dr. bronner's castile soap (in place of baby wash/shampoo)

I had no idea when I had Aidan that conventional baby washes contain harmful chemicals, are unnatural, and that there were so many good natural alternatives instead. Once I found this out, I knew I wanted to use something gentle and natural, but didn't want to spend a fortune. I fell in love with castile soap -- the dr. bronner's almond scent smells delicious, the bars vs. the liquids lather better, and I feel good using something good for his skin and free of bad stuff. A bar of soap lasts a long time, and I use it on his hair and body both, and his skin is beautiful! :) I have read that it isn't tear free and should not get in eyes, so after reading a suggestion on a blog, I follow it: I first wipe his face with just warm water, no soap, on a wash cloth, then lather soap on it for his head and the rest of his body, and then lay him back to rinse his hair with a cup, so not to get it in his eyes.
I love it so much I started using it for myself as well! And castile soaps actually have a lot of uses, other than just bathing. https://www.oregonsoapcompany.com/blog/155

Castile soap can be found at many stores and healthfood stores! And amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dr.+bronner's+castile+soap&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adr.+bronner's+castile+soap

Dr. Bronner's website: http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/LS.htm

Castile soaps get a great rating on EWG (for those new to this website, it rates things for safety, lowest rating being best). :)  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search.php?query=dr.+bronner%27s+castile+soap&h=Search

my brestfriend pillow

- my favorite nursing pillow, it has gotten LOTS of use and is still in perfect condition
- easy to clean; just remove cover and throw in washer & dryer
- love how firm yet comfy it is, perfect for positioning baby and helping with proper latch

babies r us, buy buy baby, amazon etc
http://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Pillow-Sunburst/dp/B000HZEQSU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363216769&sr=8-2&keywords=brestfriend+nursing+pillow

britax marathon 70-G3 convertible carseat

So we did use an infant carrier car seat for our first one, because you can't beat the convenience of being able to click the baby's car seat in and out of the base without waking them! But once they grow out of that one, its onto the next overwhelming search: the convertible car seat. Now, this one can be used from newborn (5 lbs+) up to 70 lbs, so it will last a long time. We LOVE this one!! Its great quality, looks even nicer in person, is known for its safety, has great reviews, and even the harness, its all designed so well! Before we got this, I heard that Britax's are big and bulky (I honestly don't think this one is), and that they're pricey. After much research, I found that really ANY convertible car seat will cost you around $150+, so this isn't that much more, and again, can't beat the quality and sleekness. There is a lever on the front (you can see) to recline it easily which is a great feature. Onyx is the design pictured, and is the one we have.

amazon, albeebaby, and diapers.com seem to have the best prices for this seat. The lowest I've seen for it is $204 or $211. Keep an eye out and if you see it get that low, snatch it! :)

http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Marathon-70-G3-Convertible-Seat/dp/B00834D5SO/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1363164444&sr=1-1&keywords=britax+marathon+70

http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-marathon-70-g3-convertible-car-seat-onyx.html

http://www.diapers.com/p/britax-marathon-70-g3-onyx-429434

fisher price ez clean highchair

I spent probably too much time researching high chairs. My main problems I'd run into, was that they were either too pricey, or too big/bulky. So after much looking around (in stores and online) and reading reviews, this is the one I settled on. Now, for me personally, I was set on getting a freestanding high chair. I didn't want to "tie up" one of our four dining chairs with one of the kinds that just sits on the seat. This high chair is definitely one of the smallest/most compact I've seen, and it IS SO easy to clean, i love it!! the fabric just wipes clean, and also can be thrown in the washer & dryer. The trays wipe clean easily too and don't stain. I like that there is a second tray so in case I haven't cleaned the first one, I have another underneath that is clean, or if LO is throwing food off the top tray, I can snatch it off. :) The top tray can go in the dishwasher as well. The highchair has height adjustments and can recline as well. It has a 5 point harness, or you can just use bottom 3 points if you want. We love the 'coco sorbet' design, and it is much more muted/pastel than it looks above. I ordered mine from amazon, for maybe $80 at the time. :) Babies r us carries it (at least the one near us) so I could see it in person which was nice.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Luv-Clean-High-Chair/dp/B0042D69YM/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1363163803&sr=1-1&keywords=fisher+price+ez+clean+high+chair

graco bumper jumper (for doorway)

