku App and connect it to your Wifi. Along with the app this smart baby monitor has so many awesome features including:

HD Photo
Two-Way Talk
No added subscription fees
Real-time breathing & sleep tracking
Dual speakers w/ custom sleep sounds and lullabies
Contact-free technology- no wires or wearables required!
Live stream 1080p HD video on your app from anywhere in the world
Personalize your notifications: no movement, baby has woken, baby has fallen asleep, and sound alerts
Safety features: cord covers, baseplate lock, CryptoChip security, two-factor authentication
Room temperature and humidity sensors let you create the perfect sanctuary for your sleeping baby

A Few Of My Favorite Features:

CryptoChip Security: A concern I always have with baby monitors is the possibility of them being hacked. With Miku that concern goes away because Miku has gone through great lengths to create a safe system. From the crypto chip that resets all keys & erases data if tampered with to the 2-step verification & sharing settings that allows us to control who sees our little one and has access to the app, security won’t be an issue.

Real-time Breathing & Sleep Tracking: When my daughter was born I constantly hovered over while she was sleeping to make sure she was still breathing. With Miku I will have peace of mind because it accurately tracks breathing and thanks to their real-time breathing waveform we’ll be able to see our child’s breathing and be more aware of their respiratory patterns.

Two-Way Talk: I love that the microphones & speakers will let me communicate with our baby to soothe him, sing a lullaby or for fun & even communicate with my hubby while he is in the nursery.

Needless to say, I love our Miku Smart Baby Monitor! From the amazing features on the app to the quality of the video, I will have peace of mind when our baby boy gets here knowing that we have an all-in-one have monitor that will accurately track his breathing and allow us to see and hear his every move.

Miku is available online for purchase at:

Miku Best Buy Target Bed Bath & Beyond buybuy Baby b8ta

If you’re still trying to figure out what else you need for your newest addition to family check out my post latest post about creating an online registry or 38 registry must haves for some ideas.

I received this product for review, but all opinions are my own.

Categories: Motherhood, Baby

Our Baby Registry with buybuy Baby

This post is a partnership with buybuy Baby. All thoughts are my own.

I can’t believe that our baby boy will be here in 4 months! This is my second pregnancy and I’m just as excited and nervous as I was when I was pregnant with Aubrey Ann. Whether you are a first time mom or your family is growing thinking about everything you need for your little bundle of joy can be mind-boggling. With so many options and different brands to choose from it can become overwhelming.

We decided to register with buybuy Baby because we did our first baby registry with them for Aubrey Ann and have such a great experience & they have everything you could possibly need and more. While we were so excited that we would get to go into the store to create our registry, due to COVID we did our registry online and still had a great time picking out items for Baby Tutt.

I’m so glad that buybuy Baby has online resources and registry tools that includes a Registry Guide that is full of so many useful tips and tricks from their experts for new parents, registry checklist, and a fully deconstructed guide to assist new parents in choosing the best products for nesting, eating, playing and caring for baby!

When we found out we were pregnant again we were so excited but also had to have a good laugh as we had just donated all of Aubrey Ann’s baby goods to another mom literally 1 month before. So we were starting from scratch for Baby Tutt. I was so excited and relieved to see that buybuy Baby had on their site an interactive & detailed Registry Checklist and a Baby Registry Favorites List because it’s been 2 years since we had our baby girl and there are some things that I had completely forgotten about. I love that buybuy BABY offers a vast assortment of items from top brands, for every style and budget.

I’m so excited to share our baby registry with you!

Swaddle Me Swaddles– These swaddles are my favorite. They are so soft, easy to use and such a lifesaver with keeping baby comfortable while sleeping.
Burt’s Bees Baby Mittens– These are great for newborns. They help to keep them from scratching their face and also keeps their hands warm.
Diapers-I suggest registering for different sizes. My favorite diapers are Pampers Pure.
Wipes– I LOVE these Pampers Pure wipes.
Burt’s Bees Zippered Sleeper– These sleepers are a must have for night time sleeping.
Onesies– Your baby will live in these for the first few months. Register in different sizes.
Pacifier- I love the WubbaNub Pacifiers.
Receiving Blankets– These blankets are multifunctional but I love using them for protection from unexpected spit-up messes.
Socks– Perfect for keeping those little baby feet warm. Register for them in different sizes.
Baby Shusher– They call this the sleep miracle and guess what! It really works. It’s so soothing for little ones.

Boppy Newborn Lounger– These loungers are perfect for keeping newborns comfortable and their heads elevated.
Boppy Nursing Pillow– The Boppy is perfect for nursing but can also be used to help support babies when you are holding them.
Dock-A-Tot– The Dock-A-Tot is hands down one of my favorite baby items. It’s perfect for napping and when you are lounging on the floor, bed or sofa with your little one.
Fisher Price Bouncer– This bouncer is so entertaining & soothing for babies. It has sounds, vibrations and flying toys that are fun your little one.
MamaRoo Baby Swing– This swing is a lifesaver and one of my favorites.
Chico KeyFit Infant Car Seat– The Chico brand is a brand we trust, love and used for our daughter.
Contours Tandem Stroller– This Stroller is perfect for us. It can fit our toddler & newborn and is lightweight.
Disney Baby Music Gym– We LOVE this music gym! It’s so entertaining for little ones.

