Top 5 baby things you couldnt do without?
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Topic: Top 5 baby things you couldnt do without?
Posted By: jax
Subject: Top 5 baby things you couldnt do without?
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 3:53pm
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I will confess that I got the idea for this thread from another forum, but figured it could work quite well here !
And I know that there are probably more than five things that each person will say they find essential, but had to put a limit on it somehow LOL At the moment, my top five useful baby things are: * Microwave bottle steriliser * Huggies nappy wipes pop-up tub * Erin's baby Einstein bouncer * Sangenic nappy bin * St Johns Wort & Vitamin B Complex I know the last one isn't exactly an item directly related to babies as such, but it has helped me keep calm and relaxed doing the day to day baby stuff... so I reckon it still counts ! I am quite looking forward to hearing everyone else's top 5... so bring it on !  ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Replies:
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 4:00pm
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*Bottle Steriliser
*Purell hand sanitiser *Pacifier *Nuk Bottles *Cot Mobile *Sangenic nappy bin sorry had 2 do 6 lol Definately would be lost without these lol |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 4:05pm
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cant think of 5, let alone 6...
aircell blanket baby capsule mum hmmm, will come back if i think of others. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 4:20pm
Those were the ones from when I had Andrew, now it:
------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 4:32pm
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a new one
my stick blender - FABULOUS for making bubba food. |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 5:16pm
| What a great idea Jax. Good for us Mum's to be to get some tips. Look forward to reading some more ideas. |
Posted By: baalamb
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 6:39pm
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My top 5:
* gripe water! - fab stuff for those tummy aches that seem to upset them no end. * my mum - I think I would have been a blubbering mess for a lot longer without her help, advice and opinions. * change table - to think we weren't going to get one! * fluffies (or overnappies whatever you want to call them) - they catch the 'stray' poop and really saves the clothes! Especially useful at night time coz then you're only changing the fluffies, not an entire change of clothes. * lullaby CD - in the earlier days, it would put Ashlee to sleep by the time it was finished. * washable and reusable breast pads - I'm finding I'm leaking like anything so it's a good investment to make. Save a lot of money on disposable breast pads. Wish we'd got a nappy bin now! |
Posted By: nicola86
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 7:26pm
| baalamb ive been looking for some reusable breast pads but can't find any do you mind me asking where you bought them from? |
Posted By: ellabellame
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 7:37pm
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my top 5:
my baby sling the car (for putting him to sleep when he's being really difficult) baby monitors fluffy baby sheepskin my mum!!!! ------------- |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 7:42pm
These are great- I have a friend who is pregnant for the first time and wanted to know the essentials she needed, now I can just print this off! 
*Breast feeding pillow (one of those u shape wrap round ones) *Cloth nappies (for lining change mats, putting under babies head when she sleeps to catch spills, putting over mums shoulder, for under bum at kick time etc) *Over head activity mat *Bouncer *Bibs, bibs and more bibs. The plastic lined ones especially! And I would definitely have to agree with the stick blender, change table, sangenic and cot mobile! ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 8:00pm
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When I was still bf the tripillow was a godsend, made it a heck of a lot easier for both of us ! Haven't needed to use our stick blender for baby food yet of course, but will be keeping that one in mind. I would also agree with the Lullaby CD, gripe water, and especially "mum" - I love mine to bits too and can't imagine getting on with all this without her help either !! (Alongside DH's help and support of course.) ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: baalamb
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 9:57pm
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nicola86 - I got the pads from Baby City, sorry can't remember the brand, but they are wool with lanolin in them and you just warm hand wash them every couple of days and I put mine in the hot water cupboard to dry out overnight and use disposables while they're drying.
Ooh yes the tri-pillow is good (that will also be good for sitting bubs up in when she's a bit older), and I second the cloth nappy thing too. It's amazing how many different things you use a cloth nappy for! |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 21 August 2006 at 11:07pm
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ummm ok
mum could not have done this without her my pram for getting out and about and james is just to heavey to carry everywere avent bottles james loves them my sister for being there and james loves her to bits  ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 22 August 2006 at 9:17am
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Ohh yes and the angelcare monitor i love that its peace of mind same with the safety sleep.
