Favorite Baby Stuff!

mbradfo2

I plan on getting this high chair from Crate and Barrel -- my friends who have used it say it's not only a great high chair, it's also a really nice piece of furniture (yeah, that matters to me....I spent a lot of time renovating and decorating our house and selecting the furniture and I'd rather not have a huge plastic chair in the middle of it >. > ).  Right now we are using the Ingenuity 2-in-1 booster seat w/tray for feeding -- I think @JWatt5 recommended it.  My sister uses a graco high chair and it seems really solid; just not to my taste!

For teething, my sister gave me this silicon pacifier/teether tether that Anne really loves. She loves chewing on the strap as much as chewing on the teether I put on it -- and it keeps everything off the floor since she enjoys throwing things now.  The nuby keys remain the favorite teething toy though -- and unfortunately one of our dogs chewed up her keys when we were out yesterday and I need to replace it! 

kristimh80

@mbradfo2 Thanks for that suggestion! I never even thought to look at Crate and Barrel. I'm like you, I love the idea of it looking like furniture and not taking up a ton of space either.

cashewchicken

Thanks for the strap recommendation, @mbradfo2! The silicone one seems nice. My son LOVES chewing on straps too, especially his high chair straps. It has the right amount of ridges and strength I think. He loves tossing his teether toys too. That and wrestling with a paci with plushies. Yikes. 

The crate and barrel high chair looks classy and is pretty cheap! My son is currently using Peg Perego’s Siesta chair. It was a gift from a friend of ours and while we do like it, it does take a lot of space and does stand out. 

[Deleted User]

We have the abiie beyond chair.  I like that it's made of actual wood (not plastic) and grows with the child.  It even converts to a normal adult-size folding-type chair!  Looking forward to seeing how it actually works for us irl.

2MomsHoping

@aera11. We love our Chico progress relax multichair. It has an infant lounge option so our little already eats her meals with us. It has wheels and easily folds to roll in a corner which I love. Also it cover is easily removable to throw in the washer. We got our from buy buy baby and it works with a 20% coupon. 

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/chicco-progress-relax-multichair-in-genesis/1046733603?skuId=46733603&mrkgcl=611&mrkgadid=2998484554&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_feeding_online&product_id=46733603&product_channel=online&adtype=pla&adpos=1o2&creative=263213775490&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhrSb34j_3QIVA7bACh3eTQqbEAQYAiABEgJwSPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Aera11

Thank you for all the recs!! I might trek that buy buy baby & see if I can find any of them & try them out.

Tulips29

Hi all - wanted to bring this thread back for ideas of baby items. Currently pregnant with baby #2 (girl and first one is a boy) and curious what items that haven't been mentioned yet everyone loves, especially after the first kiddo. 

mbradfo2

I've fallen in love with this little doll/lovie that's designed for infants through young toddlers --  it might be a fun special item for your little girl! It also smells delicious -- vanilla scent for calming and comfort.

https://www.amazon.com/Corolle-doudou-Miss-Floral-Bloom/dp/B078HX1HW4/ref=pd_bxgy_21_img_2/132-5535030-4007157?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B078HX1HW4&pd_rd_r=b0c743ef-f1e1-4039-b082-4f3986a14e13&pd_rd_w=BwjXq&pd_rd_wg=q0aY8&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=DB1EY3N9C13H33XN261N&psc=1&refRID=DB1EY3N9C13H33XN261N

If you also want to freshen up your newborn stuff with some different colors/patterns, Gerber has great little layettes with a variety of different items. But since it's a first little girl, I would treat myself to adding special touches with a few specific items and a few new outfits/blankies/onesies/toys. 

Adding to this --- what are some of your favorite lunch boxes/totes for taking meals/snacks to and from preschool?

Anne will need her lunches and snacks packed for school days and I'd like something that looks nice but also holds up well and is easy to wash/pack. She is 17 months now and likes to hold her snack catchers and my purse when we're out and about so maybe something she could carry too if she'd like (probably too heavy though....)

Tulips29

@mbradfo2 thanks for that! If I learned anything with my son, it's get lovies/toys/stuffed animals that I can buy again if something happens to them. My son found an almost 20-year old teddy bear at my in-laws house that he's super attached to and sleeps with. Problem is, we can't find the same bear anywhere. Even had someone travel to the same state where it was purchased 20 years ago and no one could find it. I've had to sew it up a few times as the threads keep coming apart and hoping this bear lasts him until he grows out of this attachment. Otherwise it will be a disaster! The doll you mention is really cute as well! I have a few Gerger items from my son and they are nice quality. Although I've already looked at the big bows for when she's born lol...I can't help myself! 

