We are still loving most of our favorites from 0-3 months. A lot of things here are center around sleep (no surprise really), because we went through a lot of changes in these months with regard to G’s sleep habits. (I really wanted to make bed-sharing work, but G’s best sleep is consistently when he is in his own space. He still ends up sleeping in our bed for part of the night if we fall asleep nursing, and our early mornings together still happen occasionally, too.)
Oh, the adventurous life I lead.
Without further ado, here are our favorite things from this period.
Halo SleepSacks: We didn’t start using these until the horrendous 4-month sleep regression, when we figured we may as well wean him from being swaddled entirely. Things could not get any worse (waking every 20-60 minutes), so we dropped the swaddle cold turkey and just started using the sleepsacks for warmth and to act as a “sleep cue.” We have both the micro fleece and cotton fabrics, and I love that they zip from the top down. For those that are interested, I contacted the company and Halo does not use chemical flame retardants on their sleepsacks.
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fabrics, and I love that they zip from the top down. For those that are interested, I contacted the company and Halo does not use chemical flame retardants on their sleepsacks.“Lovey” blanket: I started pushing a lovey on G at three months, but he didn’t really take to it until five or six months. I tried every lovey-type item I could find, and he finally fell in love with this mini blanky from Little Giraffe. It’s soft, snuggly and it was really helpful in getting him off the swaddle.
from Little Giraffe. It’s soft, snuggly and it was really helpful in getting him off the swaddle.Graco Crib: It was quite the process to get our kid sleeping flat, which is why we didn’t use our crib much in the first few months. We kept him in the Rock n’ Play until he started to outgrow it around five months. At that point we transitioned him to a custom-fitted sleep wedge for his reflux (which sits in the crib). Finally around six months, we transitioned him off the wedge to sleeping flat in his crib. Now that he’s finally in it, we love his crib and plan to use it through toddlerhood.
: It was quite the process to get our kid sleeping flat, which is why we didn’t use our crib much in the first few months. We kept him in the Non-Toxic Crib Mattress: I did a lot of research on mattresses when I was pregnant. “Organic,” wasn’t going to cut it; I was specifically after a mattress that did not contain toxic flame retardants. I eventually found the Colgate Eco Classica III Dual Firmness Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress and it met all of my requirements. It was also more affordable than some of the other organic mattresses I looked at (that were not necessarily chemical-free). We plan to use the softer side of this mattress when G is a toddler.
and it met all of my requirements. It was also more affordable than some of the other organic mattresses I looked at (that were not necessarily chemical-free). We plan to use the softer side of this mattress when G is a toddler.Books: It was around three months that we started a formal bedtime routine, which includes books. Current favorites include Dr Seuss’s Sleep Book, The Napping House, and The Going-To-Bed Book. Does the theme surprise you?
, 
, and 
. Does the theme surprise you?Mobile: This one has a light projection thing that G loves to watch. Pretty soon we’ll need to take down the mobile part, but we will still be able to use the music and projector on the ceiling. This is great as part of a bedtime routine or any time we really needed to calm him down.
has a light projection thing that G loves to watch. Pretty soon we’ll need to take down the mobile part, but we will still be able to use the music and projector on the ceiling. This is great as part of a bedtime routine or any time we really needed to calm him down.Skip Hop Foam Tiles: At four months we set up a baby-safe play zone in the corner of our dining area. We laid down these non-toxic EVA-foam tiles, put up a gate (to keep the dogs out!), and filled it with toys and blankets. It’s a great space for tummy time and general baby exercise!
: At four months we set up a baby-safe play zone in the corner of our dining area. We laid down these non-toxic EVA-foam tiles, put up a gate (to keep the dogs out!), and filled it with toys and blankets. It’s a great space for tummy time and general baby exercise!Jumperoo/Exersaucer: We have the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo and G absolutely loved it for about two months. These things are slightly controversial, so we tried to limit his time in it each day. But honestly, sometimes you just need to make dinner. At seven months he still likes it occasionally but it has lost a bit of its original shine.
and G absolutely loved it for about two months. These things are slightly controversial, so we tried to limit his time in it each day. But honestly, sometimes you just need to make dinner. At seven months he still likes it occasionally but it has lost a bit of its original shine.Car seat toy: Bright Starts Take Along Carrier Toy Bar is a HUGE hit with G and has saved us on many a car ride. Somehow after four months of use he still thinks it’s pretty cool.
is a HUGE hit with G and has saved us on many a car ride. Somehow after four months of use he still thinks it’s pretty cool.Drool bibs: Because there is so. much. drool. I like these from Green Sprouts and aden + anais.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I love his expression in that picture, it is priceless!
I am going to order the lovey you recommended, right now G is using a really small bear, but I’ve noticed he sleeps better when he is holding on to something (usually it’s my finger). We haven’t used the jumperoo much yet, but I hope he gets decent use out of it or it will go in the closet with useless baby items like his swing! Ditto on the toy bar, we rotate that with a few other bright starts items and G loves it.
That’s a good idea to switch out the car seat toys! Thanks!
So I had no idea about the jumperoos (which gives me such guilt) until this week when we took him to the doctor and was scared out of using it until he can stand! I totally know what you mean though about sometimes needed a few minutes to do something.
I didn’t know much either, but my doctor was not concerned by it. Still, I try to limit it to small amounts of time and figure, like everything else, moderation is OK 🙂
Because he’s a tiny preemie we have to be extra careful. I’m sad because he really loved it, but physically he’s just too small for it right now. I know neither of us would just plop our boys in there for a long time and call it a day, so I’m sure it’s fine. 🙂 I was just really shocked by her saying there was a risk at all. I just felt really dumb, especially considering all the reading I’ve done about diapers, lotions, mattresses, etc.!
Anyway, G is adorable! I love seeing pictures of him!
I understand, and agree! Somehow I did so much reading up on certain products but hardly any on others.
Heather – I miss you! The world needs a random blog post from you 🙂
Yes! Heather, start a blog! Or come post something on mine 🙂
Bronwen is almost 2 and we still use a sleep sack. I just found out that Halo makes them past XL, so I plan on using them for at least another year. Kids just move too much when they sleep – this way she is warm and doesn’t cry out in the middle of the night because she is cold.
That’s good to know! I heard Halo makes “little walker” ones with holes for their feet…but that doesn’t make sense to me because isn’t half the point to keep their feet warm?! P.S. I can’t believe she’s almost two!
Love the photo of G!
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