"It Takes A Village" Idea Board | Alyssa & Taylor's Baby Shower by Kristina Spannbauer

An Abridged Greatest Hits List

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-11 21:29:29 UTC

Strega Nona
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Touch & Feel sensory books series
The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales
The Monster at the End of This Book
Little Blue Truck series
Little Critters series
Where the Wild Things Are
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Silly Sally

Sleep Sacks = Magic

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-11 21:37:24 UTC

Clive and Vance slept in some kind of sleep sack until they were 2-3 years old. They are so great when it comes to sleeping routine, soothing, regulating temperature, safe sleeping, etc. Highly recommend! Vancey actually still sleeps with his but only uses it as a blanky now that he doesn't fit into it anymore. :)

Boynton

2024-11-12 15:22:07 UTC

All of the Boyton books are super fun to read-- with rhymes you'll remember for 27 years! As she grows, I'll be supplying you with lists and lists of good books. Reading to my kids was my very favorite thing to do. And you're just starting down that road... lucky you!

On The Night You Were Born

2024-11-12 15:28:05 UTC

Keep it simple

2024-11-12 15:29:36 UTC

Sometimes the most fun ones are empty boxes with christmas lights (poked into the boxes) and glow sticks- of course these are more for when baby is older :)

A must have-NoseFrida Snotsucker!

2024-11-12 15:35:19 UTC

Fav books

2024-11-12 20:42:28 UTC

Some books our kids (and we) loved were Backyard Bedtime. (Maybe out of print, but really lovely.) Also, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR. Also good was the Bear Snores On series.

It's OK to Tap Out

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-12 23:39:49 UTC

As an experienced aunty, I encourage you both to always feel free to "tap out" if you need a break. Let your loved ones love on your little one, especially if you need a moment to yourself or are feeling stressed. I promise - we do actually LOVE it! Try not to over-extend yourself if you're feeling exhausted, frustrated, sad, etc. because the best part of having people around you and supporting you is letting them step in when you need a break. Also, feel free to call me if you ever need a babysitter. :) XO

personal favorite children's books

2024-11-13 18:18:41 UTC

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone

Tacos!: An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen

Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak

King Baby by Kate Beaton

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

There are also a LOT of YouTube channels that read aloud books if you want that as an option or a try before you buy!

ACOG Breastfeeding link

2024-11-13 18:30:00 UTC

Wisco Lactation Services in SE WI

2024-11-13 18:33:39 UTC

Infant CPR Information from AHA

2024-11-13 18:34:39 UTC

How to make your own Padsicle - wait 24 hours after birth

2024-11-13 18:43:52 UTC

Sitz Bath ( if you don't have one already) helps with perineal care

2024-11-13 18:48:59 UTC

Best Teething Products (at least that my fam/friends have used)

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 17:44:55 UTC

https://bit.ly/4fsU7G0

They all are hollow so it's not a choking risk, and there are some with guards (https://bit.ly/4ezts9g) so they don't gag themselves. The ones with guards are nice when they first start teething. When they get a bit older, the ones without guards are great so they can actually reach their back gums.

These can be very convenient for restaurants, gparents house, & other times you're not at home!

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 17:48:12 UTC

These were AMAZING - especially if you're alone w baby!

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 18:00:13 UTC

Amazon.com : Ingenuity Spring & Sprout 2-in-1 Baby Activity Center Jumper and Table with Infant Toys - Ages 6 Months +, First Forest : Baby

These jumpers were the BEST - especially for working from home or times when you're on your own! It keeps baby active/entertained while also keeping them safe/secure. It lets you run to the bathroom if you're alone or set them in it in the kitchen w you while cooking, etc. Clive was super energetic, and it was also great bc he could jump like a maniac and burn off that energy so he naps better (lol)

Bibs

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 18:07:18 UTC

Suction Bowls & Plates

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 18:21:23 UTC

Bowls w/Lids: https://amzn.to/4hPiMWX

Mess Mat

kmspannbauer — 2024-11-14 18:24:40 UTC

Simple Ikea high chair!

jmwinslow1 — 2024-11-14 21:04:59 UTC

Easy to clean (can hose off in shower if need be! Easy to move around house, outside, etc..., doesn't take up much space, and cheap!

