I thought I had it all sussed when I was pregnant, but like most situations in life you have to learn as you go 

OK so “missed out on” kind of implies I was deprived of these things in some way...
It’s more the case that I just didn’t really know then what I know now about motherhood. I thought I had it all sussed when I was pregnant, but like most situations in life you have to learn as you go and see what works.
 
I’d be here all day if I mentioned the baby items that I should have never bought. I’m tellin’ you, baby products is where the money is! I bought so many things that were “must haves” only to find them gathering dust in the spare bedroom. You can’t help it though can you? You don’t want to miss out on anything and you want your baby to have the very best of everything.
 
My son is 14 months now and when I look back on those newborn days I feel as though I missed out on a few key purchases. If we are lucky enough to be blessed with another baby in the future these will be first on my list.
 
A Co-Sleeper. And by this I mean the ones you put together yourself. Standard IKEA cot where one side is left down and the cot is pushed against your own bed meaning your baby can sleep with you, right beside you, and yet you still have the space to sleep comfortably yourself. I can safely say that I wouldn’t bother using a Moses basket second time round. It was totally redundant in this house. We were breastfeeding and co-sleeping. I loved the experience but it would have been handy to have the bit of extra space that a co-sleeper would provide.
A stretchy wrap. Something like the JPMBB. I bought a sling when Billy was six weeks old and it was a total necessity. I still use one to this day. I would have loved a stretchy wrap for those first few weeks though. A few friends have used them and they are just perfect for those sleepy newborn days where baby can feel warm, safe and content against Mama.
A rocking chair. I’m a bit annoyed at myself about this one. It never even crossed my mind to buy one. I’m still half toying with the idea of buying one now. It would have been amazing for breastfeeding and general settling. Our son requires rocking and cuddling to help him drift back to sleep, so a rocking chair would make that all the more comfortable for us all.
A video monitor. Sure they “didn’t have them back in our day” and it would be easy to obsess over it and watch it far too much, but I would benefited from one I think. My best friend has one and it’s amazing to be able to keep an eye on how and when your baby sleeps. It would have saved me a couple of journeys up and down the stairs!
The Jumperoo. This one isn’t important at all but I now realise how brilliant it would have been. Billy loved it when he had a little play in my friend’s one as well as using them in play cafes. They are great little things and will afford you the 10-15 minutes where you need to use both hands to make the dinner or something. Having said that, they are huge and take up a lot of space. Worth it though!
So there we have it. A couple of items that I will definitely be purchasing for baby number two if we are so lucky. Hind-sight is a great thing isn’t it? My little man is a happy boy who knows no different, but these items would have made life easier, and sure isn’t that what it’s all about?
 
Written by Tracey, mummy blogger and staff with www.familyfriendlyhq.ie
Check out her own blog at love-of-living.blogspot.ie
 

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