Buy This, Not That: Breast Pumps

Good:  Medela Pump In Style Advanced

After C was born in 2014, I got a trusty Medela Pump in Style Advanced breast pump (thanks, Obama!), which I used religiously 3-4 times a day at work for a year.  At the time, I had no complaints...but I also had nothing to compare it to.

Better: Spectra S2

This year, when I was pregnant with M, I had to decide which breast pump I wanted to order this time around.  (Although I still have my old Medela PISA, the motor can wear out, and since a new one was fully covered by my insurance, I knew I wanted to get a new one - even if it was another PISA).  I read a ton of online reviews, and the consensus seemed to be that the Medela PISA and the Spectra S1 or S2 pumps were the current favorites. Medela is still the better-known brand (as it is what most of the hospitals use, and has been around in the US longer than Spectra); however, every single review I read that compared the two preferred the Spectra.  

I decided to take a chance (knowing I had my old PISA if I absolutely hated the Spectra), and I am sooooo glad I did!  I ordered the Spectra S2, as the cost was completely covered by my insurance; the S1 had an upgrade charge since it has a built-in rechargeable battery (while the S1 has to be plugged into an electrical outlet).   

In comparison to the Medela pump, my Spectra pump is much quieter, gentler, and more efficient.  The difference in noise is the most remarkable -- the Medela pump was loud, and the Spectra is whisper quiet.  We can easily watch TV while I pump, and although my work has a dedicated pumping room, I think I could easily be on a phone call while the pump was running (NOT TRUE for the Medela!)  

I also think the suction on the Spectra is gentler -- probably because it is more customizable than the Medela.  While the Medela has one dial that can adjust the suction strength, the Spectra can adjust both the frequency and the suction strength.  The Spectra pump has a digital display and remembers your settings so that you don't have to reset them every time you use the pump; you can set frequency and suction strength for both the "let down" mode and the "expression" mode.  I also like that the Spectra pump has a built-in timer so that you can easily keep track of how long each pumping session lasts; I've noticed that the Spectra pump seems to be more efficient than my Medela was.  With my Medela, I frequently pumped for 20-25 minutes; with the Spectra, it usually only takes 10-12 minutes to fully empty my milk.

I also like that the Spectra pump is a fully closed system, meaning that it can be safely shared among users or passed down to friends/family without risk of contamination.  The Medela pump is not a closed system and, while plenty of people share or pass down their pumps, technically you're not supposed to.  

There are 3 downsides of the Spectra pump: (1) the lack of local availability of compatible parts; my local baby store and Target stock standard Medela pump supplies but not Spectra supplies, so if you forget to bring parts while traveling or something breaks, you're up a creek.  (2) The Spectra pump parts also are not compatible with standard-sized bottles, and (3) the flanges do not come in as many different sizes as the Medela flanges do.  

However, there is a cheap and easy fix for all of these issues -- I use my old Medela parts with the Spectra pump.  Since I use a larger flange size than the standard-issue flange, I use my larger Medela flanges instead of the smaller ones that came with the Spectra pump.  Doing this not only solve my size issue but also ensures that I should be able to acquire Medela parts locally if they break or I forget them (as long as I remember the Spectra pump, tubing, and backflow protector, I'm good!)  Since the Medela pump parts are compatible with standard-sized bottles, this also allows me to use my existing bottles without having to buy new wide-mouth bottles or adapter rings to use the Spectra.  Read my post here for how to use Medela parts with a Spectra pump.

Buy This, Not That: Jumperoos

At 6 months old, C is finally old enough to really enjoy his jumperoo!  I love the jumperoo since it keeps him upright and lets him look around (since he's not sitting on his own quite yet).  It's also nice for him to be able to entertain himself and stay in one spot while I wash dishes, cook dinner, etc.

Good: Johnny Jump Up Doorway Jumper

We registered for this doorway jumper and received it as a baby shower gift; I love it in theory - a jumper that I can easily move around the house to the nearest doorway, and likewise can be put away easily when not in use.  However, in reality, it isn't my favorite - it doesn't "bounce" very easily, and since there are no toys or other entertainment, C gets bored in it quickly - I'll look over and he's just sitting there still, staring at me (or crying to get out).

