Moms... I need you again!!!! What do I need for baby?

[kdibattista]

As I mentioned on my stroller thread, we are getting ready to register for our baby. Everything is soooooo overwhelming. What do I need? What did you use the most and what are your must haves... bouncer? jumper? swing? playpen? cradle? activity center? etc...

Thanks again... I really appreciate the input

ETA: Also, specific models would be appreciated it you have one you absolutely love.

 

[Piglet'sPal]

I don't remeber the exact name, but we used one of the fold up swings by Fisher Price ALOT! We loved it! It was really small and portable.

I would also recommend buying a changing table. We bought a stand alone one (not the kind that goes on top of your dresser). My son was a little on the short side, so we were able to use it until he was about 2 1/2.

We had a playpen, but honestly, we did not use it very often at all. I guess it all depends on the child, but mine did not care for it.

 

[tiggger1]

I just bought the smart steps exersaucer for my son.. i love it, it folds down flat and has a bunch of much of things that light up and play music. .. he is 5 months old and it keeps him occupied..

I also love my moses basket. right now my son co sleeps because we dont have room because of the remodel. so thats what he sleeps in.

.We also use the bumbo everyday. WE bought the tray for it and thats were I feed him.

the other thing that I love it the Safe Seat infant seat

Its hold babies 30 lbs and 32 inches. While most moms in my buddy group are switching over this baby to reg rear facing seats, my son still has over 10 lbs and at many inches to go! It fitts 97 % of babies that are 1 year old. While O probably wont use it that long, right now my son has issues holding his head up ( his head is big and he has torcollis)so he cant sit up unsupported yet.


Im sure I have more but the baby is fussing

 

[tiggger1]

I don't remeber the exact name, but we used one of the fold up swings by Fisher Price ALOT! We loved it! It was really small and portable.

I would also recommend buying a changing table. We bought a stand alone one (not the kind that goes on top of your dresser). My son was a little on the short side, so we were able to use it until he was about 2 1/2.

We had a playpen, but honestly, we did not use it very often at all. I guess it all depends on the child, but mine did not care for it.

the rainforest fold up swing from fisher price just got recalled....my mom has it and they are sending her a voucher for it..

 

[kerrynic78]

I love all of the items from the Fisher Price Rainforest collection. I am a SAHM so I bought a lot of thingsa to help entertain my DD so neither of us would go crazy!

SHe is 6 months and still LOVES her FP rainforest swing, she will sleep for hours in it. She used the bouncer for the first couple of months but then got bored of it. It lights up and has a waterfall that kept her busy. The jumperoo is awesome and Audrey will keep busy in it for a long time, she squeals and just has the best time!

We have the same exersaucer tigger1 posted and it is great, lots and lots to do.

We have a pack and play and up until now only used it to change diapers but now that my DD is sitting up, she will play in it. We have the Graco Bermuda pack and play and have been very happy with it. It is no frills but gets the job done.

We registered not that long ago so I know exactly what you are going through...I thought we would have so much fun but my DH and I actually started arguing at Babies R Us because we had no idea where to even start!!

Have fun

 

[Starr W.]

Now I'm long past all this baby stuff(mine are 6 and almost 11). Eldest one used a swing for about 2 months, younger one hated it. Plus they take a up alot of room. You see a bunch of these at the resale shops(I think ours stopped taking them).


The excersaucer is great, get one of those, both of my boys love them(you can hold off on that for a few months or if someone buys it don't put it together right away).


Those little seats that you can strap the baby in that in some models vibrates or has an arc of toys are great. Went through 2 of them, you can use it to feed the baby solids when you start off(as they usually don't sit up well enough for the highchair yet). They are very light weight, so you can move it around.

 

[DVCisME]

My sons both loved the Papasan chair by Fisher Price. They were also big fans of the Jumperoo. I personally love the Playtex ventair bottles. The bumbo seat is also recommended by a great deal of doctors.