You guys are lucky i wish my mum was living nearby shes nearly 8 hours away 
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Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 22 August 2006 at 2:42pm
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* Moses basket (first 6 weeks)
* Playgym * Angelcare Monitor * Changetable with bath in it * Wonderful partner who does all the laundry! Oh, and of course, my darling precious little man to whom I am a devoted mummy. He has changed my life and made me feel like the most blessed person in the world
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 22 August 2006 at 8:21pm
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When she was little:
Frontpack - I carried her everywhere Breastfeeding bras Baby hammock we had in our lounge for a while My mum too
Now: Umbrella stroller! They are so useful and at about $40 a bargin! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 22 August 2006 at 10:23pm
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First born - May 2003
* Phillips baby Monitor * Microwave Steriliser * Sangenic Nappy Bin * Dummy * Changetable Second born - December 2005 * Phillips baby Monitor (can monitor both kids rooms) * Microwave Steriliser * Dummy * Play Gym * Rocker For our second born we have not used the change table once and the Nappy bin is stored away. That might be because we change Alex in front of the fire on the floor - nice and warm |
Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 10:38am
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OK so lots of you have mentioned the microwave bottle sterilisers... I know very little about bottles. I'm planning on breastfeeding and have a breast pump for if I'm too sick to deliver every single feed or if my nipples get waaay too sore to do it, or for later on when I want to go out somewhere baby-free. Assuming that the breastfeeding works - would I still need a bottle steriliser? Or is it OK to clean them by hand if they're only being used very occasionally? ------------- Andie |
Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 10:39am
| Avent have an excellent Micorwave Steriliser |
Posted By: MILF
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 10:52am
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i never had a steriliser when i was breastfeeding, and gave x expressed millk - just boiled the bottle on the stove and that seemed to work.
there is a bottle that can be put into a microwave and it sterilises itself, retails around $12. i think i will invest in a few of those when i need them. ------------- Lyla - mum to Xanthe -  my big 4 year old 
and Jordis - 1 year old 
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 11:17am
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You don't necessarily need a microwave steriliser, but you still need to sterilise the bottles in between uses somehow - as Lyla mentioned you can boil them in a big pot of water on the stove for a few minutes and it will have the same effect. I find the steriliser easier though, but I'm lazy like that ! ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 11:55am
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Thanks - I might hold off on the steriliser (partly because we've so got nowhere in our kitchen to put it... sad but true!) and see how much I'm using the bottles, then get one if I'm using them enough for it. I love this thread, Jax - GREAT idea! Mind if I poach and twist the idea for another one? I'm also curious to know what people were talked into buying that they really didn't need... ------------- Andie |
Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 12:18pm
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My top 5 list of things I couldn't do without:-
Baby #1 - October 1995 (whoa that was a long time ago) 1) my best friend who was an absolute rock when I suddenly discovered I was a single mum a week after Sean was born 2) The Planets by Holst - I used to put Sean on his mat on the floor and he would chill out listening to music and kicking about in the sun 3) Colic powder - I think it's by weleda - but it was awesome 4) Euky Bear Eucalyptus Steam Vaporisor 5) Mobility - my car and the pushchair - meant that I could get out of the house and not feel completely isolated. Baby #2 - May 2005 1) my wonderful amazing supportive hubby who is just the greatest person around (and a truly brilliant dad to the little bloke) 2) avent microwave steriliser (so much easier than the sterilising liquid and bottle boiling of 10 years ago) 3) the TURTLE - Andrew's floor play gym 4) Pumpkin Patch cotton knit baby blanket - was the best thing for turning Andrew into an AndyBug (swaddling) 5) The snap'n'base carseat capsule and stroller fitting. Instead of having to fiddle around with seatbelts, the capsule we have clicks into a base in the car and has a snap'n'go buggy-base which meant not having to take Andrew out of the carseat when we were out and about. ------------- |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 2:20pm
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When I had Maya:
1. The cot mobile - would keep her entertained for ages 2. The bouncinette - ditto, especially when she was unsettled around dinner time 3. Baby bath - sooooo much easier than trying to bath her in the big bath 4. Avent breast pump - and it has matching bottles (not that she would take a bottle) 5. Dryer - to get her clothes and nappies dry. When it packed up I had to walk to the laundromat in the rain...
