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Motherhood Resources

Motherhood Resources

Here are some resources for your motherhood journey! This page includes courses, products, websites and other things that I recommend you to look into. I have done so much research and reading during my pregnancy and motherhood journey and here I'm sharing some of it with hope that it will save you some time and guesswork. There are no affiliate links, just sharing what worked for me:)

Courses

– Dr Golly if you’re interested in sleep training. Good for general information.


– First foods: https://megangarcia.com/


– Homeopathy course https://www.homeopathyschool.com/courses/courses-beginner/first-aid-baby/content/


– Your Two Jugs Mastitis course

Resources

– Everything pregnancy/motherhood: https://www.mamanatural.com/


– Great baby product recommendations: https://www.healthnutnutrition.ca/


– Different perspective on tongue ties: Michelle: https://www.michalechatham.com/meet-michale.html


– Baby Oral Thrush: https://www.ecoparent.ca/eco-wellness/6-ways-flush-out-thrush-without-medication


– Research Golden Children

Baby Shopping List

I really wanted to stay minimalistic so I bought very little things for the newborn stage. However as soon as Akasha came, I had to buy so much more than I thought. It’s nice to be minimalistic, but having more baby things makes this stage so much easier. And since some things you buy doesn’t work or fit you and you end up buying extra, I recommend buying used what you can (ex. Facebook market). Usually newborn stuff is like new because people use it just for several months.

STORES

– Lagoon Baby – Especially good for diapers but many other things too.


– West Coast Kids – baby gear: https://www.westcoastkids.ca/ We got our high chair from there, plus baby proofing stuff, feeding stuff etc.

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is so different for everyone and what to buy will depend on your journey, but I find that it’s great to at least have the essentials.

Colostrum collection kit (see pregnancy resources)

– Haaka pump/milk collector. A must have. Simple silicone device to help with breast engorgement and pump extra milk. You can also make salt baths with it.


– Medela manual pump. If you’re planning to exclusively breastfeed you might not need any pumps, but if you want something, I would start just with this. It’s good to have just in case. or if you want to pump occasionally. I personally used this pump more than any other one. Especially when I got clogged ducts. I also had hands free one (Bellababy), but I found it was not as effective plus noisy.


– Breast milk collector/shield – it’s good for the first weeks as your nipples are super sensitive and you don’t want them to touch anything!


– Nipple cream. Any natural edible cream works


– Breast massager La Vie. To my own surprise this was really beneficial.


– Milk storage bags. I had TDWOW BPA free.


– Hakaa slow flow bottle. Slow flow nipple can be used as an alternative with breastfeeding once breastfeeding is established (usually around 6 weeks). I got this glass one: https://www.amazon.ca/haakaa-Anti-Colic-Breastfed-Registry-Essentials/dp/B08CV5F1T9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1LGFPLJZ1FGK7&keywords=slow+flow+baby+bottle+glass&qid=1679279550&sprefix=slow+flow+baby+bottle+glas%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-5


– Pacifier. I avoided pacifier for a few months and would just give Akasha my little pinky finger, but they I found Ninni co. Check them out. If you get your baby used to this from early, it’s good (before offering regular pacifiers). Now I use basic pacifiers.


– Pacifier bag & sterilizer.


– If you need to feed baby a formula instead of breastmilk, here is a resource for home made milk formula: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/#gsc.tab=0

DIAPERS

I wanted to do “Elimination communication” from birth and use only cloth diapers, but it was just too much sometimes, so I still recommend getting regular baby cleaning things just to have a choice.

You can find a lot of information about “Elimination Communication here: https://godiaperfree.com/elimination-communication/

About cloth diapering (they only ship to the US but the info is really helpful) https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/

– Baby diaper organizer. Anything to make things less messy.


– Diapers. Regular organic diapers. For cloth ones you can find bamboo or wool inserts on Amazon or there is : https://mother-ease.com/. For covers, I was recommended to use wool instead of polyester as they need to be hand washed but only every few weeks rather than polyester that need to be washed with every use.


– Wipes. My favourites are water wipes (it’s 99% of water plus grape seed extract, no glycerin as that feeds the sugar and so can promote bacteria). I also liked using 100% bamboo or cotton wipes and dipping them in water.


– Baby powder – best to make yourself with arrowroot powder and essential oils.


– Baby potty. I bough just a regular one from amazon, but if I’d repeat I would get Top Hat potty from Go Diaper Free. But you don’t really need it cause you can hold your baby above the sink or toilet:)


– Organic cotton dry baby wipes or mini cloths


– Disposable changing pads, especially for the first weeks. I got these ones: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07NV7RX7H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


– Peapod mat, ideally with a cotton top


– Changing pad. I got Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad


– Diaper bag & portable diaper changing kit. I bough one from amazon with a changing station and never used. Then I bough from Freshly Picked and it weighted way too much just empty so I also never used it. Now I would go with Miss Fong or I would buy purse organizer insert from amazon.

