As a mom of 3 I often times have people ask me my favorite products for a new baby, and what products we’re too good to be true. I figured it’d be fun to compile some of my favorite products, and not so favorite products all in one space for my new mamas or mamas to be to read.

My TOP product would have to be a good baby carrier- my favorite is the Tula. Trust me on this- with my first I bought a cheap one to start out, and I invested in a tula later on- they are well worth the money you spend, especially if you have a baby who likes to be held all the time.

my close second- and I say close second because this was ALMOST at the top of the list, would have to be the mamaroo, this was a total gamechanger for me- out of 3 boys only one of them didn’t like it- but that was because he had to be held 24/7. The, mamaroo is perfect for day time naps, or just somewhere for your baby to sit while you get things done, it has several different settings and speeds making it perfect for *almost* every baby

must have product #3 is a diaper pail, I’m not brand specific on this because I’ve found several that I love- but its nice to have somewhere right by the changing table to throw your diaper in, and the reason I say a diaper pail VS a trash can is because the pail seals in the stink.

next I highly suggest investing in a good diaper bag, admittedly this is more for mama than baby- but hey, you gotta have one thing for yourself- my favorite by far has to be the itzy ritzy backpack- plenty big for all the outfit changes baby will need, and in the first couple months I suggest packing an outfit change for yourself as well- you never know when you may need to change clothes with a newborn.

The next thing is not so much a product, but something I suggest to all my pregnant friends and that is to prepare some freezer meals for when you come home from the hospital-often times with a newborn you won’t feel like cooking and its always nice to have something that you can just throw in that is still healthy and yummy!

something I always tell people to invest in is an infant car seat, there is so many debates on whether or not its worth it to buy a car seat for short term use and I 100 percent say yes. If your baby falls asleep on the way to the grocery store or that *totally* necessary target outing every mom loves it’s so nice to be able to carry the infant seat in and set it in the cart, all while baby stays sleeping so nicely, because, ya know never wake a sleeping baby.

A bedside crib- I had the halo bassinest, which I really liked, but mamroo just came out with one that moves, which I would definitely invest in! Because most babies love to sleep when there is movement.

swaddle blankets- I recommend these over just your normal blanket because they are the perfect size for swaddling, and I’ve never met a baby who doesn’t like to be swaddled.

baby nail clippers- believe it or not trimming your babies nails for the very first time can be a very daunting task, and its even more daunting if you’re trying to use adult nail clippers, they have baby clippers and scissors I have found the best luck with the scissors because babies nails are usually so brittle that they come off pretty easily.

ZIP UP PAJAMAS- I’m not sure why this ended up as number 10 but I kind of got away with myself with the other products I love. Zip up pajamas will be your best friend- especially in the early days of late night diaper changes and being way too exhausted to deal with buttons.

I could go on for days about must have mommy and baby products, and some of the not so useful ones too, but these should get you started.

XO,

Brittiany

Have you ever wanted something really bad or wanted to achieve something really bad? I mean really, really bad? But had no idea how you we’re going to get what you wanted, or achieve what you wanted to achieve? I’m sure you have, because haven’t we all?

About 2 years ago I was in the beginning of a new business venture and I had HUGE dreams for my business, but I had no idea where to begin or if I even had the time to achieve everything I wanted to. I had a 6 month old, my husband worked really long hours so I was home alone a lot, I had SO many reasons why I “couldn’t”. Until finally I realized all of those reasons we’re excuses, I mean yes they we’re true, but I was basically giving myself permission to fail.  I woke up one morning and realized that the only person who was going to achieve my dreams was me.

I thought back to my childhood and how I NEVER gave myself permission to fail, even when I really sucked at something, I just kept working at it. I think all children do, we as parents teach our kids to dream big, reach for the stars, never say you can’t, yet here we are as parents living mediocre lives, saying we can’t and giving up before we even start.

I finally unlocked the secret to achieving my goals-  believing in myself, cheering myself on and holding myself accountable. The next thing I did was tell my mom and my husband- they’re really good cheerleaders. It’s always a good idea to share your goals and dreams, but only with people who are willing to cheer you on.

I started working really hard at telling myself that i could achieve everything i wanted. Your mind can hinder you or help you, if you’re willing to tell yourself positive things your mind will be your best friend, if you speak negatively- your mind will be your worst enemy.

If you don’t believe in your dreams, who will? If you can’t cheer yourself on, there won’t be anyone else to cheer you on either. You deserve the best version of yourself, your family deserves the best version of yourself.

Start being your BIGGEST cheerleader and watch how your life transforms

-Brittiany ❤️

I know, I know easier said than done, right? I’m so guilty of second guessing myself, analysis paralysis, whatever you want to call it. We all do it, because society has taught us that no matter what we are doing, no matter how good we are at what we are doing we could never possibly be good enough at it because there is always someone that is better at it.

Now that may be true, but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t good enough. You posses something that absolutely NO ONE else has, and that is your personality. You are good enough, you are smart enough and you are capable of whatever it is in this life that you want, but you have to believe it first. 

Seriously, when you stop comparing yourself to others great things can happen. How do I know? Because I am, or was the queen of comparisons, until I realized there is only one Brittiany Renee Gipe. Nobody else has my, or your special superpower, the secret sauce of your life- you, and whatever it is that makes you, you.

So just do your thing, don’t overthink it. Promise yourself that everyday you will do at least one thing that scares you. When you get out of bed in the morning give yourself a compliment, seriously wake up and say something nice to yourself, yes say it out loud.  I promise you that the nicer you are to yourself and the less you compare yourself to others, the better your life will get.

Now will this happen overnight? Of course not, the best things take time. Commit to 30 days of compliments, 30 days of doing something that scares you, 30 days of being your best self. If you can commit to that you will really begin to notice your life change, you will wake up feeling good about yourself, even on hard days, being nice to yourself will become second nature. Treat yourself how you know you deserve to be treated. 

XO-

Brittiany