What was your favorite baby item aka tips for Corey and Julie

[DSNY4ever]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

 

[two-foxes]

It seems that in three month blocks, the must haves always changed....this is what we had for the first 6 months....

0-3 months-
Amby Crib
Boppy vibrating chair
Hotsling
Baby Bjorn
side snap undershirts (the umbilical cord getting rubbed by a onesie is gross )

3-6
Ergo Baby Carrier
Excersaucer
Any toys that made noise/blocks


Must haves for all stages in baby life....
BPA free bottles like Playtex nursers
A great breast pump, if BFing
Video monitor, expensive but worth it
Chicco Cortina stroller and Key Fit car seat and Mac Quest
Oh, and LOTS OF BIBS AND BURP CLOTHES.....if you happen to have a puker


So, you guys overwhelmed yet!?!?!?!

 

[two-foxes]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

My 6, yes six, diaper bags. Babyhawk Mai Tei carrier, and half his clothes as an infant. The kid puked so much that he lived in Tshirts and bibs....no cute clothing for this guy!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

I went through about $500 worth of bottles to come to find that my breast fed bubba would only take Dr. Browns bottles apparantly they are very similar to mama. So even though they are expensive they are worth not spending money on every other brand.

That little for gym mat my son never really used. It was pretty pricey.

 

[Jennygt]

A copy of Happiest baby on the block, Dr. Harvey Karp was very helpful for us, The miracle blanket, (ds slept wrapped until 5 months!) a white noise cd, and the Papsan swing!!! I had some more items that were good but for the first few months this will help!!!

 

[Jennygt]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

I have only used my monitor about 3 times, I can hear my ds when he cries, I did not need to hear every little movement, that kept me awake! I would not say don't buy it but feel free to turn it off if iou need to, you will hear the baby, trust me!!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

I got this one - "safety" tools that are pushed and marketed to make you instantly paranoid that your baby will die without it or things designed for the parent's satisfaction and not the kid's! Before I continue, let me say that I have a 20 year background in medicine, so I have some education to support (I have also had people buy me these things and I found them not worth the price....)

Bed Wedges and Alarms: Unless you have a child that really does have a medical issue, has to sleep sitting up or has special concerns, you do not need a reflux wedge. It's a $30 wedge-shaped chunk of foam to stick under the crib mattress to elevate it on an angle so they won't reflux and choke while sleeping. The alarm that goes under the mattress that sounds off if the baby doesn't move after a certain amount of time is another. Those are folks who have genuine cause to believ that their child may stop breathing.

Anti-Roll devices/Sleep positioners - We all know that chances of SIDS can increase if the child sleeps on the tummy. If you have a child that roll, these devices are not going to keep them from doing that. They literally will roll right over them. I had side and rolling sleepers and nothing prevented it. They breathed fine on their sides after 1 week of life. I tried putting them back on their backs to no avail. I God wants them to sleep in another position, they will! Your best (free) prevention is to put them on their back initially and not buy item #3 - loose bedding, pillows, and quilted bumpers.

The beautiful bedding sets with bumpers are attractive and expensive, and can suffocate your child - not worth the money. Keep bedding simple - only crib sheet and no pillows and plush animals in the bed. Anything they can roll into that could cover their mouth and nose. When they get older, they can use the bumpers as footholds to climb out of the crib. Bad from any perspective. You are not a bad parent if your room isn't posh!

Wipe Warmers: They are purely a luxury item, not necessary in the southern USA. Anywhere it doesn't get to a constant below 30 degrees in the winter, you don't need them.

The Toilet Paper protector - you don't need to spend $7 to keep the child from unrolling the toilet paper - let them do it once and then see how both of you react! teaching them to put it back is a good lesson!

Best rule of thumb is to think basics needs and then add luxuries from there.

Good safety items - a color changing bath thermometer, a changing pad with straps, a Pack and Play with changing table if you have a 2-story home, baby gates, rectal or armpit thermometer, ****oo gel pack. Outlet covers. Anti tip furniture straps (if you have a climber).

