What is the best baby gift?

[barkley]

You know that means you are using an expired car seat? Car seats expire normally at 5/6 years (depending on the actual seat) because the materials it is made of wears down and the seat becomes unsafe in the event of the accident.

Someone mentioned this new 10 year car seat is made of new materials that last longer but I have not researched it. Living in Florida the car seats are exposed to extreme heats inside the car. I have friends who live in Alaska so their car seats are exposed to the extreme cold. Two extreme examples but I wonder how the new materials hold up in the extreme environments.

I have four kiddos. The youngest two we commuted an hour (1.5 hours in bad traffic in the afternoons) Mon-Fri to their school near my office. When I upgraded my son a larger Britax seat, I did put my daughter in his other Britax seat but I bought a totally new cover. Car seats are a major pain to clean taking off all the straps and cleaning in every small area of the seat.

Some may not be able to afford to buy a new seat, but I have not known anyone use a seat that long. Also, it's like those cribs that convert into full size bed. I know people who buy those thinking they will actually put their kid in it as a full-size bed. Most people I know end up selling the crib (or storing for another child) before the kid is out of the toddler bed. Or they have another baby and put it back as a crib.

I just see these convertibles as a way to charge more for the seat with the marketing that it will last longer, when very few will actually use it for that length of time. Car seats also need to be replaced when it is in an accident (even if the child is not in it). If my child was already two I wouldn't repurchase this seat. Graco's is not a bad brand. I always used the the Graco snugride when rearfacing my infants. I just think this "10 year deal" is more marketing to parents to charge more and in reality there is no need for a 10 year car seat. The advertisement doesn't show a newborn in the seat. I am curious how the newborn fits. The baby it shows looks like a very healthy baby at least 6 months old.

kind of off topic but-if someone can't afford a new car seat there are programs that provide them. wic and Medicaid offer free car seat programs in many states as do many state police and fire departments. most private insurance companies also have programs that require the parent (to be) to attend a couple hour car seat safety program, and provide a free seat at the end (or a voucher to purchase one up to a certain dollar amount at certain retailers like babies r us). some hospitals also have grant programs or will provide one upon delivery and direct bill insurance carriers they know provide coverage.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Holding my sleeping six month old as I type one handed.

Diapers were a lifesaver those first few months. I got a box each of 1's and 2's and it was really nice to not have to think about it while I was also paying off the baby bills. Now that she is in 3's I would love for someone to buy me a box!

I will say, the one thing I didn't really get was jammies. Tons of cute outfits and onesies, and TONS of blankets, but only like two pairs of jammies. I didn't think of it at the time, and after she spit up all over herself that first night home, she was sleeping in a onesie. Thank goodness my mom ran out and got her some the next day, cause I wasn't going anywhere. I'm now obsessed with buying them. I feel like she grows out of her jammies every other week!

Do take a look at the registry. We bought most of the stuff on our registry ourselves because Babies R Us does the 10% back on registry purchases, and we needed the things anyway. It would have been nice to have someone else pay for some of the big stuff. We're looking at a regular car seat (she is in her travel system now) and that is going to hurt in a few months. If they do have a travel system on their registry I would get that. Kills two birds with one stone (car seat and stroller). I thought I just wanted a stroller and convertible car seat, but DH talked me into a travel system. I hate hauling the baby carrier around, but not having to wake DD up when I am running errands or wrestle around inside the car to get her buckled have been priceless bonuses. And just locking the seat into the base is so nice!

Good luck with making a choice. Honestly, anything practical will be much appreciated.

I have to agree with getting something big off of the registry. You say you have a few people going in and can spend more money- other people will probably get them diapers- you have the opportunity to help out with one of the bigger ticket items. I would also say go with the travel system that they have picked out, if there is one. Other bigger items they might need would be the convertible car seat, pack n play, or jogging stroller.

 

[Minnesota!]

