When it comes to baby items, it helps to have a little perspective. There are millions of people that have babies every year and A LOT of them cant afford any of this stuff and they are just fine. :) My mother used a dresser drawer lined with blankets placed on the floor as her "dock-a-tot". Like I said, perspective helps with mommy anxiety. :)
I agree. We couldn't afford any of this when we had our daughter. I think so much of this stuff is overhyped and overshared on social media, that first-time mom's feel like they need it.
I had my first kid in 2022 and the marketing at new moms is NEXT LEVEL. Honestly, I'm not sure there has been a single trendy/expensive baby product worth it for us except for maybe two that won me over with function: Baby Brezza Formula Pro to prep formula bottles quickly and an Uppababy Cruz stroller has proven more suited to our needs than the Chicco we had originally. And I bought these two items second hand after weighing the pros and cons of their function vs cost. But are they necessary? Nope! For any new mom out there, honestly, if the item doesn't have superior function to other more reasonably priced items, it's probably a waste of money. Do I want my house to look like a rainbow vomited on a circus from all of the chaotically colored, not as trendy, and second hand baby items? Not really, but this is a short and busy season of life and we have what we need and we're all doing well. So this is your snarky mom check-in saying that you probably don't need 90% of the stuff people are trying to sell you. And if I haven't been cranky enough already, Dock a tots aren't safe for infant sleep, only cribs, bassinets, or pack & plays rated for safe infant sleep are...safe for infant sleep. So save yourself some money and just place them in their bassinet, crib, or pack & play to sleep. And baby wearing is great for when you need your hands free. Best of luck, mamas!
Doesn't feel like a snarky mom check in, I'm sick of being told I need a million things!! I really appreciate when any mom says "you don't need that" or "oh I just used this instead" about anything. I'm already going to save so much money from advice like this! I'd rather spend my money on other things for my babe if I don't need it. And personally I'd rather buy ugly rainbow crap and have more money for a few really cute outfits for them if I want to buy cute things
I really loved my haaka! I would agree that the first time I used it that it was a little difficult, but once I got used to breastfeeding it was awesome to only be able to spend $15 for something so practical!
Me too! It's in my top baby purchases, managed to create a small freezer stash for when I had to leave bub for appointments and never needed an actual expensive pump. I think it comes down to personal preference but I thought it fit great and collected so much milk from the other side every feed
I used the Hakka to build a gigantic freezer stash by just catching let down. I never had a problem with it popping off even if my daughter kicked or pulled it once I got the neck for putting it on properly. Great video thank you for sharing! I’m always interested in these types of videos so I can find new baby gadgets.
I totally agree about the Fawn bag. I have the full size bag and it’s SOOOO heavy and clunky. Not comfy at all and there’s not enough space even though it looks big
The Haaka was a MUST for me with my kids!! The only reason I ever had a stash with my babies! The dock a tot was also a must for us! I used it more than any other product for my 3rd and 4th. And we absolutely hated the Snoo 🤣 Definitely to each their own! Everyone’s experience is different.
The Hakka should not be able to be kicked off. You have to completely invert the flange by folding it back, squeese the air out, place it then fold out the flange. It takes effort, by breaking the seal with a finger, remove. It doesn't just catch milk, it uses a vacuum to pull milk out.
I agree with the pacifiers. I opened every single pack that I received to sanitize it before our baby came. He didn’t take a single paci. I could have returned them to get something he would actually use.
Diaper bag was definitely a waste of money for me too. Never really used it with a pandemic baby and now I just use a kid backpack The graco pack and plays have a longer infant bed insert that runs the length of it so it lasts a while until they start to roll over. Plus it had a changing table that snapped on and off. I didn’t use the Haakaa as much as I’d thought I would. Mostly b/c it was so hard to keep on since I have larger breasts and baby would eventually kick it off. It was too much of a hassle for me. Agree about the swaddle blankets, so overhyped! We mostly used the halo Velcro swaddles and rarely needed a swaddle blanket. Then they grow out of swaddling so fast.