We have a play yard, I never use it. However I had the Eddier Bauer bassinet (looks classic with wood) this last time, my son is 6 months, and loved it!!

 

[Aristomommy]

Some of the things both of my kids (8 and 2) used daily when they were infants:

-pack n play crib to nap during the day (we set it up downstairs where I could see them and still cook, clean etc.)
- Bumbo seat (not around for my older one, but it helps at the stage when they want to be upright all the time, but can't support their back)
-swing
-exersaucer (later on, not an immediate need)
-vibrating seat (DS slept in his from day 1 or as soon as he was home)
-stroller and car seat (either a combo or separate set)
-other items you would need right away would be onesies, bibs, burp cloths, outfits, diapers, bottles (if needed), breast pump (if needed), diaper bag, wipes, lotions

I would register for small and big items that way people can choose something from their pricerange.

 

[crisi]

What is your budget? You can buy a lot of STUFF for baby or you can remember that pioneer women raised them on the praire with some cloth for diapers and their breastmilk.

NEEDED:

1) A Peditrician. If you don't have one now start calling. Once you find one, ask about:
2) Baby Tylenol
3 ) Baby Cold Medicine
4) Diapers, wipes (though rags works), diaper rash ointment (we used Desitin)
5) Somewhere for baby to sleep. If you want them to sleep in your room, a pack and play with a bassenett attachment is flexible.
6) A changing surface - you can use the floor. We used an old desk in the living room and the tops of the dressers in the family room.
7) Something to feed baby (formula and/or breastmilk - I'm a fan of having a can of formula just in case regardless, a lot of breastfeeding advocates don't like this idea).
7a) If you feed formula, you'll want bottles, nipples and a bottle washer.
8) Things for baby to wear. A summer baby can get by in two dozen onsies - a winter baby may need a few fleece sleepsacks and far more clothes. Of course, you'll WANT a lot of cute little outfits, too.
9) CARSEAT

That's it.

For you:

1) The biggest bag of the biggest maxipads you can find
2) A jar of Tucks
3) A box of kleenex and chocolate to help the hormones work their way out.

You'll want something to carry baby in - a stroller and/or a sling. I was actually neither a stroller mom, nor a sling mom - I had an inexpensive stroller - and an umbrella stroller - after the infant stage we used the $11 umbrella stroller.

Baby swings are nice to have from day one. You could also get a bouncy seat. Personally, I don't think you NEED both if you are on a budget.

High chairs and exerscaucers are nice - but you won't need either for a few months. Exerscaucers are a lifesaver, but have a limited life - if you can borrow one from a friend, I'd recommend that, they can go through a few kids pretty easily.

The door jumpy things - some kids love them, some don't - once again, limited life - find a friend whose baby is outgrowing it. Also, they don't work in all houses.

Neither of my kids was at all interested in baby toys - like the activity mats or gyms or any of that. You'll get some of it, but wait for it to arrive rather than go buy it.

You won't need a highchair for a few months.

 

[SDFgirl]

I'm going through the same thing as you!

My cousin has 3-year-old twins and a 8 month old. She took me to register for the first time. Her "must haves" include:

The Ultimate Crib Sheet
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267582&cp

Swaddlers
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...origkw=swaddler&kw=swaddler&parentPage=search

Baby Bjorn Carrier
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...kw=baby+bjorn&kw=baby+bjorn&parentPage=search

Interesting thread. Good luck!

 

[tiggger1]

we bought the pack n play suite solutions for our neighbor's new baby. She loves its because it has the changing center with the diaper and wipe holder. plus the newborn bassinet. It also has clothes storage under the bassanet that is accessable with a zipper. She keeps it downstairs for during the day use and the baby sleeps in the cradle upstairs at night

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone!! I am registering for a bunch of small priced items as well. That's why I want to see which of the bigger priced items you would recommend because I don't want to have a lot on there.

