Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

5 Quality Baby Items That Are Worth the Investment

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If you want to know what quality baby items are worth the money, I definitely recommend this list!In 2014, my husband and I had two in two years. We also lived on less than $2,000 per month. Having a lot of baby things simply wasn’t an option during that season of life. However, we did save up for a number of quality baby items, and I’m glad we did.

We may not have had new living room furniture or all new kitchen appliances, but if there was something costly that got its money’s worth for our kids, then it was money well spent.

5 Quality Baby Items Worth the Investment

Hear me out. One thing we did not do is go into debt to purchase these items. Nor did we dip into our emergency fund. Either option would have been so much easier. Instead, we opened a checking account with no minimum balance required and labeled it our “Baby” account.

Each month, we’d budget an allotted amount into the account. Having it separate from our primary checking helped protect that money from being mishandled.

We saved up, used coupons, used gift cards, or we said no to the purchase.

There are so many different brands of these products, but here are the ones we chose and that I recommend.

1. Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper

We kept our babies in this Rock N’ Play throughout their entire newborn stage. It was so nice to have them right next to our bed at night, elevated so they could probably breathe when congested. Another perk was how lightweight the product was. After I had an unexpected c-section with my second child, I had a major weight restriction during the first several weeks. The Rock N’ Play was easy to fold and transfer from room to room.

2. Medela Advanced Breast Pump

I made the choice before my first child was born to breastfeed. I was still employed at my banking job during that time, so have a reliable and efficient breast pump was crucial. Since that time, the government has made it much easier to obtain breast pumps for free or to receive reimbursement on a purchase. Definitely look into that. If you can’t get one (a QUALITY one) for free, then I highly recommend this product. It hasn’t given me any problems and I was able to breastfeed both of my children for at least 12 months.

3. Aden + Anaias Swaddle Blankets

The features I love most about these swaddling blankets is that they’re sheer which reduces the risk of suffocation, and they’re large enough to do a full swaddle on a baby throughout the first six months to a year. My 2-year-old son still chooses his Aden and Anaias blankets to sleep with over any other bedding.

4. Braun Ear Thermometer

If you’re up at 2:30 AM with a screaming, feverish baby, you need a reliable thermometer that will tell you exactly what’s going on, every time. I tried the cheap route at first, using a knock-off thermometer under the baby’s armpit (try getting a fussy baby to keep his arm down long enough to get a consistent reading). Finally, I realized it wasn’t worth the risk of misdiagnosing. High fevers can spike at any time. I’ve caught each of them in time with my Braun ear thermometer.

5. Wooden Toys

What I love about wooden toys is that they’re made well. My parents grew up in the era of wooden or metal toys. I was raised throughout the dawn of plastic. To see the difference in toys like Melissa & Doug and many others is very refreshing. I head straight to that aisle every time I buy a gift for a baby shower or child’s birthday party.

What quality baby items are you grateful you purchased? Share in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links.

Image Credit: Gaelle Marcel (UnSplash)

Breastfeeding Information At a Glance

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breastfeeding information at a glanceMy kids are much too old for breastfeeding but I thought that this is a perfect topic to push because it is both healthy for the kids and the mother and free.  Where else will you get that good a deal?  Now, I know that there is some controversy surrounding breastfeeding.  Some women do not believe in it, some do not think it is important or different, etc.  This is not a venue to hold matches between those two points and to judge which one is better.  This is simply an informative post as to the positives and negatives of breastfeeding, keeping in mind that breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed an infant and that it cots nothing monetarily.

The Pros of Breastfeeding

For Mom:

  • A reason to eat and not to gain. In fact, you lose weight!  A breastfeeding mom needs more that 500 extra calories a day because the body just burns more while breastfeeding.
  • It is easy and requires no expense or fuss.  You so not need much more than a comfortable place to prop yourself and your child.
  • For those who are comfortable and used to the routines, it is possible to sleep during feedings, especially those night time ones.
  • They say that it is a way to foster a bond between mother and child.
  • There’s less spitting up, no stains and the poop doesn’t smell!
  • There are anti cancer benefits.  Research shows that the longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
  • May give you a longer break from getting your period again but ovulation may still occur so this is NOT a birth control method.
  • A lot of breastfeeding moms say it feels awesome and is a real confidence booster!

For Baby:

  • Breast milk provides natural antibodies.  This is usually found in the colostrum or the opaque part of the breast milk.  Breastfed babies get more protection against ear infections, colds, and viruses: If the child does have any of the above, the severity will most likely be lessened.
  • Breast milk is said to help the brain grow and develop
  • They say as well that there is less learning and behavior difficulties
  • Less diaper rash and other skin problems due to the natural milk. When rashes occur it is usually a reaction to what the mom is eating and then transmitting through the milk than a reaction to the milk itself.
  • It is proven that there is less colic and  less crying because of the natural suction from breastfeeding
  • Breast milk is easy to digest.
  • Research has shown that breast milk protects against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, leukemia, some childhood cancers, and juvenile-onset diabetes
  • And breastfeeding moms swear that their babies LOVE the taste!

The Cons of Breastfeeding

  • Breastfeeding takes time.  Newborns feed every 2 to three hours and so breastfeeding moms follow this schedule even at night.
  • If the dad or the grandparents want a turn at feeding the baby, mom still has to pump the breast milk out which may not be as comforting as having the baby feed directly off the breast.
  • Breastfeeding is tiring! It takes a lot of energy for your body to make milk, so the mother can often feel quite fatigued.
  • Contrary to popular belief, this is not second nature. Almost all moms have at least a moment where they learn how to properly feed their babies.  This may cause some anxiety and frustration.
  • There may be other problems as well that make breastfeeding difficult. Some common problems are mastitis, inverted nipples, babies not being able to latch properly, plugged milk ducts and engorgement if the baby is not feeding frequently or properly.
  • Finally, for the career woman, breastfeeding can be a real challenge.  The schedule alone is something that requires a lot of management and support from the workplace.

So, is breastfeeding for you?  It is an entirely personal choice.  I do not believe there is a right or wrong answer as every loving mother has their stand on why she chooses what she chooses in the care and development of her child.  Certainly, these are points for anyone to mull over before making that decision.

Did you breastfeed your child?