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First Month Essentials

I would have to say we were pretty prepared parents, or I was a very prepared Mummy when it came to Ever’s arrival.  My hours were spent diligently sifting through hundreds of books and parenting sites, compiling a list of must have items from every list I could locate on the web.   Almost everything, including the exact brand, was available in HK.  It didn’t matter if I read it on a UK or US site, HK is amazing at importing everything for us picky parents.   Shortly after her arrival I realised this tiny six pound baby needed little else than diapers, my boobs, and lots of love.   But below are a few items we have found extremely useful during our first month with Ever.

Co-sleeper:  We started with a moses basket gifted from my Mother.  I spent hours finding the perfect organic one, made in the USA.  Only the best for Ever.  We even had it specially imported to HK because Little Merry Fellows don’t ship to HK.  Unfortunately Ever did not take to sleeping in a moses basket.   She preferred being snuggled right next to us in bed.  We started with her on a pillow between us, but my fears of smothering her and SIDS encouraged us to move onto a co-sleeper.   We purchased the Summer Infant By Your Side, a little basket that fits easily between us in bed, but takes out the risk of rolling over on top of her.   Now at 5 weeks she’s moving back into the moses basket beside me and off the bed but the co-sleeper was essential for our first month’s peaceful sleeping arrangements and made breastfeeding so easy.

Bouncer:  I will start by saying Ever is a needy little one.  She prefers to be held all the time, and preferable cuddled against my breast.  This made life a little hard for me as I was always stuck with one hand and unable to move around.   The bouncer solved this problem for us.   Once she fell asleep on my chest we could successfully shift her into the bouncer and the vibration kept her content enough to lie on her own.   She usually naps in our bouncer, as it’s quite spacious and deeper than others we’ve seen.  We went to for the Summer Infant Bouncer, which we hope will last until she’s at least 4 months old.  It packs flat so we can take it on trips or to see the grandparents. 

Breastfeeding Pillow:  My Brest Friend is by far the best breastfeeding pillow I’ve tried.   Ever is a hungry one so I spend the majority of my day nursing.  This one supports her weight so I can have a free hand and saves my arms from any soreness.  I have also found it easy to fall asleep while she’s feeding when using this pillow and she seems to happily doze on it after she’s finished.   Perfect for those late night feeds.

Burb cloths and onesies:  I purchased both muslin cloths and white onesies in multipacks from Mothercare.   They are so easy for laundry and cheap enough for you to purchase them by the boxful.   The onesies are ideal for layering and Ever lives in them when we are at home.  She is known to go through about three a day and we always keep two muslin cloths on hand for any messiness during feeds.   So essential and the more the better!

ErgoBaby: After being alerted to articles about hip dysplaysia, we decided that the Ergobaby was the best baby carrier for both us and little Ever.  We purchased the Performance model which features a super breathable fabric for HK humidity.  This paired with the snuggly Newborn Insert was an ideal combination.  Ever loves to feel snug in the fetal position and the straps and weight distribution is so comfortable for us.   We could carry her around for hours and not feel any strain, and it can be used up to 20 kilos so we’ll be carting her around for many months to come.  For all HK readers, strollers can be so fussy when navigating the busy sidewalks, so we’ve barely used ours.  The Ergobaby is our go to when taking Ever out, and we even use it at home when she’s being clingy.  She hasn’t been able to stay awake for more than 15 minutes when being carried in this, so it’s invaluable when calming her fussy moods.

Unimom Pump: For all breastfeeding mommies that want a life, pumping is essential.  I was recommended the Unimom pump which is available in Wing On in HK.  It’s much cheaper than the popular Medela varieties and works just as well.  I am not the best at pumping regularly, but have been trying now that I’m leaving Ever in the evenings while we are out for dinner.   It’s all about supply and demand so the more you pump the more you produce.   I get the most amount of milk in the morning so try to do at least two pumping sessions between 6am and midday.  The rest of the day I try to fit in a few more but it’s hard with a busy schedule and a needy newborn.  I’m still working on this skill so will keep you updated.

Nuk bottle:  Ever hates bottles and will fight them and scream for me.  The Nuk bottle was what the hospital recommended and after trying several brands it’s the only one she will take.  She drinks a lot less from the bottle but we are hoping she gets used to it soon.  A few friends and family have suggested other brands so we are still on the search for one that Ever loves. I’ll let you know if we start having more success.

Aden and Anais Swaddling Blankets:  Lightweight, perfect for taking out and cramming into your purse, can double as a burp cloth or shielding you while breastfeeding, and soft on your baby’s skin.  We love these, have them in lots of prints and can see us using it well into her toddler years.  Bulky blankets are a bit much for HK, so a light swaddling blanket is all you really need. 

Other goodies you should prepare with are nipple cream, breast pads, water wipes and sterile cotton, newborn diapers, nursing bras, postpartum girdles, comfy blankets, baby bathtub, white noise machine, night light, diaper changing station, and a good concealer for those tired mommy eyes.

