This one’s dedicated to our friends Adrian and Shraddha who are expecting their first baby in a few weeks.
1. The quick ‘maybe she has a tummy ache’ fix
This stuff was a godsend. Raquel didn’t have colic but she did have a bit of tummy trouble sometimes… now and then she would have trouble keeping things down… who knows what’s actually happening in those little baby bodies. But Gripe Water is a cure all. We’d give her a drop of gripe water and it seemed to calm her tummy really well. Also, it’s sweet so… there was no argument from her. Works great for the hiccups too.
TIP: It comes in a useless bottle that is hard to maneuver one-handed in the dark, so we switched it to a bottle with a dropper. Easier to control the amount and also to get it in the right place (i.e. baby’s mouth, not dribbling down chin)
2. The ‘She needs something educational to do in her crib!’ fix aka. It will entertain the baby for 20 minutes? Yes please.
Tiny Love Sweet Island Dreams Mobile
I did a lot of research on this. Mobiles can be a lot of things (stimulating, calming, educational) and this one seemed to have it all. The reviews were fantastic, also. We found great success with it, just like the reviews said. From birth onward, it’s entertainment for them for 20 minutes. (And ohhh the cute faces she made while watching it!)
TIP: If you don’t choose this particular one, make sure you do get one that moves on its own. ‘Cause you don’t have the time to wind up that sh*t.
3. The ‘she won’t sleep unless she’s bouncing’ fix
A Pilates ball
Apparently boys like to swing and girls like to bounce. Our pilates ball was a lifesaver – it calmed her instantly just to be held and bounced. Definitely beats some of the other things I’ve heard parents doing to get their kids to sleep, like driving around the block at 2 am.
4. The ‘all these other fancy swaddles sort of suck’ fix
Swaddling is back in style (apparently it was out of fashion for a while). As you’ll find in books like Happiest Baby on the Block, a good swaddle means a baby that doesn’t whack herself in the face mid-sleep and wake her and you up. We only used them until she was about 8 weeks old, but for the first little while, it worked like a charm.
Also, check out all the different types of swaddling on YouTube
5. The ‘I know wipe warmers are indulgent and ridiculous but she cries when the cold wipes touch her bum!’ fix
Love this brand. They also make a caddy and wash clothes that are the best out there.
6. The ‘We need the best, most natural bum cream available to man’
This ointment is a cure all. I swear by it. You can put it anywhere on a baby, or on yourself. It’s soothing, moisturizing, un-fragranced, and the ingredients are all pronounceable. In Toronto I know Ella + Elliott sells it, Mini Mioche, and BBBuggy. I’m seriously considering using it as a face cream.
this is happy hour 