Setting up for new baby at Grandparents house, Advice Please

[LovesTimone]

I will be watching my grandson once he gets here ( 5 weeks or so) and my DD and DSiL move back to Florida, I am trying to set up everything so that I have everything here, so that we don't have to move everything around daily. Here's what's on list,

Pack & Play ( I already have this, thanks to BF at Babies R US)

Bath Tub ( I have bath essentials already stocked up)

Hooded towels

Diapers / Wipes ( I have a stock pile ( a years worth), most will be going to DD's house, but I will have some for my house)

Bottle drainer and bottle brush

Swing or bouncer.. or both - Which would be the most useful?

Base for Carrier in the car.

Baby gate (2) we have 2 sets of stairs in our home.

Rocking chair ( I already have one)

Dreft

Burp cloth's and blankets/ sleepers

Boppy ( my DD got 2 at her shower so one will come here)

Baby monitors ( they got one at the shower and a friend gave her one so one will come here)

Diaper bag


If you can't tell I am so excited... .... Please advice or suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[puffkin]

My mom watches my DS2 2 days a week while I work (the other 3 days he is in daycare).

She had most of the items you have on your list. I wouldn't get much more infant stuff though...they grow out of it so fast and it sounds like you are mostly covered with that.

I would suggest one of those space saving high chairs that will then convert to a booster seat. Both my mom and I had one and it was so much nicer than the full size high chairs I had with my older DS.

My kids loved their swings but they really didn't use them long because they got too heavy (big kids). I didn't find as much use with a bouncy seat...especially at Grandma's since she would hold him a lot more. I would say a bouncer/jumper too once they get a bit older. She got lots of use out of hers.

How about a stroller? My mom takes him on lots of walks and sometimes runs errands with him. She likes having her own stroller.

A basket of infant toys. You would be surprised at how early they will start playing with things. Consignment sales are great. My mom swaps out her toys every sale for a whole new batch of age appropriate things for next to nothing (basically sells her old stuff and buys back new stuff and basically comes out even).

Temporal thermometer and baby motrin/tylenol. This comes in handy all the time! Especially since my parents are my back up if they get sick on a daycare day.

 

[hcox31]

Congrats on the new baby

I would get a space saver high chair, it can attach right to your own chairs. You won't use it until they are closer to 6 months, though.

I second a stroller.

Swing or bouncer? You never can tell what baby will prefer until he/she arrives.

If anything, I would have a "medicine" stash: infant Tylenol, infant Advil (for over 6 months), thermometer, gripe water (if you want it for gas and/or teething), diaper creme etc

 

[daisyduck123]

A Changing Table (not sure I see that you've listed that). This is a must. It grosses me out when I see people use a couch, or the carpet or anything else not designed for dirty diapers and a baby's bare bottom that cannot be cleaned using Clorox Wipes.

Congratulations to you!

 

[puffkin]

A Changing Table (not sure I see that you've listed that). This is a must. It grosses me out when I see people use a couch, or the carpet or anything else not designed for dirty diapers and a baby's bare bottom that cannot be cleaned using Clorox Wipes.

Congratulations to you!

I've never had one. I just use the floor and a folding changing pad (that can be wiped up with a clorox wipe). Works like a charm and takes up so much less space, especially with wiggly toddlers. To each their own.

 

[Habbott]

We had a fisher price rock n play that was the most useful infant furniture when my guy was little. They even have a vibrating version now.

If you go the swing route, find a version that plugs in. So much easier than running out of batteries just as little one has settled and fallen asleep. I tried a travel one (smaller and compact), but we took it back pretty quickly and purchased a plug in variety.

We had a contour changing pad that we moved around with us, or we just used a receiving blanket. Changing table was not at a great height for my short self. We had the contour pad attached to the dresser at the very beginning, which was a better level for me, but then he got squirmy and it was safer to do it on the floor.

Also, don't forget about safety precautions. Light switch covers and cabinet locks, etc. you'll want to get used to them as well.

Congrats on the new grand baby!

 

[mpetersen]

Think in these categories- eat, sleep, play, poop

How about a high chair later on? We have the fisher price space saver and love it. Also invest in a good diaper pail. For toys my son loved the kick and play piano.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

How long will you be watching him for? You won't need baby gates for months, and trust me, you don't want them up an earlier than you have to.

 

[glassslippergirl]

What part of FL do you live in?

