Registry: what items do you never use/use constantly?

preppynewlywed · January 2010

I am trying to do some baby registry research.

What items were a waste of your money/pointless registry gift?

Which items {include brand/style if possible} do you use more than you ever expected?

Gracias.

frootloop · January 2010

hotsling was my #1 unexpected favourite baby item ever.

wipe warmer = useless

tri047 · January 2010

Always use: boucer!

- bottle drying rack

- swing

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

always use-

swing

bouncer

TONS and TONS of blankets

leslie13510 · January 2010

I'll probably leave out a lot of stuff, because it's been a while, but I'll try and remember what we used the most at the beginning.

Used a lot: Bottle rack and brush, burp cloths (flat cloth diapers), swings, bibs (reflux baby!), individual serving formula containers, pacifiers (mine liked the Mam brand), onesies, footed sleepers, gowns, diapers (Pampers Swaddlers for us at first), Aveeno lotion, alcohol swabs for cord stumps, swaddling blankets (big receiving blankets - Carter's brand - at first, then Miracle Blankets), Diaper Genie II Elite (between the foot pedal and actually holding the smell I think it's worth the money)

Used a little, but could've done without: bouncers, infant hats and mittens, small receiving blankets, white noise CDs (we use a fan and/or radio), cutesy clothes in nb or 0-3 (at that age/size it's not worth the hassle it takes to get them on), shoes (unless it's too cold for just socks)

Useless (for us): wipes warmer, bottle warmer (they always took it room temp), Boppy, Bumbos, fleece swaddling blankets (even here in CO they'd sweat to death)

idavis · January 2010

MrsShrek1028:

always use-

swing - purs was the cradle swing. we used a friends one, but it was great because it does side to side as well as back and forth

bouncer - we used the fisher price "hoppy days"

TONS and TONS of blankets

This and the bottle drying rack like Tri said.

diaper pail, I would say get one like the champ or similar that used regular trash bags.

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

Oh yeah, something that was useless to me but almost everyone i know swears by them. Swaddling blankets, chloe hated to be swaddled at all.

i also loved my diaper champ. Pacifiers (like leslie's chloe liked MAM brand)

leslie13510 · January 2010

How could I forget this... their Rainforest Crib soothers. Fisher Price I think. They still go to sleep watching that darn little monkey swing back and forth, with the waterfall sounds. Now they're old enough to sit up and turn them on themselves, and that'll buy me an extra 15-20 minutes in the mornings to use the bathroom or shower or whatever before they get pissed and want out of their cribs.

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

leslie13510:
How could I forget this... their Rainforest Crib soothers. Fisher Price I think. They still go to sleep watching that darn little monkey swing back and forth, with the waterfall sounds. Now they're old enough to sit up and turn them on themselves, and that'll buy me an extra 15-20 minutes in the mornings to use the bathroom or shower or whatever before they get pissed and want out of their cribs.

our crib came with one (not that nice though) that played music and had a night light, it was a god send!!! I used to put the music on for chloe to listen to and keep her happy, and the night light was amazing for mid-night soothing so i didnt have to turn the light on and wake her all the way.

robinsokj · January 2010

I'm a bit of a baby bargains whore. According to that book the new diaper champ kinda sucks. Its nice that it takes regular bags, but it doesnt do its job. But, they raved about the newest version of Diaper Genie.

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

leslie13510 · January 2010

robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ETA: When we travel we just fill the bottles up with the water, and carry the powder in the little formula containers. When it's time for a bottle just turn the lid to a full compartment, pour the powder in the bottle, and shake it up.

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

robinsokj:
I'm a bit of a baby bargains whore. According to that book the new diaper champ kinda sucks. Its nice that it takes regular bags, but it doesnt do its job. But, they raved about the newest version of Diaper Genie.
Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

i have never read baby bargains but LOVED my diaper champ, actually the only reason i gave it away was because i switched to cloth (part time, now full time)

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

leslie13510:
robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ditto this!

oh and now that chloe is on milk (since 12months) she takes her milk straight from the fridge, no warming needed!

preppynewlywed · January 2010

fredalina:
Definitely a Moby wrap!

Got it for Christmas!

WinsyWade · January 2010

Waves to Froot:: Hi Froot! Your baby is adorable!

Have you ever seen that munchkin ducky for the tub? It is the best thing ever for your baby once they can sit up in the tub.

Can't live without the clothdiapers (gerber) used as burp rags

Love the munchkin diaper baggies to toss stinky diapers (esp at other peoples' houses)

Need zip front sleepers

I loved our bassinet this time around since N was bfing. She used it until about 2 weeks ago Embarrassed

I love the little lamb swing by fisher price. So cozy. Norah slept really well in it.

I love my Moby wrap too.

Hmmm... there's more. I'll add if I can think of stuff.

robinsokj · January 2010

leslie13510:
robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ETA: When we travel we just fill the bottles up with the water, and carry the powder in the little formula containers. When it's time for a bottle just turn the lid to a full compartment, pour the powder in the bottle, and shake it up.

What about if you were using bottled breast milk?

leslie13510 · January 2010

robinsokj:
leslie13510:
robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ETA: When we travel we just fill the bottles up with the water, and carry the powder in the little formula containers. When it's time for a bottle just turn the lid to a full compartment, pour the powder in the bottle, and shake it up.

What about if you were using bottled breast milk?