My favorite safety thing we bought: if you have stairs - a "Toddler Rail" which mounts on and below your regular handrail - helps them learn to do the stairs safely. http://www.nextag.com/KidCo-CareRai...rices-html?nxtg=26790a1c0529-701E1BAF1E1F18BB

Nancy

 

[LilGMom]

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

The Diaper Genie was something that we wasted money on. I know some people swear by them but we found that the little scented bags that you can buy, either in the baby section or some pet stores sell them for doggy poo, work just as well. Between the scented bags and a big box of ziplocs from Sam's Warehouse we kept those stinkies under control! And the scented bags worked great on vacations too.

We also bought a baby sleep positioner that was used maybe for two nights before my DS decided he hated it and would scream if it was in the same room as him.

 

[mandymommy4]

OK, I had 4 stair step and am done with the baby stage but I can tell you I had a few must haves with EVERY baby! I know some have mentioned theses but my must haves for all my kids were:

~The vibrating bouncer is my #1, and it had to be really bouncy so i could bounce it gently with my foot while I ate, folded, clothes, read to the other kids. I think the vibrations kinda mimicked a car ride! LOL! I actually began with a used one some one gave us, bought a newer fancy one and then sold it and used the old one for all 4!
~Mylicon drops ( we used teh cheaper Little Tummys brand)
~ Boppy for nursing, actually I had two becasue DH likes to sleep with it! LOL!
~ GOOD high chair
~ LOts of clothe diapers as burp rags! (now I use them to clean with)
~ Little Einstein DVD's they would mesmerize my kids long enough for me to get a shower or get some chores done! DD 2,3, and 4 still LOVE EM!
~ Ceiling fan! My kids were mesmerized by them and our DS would even stop nursing and talk to it! LOL!
~ Newborn gowns, so easy to change a diaper!

Okay - Thread hijack! We are hoping to make the jump into parenthood soon too, so...

What did you buy that you thought you needed, but ended up never using? What was a waste of money?

Here's my list of thing to not waste your money on!
~ The baby Bjorn, I used it when they were really little but they got to heavy for me real quick!
~The play mats, never used them big waste of $$$
~ a monitor, our house is too small to NOT hear a screaming baby!
~ Saucer things, they hated them
~ changing table, we got a contoured changing pad and slapped on top of a dresser we already had, much cheaper!
~ bottle warmers and baby food warmers, waste of money they dont work!
~ bottle warmer for a car, again watse of $. I keept bottled water in the pockets behind the front seat and it was nice and warm fromf the FLA heat!
~ LOTS of newborn and 0-3 month clothes! They grow out of em fast! I had TONS of clothe that size that never even had tags removed!
~ diaper genie!

 

[exwdwcm]

let's see- the video monitor is a must for me (first time paranoid mom!).....Will is upstairs, so it is nice to turn over in the middle of the night and see him sleeping soundly on the video monitor.

jumper or exersaucer----we got the rainforest jumper- it is like an exersaucer, but not as big or as many toys and he actually jumps in it. he has grown tired of it now though and i wish i would have gotten an exersaucer instead- he loves the one at my mom's and at day care, but at this point, i am not investing money in one, since he will probably be walking before long (he is already trying at 9 months a little!)

music in the crib- we have a rainforest music maker thing and he loves it. it always calms and soothes him before bedtime and now he knows how to turn it on and of himself.

when he was an infant- the pre made swaddle thing was great. really helped him sleep well and it was velcroed on easy.

drop ins from playtex. great and easy for cleaning. i pumped and now do formula and used them for both.

good luck and congrats!!!!!!! it's the best thing we ever did!

 

[exwdwcm]

Question for anyone who has one of those Bumbo seat things. What age did you use it up to? My DD is already 6 months, and it looks like it would be so good to help her sit up rather than always laying on her back or stomach, but does it even pay now? I should have got it 3 months ago.

my son hated his and rarely used it. but you really don't know until you try what your baby likes and dislikes. some love it and some don't. some use it to give baths in too. we started putting him in it at like 2 months or so i think? he was a big boy.

oh, add the boppy to the list. i rarely use it now. but it was a MUST during those first 4 months or so.

things i didn't use-----well i actually use my diaper dekor upstairs in his room, but you can smell it immediately when you open it. i have found the good smelling bags work just as well.

things i didn't use-----wipe warmer- i heard it dries out hte wipes. just rub it in your hands to get it warm.

things i didn't use-----blankets. i live in TX. it's hot most of the time. but everyone buys you blankets or makes them. i love them all, but no way can i ever use them all. i swear i have like 10 crocheted blankets not to mention some cotton ones and the 50 receiving blankets. lol

 

[tinkbutt]

I got this one - "safety" tools that are pushed and marketed to make you instantly paranoid that your baby will die without it or things designed for the parent's satisfaction and not the kid's! Before I continue, let me say that I have a 20 year background in medicine, so I have some education to support (I have also had people buy me these things and I found them not worth the price....)