Check around and see if there is an online group in your area where moms buy and sell things. You can buy big items you need used, and baby doesn't use them for long. You can also sell them after baby is done.

I'm in South Florida, and mamarama and mama market on FB work pretty well for this.

 

[mjkacmom]

Loved bouncers with all of mine - had them on every level. Great for an early high chair, too. Gates should be at the top and bottom of stairs, screwed in at the top.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Only other thing I can think of is sheets for the pack and play, and a stroller with a good sunshade or a separate UV cover...

 

[Crystal824]

My mom watches my youngest (6 mo.) at our house during the day usually. Depending on what is going on that week, my mom takes the baby to her house a few days a week. She has a pack n play (with an extra sheet), exersaucer, and a playmat at her house. She also has a highchair there, baby spoons, and bowls. We took a bunch of toys for both our kids for her to keep there.

If you are taking the baby anywhere, you will need a carseat or a base for your car if they use the carrier type carseat. I would also suggest a diaper pail, changing pad or table, and a bottle warmer for your home (you really aren't supposed to use the microwave). I would also get some bottles to keep there, but you daughter will probably give you some for your home that is what I did with my mom. Perhaps a stroller for walks during the day.

I don't think you would need an actual baby bathtub. I usually give both our kids a bath at home. You can just get some baby washcloths and towels and wipe the baby down when necessary. The don't use the bathtubs that long anyway. I'm also not sure that you will need a separate diaper bag. When people (including my mom) watch my kids, I just bring my diaper bag fully stocked and drop it off with the kids. I'm not sure how your daughter will handle this. Everyone has their own style, of course. I would not go crazy with baby clothes for your home either. They outgrow clothes so fast and the baby will likely wear the clothes you buy home anyway and leave clothes other people bought at your house too. I take a few things and just leave them at my moms. If my mom changes my kids at her house, she will usually just keep it and wash it. I do that with diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food too and just restock her place when necessary.

We have both a swing and a bouncy seat at our house. It is hard to say what your grandchild will like most. Our older daughter loved the swing. Our younger preferred the bouncy seat. We just packed both away. My mom doesn't have either at her place. She just keeps the baby in the pack n play or on the play mat. Since you will be watching the baby at your house most of the time, you might want one or the other. You might wait and see what she prefers because I assume your daughter will be home on maternity leave for a few weeks. You should be able to see what the baby likes best. They don't use them for too long so you might not want to get both.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you are taking the baby anywhere, you will need a carseat or a base for your car if they use the carrier type carseat. I would also suggest a diaper pail, changing pad or table, and a bottle warmer for your home (you really aren't supposed to use the microwave). I would also get some bottles to keep there, but you daughter will probably give you some for your home that is what I did with my mom. Perhaps a stroller for walks during the day.

We used our infant seat without a base with #1 and #2, and used the base in my van with the next 3, but used it without one in DH's car. We were used to installing it without a base. We used garbage bags for diapers (had the genie for #1, tossed it with #2), and used powdered formula and tap water, so no need to ever heat it (kept it room temperature anyway). Probably best to just wait and see.

I do agree with a stroller for walks - I can't imagine being home with a baby without this option, especially on nice days. A changing table is nice, especially for older people. We kept one downstairs, with diapers and changes of clothes (which were often needed during changes). Garage sales are your friend - my mom loaded her house up with everything she needed when the grandkids came to visit (which was usually daily).

 

[MandiC]

As someone else said, those space saver boosters are great. Even for just containing baby and giving them a few toys for a bit if you have some cleaning/showering/ect to do.
Only 1 of my 4 kids really liked the swing. All of them liked the bouncers. There are travel swings that are smaller and fold up. One thing that I loved for all of my babies also was a playmat.
I never used a changing table with 3 of my 4 kids. I had one for my 3rd child but ended up taking it down and selling it because we never used it. Lots of space and not very convenient. Most diaper bags include a changing pad, sometimes I would use a spare receiving blanket (and wash it afterwards of course), and a lot of the newer pack and plays have one that can be attached.
You'll want to think about a convertible car seat. It won't be necessary right away but my ILs have one even though they don't take our kids more than once every few months. Just makes it easier and I hate uninstalling and reinstalling car seats. Best to go and get the car seat installed by a pro and leave it there (a lot of places do this for free).
I also agree a stroller might be a good idea.