(Part 2) Top products from r/January2018Bumpers

Here are mine:

• Secure Beginnings Crib Mattress - a totally breathable crib mattress. You can take the "sleep surface" off and throw it in the washing machine when needed. I surprisingly don't do it that often. The mesh fabric and space under it helps in temperature regulation and air exchange. Basically, helped me as a new mom not worry about suffocation. I ended up going wild and getting two sleep surfaces per mattress. I got one set in the regular size and a mini crib for our room.
  
• LED Touch Light - these suckers are rechargeable and hold their charge a long time. They're super portable. What I like best is that you can turn them suuuuper dim, which is great for middle of the night wake ups and diaper changes. We have one hanging from our headboard and one hanging above the changing table. And then another around the house. There are tons of sellers of this type of product and they're quite inexpensive.
  
• Wet Bag - a reusable and washable bag to stash wet/dirty stuff. An essential for cloth diaperers, but also great for pooped on clothes, bathing suits, etc.
  
• Fischer-Price Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard - this is a smaller and less expensive version of a traditional pack and play. We kept it in the living room and baby spent a lot of time there as a newborn.
  
• Gripe Water Lots of gripe water. Good for gas, sometimes hiccups, and gentle relief for stomach upset. Also helps some newborns poop.
  
• Grovia Magic Stick Diaper Balm - made for cloth diapers, but would work for sposies. A barrier "cream" on a stick, so you don't have to get your fingers gross. Smells amazing - I literally sniff the stick every time we use it.
  
• Freemies - great for hands-free pumping, especially in the car or at work. Fits inside the shirt. Can be hit or miss on if it works for individuals, but it works GREAT for my boobs. Regular flanges hurt me and didn't yield good output, but Freemies agreed with my body wonderfully.
  
• Spectra Pump I have nothing but good things to say about the Spectra pump. I have the S1 (battery operated), S2 (plugs in), and the S9 (battery operated, but not as fancy as S1). I haven't had any issues with my pumps, but others have had great customer service experiences. It's a "closed" system, which means it's impossible for milk to get into the pump on accident. This is a good thing.
  
• Kiinde Storage Bags - these breastmilk storage bags are more expensive, but highly durable. I love the twist top - much easier to use then a zipper top. We used the whole bottle system from 0-6 months. At six months, he realized he could take the nipple off the bottle and we switched to Como Tomo bottles. But for those months, it was SO NICE to just send the bags to daycare and wash only the nipples (the shells stayed at daycare).
  
• Lillebaby Complete Airflow Baby Carrier - while baby carrier preferences will vary widely by body type and personal preferences, I love my Lillebaby most. It doesn't require any special insert for newborns and the lumbar support was awesome. The airflow version was great, as I live in a very hot state.
  
• Lectrofan Sound Machine - you may be wondering why this is $45 and other sound machines are $20. Because it is amazing, that is why. Seriously 100% amazing.
  
  Hope this helps somebody!
  
  Edit: added a few more after the Spectra.

These all look fantastic! I would add
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316236535/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495720962&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=big+green+monster&dpPl=1&dpID=51XMV5wCq3L&ref=plSrch

And

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0920303110/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495721023&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mortimer+robert+munsch

You might have Munsch in your classics , but he is one of my favorites. My kids enjoyed No David by David Shannon. Pigeon books were also a favorite here.

Thanks for the list! Lots to research!

Well I have one for after birth and it really helped my husband. It is pretty funny and it accurately describes the changes your body goes through and the baby, it's called Be Prepared

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G9XSTNQ1HFWD6MQPCEY6

I'm probably getting ahead of myself, I've skipped the pregnancy books and gone straight on to First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins. I'd really recommend it for anyone in the UK, it's full of really useful, practical advice and lists.

I find it pricey when I compare it to Amazon.com, even considering the exchange rate. The last thing I was looking at was a Snoogle. $48.99 USD on Amazon.com. $89.99 CAD on Amazon.ca. $48.99 USD is only $62.47 CAD...like what the heck is that? I do like the Amazon reviews and bestseller lists - sometimes I look stuff up on there just for the reviews haha.