Better: Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo

Our pediatrician recommended getting a jumper of some kind to strengthen C's legs and keep him off his head (since right now tummy time is our only other option, and that doesn't work forever...).  After our lackluster enthusiasm about the doorway jumper, I scoured my local Facebook online garage sale site and bought a Fisher Price Jumperoo.  It is SO much better than the doorway jumper - it bounces easily, and there are several toys that C can play with if he doesn't feel like jumping.  He will happily play in this for 30-45 minutes at a time.

Buy This, Not That: Crib Mattress Pads

Good: Waterproof quilted fitted mattress pad

I registered for and received 2 Carter's Keep Me Dry quilted fitted mattress pads.  They're pretty much tiny versions of the mattress pad you'd use on your own bed.

Better: Nothing

We used the crib mattress pads for the first few weeks, and then realized that it was a huge pain to change both the mattress pad and the crib sheet whenever C spit up or had a blowout in the crib.  Since our crib mattress has a plastic outside, it's waterproof in and of itself...so the waterproof mattress pad is not necessary like it is with normal adult mattresses. Cribs are supposed to be rock-hard anyway for SIDS purposes, so it's not like this was providing much padding.  We stopped using the mattress pads about 2 weeks in and haven't looked back.  I wish someone had told us how unnecessary these are!!

Buy This, Not That: Breastmilk Freezer Storage Bags

July 2017 update: this post has been viewed over 35,000 times.  Target recently changed their Up & Up breastmilk storage bags - they now come in a box with blue/green text, not yellow as shown in the graphic below.  Although I have not yet bought any of the new bags (I'm still working through a stash of the yellow box variety!), they do NOT have good reviews - users are commenting that they leak (liquid gold!!!) frequently.  In the meantime, I'd suggest sticking with the Lansinoh bags.

If you're breastfeeding and going back to work...or ever want to spend more than 2 hours at a time away from your child...you'll probably find yourself pumping. It's nice to have a stockpile of breastmilk frozen in the freezer so you can have a night out once in a while!  Since I'm back at work now, I use breastmilk freezer bags constantly to freeze surplus pumped milk, since I tend to pump more ounces than C drinks in a day.  I've tried several brands...there IS a difference!

Bonus Tip: Did you know that breastmilk storage bags are FSA-eligible?  (I just found this out!)  You can adjust your FSA contribution after your baby's born, since it's a qualifying "life event" - so set aside some money for your breastmilk storage bags so you can buy them with tax-free money.  Every little bit of savings helps, especially when it comes to everyday consumables!  

Good: Medela Pump & Save bags

Medela makes the most popular breast pumps, so all Medela accessories must be preferable too, right?  Wrong.  I automatically started with the Medela bags, assuming they'd be the best option to use with my Medela pump.  They are awful; after I used up the first box, I never bought them again.  They do NOT freeze flat, which means they take up an unnecessary amount of room in the freezer.  If you regularly pump and freeze milk, freezer space is at a premium!  I do not have the freezer space or patience to deal with these lopsided freezer bags!  The also only have 1 zipper to seal them, which made me nervous; most other brands have dual zippers.

Better: Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

These are better in every way than the Medela bags; they freeze totally flat, so you can store them compactly like file folders in a box or gallon-size Ziploc bag.  They have 2 zippers, so they're less likely to leak.  These storage bags are actually probably my real favorite, except for the fact that they are more expensive than the 3rd option below.

Best: Target Up & Up Breastmilk Storage Bags

These are very similar to the Lansinoh bags; they freeze flat and have 2 zippers.  The plastic is slightly thicker than the Lansinoh brand, too.  However, being Target brand, they're cheaper (I think they're normally about $13 for a box of 100, as compared to $17-18 for the Lansinoh ones).  

Buy This, Not That: Baby Socks

I don't know what it is about baby socks, but they always seem to fall off little feet!  We've tried several brands trying to find some that we're not always having to put back on C's feet.