Sleep

2024-11-15 18:50:26 UTC

I have some sleep tips and tricks if you are interested. Babies benefit from predictable routines for nap and bedtimes :)

Aquaphor!!! Buy the big tubs, one for body, one for little butts!

kfwagner — 2024-11-18 21:25:33 UTC

Stations

kfwagner — 2024-11-18 21:32:26 UTC

Highly recommend setting up stations for yourself. Have everything you need in the bathroom (possibly more than one bathroom!): pads, ice packs, water spray bottles (the cool ones that spray upside down are game-changers), witch hazel spray or pads (there are also spray bottles that can spray upside down), extra undies for those early weeks. And for feeding stations make sure you have what you need too: pillows, towels to prop up baby (it can be so easy to hurt yourself when you're trying to keep them in one awkward position), water bottles, snacks for yourself, remote/books/phone charger/etc.

Apps to track baby stuff

kfwagner — 2024-11-18 21:34:11 UTC

In the beginning you'll be trying to keep track of how long they slept, when they were changed, how long they ate, etc. and there are lots of great apps to help out there! We used the GLOW app with both of our kiddos which made it really easy to be able to answer questions like "how long have they been awake?"

Water and Nature

kfwagner — 2024-11-18 21:36:45 UTC

When all else fails and it's 3 am... take them outside (even if it's chilly! bundle up and go see some stars!) or get them in some water (even just running warm water over the top of their head/their hair can help give them a reset!).

photo book!

kfwagner — 2024-11-18 21:41:22 UTC

So many great books out there but wanted to throw in this one as well! A fun handle for little ones to chew on and just a few pages where you can put 4x6 photos. We have one for our kids that just has extended family (a page for grandma and grandpa, a page for aunt, uncle, and cousin...) and it is so well loved (especially when they start to recognize people and get excited to point them out). Great to take in the car too because it will hold their attention for a while as they look at all the people they know

Baby Sound Machine

2024-11-19 15:30:15 UTC

2024-11-19 15:50:34 UTC

Baby development activities

2024-11-19 20:27:07 UTC

These are great for giving ideas on what to do with baby 0-age 5 :) and explains the brain science behind the activities.

Our Favorite Series/Characters

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 14:40:39 UTC

The Little Owl books
Bear Snores On - and all the Bear and Friend series
Little Pookie series from Sandra Boynton
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and the rest of the series
Little Blue Truck series
Octopus Shocktopus
Poke-A-Dot books

It can be a huge adjustment

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 14:47:53 UTC

The good, the bad, the ugly - it's all a phase and it all passes. Just know whatever you are feeling in that moment it will pass. And if you have to - you won't be the first parent to yell "I HATE THIS WHAT HAVE I DONE" at your screaming infant at 3am when all you want to do is sleep in a dark and quiet room. The adjustment is real, and so is the hormone shift.

You know your family best

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 14:52:39 UTC

There is no right way to do anything - no matter what mommy influencers, child psychologists, family, and friends tell you. You get to decide what to do with the information and advice you receive. You will make mistakes but you won't ruin your child. You will find your flow with your new little family and everyone will have an opinion - but whatever you're choosing to do (or try!) is perfect.

Parenting Accounts

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 14:59:38 UTC

I found it helpful to have a few but not too many Instagram accounts to follow for tips and tricks - my long-term favorites continue to be:

Biglittlefeelings (development/parenting)
Feedinglittles (eating/feeding)
Busytoddler (activities)
Takingcarababies (sleep)
Dayswithgrey (activities)

Travel Sound Machine

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:01:34 UTC

Get it before you give birth and bring it with you to the hospital - It helps drown out the hallway noise. We always had one in our diaper bag for naps on the go, too.

DOLLY PARTON

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:03:36 UTC

Sign-up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to receive free books monthly for the first 5 years! Cooper LOVES getting them every month and always says "THANKS DOLLY!!!!" every time he sees her picture on the back cover

Infant Carrier

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:08:37 UTC

Best infant carrier by far - Ergo Embrace. Easy to use/adjust and perfect for even the smallest babies. We used this when the standard sizes seemed too big/bulky.

Diaper Bag

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:10:52 UTC

We STILL use this when we travel since it has the best storage and organization

Blocks

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:13:14 UTC

Tummy Time Mat

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:13:56 UTC

Stacker - lots of textures and colors

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:14:39 UTC

We used this from day 1 (and the piano until he was 2!)

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:15:47 UTC

Cooper was obsessed with these animals - we had multiple

sarahmcminn — 2024-11-20 15:18:20 UTC

Books about babies

2024-11-20 18:09:51 UTC

Molly loved paging through books with pictures of other babies! When she was a toddler we had lots of fun making up stories about the babies in the photos.