Polliwogged || Category || Organizing || P5

The 40-week-old organizer

When I was pregnant with my first child I had books about what to expect, lists for what to buy and websites for answers to my questions since I could never remember them during my check-ups. I would’ve loved having everything in one place, and though I did a little less research my next few pregnancies I still would have benefited from a little prenatal organization.

The Essential Pregnancy Organizer is an easy-to-use organizer for every stage of pregnancy. Its stylish cover hides a wealth of prenatal tools: a detailed pregnancy calendar, suggested interview questions for caregivers, prenatal check-up pages and even questions to help you formulate a birth plan. You’ll also find a practical - "practical" being the keyword - baby shopping list for parents, gift tracker, feeding and diapering records and a handy pocket for paperwork.

The Essential Pregnancy Organizer fits nicely in your handbag or purse so you can easily take it from bedside to office waiting room. With a little extra space for answering questions about your pregnancy and your baby’s birth, this little organizer turns into a journal of your pregnancy, childbirth and early weeks as a new mom. That is something I wish I had way back when. Those 40+ weeks will be over sooner than you think and it’s not always easy to remember the little things that made it so wonderful. You can purchase The Essential Pregnancy Organizer for about $14 from Amazon.com. - Emily H.

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Frozen breast milk storage made simple and compact

If organization is not your thing and you have more than a few ounces of breastmilk to store, the many baggies in your freezer can come to dominate the space. You can buy milk organizing kits at many major retailers, but to save money all you really need is a cardboard box.

Just follow these easy steps:

Freeze the milk in a flat position- just laying it on a small piece of cardboard in the freezer will accomplish this. The slightly nicer bags (with ziplock style closures) make this easier, but they do cost a little bit more. Personally, I think the few extra cents per bag is worth it.

Label each bag consistently (date, ounces) to avoid confusion by you, your partner, or your baby's other caregivers.

Find or make a cardboard box that you can use to “catalog” the frozen milk in the upright position. It should be long and thin- a Kleenex box with the top cut off was recommended to me, although I personally use the carrying box for milk three-packs that we buy at Costco.

When you have a new bag to freeze, move the new frozen one to the front or back of the box, and train caregivers so they know which end to pull from. Whichever you choose, consistency will keep everyone using the oldest milk first, a good best practice for storing your breast milk.

It's that easy!

- Leigh G.

Put your diaper changing supplies on “roam”

I am continually impressed with JJ Cole and their line of infant- and parent-friendly gear. Their Bundle Me is an all-time best seller, although it should not be used in car seats while driving, but only when bundling baby in a stroller or in an infant carrier when out of the car. The Premaxx sling is one of the few slings with pockets for those important extras like diapers and wipes. The company’s newest product is the Diapers & Wipes Caddy, and it’s one I wish I’d had 10 years ago when my first baby was born.

JJ Cole’s new Diapers & Wipes Caddy helps keep diapers, wipes and other needed supplies in one place. Yes, a cute little basket on your changing table does the same thing, but can you grab it and go if diaper changes are currently taking place in another part of the house? Probably not. On a daily basis, and especially with two in diapers, I find I'm changing diapers here, there and everywhere in our home. I'd much rather have this stylish piece sitting on my kitchen counter than the stack of diapers currently waiting there.

This portable caddy has room for diapers, wipes case and lotion, includes a coordinating changing pad, and has a drawer for cotton balls, diaper rash creme and other small items. With a choice of four stylish colors - and two children still in diapers - I’m thinking it isn't too late to add one to our nursery! You can pick up your own caddy on Amazon.com for around $30 in pink, blue, or gender-neutral green. - Emily H.

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