Good: Carter's

Carter's is probably my favorite brand for baby clothes; they're super cute, wash and wear well, and aren't too expensive.  However, their socks absolutely DO NOT stay on C's feet.  This is a shame because they always have the most adorable designs!  We have a bunch of pairs and still use them, but we're constantly catching them as they fall off C's feet and putting them back on.

Better: Trumpette

Trumpette makes adorable socks, too, and they stay on Cs feet better than Carter's brand socks....sometimes they tend to start sliding off, but they rarely fall all the way off.  

Best: Robeez

Robeez socks are the BEST!  I don't know how there can be that much difference between socks, but the Robeez socks do not budge!!  No more lost socks!!

Buy This, Not That: Vitamin D Supplement Drops

If you have an exclusively breastfed child, your pediatrician will instruct you to give your child a Vitamin D supplement everyday, because apparently breastmilk doesn't provide sufficient Vitamin D.  It comes with an eyedropper, and I find it easiest to add to a bottle.  You can also administer it directly by mouth using the eyedropper, but that always results in C spitting it out.  Locally, you'll only find one brand option; however, it's worth it to check out another option available online!

Good: Enfamil D-Vi-Sol Vitamin D Supplement Drops

Enfamil is a well-known brand, and this is the only brand of Vitamin D drops you'll be able to find at your local grocery store or pharmacy (although it can be hard to find there - depending on the store, sometimes it's with the children's medications, sometimes with the vitamins).  A bottle has a month's worth of doses and runs about $10 at my Target.

Better: Carlson Super Daily D Vitamin D Drops

You most likely won't find this locally, but you can get it from Amazon.  This stuff is more concentrated than the D-Vi-Sol, so you only have to administer one drop a day to give the same dose.  This makes it way easier to administer directly by mouth, since the baby doesn't have to swallow a whole mouthful of supplement drops.  Also, a bottle of this is less than $10 and has AN ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of doses.  So, it is significantly less expensive on an annual basis than the D-Vi-Sol, plus you won't have to remember to go buy another bottle every month (and hunt for it on the pharmacy shelves).  

Buy This, Not That: Pajamas

Is there anything cuter than a baby in footed pajamas?!  They are sooooo snuggly!  My favorites are made by Carter's - they get softer with each wash!

Good: Zip-Up Sleep N Play Pajamas

I love one-piece pajamas; I feel like they keep C warm because the top can't ride up and expose his belly like it can with two-piece pajama sets.  We have a bunch of zip-up pajamas, which are nice because it's quick and easy to get them on and off.

Better: Snap-Up Sleep N Play Pajamas

However....we MUCH prefer snap-up pajamas to the zip-up variety.  Although this seems counter-intuitive (having to fasten all those snaps every time?!), the snap-up kind allow you to only un-fasten the snaps along the legs for middle-of-the-night diaper changes, leaving your baby's belly and arms nice and warm.  With the zip-up kind, you have to unzip the whole thing to change their diaper, which exposes their whole body to the cold air.  They're much more likely to wake up that way!  The snap-up kind makes it much, much easier to change a diaper without the baby fully waking up.  Also, you won't live in fear of catching your baby's delicate skin in the zipper!  Just make sure that you buy the kind that snaps up the FRONT - there are also footed pajamas that snap up the back, which are pretty much impossible to put on....and it also seems uncomfortable for the baby to have to lay with their body weight on the snaps.  

Buy This, Not That: Sound Machines

I wasn't sure on having a sound/white noise machine in the nursery, but our pediatrician recommended it, as well as the Moms on Call book, which I essentially consider my baby instruction manual.  I do think it helps C sleep; our pediatrician said using a white noise machine has something of a "Pavlov's dog" reaction where it actually helps them fall and stay asleep (and fall back asleep if they wake up during the night).  At the very least, it drowns out background household noise and keeps them from startling awake during daytime naps.

Good: Sleep Sheep Sound Machine

This plush sleep is pretty much the cutest sound machine on the market!  It has 4 different sound options (Mother's heartbeat, spring showers, ocean waves, whale songs) and can be set to run for 23 or 45 minutes.

