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Maryland Babies
jadebaby
member
What baby items aren't necessary?
jadebaby
member
I know I have a little while before we start registering for baby gear. (Hoping Nugget cooperates at the anatomy scan) Are there things that you ladies bought or received that you never really used? I feel like I will be very overwhelmed when we start the process. Did you take anyone with you besides DH? I know my DH won't really know what stuff to get and what we can skip, just like I won't know. TIA!
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Re: What baby items aren't necessary?
miscarriage on 11/26/09 at 5w6d
Get a copy of Baby Bargians - it's a lifesaver in terms of understanding what you need, what you don't and also which items are safest and top rated.The good thing with registries now is that they're online and you can modify whenever. I must have changed and added to ours a million times. I also stalked other people's registries to see what they got to give me ideas.
In terms of what I've found I don't use so far, and I may be in the minority, but I don't use the Boppy for nursing. I found it's more uncomfortable to use it than not so we don't use anything. We do use it for her to lay in and for tummy time so it's still worthwhile if you use it for that.
Do not register for a single blanket - you will get tons. People love buying/making them and we're set with blankets for life.
That's all I can think of right now - so far we're using a lot of what we got.
Someone's getting a little brother!
We didn't get enough blankets and had to go buy more. I thought the dishwasher bottle rack thing was a waste. Also, clothes. We got a TON! DD was so small that we had to go get preemie stuff. Alot of the NB & 3 month stuff that she now fits into is not weather appropriate (think fleece and long sleeves).
Baby bargains is a HUGE help
I received about 10 or 20 receiving blankets. I should of taken at least 10 of them back.Don't register for any clothes either, because people will buy you them. No need to buy or register for the bedding set. You can buy all of them seperate for a cheaper price.
I would take your SIL or a friend who has been pregnant recently. Or even take a friends register w/you.
The items that I got that I used the most:
Rocking Chair with nursing Ottoman (from Babies R Us)- It has a part underneath that pulls out for you to put your feet up on. This helds postiion you better for nursing. I actually wanted a recliner, but DH got me the rocking chair for Christmas. I have used it every day, multiple times a day since the end of my 2nd trimester. I was afraid that the oatmeal color would get dirty but it hides the spit up stains very well.
Nursing PJs to take to the hospital: (BRU)- A gift from my mother that I would have never thought about. It was very nice to be able to have something to wear other than the hospital gown hen visiting DD in the NICU. I used it a lot the first 3 months or so after DD came home.
Boppy- I got the Boppy and the My Breast Friend. I preferred the Boppy because I have big hips and the My Breast Friend didn't seem to fit right. This is the single most used shower gift I got, hands down. Register for a couple different covers for the inevitable vomit incidents and for when you get sick of having pink paisley in all LOs pictures.
Robe: I am NOT a robe peson, or at least I wasn't until after DD came along. But when you have to be up feeding LO in the middle of the night a nice soft robe make getting out of bed a little nicer.
Items I did NOT buy:
Breast Pump- If you are unsure about BF longer than 3 months it is more cost effective to rent it from the hospital. I had planned to buy one when I was ready to return to work so that I would have the nice carrying case, but my milk supply tanked at 3 months. 4 month rental from hospital = $240. Cost to buy same pump was $300. Also, if you have an FSA you may be able to get reimbused for pump rental.
Diaper Genie/Diaper Champ: Per all the books I read no matter what they all eventually stary to smell if they are made of plastic. The only think that won't leach the odor would be a metal can with a tight fitting lid. I couldn't find a cheap metal can that didn't have a plastic lining so I bought a cheapie plastic pail and will trash it and get a new one when necessary.
Other Ideas:
Register for several different brands of diapers, wipes, bottles and pacifiers (if you plan to use them.)
We tried many different types of diapers and figured out that the LUVS worked just fine for DD. They were $10 cheaper per box and I was buying a box a week. That is a HUGE savings.
For Pacis- the only ones DD could keep in her mouth were the regular old Playtex (non-orthodontic) ones. DD was severly tongue tied and it effected her ability to suck.
Be open to trying generics.
The active ingredient in the target brand diaper cream is exactly the same as the maximum strength desitin and about 1/2 the price. (It's in a red box with a train on it.) The generic for Tylenol, Mortin and Gas Drops are also all about 1/2 the price of the brand item.
FDA regulates formulas very stricly. If you are going to use it, I suggest starting out with the Target or BRU brand. The nutrion is the same and you'll save about $5 per large tub.
Ditto everyone on the blankets. The only ones I have used so far are the aidan and anais blankets. We took one of the recieving blankets from the hospital and DH has used that a few nights to swaddle her, but otherwise they are just sitting on her changing table.
Also definitely get the baby bargains book. You will use it even after the baby gets here.
Itzbeen. I registered for it, got it and haven't even touched it. At the hospital we had to fill out a log on feedings, wet & dirty diapers, but it never crossed our minds to use it. And once we got past the 6th day, we didn't keep track of these things anymore.
