NCP: Best and worst?

RedZee

What were some of the best/most helpful baby/toddler purchases you made? The things that you were really happy not to have to live without?

What were some of the things that were total wastes of money?

[I'm posting and running and will respond later today.]

CaniacMom

Best/Helpful Baby/Toddler Purchases 

Joshua loved the bouncy seat - it was great to have a safe place to sit him. 

 Stroller - I have a nice Britax stroller - it is easy to push, has good storage underneath and is easy to fold up.  Plus I like the two cupholders for the parents.

 Total Wastes of money

He was ok with the swing - it was a hand-me-down so I am glad I did not have to pay for it. 

Bumbo Seat - received one as a gift-  used it very little and I had a terrible time trying to get the tray to attach to it.

SweetHurricane

It's always funny seeing how peoples' opinions vary on these things. One man's trash is another man's treasure  

Waste: boppy, cart cover, receiving blankets, gowns and sleep sacks, newborn hats/socks/mittens, bouncer

Life savers: Swing, Miracle Blanket, formula dispensers, FP activity mat, jumperoo, Itzbeen

I'm also glad we went with a travel system. A lot of people don't like them, but it was perfect for our needs. We have the Metrolite, so it's not heavy or bulky.

Doodle2011

Best: sleep sack, FP crib-mounted musical projector, bouncy seat (I would bring that into the bath when I showered), snap & go stroller, Bumbo

Worst: FP Little Lamb swing (she was like "meh"- I should have gotten something much smaller/cheaper), receiving blankets (we had waaaay too many and the ones we took home from the hospital were the only ones that worked well).

MarSamWhitney

Best, Swing, Bouncer, jumperoo.

Worst,  Bumbo (Hardley used it) Craddle, she hated it.

RedZee

Best:

swaddle blankets (miracle and swaddle me were both great)
swing - I seriously love that thing
Pack N Play - she slept in it at the beginning and I still put her in when I'm getting dressed and stuff and I was really hesitant about getting it
FP diaper bag
Skip Hop wipes dispenser (we have 2 of them)
Bright starts ingenuity high chair
FP precious planet high chair

Worst:

receiving blankets - I still don't know what they're used for and barely needed them
high chair cover - we got one and used it twice 'cause it was a PITA and the straps don't fit through the openings of the one we had. Plus, she picks up tons of germs in other ways. The high chairs are gross but whatever.
musical mobiles that you attach to the side of the crib. They just kept her awake
bouncer - she always played on the floor 'cause she couldn't get anywhere anyway and once she could she wouldn't stay in the bouncer anyway
foam to put on table edges and corners - she ripped it right off and it ruined our table

debperdoo

Best:
Swaddle blankets - the only way we could get any sleep at night
Go-pod - it is like a bag chair for babies that toys attach to, it is so portable we took it everywhere we went.
jumperoo - this would keep him entertained and confined, we had the jungle version.
formula dispensers - I agree with PP these were huge lifesavers and made going out much easier then carrying a container of formula

Worst:
Cradle - he hated sleeping in this - we just moved him to his crib, I sold it because I dont plan to use it for another child
Swing - he did not really like to be in this, and the batteries were almost always in need of changing
bouncy seat - much preferred the floor
receiving blankets - because he slept in swaddle blankets we didnt really use them unless we put him down on the floor or something, and I have like 4 packages that haven't been used at all.

 

ffejsGirl

Worst: never really used the boppy or the bumbo much, bottle warmer, infant bibs (my kids weren't really droolers and never spit up)

Best: nursing tanks, video monitor, infant seat (love our chicco keyfit) and my moby because I couldn't have survived Aiden's colic without it.

 

Doodle E actually loved her FP lamb swing (I got a steal on it though off craigslist for $50 so I didn't care either way) 

RedZee

Good call ffejs - nursing tanks and the infant car seat were probably the absolutely best things. I regularly miss the infant car seat.