In that case I guess you'd need something to warm them in. I would imagine you'd probably just BF if you were out somewhere though (assuming they'll BF, and you don't have to EP). It would be easier to BF than to carry bottles of BM in a cooler, and worry about having somewhere to warm it up. I don't know though, we did formula from day 1 so I don't have experience in that area.

MrsShrek1028 · January 2010

robinsokj:
leslie13510:
robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ETA: When we travel we just fill the bottles up with the water, and carry the powder in the little formula containers. When it's time for a bottle just turn the lid to a full compartment, pour the powder in the bottle, and shake it up.
What about if you were using bottled breast milk?

my hospital gave me a diaper bag and in it was a little case that held an ice pack and 2 bottles. I just put her bottled BM in that (it will keep them chilled for up to 12hrs) and gave them to her like that, she never seemed t mind.

Ace1599 · January 2010

Godsend: Moby, SwaddleMe or the really large muslin blankets-the carters ones did NOT work for us, swing, travel swing for daycare ( I bought mine at a mom-to-mom) Bottle Drying Rack/Sanitizer bags (some say you dont need to sanitize but the hospital told us to do it once a day with my pump stuff and I just transitioned to once a week with his bottles) Mam Paci's, Baby Einstein Lullaby Cd, Infant sleep positioner, Vicks Invisible Mist Humidifier (we use it every single night, and bought one for our room too) Formula separater, bottle brush, Amy coe paci holder-keeps it from getting grody and is easy to get into with 1 hand because it's stiff.

Now that he is older we are loving the Bumbo and Sophie the Giraffe. I was so against buying her to begin with but he LOVES her. Also really like the "links".

Never used: Bouncer, Playmat/Activity mat, Carters blankets, baby washcloths-we just used ours. Ooodles of J &J wash lotion...IMO get a bottle wash/lotion and wait it out because you never know how sensitive baby's skin will be and even the sensitive kind may still be to harsh.

Thats all I got right now.

WinsyWade · January 2010

robinsokj:
leslie13510:
robinsokj:

Not to steal the post, but what do you think about auto bottle warmers. I dont plan on getting one for the hosue, but if we have stuff premade in a cooler in the car and need to feed would this be a good thing to have?

We just gave them room temp bottles from day 1 and never needed a bottle warmer of any kind. Now they'll take bottles warm, room temp, or even straight out of the fridge. I can only hope this makes the transition to milk a little easier.

ETA: When we travel we just fill the bottles up with the water, and carry the powder in the little formula containers. When it's time for a bottle just turn the lid to a full compartment, pour the powder in the bottle, and shake it up.

What about if you were using bottled breast milk?

If you keep them cold: Go to a gas station or coffee shop and ask for a 1/3 full cup of hot water (used for tea). They will give it to you for free. Put cold BM in hot water for about 3 mins and it'll be warm enough.

Although, BM can be out for up to 10 hours at room temp. You can put them in your diaper bag and use them as needed without keeping them cold.

annibes · January 2010

We use the following everyday: several burp rags (gerber prefold cloth diapers), bibs (we have a little drooler!), boppy, bouncer, jumparoo, playmat. He wears Carter's long sleeve bodysuits pretty much every day because they hold up well. For pajamas, he wears those Carter's terry cloth snap up sleepers. I don't like the zip ones as much even though they're a little easier to handle.

sweetpea7628 · January 2010

I agree witht the sling. I used the hell out of that thing. Best thing ever!

I never used the swing. Ever. Em just didn't care for it and she was either in my sling or in the bouncer or in her crib. We probably used it 2 times. And then we gave it to my sister since it took up too much space.

Also Em never used her bumbo. She just didn't care for it and then she started sitting on her own so it was useless.

(Pst...I'm in the minority here but I have a wipe warmer and I love it! Especially since we live in the fridged north!)

BabyBlank · January 2010

Didn't really read through the other responses...so, if I'm repeating, I'm sorry!!! My DD LOVED her bouncer when she was a nb. She still sits in it now sometimes...but it was a lifesaver at the beginning. Also, couldn't live without my diaper genie elite. I just toss her diapers in there...and then usually take it out once a week. Can't smell a thing - ever! Wonderful!

GL to you!!

PolishWonder · January 2010

Thanks for starting this thread, Preppy! Thanks to everyone for your opinions! I just went and updated my registry list. (Haven't registered yet, just making a list.)

Mrs.C042807 · January 2010

Use (or used) all the time:
washcloths, hooded towels, diaper genie II (a godsend!), swaddle me, moby wrap, bottle brush, bottle drying rack, playmat, bouncer, pack n play with bassinet and change table (for our bottom floor of our house... saves many trips upstairs), receiving blankets (for burp cloths), exersaucer, jolly jumper, plastic weaning spoons, sectioned feed dish, plastic cover for stroller, mosquito/uv net for stroller, formula dispenser, a small diaper bag for quick trips out, a bigger diaper bag for "overnight" trips

Not necessary/didn't use much:

bumbo, swing (didn't own one), receiving blankets (as blankets, they're too small)

iteachk · January 2010

Barely used: Boppy, nursing cover, Bumbo, Moby, swing, bouncer...can you tell my kid just wanted to be held?!?

Couldn't live without: Onesies, handheld video monitor, lots of receiving blankets, fleece sleepers, flannel sheets (for winter)

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