My go to gifts are a first aid basket - Tylenol, Thermometer, Butt Paste, Vicks Baby Rub, Nighttime lotion/baby wash, some baby washcloths, teething stuff, etc. All put into a baby tub. I try and remember the stuff that I needed at 3am with a screaming baby, and did not have, ha ha!

And meals!!!! When my BFF had her first, I made a few containers worth of chicken noodle soup, a few of spaghetti sauce with meatballs, and one more that I cannot remember. Put them all in disposable containers, and stocked her freezer. Threw in some noodles, too, that I knew she would be able to handle cooking Her DH had lunches for the first few weeks, and she could plan an easy dinner.

I love the suggestion of pizza, soda, and cookies the first night home..

 

[NinaBella]

kind of off topic but-if someone can't afford a new car seat there are programs that provide them. wic and Medicaid offer free car seat programs in many states as do many state police and fire departments. most private insurance companies also have programs that require the parent (to be) to attend a couple hour car seat safety program, and provide a free seat at the end (or a voucher to purchase one up to a certain dollar amount at certain retailers like babies r us). some hospitals also have grant programs or will provide one upon delivery and direct bill insurance carriers they know provide coverage.

USAA use to send you a check for $50 for every kid you had that was in a car seat (once per lifetime). That was nice, but they stopped the program. It was to off-set the cost of a car seat which was awesome! In my town, I have heard that one of the hospitals here gives women free carseats if their income level is low. So they ensure you leave the hospital with a properly installed carseat.

Edited to say that Tampa General Hosptial still gives out the car seats. I haven't looked up the other hospitals yet.
https://www.tgh.org/labor-delivery-services.htm

What should I bring to the hospital?
Please bring your prenatal records with you to the hospital. You should also bring a small bag with personal items including a robe, comfortable nightgown and socks or slippers. Please bring essential toiletry items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, etc. Other items that may make you more comfortable, such as a personal pillow, are also a good idea. We will provide baby t-shirts and diapers during your stay. Don’t forget to bring a going home outfit for yourself and an outfit and blanket for your new baby. Because nothing is as precious as your new baby, TGH wants to make his/her very first car ride a safe experience. An infant car seat is our gift to you to help ensure your new baby’s safety. You’ll also receive a new TGH diaper bag before you leave.

 

[Chrelaine]

I'm part of a mom's group, over 30 mom's who all had babies between Aug-Oct 2013. We were recently talking about our fave baby products from the past year. The hands down winner was the Rock n Play by Fisher Price. Baby can sleep next to your bed at night or wherever you are in the house. It's the perfect height, unlike other soothers, for you to just reach out and pat/touch them. It's got a perfect incline for refluxers, or when they're congested, you can rock it (can also buy one with a vibrating function). Something about the way it is snug seemed to help all our babies sleep better. Look online, mom's swear by them. We were all so sad when the babies outgrew them

This was a life saver! Our DD was a terrible sleeper for the first 7 weeks. I finally tried the Rock n Play after reading reviews. She slept 8 hours the first night. It was unbelievable! We loved that thing and it was so easily portable. We took it everywhere!

 

[ldo]

I wondered what this was----thought I would post this article by a Dr. as an FYI.

The Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper is NOT for sleeping
The Pediatric Insider

© 2013 Roy Benaroch, MD

You might think a thing sold by a huge manufacturer of children’s toys and furniture as a “sleeper” would a safe, appropriate place for a baby to sleep. It is, after all, called a “sleeper.” But it is not a safe place for your baby to sleep.

The Fisher-Price Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper is a sling-shaped baby holder sort of gizmo, fitted into a frame that allows it to rock back and forth. The baby is held kind of snuggled in a pouch, in a sitting-like position, tilted up maybe thirty degrees or so. The name implies that it’s for rocking (that seems right, though I don’t think they’re talking about this kind of rocking—give that man a towel) and for playing. The problem I’m worried about is that last word in the name, the “Sleeper”. This slingy soft thing is not a place to leave your baby to sleep.