As for snack bags, we have Stasher ones and I do love them. They are silicone and washable, so I either toss them in the dishwasher or wash them by hand. I use them for everything! The sandwich size I use for fruits and it fits a decent amount. The smaller ones I use for crackers and take them with us on the road so he can eat his snacks in the car. https://www.amazon.com/Stasher-Reusable-Silicone-Sandwich-Storage/dp/B01DZQT9CU

As for lunch boxes, we aren't there yet, but I hear a lot of rave reviews about Plant Box lunch boxes. I hear they are sturdy and hold up really well and there are different types/sizes you can get. They have a 25% off sale right now on their site. 

mbradfo2

@Tulips29
I learned that lesson pretty quickly! Our dogs -destroyed- Anne's favorite lovie/plushie, Mr Moose (from Lamaze) and we had to replace it. And then DH lost it in his car and we had to replace him again XD So we're on Mr. Moose #3 now. Luckily he's available at Target and on Amazon Prime!

k_mama91

@mbradfo2 Keep in mind ds is 8 so we pack full blown lunches but I love the Tupperware brand bento style kits. They come with a sandwich size container, a sandwich + snack size rectangular container, and a couple of smaller ones that are good for goldfish, pretzel sticks, blueberries etc. They also come with an ice pack that the containers snap onto. It’s probably way bigger than you need and I’m not sure of the actual name of the kit but I recommend them to all my mom friends bc they hold up so well and are so affordable. 

wildrainbow

@Tulips29 I really LOVE the Cloudnine brand at Target. Their clothes are super soft and very durable. I bought several newborn packs that Matthew wore constantly and they still look brand new. 

Tulips29

@wildrainbow yes, agree with you on cloud island from target. I have a bunch of pants for my son from them and they are so soft! 

wildrainbow

@Tulips29 Cloud Island, sheesh, I can't believe I said cloud nine, lol. Mom brain is legit!

mbradfo2

@wildrainbow
We all knew what you meant though

I'm going to have to check out some of those boxes! We're still waiting for a slot (I'm going to call today for an update >.< ) but I want to be ready since she'll be starting immediately once we get one. Unless it's during a break, of course! 

Tulips29

@wildrainbow to be fair, i totally thought it was cloud nine and wrote that first..then i went on target to look at girl clothes and saw it was cloud island so i edited my post lol....so i'm there with you on mom brain  

dukie001

Hey everyone! 
What are your recommendations for crib mattress? There are so many on the market. I don’t want to buy super expensive, some of them go up to $250-350. But I think it’s possible to find something good for up to $100. Anyways, what are your thoughts.

PoeMasque

@dukie001 I bought a basic Serta mattress from a resale shop for $25 (it’s always in a waterproof protector at our house) and my son has had no issues sleeping on it since 4 months (he’s 21 mos now and still sleeps on it). We have friends who couldn’t imagine their babies sleeping on a non-organic mattress and paid $$$ for theirs. Mattress doesn’t seem to change how well/poor any of the kiddos have slept, so I think it just depends on how picky you want to be. 

dukie001

@PoeMasque not picky at all 😊 I saw Serta mattresses in the store couple days ago, there were six different ones from $50 to $100. Some were coil based and others were foam. I guess it doesn’t matter. I read that some of them are double sided with firm side for newborns and the other side more soft for toddlers. 

cashewchicken

@dukie001 I paid $$$ for my son’s organic crib mattress (Naturepedic) and he’s slept on it maybe two months total and he’s 17 months old now. lol. We ended up buying this expensive crib/sleeper called SNOO after he was born and my son mostly slept in that during the first 6 months of his life. He then went back in his crib for a few weeks and after that he moved to our bed. I really liked the firmness of the crib mattress (for safety reason- SIDS) but yeah wasted our money on the mattress and the crib for sure lol. We also bought two diaper changing pads from Naturepedic but now we change or son’s diaper on the floor over a cheap diaper changing pad that we got for $5. 

cashewchicken

My recommendation: First Years Take and Toss bowls and cups! These are super cheap but so functional! I have so many different types and brands of cups from sippy to straw to 360, but the take and toss straw cup is the cup we use at home for milk. The cups and bowls are so easy to clean too. 
Silicone bib is also a must now that my son uses fork and spoon to eat and he drops his food all the time. 
@Tulips29 Thanks for your recommendation on the silicone reusable bags! I was looking for something like this to store my son’s dirty place mats and utensils when we go out. Hate using the ziploc bags as they are quite wasteful and not environmentally friendly. 

mbradfo2

@dukie001
We got the basic 50 dollar mattress from Graco and it's been fine! -- no issues, seems nice and firm but still comfy, etc. Anne is a big fan of her crib and mattress and has slept in it since early on -- every kiddo is a little different. We also got a breathable baby mesh liner so she wouldn't get her limbs stuck in the crib bars but it was mostly ineffective since she would just stick her arms and legs out above the liner. 

