With this being Thanksgiving week I thought there would be no better time than to share with you a story that is close to my heart. As a mom of almost three, I know just how precious sleep is. Those first few nights with your newborn are precious, but they are incredibly sleep deprived.
Harlan gave us a run for our money when she was born. With bad colic and reflux she had the hardest time sleeping, especially in the middle of the night. It was only after hours of rocking her in her carseat up and down the hallway that she was able to go back to sleep, for a couple hours anyway.
Avery was the exact opposite. I went in prepared for the worst, but hoped for the best. Thankfully she gave me her best and was an amazing sleeper from day one.
It’s so amazing how both girls can be such incredibly different sleepers, even to this day.
Last year Pampers asked me to be a part of their Pampers Baby Board, a group of moms and dads that work closely with the brand to give them feedback on parenting issues, products, and anything else that might be of interest to them. I remember using Pampers with my little brothers (who are 10 and 11 years younger than I am,) and used them with both girls, so it was a natural fit when they asked me to take part.
In October, Pampers came to the Pampers Baby Board and told us that they wanted us to give back the gift of sleep to any parent that we wanted. I had the perfect person in mind and wanted to send her my “Sleep Essentials.” With two little girls who have covered every single spectrum of sleeping, I have my list of “must haves” that I give every new mom in order to give her baby a good night’s sleep (which ultimately means that she gets a good nights sleep as well.)
1. Blackout Shades {These paper ones are cheap and perfect for the girls room. No more waking up early because of the sunrise}|| 2. Marpac DOHM Sound Machine {this changed my life when Avery was born} || 3. aden + anais Swaddle Blankets (I used these with both girls and love that they are so multi-functional. They work as swaddles, nursing covers, blankets, and a cover for the stroller when the baby sleeps. Avery still sleeps with hers.} || 4. Pampers Wipes {I use these wipes for anything and everything. They are strong, durable, and clean just about any mess, including a baby’s diaper. They are perfect for those late night diaper changes because I know they won’t irritate baby’s skin.} || 5. Pampers Diapers {I need a diaper I know I can trust, as corny as that sounds. There is nothing worse than your baby waking up in the middle of the night and the only thing that woke them was a leaky diaper. I can tell you in the 4 years that I have been a mom, I’ve never had a diaper leak in the middle of the night. That’s how I know I can trust these diapers.}
A couple of months ago my sister let me know that a friend of hers was expecting. Without going too much into detail (because it’s not my place to tell,) she was struggling to get pregnant. After trying for a long time, they finally found out they were expecting. But they aren’t expecting just one baby, they are expecting two. Yes, twins! Imagine the joy of finally finding out you are pregnant and then finding out you are getting twice the love.
I was even more overjoyed for her friend when my sister told me that she was expecting twin girls. With two little girls myself, I know the true bond that sisters have.
Although I have no experience with twins, I do know that sleep will be invaluable when she welcomes those two little girls. I couldn’t think of a more deserving mom to give the gift of sleep. Now lets hope those two precious girls of her let her get some rest.
I want to send a huge thank you to Pampers for giving me this opportunity to give back.
{Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post.}
