Sunday 14 August 2016

Favourite Products with Links

THE ONLY WEBSITE YOU REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT IS LUCIES LIST.  READ HER REGISTRY GUIDE AND YOU ARE SET FOR KNOWING EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED.

http://www.lucieslist.com

My favourite products - every babe is different but these have been my favourite products so far

Nuna Leaf Chair - Jenny loves this chair, a fussier baby might like a swing or vibrations better though....either way a chair or two of some sort is a must.  This one lasts into toddlerhood.  Jenny liked the gentle incline as a newborn...the other chairs were too steep and she couldn't keep her head up properly.  

https://well.ca/products/nuna-leaf-swing-twilight_105232.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAgavBBRCA7ZbggrLSkUcSJACWDexA3VezvxuNbjQpGqvQ5JGWso0C5W2_mQRuNxAQVRp5OhoCoiDw_wcB

I also have this one...really light and portable which is really handy
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=57274986

Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads (Who knew I'd be a human firehose)
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PWMTVEM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liner (Saves changing the cover ALL the time)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B009UPUJIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Munchkin 11302 Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser (People seem pleased when they see you putting a stinky diaper in an odor eliminating baggie)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001QKDI48/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aden and Anais Burby Bib - Jenny rarely spit ups, but I put these over my breastfeeding pillow when I nurse so I don't soak the pillow (spoiled milk is gross).  Good burp bib too.
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/baby/burpy-bib-wink-set-of/849345031771-item.html?mkwid=sFczOclWZ_dc&pcrid=44154571502&pkw=&pmt=&s_campaign=goo-Shopping_Baby&gclid=Cj0KEQiAx7XBBRCdyNOw6PLHrYABEiQAJtyEQ5COIhjskLRaKzHAqLZkcjYQ1rEOAVTsML3zqoLSO9MaAquL8P8HAQ


SPECTRA BABY S2 Double/Single Breast Pump - Most people go with Medela but this pump just came to Canada and is getting great reviews, I love mine.  The night light and timer are great. It appears to be sold out in Canada right now...but I got mine on Amazon.ca and it was covered by my plan

https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Baby-USA-Double-Single/dp/B00BLBLR1I/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1479237935&sr=1-1&keywords=spectra

Jujube Diaper Bag - The ability to use it as a backpack has saved me many a time.  Any backpack would do.   

http://www.snugglebugz.ca/b-f-f-diaper-bag-blooming-romance.html

Aden and Anais blanket/swaddle (Bamboo is my favourite, so soft)

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/baby/aden-anais-flower-child-3/849345032396-item.html?ref=by-shop%3ababy%3ababy-brand-adenanais-awaddleblankets%3ashop-by-brand-aden-anais%3a7%3a

Juddlies sleeper - my favourite sleeper...or anything with zippers.  Try getting snaps back together in the middle of the night in total darkness!

https://well.ca/products/juddlies-breathe-eze-sleeper-pink_96680.html

Play mat - I've spent a lot of time on the floor (for the record, my knees crack a lot now)

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/baby/alphabet-zoo-activity-gym/879674007253-item.html?ref=by-shop%3ababy%3ababy-toys-sensorytoys%3ababy-toys-sensory-toys%3a26%3a

Dockatot - Sleep magic for me! SLEEP MAGIC.  Great for travel too.

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/baby/dock-a-tot-deluxe-dock/750253644222-item.html?mkwid=sxzrOJCvI_dc&pcrid=44154571502&pkw=&pmt=&s_campaign=goo-Shopping_Baby&gclid=CjwKEAiAgavBBRCA7ZbggrLSkUcSJACWDexAj1nM-LTZfN2gMKFo4Crx6F2JriatSiQ8ka_QHv7nRBoCMc3w_wcB

Sleep Sheep - I don't know why it works but it does...almost puts me to sleep every time, ha

http://www.snugglebugz.ca/cloud-b-sleep-sheep.html
Update - I've since bought a noise machine that does not turn off, this might be a better way to go

BrestFriend Pillow - Worst name ever but I like this one because it's firm and I found it easier to position a newborn.  I also have a Boppy pillow which is good now that Jenny is older.  I found I needed 2 pillows...you're feeding a LOT
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=16746556

Uppababy - I have the Cruz stroller, Bassinet and the Mesa carseat.  All 3 have been great for us and it was really nice having pieces that all work together.  I only used the Bassinet for about 3 months but Jenny loved it for our daily walks.  The Cruz might not be the best choice if you're planning on having more than one child, the Vista can convert to a double but not the Cruz.  Excellent resale value.  