[Deleted User]

We got the babyletto pure core for the mini crib and I plan to get the same thing in the full-size version for her floorbed. (Right now she has a minicrib size floorbed, too, but at almost a year, mostly still sleeps in our room / sidecar anyway.  Just maybe in her room for daytime naps etc).  I like the organic aspect since she's going to be spending so much time on it, but who knows. Lol

I am curious about lunch stuff too.  We currently use glasslock baby containers and a couple small snack size ziplocks, but once she's old she'll need something she can kind of manage herself a little better.  It drives me bonkers, school just throws out the bags when all it had was toast or cheese in it for a few hours!!!  But I haven't bothered to say anything.  I'm more afraid they would throw out my reusable bags, unless they were super obvious like the planet wise ones.

We are starting to use the first years 360 cup, and she drinks from it, but it's so slippery!  I have a munchkin stainless she likes, but I'm not likely to send that to school.  Was maybe going to try the nuk Everlast 360?  I was also looking as the oxo straw bottles?  Does straw cup come after 360?  As she gets closer to a year, I'm stressing / not stressing about switching off bottles for daytime anyway

wildrainbow

So, definitely need the EZ Happy mats. They make bowls, plates, and placemats. The placemats are awesome for when you are going out to eat!! We use them all the time and the stick to the table really well. I second the silicone bib, especially with the food catcher. They are great for keeping kiddos clean, especially when out. 

I am going to add that the Bag Nation backpack diaper bag is amazing!! It holds all the things, which is great since I use it for ds1 and the baby. I stay really organized with it, and it has a lifetime warranty. 

cashewchicken

@BusinessWife I don’t think the straw cups come after 360. Since the eventual goal is to drink from a cup like adults, I’d think that if your baby can drink from 360 now, you should stick with it. I think only the sippy cups (with a spout) you should aim to graduate from since they are supposedly not good for oral development. But if you are looking for straw cups, I use Avent for my son to take to his daycare and I like it. 
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/SCF792_21/avent-straw-cups
I also like the Foogo one for milk when we go out, but it gets heavy so I don’t recommend it for daycare. 
https://www.thermos.com/genuine-thermos-brand-foogo-vacuum-insulated-stainless-steel-straw-bottle-10oz.html
@wildrainbow I love the ezpz mats too! The first one we got was for the Stokke high chair tray and we didn’t like it. It was easy to flip and toss. And the darn thing does not stick to the tray. SMH. But my SIL gave us the Happy Mats and we loved them! Significantly heavier and more difficult to toss the mats aside. I just ordered the bowls (Happy Bowl and Mini Bowl) to take for the trip. 

PoeMasque

Just my two cents about all the sticky and not so sticky mats for food - we got several of them and no matter what our kiddo found a way to unstick them (probably those long nails I can never get trimmed!). We just went back to putting small amounts of food on the bare table and when he wanted more he just asked for more. He’s now 21mos and will sit with a normal plate full of food at the table with no issue. Basically he wasn’t ready for a plate or container and now he is. We are going through the same with utensils and regular cups right now - he can do them in small doses, but he’s not ready to fully transition. 

Like all things in parenting, every kid is different and will do things on their own timeline - and most kiddo products are a waste of money haha. (We also never used bibs, they were just another item to wash and he still got food everywhere!)

caitiemae

@PoeMasque I'm with you, I never bothered with bibs because we still had food on our clothes.  The only one that ever worked for us were the ones that are long sleeved smocks.  

I'm have to admit I'm pretty cheap and didn't really splurge on anything for my daughter.  Instead of doing a bumpo chair, I got one from Boppy that lasted way longer.  We used it all the time when we traveled since my daughter didn't always do well in high chairs.  Another item I was a big fan of was th Angelcare monitor.  It's a much cheaper alternative to having an owlet monitor and you don't have to worry about it irritating your babies skin.  Pretty much, it's just a super sensitive motion detector pad.  So if you baby stops breathing (or most likely just rolls into a corner of the mattress), it'll sound an alarm.  You do get some false alarms, but it worked pretty well once I got the sensitivity dialed in.  And it definitely helped eased my anxiety some.   And it definitely works, because it'll alarm if you forget to turn it off when you pick up the baby.