Atlanta Moms Share Top Baby Products, Advice and More

Atlanta Mom Helen Bailey

When you find out you’re having a baby, there is so much to think about. Once baby arrives, there are even more things to consider – all while adjusting to being a parent to this new arrival. The internet can be a helpful tool for ideas on what to buy and what to do, but sometimes it can be hard to discern what might really work based on online reviews. We asked Atlanta moms Elizabeth Blakemore, Helen Bailey and Jordan Lisvosky to share their top product picks, places to go with baby, advice and more.

About the Moms

Elizabeth Blakemore lives in Cherokee County. Her four kids range in age from 12 years to 10 months.
Helen Bailey lives in Kennesaw. She has two children, ages 3 years and 3 months.
Jordan Lisvosky is a first-time mom to a 14-month-old. They live in Tucker.

Favorite Mom Products

The game changer, absolute favorite product this go around with a newborn is the Willow 3.0 wearable breast pump. It allows me to pump while driving, working, cooking, and just generally being active. It’s amazing and I use it as my primary pump now. I mainly pump and then she takes bottles of that milk. I own my own business and I’m gone from home a lot of the time, so this allows my baby to be breastfed technically without me being tied down to physically nurse her. -EB

Bodily is a great brand. I particularly recommend the Bodily All-In Panty, especially for c-section moms, their nursing bras and Lactation Latte. -HB

Sound machine! Sleep train yourself as well as the baby with the sound machine. Something that helps with this is also a remote-control outlet plug. It makes turning on a sound machine or light so much easier when rocking and snuggling. -JL

Skin and Senses Fearless Mama Pregnancy Kit for stretch marks. -HB

Atlanta Mom Jordan Lisvosky

Favorite Baby Products

When it comes to high chairs, the Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair is great if you have limited space because it fits onto a chair at your table so you aren’t adding an extra seat. The Inglesina Fast Table Chair for restaurant dining is also fabulous. -HB

For both my 2-year-old and 10-month-old, the BabyFeedTimer app is a game changer. My husband, our nanny, and I all have it on our phones. We can track each child’s sleep times, diaper changes, bottles, food intake, any medicine. I can track my pumping sessions and number of ounces. It’s great and it helps us all know where each child is in their schedule no matter who has been caring for the kids that day. -EB

When babies are a little older, the Re-Play No Spill sippy cups are the best! They are made from recycled milk jugs and seriously do not spill. Plus, they are also only $6.50 each. -HB

These are a few of the products that we love. -JL

• The Halo swaddle. Great for keeping her calm and asleep.
• Avent Smoothie pacifier. We tried a few and she loved this one the most!
• MindWare Sensory Sprouts Tissue Scarf Box. She still plays with it.
• Nuby vibrating teether. It helped her when teething or even just to bite on.
• A bib with catcher pocket. It’s great for cleaning up at mealtime.

When it comes to bottles, everything Dr. Brown’s. -HB

Double Bob Jogging Stroller. It’s been great to take both babies on walks or my husband will go running with it. Definitely an investment, but worth it instead of using two strollers every time we are out. -EB

Top Spots to Go with Baby in Atlanta

In addition to libraries, I love the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. It has a great area for babies in addition to areas for older children, so it’s ideal if you have multiple kids. The Southern Museum in Kennesaw has a great mom-and-me program, a play area for kids and babies, and a giant train. They also have great specialty days with lots of model trains. -HB

Everywhere! Don’t be afraid to get out of the house. It doesn’t have to be a kid-focused place. The grocery store, a restaurant, your errands et cetera. Yes, it’s more work, but it gets you out and let’ s baby experience more of the world around them. -JL

Unfortunately, I am so busy running my big kids around I don’t take the baby many places on her own. Back in the day, we loved indoor play spaces like Catch Air. -EB

Atlanta Mom Elizabeth Blakemore and Family

Best Advice I Got

It’s OK to tell someone “no” if it doesn’t align with your new schedule, rules, or parenting style. -JL

These practical pieces of advice have been so helpful -HB

• Don’t buy clothes without snaps or zippers for easy-to-change diapers.
• Get a faucet cover for bath time. Eventually, they will play in the tub and bump their heads on a faucet. You would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
• Buy Aquaphor in bulk. It helps just about any skin ailment, cut, rash, bump or dry patch.
• Read to your baby early and often. Even if you think they are too little, start reading early.

Truly disconnect from work and connect with your new family unit on your maternity leave. Which is hard! I love multitasking but realized that time is short and soon you’ll be right back in the trenches of work. -JL

Book Santa photos early! Lots of photographers open their signups in the summer. -HB

Breastfeeding tip that is so important – see a lactation consultant! They have tips and tricks that will help. Find someone to talk to that can see what is going on and show you how to make it work better. If it hurts, it’s likely something isn’t right. -JL

Advice I Want to Share With Others

Go to the All4Kids Sale in Marietta or Woodstock. They happen in March and August and are incredible consignment sales in Atlanta. We buy so many Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, baby products, items and more at these sales. Everything is in great condition for a fraction of the price. -HB

My biggest advice as a mom of four is to get your baby on a schedule so that you can live your life and have a little bit of sanity. And I believe it’s best for the baby, too. We do the Eat, Play, Sleep schedule and our baby is currently in a 3-hour rotation during the day, with a longer afternoon nap. Yes, there are some days the routine has to change, but in general it helps her temperament and the general mood in the house to have that structure. -EB

Don’t wait for perfect moments, professional photos or even someone to take photos of or for you. Take all the pictures! -JL

Everything is temporary. Good, bad or ugly, nothing lasts. So try to enjoy the stage you are in because it will be gone before you know it. -HB

– Tali Benjamin