Mittens - All babies rub their eyes when they're tired. According to my baby's pediatrician, it's instinctive and it can't be prevented. Some babies rub more than others...mine rubs like a professional. Mittens are a simple solution. I registered for one set of two mittens. Within a week, I lost a mitten. They're so damn tiny. Do yourself a favor and get more than two sets of mittens. Do yourself another favor and don't get the brand I did (here) because they sucked. The elasticity around the wrists stretched out quickly and the mittens would fall off. Useless. I ended up buying extra sets made by Gerber and they are fantastic.
Nose Frida - Okay, this is a pretty gross product in concept. It's called a "snot sucker" because it's a tool for sucking snot out of the baby's nose...literally. Mom's mouth goes on one end of the tube and baby's nostril is at the other end with a filter in between. Once you get over the sucking concept, you get on the sucking wagon. It works much better than the bulb syringe you get in the hospital or whatever nasal aspirator you get at your baby shower. It's much more gentle and much more productive.
Cloth Diapers - I do not use cloth diapers on my baby's bum...maybe next time. But, I do use cloth diapers as burp clothes. This is a staple usage for cloth diapers and for good reason - they're soft and absorbent. I registered for them, but not nearly enough. Cloth diapers/burp clothes are good for everything. They soak up spit up, wipe off drool and are the perfect tool to remedy a diaper disaster. So, get a lot. I got a dozen. I wish I got two dozen.
Wipe Dispenser - I didn't register for this because I thought it was unnecessary. I was wrong. The plastic containers that the wipes come in are cheap and don't work. I frequently found myself wrist deep in poop with my naked, screaming cherub on the changing table as I tried to pull out another wipe that just wouldn't come. Finally, I got on board and it's been smooth sailing ever since. I went with the OXO wipe dispenser on the recommendation of a friend, it's great.
What products should you have included on your registry?
What did you discover to be indispensable after the little one arrived?
