Why I Like It
For at least the first couple weeks when you are home with your new baby and recovering from delivery, it can be tough to get some good sleep.  Co-sleeping with your baby can help with those late night/early morning feedings especially when your movement is limited because of delivery.  I used the mini version of the Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper with my second daughter and found it easier to nurse at night and get back to sleep faster.

With my first daughter I had her sleeping in my room in a regular bassinet and found it difficult to climb out of bed then nurse her and put her back to bed.  With the Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper all it took was literally rolling over and pulling my daughter next to me to nurse.

Other mom’s have also found the co-sleeper helpful if they are working moms who really need to get as much sleep as possible at night.  I only used the co-sleeper for one month before I moved my youngest daughter into her own room since the littlest noise from her would wake me up.  If you don’t plan on co-sleeping for a long time I would recommend purchasing this co-sleeper second hand or borrowing it from a friend.

Where To Buy
Amazon.com
BabiesRUs.com
Target.com

Why I Like It
As a new parent I did not realize that it would take me such a long time to change crib sheets! I have to untie the crib bumper, then somehow get the mattress propped up to put a new crib sheet on, put the mattress back down, then straighten the bed skirt, and finally tie the crib bumper back on. It’s quite the process! Plus with a baby spitting up in bed, I end up changing the sheets on a frequent basis.

When I learned about the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, I wondered why I had not come up with that myself! The concept is so simple. The Quick Zip Crib Sheet will save you tons of time and make sheet changes that much easier.

Be sure to purchase a flat mattress pad (not mattress pad that goes around the mattress, but one that is just a pad and can lay flat) to use with the Quick Zip Crib Sheet.

Where to Buy
CloudsandStars.com ($32.99 for a solid color starter set consisting of zipper base and sheet top)

Why I Like It
I have an active baby who loves to kick her little feet at night and scoot around her crib. I’ve been awaken several times by her cries when she has bumped into the sides of her crib, or is stuck in the corner of the crib. My husband suggested that we velcro her in the middle of the crib, but since there is no such product on the market, I was happy to find the Guardian Sleeper. I am now able to place her under the covers and strap her into place and she stays in one place through the night. Now she doesn’t bump into the sides of her crib and everyone can have a peaceful night’s rest.

Where to Buy
Amazon ($39.95 + shipping)
Mom 4 Life ($39.95 to $43.95 + free shipping) Best Price

Why I Like It
My daughter hated being on her back. The Bumbo Seat allowed her to sit upright and look around while I could go about my business around the house. I purchased this seat when she was 2 months old and had some head control. I was a slightly worried that she was too little to get much use out of it, but amazingly enough it actually helped her hold her head up higher. Each day I could tell that her head control was improving because of the seat. Eventually she started to put her hands on the middle of the seat and would help herself sit up straighter.

The seat is small enough and light enough to transport to the beach or play dates. I also purchased the play tray with the seat which allowed me to place toys in front of my daughter which would keep her entertained for awhile.

There was a recall on this product in 2007 because parents were using the seat on elevated surfaces and their babies would squirm out of the seat and fall. Therefore, do not use this seat on elevated surfaces to avoid injury.

Where to Buy
Amazon ($37.89 + shipping)
Baby-Wise ($39.95 + shipping)
Target ($39.99 + shipping)
Walmart ($37.86 + free site-to-store shipping) Best Price

Why I Like It
I love modern design, especially in a nursery. Most cribs look very traditional and are full of curved lines and over embellished design. This crib by Baby Mod is a very sleek, simple, modern crib which is also convertible.

I was also a fan of the Dwell Studio Silver Lake Crib, however, that crib is not convertible and has a moving side rail which makes the crib a little more flimsy. The Baby Mod crib does not have a drop side rail, but as long as I can bend over and reach my baby, I don’t need a moving side rail.

The toddler bed on the Baby Mod crib is also very chic and modern. Combine this crib with modern bedding and you’ve got an ultra hip nursery.

There is a changing table and dresser which match this crib.

Where to Buy
Walmart ($299.88 + free site-to-store shipping)

Why I Like It
Admit it, wall paper is a thing of the past, and only found in your grandmother’s house. Stenciling should be left up to your mother. The modern way of decorating is with wall decals. These wall decals make it easy to decorate the nursery with fun and colorful graphics.

I love interior design. However, when it comes to walls, the most I can do is paint one solid color. Even then, painting is painstakingly slow. These wall decals are so easy to use (and remove) that even a plain white wall would look so much better with the decals.

ScribbleonWalls.com is one company that provides fun, modern graphics for any room in your house, even the nursery. I have found other companies designs to be somewhat boring or dated. ScribbleonWalls.com provides designs spanning from simple text, to tribal looking wall tatoos and nature inspired designs. You can also design your own wall decal and submit it to their team. If they think it fits their company they’ll add it to their design options and give you 50% of the profit every time your design is purchased.

Where to Buy
ScribbleonWalls.com ($4.50-$96 depending on your design + shipping)

Why I Like It
Babies love movement, especially from 0-3 months. The movement reminds them of being in the mother’s womb and helps to soothe them. The first few weeks my daughter was at home my husband and I were getting little to no sleep. Even during the day she was constantly fussy and would not go to sleep unless someone was holding and rocking her. My mother-in-law suggested purchasing a swing. Based on her experience she knew it would help to calm my baby.

When we went to go purchase a swing, we saw many varieties of swings. Most swung from front to back, some were manually operated, others were battery or electric. By far the Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing boasted the most features.

I love the cradle position in a side to side swing for a newborn. The seat reclines completely and helps the baby feel secure. If the baby gets fussy in the side to side swing, you can easily switch the swinging motion to front to back.

As soon as I assembled the swing I put my daughter in it and she fell asleep almost immediately. She slept peacefully for hours! Like many new parents, I use the swing at night as well which allows everyone in my family to sleep for longer periods of time. Eventually I’ll have to teach my daughter to sleep flat on her back in a stationary crib, but for the first few months I’m perfectly content letting her sleep in the cradle swing.

I do have a few minor complaints about the cradle swing. First, it takes four D batteries, which gets expensive after awhile. Second, it claims to be easy to fold for storage, however you’ll see that the buttons to get it to fold are difficult to operate, and it still takes up quite a bit of space when it’s folded. However, since I use the cradle swing everyday, the storage thing isn’t a huge issue for me. If there was an electric cradle swing that had all these features, I’d probably purchase that instead, but as far as I know there isn’t one like that currently on the market.

Where to Buy
Amazon ($139.99 + shipping)
Baby Center ($139.95 + shipping)
Babies R Us ($139.99 + shipping)
Target ($139.99 + shipping)
Walmart ($109.96 + free site-to-store shipping) Best Price