I just used the Miltons cold water sterilising tablets, from memory they weren't too expensive. Oh and I've bought an Avent microwave steriliser for this time round and it apparently fits the breast pump in it - haven't tried it out yet tho. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 2:29pm
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Andrew was fully bottle feeding at 3 months and so that meant up to 6 bottle a day - even more sometimes so the microwave was very easy. We ook the Karicare tablets with us to OZ and would wash the bottle after using it and put it straight into the bowl (the tablet lasted 24 hours) and left it there till the next one needed doing. But at home so needed to microwave steriliser. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 23 August 2006 at 3:00pm
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With Kiya:
1) sheepskin on the change mat 2) dummy 3) polarfleece cot blankets (used as wraps) 4) pushchair 5) Milton water steriliser and tablets With Josiah: 1) carrycot ($5 from Sallies!) 2) dummy 3) sheepskin 4) small plastic containers with tight sealing lids (for transporting formula/babyfood) 5) play arch ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 26 August 2006 at 10:59am
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I just boil the breastpump and bottles on the stove it takes ages though. I wish i had a microwave one when i was using nipple sheilds cos it sucked having to boil them in the middle of the night.
Heres my list for right now: *dummy *jolly jumper *Cot mobile with light show on the roof *cloth nappies for cleaning up *stick mixer - less cleaning and less time if your doing huge batches *Zantac for reflux and for when Jack was smaller: *dummy *Zantac *Good swaddling blanket *Nipple sheilds *vibrating bouncer |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 26 August 2006 at 2:48pm
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oh i forgot his highchair mum and dad broght me one for james and its worth its wight in gold
------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 26 August 2006 at 11:43pm
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6 thing's I would not do without:
1)My husband, also my life saver who cheers me up, snaps me out of madness and loves me and our beautiful daughter! 2)Bouncinette/Baby Gym: While I make dinner I know that Olivia is happy and distracted! 3)Change table/Bath: Yes my 2 in 1 wonder machine, definitely recommended for those cesarean girls, no bending for bathing. 4)Products:Infacol - Gets rid of wind! Lavender and Chamomile bathwash (J&J,Huggies) - For sleepy bubbah! Karicare Barrier cream and Karicare Ointment - For a rash free bottom! Huggies - for a nice long sleep at night! 5)Special red rattle: Has 4 spinning balls, it rattles and twirls, can be used to massage and amuse! 6)Sleeping bag/sleeping suit: So no covers get kicked off at night, Olivia sleeps with her hands above her head too so this keeps the arms warm! ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 13 October 2006 at 10:13pm
Bump for Becks - can ya tell how bored I am?? 
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Posted By: baalamb
Date Posted: 14 October 2006 at 10:15am
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Ooh I could so add to this now Ashlee's a bit older and there are a few things I couldn't do without at this stage.
*Bouncinette - one of the good old simple crochet looking ones that we all had when we were younger! Loads better than any other fancy rocker thing that doesn't 'bounce' as such. *Towelling hammock thingy for the big bath now that she's grown out of the baby bath - easier on Daddy's arms to have her rest on that (when she DOES rest on it! She likes to float most of the time hehe) *'Narny' - her toy banana (by Tiny Love) that she will babble to for hours on end *Products wise - J&J Baby Bedtime Bath - makes her nice and sleepy! And I'm loving Avent Liquid Talc at the moment. *Her musical star by Tomy - it's hanging on her cot and every time she gets put down to bed, she looks at this star as if to say 'well, put it on!' haha it projects a light show onto the ceiling (cute teddies etc) and plays a lullaby for 5 or 10 mins) |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 14 October 2006 at 11:47am
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ok for now
stair gates stops james getting into mishcif pram still my best buy (james sttill not walking compelety his toy bus my mum and dad broght it for his frist xmas and he still plays with it for hours bibs he,s shuch a grub tommie tippie plate and spoon the plate sticks to the highchair so stops him from throwing food everywere ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 14 October 2006 at 6:26pm
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Yay now I can have a look at this and compare with my friend. I couldn't remember what I wrote. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 14 October 2006 at 8:50pm
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my top five when JJ wa a bubba
Bouncinette (I just had an old styles crochet one, but it rocked) Cloth Nappies (great for spills, swaddling,spill coths in bassinettes or anywhere, cleaning up, impromtu change mat and of course, nappies) Tiny Love play gym Avent breast pump and bottles (I used milton and stuck them all in diashwasher once a day) sky digital (fantastic on those long nights feeding) Also, I have a 2 in one change table bath, and it has been fantastic. I still use the change table. when he was too big, we got a towling hammock thingy for bath,a nd it was great Also have a fisher price lights and sounds cot thingy that has been awesome, he stil loves it. safety sleep (more than 5, i know..) Now it would be (hmmm) Sangenic nappy genie Nappy san or similar whitener Avent sippy cups Messy mat for under chair tommy tippe sticky bowl that sticks on his high chair ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 10:43am
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My goodness I can come up with stuff already...and I've got 7 on my list...
