WooHoo I am gonna be a Grandmother :) Need some help on what I might need to babysit

[LovesTimone]

I am going to be a grandmother, my DD is due in February, this is her 1st baby.. and when she goes back to work I will be taking care of the baby, ( we don't know if its a Prince or Princess yet)

Things have changed a lot in 25 years. I am planning on turning my guest room into the baby's room. Not a full nursery but a place for the baby.

I was thinking about a pack and play set up for upstairs - Any Suggestions on what kind? where to buy ? They also will need one for traveling. Anyone have a favorite for travel?

When DD was little I had a play-yard ( It was a big playpen, but folded up easily) ..... I think it was by playschool do they make these anymore? I would be using it for downstairs.

Since I will be watching the baby, DD thinks we should have compatible stroller and car seats for ease of moving the little one around.What kind of stroller would you suggest, and car seat, And keeping everything consistent with what the baby is used to. I am good with whatever she wants.. as she is the mommy..

DD and DSIL have been out looking/shopping, his interests lay in the electronic parts, baby monitors and other safety devices and safety rating.. which is great..

Thanks for your input!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Congrats! I don't know how much you want to spend, this is basic but will work just fine -

http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...de-in-soho-square/1018704595?categoryId=32042

I'd also get a bouncy seat and/or swing

http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...-lamb-infant-seat/1016183989?categoryId=32024

And not needed right away but down the line you'll need a place to feed the baby -

http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...esaver-high-chair/1040627830?categoryId=32064

People are picky about car seats and strollers, I'd leave that up to your dd.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

This is on sale at albeebaby with a $25 bonus savings -

http://www.albeebaby.com/graco-pack-n-play-playard-monroe.html

 

[DSNY4ever]

I would check out garage sales and if they have them where you live those giant kid's consignment sales. You can often get really good stuff there for really good prices (my parents got the same high chair as us for a small fraction of the price of our new one). Some sales are put on by local mommy groups/clubs and some by organizations like "Just between friends", they can be amazingly helpful if you are looking for a bargain.

I wouldn't go nuts and just see what you want as things go along. Simple pack and plays are fine and you'll probably need one of those for naps (I also dragged mine outside and doubled it as a playpen). My son never liked the swing or those baby seats so I was really glad we got one at a garage sale for only $10 because they are insanely expensive!

Have fun, and it is extremely generous of you to watch your grandkid during your retirement, your daughter is very lucky that you are willing to do that.

 

[mpetersen]

I second the consignment sales or yard sales. We bought a pack & play (aka the old ports cribs or playards) to keep at my moms house off Craigslist for $15. Kids stuff rarely gets used long or abused, especially baby things so there is no need to pay full price for anything. You may want a changing pad with a cover, a swing or bouncer or a play gym- all can be found cheaply used ( I'd say at least 10-50% of new cost)
Another great thing to have is a boppy pillow, it helps you hold the baby up during feeding a or cuddle sessions when they fall asleep on you

 

[ChitownFamily]

Congrats! There are some things that should be purchased new. Here's a helpful link: http://grandparents.about.com/od/advicefornewgrandparents/a/UsedEquipment.htm

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree to check out really good co-sigh stores for most things you will need. Buy a good car seat new, and a newer crib to be sure it is safe. Things like swings and bouncers are used for such short amount of times that used it perfect. I would have your own things like sippy cups and bibs and blankets. Some clothes and sleepers and if you are good with buying them, your own diaper supply too.

 

[LovesTimone]

I would check out garage sales and if they have them where you live those giant kid's consignment sales. You can often get really good stuff there for really good prices (my parents got the same high chair as us for a small fraction of the price of our new one). Some sales are put on by local mommy groups/clubs and some by organizations like "Just between friends", they can be amazingly helpful if you are looking for a bargain.

Thanks for these tips, I checked around and they are having one where I live next month. I read the reviews then the criteria for if you wanted to be a vendor, pretty tight rules. Talked to DD and we have a date for it. We are going to put together a list of thing that she wants.

 

[branv]

Fisher Price Rock n' Play. Best product ever. Seriously though, I don't know a single new mom (and I'm in a new mom's group of 50 women!) who after buying this didn't love and adore it. Granted, it's more useful for the parents for keeping the baby close to them at night, but it's amazing during the day too. It's also a life saver for reflux babies bc of the recline. I was very sad when he outgrew it

Gauze swaddles. They breathe so well, but still give plenty of warmth. Easier to swaddle with than thicker cotton. So easy to use for tons of things too: as a carrier cover (but still let's air in), a blanket, a burp cloth. And if it's been years, consider relearning how to swaddle. They've adjusted some things to avoid causing hip problems.

