Baby Registry Advice

trudytudy

@libbberty I have the milkies milk saver that you wear on your non feeding breast. I overproduced and had a forceful let down, aka a gust of wind or a baby cry and milk was spraying out crazily. I would guess I collected 100oz with that thing. The one that @steph30032 recommended seemed handy but a bit different. The milkies tucked into my bra so I only had to drop it down my shirt and lift the other side to feed. It doesn't suction on, rather is pressed against me bc of my shirt. I really liked the medela bags bc they attached to the pump so you don't have to transfer the milk, but they are smaller. They also stand up in the fridge making it less scary for spills. I really liked lansinoh bags.  They were bigger and didn't have leak issues. I had a brand that had several leakers, I want to say it was up&up target brand. A small leak didn't bother me much but for those who need every oz, make sure you get a good brand and double bag (like in a zip lock or Tupperware) if a milk spill would ruin your day.  I dealt with milk handling and pumping quite a bit. I used to pump at work full time and I also have donated a lot of milk, including to the hospital milk bank.

libbberty

@trudytudy this is beyond helpful. Thank you. 

Anyone else wish there was a way to save your favorite posts so you didn't have to go back through a bunch of boards?

Two of my recent FTM friends swear by this - sharing in case it intrigues anyone else OR if anyone wanted to comment. They say it was worth every cent (and one is a full-time grad student, so I take that pretty seriously).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSW970Y?colid=LK0EVXBRMIWA&coliid=I2K7N487M0MOL&ref=br_ADD_TO_CART_title_link&th=1

KatieEl

@libbberty I'd be curious why they love that so much.  TBH that price seems BANANAS to me for something your kid is gonna pee all over.  I've personally never found changing the cover on a wipeable changing pad that big of a deal, so I'm curious if I'm missing something here.

missblaze

@libbberty Yeah, I'm with @KatieEl on this one. I mean, you would still have to wipe it off if the kid pees on it, no? No real difference with wiping down the regular changing pad and washing the cover in the laundry.

cyanope

IN all honesty, I NEVER used my changing pad. I never wanted to go upstairs to use it, so DD usually just got changed on the couch...

libbberty

@missblaze @KatieEl I was also skeptical but the reviews are so positive as well...I know one of them HATES laundry, but maybe she wasn't aware of the wipeable changing pads? I'm not sure. You do still have to wipe it down, yes. The other friend is a merchandiser in the baby department at a large national chain, and she ranks her order of baby product priorities as: Bob stroller, this changer, and the Nose Frida. She said her husband loves it, too. When her friend told her to put it on her registry, she was like, "What the heck is this?" but after frustration with changing pads (or maybe her DH, haha), she bought it and never looked back. She probably had a hefty discount? She uses it to give baby "mini baths", too (with a warm sponge/washcloth if it isn't bathtime).

Who knows, maybe it's all BS.

I want her job. She gets shipped a bucket load of baby things for free every week.

supercoolstephy

 @libbberty  That Nose Frida is awesome... when DH did it. I couldn't. It gave me the heebie jeebies. 

mauera07

the nose frida is the best invention ever.  And the windis. But we always changed DS on the nearest surface, often the floor on a blanket and cannot imagine spending that kind of money on a changing pad!

sjb2215

@libbberty on a specific thread you can search the discussion to find previous posts if that's helpful. For my phone app it's at the bottom of the page

trudytudy

@libbberty that changing pad looks nice but the cheap ones are effective too, I'd recommend putting money toward something else like a baby carrier or car seat and if you hate the cheap changing pad splurge for it later. Consider the source though, I have a classic changing table and plastic-y changing pad that I got from a garage sale for like $15 total. Both of my kids have done unspeakable things to them but I just take the cover off and wash. Also I'm a weirdo because I still change my 2 year old on it, with her legs hanging off and everything. But it keeps me from bending over or chasing her around. 

bainidhedub

@trudytudy I still haul my 3yo up onto the changing pad about half the time. His legs hang way off but at least I don't have to be down on the floor so much.

crizz13

I would never in a million years spend that kind of money on something that will get pooped/peed on! We always did what someone mentioned about putting a cloth diaper on top of the changing pad where DD would lay and didn't have to change the cover THAT frequently. And honestly, you have to do laundry so frequently with a newborn between blow outs and spit up and mama's recovery, throwing the changing pad cover in too isn't even going to phase you. I would say splurge on something more fun!

crizz13

Also the nose frida is seriously amazing. I kind of had a sick obsession with that thing. 

missblaze

Me too @crizz13!!

whitta1015

I was planning to register at BRU. However now I'm kind of worried with Toys r Us declaring bankruptcy. One of my friends had ordered a glider from BRU which was supposed to be delivered earlier this week, so she called about it and they told her a lot of shipments were on hold. Now I understand bankruptcy doesn't mean they are closing, but it does mean their future is uncertain. Just not sure if I should still register with them or if it may be come a hassle. Anyone else thinking about this?

BelhurstBride

@libbberty, I have a friend who has that changing pad and loves it. But she bought it mostly for the looks and is the type of person who all drops a couple hundred on a bassinet that only has an 8-12 week lifespan. 

@whitta1218, When I was pregnant with DD1 I skipped BRU entirely. They were way overpriced. 

steph30032

@whitta1218 @BelhurstBride I registered at BRU with DS1 and eventually realized they were ridiculously overpriced. Many people who were buying gifts looked at my registry and then used Amazon to find the exact same product for way cheaper. This time around I am just skipping the BRU step and registering with Amazon to start. But ya, the bankruptcy thing would make me nervous. If your looks for an actual baby supply store, maybe consider Buy Buy Baby? I haven't shopped there much, so I'm not sure how their prices compare to other stores though. 

libbberty

Anyone love/hate their thermometer? Pumping bra? Backpack diaper bag?