Like 90% of it.
Blankets, baby bedding/coordinating accessories. They are cute, but you can't use most of the baby bedding anyway - so its kind of a waste. All the hooded towels and wash clothes. You need a handful of this stuff, but people will give you far more than you need. I got like 10 towels, but we only bathed Ella 2-3 times a week, so I never used all of them and once she was over ~ year, we didn't use them and she didn't want them. She's now fixated on her one hooded toddler towel and we use that 99% of the time.
Complicated baby bath tub, fancy (expensive) high chairs w/ padding, expensive strollers. Changing table & pad. I thought it was easier most of the time to either change DD on the floor or the sofa w/ a towel underneath.
We really didn't use our pack and play very much - maybe 3 months really when DD was starting to crawl and I needed to contain her.
You need a crib (obviously) and a place for your LO to sleep when they are first born, probably in a basinette or PNP in your room, remember they will probably be in your room for 2-4 months. You need a simple stroller, like a snap and go and at least one infant car seat, maybe 2. You should get a simple (cheap) swing and bouncy chair. I never used my boppies - it was easier for me to use a sofa cushion.
Register for a bunch of different bottles so you can try different ones. Don't register for a breast pump - if you don't know if you want/can pump and maybe you will end up renting a hospital one, etc.
Jade have you ever been to Lucie's List?? It's a really great resource for so many different things. If you sign up for the newsletter (which is also really nice!) you get this checklist of registry basics that I found really helpful when registering. I just really love the site and cannot say enough good things about it. It gives a very honest and funny view of baby related products and issues.
https://www.lucieslist.com/
Realistically, 97% of what ends up on a baby registry is "unnecessary", but let's face it - a lot of that stuff makes our lives easier. I'm glad I had a swing and a formula dispenser and a bottle basket (it held the nipples and other small pieces - the bottles themselves just went on the top rack) for the dishwasher.
People kept saying to me "you can never have too many onesies, receiving blankets, towels and/or washcloths!" They lied. I was swimming in all of those items and had WAY too many. Onesies weren't my preferred clothing for Mia, so most of them were never even worn. She HATED being swaddled, so while I needed a few receiving blankets for lightweight covers when we were out/putting under her when changing her diaper, I didn't need a drawer stuffed with them. And I started using regular towels and washcloths pretty quickly - the baby ones just weren't necessary.
I think wipe warmers are utterly ridiculous and a total waste. They dry the wipes out and you can't carry it with you, so your child is going to have cooler/room temp wipes at some point unless you intend to never leave the house. If the wipes are truly cold, warm them in your hands for a moment before putting on their skin. It's a stupid gadget. Seriously, I get irrationally aggravated by them.
I registered for and received a bottle warmer and a bottle sanitizer and both were huge wastes. The bottles all went through the dishwasher, which was fine 'n' dandy for cleaning and sanitizing. We formula-fed and ended up just making her bottles room temperature at all times. Warming them was never necessary.
I regret the Travel System, too. The infant carseat and base are great, but that massive stroller was just ridiculous. It didn't get a lot of use and it's been in the baby graveyard (our basement) for forever now. If we have a second I'll definitely pick up a different stroller.
I've seen the feeding/diaper changing tracking gadget on more recent registries and think it's silly. We tracked that stuff for the first week of Mia's life, when we were in the hospital, but after that we just didn't need it. If there were health concerns then yes, I can see a need for tracking, but even then I don't think you need a gadget to do it.
I didn't have a changing table, either. When Mia was really little, she slept in a PnP (which we got a lot of use out of until she was big enough to climb out of) in our room and we just changed her on our bed. When she transitioned to the crib in her room, we changed her in our room or on the floor in her own room. The bulk of our time was spent on our main level and we either changed her on the couch or on the floor. Friends of ours run upstairs every time they have to change a diaper, and it just seems like such a hassle to me. I had nice canvas bins from Target on each floor to hold a blanket (to change on), diapers, wipes, diaper cream, an extra pacifier and an extra outfit so that I had everything I needed right there.
ETA: And I agree with Carrie - I wish I hadn't purchased a full-size highchair. The space footprint of the thing was massive and it was clunky and ugly and annoying. Baby #2 will have a space-saving one that fits to a regular dining room table chair.
you're probably right, I just wish they had spent some time narrowing down what you "really" need. The big highchair was the biggest waste - I'm still annoyed that I bought that thing instead a cheapo hard plastic chair that you can hose off. Cleaning the crevices of a padded chair is disgusting.
you're probably right, I just wish they had spent some time narrowing down what you "really" need. The big highchair was the biggest waste - I'm still annoyed that I bought that thing instead a cheapo hard plastic chair that you can hose off. Cleaning the crevices of a padded chair is disgusting.
Totally off topic but love that you call LO Nugget. We call DS Nugget or Nugs for short!
It's times like this I wish TN had a "like" button.
