From Nanny to Mom: What I actually use

I’ve been a career nanny for nearly ten years now. When I found out I was pregnant the first thing I did, well second thing the first was tell my husband, was make a baby registry.

I had a good idea of what I wanted for our baby. It was a short list compared to what I’ve seen for first time moms. Extra gadgets and the cute sort of functional items were not on my list. We live in a two bedroom condo with a big dog, so things that serve two purposes or would last a long time were on my list.

My son is now 8 weeks old and the things on the registry that I used and continue to use are below. I’ll make a separate post about what I purchased pre and post birth.

1.      A good Carrier.

I have three options. A ring sling from Nalakai, a Moby wrap and an Ergobaby All Carry Positions.

Nanny Rowan with Baby K in the Ergo Baby carrier

The ring sling I was able to use from birth. He was 9lb 10oz so I didn’t have to worry about his size. I have always loved the Nalakai brand. It is a linen and bamboo blend, the bamboo makes it UV resistant so the tail can go over baby’s head for sun protection.

The Moby wrap I received from a friend. As K has gotten older, and the weather colder, it has been my go to when we’ve been going out for walks. The extra layers are warmer.

If we're around the house getting chores done, I use the Ergobaby. He’s actually in it now fast asleep while I type this. The structure makes it easier to get things done. And I don’t feel the need to support his head because the back goes so high. I do if I’m bending down for something but otherwise I’m hands free.

2.      Woolino Sleep Sack – 2 months to 2 years size

We weren’t planning on using it until K was able to roll and needed to be unswaddled. But we’ve ended up bedsharing. So, it’s been what we use to keep him warm on the bed with us. We follow Safe Sleep 7, and it works so well for us, he sleeps for up to 5 hour stretches.

We also used the Woolino when we went to the ER for retractions when he was sick.

The ER doctor loved it. I was able to unzip the bottom for the oximeter reader, he was only 7 weeks old so it went on his toe. When she came in to check his lungs and heart, I just unsnapped one of the shoulders so that she could slip the stethoscope under. When it was time to leave, he was asleep and the Woolino has Velcro openings at the crotch, so we just buckled him into his car seat still in the sleep sack. I use it more than any other sleep sack we have. And we have a few options.

3.      Muslin burp clothes

I had 38 burp clothes on my list. I got them all. I have found them to be far more absorbent, and larger, than the cute popular ones. Plain, no pattern or design just plain muslin in different colors.

I don’t just use them as burp clothes though. I use them in the shower too. K comes into the shower with me after I’ve washed up. The burp clothes are big enough to cover his full length. I have the water run onto the cloth and not his skin. It keeps him warm and makes him less slippery.

4.      Washable puppy pads

I had cute covers for the changing pad. We used them a few times and then started just covering it with the puppy pads. I had intended them for travel and naked time after the shower but they work so well for the changing pad as well. I’m actually planning on getting more because I only got a pack of two. They’ve been peed on, poo’d on and spat up on. They’ve been washed a million times in the last eight weeks and they are still going strong nothing wrong with the stitching etc. Honestly I’d skip the cute cover and get these. Or get them and use them for naked time to help prevent diaper rash.

5.      Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair

I know it’s expensive. My in-laws got it for us. He isn’t old enough to use it yet, but we’ve been using it. My husband sat in it while I gave him a haircut recently. We have the high chair attachment and we’ll attach that when K is sitting on his own. But until then it’s an extra chair for us. I used it early postpartum to sit in the kitchen while my husband cooked. We have a table with an L shaped bench and it was a bit difficult for me to sit there. Tripp Trapp to the rescue!

6.      Skipp Hop Car Seat Cover

K was born at the very end of October. Which put us in cold weather pretty quickly. The car seat cover has been amazing. If it’s really cold I can still tuck a blanket around him as well. It’s fleece lined and unzips or completely closes depending on how cold it is. That’s it, that’s the review. Definitely get one or one like it.

Namesake Recliner

7.     Namesake Harbour Electric Recliner

I was using this from day one. I had a minor tear and didn’t want stitches. I was told to keep my legs together and stay in bed as much as possible. But, I couldn’t stare at the same four walls so I went back and forth between the bed and the chair. I have used the chair multiple times a day since.

The fact that it reclines helped when he had a respiratory infection. We spent three nights there because he couldn’t breathe when he was laying down. Having a charging port built into the arm is also fantastic. I will say the design has a bit of a flaw. The ports are on the inside, so I broke a cord with my hip, adjusting in the seat. If they were on the outside, it would be the perfect chair.

8.      Baby Delight Baby Bouncer Seat

I knew I wanted one option for sitting K in while I get things done quickly. Or if it was my husband spending time with him. This has been a great tool to keep him contained and upright after feedings. Sometimes we want a break from the spit up. Sometimes K isn’t happy laying flat or being in our arms but still wants to see what is happening around him. The bouncer is perfect for these situations. We put him next to us while we cook or empty the dishwasher, and he is perfectly content. For about ten minutes.

9. Hatch Sound Machine

My last two families have had this and it is just as wonderful for K as it was for the kids I was with. He prefers water sounds to straight up white or brown noises. The Calm Sea setting at 50% is his setting and it knocks him for his morning naps. I love that as an infant we can use it for sound to get him to sleep and the red light works for middle of the night diaper changes.

When he is old enough we can set it to be an “Okay to Wake” clock. You can set routines and timers on the app. And with a multitude of colors to chose from you can set all kinds of routines. Bathtime, bedtime, wake time etc.

10. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow

This is a multiple times a day use item. If you are breastfeeding I highly recommend this or a pillow like it. It provides full body support for K and I find he wiggles less when we use it. I wish there was a travel option because when we are at his Great Grandmother’s or the doctors it’s a bit difficult to balance him. He’s 23” long now and just over 13lb. I did receive an extra cover for it and I prefer the extra to the one that came with it. The fabric is more forgiving with spit up and other things.

Nearly everything on my registry were things I had encountered in my professional life. I used them a lot and loved them. Not every first time mom knows exactly what she wants because she’s used them for two or more years. For that I am incredibly thankful. I hope this list helps you make some decisions for your registry as you navigate the stress of building one.