Baby Supplies for a new mom

As a person that has little money and is very frugal (I love garage sales and craig's list!) here is a list of my own personal "must haves" as a new mom.

1)  A Swing - couldn't live without it - Swings are great for 6 weeks olds and up....
Graco Sweetpeace swing or
Fisher Price cradle swing
Fisher Price Glider Swing

2) a Sling - 3 types - a pouch, a ring sling, and pack carrier type.  Each one is great - for a certain type of person.  Your best bet is to try some out first before you buy - either at a store, or with friends.
Ergo Baby carrier w/insert or
Moby Wrap or
Balboa

3) Boppy or My Brest Friend - Boppies are good for football holds, My Brest Friend is good for cradle holds.

4) Stroller - for really long walks in the neighborhood - otherwise, build up those muscles with a backpack style sling like Ergo.

5) Contoured Changing Table Pad - my baby for some reason loves this pad - we have 2 - one for changing diapers, and one for the bed for sleeping.  They also fit perfectly in the Eddie Bauer Traveling Bed, which is convenient when they are small as well as when you need to go to the restroom.
4 sided design - LA Baby, Summer Infant

6) Receiving blankets or crib blankets - I find these convenient for propping baby's head on the Boppy while feeding.  But some old t-shirts work just as well.

7) Recliner - If you are large-breasted, recliners are wonderful for the football hold.  I practically lived in mine for the first few weeks.  Also, putting an extra Boppy under the knees relieves the stress on your knees and legs - a Boppy just happens to be the perfect height, and is more solid than a pillow.  Also check out the site Biological Nurturing for a great way to recline, sleep, and breastfeed all at once. http://www.biologicalnurturing.com./Pages/howtodoit.html

8) what about a crib?  well, as co-sleepers we don't believe in them - but some moms find it convenient to sidecar their crib right next to the bed.  I also find it convenient to use a changing table pad for him to sleep in-between us.  Other moms like Arm's Reach bassinets.  A quiet swing next to the bed can also be helpful. If your room is big enough, consider putting a twin bed or double bed right next to yours - then you have a really big bed!

9) Clothes of course - lots and lots of them - garage sales, bulk lots on Ebay and Craig's List.  And clothes are usually the number one item at baby showers.  One dad told a friend of mine - we don't need so many baby clothes, we should take some back - he changed his tune after the first few leaky diapers.  I personally like creepers with zippers - so much faster than a bunch of snaps

10) carseat of course - Britax brand is considered the safest.

11) Bumbo - I find this very convenient for the bathroom when the baby can finally hold his head up.  And he's so proud of himself when he is in it - I love his facial expressions!

12) Most important of all, couldn't live without - a White Noise maker of some type.  Make your own cd, buy a cd, or buy a noisemaker.  Some swings have them built in.  But we take ours everywhere - in the carseat and in his swing.

13) My number one purchase when I was pregnant is my Leachco u-shaped pregnancy body pillow.  I still use it - it provides the most comfortable sleep. 

The Book Cover - a Homeschooling Curriculum Bookstore in Tarrant County

The Book Cover is a great store to get both Used and New curriculum for homeschooling, or for teachers.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Richland-Hills-TX/The-Book-Cover/61694671790?ref=mf

Website: http://www.the-book-cover.com

Location:

5113 Davis Blvd

North Richland Hills, TX, 76180

Phone:

817-428-4328

Tues - Sat:

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Here's one of their deals for February 18th:
Be sure and make plans to come out to The Book Cover this Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. We'll be having our monthly Mom's Night Out for moms only to come and shop, relax and enjoy some refreshments. AND, as an added bonus, this MNO will kick off our super clearance sale. For this sale, if you purchase $10 worth of regularly priced merchandise, you get a bag/box full of items from the clearance tables FREE! This sale starts on Mom's Night Out and continues through the weekend. So grab your school book list and while you are finding things you need for later in the school year or for next year, load up a bag of clearance items for FREE!