Why? Because we know that to best prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and to best encourage normal physical and motor development, babies ought to be put down to sleep flat on their backs, on a firm, flat surface. The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper is not firm, and it’s not flat—so it is not a safe place to routinely sleep.

The AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics published detailed guidelines about safe sleeping environments for babies in October, 2011. The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper clearly doesn’t fulfill many of these evidence-based criteria. I contacted Fisher-Price in February, and spoke with a very nice person, the “Manager-Risk Management.” I’ve sent her a detailed e-mail with my concerns that she said she would forward to the Director of Safety Management. Since then, all I’ve heard from Fisher-Price is:

Thank you for your inquiry and comments. We did receive your email on February 7. 2013. We have provided these comments to the appropriate people within Fisher-Price.

The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper complies with all applicable standards. We encourage consumers who have questions or concerns about providing a safe sleeping environment for their babies to discuss these issues with their doctors or pediatricians.

We appreciate your taking the time to contact us.

OK, since they say they encourage consumers to discuss these issues with their pediatricians, let’s discuss it!

Below is what I had sent to Fisher-Price: the details of my concerns, based on the AAP’s recommendations in bold. The numbers refer to each recommendation in the AAP document.

1. To reduce the risk of SIDS, infants should be placed for sleep in a supine position (wholly on the back) for every sleep by every caregiver until 1 year of life.

The Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper does not keep a baby wholly on the back, but rather in an inclined position. It is not a safe way for babies to sleep.

2. Use a firm sleep surface—A firm crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet, is the recommended sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation.

The Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper is not a firm crib mattress.

2e. Sitting devices, such as car safety seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, and infant slings, are not recommended for routine sleep in the hospital or at home.

Though this sentence doesn’t specifically mention your product, the Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper is shaped like the devices in this category, and is therefore not recommended for sleep.

2e. If an infant falls asleep in a sitting device, he or she should be removed from the product and moved to a crib or other appropriate flat surface as soon as is practical.

Again, babies should not be left to sleep in a device like your Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.

16. Media and manufacturers should follow safe-sleep guidelines in their messaging and advertising.

From your website describing this product, at http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/products/51903, I quote: “The seat is also inclined, which makes napping more comfortable for babies who need their heads elevated.” This implies that babies need their heads elevated, or that perhaps some of them need their heads elevated for comfort for napping. This is incorrect and contradicts the AAP, and is inconsistent with the safe sleeping guidelines.

In short, the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper does not meet the standards established by the AAP for safe sleep. Parents, do not leave your babies sleeping in this gizmo. Their safety is too important.

 

[MrsHeg]

This is a small add on item, but a lingerie bag to put the babies socks in while laundering is a great idea. Keeping up with those tiny socks isn't easy if they are loose in the machines.

 

[mjkacmom]

By the way... NO ONE wants a car seat for 10 years! Even if you take the cover off and wash it the car seats get pretty gross with cookie crumbs, spilled milk, etc. I also know people who hate using the bigger (convertible) seats for newborn and infants as it swallows them up and even with the shoulder straps in the lowest position are still too high for preemies, newborns, and some infants. I have four kids and have been through my share of car seats. I love Britax carseats because they are good quality but I still purchased new covers from Britax and had to clean the heck out of every crack in the seat to keep it clean.

I hated convertible car seats. I loved having the infant carrier - so handy when they fell asleep, or when we went places, I had a seat for them. I used them up to about 8 months. I also loved Britax seats - the straps never tangled! They are expensive, but you use them SO much, that I felt the cost was very justified.

 

[trip]

Gift cards to Target or Wal-Mart. We are always on a tight budget. Those helped feed mommy and daddy! Very thankful for them.

They can use as needed.

