Newborn Must Have Products| Luke's 1 Month Update

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Hey Guys!

Today I wanted to share my go to products that have helped me a ton this first month with my newborn. I use all of these products daily and they all come HIGHLY recommended.

Check out my Birth Story HERE

First I wanted to share with you a 1 month update on Luke. This first month has obviously had it’s ups and downs. From bringing home my first child, to postpartum healing, learning to breastfeed, and lack of sleep it has been difficult. The first 2 weeks were the hardest. I felt like I couldn’t get everything done, I was in pain, and I wasn’t sure if I was doing anything right.

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Luckily 1 month in, we are all settling into our new routine. Not every day is easy, and I know that things will change, but we are all getting used to having a baby around and slowly forgetting what our lives were like before Luke came along.

Luke lost more than 10% of his weight after we left the hospital since my milk took a bit to come in so we have had some difficulty with feeding. He has to use a nipple shield since his tongue wasn’t working properly when he was born but we are slowly weaning him off of that at the moment. He also had to be supplemented with formula to help him gain weight and I am happy to say after a week and a half of supplementing we haven’t had to go back!

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I have been doing the Baby Wise sleep training method since the day he came home from the hospital and so far it is working. I HIGHLY recommend checking out the book HERE. It basically sets them up on a routine/ schedule to help them get the most sleep possible since this helps their brains grow and also helps teach them the difference between day and night. Luke has been pretty good about the routine and pretty much wakes up every 2.5 to 3 hours on the dot to feed, play then go back to sleep. He is only a month old so I am not super paranoid about keeping the schedule and sometimes he just wants to sleep on Mom during the day and I let him. He is only little once and infant cuddles are the best.

Our dog Bruce has adjusted nicely to having a baby around. At first he was very curious and would get anxious when Luke would cry but now he just ignores the cries and loves to check on his brother when he sneezes, coos, or is just hanging out on the couch.

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As for products, see below for the ones I swear by and links to purchase if you would like.

Haakaa: The Haakaa is a silicone suction device that you put on the opposite breast when you are breastfeeding and it catches the letdown that naturally happens. This letdown would otherwise leak into your breast pads or bra. On average during a feed I catch between 1 and 2 oz! It is amazing! I either feed it to Luke in a bottle if he is fussy after eating or I freeze it and add to my freezer stash. It is literally amazing and I will get it for every new Mom that is breastfeeding.

OXO Tot Space Saving Drying Rack: My kitchen is small and has limited counter space, so with bottles and pump supplies constantly being rinsed and cleaned throughout the day I needed something that doesn’t take up a lot of space but is also sleek looking. This drying rack doesn’t stick out a lot so it doesn’t take up a lot of my limited counter space and it has plenty of space to dry multiple bottles at a time. Even if you don’t use bottles, this is good for pump supplies and storage as well.

Kiinde Bottle Warmer: Since I had to supplement with formula I had to use a bottle warmer. This one heats the bottle up in 5 minutes and is so easy to use. You just fill it with water once and when you turn the timer on it circulates the water evenly so there are no hot spots in the bottle. Plus I love the sleek white design.

Halo Sleep Sack: The hospital that Luke was born in used a Halo Sleep Sack for swaddling so we decided to purchase a couple when he came home. He loves them and they are so easy to use! All you do is zip them up inside and wrap the 2 Velcro sides around and BOOM you have a perfect swaddle. I don’t have to worry about wrapping him perfectly and the zipper can zip from the top or bottom so it makes middle of the night diaper changing a breeze. Luke loves it and instantly falls asleep in it! I am linking the fleece one since I live in a cold climate at the moment but they also come in lightweight cotton. They also come in multiple sizes as well. We have a newborn size as well as a size small at the moment. Also, the patterns they come in are so cute!

Boppy Pillow: I took my Boppy Pillow to the hospital because a lot of people told me it would help with learning to breastfeed and positioning. I am so glad I brought it. I love the Boppy pillow because it can grow with the baby. You can use it for feeding, propping baby up, and tummy time. Plus it comes with many different cover options. I currently only use it for propping Luke up as it is a bit bulky for using in the chair that I currently nurse in. Once I get more comfortable nursing in other places around the house, I will probably start using it for feeding again.

