Since having Augustine two years ago, my travels have slowed down a lot. But that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my itch to travel far and wide! Luckily I have some amazing friends who live in really awesome places. Welcome to “My Perfect Day.” A new series in which I ask my blogging friends to share their perfect day in the city they live in. First up? Grace Atwood of The Stripe from Brooklyn, New York. I’ve been a fan of Grace’s blog for so long and she’s just as sweet in person. I think you will be obsessed with her feminine and classic style! As I’m heading to NYC this month, this post could not come at a better time!
Over the weekend Matthew asked me what my perfect day would look like. I think he was trying to be sweet and see what I’d like to do for Mother’s Day, but it sparked a conversation about how we’d spend our ideal day if we could do whatever we wanted. No rules, no obligations, just the agenda that we wished for. We both said we’d want to sleep in, which isn’t too surprising since Augustine isn’t sleeping through the night yet! Here’s what my perfect day would look like, though:
Trying to figure out what to register for as a pregnant mama can be a little daunting. There is SO much stuff! What’s essential, what will be used regularly, and what actually works? I remember that even between my first and second pregnancies, there were several new products that launched into the baby world market – some made SO much sense and others not so much. Today I wanted to break down my must-have baby items, as a Mom of 3. I’ve been there and done that, so I can share honestly with you which products you’ll be happy to have in your nursery. And the best part is that they’re readily available at Target which makes it even easier.
WHY THE TARGET BABY REGISTRY
Besides the fact that Target is one of the biggest and most popular retailers, they’ll help you prepare for a new baby with “A Year of Benefits” in a way no other retailer can. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, cloth diapering, disposable diapering, there is something for pretty much everyone.
What’s “A Year of Benefits”? It’s a year of exclusive deals through Target Circle. You get a free welcome kit that’s $100+ in value of deals, samples, and coupons (so worth it!). You also get a 15% off registry coupon which starts 8 weeks before your expected arrival date, and you can return or exchange anything from your registry for up to one year with Free Registry Returns.
Registering for Target is a great way to ensure ease of gift-giving for your friends and family, but it’s also so easy for the parents-to-be. New mamas: you can make your baby registry here.
WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
Diapers- Yes you’ll need a lot of diapers! This time around we’ve been cloth diapering and I honestly wish I had been brave enough to do it with my first two. It’s so much easier than I expected. Even still, during the first few months I relied on Pampers Pure. Those have provided the best protection when they’re still so little. Now, I cloth diapers but I do have Honest Diapers on hand for times where I need them- like traveling or when I might not be able to change her as quickly as I can at home. For wipes, the Water Wipes are our go-to. They come in handy from cheeks to hands to bottoms.
The Snuggle Me Organic is one of my favorite products! It’s a soft snuggle lounger that’s perfect for laying down, tummy time, and sitting up. I love how it’s designed in a way that hugs your baby’s full body. I feel like this is what allows them to calm and comfort so well. The material is organic and breathable and it’s also easy to clean.
One product you’ll use for years is the Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser and Nightlight. There’s a cool mist humidifier with a range from gentle mist to tropical rainforest, a diffuser for those times you’re trying to clear out some congestion (or maybe you just want to add some calming lavender), and a color changing nightlight. It’s a product you’ll use for years – Corinna has one in her room that she adds essential oils to each naptime and bedtime!
Since I’m home with my kids right now, I actually haven’t had to use my pump more than a handful of times, but the Willow is what I have readily available. It was really helpful with my second born, and I love how discreet it is.
Bottles- The only bottle Beatrice will take is the Comotomo. It was the same for the other two. Something about the feel of these bottles just reminds them of nursing. They’re actually designed specifically to reduce bottle rejection and nipple confusion issues. These bottles are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free, and I love how easy they are to clean!
For Breast Care Support – I literally cringe a little when I think of the ordeal I went through with my second – undetected mastitis and an abscess that had to be drained weekly for months. Not ideal for a new sleep-deprived mama! I love everything that Frida Mom comes out with because they fill a major need in the marketplace. This Breast Care Kit would have been so helpful for me! It has a 2-in-1 Lactation Massager, Instant Heat Breast Warmers, Breast Mask for Lactation, and Breast Mask for Hydration. Having breastfeeding tools for stubborn clogged ducts and let-down issues is a saving grace when you need it…trust me!
Another Fridababy must-have: the NoseFrida Snotsucker. This nasal aspirator is so so handy for the times your baby is congested and needs to clear the mucus out. We forget that babies can’t blow their noses like we can, so in comes the latest and greatest baby product creation!
For bath time, we love the Angelcare Baby Bath Support. The price is just right and it’s so handy when you’re bathing your littlest love. It has a non-slip grip, it’s easy to clean, the drain holes prevent mildew buildup, plus it has a hook for easy hanging.
We’re in a busy baby season right now where doing diaper changes takes a whole lot of wrangling. Is it a baby or a tiny alligator? We don’t know! This Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad is a must-have. I love the grip that keeps the pad in place, but I especially like the safety strap to keep the baby secure. And it’s easy to wipe down too!
If you’re pregnant, have fun making your baby registry here. Target literally has every product you could possibly want or need, and “A Year of Benefits” makes it that even more appealing. I’d love to hear from the other mamas in the comments. What are some of your new baby must-haves you’d recommend?
xox
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DISCLOSURE: Thank you Target for partnering with me on this post! All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own. Thanks for supporting my sponsors. It truly means a lot.
Welcome to M Loves M! My name is Mara and I created this lifestyle site in 2009 as a place to share my love of fashion, beauty, food and entertaining. I moved from Southern California to Idaho and love adventuring with my husband Matthew, our two children, and our dog Ginger. We're also pregnant with baby #3, due this autumn! I strive to create a site that’s relatable to women, while also being inspirational. I’m so glad you stopped by!