I'm finally feeling like I'm making progress on this registry - thanks to ALL of these tips. I've seriously made an entire notes document with all of your endorsements. haha.

supercoolstephy

@libbberty I'm looking at the JuJuBe Be Right Back bag. I used a Medela pumping bra, I only used it for the 2 weeks that I pumped, and it worked well. We use a cheapy thermometer from the grocery store that beeps when it's finished. 

KatieEl

@libbberty @supercoolstephy I have the Be Right Back and really like it!  So many pockets to keep you organized.  I used it exclusively when we were down in Disney and was easily able to pack for two kids in diapers (changes of clothes, snacks, tons of diapers, etc.).

supercoolstephy

@KatieEl I've heard so many great things about the BRB. I have an original Fawn Design that I don't love. Its too floppy for me.

KatieEl

@supercoolstephy this is the only JuJuBe I own, but it is definitely not floppy!  I have a Lily Jade bag (that converts to a backpack) and that one is more floppy; I still really liked it b/c I'm genuinely using the backpack portion for limited amounts of time, but when I need an actual backpack the BRB is definitely worth it.

supercoolstephy

My wishlist is for a Lily Jade bag. They are beautiful. I'm hoping after the babe is here that I'll make it work. 

KatieEl

@supercoolstephy I was lucky enough to win mine (in a contest I didn't even realize I'd entered lol), but it's seriously so great I wouldn't even be mad at myself if I paid for it!

supercoolstephy

@KatieEl  my friend won one recently too. I keep entering, maybe I'll win one one day. They don't even look like diaper bags.

bainidhedub

@libbberty Don't get a cheapy drugstore thermometer, they take forever to read and you feel bad with a crying tiny and it's a PITA with a wiggly toddler. We have been using the Vick's 3 second ones for a while, but recently I started noticing that if you do a second reading without moving it, the second one is higher. So I'm not sure if they're getting old or just not a quick as they claim to be. 

burnsmommy27

@libbberty I had a medela pumping bra but it kept unzipping, drive me nuts. If you have large boobs, don't waste your time. Get the simply wishes hands free

steph30032

@libbberty this is the thermometer I have and I am in love with it. Just hold the button and swipe across your baby's forehead. You can set it to silent and even use it while your baby/toddler is sleeping in their bed. So worth the money.

steph30032

@supercoolstephy I just looked up the Lily Jade bag and now I'm obsessed. Where do you find the contests to win one? Facebook? 

mauera07

Speaking of bags, I'm attaching a link for the pump bag I got for DS. It's huge, and fits the medela pis perfectly on the side. It's nice that you can pump without even taking the pump out of the bag. Also for trips I used it as a pump bag and diaper bag. And the side pockets are insulated or fit the medela cooler. 

Sarah Wells Lizzy Breast Pump Bag (Navy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TIPMD4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_iUcZzb1KE5PTQ

sjb2215

@steph30032 I entered a giveaway on their Instagram page- @lilyjadeco

supercoolstephy

@steph30032 I enter them on Instagram and Facebook. I really want one but can’t justify the price, right now. I figure once the kid is out that I won’t be buying as much stuff at once like I am now so maybe I can buy one. I never win things and now I know two people who have won so I’m sure my odds are slim to none. Haha

supercoolstephy

@steph30032 I’ve heard that those thermometers aren’t always accurate. Not that kind specifically but in general. I’m thinking I want to get one like this though for the toddler now. We still temp rectally for him and I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be “willing” to keep at it. Haha

jakobaby

Just adding my 2cents on the thermometer. Get a rectal one and a small tube of glycerin. Maybe mark it with a sharpie as rectal so no one else uses it orally, lol. It's the most accurate way to read a temp and what is recommended. To this day, we still temp DS rectally. He is used to it, which makes dr appts and ER visits less stressful.

auntieraindrop

@maueraa07 My pump came with a Sarah Wells pumperoo bag and it is really nice quality. I've been looking at that as a pump bag if I can afford the splurge. I'm glad you like it! 

crizz13

We used a rectal thermometer until she was old enough to start freaking out about it. We have a temporal one (Braun) but it's not great. Now a days we just use a regular one in her armpit. (DD is almost 3)

supercoolstephy

@crizz13 we're hitting the freak out stage with the rectal temping with DS who will be 2 in November. 

crizz13

@supercoolstephy Yup, sounds about right. Also around the time when it got really impossible to do most things very easily (diaper changes, putting on clothing, etc). Ha! Can't say I blame them about the temping though ;-) 

Dani0329

Agreeing on rectal temps. I thought that  our Braun was the best when I took her to the doctor with a high fever, the led said "yeah those aren't reliable."  We switched to the ear for DD but will get a rectal one for baby.

libbberty

Rectal thermometer it is!

Anyone recommend any great baby leg warmers for newborns? Preferably unisex for my team green self?

Also, what are thoughts on organic baby wear? Totally overrated? For example, I'm looking at some kimono tops per everyone's advice - does it matter which brand?

I swear my whole self is absolutely paralyzed by this baby registry. And why are gliders SO expensive? My god. And do I need a gliding ottoman or is that just a load of BS? I tried it out in the store and it was pretty amazing, but I'd already been running errands for 8 hours so a cardboard box would have been fine at that point.