[ baby must-haves ]

Since I found out that I was pregnant I started making a mental list of all the things I knew for certain I'd need (or atleast really really want). Here's my top 7 Baby Must-Haves that will make life alot easier for you and baby:

1. Boudreaux's Butt-Paste - My mother swears by this stuff and after seeing what wonders it did for my younger brothers and sisters I can honestly say that it's probably the only product I'll ever use for my son's diaper rash. It's pediatrician recommended and has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in People Magazine. How's that for notoriety?

2. The Sleep Sheep - This cute little sheep plushy plays 4 sounds that are soothing to newborns (i.e. heartbeat, rain, and for some reason whale noises). Several of my friends have recommended I get this for my baby because it helps them sleep more soundly. Anything that can buy me a few extra hours of sleep at night is something I'd consider a necessity. You can find the Sleep Sheep at Bed Bath and Beyond moderately priced at $25. They also make a Sleep Sheep On the Go priced at $21. I've found they're much cheaper if buy them from Amazon or Ebay where the prices range from $16.99-$19.99.

3. The Summer Infant Swaddle Me Blanket - Okay I know this thing looks a little weird, but research shows that swaddling may help reduce the risk of SIDS by promoting better sleep when infants are put to sleep on their backs. Swaddling also reduces the incidences of the startle reflex which is responsible for frequently waking babies. It's also been shown to help soothe babies with colic! In other words Baby + Swaddle Me = Less fuss and more sleep! These blankets have a similar design to the Miracle Blanket and since the Swaddle Me blankets are $10 vs. $25 for a Miracle Blanket I think it's obvious which is the better choice.

4. Boppy Pillow - These things have really made a name for themselves! The Boppy Pillow makes feeding baby ten times easier whether you're bottle feeding or breast feeding. I love them so much that I got two! They're fairly priced $30 and can be found at Babies 'R' Us, Kmart, Sears, and Target. I would suggest looking them up on Amazon or Ebay where you can find them at around $26.

5. Pacifier Clips - These things are amazing! And they're cheap, ranging from $2-$5 a pack. I don't know why someone didn't think of this idea sooner. Pacifier on one end, clip on the other. Now that binky will never get lost again! Not to mention that this ingenious little design is easy to mimic so all you creative mommies out there can make your own! Love it, love it, love it!

6. Baby Slings - Reminiscent of the swaths of fabric worn by tribal women, these stylish baby carriers are easy to use and very comfortable. They make a great alternative to strollers and are perfect for keeping a baby calm by creating a “womb effect”. And the added bonus is that you can have your hands free to do other things. They range from $30-$60 and can be found at Babies 'R' Us, Target, and ofcourse on Amazon or Ebay.

7. Nursing Necklace - Nursing babies like to pinch and pull at mom while they’re feeding. Ouch! To avoid this problem get a Nursing Necklace (also called Breastfeeding Necklaces). Available in every style imaginable – from bright and colorful to stylish – every mom can find one that works for her. Most of the ones I've found range from $12-$25, but considering the simple design it'd probably be cheaper to make one yourself.