My Brest Friend Pillow: This is the pillow I currently use for nursing. I like it because it isn’t as bulky so it is easy to use in my rocker chair. It has a flat top surface and clips around the waist for easy adjustment during feeding. It is made from super soft but firm foam and the cover is removable and washable. I am so glad I have this and the Boppy. This also has a pouch on the side to hold you phone, snacks, or a water bottle.

Hatch Baby Light and Sound Machine: Luke sleeps in my room but when we nurse we go into his room. At night I don’t like to turn on lights to wake him up too much so every night before bed I turn this light on in his room along with the white noise. I keep it on all night that way I am not fumbling around in the dark. The Hatch Baby is awesome because it can connect with an app to your phone so you can turn it on with your phone before you enter the room if you want. You can also have different programs with different lights and sounds, as well as adjust the brightness. Right now I currently have it with the white light that is dimmable with the white noise and when I am rocking Luke back to sleep I turn it off and have the white noise on a bit louder. When Luke naps in his crib, I also turn it on with just the loud white noise and it helps him sleep better.

Portable LED nightlight: Since I have to walk from my room to Luke’s room during the night, I use another nightlight. I keep this one next to my nightstand and what I like about it is that it is rechargeable and wireless. All I do is double tap on the top and a dim light comes on. If you touch and hold the top the light can get brighter or dimmer depending on your preference. This is perfect for using to check on the baby or walking to another room at night because it is lightweight, small and you don’t have to turn on any harsh overhead or lamp lights. Once I am in Luke’s room with the Hatch light on, I place this one on his changing table so I can see what I am doing while changing him but also not blinding him with light. This would also be great for traveling as well since it is small and doesn’t need to be plugged into a wall.

Washable changing pad: I HIGHLY recommend skipping a changing pad with a cover and getting this one. I know that covers are cute but honestly, 9 times out of 10 your baby will pee when you change its diaper and getting that on a cover and constantly having to wash it just sounds like a pain. I like this pad because it easily wipes clean and is waterproof. The only downside to not having a cover is that it gets cold and babies don’t like that but I just put a paper towel under Luke at night and he seems to fuss less. Honestly I am fine with him being a little cold since it means I don’t have to constantly wash a changing pad.

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Those are all my current Must Have products for my Newborn. Let me know what you recommend I get for each new stage in Luke’s life. I am always open to suggestions!


XOXO Channing



















Pregnancy Subscription Box Unboxing with Oh Baby Boxes| Boxes for Pregnancy and Postpartum

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Hey Guys!

As I am writing this, it is the day before my due date! Ahhh! So I am definitely in the mood to pamper myself a bit tonight. I received the Oh Baby Boxes Pregnancy subscription box and I can’t wait to share all the goodies with you!

This is a pregnancy subscription box that is $39.99 a month and promises over $100 worth of items related to your pregnancy that help to relax, pamper, and get you ready for motherhood. Each box is custom curated for each Mom to be depending on the stage you are at in your pregnancy which I love! The other perk is once you have entered postpartum. Oh Baby Boxes automatically starts sending you postpartum items to help pamper and heal your body, mind, and spirit. You receive 4-6 full sized products and all are healthy and natural so you don’t have to worry! My box is worth over $130!

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I unboxed this box on my Stories under “Unboxings” on Instagram if you would like to check it out HERE.

Check out each individual item I received below and subscribe to Oh Baby Boxes HERE.

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Oh Baby Boxes | Baby Mama Maternity Tank | $25

This tank top is super soft, flowy and cute! I love that it says Baby Mama so I am able to wear it during and after pregnancy. I live in tanks like this and will be sleeping in this as well as lounging around the house in it when baby comes. Because it isn’t skin tight, I also think it will be easy to lift up for nursing. I also love the black color.