If your daughter is nursing, getting a nursing pillow for her to keep at your house is a nice touch. Hauling those things around can be a pain, and bed pillows just aren't as good. But they are useful even for bottle feeding. Easier on your back and neck.

If you are worried about SIDS or end up with a reflux baby who chokes more often, the Snuza is wonderful. It's a breathing monitor that clips to the diaper or pants.

NoseFrida. Sounds gross. Really isn't. Is a miracle worker for stuffy noses. Makes that little blue bulb look like a joke. Like the rock n play, every mom I know swears by it.

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here.

I have set a goal. I want have enough diapers, wipes, and other baby items stocked up for a year for my DD and DSIL. I am going to buy something for the baby once a week.

My friend and I were out hitting the yard sales and I did find a really good swing, everything works and it is in perfect condition.
" Fisher Price Papasan Cradle Swing" it turns both way, plays 8 songs, 5 back ground sounds, reclines. for 40.00 dollars. I looked at Babies R Us and it was 175.00 so I feel I got a great deal.

DD thinks that I should have things for the baby to make drop off easier, I will most definitely have my stuff for the baby and this way things can go back and forth without any worries of not having something.

 

[bostonminnie]

Congratulations! I also recommend the rock n play. It was a lifesaver with my son. My mom keeps extra clothes, children's tylenol, bottles, bibs, diapers, and wipes at her house so I don't have to lug them back and forth. Whatever your daughter decides on for a car seat, it will be very easy just to buy an extra base for your car as well as a stroller that the car seat can snap into. We used the chicco keyfit 30 with my son and will be using it with my daughter who is due to arrive any day now.

Good luck!

 

[shm_helene]

I third the consignment sales. I would add craigslist to that. Also, if you are on Facebook there are a lot of online yardsale groups. I belong to ones that are called "Lehigh Valley Moms - Buy/Sell/Trade" , "Lehigh Valley Everything for Kids" and similar types. I find the best stuff on there, good prices and good quality. You can also place "ISO" (in search of) on there and people can respond that way. In terms of diapers, etc., on the yardsale groups there are some mad couponers who set up shop and sell that stuff cheap, cheap, cheap (cheaper than you can do without mad couponing). That's how I get all of that stuff if I dont use Amazon Warehouse Deals.

I don't have a baby anymore (my youngest turned 2 this week!) but I have heard a lot of people rave about the Rock n Play (as a PP did). There was one on one of my FB groups for $25 recently...so look for a deal! Also, you don't need a ton. My mom watches my girls and she just used a Pack n Play for them to sleep in, my 2 yo (who is in the 95th percentile for height) can still fit in it. So I would say...

(1) A base for your car so you can transport baby
(2) Pack n Play
(3) Rock n Play (simply because of its rave reviews)
(4) A bouncer/exersaucer thing with all the toys on it
(5) Bottles (we used Born Free)
(6) Baby books
(7) A stroller (we didn't use the kind that you put your carseat it, just put the baby right in it)
(8) A swaddleme or similar type swaddle

I send a pile of clothes/bibs that way she always has some on hand.

Those are the things that she couldn't live without! Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[aylarosie]

I am a childcare provider and cared for two grandsons when my daughter needed childcare. The swing you got is great I have had one for a long time most infants I have cared for loved it.I would not go crazy yet buying things the baby will be 3 months usually when mom returns to work.So you are looking at next May.The parents usually buy two bases for the car seat and just use one carrier(seat) to bring back and forth.If you are transporting the baby you could just buy an extra base. Have them secure it to your car and you are good to go.They still make the bigger playpen Graco makes one 36 x36 I think ts called bug playyard. If you are setting up a baby room maybe you should just get a full size crib.There are less expensive ones.Also if there will be a baby shower have your daughter register for multiple bigger items such as activity bouncer and high chairs ect.As far as strollers go you can get one that the car seat can snap in and then use until the child is walking .Graco makes many decent models. Good luck and enjoy having my grandsons with me for 5 years really built a bond with them.