 

[Lolsmum]

You know that means you are using an expired car seat? Car seats expire normally at 5/6 years (depending on the actual seat) because the materials it is made of wears down and the seat becomes unsafe in the event of the accident. Someone mentioned this new 10 year car seat is made of new materials that last longer but I have not researched it. Living in Florida the car seats are exposed to extreme heats inside the car. I have friends who live in Alaska so their car seats are exposed to the extreme cold. Two extreme examples but I wonder how the new materials hold up in the extreme environments. I have four kiddos. The youngest two we commuted an hour (1.5 hours in bad traffic in the afternoons) Mon-Fri to their school near my office. When I upgraded my son a larger Britax seat, I did put my daughter in his other Britax seat but I bought a totally new cover. Car seats are a major pain to clean taking off all the straps and cleaning in every small area of the seat. Some may not be able to afford to buy a new seat, but I have not known anyone use a seat that long. Also, it's like those cribs that convert into full size bed. I know people who buy those thinking they will actually put their kid in it as a full-size bed. Most people I know end up selling the crib (or storing for another child) before the kid is out of the toddler bed. Or they have another baby and put it back as a crib. I just see these convertibles as a way to charge more for the seat with the marketing that it will last longer, when very few will actually use it for that length of time. Car seats also need to be replaced when it is in an accident (even if the child is not in it). If my child was already two I wouldn't repurchase this seat. Graco's is not a bad brand. I always used the the Graco snugride when rearfacing my infants. I just think this "10 year deal" is more marketing to parents to charge more and in reality there is no need for a 10 year car seat. The advertisement doesn't show a newborn in the seat. I am curious how the newborn fits. The baby it shows looks like a very healthy baby at least 6 months old.

Please make sure of your facts before making that claim. It is a UK car seat. They are designed differently and do not expire nearly as quickly as most US seats. The areas that take the strain are metal, rather than plastic as most US car seats are.

Of course, I still use my son's convertible crib as a small sofa in his bedroom. He is almost 9. It was designed to be used in this way after being a crib, then a toddler bed. It makes a perfect reading area and can support both of us at once.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I did not read everything,so apologies if I repeat. I would not buy a huge supply of diapers. Our oldest ended up reacting to all but one brand of diapers and every brand of wipes. Gift cards for a years worth would be great, or if you know they want it, all supplies for cloth diapering or a service for a year. A nice car seat THAT THE PARENTS CHOOSE is a great idea. Other great choices would include a nice stroller or maybe something to start a collage fund with. For smaller gifts, I love books and nice toys that the baby will grow into during that first year. I have seen really nice red wagons and tricycles given by some pretty cool grandparents. Maybe a wagon filled with books or nice quality toys.

 

[tina.tina]

I really liked an exersaucer that my DD had. It had a train on it that we took off and she played with after she outgrew the exersaucer.

To solve the issue of people who are picky about certain brands, etc, just give a gift receipt.

I took back 15 boxes of travel size containers of baby lotion/shampoo/bath/powder. You only need so many of the travel size containers. The ladies at Walmart were sort of flabbergasted that I got so many of those. It was almost like they were suspicious of why I had so many and didn't want to do an exchange for me!

I guess people just like to purchase some things. I also took back at least 10 extra baby towels- even after I kept a huge stack of them.

I got very few containers of wipes but had enough diapers for months!

 

[NinaBella]

Please make sure of your facts before making that claim. It is a UK car seat. They are designed differently and do not expire nearly as quickly as most US seats. The areas that take the strain are metal, rather than plastic as most US car seats are.

Of course, I still use my son's convertible crib as a small sofa in his bedroom. He is almost 9. It was designed to be used in this way after being a crib, then a toddler bed. It makes a perfect reading area and can support both of us at once.

I am familiar with overseas brands and have often looked car seats while traveling and living abroad. Both my younger kids were born overseas. We moved back to the U.S. when DD was 4 months old and DS was 18 months old. The Britax-Roemer.com website still states disposing of the car seat after a collision of 10km/h. (Manual for the First Class Plus seat that has the metal bar in back.)

