New Mom Help...

[doubletrouble_vb]

My DSIL and DBro just adopted a 3 month old girl. For all you experienced parents what object did you wish had by the time your kids reached 3 months.


Thanks...

PS. We ordered them a diaper genie because they asked for it. Plus refills. They seem to think they have everything but I have to wonder since I was there a few months back.

 

[ntburns22]

My kids loved the Boppy pillow. It can be used for so many things.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I second the boppy pillow. Also, if they have the basics already (stroller, swing, etc.) I would recommend a portable swing. If they travel a portable bottle warmer would be nice, too.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

what's a boppy pillow?

 

[ntburns22]

It is a U shaped pillow. Check out www.boppy.com. You can also find them at Target & BRU

 

[HLAuburn]

Boppys are great...especially for breastfeeding moms. We also really liked our Fisher Price Papasan Chair and Aquarium Swing.

 

[crisi]

I had the same issue adopting. Baby lists are made assuming you have a newborn. My son was six and a half months at arrival. I would NOT get a boppy - the are wonderful, but they have a zillion uses for newborns (like breastfeeding) and recovering women (hemmoroid relief) that if your DSiL adopted because of infertility and regrets missing the first three months or not breastfeeding (unless she is trying to do the adoptive breastfeeding thing which is possible, but challenging) may be more painful than helpful. Likewise, there will be things that her child is already adapted to - we couldn't switch bottles on my son - we had to run to the store for traditional nipples and traditional bottles. My son took his bottles cold.

The vibrating chair and the swing - didn't use those. Bassinet - too old. Those things they lay below and play - nope (although 3 months a swing or infant playset may be worthwhile - they weren't at six months).

Safety stuff is more important as the baby is that much closer to being active - baby gates, outlet covers. Our exerscaucer was a lifesaver. Our son arrived at six months crawling - we had anticipated a baby with some delay (he was low birthweight) and we spent the first day putting up gates and covering outlets.

 

[Twende]

A good camera and or video and a printer with photo paper.

 

[HLAuburn]

I thought of something else...
We still use our Pack N Play. We bought the kind with the bassinet part, which she slept in until she got too big. We still use it for her to play in when we take a shower or whatever and she's almost 15 months old. A must have in my book...

As for the Papasan chair, we used it probably until she was 7 or 8 months. We put her in it on top of the table while we ate. When they are that little, they need somewhere comfy to sit/lay while you're eating, cooking etc. It was a gift and I wasn't sure I would use it, but I don't know what we would have done without it! Just my 2 cents...

 

[JenniferW]

Vibrating/bouncy chair was our lifesaver at that age!

Jenn

 

[It's A Happy Day]

If they feel they have all the materialistic items they need why not make a time capsule marking her adoption. Pick up items of today - magazines - fashion, hot stars now, house prices, gas prices, etc., the paper from the date of her formal adoption, stamps, state quarters or coin sets, popular toy (remember the rubix cube, yearly holiday Barbie), things that she can look back on when she is older to see "the way things were when"

Another thing I started when my kids were born were the crystal Swarovski yearly ornaments. Something they will get every year to have when they are older...a nice keepsake but will also be worth at least what I paid if not much more as they are retired after the holiday.

Something not for the child but still a thankful offer...when the new parents are ready - babysitting service or better yet a GC for a favorite restaurant with a handmade certificate to babysit when they are ready to use the GC. Many parents may not be ready for a few months but adults still need a breather and adult conversations once in a while and it will be much appreciated.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Safety stuff is more important as the baby is that much closer to being active - baby gates, outlet covers. Our exerscaucer was a lifesaver. Our son arrived at six months crawling - we had anticipated a baby with some delay (he was low birthweight) and we spent the first day putting up gates and covering outlets.

She actually mentioned safety stuff but I figure by the time it got there they probably would have taken care of it...other than the gates. I'm guessing she isn't crawling (baby is in NJ, we are in GA).