Our baby liked the Mamaroo when he was a newborn but he grew out of it sooo quickly! Our favorite swing was the Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker. It was much roomier so he could use it for a lot longer, and it came apart and could be a bouncer. So if he was swinging in the living room and fell asleep, I could grab it as a bouncer and move him to the bathroom with me to take a shower. LOVED!
The baby swing that we used for our baby was the GRACO Slim Spaces Compact Baby Swing. She loved it and she was a very fussy baby but that swing would put her to sleep almost every time. Highly recommend and it’s much cheaper! It’s also neutral colored which is nice and can be purchased at Target!
I didn’t like the Hakka, I like the idea of it but you’re right, it wasn’t functional for me and I rarely got anything from it. But that’s because my body didn’t have much of a let down on the opposite boob, I know other women have different experiences! If I did constantly leak all over everything I know that Hakka would have been a lifesaver.
My sister just recently had a baby and the nurse at the hospital recommended to try doing the “football hold” position while using the haaka breastfeeding and my sister said it helped so much!!
Regarding the swing get a swing like the ingenuity swing. Reason why your son didn't like the mamaroo is because it's function is mainly for him to swing side to side. Each baby is different. One will like side to side others front to back. Ive done my research and am a 3rd time mom. A lot of baby will not be ok with the mamaroo
Oh man! I loved everything that she didn’t like lol. It all worked great for us. I use the fawn bag STILL 2 years later. It has been great. And the Hakka I used religiously everyday while breastfeeding. And I breastfed for 18 months.
The Haakah has a slight learning curve, but honestly it's 10000% worth it. If you still have it, you should try it again! I regret the owlet sock! It didn't work for us and it is very expensive.
I agree with the Haaka, I also found it hard to keep my babies from kicking it off. I gave it a second try with my second baby and it syoll was a no go. We used our dock a tot for both out babies. We used it in our bassinet and also to cosleep and also in the crib during naps when we we’re transitioning to a crib 😬The funny thing is most of the sleep “gadgets” that are made with time are deemed not safe. The Rock N Play was all the rage when i had my first and now they dont even sell iy anymore.
The fawn design diaper bag is wayyy to heavy and also the material stains. I have a black and some hand sanitizer Bleached it white. Very disappointing
Hi Marissa! Pregnant for the first time here! 😊 Do you think it's ok for the baby to sleep on the playard for the first weeks? My sister did it with her kids, but I saw some comments that it's not recommended for their back... thanks! 😊
Hey there! I have some input if that's alright :) Some mamas go straight to cribs or play yards (we love the graco pack and play, which have models with a bassinet option), there's nothing wrong with it, as long as baby is placed on their back. The pack and play is actually not too bad, it has a firm cushion. I do NOT recommend the halo bassinest, it was way too hard surface wise for me to put my son in it. I hope this is helpful! Congratulations on your upcoming babe
I hated the Fawn diaper bag. All I liked about it was the look. It was SO heavy and the pockets didn’t make any sense! Ended up selling it and getting a cheap Amazon backpack!
I also had way too many clothes for my little one. This second time around we are having a boy so we need new clothing. I feel blessed we have been gifted quite a bit, but I plan to get way less so he will actually wear his clothes. I was not a fan of the Haaka. I just didn't have it work for me, but I know others that swear by it. I got the bottles from the free registry bags to try with my daughter, then we bought bottles that worked for her glad we did that.
The Dock A Tot has now been banned in the United States. The consumer product safety commission say that they should not be used at all, here is the quote: "It is unsafe for your baby to sleep in a DockATot Deluxe+; immediately discontinue its use. There are publicly available reports of infant deaths associated with the product. CPSC has notified DockATot that it cannot import, distribute, or sell any DockATot Deluxe+ made after June 23, 2022."
Totally agree on the haaka, I could never figure out how to use it with my wiggly baby! Also got the elvie curve for baby #2. I was able to use a buybuy baby coupon on it to make it cheaper!
I got the large Fawn Design diaper bag motherhood bundle…absolutely regret it! Super heavy and agree that it is difficult to keep organized. The interior and exterior pocket shape/size are useless.