For some crazy reason DH insists on the Dreft. He thinks I am being "cheap" if I buy anything else. For me it just isn't worth the fight so I let him "win" that one. LOL.
While every baby and family are different here is what we found useless.
1. hooded towels, the big normal ones are much better and snuggling a wet baby
2. baby shoes-don't know why we got like 4 pairs, never used them. DS walked at 11 months, why would we ever need 3 month sized shoes???
3. butt cream/paste. We use vaseline at the tiniest hint of redness and within a few hours of slathering that stuff one, redness gone.
4. like others said we got waaaaay too many blankets and outfits and didn't register for any of them.
5.bumbo seat, he just didn't like it
What we did get a lot of use out of, but of course each baby is going to be very different on what they like.
1. travel swing-those huge full size one's take up too much space and the travel one's are nice and compact
2. Pack n play- we used the bassinet for the first 3 months in our room and we still put DS in it in the mornings with milk and a snack while we run around and get ready.
3. play mat-he could lay there for hours and try to grab those hanging toys.
I second the detergent, we have always used a Free & Clear detergent and dryer sheets and did when DS was born, I can't stand the scent of detergents and I would think that what creates the scent in them could be irritating to a baby's skin. IMO the less in the product the better.
And I have to agree with the changing table, just another piece of furniture that is a waste and takes up space. The very popular Ikea Hemnes dresser is great for a baby, the pad sits on the top and there are 4 square shaped drawers at the very top that are great for holding diapers, wipes, little socks, hats, etc. and keeping the top of the dresser clutter free. I LOVE this dresser, huge drawers that fit pretty much all of his clothes and smaller drawers for the little accessories.
Jade- If you ever want to borrow some of Annabelle's items, you are certainly welcome too. Actually I would suggest borrowing or looking at hand me downs. I got a ton of clothes and play mats, bassinet, pnp as handy me downs.
Lots of great advice above and I just wanted to add, since I'm not sure if it was mentioned-
Anything "Newborn" size (diapers, clothes, etc) DO NOT take the tags off or lose the receipts! Even up to the end of my pregnancy, I had put on an average amount of weight and the 38 week anatomy scan didn't show DD measuring too large so I went ahead and opened a huge box of newborn diapers and washed a lot of newborn sized clothes. We were surprised when she was born at 10lbs and I was upset I couldn't use or exchange any of it.
I agree with a lot of the above, but this one has been on my mind lately. I wish I had gotten the high chair thing that attaches to a chair instead of the whole big thing because we don't have a lot of room and he really only used it for like 6 months. He is pretty much done with it now and gets mad when we put him in it. We got out SD's old booster and he loves being at the table with us.
I never used my Boppy, I hated it. That would be something perhaps you could borrow from a friend (I borrowed and was so glad I didn't spend the money). to try it out.
Baby bath tub. Never used it, not once.
I think I'm in the minority with the big high chair. We still use ours and I love it. We have our dining room table pushed against the wall so the three of us can sit at that and we just bring the high chair over for Ava to sit in.
Ditto about the changing table. We just wound up removing the changing pad and using it as a regular dresser and putting stuff on top.
Also, like Kathryn said, you don't need to fancy bedding since you'll only use a couple of things that come in it. We just used the dust ruffle and curtains so it was a huge waste of money. With this one, I'm just getting a dust ruffle and a few sheets that match.
I should add that I got a my brestfriend and I LOVED it. I HATED the boppy. We have an armsreach co-sleeper (like a pnp) and we do like it.
Try to buy used. We bought a vibrating chair and play mat used.
Also, if you can, try borrowing an infant carrier. DD likes to be held A LOT, so we are getting a lot of use out of ours, but some babies don't like them.
Definitely do NOT take tags off of clothes, you may have a bigger (or smaller) LO than you anticipate and all of those things will go to waste.
ETA:
I thought of some more things that I agree with. I think a changing table is a waste of money; we just use a changing pad on a dresser (it is bolted on, so it won't slide off).
Baby bathtub - we bought the foam insert to put in the regular tub, but usually, I just take a bath or shower with her. It's easier, quicker and she likes it better.
Everybody says something different, because it's true - everybaby is different, every parent is different. Never used a jumperoo with my first baby she hated it, or exersaucer or anything like a playpen. My second LIVES for the jumperoo, she sees it and gets excited. #2 Loves the swing, #1 hated it. #1 never needed teething toys because she never put anything in her mouth, #2 loves them.
What we never ever used: pacifiers (we got 10, never used a single one with either baby) baby wipe warmer (weird, IMO) Baby Bjorn (uncomfortable as can be) bottles (Never ever used a bottle with either baby - after a few months, I started #1 on a straw cup, and when I start solids with #2 I am using a straw cup then - I just nursed her before then)
My advice - try to get as many gift cards or returnable items you can and buy stuff as you think you may need them.
I just have to say how helpful all of your responses were!
Thanks!