 

[poohfriend]

okay, even if they have everything for this stage, kids change so quickly. In the next 8 weeks the new baby may be able to roll over, start teething, and some kids will be sitting before 6-months. They grow exceptionally fast. They fly through diapers (and diaper sizes).

My kids never used pacifiers, but if this baby does, finding that "type" and getting many extras would be helpful. Teething toys, developmental toys, the next size in blanket sleepers, more developmental toys and rattles, baby carrier (get a good one!), those mirrors for seeing what baby's doing in the back seat, a crib mirror or crib aquarium, formula, bottles, cloth diapers (for burping), gift certs for photography or even film developing, a good play pen with bassinet/changing table, a high chair (many folks think they won't use this at 3-months, and it's not necessary, but it is so nice to have another safe place to put baby), an electric swing,

and because it's just around the corner: feeding items, spoons, storage containers, etc.

Some things I didn't know as a first time mom, or even as a second time mom that I wished I'd known:

the high chair really is helpful at an early age

a good stroller is worth every penny (consider a maclaren or peg pergo even though the cost will make you gasp. the resale value is great and steering really is an issue)

An excellent baby carrier can help you take a baby anywhere without all the contraptions of a car seat and travel system

babies outgrow clothing so fast that having too many precious outfits means that some just won't get worn. -- and try them on baby because all 6month sizes are not created equal!

have fun being auntie!

 

[crisi]

At three months it would be amazing if she were crawling.

If your DSIL is saying they have everything, why not get something usuable for the future. Buy a share of Disney stock in the baby's name or a treasury bond.

 

[StephMK]

Congrats to them & you as auntie!! How about some toys & a GC for Starbucks for them? Enjoy that new baby!

 

[RangerPooh]

The Aquarium swing by Fischer Price. My DD loves it!

A Pacn'Play. We didn't buy one until she was 6th months and agreed that we should have purchased it sooner.

Invest in a good carrier as the little one could use it soon. We have a Kelty pack and it's wonderful. She was getting to big in our Snugglie front pouch.

An Exersaucer, it's still to early for the little one but it an be used in a few months. It's great to occupy the little one for a few free minutes as well as buuilding.

Make sure you have cloth diapers for burping te baby

A changing pad cover is a nice item as the plastic changing pads can get cold

A good mobile will distract and lull a baby to sleep. DD loved hers (err that was until I wound it too tiht and broke it)

Stock up on formula, bottle liners, and spare nipples. These might be plentiful now but it's not fun to run out into the freezing night for more

If purchasing clothes plan ahead. Don't buy the 3-6 month clothes unless the baby's little. They'll grow to fast and chances are there's already plenty in that size. Buy a few 6-9 pieces that are there for when they need it. I always wished that people would buy me something in the size that I needed then a nd a few for the future.

A nice camera or a certificate for film prosessing

A baby book it's alsop nice if someones been scrapbooking one for the mom as she'll be very busy

 

[ntburns22]

I just thought of something we recieved as a gift with DS a gift certificate to Sears Portrait Studio.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Congratulations! I would suggest a bouncy seat, an exersaucer and an activity toy that the baby can lay under and try to touch.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Wow guys thanks for all the great ideas. I'll print it out and show it to Grandma. I know my brother thinks they have it all but since my sister-in-law rattled off three things pretty easily I'm sure there are items they haven't realized they need. The camera is a good example...convincing them they need to send just one or two digital pictures was like pulling teeth. At the same time her family is quite well off so I figure her mother has already noticed the lack of a good digital camera and will fill in that gap when pictures don't show up regularly! The obvious items I do know they have...like the stroller and that angular bouncy hammock thing (I guess its obvious I don't have kids...and the next youngest nieces and nephews are in their late teens).

 

[lovewdwdvc]

I know that when our first baby arrived one of the "things" that I treasured was when my SIL came over just to talk and did not look at the messy house. I was not used to being alone-----no adults around------- with just a baby----- so I was very grateful for the company.