Now that we’re past Ella’s first birthday, it’s getting harder and harder to remember those early days with her. It seems so long ago that we brought her home, but it’s only been a year – one of the fastest years of my life.
But only last year, we were getting everything together to welcome this little girl of ours. Since this wasn’t our first time getting ready for a new baby, I did things a little bit differently, and there were a number of things I knew I had to have on hand – just in case.
- Diapers of multiple sizes and kinds. We primarily cloth diaper, but those first few weeks, I keep my babies in disposables. There is enough crazy going on the first few weeks after you bring home a new member of your family, and I keep it as simple as possible until we start to get into a groove.
- Support – both online and in-person. I can’t even explain the value of the online communities I’ve found since having kids – they have been invaluable to my experiences in motherhood. I’ve always made sure to sign up with leading baby companies, including the Enfamil Family Beginnings program. I love receiving the expert advice every month along with savings and special offers on products – it really helps you on your questions about your baby’s development! They also send you a personalized kit when you join with samples and coupons!
- A fully stocked fridge. I’m the oddity in that when I’m recovering, I like to cook – there are things I tend to want that no one else seems to make the right way. I want easy, high protein things like scrambled eggs, and I don’t want to have to go to the stores before I’m ready. I’ve been lucky in that I was overdue and induced with both my girls, so I was able to really plan and have a fully stocked fridge waiting for me when I got home.
- Formula. While I was fortunate to have a relatively easy time breastfeeding Ella, I had a difficult time with Abbie and knew to have formula on hand when I brought Ella home. I’ve always told people that I’m so thankful that formula exists – it is literally a lifesaver for many babies. I knew there was a good chance I would need some supplemental help or that I would just need a break sometimes, so I made sure there was a quality formula like Enfamil in our home long before I headed to the hospital to have Ella.
If you’re expecting or have a little one, make sure you pop over to Enfamil and sign up for their Family Beginnings program! There are amazing resources available (including formula coupons), and they’re currently running a contest where you could win free formula for a year! (What formula feeding mom doesn’t want that?!) Enter here and see the rules below!
Enfamil® Free Formula for a Year Rules:*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal US residents 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Promotion ends on December 31, 2017. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received. For full Official Rules, visit Enfamil.com/freeformula-year-sweepstakes-rules. Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Co., LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721
