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D.C. Area Babies
kastle
member
Absolute, Must-Have
kastle
member
If you had to pick just one or 2 things that you couldn't live w/out in the first year of your baby's life, what would they be?
This weekend I'm starting the registry...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Absolute, Must-Have
can't register for it
but my #1 must-have for DD was my boob
as for items you can actually buy...car seat/stroller, onesies (but don't register for these, you'll get more than enough), sleep sack, swaddle-me blankets (I never tried the Miracle blanket but others love it).
we also really got a lot of use out of our bundle-me but DD was an Oct baby (although yours will still be in the carseat you can put in the stroller when it gets cold)
I don't think there is one must-have item, everyone has something they loved but the ONLY thing I really couldn't have lived w/out was the boob - it provided not just nutrition but so much comfort to my DD
1. A doorway jumper like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Bumper-Jumper-Little-Jungle/dp/B000WJLKQM
DD absolutely LOVED it and it was a huge help to me when I needed to cook dinner or take a shower when DH wasn't home.
2. Snap n Go stroller like this one: https://tinyurl.com/yhg7as4
It made life so much easier when DD and I would run errands. Just pop the carseat out of the car and into the Snap N Go. It has a ton of storage room underneath and is very easy to maneauver. Once I switched DD to a convertible car seat and regular stroller, I longed for the days of the Snap N Go!
ooohh good question! DS LOVED his boppy chair. He didn't sleep in his crib until 3 months. It was a life saver in those tough first few weeks.
A bag to keep his bottles cold. We've gone through two of them so far- esp with traveling and commuting.
I'd love to see what other moms have found helpful....
This is impossible for you to know in advance, but our baby has Reflux, so this bassinett/sleeper has been a GODSEND. When we would lay her flat in her crib, she'd start screaming, so we bought this, and have been sleeping great ever since:
https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-Sleeper-Yellow/dp/B002M77N22
Also, the BundleMe is awesome for winter months. It keeps her SO warm when we're out on a cold day.
Also, not sure if you picked a stroller yet, but I am in LOVE with ours, because it reclines almost all the way flat, so we can put her in it already and go for walks, whereas most other strollers are not for newborbns because they don't recline flat. We have the Baby Jogger City Mini. I freakin love this stroller, and it's definitely on our Best-of list. It is a one-hand fold, and it's so lightweight.
Good luck!
we use to this day a wedge in DD's crib, she also had really bad reflux and we just never took it out. Looks like this https://www.amazon.com/DEX-Products-Safe-Deluxe-SL-01/dp/B000056J6Q
we also religiously used the sleep positioner to keep her from rolling over in those first months (SIDS risk), looks like this: https://www.bestbabyproducts.com/head-n-back-sleep-positioner-for-infants.aspx
they even have a wedge and sleep positioner in one but I would not recommend that b/c you'll only use the positioner for a few weeks
I would also suggest installing an overhead fan in the nursery - this has been proven to help prevent SIDS
and a humidifier for the cold/dry months and when baby has a cold (since you can't give cold meds to newborns)
- a swing-type thing. We actually had this glider, which is a lot smaller and a great place to plop him when he was tiny.
- right now, C is obsessed with his jumperoo. he absolutely loves it.
Those are two big things that I would register for again. The snap-n-go stroller is great for the first few months. Swaddle Me blankets are fan-freaking-tastic and what I give to all of my friends now.
Do not register for clothes. People will give you more clothes than the kid can ever wear.
Thank you for this! I've been looking for a good bassinet - and Baby Bargains is no help on that topic..
I have to agree with PP that every baby and mommy are different, so it can be hard to guarantee "must haves" beyond the essentials of car seats, cribs and diapers...but here's my list:
1. Bouncy chair, bouncy chair, bouncy chair.
2. Playmat with hanging toys for using on the floor--we had one that was similar to this:
https://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=49716&pcat=buocean
The great part about this one over others was its versatility (can be used for tummy time or when the baby is on her back) and long use (turns into a tunnel for when the kid is older)
3. Diaper bag you're happy with...we had two--one that was larger which we used for day care and for traveling and one that was on the smaller side...as someone who hates moving around with too much junk, the smaller bag was great for running errands and everyday use.