Wrap - I had this newborn wrap and actually wish I had used it more because Jenny did like it. Similar to the Baby K'tan.  Boba is good too.  
https://www.nestingdays.com/collections/shop-1/products/basic-black

Ubbi Diaper Pail - A bit pricy but it works and looks nice

Sleep sacks - Pricey but it's the perfect weight and car seat safe!
https://www.amazon.ca/Sleeping-Woolino-Season-Merino-Months/dp/B004FFFKR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486673174&sr=8-1&keywords=woolino+sleep+sack

Best Websites

Best Websites

Lucies List - Everything you need to know
Well.ca - Large selection of all pregnancy/baby items, free shipping over $29, 1-2% off on Ebates, good sales
Snugglebugz.ca - Large selection of all pregnancy/baby items, good sales, free shipping over $49
Amazon.ca - Huge selection, often the best prices, best diaper prices, Ebates
Bravado - 10% off first order with email sign up, free shipping over $60
Ella Bella - Local store, they have good sales every once in a while, free shipping over $75
Westcoast Kids - Pricey but I love this store.  Deal of the day every Wednesday.  If you order online, you'll have to pick up from the post office which is a pain, 10% off everything on Boxing Day
Gap Maternity/Baby - 40-50% off sales all the time, 2.5-10% off Ebates

Random Tips that Pop Into My Head

Random Tips that Pop Into My Head

1) Sign up for Ebates for an extra 1-10% off.  I have found almost everything to be cheaper if I order it online
2) Gap - you can always get 40-50% off, don't pay more.  The best basic baby clothes in my opinion. Indigo has great baby stuff and often has 20% off online on weekends.
3) Ella Bella - great local store ...pricey but watch for good sales
4) I didn't pay full price for anything, even brands that don't go on sale very often.  Find the products you like and watch for sales!
5) Westcoast Kids has 10% off on Boxing Day...worth it for brands like Uppababy that don't go on sale ever
6) I recommend getting a diaper bag that converts into a backpack too, you need extra hands!
7) Baby clothes shrink a lot and the sizes vary a ton by brand.  Wash everything before deciding if it will fit or not
8) There are several Calgary Facebook groups with people selling maternity and baby stuff.  You can get great deals and since babies grow so fast, even used stuff is generally in almost new condition.
9) Lots of websites offer a promo 10% off for the first order, worth it
10) Amazon.ca is good for baby registries, they offer a 10% completion discount and you can link products from any website.  I used it just to keep track of items I saw and liked
11) I liked sleepers with zippers the best.  If you see footed pants, get them!  Socks don't really stay on.  Footed pants are hard to find for some reason.  Kimono onesies are good in the beginning so you don't have to pull anything over babies head.
12) Check your benefits...my pump was covered for up to $300.
13) I got way too many short sleeve onesies...even in summer I found the need for long sleeves.
14) Hoodies don't really work for newborns...sweaters or jackets in general are cumbersome and the hood always falls over Jenny's eyes

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Pregnancy Stuff

Pregnancy Stuff

Clothes - Overall I found maternity clothes to not be the greatest quality but Gap Maternity (online is much cheaper) was good for workout (Gapfit) and lounge wear (Purebody) and Thyme was decent for work clothes (especially Stork & Babe).  Jessica Simpson is good too. Macy's in the US has a great selection online if you have the chance to order to a US address.  It's good to keep in mind you will be wearing maternity clothes even after you give birth for a few weeks...so chose tops that are good for nursing (button down, stretchy).  I underestimated the need for nursing clothes!

Try pants on before buying...some people like under bump pants...some like over bump pants.  I much preferred over bump personally, especially for sitting at a desk all day.

http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1050388&vid=1&pid=213550033 - T-shirt
http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1050388&vid=1&pid=213552023 - Tank
http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1054503&vid=1&pid=855624033 - Lounge pants

Bras - I would recommend buying nursing bras even during pregnancy.  They are comfy and you will need a bigger size right away anyway.  It's recommended to get bras without an underwire for best milk production.  Nursing tanks are also good for pregnancy/nursing.  My favourite bras are by Bravado.

http://ellabella.ca/products/signature-body-silk-seamless-criss-cross-straps?variant=13157073219
http://ellabella.ca/products/silk-seemless-nursing-bra?variant=924124715
http://bravadodesigns.ca/collections/nursing-bras-and-tanks/products/dream-nursing-tank
http://intl.target.com/p/women-s-nursing-cami-collection-gilligan-o-malley/-/A-14602453 - Best cheap nursing tank - get some if you're in the US

Feet - Buy good slippers for the house!  The extra weight hurt my feet
Pregnancy Pillow - Get one if you can't sleep
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=56230436