When I found out I was pregnant, I read everything I could get my hands on regarding the latest and greatest baby gear. After hearing horror stories about my friends’ fussy infants, I became extremely anxious about incessant screaming, colic, sleepless nights and endless days. I decided to research soothing baby products dedicated to calming fussy babies and their frustrated mommies.
I also investigated websites like www.target.com and www.babiesrus which I found to be especially helpful in selecting the most desired baby items. In fact, both companies promote their top rated products chosen by experienced parents. And these sites contain real customer ratings and reviews. Parents share their war stories and give explicit details of what has worked for them during the ovewhelming early months of parenthood.
Here are just a few of my favorite tried and true, fussy-free baby products:
Wipes Warmer
Ok, at first I thought the idea of a wipes warmer was an absurd, ridiculous notion for the “high maintenance” baby. But then I gave birth in the middle of February, in Chicago, during a snowstorm and my attitude quickly changed. When I brought my baby girl home, we were experiencing one of the harshest winters on record in Illinois. My little one would screech, every time I changed her diaper and tortured her with an icy cold wipe on her already chilled bottom. The wipes warmer was my savior! It plugs in, holds all brands of wipes, warms the wipes to a comfortable temperature and has automatic shut off button. I found my Especially for Baby Wipes Warmer at Babies R Us for $22.00.
The Sleep Sheep
Oh, how we love our Sleep Sheep! This stuffed sheep contains a sound mechanism inside of its fluffy coat. The internal battery filled box mimics the soothing hums of a mother’s heartbeat, whistling whales, splashing waves and a spring rain shower. The sheep plays these mesmerizing tones for up to 45 minutes, lulling baby to sleep. It’s almost hypnotic and even blocks outside noise. We use ours every single night and during naptime. It works like a charm. My husband says even he can’t fall asleep without it. Now I know what to get him for Father’s Day! The Sleep Sheep runs on two double AA batteries. You can find the Sleep Sheep at specialty stores or online at www.sleepsheepandfriends.com for around $50.00. They also advertise the adorable softly lit Twilight Turtle.
The Itsy Bitsy Bouncer
This vibrating bouncy chair is magical. It gently pulsates while playing an Itsy Bitsy Spider medley for 10 minutes continuously all while colorful spiders dance in front of your baby’s eyes. Our little girl “lives” in this chair and instantly stops crying when placed in its colorful, cushioned shell. This nifty item brings to memory one of my favorite episodes of the show Sex and the City. Samantha gets stuck babysitting for Miranda’s little boy who also loves his vibrating, bouncy chair. However, he soon screams bloody murder when the batteries fail. No worries though. Samantha quickly rectifies the situation by cleverly propping her vibrator under the chair and the baby becomes quiet once again! My husband and I just keep a dozen or so batteries on hand! My Itsy Bitsy Bouncer was purchased at Target for around $35.00.