I just ordered these preggie pops off Amazon. No idea if it will help. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006O2NNC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1497215599&sr=8-6&keywords=preggie+pops&dpPl=1&dpID=514C5iNZK-L&ref=plSrch

Lemonade or other juices seem to help me and eating small meals or snacks throughout the day. I also feel great in the morning. My nausea doesn't seem to hit me until around 5pm most days now. I'm currently really sick of saltine crackers and pretzels.

Dock a Tot

got our kid sleeping solid hours and in his own crib; worth every penny.

Contrary to what everyone else has said; we love our Mom a roo

Bumbo is great; little man can sit and chew on things while i'm eating breakfast etc.

Dont buy a ton of one type of bottle; LO might hate that kind then youre stuck.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010LR812/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This teether is a favorite; we have 3 in case we lose one

we have several matress pads; so when we layer his crib we do one mattress pad; then sheet; then matress pad; then sheet and so on. If one gets wet in the middle of the night youre not going to want to change the whole set; just pull the top two off and you'll be all set.

shoes are a waste of money

I've read the Mayo Clinic Guide and I really liked it. Tons of information, week-by-week info, and you can trust the source.

I'm currently starting Expecting Better by Emily Oster, and I honestly can't say I'm impressed right now. I just finished the alcohol section, and while I get what she's saying that you shouldn't be freaked if you have a drink or so, I find her conclusions somewhat dangerous in general. After college, I worked in a drug and alcohol program performing research (this wasn't a rehab program--most people were in their 20s-30s and drank socially), and most people do not realize how much they drink when they drink (either by day or by week). They were often shocked to realize how much they actually drink. It's very easy for most people to overdo it. I don't care that she finds the abstinence recommendation offensive and thinks that "pregnant women can think for themselves." That's great. We can. But most people have a hard time judging exactly when a drink is a drink, and it's better in general to just say "hey, keep out of it." End rant.

I also have Ina May's Guide to Childbirth in my closet. It was gifted to me after my cousin gave birth to her second and final (along with two full bags of maternity clothes) 😱 I believe that batch also came with What to Expect, a baby name book, and I think maybe one other. I'll get to these eventually!

1)Swaddle blankets for newborn
https://www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-Original-Swaddle-3-PK-Busy/dp/B013GYQVCW/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1496771259&sr=8-1&keywords=swaddleme
2) Several different types of pacifiers/bottles (you don't know which they'll like and they do have a preference)
3) Travel swing - because they're smaller/take up less room/ and you can move them from room to bathroom or whatever and less expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Harmony-Kingdom-Portable-Swing/dp/B00E3RKC36/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1496771354&sr=1-1&keywords=travel%2Bswing&th=1
4)Breastfeeding pillow: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Harmony-Kingdom-Portable-Swing/dp/B00E3RKC36/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1496771354&sr=1-1&keywords=travel%2Bswing&th=1
5)Carrier:https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Ktan-Original-Carrier-Black/dp/B000UYFULU/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1496771644&sr=1-1&keywords=ktan

I'm on my phone so didn't search too hard, but basically something like this except with the fingertips to use with a smartphone. Usually can be found at Walmart/dollar store for cheap. It doesn't soak through to the outside really, although they do periodically need to be washed since the inside will absorb a bit of aquaphor.

I think the baby book I gave my husband has some healthy recipes for pregnancy in it... It's called The Expectant Father.

I've been trying to increase my water intake too. For me, it has to be COLD and filtered. A brita filter + this water bottle has helped immensely.

I ordered this.
Hopefully it fits.

Beachcoco Women's Maternity Sleeveless Maxi Empire Waist Flower Printed Tank Dress (L, Navy2 flower) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XSZ6CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LtxYzbYVPE4P4

I use this stuff called EZ Sweet for my coffee that are little drops of liquid sucralose, one drop is equivalent to one cube of sugar. It is SO sweet, one time I accidentally put four drops and it completely ruined my coffee and I had to start over. It's clear and doesn't smell like anything, you could probably empty a whole squeeze bottle into some half used creamer and they wouldn't be able to tell, but it would be insufferable to use!

A great book on CBT someone in TFAB recommended me, I am doing a lot of the anxiety exercises. It's the Uk link I'm afraid but it is on Amazon.com as well: Thoughts and Feelings, Fourth Edition: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1608822087/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kpfgzb7KNK7TB

Also! If the internet and horror stories are getting you down, take yourself away from them.