Bed Wedges and Alarms: Unless you have a child that really does have a medical issue, has to sleep sitting up or has special concerns, you do not need a reflux wedge. It's a $30 wedge-shaped chunk of foam to stick under the crib mattress to elevate it on an angle so they won't reflux and choke while sleeping. The alarm that goes under the mattress that sounds off if the baby doesn't move after a certain amount of time is another. Those are folks who have genuine cause to believ that their child may stop breathing.

Anti-Roll devices/Sleep positioners - We all know that chances of SIDS can increase if the child sleeps on the tummy. If you have a child that roll, these devices are not going to keep them from doing that. They literally will roll right over them. I had side and rolling sleepers and nothing prevented it. They breathed fine on their sides after 1 week of life. I tried putting them back on their backs to no avail. I God wants them to sleep in another position, they will! Your best (free) prevention is to put them on their back initially and not buy item #3 - loose bedding, pillows, and quilted bumpers.

The beautiful bedding sets with bumpers are attractive and expensive, and can suffocate your child - not worth the money. Keep bedding simple - only crib sheet and no pillows and plush animals in the bed. Anything they can roll into that could cover their mouth and nose. When they get older, they can use the bumpers as footholds to climb out of the crib. Bad from any perspective. You are not a bad parent if your room isn't posh!

Wipe Warmers: They are purely a luxury item, not necessary in the southern USA. Anywhere it doesn't get to a constant below 30 degrees in the winter, you don't need them.

The Toilet Paper protector - you don't need to spend $7 to keep the child from unrolling the toilet paper - let them do it once and then see how both of you react! teaching them to put it back is a good lesson!

Best rule of thumb is to think basics needs and then add luxuries from there.

Good safety items - a color changing bath thermometer, a changing pad with straps, a Pack and Play with changing table if you have a 2-story home, baby gates, rectal or armpit thermometer, ****oo gel pack. Outlet covers. Anti tip furniture straps (if you have a climber).

My favorite safety thing we bought: if you have stairs - a "Toddler Rail" which mounts on and below your regular handrail - helps them learn to do the stairs safely. http://www.nextag.com/KidCo-CareRai...rices-html?nxtg=26790a1c0529-701E1BAF1E1F18BB

Nancy

ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKS!!!

the toddler rail thing is cool!!!!

 

[mandymommy4]

Forgot one! If you plan on nursing Lansinoh brand Lanolin is the best!

 

[Jacksmom99]

I hated my travel system!!! It was HUGE and bulky and SOOOO heavy. Both of my kids out grew their infant carseats very quickly and it was such a waste to have this huge matching stroller that I was stuck with. I would buy one of those snap-on frame strollers for the infant seat. Then I would get a light weight stroller that can be used until age 4-5, since I'm assuming that you guys will be in the parks quite a bit with the newest Martin. No renting strollers for you! I loved the MacClaren I bought when DD was older and I wished I'd had it from the beginning.

Something I couldn't have enough of was tiny baby washcloths, great for their soft new skin. I used these instead of baby wipes for the first few weeks. And I learned the hard way to always carry an extra shirt for myself in the diaper bag. DS was a puker!!!

Also, I ended up with 2 pack 'n plays. One stayed at Nana's house out of state, and I kept one in the back of the van for our local visits to relatives. My mom (Nana) also kept a highchair, an exersaucer, and a swing at her house. It was so nice to be able to go visit for the weekend and not have to pack all of the B.S.E (Baby Support Equipment)!!