4. And, yes, the boob...both of mine were indispensable for DD#1 and are shaping up that way for #2 too;)
We're swingers too, heh heh - we love the Fisher Price Cradle n Swing with a reverence that's almost unholy. And the Snap n Go was so easy and lightweight.
We also love our Skip Hop activity mat.
other than the usual diapers, clothes, crib, etc. my must-haves were
1. comfortable rocking chair...we spent hours in this thing and love it. we still rock him while reading to him before every nap and before bed time. it's an essential part of his world.
2. ditto pp about the bouncy seat. we had one upstairs and downstairs so we wouldn't have to lug it around. we used them constantly until warner was about 5-6 months old.
3. burp clothes and bibs. now you may not really need these, but if your baby has reflux, they will be your best friend. we would go through about a dozen or more a day of each. (god, I'm so glad he doesn't spit up anymore...life is so much easier!!!!)
Our must-haves included:
1. The swing. Anytime that poor child cried and we knew it wasn't for hunger, we assumed he wanted to swing. He'd probably still be swinging if he fit in the thing.
2. The FP jumperoo--We are really getting our money's worth out of this one. DS STILL wants to "jump jump" about once a day...we don't have the heart to put it away yet.
3. Baby Einstein playmat--the star that comes with this mat was magical. We used the star long after the mat was put away.
SWING! It was the only way we could get him to sleep for the first five months (probably silent reflux).
I loved having a stroller the baby carrier/infant carseat snapped into. Although I didn't use it that much since I usually wore BabyCrown.
Something to wear the baby: we had a Maya wrap (me) and Jeep baby carrier (DH). We graduated to a bigger carrier and I wore BabyCrown all over NYC and Philly on our travels.
And a rocking chair/glider. We still use it as BabyCrown gets a book read to him before nap & bedtime.
we had it too, and yes, that star was like baby crack LOL
I have to say we were one of those where DD did not like the swing. She would tolerate it for 2-3mins at a time but never ever loved it. I am hoping #2 will b/c it was a really generous gift from 3 friends and I really hope to get good use out of it!
My top two:
- Swing. DS would ONLY sleep on me or in the swing, so it was a lifesaver for us.
- Moby Wrap. Same reason as above.
There are so many "must-haves" out there. I didn't think the two items above would make any difference to me, but they were the two things I relied on the most.I forgot about this. DD loved the mat. It was niftily constructed so you could place your fidgety baby's legs near the cross supports and the baby would activate it whenever she kicked. There was lots of love for the star and mat in our house.
The swing was not a hit in our house...I wish we had registered for one of the cradle type ones that goes side to side and front to back.
I'd have to say for us the swadleme blankets and bouncers. We have a bouncer upstairs and downstairs too and LOVE them. He will occasionally nap in them but it's more for begin able to put him somewhere while we're showering, getting ready, etc.
And yes, my boob and breastpump.
Our Fisher Price Papasan Swing. We went through several swings, and this one was by far the best! It is super soft, comfy, and DD loved napping in it for the first few months. We used it every day until she was about six months old, and will use it for #2.
The Bjorn (or other baby carrier). I want to get an Ergo for Baby #2, but I used the Bjorn (and still use it occasionally) when going for walks, running errands, etc. I even wore her in the Bjorn while I vacuumed when she was about 3-9 months. Sometimes it is much easier to be hands-free, and still be able to cuddle with your baby. :-)
we LOVED our womb sound machine. we hung it on tomas' crib and turned it on when we put him down for naps/bed. it had a motion detector on it so it came back on when he stirred in the night, helping him to go back to sleep unless he was truly hungry. i tried looking up the model for a friend, but couldn't find it.
honestly, other than the obvious (crib, car seat, blankets, etc), the only other things that we really used regularly (but didn't expect to) were swaddlers. Tomas was a winter baby so he stayed swaddled for his first few months.
this bouncer seat..DS sleeps in it every night!!
https://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2003&e=demo&pid=43886
and ditto the snap and go stroller!!
Unlike many of the PP my LO was not a fan of the swing or the bouncy for the first few months so I highly recommend a baby carrier. We have the Ergo, the Maya sling and the Bjorn (all gifts). I loved and still love the Ergo. It was so nice to hold him but also be able to have two hands. About 3 months in he decided he LOVED the bouncy but I'm so glad we had carrier for the time before.
