- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
February 2012 Moms
Mrs+Mouse
member
What's on your registry (& product recs)?
Mrs+Mouse
member
the post below got me thinking. what do i even need to register for and how do i know a good product from a super lame one? is there a good list somewhere?
second time mamas, what are your top baby product recomendations? what product would you warn us not to waste our money on?
thanks ladies.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: What's on your registry (& product recs)?
I went ahead and signed up with www.babybargains.com. I figured, it's like $5 more than the book, and you can get all of the same recs by them and you get to see/take part in the online community where you can get recs from other moms.
I've been told by several moms that the wipes warmer is the biggest waste of time/money.
I used this book when registering for baby #1. It was awesome!!
My favorite products:
1. Boppy Pillow - great for nursing
2. Miracle blanket - this thing is great for swaddling your baby. I wouldn't bother with the Swaddle Me's -- DS could break out of those in about 5 minutes after abotu 2 months.
3. Read this book, or watch the DVD: The Happiest Baby on the Block (it goes hand in hand with #2).
4. Swing -- we loved this one - it goes side to side and front to back.
5. Bouncer - we also had the FP Rainforest one.
I used #4 and #5 multiple times a day for several months!
6. Playmat - your baby will love this starting at about 3-4 months.
7. Jumparoo - DS LOVED this thing -- used it from about 4-8 months.
8. Baby carrier -- we love our Ergo carrier. Used it from the time the baby was about 2 months and still use it on our toddler. If you want I have heard good things about the moby wrap for when your baby is really small but I've never tried one.
9. Monitor -- get a Video monitor -- I wish I had done this with baby #1. We'll be upgrading this time around.
Waste of $$
1. Bumbo
2. Don't buy any of the big kits of bottles -- you never know what your DC will take. I would maybe register for a couple of different kinds. We liked the Playtex dropins.
3. Wipe warmer
Just remember to keep it simple. I registered for a bunch of stuff I found totally useless and ended up returning or selling.
Things like:
wipe warmer
bottle warmer
bottle sterilizer
swaddle me (a lot of people love these but DS hated having his arms swaddled so we just used receiving blankets)
crib bedding set (just get sheets and a couple fleece blankets)
various baby "toys" and activity things
We used our boppy, bouncy chair, and jumperoo more than anything.
love is for every her, love is for every him, love is for everyone
with DD here is my MUST list.
Wubbanub passy.
inclined sleep positioner (she had refulx)
Video monitor
sleep sacks
MOUNTIANS of onesies (it's good to layer winter babies and they poop up the back)
footed anything (socks suck when they are little, try to get ones that are like compression socks or with a compression around ankle so it'll stay on)
Boppy (great for BF, tummy time, anything really)
Bassinet (I BF so having her right there was GREAT!)
Boogie wipes
The nasal asparator from the hospital
The head scrubber from the hospital (we used it every bath and she never got craddle cap)
Cloth diapers to use as burp cloths (DD had reflux so the normal burp clothes were never enough)
bumbo (really got DD working on her sitting and holding her head up, since tummy time was always a fail)
swing
Eddie Bauer Travel Bed (folds up flat and is great for visiting friends and laying little down until you're ready to leave)
Music book that lights up too... was great at 4months and now at 20months.
Ergo carrier (i didn't like the bojourn but that was b/c we had a cheaper model so i didn't get enough back support)
things i didn't care about
wipe warmer (DD didn't care if it was cold or warm, she hated it regardless)
bottle warmer (i just used hot water and then found out DD didn't care if it was cold)
steamer thing for the microwave (I threw everything into the dishwasher)
swaddle anything (DD HATED to be swaddled, i'll try again though with #2)
Hand mittens to cover nails (yeah never stayed on)
Millions of stuffed animals
60% of the toys we bought
OK. I taught daycare, in the Infant Room, for THIRTEEN YEARS.