I read the "What to expect" books, but my favorite book was "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy". It was hilarious, and covered all of the delicate topics we may not feel comfortable discussing with others. Although after the first kid, when all your goods have been exposed to numerous people in a 2 day period, I found I wasn't so shy about discussing anything anymore!

Good Luck and Congrats!!!!!

Kim

 

[fakereadhed]

I hated my travel system!!! It was HUGE and bulky and SOOOO heavy. Both of my kids out grew their infant carseats very quickly and it was such a waste to have this huge matching stroller that I was stuck with.

ITA that the travel system is not a long-term investment. But I love that when the carseat is attached to the stroller and you put up the canopy AND pull down the shade on the carseat your bambino is totally enclosed. No old ladies or germy kids touching your sweet baby even when you already told them to back away. That is priceless!

Julie, just assuming you are a fellow germaphobe since you were worried about other people's junk at Discovery Cove.

 

[LilGMom]

I hated my travel system!!!

Something I couldn't have enough of was tiny baby washcloths, great for their soft new skin.

my favorite book was "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy". It was hilarious, and covered all of the delicate topics we may not feel comfortable discussing with others. Although after the first kid, when all your goods have been exposed to numerous people in a 2 day period, I found I wasn't so shy about discussing anything anymore

I completely agree! My boys were big so they were out of the infant carrier by the time they were 4 months. I did keep it in the car for when we went out to eat. It worked great to keep them in that until they could sit unsupported in a highchair (which I always had to wipe down before putting the kid in because those things are nasty!).

Loved "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy"! Very funny and covers things that other books conveniently leave out. And modesty goes out the window when you are spread eagle pushing that baby out, but soooo worth it.

 

[tspann]

The Exersaucer was wonderful. It kept her in one place contained and she loved playing with the attached toys. I used it before she could sit up by herself or her feet could touch the floor since the cloth seat conformed to her body and kept her upright giving me time to do things such as shower or make dinner.

When looking at high chairs look for one with a five point harness. It really helps her stay upright in the chair when she first started using it and once she got bigger it kept her from climbing out!

The absolutely most important piece of equipment IMHO was the stroller. I use it everywhere! Again a five point harness is essential. Also be sure you get one that lies completely flat for when the baby is an infant. other important feature is one hand folding, a clip that keeps it folded up, a tray for mom and dad that holds drinks (or other small items), a large basket underneath (you use it more than you think) and a well attached (but removable for washing) seat cover pad (the ones that attach just with Velcro’s come off too easily – it just bunches up under baby making her or him uncomfortable)

Finally, if you find a certain pacifier or bottle, ect that baby loves buy lots of extras. You never know when the manufacturer will stop making that specific model. This happened with my daughter’s pacifiers. She would only use one specific pacifier (which was her comfort item – so she needed it with her every time constantly even when it wasn’t in her mouth) and when First Step stopped making that one we went through a horrible couple of weeks not to mention lots of $$$ trying to find one she would accept.

 

[nikjd68]

The best thing you can do planning for the arrival of baby is to subscribe to Consumer Reports online. Although there was some controversy about their baby seat testing methodology last year and they had to redo the tests, they are the single best unbiased source for information on consumer products.

They will also list all recalls of products.

 

[DVCJones]

1) a REALLY GOOD Breast pump!!! Spring for the expensive one!!!

2) a microwave bottle sterilizer.

really easy to use. You put bottles, nipples, rings, small toys, etc. in the sterilizer, add 6oz of water and heat for 4 minutes.

Watch out for the steam...you should let it cool a bit before opening.

I had one made by AVENT.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

If you buy an electric breat pump, just please be careful and don't get cocky when using it - always use the lower settings - more power/suction doesn't mean more milk will come out quicker. This happened to my girlfriend/former boss, so don't let it happen to you - she tore her nipple halfway off and couldn't feed from that breast again! She pretty much stopped breasfeeding as a result. I used a manual Avent and was able to produce about as much as another friend did with her Medela. With the manual, you can really learn where your ducts are and be able to manipulate them to your full advantage. The only drawback is that you can't do both at once!

Buy one of 4 or 5 brands of bottles and test them all out. #1 loved Avent, so I didn't have to worry. #2 was picky and we went through 5 bottles before she finally decided she'd go back and settle for #1 -the Avent.

Nancy