Welp….I’m a Haakaa fan lol I didn’t have for my first baby, but for baby #2 I would get 2-4oz in my haakaa each morning for the first 6 months or so. So I raved about it to my friends. One of them said they got basically nothing. So it may be hit or miss, but it’s not that expensive (I have to imagine it’s way cheaper than the elvie product) so I felt like it was worth a shot. It for sure paid off for me!
Love the video! What are your plans for Peter’s sleeping situation after baby arrives? Big boy bed or crib still? We have a toddler and another baby on the way so I am trying to plan ahead!
We are planning to move him to a floor bed when the new baby is around 3 months! New baby will be in the snoo bassinet for the first 5ish months so we'll use that for the transition time to avoid buying another crib. haha
Thanks for your opinions! Just curious… did you not have a baby shower? You kept saying how you spent money on all of this stuff but I would think that most of these items would have come from your shower as gifts.
Their is another version of the hakkaa that’s called ladybug that goes inside your bra I use that one even sleep with it just had to make sure to take it off before it got to fool and made sure to not sleep on my side
Amazon has a lounger that is MUCH cheaper than the doc a tot and looks almost the exact same. For something you use a little, but not a lot, I thought it was worth it for the Amazon price 😊
I felt the same way as you with the original hakaa, only time I actually used it was when I had a clogged milk duct and I put warm water with epsom salt in it to soak my breast
When it comes to baby items, it helps to have a little perspective. There are millions of people that have babies every year and A LOT of them cant afford any of this stuff and they are just fine. :) My mother used a dresser drawer lined with blankets placed on the floor as her "dock-a-tot". Like I said, perspective helps with mommy anxiety. :)
I agree. We couldn't afford any of this when we had our daughter. I think so much of this stuff is overhyped and overshared on social media, that first-time mom's feel like they need it.
I had my first kid in 2022 and the marketing at new moms is NEXT LEVEL. Honestly, I'm not sure there has been a single trendy/expensive baby product worth it for us except for maybe two that won me over with function: Baby Brezza Formula Pro to prep formula bottles quickly and an Uppababy Cruz stroller has proven more suited to our needs than the Chicco we had originally. And I bought these two items second hand after weighing the pros and cons of their function vs cost. But are they necessary? Nope! For any new mom out there, honestly, if the item doesn't have superior function to other more reasonably priced items, it's probably a waste of money. Do I want my house to look like a rainbow vomited on a circus from all of the chaotically colored, not as trendy, and second hand baby items? Not really, but this is a short and busy season of life and we have what we need and we're all doing well. So this is your snarky mom check-in saying that you probably don't need 90% of the stuff people are trying to sell you. And if I haven't been cranky enough already, Dock a tots aren't safe for infant sleep, only cribs, bassinets, or pack & plays rated for safe infant sleep are...safe for infant sleep. So save yourself some money and just place them in their bassinet, crib, or pack & play to sleep. And baby wearing is great for when you need your hands free. Best of luck, mamas!
Doesn't feel like a snarky mom check in, I'm sick of being told I need a million things!! I really appreciate when any mom says "you don't need that" or "oh I just used this instead" about anything. I'm already going to save so much money from advice like this! I'd rather spend my money on other things for my babe if I don't need it. And personally I'd rather buy ugly rainbow crap and have more money for a few really cute outfits for them if I want to buy cute things
I really loved my haaka! I would agree that the first time I used it that it was a little difficult, but once I got used to breastfeeding it was awesome to only be able to spend $15 for something so practical!
Me too! It's in my top baby purchases, managed to create a small freezer stash for when I had to leave bub for appointments and never needed an actual expensive pump. I think it comes down to personal preference but I thought it fit great and collected so much milk from the other side every feed
I used the Hakka to build a gigantic freezer stash by just catching let down. I never had a problem with it popping off even if my daughter kicked or pulled it once I got the neck for putting it on properly.
Great video thank you for sharing! I’m always interested in these types of videos so I can find new baby gadgets.
I totally agree about the Fawn bag. I have the full size bag and it’s SOOOO heavy and clunky. Not comfy at all and there’s not enough space even though it looks big
The Haaka was a MUST for me with my kids!! The only reason I ever had a stash with my babies! The dock a tot was also a must for us! I used it more than any other product for my 3rd and 4th. And we absolutely hated the Snoo 🤣 Definitely to each their own! Everyone’s experience is different.