 

[Amirah95]

I love that bumper seat. We've registered for everything, basically. We did it through Babies R Us and they gave us a packet with a book in it with recommendations and the color locations inside of the store. Once you start looking you'll know what you want and need. It took us three trips to cover the whole store. Have fun scanning!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Two things that we really used were the sling and the jumperoo. We used the swing quite a bit, too.

If you are nursing, a really good breast pump is a must, especially if you are going back to work. I'd recommend that Medela Pump In Style. It's pricey but worth every penny. We used the Avent bottle sterilizer a lot, too. I put all of my pumping stuff in there to keep it clean.

We are still using the sling and DS is turning 3 next month.

 

[dementia412]

The best buy I made was a Fisher Price Ocean two way rocker. My youngest loved that thing, and when I sold it I was able to get quite a bit for it. I think they were only about a hundred bucks when I got mine 4 years ago.

 

[trulygoofy]

I have had an Excersaucer with all of mine and loved them. I would also recommend the bouncy or rocking vibrating chairs for babies.

I personally did not use a changing table with the last two. My DH liked them because he is tall, but I preferred to change them on the floor or on the bed with a mat under them.

A pack and play is great for travel or around the house.

I waited until baby #5 to get a Baby Bjorn carrier and I regretted that I did not go on and get one with my others. You don't use them for long, but it really came in handy while could use it.

I would be sure to get a high chair that has a removable tray that sits on the main tray. It makes it much easier to clean up.

 

[labdogs42]

a sling! www.mayawrap.com You won't regret it! Especially if you ever take your little one to Disney World. I still love my sling and DS is almost 2.5 years old!

I say register for all the big stuff, even the stuff you don't use right away like the exersaucer, jumperoo, and high chair, because some people want to buy those "big" gifts or go in on them as a group gift. I also say to register for one or two of the convertible seats because you need them eventually, too. You can't go wrong with a Britax Marathon. I also like my Evenflo Triumph 5 (may be a new model number now).

 

[lexmas]

Well, we weren't too much into the baby gear, as we've got a co-sleeping, breastfeeding, cloth diapered baby here, but I can give a few recommendations!

We have this (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...1/601-7703935-4664956?ie=UTF8&asin=B0002ZOI9W)
chair, that converts into a toddler rocker later, and we love it. Or more importantly, DS loves it. Keeps him entertained, certainly. Nice to be able to grab a shower every once and awhile.

We also have this booster seat,
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...-4664956?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0000DEW8N
that we use as a highchair, so we didn't need one of those. It's actually sized quite nicely to DS, I think he started sitting in it propped up by blankets on the side because he was too small at about 4 months (he was about 10 lbs. then), and now that he's on some solids, he's eating there as well.

Our other most used items are our slings, we have two ring slings and two mei-tais, so that we can get stuff done while cuddling DS, he's very happy in them!

And, of course, a boppy, whether you're breastfeeding or not, as ours gets tons of use as a "safety cushion" for DS now that he's learning how to sit!

Congrats on the baby!

 

[Keara'sMom]

Those little seats that you can strap the baby in that in some models vibrates or has an arc of toys are great.

Our dd loved her vibrating seat! I would strongly recommend one of those--it's very soothing, I guess! We didn't get much use out of our swing--our kid didn't like it much (she still, at 10, doesn't like rides! lol). The exersaucer was fun for her for a while. We also couldn't have lived without our Diaper Genie (although there are other brands that are also great, from what I hear).

All the best!
Leslie

 

[NotUrsula]

I always tell people to borrow a swing if at all possible, because it is a very short-time-use item; usually only about 4 months at most. (I just set mine up an hour ago for the first time in 10 years in this house, but it has served a total of 7 children since we last used it, just not our children.) Same deal for the exersaucer.

Your FSA will usually cover a breast pump, but ask to be sure. If so, you need to buy it yourself rather than get it as a gift, because you'll need to be able to turn in the receipt.

Most important big-ticket registry item is a toddler carseat; if you can get some group to buy one of them for you that is a huge expense averted.