1. My husband! 2. plastic backed bibs 3. Cloth flat nappies for spills, swaddling and everything in between! 4. Infacol - really seems to be helping! 5. our change/table bath 6. The sangenic - those things are great! 7. "What to Expect First Year" - finding this fabulous especially for quick reference! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 1:43pm
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Ok... I'll add my few things, was inspired by Annie
1. Video recorder - you can guarantee that the second you sit down to watch shorty st then your little demon will wake up from sleep and scream and scream. I taped all my fav programmes and watched them while I was stuck to the couch breastfeeding. 2. Safety-sleep - This was a bit later on, but was a godsend for a little monkey who liked the feeling of being supported around her belly. 3. Bouncinette - One handed down to me by Han's godmother. Nothing fancy but did the job beautifully! 4. Cloth naps - for EVERYTHING 5. Washing airer - this acted as clothes dryer and primitive baby gym Hung toys from it and plonked it over Han's head while I wasted away my time on OhBaby
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 1:44pm
| Paws it's funny you liked "what to expect" - i liked it to, but my cousin said all those questions made her paranoid. she thought it was scare-mongering |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 1:59pm
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I must admit - I hated the first one - What to Expect When You're Expecting" the first time I read it...and I mean loathed it! I thought it was very much a "this is what you should be feeling/doing and anything else is wrong" type of book.
The funny thing was that in the end it was the book I always ended up referring to and the only pregnancy book I've kept. And then when Maddie started crying and being hard to settle I couldn't wait to run out and get "What to expect first year". And we've already referred to it heaps. Oh I should have added to me list the pacifier. Maddie sometimes like to just suck something but luckily we seem to have a baby who won't be gagged by it! She'll soon spit it out and let you know when she is done with it or is after somthing! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 4:19pm
| that washing airer thingy ( we call a clothes horse) is great for pegging paintings to, when they need to dry. we use one at playcentre. |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 4:20pm
| digital camera is also essential. babies look weird in photos so you need to take about 50, to get one nice one where they have both eyes open, and no mysterious liquid leaking from somewhere...Taine always blinks. |
Posted By: luna
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 4:27pm
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My top 5 are:
Change Table Play Gym Kaloo Bear & Musical Kaloo Bear - she loves them! Avent Steriliser & Breast Pump - a godsend esp in the early days when she wouldn't take the breast! The Dryer - for those wet days when drying cloth nappies inside would drive me MAD ------------- Selina http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 6:47pm
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My top 5 are:
My whole family - they've been awesome! Change table Towelling bath slope thingy My own instinct kicking in - I was more worried that I wouldn't be able to look after a newborn than the actual birth lol This website - it's been the best for advice and support etc ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 7:13pm
This is bad, I keep reading things others couldn't do without and thinking how they should be on my list...ie: digital camera (thank goodness for them!) and this site! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 01 January 2007 at 1:26pm
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*bump* ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: EllenMumof2
Date Posted: 01 January 2007 at 3:16pm
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kalem Baby 1 1. Dummy 2. Jolly jumper (he just loved it) 3. Mum (being a single mum she helped me alot when times were tough) 4. Change table 5. Play gym Madison baby 2 1. Aaron my awsome partner he has been such a help in everything 2. the dummy (both slept all night from 6 weeks and im sure its because of the dummy) 3. her mobile she just loves it 4. exasaucer its great to be able to pop her in it when im busy 5. Self sterlising bottles by pur they are so easy to use and clean http://lilypie.com">
 http://lilypie.com">
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