These Are My Two Most-Recommended Items for New Moms

I don't like doling out unsolicited parenting advice, but when it comes to suggesting tried-and-true products to my expecting friends, there are two that I always recommend: a Boppy nursing pillow and a DockATot sleeper. Because if there's anything you can expect from newborns it's that they eat and sleep a lot.

I resisted buying a nursing pillow until my sister-in-law loaned me hers as a "just-in-case-you-change-your-mind-wink-wink" gift. Let me tell you, I might as well have sewn that Boppy to my waist for how frequently I used it. But I didn't just use it for nursing.

My husband used the Boppy when he fed my son with a bottle. I propped my son on it to practice his neck control and placed the Boppy around his torso to support him while sitting. I sat on it like a donut pillow in my early postpartum recovery days. Even my miniature dachshund snuggled up in it for a nap. Suffice it to say, this oddly shaped pillow got a lot of use in my house during those first six months.

There are no straps or buckles like other nursing pillows. It's portable and comfortable and simple — all very important things when you're a bone-tired new parent. Don't be a dummy like me and think you'll get by with a throw pillow. The Boppy is a game-changer.

As for the DockATot, I'd heard the claims and read the reviews, but at nearly $200, it's not exactly an impulse buy. Since we saved money by getting a great deal on our bassinet and with my husband building the crib, I decided to splurge on the DockATot. It did not disappoint. My son took to it immediately. While he did not sleep through the night at two months old (like some reviewers claim), he always slept for good stretches of time. The cozy, breathable cushions hugged him delicately, and it nestled perfectly into our bassinet.

Another benefit? The DockATot serves as a travel crib, too. I loved that we didn't have to pack an extra bed for the first nine months of his life since the DockATot travels so easily. Even better, he was used to and comfortable being in the Dock, so sleeping in new places was not an issue for my son.

Now that I'm expecting baby number two, you can bet I'll be taking my own advice and using the Boppy and DockATot. These products worked for me, and I hope they work for you, too. But, if not, I'm sure someone else will advise you.