Academic Paper presented at Dallas Baptist University

I am available as an inspirational speaker to speak on topics such as birth, fertility, holistic living, breastfeeding, etc.
I like speaking to small, medium and large groups - MOPs, La Leche meetings, church groups.
Click on "Contact Me" button to contact me about speaking to your group

I am presenting a paper entitled:

"Labor of Learning: Research Meets Experience for a First Time Mom"

at Dallas Baptist University
International Student Center

on Saturday, February 27, 2010

2:20 PM

13th Annual Paideia College Society/University Honors Program Spring Student Conference, Friday-Saturday, February 26-27, 2010. http://www3.dbu.edu/naugle/pcs_schedule.htm

The conference theme is "Desiring the Kingdom"

Conference keynote speaker: Dr. James K. A. Smith, professor of philosophy, Calvin College (http://www.calvin.edu/~jks4/), speaking on his new book Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (Baker Academic 2009)

Conference musical guest: acclaimed singer/song-writer, Tom Kimmel, Nashville, TN (http://www.tomkimmel.com/index.html)

Breastfeeding Diet and Recipes for Mothers

Breastfeeding Diet for colicky babies

I am a dedicated breastfeeder. Though I had some problems in the beginning, at four months we are both doing fine. I found www.kellymom.com to be one of the best breastfeeding information sites.

Aidan is a "colicky" baby - he is also high needs/ high touch.

I have found that what I eat affects him greatly. As a mom, I am willing to do anything to help my baby be as healthy as can be, so I am willing to sacrifice all my favorite foods. On the upside of this, I am eating healthier than ever before -and I am losing weight!

I have found that I can NOT eat: dairy, wheat, corn, beef, gassy foods, soy, peanuts, apples, onion, garlic and more. As you can imagine, that leaves out most processed foods. It amazes me how much food contains either dairy or onions. :P

Di-Gize oil by Young Living on the bottom of his foot helps colicky babies A LOT! In my experience, in the midst of a colic attack, I can continue to breastfeed him within 30 minutes of application, after which he drops off to sleep.
An article on Di-Gize: http://mamalovesoils.com/monthly-oils/di-gize-december/129

I also like the Happiest Baby on the Block techniques. www.happiestbaby.com
Happiest Baby DVD


Here is Dr. Sears' version of the Elimination Diet:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp

Another big plus, besides days and days of being colic-free, is no diaper rash. Oftentimes it is the foods you eat that give the baby diaper rashes.

And here is my version:

These are the things I regularly eat and does not give the baby any trouble:

1) Quinoa - (pronounced keen-wa) - very important. This is a grain that is a complete protein and its gluten free. I eat a bowl of this twice a day. That's at least 50 grams of protein! This is also a great pregnancy food for meeting the protein quota. I usually add in :

Christopher brand Eggs (660 mg of Omega 3s per egg!) found at Krogers*

or Chicken

or Turkey

and/or Organic Peas and Carrots (for convenience, I can find this in a bag in the frozen section of Whole Foods and Central Market).

* some babies cannot tolerate eggs - and some babies give off smelly poots with egg consumption

*Also organic rice can be eaten instead of quinoa, but it does not have the protein or the vitamins that quinoa has - but sometimes, you just want to eat something different!

Buy on Amazon: Bob's Red Mill Organic Grain Quinoa, 26-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4)
Arrowhead Mills Quinoa, 14-Ounce Packages (Pack of 6)
Quinoa - 10 Lb Bag / Box Each
RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice, 36-Ounce Jars (Pack of 4)

2) Salad - I eat Organic Kale, Romaine, and/or Green Leaf Lettuce with Cucumbers, tomatoes, raw sunflower seeds, avocado, boiled egg, and Enjoy Life brand Crunchy Flax cereal sprinkled on top.

The only dressing I have found (in the regular dressings and organic) that does not contain onion or garlic (both of which Aidan can't stand) is Ken's Restaurant Light Honey Mustard. This is not the most healthy dressing out there, but since I eat most everything else healthy, I am just going to ignore the unhealthiness of this dressing.

Buy on Amazon: Ken's Lite Honey Mustard Drss - 6 Pack

3) Cereal - Enjoy Life brand Koala Rice cereal (chocolate, yum!) with either almond milk or So Delicious Coconut milk. I also like sprinkling Enjoy Life brand Crunchy Flax cereal on top.

Buy on Amazon: Perky's 100% Natural, Crunchy Flax Cereal, 10-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)
Pacific Natural Foods Naturally Almond Non-dairy Beverage, Low Fat Vanilla, 8-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 24)

4) Fruit - pears, peaches, tomatoes, blueberries, watermelon, grapes. No apples or apple juices. I also like Knudsen's brand Pear juice and Knudsen's brand Pineapple Coconut juice. I also like organic white grape juice. I ate tomatoes every day of my pregnancy which is probably why he can tolerate them.