SLEEP

It depends if you want to co-sleep or bedshare. I didn’t have a separate crib for the baby as we intended to bed share, but I didn’t find that the most comfortable at first. So we ended up getting a portable crib, then a bed-level rockable crib tand eventually travel crib that was probably the best choice. At around 5-6 months we started to bed share as now she’s much bigger and travel crib is her playground. But many parents also transfer babies to their separate crib/room at that age too.

– Moses basket/mattress for cosleeping


– Portable crib Bchick or Snuggle Me (organic). I also saw that there are portable cribs with mosquito nets and sun protection which can be interesting.


– Crib. I found travel crib to be the most practical, as long as it’s height adjustable like Dream and Go (if you want your baby to be at the same level as you)


– Baby swaddle or/and sleep sack. Some people advice against swaddling baby as it’s not ideal for their nervous system development (it suppresses their expression), but you have to go with what you feel. My baby wasn’t really waking up even if she would startle, we were just swaddling her sometimes for cosiness and warmth. But switching to sleep sacs was heaven. They are so much easier in my opinion. I was using babycozy (not organic). However depending on the weather you might not need anything!

Ingenuity Baby swing (3 in 1) or Baby Bjorn Rocker. I found it was very worth to invest in one.


– Light & white noise machine : https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07VT5ZCK5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_HA6H8BFVX90XG1FKKRFZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


– Portable White noise machine. If you’re often on the go.


– Sheepskin: https://greenmountainorganics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=56_131&products_id=1107&zenid=egk26926q5b650lsb5unh4cle6

CARRYING

– Baby carrier. Cosy in the first months. Beluga, Konny carrier.


– Ergo baby carrier. A sturdier one for later. Make sure it’s good for hip development.

OTHER ESSENTIALS

– Chair (3-6months). My favourite is Baby Bjorn. Make sure it’s ergonomic with 90degree angles and had feet support.


– Car seat + Car sign


– Stroller. I thought I will carry the baby everywhere so I didn’t get anything at first. But it’s so practical, especially after birth. I recommend buying one very lightweight and one jogger or with big wheels or one that can fit a car seat. What I was looking for was: 1. Reclining (super important so that baby can sleep in it). 2. Reversable (so that you can face the baby). 3. Has car seat adapters. 4. Light weight. 5 Good coverage from the sun.

  • Most popular that people travel with: Babyzen yoyo, Mountain Buggy, Evenflo (has reversible one with car seat adapter). In Mexico affordable lightweight that I liked was “Infinity”.
  • Sturdy: Doona (it’s a car seat that turns into stroller, super practical), Evenflo, Quinny (great quality in my opinion)

– Baby bath. I bough several but Akasha never liked it so we were just taking baths and showers together. But if you buy one, check out inflatable ones!

A mat for crawling, baby play ground. The first colour that baby sees is red and then blue. So even if pastel looks really nice at home, these two colours are much more exciting to them:)


– Baby picture mat. To take pictures of your baby every month. You won’t regret!


– Baby monitor. I got this one: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08V8RWP3W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


– Auto sensor red light. That was a saviour. It’s quite bright, but I liked it and am still using it daily. I have one in bedroom and one in bathroom. THIS ONE: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07PKMLP97/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WINTER ACCESSORIES

– Polar bear suit for going outside


– Coat extender for winter – kokoala

CLOTHING

– Polar bear suit for going outside


– Coat extender for winter – kokoala

TEETHING

– Boiron Homeopathy


– Teething toys & glove. For other toys you can use lots of stuff eg from your kitchen that they will find just as interesting as real toys. Also Lovevery has toy kits you can buy according to their age (Montessori style).

HEALTH

For most vitamins it’s best to take it yourself, but some are recommended to give extra to baby.

– Baby Probiotic. My favourite one is Omni Panda. I also used this: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0817JJBK6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. You can also give baby sauerkraut juice once they are ready to start eating.


– Vitamin D


– Vitamin K (read Mama natural blog post about it for more info)

OTHER

– Baby manicure kit


– Bath sponge and toys to make them more relaxed during bath time


– Robot vacuum cleaner – seriously

BOOKS

BABY CARE

– Natural Baby care


– Elimination Communication

SLEEP

– Natural Baby Sleep solution


– Twelve Hours’ Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old (i think it was a bit extreme this one)

PARENTING:

– Sweet sleep

– Well adjusted parenting: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Adjusted-Babies-Jennifer-Barham-Floreani/dp/0975786016/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Well+Adjusted+Babies+by+Dr&qid=1611341356&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=melissaambcom-20&linkId=459c0d8200651b764dac70b938b63c49&language=en_US

Apps

– Huckleberry

Baby first aid kit

ESSENTIALS

– Thermometer


– Elderberry, Mullein and Catnip Glycerine Tinctures. Tinctures with glycerine can be used for small babies.


– Homeopathy: Boiron Homeopathy for Cold, Teething & Sleep. https://www.boiron.ca/en/shop/children/ https://www.ainsworths.com/eShopControl/


– Calendula ointment


– Vitamin D


– Garlic mullein ear oil


– Epsom salt

CONGESTION AND BREATHING:

– Nasal aspirator

– Saline water, nose spray


– Caugh syrup without honey. Honey is not recommended before 1 year old)


– Maty’s chest rub

– Thyme tea

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