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Kocostar| Lemon Slice Mask| $5

I love face masks! Whether they are regular, peel off or sheet masks, I am always down to applying one and relaxing. This one is super cute and lemon themed and promises to help clarify the skin as well as add radience which I am sure I will need soon. This mask is unique becuase instead of being 1 full face sheet mask, it is 12 lemon slice sizes that can be applied to certain places to target the skin with Vitamin C. Vitmain C is great for clarifying as well as fading post acne spots which I suffer from on my cheeks so these are perfect to apply to that area. 

Get 20% off the mask with code “OHBABY20” HERE
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Belli Skincare} Belli Stretchmark Minimizing Cream | $29

I have thankfully not gotten any stretchmarks during pregnancy but I have heard that after pregnancy you can still get them. I have heard amazing things about the Belli brand, so I can’t wait to use this cream. I have been diligent about applying another brand of stretchmark cream throughout my pregnancy and that one is about to run out so this one came at the perfect time. I love that this cream is hypoallergenic, rich, and gentle. 

Get 20% off the cream with code “OHBABY20” HERE
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Measurable Difference| Lavender Lav-ish Detox Coconut Milk Bathbomb| $10

I love baths and bathbombs, so when I saw this coconut infused one I got very excited. It smells amazing, and coconut milk helps leave skin soft and supple which is a must during pregnancy. I have been taking baths my entire pregnancy as they help relax and unwind my body as well as help my sore back muscles. I highly recommend picking up some bath bombs to help relax your body before and after baby arrives. 

Use code “OHBABY20” for 20% off HERE
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Maskeraide| Spotted Detoxifying Blemish Patches| $6

At the beginning of my pregnancy my skin was a mess! My hormonal changes definitely reaked havoc on my skin in the form of cystic acne. Thankfully I was able to clear it up (Check out my blog post about it HERE) but I am preparing myself for more imbalance and breakouts after I give birth. I have used patches like these in the past and have loved them! They are so easy to stick on a trouble spot overnight and I don’t have to worry about them coming off or getting a heavy cream on my sheets or pillow. These ones are infused with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and volcanic ash to help draw out the impurities. 

Get 20% of with code “OHBABY20” HERE
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Xpand| Xpand Original No- Tie Lacing System| $9.99

These are genius! I love that these laces can be put onto any shoe to make them slip on easily! I have a pair of tennis shoes that have laces like this and I have been loving them ever since my bump started getting bigger. I can’t wait to add these to my black Nike shoes and even after pregnancy, these will be useful for when I am healing or need to get out the door quickly. I wish I would have gotten them sooner. I highly recommend getting these because trust me, once the bump comes, tying your shoes is a pain in the butt!

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Flower Mill| Balm Shell Facial Cleansing Balm| $42

I love using cleansing balms to remove my makeup before an exfoliater. I love that this purifies, and refreshes the skin without over drying it. It is also all natural, organic, and vegan which is great for pregnancy! A little goes a long way and will last you a long time. 

Get 15% off with code “OHBABY” HERE
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Nellie’s| 15 Load Laundry Powder"| $6

Ever since my husband and I started our conception journey, I switched our detergents over to all natural and fragrance free. This is also how I have washed all the babies clothing, sheets, and blankets. This laundry powder isn’t filled with nasty chemicals, and only has 4 ingredients! I love that it is all natural, non toxic and can be used in hot or cold water. I can’t wait to use it!

Overall, I think this box is AMAZING! I love that it includes all full sized high value products, and the fact that each box is tailored to your individual pregnancy journey. I also love the emphasis on healthy and clean products and I think this would make a great gift to give yourself or a Mom to Be in your life.

Sign up for Oh Baby Boxes HERE



What's in My Hospital Bag| First Time Mom Essentials

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Hey Guys!

Today I wanted to share what I am packing for myself and Baby Boy for the hospital. I will be doing an updated post on what I actually ended up using as well. If I forgot anything important please let me know in the comments below. As I am writing this I am 36 weeks pregnant and 1 1/2 cm dilated! My doctor and I are both guessing he will come about 2 weeks early which is crazy!