It is true that other countries do not always have laws enforcing implementation of an expiration dates on car seats. That doesn't change the fact that it is still subject to wear and tear. The U.S. has stricter laws of publishing expiration and safety standards. While living abroad I was informed the car seats did not meet U.S. safety standards (thus they had lower standards) which is why Americans did not buy the seats locally. We couldn't bring them back to the U.S. and use them. I did buy Britax (USA) seats that were FAA approved and also used them on the plane traveling internationally and when we moved back to the U.S. It would have been less expensive to buy locally, but I didn't want a European child seat for my child that I could not use in the U.S.

 

[LONES]

I love my ear thermometer, but lately I've been tossing a good rectal thermometer in with my baby gifts. My daughter was prone to crazy high fevers, and when you're talking to the Children's Hospital triage nurse at 11pm, she wants to know the rectal temp. I ended up running to the 24 hour Walgreens in the wee hours to get one. I swore I didn't even want one, because I thought they were really gross... Now, if I don't see it on the registry, I buy one anyway. The Vicks brand with the little nub that just sticks out an inch or so is the way to go... you can't really screw that up!

 

[Lolsmum]

I am familiar with overseas brands and have often looked car seats while traveling and living abroad. Both my younger kids were born overseas. We moved back to the U.S. when DD was 4 months old and DS was 18 months old. The Britax-Roemer.com website still states disposing of the car seat after a collision of 10km/h. (Manual for the First Class Plus seat that has the metal bar in back.) It is true that other countries do not always have laws enforcing implementation of an expiration dates on car seats. That doesn't change the fact that it is still subject to wear and tear. The U.S. has stricter laws of publishing expiration and safety standards. While living abroad I was informed the car seats did not meet U.S. safety standards (thus they had lower standards) which is why Americans did not buy the seats locally. We couldn't bring them back to the U.S. and use them. I did buy Britax (USA) seats that were FAA approved and also used them on the plane traveling internationally and when we moved back to the U.S. It would have been less expensive to buy locally, but I didn't want a European child seat for my child that I could not use in the U.S.

Actually, "European" seats vary pretty drastically despite all having to meet certain basic standards. Swedish seats, for example, are widely considered to be about the safest you can get. Different standards to the US, and not paying to do the testing to meet US standards when the seat will not be sold there, does not automatically mean lower standards. I could just as easily point out that US seats often do not meet European standards and should not be used over here, perhaps due to lower standards?


Yes, Britax does say a car seat should be replaced after a collision, but I don't see what that has to do with anything. My car seat has never been in a collision. The same goes for car seats in the US market. They should be replaced after a collision.

 

[puakinikini]

Gift cards to the closest store for baby supplies!

 

[dismom115]

I love to give new parents the book "go the #^+€ to sleep".

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Do they have a registry? I would start there if they do. These are the items they picked out that they want. If you know them well, you can always ask if there is something they want more than others. There could also be something they want from a store that they didn't register at. (i.e. found a crib at Ikea but registered at Target).

Keep in mind with diapers that not every kid can wear all brands. I have a friend who's daughter wore one brand and when she had her son, he leaked in that brand. She was thankful she didn't have a giant supply that would have been wasted. Also, there is a trend of people going back to cloth diapers so unless you know what they want, I would be cautious.

 

[bettymae1121]

Clothing in sizes other than NB and 0-3 months. I'd go as high as 9-12 months. Some babies are big and they'll need those larger sizes sooner than they might have thought. And anyway, they'll need it at some point!

Anything on their registry. I know DH and I put a lot of thought and effort into listing all the things we really felt we needed (while keeping cost in mind, of course) and leaving off things we didn't want/need. Our shower guests stuck to the registry and we had everything we needed! I think there was only one or two items that we went out and got after DD was born that we didn't anticipate, but for the most part we nailed it.

 

[andieb0602]

Food! Gift certificates to local take-out/delivery places are fantastic but so are home-cooked meals. DD had to have surgery at 5 days old so, by the time we got her home for good and were settled in, we were sick of take-out and fast food. The home-cooked food that was lovingly given to us by friends was SO appreciated!