Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

In a world ruled by advertisements, new parents can fall prey to the media. Every time you turn on the TV or open a magazine, there is a new gadget they say you can’t live without. Don’t be a victim of the hype.

Besides the basic nursery furniture, diapers, and wipes, here are some other items that you will truly use:

1. A Soother – Attached to the crib, it can help lull baby to sleep with sweet sounds and a delightful light show.
2. A Mobile – Your baby will not want to take his eyes off of this item. Whether they are big and bright or small and simple, babies are mesmerized by mobiles.
3. A Nursing Pillow – This soft U-shaped cushion gives mom support while holding or nursing baby. Try it also as a cushion to sit on in the days after delivery or as a pillow for baby.
4. A Breast Pump & other nursing accessories – Whether you are going back to work or staying home, a breast pump can be a nursing mother’s best friend. Even if you are nursing exclusively, you may produce more milk than your baby can drink, causing your breasts to become painfully engorged. When this happens, the best relief is pumping your milk. Keep a box of breast pads handy as well, to avoid an embarrassing moment. Believe me; you never know when you will leak through that beautiful green blouse.
5. Car Mirror for Baby – This mirror attaches to the headrest facing baby. You do not need the kind that attaches to your own rearview mirror. I love the fact that I can keep an eye on my baby while I drive. He loves being able to look into his fun mirror and see his own smile.

There are hundreds of advertised items that you will never use. Here is a list of the most popular items that people still buy even if they are of no use:

1. Bath Robes – Besides being completely impractical (who is going to fight their wet, slippery baby into those tiny sleeves only to take it right off?), they grow out of them soon, as they do with all their clothes. Buy inexpensive hooded towels instead.
2. Pod Seat – Sure it is cute and it can come in handy, but those are $60 I wish I had back. If you have it, you can find a use for it, but you can certainly live without it.
3. Bottle warmer – Placing a bottle in boiling water is just as easy. If you use the microwave, be sure to shake the bottle well due to uneven heating and check for hot spots.
4. Steam sterilizer – You can sterilize your baby’s items in the dishwasher, or in a pot of boiling water and save the 40 bucks.
5. Bedding set – So it’s cute. But that’s about it. Due to safety regulations, you’re not supposed to have bumpers, blankets, or pillows in baby’s crib. And as soon as he can pull up (about 6 months) you will need to drop the crib, removing the bed skirt. In reality, all you need is a fitted sheet.

For the Martha Stewart in you, here are some ideas to try and make yourself:

1. Infant carrier – Using a couple of yards of fabric, make your own carrier and save the $90 you’d pay for a Baby Bjorn. Search on line or at the library for how to wrap the fabric to hold your baby.
2. Nursing cover – It is a fact: family members and strangers will stare while you nurse. If it makes you uncomfortable, don’t spend $50 on a cover, just place a blanket or burp cloth over your breast. Cover up clips, which can turn any blanket into a nursing cover, are less than $10.
3. Toys – While you may think he needs every toy for his age group, your baby will be content to study your face, tour the house, and play with your things. My baby loves plastic water bottles so much that I put one in every toy box.

What does a baby really need?
You do not need to have expensive things to take good care of your baby or to be a good mother. In fact one of the best things you can do for your children is to teach them not to measure their value with material things. Your baby simply wants quality time with you. In the words of the Raffi song, “all I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly, and love in my family.”