Angelcare Bath Tub- This tub is so soft and gently cradles your baby during bath time.
Skip Hop Bath Essentials– This bath time kit is adorable and has everything you need to make bathing your baby easier.
Bath Cloths– We love using washcloths that are soft and gentle on babies skin. We also love using these.
Burt’s Bees Bath Towels– These towels are so soft & absorbent and keep your baby nice and cozy after a bath.
Mustela Baby Toiletries– I swear by Mustela products! These are the only products we use on our toddler since she was born and they are amazing.
Dreambaby Room & Bath Duck Thermometer- This Duck thermometer is cute and makes sure that the water is the perfect temperature for your baby.

Boppy Nursing Pillow-The Boppy is perfect for nursing but can also be used to help support babies when you are holding them.
Boon Nurse Bottles– These bottles help to reduce air intake and are easy for babies to hold. We also love the Comotomo bottles.
Graco 7-in-1 High Chair-This high chair grows with your baby up to 6 years old.
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Sterilizer– This is our favorite and one of the best bottle sterilizers.
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Brush– Perfect for cleaning bottles.
Baby Brezza Bottle Warmer– This bottle warmer gets bottles ready in no time.
Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads– These pads are a lifesaver for nursing moms.
Green Sprouts Organic Muslin Burp Cloths– These organic burp cloths are so soft and absorbent.
OXO Tot Drying Rack– We love the OXO Tot drying rack for our bottles.
Bumkins Bibs– These bibs help with easy cleanup and are so easy to on and off.

Munchkin STEP Diaper Pail– This diaper pail was recommended to me when I was pregnant with my first child and it lasted us two years without any issues.
Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Refills– These refills go with the diaper pail and they work perfect at keeping odors out.
Halo Bassinet– This bassinet has awesome features and I love that it swivels so you don’t have to get out of the bed. The vibrations and sounds are very soothing for your baby.
Babyletto Lolly Crib– I love the modern look of this crib and it has good reviews.
Hello Spud Organic Crib Sheet– Soft crib sheets are a must. Register for at least 4-5.
Aden + Anais Muslin Blanket– These blankets are so soft and keep babies warm & comfortable.
Fridababy Humidifier– This humidifier with nightlight and diffuser is the best!
Motorola Halo Baby Monitor-This monitor has so many great features and is easy to use.
Hatch Baby Sound Machine– All of my friends have recommended the Hatch Baby sound machine to us. I love that you can control it from your phone.
Sealy Changing Pad– A good changing pad is a must have for any nursery.
Dexbaby Diaper Caddy– We have 2 of these caddies and they are perfect for keeping all essentials organized.
OXO Tot Wipes Dispenser– This wipes dispenser is perfect for keeping wipes fresh.

Fridababy NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator– I had this Fridababy NoseFrida for my daughter and loved it.
Fridababy Windi Gas & Colic Relief– The Fridababy Windi is the best for immediate gas relief.
Aquaphor Diaper Ointment– I love this ointment , it’s perfect for baby’s irritated skin.
Fridababy Thermometer– The Fridababy thermometer gives you a quick read temp in 10 seconds.
Fridababy Saline Spray– The Fridababy Spray is a lifesaver. I use this along with the NoseFrida.
Safety 1st Deluxe Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit– I love that I can travel with this deluxe pouch and it has everything I need for health & grooming.

Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Crib Toy– The lights and sounds are soothing to babies.
Sophie Girafe Teething Toy– Our favorite toy for teething.
Skip Hop Activity Toy– This fun toy has a teether, rattle ring, mirror and crinkles to keep babies entertained.
Flappy The Elephant Plush Toy– This is the cutest and most entertaining stuffed animal.
Skip Hop Stroller Toy– This stroller toy keeps little ones entertained while traveling.
Books– Different babies books area must have.

buybuy Baby Registry Setup

Setting up an online registry with buybuy Baby is really simple. It only takes a few steps to set everything up and once you are done you can share your registry link with family & friends or they can easily find your registry by looking up your name.

From the buybuy Baby home page you are going to click on the gift box in the top right corner that says “Registry”.
When the Baby Registry page opens up you are going to click on “Start Your Registry.”
Enter all of the requested information and click “Start My Registry!”
Next you will pick whatever items you want to add to your registry and there is even the option to mark items as your “Favorites.” This let’s anyone that is shopping on your registry that these are items that you really want.
There are many registry tools that can help you with your registry including: Interactive checklists, quick picks, parent favorites and thank you lists which I really love. The thank you list tool tracks gifts and who purchased them, so that you’re able to send thank you notes later.
You can even live chat with a consultant and they can help you with any questions you have about the site and your online registry.

Creating your online registry is so simple and there are resources available to help you along the way if you need help. We really enjoyed creating our online registry for our baby boy from he comfort of our home.

buybuy Baby Registry Benefits

There are many awesome perks to registering with buybuy Baby.

Registry Analyzer: Balances your registry with items at a variety of prices so friends & family can find you the perfect gift.
15% Completion Discount: A few weeks before your due date buybuy Baby sends you a coupon for 15% off everything left on your registry.
Free Shipping Rewards: If $1500 worth of gifts have been purchased from your registry by the time your due date arrives, you get unlimited free shipping for your baby’s first year.
Referral Rewards: For each referral that registers with buybuy Baby, you will receive a reward of $25 off a $100 in store purchase.

You can also download the buybuy Baby app to your phone for immediate access to your app if you are on the go. From the app you can add and/or remove items to your registry and it’s so easy to navigate.