Ditch It or Switch It?!

In the first few months of life, newborns are growing and changing so rapidly, it can feel like it is hard to keep up. Just when you think you’ve figured them out, they have a developmental leap or growth spurt and they seem like a totally different baby! Similarly, just when you think you’ve finally figured out just what you need to care for them, you find yourself thinking “Should I still be using this?” or “Do I need to switch sizes?” but you have no idea how to tell! Here is a list of key baby care items that frequently need to be swapped out or leveled up and how to tell when is the right time to ditch it or switch it!

1. Diaper Sizes- SWITCH IT!

   Understanding when to switch diaper sizes can be a bit of a balancing act. Every brand of diaper packaging will list weight guidelines for each size of diaper and while these guidelines are helpful, they're not the only factor to consider. Babies grow at different rates, so relying solely on weight might not capture your little one's needs accurately. It's equally important to pay attention to how the diaper fits. If you notice red marks or indentations on your baby's skin from the diaper's edges, it is time to size up. There is no harm in sizing up “too soon,” just make sure the diaper is secured well. Conversely, a diaper that is too tight will be uncomfortable for your baby and will lead to leaks and blowouts! So, I usually say when in doubt, size up. Also, when buying diapers, take note of the weight guidelines and don’t buy too many of any one size. This is especially true with the newborn diapers. Most “newborn” diapers only go up to 8 pounds, so your baby may be born ready for size one from day one!

2. Nipple Sizes- SWITCH IT!

Navigating bottle feeding for your little one involves more than just choosing the right formula or breast milk. Knowing when to switch nipple sizes is an essential part of your baby's feeding journey. Most parents don’t even know that the nipples on your baby’s bottles have sizes, but they do! The sizes indicate the flow level of the nipple or how fast the milk comes out when your baby sucks.

The frustrating part is that it is not a universal system- each bottle brand has its own system of labeling the sizes. As a general rule, whatever brand of bottle you choose, you will want to start your baby on the “slow flow” option. For example, for my clients I recommend Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Narrow Baby Bottle which start at Level 1 as the baseline “slow flow” option. The size of the nipple will be printed on the nipple itself, although sometimes it can be tricky to see!

As your baby grows, their sucking strength develops, and a smaller nipple might not provide the flow they need. Some signs that it might be time to switch to the next level on the nipple include:

• Your baby suddenly is taking longer than usual to finish their bottle

• Your baby suddenly seems to be getting frustrated during the feeding and may pull off and cry

• Your baby is sucking harder than usual and may be collapsing the nipple while they are eating

Similarly, if your little one is guzzling too quickly or struggling with excess gas, a slower flow nipple could be a better fit. Most brands offer an ultra slow flow option, often called a “preemie” option as they are targeted for premature babies. Sometimes switching your baby from a slow flow to an ultra slow flow can help them feed better in the first few weeks.

3. Swaddles- SWITCH IT THEN DITCH IT!

Swaddles are like a snug, comforting hug for your newborn, and they will be an invaluable tool for soothing your little one in the first few weeks of life. Swaddling helps to recreate a womb-like environment for your baby and limits the Moro aka “startle” reflex that often wakes your baby if they are unswaddled. Every baby is different and will have different swaddle preferences from day one. Some babies absolutely love a tight swaddle with both arms in for many months. Some babies scream uncontrollably if you swaddle them that way and much prefer a swaddle that allows them to have their arms up by their face. Some babies only tolerate being swaddled for nighttime sleep. Swaddling will definitely take some trial and error for new parents as they learn their babies likes and dislikes. Regardless of your baby’s preferences, I recommend new parents always use a velcro or zipper swaddle rather than a hospital or receiving blanket. I know the nurses in the hospital make it look so easy, but blanket swaddling takes a lot of practice and if done incorrectly can allow your baby to easily break out and it then becomes a safety/suffocation hazard.

As much as I love swaddles, there comes a time when those cozy wraps are no longer safe for your baby. As a doula, I often suggest parents observe their baby's cues and development milestones to gauge when to stop swaddling. Once your little one starts showing signs of rolling over independently, it's time to graduate from swaddling. Rolling over with arms restricted in a swaddle can pose safety and suffocation risks. Also, if your baby is breaking free from the swaddle consistently or seems increasingly restless while wrapped, it might be a sign they're ready to sleep with more freedom of movement. But, even if your baby is old enough to ditch the arms-in swaddle, they are still not old enough to have any blankets or loose items in their sleep environment and they still need to stay warm! This is when I recommend transitioning your baby to a sleep sack. Sleep sacks are essentially wearable blankets that will help your baby be warm and cozy while still maintaining a safe sleep environment. I recommend the Halo or the Kyte baby sleep sacks- they are a little more expensive but they are very high quality and will last you a long time!

4. Baby Loungers/Pillow- DITCH IT!

As much as you will love holding and snuggling your newborn, there will be times when you simply must put them down and you will need a safe place to do so. Baby loungers such as the Dock A Tot or Snuggle Me are good options for safe places to “dock” your newborn next to you on the couch or your bed while you get things done. It is VERY IMPORTANT to note that these are NOT SAFE FOR INFANT SLEEP. Neither you nor the baby should be sleeping while the baby is in the lounger- they are for lounging, not sleeping! I recommend placing your baby in the lounger where they can see the activity of the household or look at a ceiling fan or interesting light- anything that will give them some stimulation while you can use your hands and get some things done!

These loungers along with positioning pillows like the Boppy can also be a great tool for early tummy time. When babies are really young, placing them straight on the floor or play mat for tummy time is really challenging for them and they will likely put up quite the protest! You can use these props to help place their arms underneath them and give them a little support to make tummy time easier (see picture below!).

Regardless of how you are using these pillows and loungers, it will be time to ditch them at about 3-4 months. Your baby is starting to get mobile at this age and laying them in the lounger can pose a safety risk even if they are not sleeping. At this age, you can switch to a swing or bouncer to safely contain your baby. Additionally, they should be ready to level up their tummy time at this age! I recommend investing in a good playmat so they have a lot of stimulation while doing tummy time and actually start to enjoy it!