 

[branv]

I also wanted to add that the best thing you could do is read up on new standards of childcare. Honestly, one of the biggest issues the new mother's i know have had with grandparents have been a clash between how things used to be and how they are now. I'm not talking differences in parenting, I mean things pediatricians don't want parents doing. As in my case, my MIL wanted to give my six month old a cup of juice. Because that's what they were told to do when my DH was a baby. Now, it's only *maybe* some very diluted prune juice if they are constipated. My mom expected me to feed solids to my DS at 3 months. No solids before 6 months is the standard now. What foods when has changed (again) in even the last couple of years. No cows milk instead of formula before a year. Sleeping on their back without blankets or toys. *Nursing alone* is a minefield of misinformation and poor support. And that's just to start. Grandparents have a ton to teach, but they also can help by updating their knowledge too.

A great book BTW is Baby 411. Don't buy an older used one though, as the info may be outdated.

 

[sb682]

I agree with buying most things used, like a Pack and Play, booster seat for the table when baby starts solids, swing, bouncer, etc. Consignment sales are great, as are buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook. I bought many nice, barely used things for next to nothing at a church consignment sale in a wealthy neighborhood. If your DD picks a car seat that clicks into a base, all you'll need to buy (for now) is a base to put in your car, and make sure that's new. Buy a new crib and mattress, too, but you might find the Pack and Play is just fine. My mom bought a crib and bedding for my son when she babysat, but he rarely slept in it and it was honestly a waste of money.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Consignment stores like: Kid to Kid or Once Upon A Child can be GREAT resources for grandma! You will find lots of gently used or new items at these places, also clothes and toys! Look around and see if there are any local children's consignment boutiques near you

 

[LovesTimone]

Wow, I did not realize all the options now for moms and baby's I will be checking into all of these. Thanks so much... and keepem coming

 

[kohlby]

Not all babies are the same - so with the exception of a carseat, I'd wait.

I had a pack 'n play with bassinett in it only to find my baby wouldn't sleep in it! He wouldn't sit in the pack n play when older two. None of my kids used a crib. A mattress on the floor worked best once they were no longer sleeping in my lap - though one slept on a blanket on the floor for quite a while and that's what we did with all three when at others' houses. One child liked a vibrating bouncy seat - but the other two weren't into it at all. One liked the swing, the other two didn't care for it. All three did quite well in a sling. None ever used a booster seat at the kitchen table.

There was so much I thought I needed before I became a parent - and then realized that not only wasn't it a need, but baby wouldn't use it anyway! I did need gates and doorknob covers once baby was mobile. (And to attach some furniture to the wall). I did need diapers and wipes. And a sling and carseat. And some clothes for baby. But that was pretty much it.

 

[MandiC]

With all the encouragement to buy used/consignment I feel the need to clarify that as wonderful as it is (I buy almost all of my kids clothes consignment) do not buy a used car seat! Car seats now not only have expiration dates (and while this may seem like a ploy for money, the fact is the materials used to make car seats face wear in very hot/very cold cars that can compromise the safety of them over time) but if a car seat was in a car accident that nobody disclosed, even just a fender bender, they can also not be as safe.

Overall, I recommend waiting for most parents/grandparents for things other than the basics. Each of my kids had different bottle preferences (if they'd even take one but that is another story! ), 2 of my kids loved the swing, 2 hated it. All of mine did like the bouncy seat but I'm sure there are babies who don't. 1 of my kids needed to be swaddled, the other 3 hated it.
If you are short on space in the extra room there are mini cribs. We bought one with baby #4 because we just didn't have anywhere to put another crib! LOL It was nice (I actually liked it better than our full size crib because I'm short a pack and play is fine though and you can buy thicker mattresses for them if baby is going to be sleeping on it often. I don't know that I'd go with a full sized crib for grandma's house. There are very nice pack and plays now with changing stations and storage for diapers/wipes which would be very convenient. Rather than buying diapers I would get gift cards for somewhere they plan on buying diapers. Some babies have reactions to certain brands, not to mention there is just no way to predict how long each baby will be in any certain size. My oldest never got out of a size 3, she was in a size 3 for what felt like forever until she potty trained, my youngest was in a size 5 diaper at 5 months old!

 

[bandksmommy]

Babies don't need much. The two big purchases I would feel comfortable making before your DD decides on a seat and before baby is born are a swing (even a portable) or bouncy seat and a pack-n-play. Get a good one (we liked the Graco ones) at a yard sale. I could be wrong but I don't think they make the bigger play yards anymore. If you want baby to have a little more confined space (more than a pack-n-play) to play in you could get one of those baby gates you put in a circle on the floor. Other than that, most things will probably have to wait until your daughter finds out what works for baby (diapers, bottles, pacifiers).