Better: Conair Sound Therapy Sound Machine

This sound machine isn't nearly as cute as the Sleep Sheep, since it's not actually a baby product; it's just a normal sound machine.  However, it's better than the Sleep Sheep in several ways.  One, it can either run for an hour, or ALL NIGHT.  The key to a sound machine is that it has to run all night; otherwise, it doesn't help your baby fall back asleep on their own if they start to wake up during the night; secondly, sometimes the shutting-off of the sound machine can actually wake the baby up.  Secondly, this one has a true white noise setting, which the Sleep Sheep doesn't.  White noise is the ideal setting for drowning out other noises, because it is a constant background noise.  Heartbeats, rain, and ocean waves all have pauses between sounds, which decreases the sound machine's effectiveness at drowning out background noise.  Finally, the Conair sound machine has a power adapter, while the Sleep Sheep runs on batteries (the Conair has the ability to run on batteries too, which might be nice if you're traveling).  If you haven't learned yet, you will soon - avoid battery-operated baby products at all costs!  Those batteries always seem to run out at the worst times!!  And...for a bonus perk...the Conair sound machine is about half the price of the Sleep Sheep.

Buy This, Not That: Swaddles

I do not want to know what happens after you have to stop swaddling your baby.  Swaddling is the only thing that keeps C asleep all night....the second he breaks out, he startles and hits himself in the face and wakes up crying.  Swaddling has been a lifesaver for us, and we've tried our fair share of swaddling-related products!

Good: Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE these Aden + Anais muslin swaddle blankets.  They are the perfect lightweight material, and I always have one in my diaper bag - they are perfect for laying on the ground when you're out in public and want to let the baby play, and they are great for providing a little extra warmth in the carseat or stroller.  However, I don't recommend them for actual swaddling purposes.  These require learning an actual swaddling method, which is extra effort in the middle of the night, especially since C ALWAYS broke out of these when he was swaddled in them.  I think it's because the muslin fabric has a little "give", which is not what you want to keep your baby swaddled tight!  In summary: still buy them, but not for swaddling.

Better: Halo Sleepsack Swaddle

Our hospital gave us one of these at our childbirth class, so that seemed like a pretty strong recommendation.  It's essentially a sleeveless sleepsack; stick your baby's arms through the arm holes, zip it up, and then use the two swaddle "flaps", which velcro, to swaddle baby's arms.  This one was great in theory, and it worked for about the first 2 weeks....and then C got too strong and broke out of this swaddle every. single. time.  The fabric is pretty stretchy, so he was able to loosen it up and get his arms out.  Not good!

Best: Summer Infant SwaddleMe Wraps

These are the holy grail of swaddling products!  They're similar in concept to the Halo Sleepsack Swaddle, except there's no zipper or armholes involved.  Put your baby's legs in the pouch part, and then use the two swaddle "flaps" to velcro baby's arms securely by his side.  These wraps are made from cotton that only has a slight stretch to it; C had a much harder time breaking out of these.  We used the small size for the first month, then upgraded to the medium/large size, which we still use today at 3.5 months.   

Buy This, Not That: Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper rash cream....I had no opinions on this one way or another until C got a diaper rash, and then it became the most important product in our arsenal!  Nothing makes you feel worse than seeing their red, inflamed little butt!!

Good: A+D diaper rash cream
Based on friends' recommendations, I purchased A+D diaper rash cream before C was born.  I've used it on diaper rash once before, and it seemed to work pretty well, although I had nothing to compare it to.  

Better: Triple Paste 
C got a bad diaper rash this week after a little stomach bug resulted in a LOT of diaper changes.  When I spoke to our pediatrician's nurse, she recommended Triple Paste.  We went out and bought some yesterday, and it is much, much thicker than the A+D cream, which forms a better barrier against moisture.  It puts the A+D cream to shame!  Of course, it does cost about twice as much, but when you have a baby with diaper rash, nothing is too expensive to make it go away faster!!