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My Husband and I decided we are taking a carry on for me, a backpack or duffel for him and a tote bag for my pumping supplies. I will link as many of the exact products below as possible just in case you are interested in anything.

I will also have a video on my Instagram Stories under “Baby Things” showing me packing my bags and more in depth information about everything so check out my Instagram HERE.

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We don’t plan on really taking anything for the baby since the hospital provides everything so we are leaving his diaper bag at home. I have also heard to bring an extra empty canvas bag and folder to take home all the supplies from the hospital you can (you pay for them so take everything) and to keep all the paperwork you get inside.

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I didn’t end up packing my husband’s bag (he did it himself) but it basically includes clothes, blankets, pillow, chargers and toiletries. Nothing special.

I have also heard to bring snacks for you both just in case the kitchen is closed as well as gum, mints to suck on and change for vending machines.

Let me know if there is anything essential that I forgot! XOXO Channing

Breastfeeding Made Easy Featuring Kiinde Twist Set| Storage, Warming, and Feeding

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Hey Guys!

Today I wanted to share some products from the brand Kiinde to help other Mom’s like me on their breastfeeding journey. I will also have a code at the end to get a FREE breastfeeding starter kit so please stick around. I also have a video on my Instagram under my “Baby” tab showing me unboxing the Twist Gift Set I will be talking about so if you would like to see my talk through please check out my Instagram HERE.

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Let me share a bit of information on my breastfeeding journey. I am a first time Mom due September 21st and am very interested in breastfeeding. My goal is to breastfeed a minimum of 6 months and wean at about a year. This being said, I am not against formula, supplementing with formula or pumping and using a bottle to allow others to feed the baby. In my opinion, fed is best. I already have a pump, and I am very open to pumping and feeding from a bottle so my husband and family can help with feedings so I have been on the hunt to find a system that would allow this process to happen easily.

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I have been looking for products that will help my breastfeeding journey and making it easier and Kiinde was nice enough to send me their Twist Gift Set. It is the perfect set to give a new mother or get for yourself. This set comes with everything needed to help with breastfeeding, formula feeding and even includes an attachment for food pouches when babies reach that age.

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What I like about the Twist set is that it is a revolutionary system that allows me to pump directly into a pouch and then insert into a bottle for easy feeding. This helps to eliminate milk transfer, and helps to kept washing to a minimum since there aren’t any extra bottles or containers. This also helps to eliminate milk loss and exposure to germs. The set comes with different nipples depending on babies age also.

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Check out the video below to see how the system works.

I also like that you don’t need a special pump to use this system. I have the Medela system and it works great with it! Many other popular pumps are also able to be used with this system which I think is amazing! I love that you don’t have to buy or use a specific pump to use the Kiinde system.

The gift set is amazing because it includes so many useful things from storage pouches, pump adapters, bag storage holder (which I love for space saving in the fridge or freezer), bottle warmer with timer, bottles, different nipple sizes, cleaning brushes, and a food attachment.

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What I also love about the system are the Twist Active Latch Nipples that are designed to reward a deep latch so that baby learns proper latching. This helps to discourage a “lazy” latch and help the transition between breast and bottle.

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Other things I like about the Twist set are that the pouches are recyclable, BPA, phalate, and PVC free which is very important. And everything is dishwasher safe which is great for this lazy Mom!

This system makes me very excited to start on my breastfeeding journey because I feel it will help me be more successful and reach my goals. I know breastfeeding will be a difficult journey and anything that will help me or other Mom’s is a Win Win! I will be a stay at home Mom, but this system would also help Moms who work outside of the home make the transition easier. Since there is less clean up, they have more time to feed and spend time with their baby.

If you are interested in the Twist Gift Set for you or a Mom in your life, Check it out HERE.

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If you would like a FREE Breastfeeding Starter Kit, Check it out HERE

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Are you a breastfeeding Mom or Soon to be one? What is your go to product to make the process easier? XOXO Channing