The other thing we could not live without was Aden and Anais swaddle blankets. They have them at BBB and Target. They are so great when they're little. They are soft and really cute. LO was swaddled for almost 6 months so we eventually had to switch to the Miracle Blanket and the SwaddleMe b/c he started breaking out but I loved the Aden and Anais when he was little b/c you can use them for more than just swaddling.
GL!
1) The swing! Some babies prefer bouncy seats to swings, but the swing was and is crucial to getting him to sleep when nothing else works. They're expensive but worth it for your sanity.
2) Some sort of swaddle. We used Miracle Blankets at first, then switched to Halo Sleep Sack Swaddles when he grew out of the Miracle Blankets. You'll also want more than one of whatever you pick because of the spit up/blowout potential.
Other things that you'll use later on are the jumperoo, an activity mat, a carrier, and some pacifiers. DS didn't really like the carrier until recently, but my Moby came in really handy on our recent trip to Philly. He also will only take one type of pacifier - it took some trial and error, but we figured it out and now have several.
Good luck! Registering is fun. LMH1209 sent me her registry list when we were registering and it helped a lot - it has Baby Bargains and Consumer Reports recommendations. I've added my own suggestions to it; if you're interested send me a PM.
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
1) Miracle Blanket
2) Bouncy Seat (We never used a swing)
3) Activity Mat
4) Ergo
We really like the newborn to toddler rocker. DS loves the musical dog (we have different color/characters than the link) and to nap and hang out in the chair.
https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3914613
I also second the Ergo carrier. MIL got us the infant insert to go in the carrier and putting him in there to walk around is the only way he'll calm down sometimes.
Run, Shivy, Run
Oh, man was that list helpful! It was so nice after reading Baby Bargains to have a quick list to refer to. I seriously planned my registry by adding a column to the spreadsheet!
Me too! And I've sent it on to a bunch of pregnant friends and coworkers.
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
After the absolutes like carseat and diapers, the two things I'd say are must haves:
1) some sort of swaddle blanket
2) a Moby wrap or something similar
Fisher Price Rainforest Bouncy Seat
First Years Spin and Store Drying Rack
Lots of onesie shirts to go under sleepers/one-piece outfits
Halo sleepsacks
Aquafor to help sooth irritated skin (eczema, chin rash, etc.)
LOTS of bibs for bottle feeding
If you are breastfeeding, definitely get a lanolin nipple cream
I loved my ergo, and so did DS. and DH was able to use it very easily when necessarily...I honestly don't think he would have figured out a wrap or something like that.
We had a bouncy seat that was so handy, I didn't even think about registering for one, but someone gave it to us....worked out great for when I had to shower, make dinner, etc, DS loved it. When he got older and bigger we started using a jumperoo and exersaucer...he loved them both but far preferred the exersaucer, it had more toys to entertain him, he could bounce a little and loved spinning around in it.
This came in very handy at first, instead of struggling with changing sheets: https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Comfort-Ultimate-Crib-Sheet/dp/B00003XAKP
That's all I've got for now.
Yup, just as everyone has said it's all different for everyone. For example, I really haven't used a lot of short-sleeve onesies as it was too cold. I ended up just using the long-sleeve ones or just sleep n' plays.
These are my or rather Allie's could-not-live-withouts:
- SwaddleMe blankets (have 2 or so)
- My Brest Friend nursing pillow (still use it for the overnight feedings)
- Snap n Go stroller and seat
- Sleep Sheep on the Go (I would never have bought this myself but my SIL buys them for everyone and it has been a Godsend, it stays attached to the carseat or moved to the Bob stroller)
- BabyBjorn
- Pack n Play Playard (the big one) - https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-TotBloc-Playard-Quilt/dp/B000056C86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1268447776&sr=8-1
- Sleep positioner wedge
- Exersaucer and jumperoo (loved these starting at the 4.5-month mark and they happily keep her occupied now)
- The Bumbo seat comes in pretty handy but she doesn't stay in it too long. I have a mover and a shaker. It confines her.
Allie never took to the papasan swing we have though I know people can't live without their swing. She also never really took to the bouncer seat.
This, exactly. Swing, jumperoo, swaddle mes. We also love our sound machine, burb cloths and bibs (we have a spitter), foam ABC mat (we have hardwoods in our main living area) and any toy that is light enough for her to grib and bring to her mouth or that lights up and plays music.