Jessica's Favorite Things 2008

A year ago I knew very little about baby products. What I know now is that the best products are usually those referred to you or that are highly reviewed by many. This year the babies and I were able to enjoy some quality baby products that I highly recommend. I am often asked by other expectant moms of multiples what items you really need and what you can skip. Therefore, you have just entered the post of "Jessica's Favorite Things 2008." If only I could give everyone in my "audience" one of each for free!

Infantino Flutterbug Musical Mobile:

This changing table mobile kept me sane and kept my ears in good working order. As newborns, all of my babies would cry and scream during diaper changes until I got this mobile which they loved for months. They still smile when it plays but it's too bad it doesn't help keep my very mobile babies on their backs for changes.

Fisher Price Miracles & Milestones Magical Mobile Gym:

This activity gym is fantastic for singletons up to triplets. It has three openings allowing enough room for all three babies, and unlike many gyms it has plastic legs so it is sturdy and can handle three babies pulling on it at once. The rotating flower mirror kept them entertained for long periods of times and they absolutely loved the little characters hanging on the sides.

Fisher Price Cradle Swing:

We had three different kinds of swings and this one was by far everyone's favorite. They almost always preferred to swing side-to-side. It is sturdy, appears cozy and has a good selection of music and nature sounds. Only downside is that it is only battery operated, but even with three babies using it we only had to change the batteries about two or three times.

Fisher-Price Deluxe Sensory Selections Bouncer:

This thing is like gold for parents. We got it used from a friend (thanks Misty) and the babies were obsessed first with the detachable panda, and then with the bee. They also loved to watch the mirror go round and round. We had several, at least two or three, quiet moments thanks to this thing.

Dr. Brown's Standard bottles:
Mothers like to complain about all of the bottle parts but many of the complainers haven't ever used these bottles. Other than the hospital nurser we never used anything else so it's hard to say how much better they are than other bottles but I can say that the babies' occupational therapist has done lots of research and she says that these bottles, and especially the nipples, are by far the best for babies on many different levels. I like them because they are BPA-free, high quality, easy for baby to hold and they have reduced air bubbles. And yes, we did hand wash every bottle every time.

Mullins Square hooded towels:

These towels are adorable, big enough to last through toddlerhood and sturdy enough to deal with two siblings pulling at the animal's face while on the head of the third baby. We haven't lost a bunny or horsey ear yet.

Miracle Blankets:

These truly are a miracle. I tried to survive without them for quite some time but after babies breaking out of swaddles night after night and waking as a result (even with Keith's tight burrito wrap) we had to get them. We saw results that very first night and the babies really slept much better with them. It was a long weaning process but once they had outgrown the startle reflex and started rolling over, it was time to say goodbye.

Graco Snugride carseats:

These carseats are really great for several reasons. They accommodate a very small baby which was important to us as we had 5+ lb babies when we first brought them home. The max weight is a whopping 22 lbs which gives you the flexibility to keep the babies in them longer if you are still using a Snap N' Go or while you order new carseats. Once the babies hit 20 lbs, it gets really hard to carry and load into the car. However, the hassle is worth it for me because loading three babies in the house is much easier than taking them out to the garage to load them one-by-one.

Mountain Buggy Urban triple stroller:

Wow, what a find. Keith found this very gently used stroller on Denver Craigslist, and we got it for about 20% of what it would cost new. It can't be your everyday stroller because it doesn't fit through single doors but it is excellent for neighborhood strolls, trips to the zoo (or so I imagine) or even to large stores like Target.

Pampers Swaddlers & Cruisers and Huggies Overnights:

Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers are my favorites. Soft, no leaks, enough said. Huggies Overnights are the only way to go once your baby starts sleeping through the night. Our babies would wake up soaked by 1 a.m. if we used regular diapers so we always use Huggies Overnights in the next size up from what they are currently wearing. Never a leak, ever. What about blowouts, you say? They happen no matter what diapers you use but it happens a lot less around the legs if you use Pampers.

And a few extras we love:

• BébéSounds Bath Thermometer
• Bumbo Baby Seats
• Boppy pillows
• NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator
• Seventh Generation detergent and dish soap
• http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/
• Bumkins SuperBibs
• Fisher Price Space Saver high chairs
• Bath ring seat

BOOKS FOR MOMMY:

When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads by Dr. Barbara Luke:

With risk of being dramatic, this book saved my babies' lives. I was in preterm labor by week 23, with contractions starting around week 19, and had I not read this book, I would not have eaten or rested even half as much as I did. The babies were born with great weights for 30.5 weekers, and I give credit above all to God, but secondly to this book.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth:
Although I did not have the time to read the whole book, this book did wonders for getting our schedule and naps worked out (thanks for the rec Raising Multiples girls!). Although it's a lengthy read, there are some really ingenious tips in this book that are sure to get your baby on track and help give mommy and daddy some of their sanity back.

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks by Suzy Giordano and Lisa Abidin:

Two of our three babies were sleeping 11+ hours a night starting 11-12 weeks after their due date thanks to this book. I don't agree with moving to a 4-hour feeding schedule as early as laid out in their plan, but everything else worked beautifully for our babies. Thanks for the lead, Leslie!

Infant Massage, A Loving Handbook for Loving Parents by Vimala Schneider McClure:

I really loved giving the babies massages when I could. They loved having their legs massaged and would often smile at me while I talked or sang to them. It was also nice to know how to safely massage their tummies when they needed extra help digesting their milk or food. It is really a neat bonding time and it gave me, and dad sometimes too, special one-on-one time with each baby.