Buy on Amazon: R.W. Knudsen Family Pear, 8-Ounce (Pack of 27)
R.W. Knudsen Family Pineapple Coconut, 32-Ounce (Pack of 12)
Knudsen, Juice Pineaple Coconut, 8-Fluid Ounce (24 Pack)
Santa Cruz Organics White Grape, 32-Ounce (Pack of 12)

5) Coconut Milk - when we can afford it, I love the So Delicious brand of Coconut milk products - coconut milk yogurt, kefir, coffee creamer and ice cream.

6) Potatoes - preferably organic - either regular potatoes, or I buy frozen organic french fries or organic tater tots. I like the 365 brand of mayonaise with them because it does not contain onion or garlic.

7) Avocados - I like avocado in my salad. My own special version of guacamole is avocado, tomatoes and lemon juice (or lemon powder - True Lemon brand). Since I can't eat corn, I eat this with carrot sticks or the

Terra brand of Exotic Vegetable chips.

8) Treats - Enjoy Life brand of Semi-sweet chocolate chips - this satisfies my chocolate craving, and there is no dairy involved. A $5 bag can usually last me 2 weeks.

Larabars - these are raw food bars with nothing in them but nuts and dates. These are great for the purse in case you get hungry running errands. There is nothing in any restaurant that I can eat except french fries, and salads with no dressings, and even then, I have to be careful.

Mount Hagen Organic Decaffeinated Instant Coffee with So Delicious Coconut Milk creamer

Knudsen's Fruit Spritzer sodas

Buy on Amazon: Enjoy Life Baking Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, 10-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)
Larabar Fruit & Nut Food Bar, 1.8-Ounce Bars (Pack of 16)
Mount Hagen Single Serve Organic Instant Coffee Sticks Decaffeinated, 25-Count, 1.76 Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4)
R.W. Knudsen Spritzer Vanilla Creme, 12-Ounce Cans (Pack of 24)

9) Vegetables - Peas, Carrots, Squash

10) Condiments -

365 brand of mayonnaise in an upside down bottle - this is the only mayonnaise I found that does not have onion or garlic.

True Lemon - though this has maltodextrin, its one of the only spices I could find that tastes good on avocadoes. Did you know that all Lemon Pepper spice blends have onion?

Sea salt - of course!

Smart Balance Light - this is a dairy-free margarine.

Buy on Amazon: True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Substitute, 10.7-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 2)

11) Fruit Smoothies and Green Smoothies - just experiment until you find fruit that doesn't disagree with baby. Costco usually has organic frozen fruit at a relatively decent price.

My favorite smoothie recipes as well as other great dairy-free recipes are in the recipe book by Serene Allison - Rejuvenate your Life! (Link)

*disclaimer - I will admit that some of the things listed here aren't "super healthy" but when there are so few things that can actually be eaten I think an 80 percent healthy ratio is good enough.

*contact me if you want the Microsoft Office version to print out.  Please contact me if you want hand-outs for your group.

*also, if you actually want to cook (though with a new baby, I don't have time to do more than cook eggs and quinoa) here are some great gluten free, dairy free cookbooks:
Mastering Your Gluten and Dairy Free Kitchen: Easy Recipes, Chef's Tips, and the Best Products for your Pantry
Gluten-Free & Dairy-free for the Frugal and Lazy Cook: Healthy Eating-Eating for Life
The Kid-Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes That Are Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Low in Sugar
How to Eat Well Again on a Wheat, Gluten and Dairy Free Diet

Thrush remedies

Also see www.kellymom.com for the answers to many breastfeeding questions.

My favorite remedy is coconut oil. Put organic coconut oil on the nipples and in baby's mouth before and after every feeding until the thrush is gone.

Grapefruit seed extract diluted is also suppose to work, but its really bitter while coconut oil is sweet.

Coconut oil is also great for on the neck yeast rashes and for cradle cap.

All these things are caused by yeast in the body, and its best if mom takes grapefruit seed extract and probiotics in capsule form 3x daily to get rid of it systemically. For baby, its best just to use organic coconut oil.