Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

The beginning of the list was getting really long, since I just had to give some explanation of why I find these products so useful.  So here's the rest of the list for you, starting with item 7!

7.  Fully-reclining high chair: I don't care what brand or color you choose - just make sure you get a high chair that reclines fully.  Why?  Because you can bring baby to the table for family meals before s/he is eating solid food.  I did this at all meals with my daughter once she was awake during those times.  It teaches the baby that the family's priority is to sit down together to break bread, so to speak - and that the baby herself is important enough to be included in the family circle.

8.  A cute, efficient diaper bag: Why cute?  Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to be frumpy - and I don't mean cute in a "oh my gosh that's Pooh Bear overload on her shoulder!"  I mean cute in a trendy, makes you feel fantastic way.  Efficient?  Nothing is worse than trying to dig a diaper out of the bottom of a backpack-style bag that has a teeny opening at the top.  Trust me - been there, done that.  Learned my lesson and this time around I've got a cute (probably the most fashionable item I own, I suppose) diaper bag that was under $25.  See, it doesn't even have to be expensive!

9.  Bulk cases of wipes: I know you can get coupons on refills for the big name brands like Pampers and Huggies, and I know they come in all sorts of fancy aromatherapy scents and such.  Forget it.  Just go to Costco and buy a case of Kirkland Brand wipes.  You'll get a gazillion soft packs that don't have to be opened up and tossed into a hard case.  Each packet seals individually, making them perfect for keeping on the changing table, in the car, in the diaper bag (if you don't mind them being a wee bit heavy - counteract this by getting a bag that has straps to hang from the stroller bar; yes, mine has these.  heh heh).  The Kirkland ones are unscented and plenty soft for baby's bottom, and on hot days at the park, they are good for cooling down your face and arms as well as cleaning up any older kids!

10.  Solid colored crib sheets: The stores will have you believing you need matchy-matchy everything, from bumpers to mobiles to quilts, curtains and sheets.  BAH!  Forget it.  Baby is going to puke, have blowouts, and otherwise mess the sheets plenty of times during his early years.  Invest in several solid colored sheets that pick up the colors in your main item (I go with the quilt, myself) and call it good.  When messes happen, like the wet diaper that leaked through my son's clothes during his nap today, you just peel the sheets off, wipe down the mattress, dry it with (you guessed it) a cloth diaper, and spread on a new sheet.  No worrying about whether it matches, and no blowing extra bucks on super fancy patterned sheets.  Why do you think hotels only use white linens, hmmmm?

11.  Coupons: Despite what "they" claim, raising a baby doesn't have to mean hocking everything up to the dog.  It does, however, mean that you need to focus on the basics first.  Diapers, formula (if applicable) and basic clothes that can be layered.  They don't have to be super spendy like the Baby Couture industry would have you thinking, but they can add up if you're already on a tight budget or trying to eliminate debt.  Sign up for coupons and promotions on every baby website you frequent.  Similac, Enfamil, Gerber, Nature's One, Earth's Best, Pampers, Huggies - these and tons of other companies are handing out coupons left and right.  Shop the sales and you'll get an even better savings.  Put the extra in baby's college fund or a family vacation fund!

12.  A set of binkies:  I know, some of you are scowling now.  "Why not teach them to suck their thumb?  It's NATURAL."  Good point.  However, a thumb sucker's addiction cannot be taken away when she's two years old (or whatever age you decide is inappropriate for oral self-soothing).  A binky can be taken away; a binky habit can be tackled in a variety of ways.  More on that some other day; for now, suffice it to say I have always used the Gerber Nuk.  Literally - the Nuk is what my Ma gave me as a baby.  I trust 'em.  Pick yer poison.  (And for those who wonder why I'd give a binky at all: trust me.  I always said I wouldn't.  My daughter changed that concept REAL dang fast.  *chuckle*)

13.  Most important item of baby gear ever: a good pediatrician's office.  A good pediatrician is someone you feel comfortable asking "dumb" or "silly" questions.  A good pediatrician will ask about you, the mommy; ferreting out Post Partum Depression or extreme fatigue or loneliness isn't just your OB/GYN's job.  You'll see the peds office way more in the first year than you'll see your doctor's office.  But why do I define this as a "good pediatrician's office", you ask?  Because the nurses have to make you feel comfortable calling in to the on-call nurse at 0dark00 when the baby won't stop screaming and you don't know what else to try.  They have to make you feel comfortable asking a nurse to hold your baby down for shots because you're afraid you'll jump and cry when the baby does.  (I just did this on the 7th for two-month shots; they didn't bat an eye when I asked, either.)  Good nurses and pediatricians are worth their weight in gold and amazingly hard to come by.  My daughter was seen by the same LPN and pediatrician for the first 5 years of her life.  We both cried when we found out Nurse Mary Lou retired.  THAT is how good she was and how much we both trusted her!  If you can find someone like that, you are blessed beyond words, and I wish it for each and every parent  who reads this!