The Hakka should not be able to be kicked off. You have to completely invert the flange by folding it back, squeese the air out, place it then fold out the flange. It takes effort, by breaking the seal with a finger, remove. It doesn't just catch milk, it uses a vacuum to pull milk out.
hakaa was the best purchase and most used baby product. I used it more than my breast pump. 100% highly recommend.
I agree with the pacifiers. I opened every single pack that I received to sanitize it before our baby came. He didn’t take a single paci. I could have returned them to get something he would actually use.
Diaper bag was definitely a waste of money for me too. Never really used it with a pandemic baby and now I just use a kid backpack
The graco pack and plays have a longer infant bed insert that runs the length of it so it lasts a while until they start to roll over. Plus it had a changing table that snapped on and off.
I didn’t use the Haakaa as much as I’d thought I would. Mostly b/c it was so hard to keep on since I have larger breasts and baby would eventually kick it off. It was too much of a hassle for me.
Agree about the swaddle blankets, so overhyped! We mostly used the halo Velcro swaddles and rarely needed a swaddle blanket. Then they grow out of swaddling so fast.
I was first time mom and loved my haaka. I think in all honesty it just depends on what suites your tastes and life style.
Our baby liked the Mamaroo when he was a newborn but he grew out of it sooo quickly! Our favorite swing was the Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker. It was much roomier so he could use it for a lot longer, and it came apart and could be a bouncer. So if he was swinging in the living room and fell asleep, I could grab it as a bouncer and move him to the bathroom with me to take a shower. LOVED!
Oh the mamaroo. My newborn now loves it. My 4 year old used it as a baby and HATED it. So funny how each baby is different. 🙃
The baby swing that we used for our baby was the GRACO Slim Spaces Compact Baby Swing. She loved it and she was a very fussy baby but that swing would put her to sleep almost every time. Highly recommend and it’s much cheaper! It’s also neutral colored which is nice and can be purchased at Target!
I didn’t like the Hakka, I like the idea of it but you’re right, it wasn’t functional for me and I rarely got anything from it. But that’s because my body didn’t have much of a let down on the opposite boob, I know other women have different experiences! If I did constantly leak all over everything I know that Hakka would have been a lifesaver.
My sister just recently had a baby and the nurse at the hospital recommended to try doing the “football hold” position while using the haaka breastfeeding and my sister said it helped so much!!
Regarding the swing get a swing like the ingenuity swing. Reason why your son didn't like the mamaroo is because it's function is mainly for him to swing side to side. Each baby is different. One will like side to side others front to back. Ive done my research and am a 3rd time mom. A lot of baby will not be ok with the mamaroo
Oh man! I loved everything that she didn’t like lol. It all worked great for us. I use the fawn bag STILL 2 years later. It has been great. And the Hakka I used religiously everyday while breastfeeding. And I breastfed for 18 months.
The Haakah has a slight learning curve, but honestly it's 10000% worth it. If you still have it, you should try it again! I regret the owlet sock! It didn't work for us and it is very expensive.
Our pediatrician recommended against the owlette!
I agree with the Haaka, I also found it hard to keep my babies from kicking it off. I gave it a second try with my second baby and it syoll was a no go.
We used our dock a tot for both out babies. We used it in our bassinet and also to cosleep and also in the crib during naps when we we’re transitioning to a crib 😬The funny thing is most of the sleep “gadgets” that are made with time are deemed not safe. The Rock N Play was all the rage when i had my first and now they dont even sell iy anymore.
I regretted a swing and pack n play altogether. Both of my kids hated both items and they were just so big and took up way too much space.
