Baby essentials basket for new moms #FirstsMadeEasy #ForBetterBeginnings #MomsFirsts #ad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FirstsMadeEasy #ForBetterBeginnings #MomsFirsts #CollectiveBias

When my first child was born, we immediately put the baby on a schedule. It started in the hospital when the nurses had us tracking feedings, and that continued at home. My boy would eat (and not sleep) like clockwork. At times it was stressful, but we were first time parents, so what did we know? A year ago as we were preparing to welcome our second child, we agreed to be more relaxed and let her kind of determine her schedule for eating and sleeping. We bought so many things we thought we needed for the arrival of our baby but we haven’t use half of them. 

With both children, we made sure to have a date night within the first 6 weeks of their arrival. Because of this we had to make sure that we were prepared to leave a new baby, which can be stressful to a new mom (whether it’s your first or second child. Leaving them for a few hours can be difficult!) It took several weeks to establish a routine with our firstborn, but our daughter was quick to guide us on what she preferred.

I think one of the most stressful parts of leaving my children the first few times was feeding them. They were used to me, and I didn’t know which bottle was best. There are so many options, and with an infant, you’re trying products out and hoping for the best.

Thankfully, the Playtex Baby™ Nurser with Drop-Ins® Liners are great for the breastfed baby as the bottle is so close to breastfeeding. For mom, it means there are fewer bottles to wash because of the disposable liners! The Playtex Baby™ VentAire® is also a great bottle as it helps prevent air bubbles, making for a happier baby. These bottles can be found easily at Target – and there’s a Cartwheel Offer for 15% off Playtex Baby Bottles, expiring April 9.

I love how the Playtex Baby Nurser can change angles. Normally you purchase bottles that have that angle, but this is can be snapped into place so easily. (The angle helps promote semi-upright feeding.) The nipple on this bottle helps the baby latch naturally, making it a little easier for the baby to switch between mom and a bottle. As a mother, you want to find the best baby bottles to make them feel comfortable and to not feel like you are wasting money on an essential for your child.

At my baby shower, a friend of mine gave me a basket of “babies” last year that she had made. They were made up of diapers, wash cloths and socks. I went through all of those diapers quickly, and I’m still using the wash cloths and socks! It was perfect. I have several friends who are expecting this summer and fall, and gift baskets are not usually something you can register for, but they can be made with so many items you need.

If you have a friend who is expecting, this would be the perfect baby shower or new-baby gift:

Swaddle blanket
Diaper babies (diapers, socks, wash cloths)
Playtex Baby™ Nurser with Drop-Ins® Liners
Burp cloths

Seriously, think of this basket as mom’s night out. You could also throw in a sleeper or bodysuit. These are all items baby will need when mom is away, and top it off with this babysitter checklist so mom doesn’t forget anything. Even better, offer to babysit for an evening. New moms need the break!

For the diaper babies, simply roll a diaper and secure with a rubber band, and swaddle with a washcloth. Top it with a sock for the hat, and draw eyes on the diaper.

And if you’re looking to get away for your first night out, I recommend the following tips:

1. Let the babysitter know what the baby’s tired signs are. (My daughter sucks her thumb when she’s tired. Put her to bed earlier.)
2. Figure out their witching hour – avoid this hour by (again) putting the baby to bed earlier. An overtired baby is more difficult to put to sleep.
3. Follow a routine at naptime and bedtime. At bedtime, my daughter gets a bath and then we do pajamas, nurse and she’s laid down when she’s still awake. Curtains are closed, lights off and all is (usually good.) Let a sitter know what this routine is.
4. Determine your child’s eating patterns and try to stick to them so feeding is not guess work months down the road.

All babies need diapers, socks, wash cloths and bottles. Playtex is making things easier for us with their Nurser with Drop-Ins Liners and the VentAire bottles. 

What is your go-to baby shower gift?