One of the things I obsessed about a bit before Lyla May arrived was what stuff we would actually need to take care of her.
Here are some of the items that turned out to be really useful for us:
* Her sling. We started out with a baby bjorn, but R just sent us an all-material sling which Stu has managed to don. Either way, sling = male version of female baby muffler (boob);
* Lambskin rug. Thanks E! We’ve used this to lay Lyla on for nappy changes. Much lovelier than a plastic change mat;
* A dozen old-fashioned white nappies — not to actually wear as nappies but to lay over the lambskin, drape over your shoulder to catch upchucks, wrap her up in while bathing her head and so on;
* Four sturdy brightly-coloured muslin wraps for night swaddling. Sturdy = little Houdini can’t escape. Brightly-coloured = good mood for Mum when waking up for a 3am feed (well, you take what you can get); and
* Antique Hmong talisman to prevent bad spirits hanging around. Thanks S! I guess we’ll know for sure whether this one worked when she hits her teens.
Hmm, I am glad that the lambskin was a help. Our has been used to death – thanks Granny (that would be the kids Maternal Great Granny). I have to admit it didn’t occur to me to send you an evil spirit talisman. Good luck with that one!
Oh, and cloth nappies come in handy for toilet training too – to dry up the wee that runs down Maddie’s legs and pools on the lounge room floor. I am sure Lyla will experience that one too!