The fawn design diaper bag is wayyy to heavy and also the material stains. I have a black and some hand sanitizer
Bleached it white. Very disappointing
Hi Marissa! Pregnant for the first time here! 😊 Do you think it's ok for the baby to sleep on the playard for the first weeks? My sister did it with her kids, but I saw some comments that it's not recommended for their back... thanks! 😊
Hey there! I have some input if that's alright :) Some mamas go straight to cribs or play yards (we love the graco pack and play, which have models with a bassinet option), there's nothing wrong with it, as long as baby is placed on their back. The pack and play is actually not too bad, it has a firm cushion. I do NOT recommend the halo bassinest, it was way too hard surface wise for me to put my son in it. I hope this is helpful! Congratulations on your upcoming babe
I hated the Fawn diaper bag. All I liked about it was the look. It was SO heavy and the pockets didn’t make any sense! Ended up selling it and getting a cheap Amazon backpack!
With regard to the swing, my daughter loved the Graco glider. Big, ugly, and worth it.
Yes all my kids loved those
My son loved the Fisher Price Deluxe Take Along Swing! It's not big at all!
I LOVE the haakaa, got to collect so much breast milk! 😆😁 especially in the mornings.
I also had way too many clothes for my little one. This second time around we are having a boy so we need new clothing. I feel blessed we have been gifted quite a bit, but I plan to get way less so he will actually wear his clothes. I was not a fan of the Haaka. I just didn't have it work for me, but I know others that swear by it. I got the bottles from the free registry bags to try with my daughter, then we bought bottles that worked for her glad we did that.
The Dock A Tot has now been banned in the United States. The consumer product safety commission say that they should not be used at all, here is the quote:
"It is unsafe for your baby to sleep in a DockATot Deluxe+; immediately discontinue its use. There are publicly available reports of infant deaths associated with the product. CPSC has notified DockATot that it cannot import, distribute, or sell any DockATot Deluxe+ made after June 23, 2022."
Totally agree on the haaka, I could never figure out how to use it with my wiggly baby! Also got the elvie curve for baby #2. I was able to use a buybuy baby coupon on it to make it cheaper!
I have two boys, they are 6 &4. But i am still watching your video about bb items.
I got the large Fawn Design diaper bag motherhood bundle…absolutely regret it! Super heavy and agree that it is difficult to keep organized. The interior and exterior pocket shape/size are useless.
I have all of the same regrets!
The cute swaddle blankets got me too 🤣
Welp….I’m a Haakaa fan lol I didn’t have for my first baby, but for baby #2 I would get 2-4oz in my haakaa each morning for the first 6 months or so. So I raved about it to my friends. One of them said they got basically nothing. So it may be hit or miss, but it’s not that expensive (I have to imagine it’s way cheaper than the elvie product) so I felt like it was worth a shot. It for sure paid off for me!
True about mama roo
Love the video! What are your plans for Peter’s sleeping situation after baby arrives? Big boy bed or crib still? We have a toddler and another baby on the way so I am trying to plan ahead!
We are planning to move him to a floor bed when the new baby is around 3 months! New baby will be in the snoo bassinet for the first 5ish months so we'll use that for the transition time to avoid buying another crib. haha
I'm also expecting my daughter June 8th,she's my 10th baby
Thanks for your opinions! Just curious… did you not have a baby shower? You kept saying how you spent money on all of this stuff but I would think that most of these items would have come from your shower as gifts.
I gave birth may 2020 so unfortunately my April 2020 baby showers were cancelled 😞
Their is another version of the hakkaa that’s called ladybug that goes inside your bra I use that one even sleep with it just had to make sure to take it off before it got to fool and made sure to not sleep on my side
What do you think about the 4moms bathtub?
Fawn design is definitely over hyped! They aren't very good quality either... The cheap faux leather peels off very quickly
Good morning yall
Amazon has a lounger that is MUCH cheaper than the doc a tot and looks almost the exact same. For something you use a little, but not a lot, I thought it was worth it for the Amazon price 😊
Dula makes a great Hakaa alternative.
Did you hear about the Mamaroo Recall?
I saw that they make a different version of the hakaa that you can put in your bra to collect let down
I felt the same way as you with the original hakaa, only time I actually used it was when I had a clogged milk duct and I put warm water with epsom salt in it to soak my breast
The Elvie Curve suction isn’t anywhere near as good as the Haakaa. Definitely prefer that Haakaa!!
Haakaa makes one that goes in the bra too
❤️❤️