The post below about costs associated with raising a baby got me thinking about the things I couldn't have lived without during my child's first two years. So, STMs++ what were items you bought that you considered worth their weight in gold.
Me- swing for colicky baby, baby Bjorne , zoo membership to get us out of the house, exersaucer, Thomas the train DVDs, baby bath towel thing that kept him warm during baths, video baby monitor
Re: Baby items worth their weight in gold
Layne-May 6, 2013
Callie-February 14, 2011
Sleep sheep, the glowing seahorse thing, and my pal violet are our bedtime saviors. Yes, we use all three at the same time.
And siblings/cousins.
The B'jorn is one of the worst carriers you can put your baby in.. just an FYI.
https://www.continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html
Swing has been a definite "must have" for us. So far all 5 of my children have loved their swing. I have both an Ergo & Beco baby carrier and while I don't really need both, having at least one is a definite necessity. We bedshare, but I prefer to have a PnP set up in our bedroom for when baby is napping and I need to get things done. Otherwise I'm certain my tots would let their curiosity wander and bother baby while he/she sleeps. I'm kind of a minimalist, so this about does it for us besides the obvious like a car seat.
She hated the swing at first but at about 3 months started liking it and we used it a lot when she was fussy and wouldn't nap/sleep.
Also, my BOB Revolution stroller!! We used a Snap n Go for the first few months at the mall or errands def a better idea than a travel system IMO but Having the BOB helped me lose all 50 pounds of baby weight by walking/jogging w my DD everyday.
The onesies with the mittens attached to the sleeve She wouldn't keep regular mittens on and it was winter and she would scratch her face. Carter's swaddle blankets. Rock n Play sleeper bc she had reflux. Oh and the Nose Frida! My Dd was just sick and it's the only thing that works to get all the mucus and stuff. Total life saver!
The swing was a waste for us. We spent a fortune on it and DS hated it.
We could not have lived without the Rock n Play. Especially with dogs, it was a way to contain our DS without the dogs being in his face. He also hated laying flat on his back.
I never think about it, but a good glider is so important. I use it every night. I thought about just having a rocking chair to save money, but they are so uncomfortable on comparison. We still rock, read, and sing every single night in that glider.
A snap n' go was given to me free. I thought I would never use it because I spent a ton of time looking for my travel system. I haven't seen that travel system stroller since DS was three months old because it was so cumbersome. I shoved it off on my mom. The snap n' go for the baby carrier, and a good umbrella stroller are all I have ever needed.
In the toddler years, Thomas the Train has been amazing. We do not need any other toys in our house because of our DS's obsession with Thomas. I am sure any other train set would work, but he plays with them like dolls because they all are characters with unique personalities. I always cringe a the prices, but that is what aunts, uncles, and grandparents are for :-)
Swaddle Me swaddles
White noise machine w/ projector
Itzbeen timer
Bouncer (Ocean Wonders Aquarium)
Snap N Go
Things that never really worked out the swing, pacifiers, glow seahorse, noise machine sheep.
I never loved my baby Bjorn or my wrap but I am considering and ergo this time.
What is a good brand of swing?
For #1--A vibrating chair, wrap, and floor mat.
For #2--Swing, baby bjorn (she hated being wrapped), and the exersaucer.
a good car seat
A&A swaddle blankets
Fisher Price Seahorse
Swing
Sophie
Winkel
Moby
Ring Sling
Jumperoo
Playmat
Bugaboo stroller (i use mine a TON, even now that she's 3)