We’ll have our 2nd month essentials up soon.

xx

The first “Ever Diary” where I’ll share everything Ever related from our hospital experience to monthly must haves and her favourite outfits.  I know everyone believes their baby is the cutest but I’ve become slightly addicted to snapping pics of our princess almost constantly.  It’s impossible not to want to capture every expression and moment so I’m sure I’ll have plenty to share…hopefully most of it interesting.

Ever’s first week was mainly spent at the hospital.  Please excuse her boyish outfit above.  Canossa required all the babies wear the same garments and obviously cater toward males.  She left in super cute pink tones to compensate for those four days in turquoise.  We had four nights in Canossa Hospital to start off our journey as parents.   I was very grateful for these four days where we had plenty of help to settle us into the daunting job of parenthood.  The nurses were all very kind and constantly available to answer my questions from breastfeeding to belly button care.   It also gave me a chance to rest at night while she was in the nursery. 

I decided early on I wanted to exclusively breastfeed so I had Ever with me all day in my room and after midnight they took her to the nursery where she had her own little bed.   They were instructed to bring her back every time she cried so I could feed her on demand.  This worked great for us and I was so excited every time I saw her little face each night.   I will do a dedicated post on breastfeeding but it was what I felt is the hardest part of pregnancy, childbirth, and the first month.  Both Ever and I took time to learn how to achieve the best latch and before my milk came in on the 2nd evening, we were constantly concerned about weight loss and jaundice.  All of this is very normal, but as a first time mother every little detail is cause for sleepless nights and fear.  Ever slept soundly most of her first week and it was hard to keep her awake to feed.   She barely cried and craved cuddles as much as we did.  Those first few days were essential for bonding, as a family.  You will actually be surprised at how little they require in the beginning.   Aside from diaper changes and attending to her hungry tummy she wanted for little else.   We held her to sleep most of the time, so she didn’t love sleeping in her moses basket but a co-sleeper did the trick.  

Products or items I couldn’t live without were my My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow, Wink Shapewear post birth support garments, Homeoplasmine for my chapped lips, organic coconut oil for my skin and hair, Aden and Anais swaddling blankets for Ever, a large stack of Mothercare muslin cloths, sterile cotton wipes, basic cotton onesies, and an Instax Polaroid Camera.  The baby actually needs very little at the hospital except for the usual diapers and wipes.  We hadn’t started with the bottle yet, and they provide you with almost anything you would require for their first few days. 

For the mommies: Don’t pack cute pjs. Go for comfort and something that’s easy access for breastfeeding.  You will look scary at first.  I was shocked by my appearance in the mirror.  The tired eyes and sallow skin will go and showers go a long way in getting you there.  You’ve been through a lot and it took me two weeks to start feeling like me again.  Eat light and try to rest as much as possible.  Drink plenty of liquids and as many hugs and kisses as possible.  You deserve it. 

I’ll post about Ever’s first month soon with all our current newborn essentials.

Until next time..

xx

 A month after our little cutie arrived into our lives and I’m starting to feel like myself again. I had a very easy birth and recovery, which went far more smoothly than I anticipated.  Despite several pre surgery jitters, and a few freak outs before that big moment, the team of surgeons and Canossa Hospital made the experience easy and unintimidating. I didn’t anticipate how aware I would be during the c-section or how quickly the procedure would pass.  I spent most of the first ten minutes revelling in how strange it was to be completely numb from the waist down, and staring at the huge digital clock to my right until I heard the strong cry of my little girl.  The shock of the little squirming body held over the screen was overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  Her vibrating cry was so much stronger than I imagined and her pale and blood covered body was pretty far from the picturesque newborn you imagine. For me she didn’t become fully real until they brought her into my recovery room a few hours later. The boy followed her and the nurses to observe them cleaning and of course to cut the infamous umbilical cord.  I surveyed from a distance as they started to finish the surgery and even had a chance to hold her against my chest and squeeze in that necessary photo opportunity before she was whisked away for her check-up. Before I knew it I was being wheeled back to my room and greeted by friends and family with a slightly groggy head and still numb from waist down.  It only took two hours before I was sitting up, socialising, and attempting my first try at breastfeeding.  She stared into my eyes from the moment I held her and I felt the pull of our bond so strongly from that moment forward. 

I never felt once I missed out on bonding with our baby by not going through with the conventional natural childbirth. Having the boy by my side was essential for keeping me calm.  The worst part of the less than one hour procedure was how cold I felt before the surgery began and the daunting experience of the spinal.   Nothing was painful, but more uncomfortable.  I know I’ll feel less daunted next time around when I know exactly what to expect. I was put more at ease by talking to my doctor throughout the procedure, asking questions, and having the boy keep me occupied with everyday chat.   It was over before I knew it and having a cute little baby to concentrate on really takes over any other fear or discomfort. 

I’ll share more about our first week in the next post. 

xx

Tomorrow is one month from that amazing day when she arrived and the past thirty days have passed in a flash.  I’ve been absent here, but now that we are in a steady swing of the baby routine I have plenty to share with you guys on here.  

First let me introduce you to Ever Tai, a petite little girl with super long legs and eyelashes, a smile that appeared from day two, the sweetest sleepy demeanor, and a pouty look we can’t resist.  

Looking forward to sharing more with you soon!

xo