From the time Aidan was getting close to be old enough for these doorway jumpers, I thought about getting one, so many times, but we had so much gear already, and I was worried he's jump like spastic and hit into the doorframe, and we didn't have any wide doorways so I thought it just wouldn't work well. Wrong. I found one in perfect condition at a thrift shop for $2.50 and figured it was worth a shot! By this point he was 9 months old, so I thought he may be too old for it, but he was in it a couple times, he started liking it, and it has been SO helpful! Wished I'd started him in one earlier on! He loves it, its a nice activity, and at this age (12 mos), it keeps him contained, and as long as I have music on, he'll jump around while I take a shower and get ready, and he's much more content in it than other stuff. I can put snacks or toys on it too, with the tray and toy clips! I love that it is one piece of gear that is compact! It can easily fit anywhere, and is great for car travel! I highly recommend getting one.


http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Bumper-Jumper-Little-Jungle/dp/B000WJLKQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363163302&sr=8-1&keywords=graco+doorway+jumper

bumkins superbib (for eaters :)

Once you have a kid who is eating solids, and/or table food, cloth bibs will not do! Having a plastic-like/water resistant bib that is easy to wash, is perfect. We really like these kind. I love that its thin enough it dries fast and its easy to hand wash, and can also be thrown in the washer! :) The pocket does catch a fair amount. Now that Aidan's messier, I'm interested to try their sleeved bib as well! We got this one through amazon, but I've seen them at babies r us as well.

http://www.bumkins.com/superbib.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bumkins+superbib&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abumkins+superbib

lansinoh breastmilk storage bags

I've tried lots of breastmilk storage bags. There were several brands I didn't like. I love these the best, plain and simple. They zip closed easily and securely, hold a lot, nice quality. To store them in the freezer, I'd initially lay the bag flat so it could freeze evenly/flatly, and then move to one of many baskets I bought at the dollar tree (can't beat $1 ea!), to organize them in order. Always date them and write how many ounces because once frozen its hard to tell how much is in there.

You can easily find these at target, babies r us, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastmilk-Storage-Bags-Count/dp/B006XISCNA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363162693&sr=8-2&keywords=lansinoh+breastmilk+storage+bags

bravado nursing bra - a mama must!

Yes I know, this isn't FOR baby, but honestly, for nursing mamas, it is a MUST! I never thought I'd be so willing to spend $50 on a nursing bra, but after SO many crappy bras, I figured I'd give this a try, and wow, never turning back! The comfort, support, and lift, from this bra (which is wireless, which is not only more comfortable but better so you can avoid plugged ducts etc), is amazing! And they come in S, M, L, etc, so its way easier trying on, not having to try on 28 different bras to get a width and cup that will fit. These are stretchy and air dry super fast too, so if you need to wash & wear it in a hurry, it's great for that. Check your local hospital, at their family & baby boutique -- they may carry these and can size you and let you try some on. You can also buy them online (for the first time, go get sized, and try them on; it is a WAY better experience than motherhood maternity; trust me, this will change your life! :)
The bra I have, and pictured, is called "body silk" seamless softcup. (Oh yes, so it has cups you insert and can also take out; and these bras also come with a little kit to turn them into a regular bra once done nursing kids - how neat!!)

Online you can visit http://www.bravadodesigns.com/
Or get Bravado bras for a bit cheaper (and I think free shipping) on this site: http://www.breakoutbras.com/product/Bravado-Body-Silk/Nursing-Bras

p.s. The only other bras I do still like, just for sleep or around the house, are

Target's Gilligan & O'Malley nursing sleep bra (less support, comfortable, good for around the house, cute)
http://www.target.com/p/gilligan-o-malley-women-s-comfort-nursing-bra-assorted-colors-patterns/-/A-14001070#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=nursing+bra

Motherhood Maternity wrap nursing sleep bra (the most comfortable bra, cotton, easy pull sides down for nursing, super minimal support, great for sleep and around the house, or sore nipples in beginning stage)
http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=975400361&MasterCategory_Id=MC29