Last week, I posted an update to the original Baby Essentials post. I discussed the baby stuff we actually used from 0-3 months. But a changing baby has changing needs! Here's what we've been using for months 3-6.

3-6 MONTH BABY ESSENTIALS:
1. Diapers and a Changing Pad: We've continued to do everything the same but added in an overnight diaper at around 4 months so we could prevent nighttime diaper changes and wakings. (Ooh, plus a swim diaper!)
2. Feeding: We got into more of a pumping/feeding routine and bought a couple of larger bottles and nipples that will hopefully last us until Peanut is done with breastmilk. Although I think it’s more work, I’ve loved having the flexibility of breastfeeding and bottle feeding. I wouldn’t be able to go on dates or work for extended periods of time without the bottle. I also wouldn’t have been able to go to all-day festivals or travel as easily without breastfeeding. Now we’re on to Baby-Led Weaning… wish us luck!
3. Carrying: Although Greg used our Ergobaby 360 with Infant Insert some in the first 3 months, it’s the carrier we have both exclusively used since. We ditched the insert and have taken Peanut all over the US and even Japan in this thing. He prefers facing out but when it’s nap time, we just turn him around, bounce a little and he can catch his z’s like that! I have friends who breastfeed in this thing (!!) and that’s a goal of mine. (Update: Goal achieved over the weekend in New Orleans!)

4. Strollering: We’re still using the car seat and stroller as we did in the beginning but we can also use the stroller on its own now since he can almost sit up. I’m trying to use these less as carrying them around with a bigger baby is getting heavy.
5. Sleeping: So Peanut has been in his crib since 2.5 months maybe. He sleeps in there and takes most naps in there. We are very happy with the crib and mattress! We ended up getting two sheets and one mattress pad which have certainly been enough. We now use a sleep sack and introduced a lovey at around 4.5 months.
6. Clothing: We’ve started to differentiate sleepwear from daily clothing so while we still love the footed pieces for nighttime (and like to have four or five in his current size), Peanut is starting to wear onesies and shorts or pants (with socks!) during the day. We do laundry a little less often and he continues to wear one to three outfits a day so we have a few more items now than we did to begin with. Plus, gifts…

7. Wrapping: Although we no longer swaddle, we still use the same blankets and added a few more burp cloths for travel.
8. Entertaining: After 3 months, we started using a simple activity gym as a playmat and Peanut started looking at, then touching, then grabbing for and rolling over toys. At this point, when he’s not rolling all over our floor, we spend a lot of time hanging out on a quilt and interacting with books, balls, mason jar lids and fuzzy things.
9. Toting: Once we started going on longer outings (hello, Japan and music festivals!) and Peanut’s items started to get bigger, we placed the travel changer in a backpack with a wet/dry bag, a hat, sometimes a bottle and an outfit or two... that’s how we roll for now!
10. Bathing: We’re still bathing together or Peanut sometimes showers with one of us. The same few towels are working and we’ve moved on to small amounts of California Baby Sensitive Shampoo.

+ Peanut spends a lot of time on us, in the carrier, on the floor, in the crib or sometimes in the stroller. We’ve liked having a seat for him so he’s safe while watching us cook or shower. For the most part, though, we’re not real fans of swings/rockers/bouncers. He’s pretty happy hanging out on the floor with a mason jar ring and someone watching him. <3 Now, time to start baby proofing!!