Rule Number 1: Don't go cheap on the diapers. You think they're all the same? NO. You can go cheap, but then you'll have LOTS MORE BLOWOUTS to deal with and pee that seeps out. You have to change more frequently, they smell more like pee, and do more laundry. Remember. 13 YEARS of infants. Some prefer Huggies( I HATE THEM!! The stupid tabs pop off and waste a whole dipe!), but I LOVE pampers swaddlers/cruisers. They have coupons every month in P&G and Target does a sale each month where you buy two boxes, get a 10 gift card(cheaper than cheap). Luvs work pretty well for cheapies.
Boppy's are AMAZING. You can and will use them to nurse, and then to prop baby for back and tummy time. Get covers you can wash!!! Or you will be sorry. LOL Just a couple. Also, I saw that they have a cover with a little seat strap. Get it, so baby is not slipping down constantly.
Get the swings that go side to side or back to front. The only thing is, some kids LOVE a swing and it saves your butt. Others, like my DS, HATE them. He sat in one for 10mins twice. That's it.
The BEST swaddler blankets- The cheapie packs of, like, ten or twelve you can get that are like the ones in hosp. They are not as soft, but the roughness keep them snug and tight. They are also good for spit up and since they come in a big pack, you're not having a cow to wash immediately when there's something on them, bc you got lots. And they fold up small in dipe bag;0)
I loved my bassinet in bedroom. All I had to do was roll over, instead of go down the hall. LOL
Register for a "play gym." Choose whichever you think is fun and has the most stuff to switch out and play with. It's something you'll use, but it's not a priority for YOU to buy. An Aunt or Grandma will appreciate that on the list.
A bath cradle or bath tub. I like the cradle you can put in the tub, it saves space and is easier to deal with. It stessed me out to try and hold him in the sink. And kind of grossed me out. So, we used this soft thing that looked almost like a bouncer. Loved it.
Be sure and register for a few clothes, towels, socks and blankets you LIKE. I ALWAYS like to buy a bath tub and then add baby wash, towel, wash cloths, rubber duckie and PJ's to it;0)
The bottle most-used EVER, and I am talking 75% over 13 years, were Playtex Nursers. But. My son would only take cheapie nipples and old school bottles. LOL Just keep them in boxes with receipts.
We got a hand me down Bumbo and it was fun to put DS in, but I would only get that 2nd hand at a garage sale. Wipe warmers are disgusting after awhile. I never had a monitor, but he sleeps with us, so....
Every child is different so it depends but here would be my list:
Pampers in the beginning - they seemed to be the only diaper that held the best for us.
Register for different bottles bc you never know which one is going to work.
Swing - get one of the cradle ones that goes side to side, trust me on this. we had front to back and it was a waste of money - dh was a puker (he had reflux) he hated it. The cradle ones go side to side and front to back
Pacifers - register for different ones bc again you never know which one they will take.
Homemedics sound machine - it is known around these parts as the baby crack machine. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Waterproof mattress pads - buy 2 bc at 2am when you can't think you just throw the other one on.
Sheets get quite a few bc again at 2am you can't think.
Play mat - I would get one with a mirror on top - they love to look at themselves.
Monitor - we didn't have a video one and we were fine with that. The video ones are great if you can control yourself not to watch it 24/7.
Pack and plays - you need one downstairs - huge help when you can put the baby down and do things in the kitchen.
DS had reflux really bad so ergo carriers were out and so was the bumbo, We had the bumbo but I would definately buy 2nd hand or borrow.
Never had a diaper genie bc I thought they were a waste. We just bought scented bags and threw the diapers out. Bottle warners and wipe warners, I don't understand.
I read Baby Bargains book to see product recs. I also price shopped around and read online reviews.
I think the wipe warmers and car bottle warmers were a waste. I never did the wipe warmer, but I did by the car bottle warmer, and it sucked! It didn't heat up enough. Boo!
1. Side-snap t-shirts. Way easier with a newborn than onesies.
1. Side-snap t-shirts. Way easier with a newborn than onesies.
2. If you are having a boy, lots of cheap washcloths to cover his "stuff" during diaper changes. Unless you enjoy getting pee in your eye.
3. Don't register for newborn clothing. Your baby may be too big to wear it, and even if he or she is small enough, they often outgrow it in about 3 weeks. When my son was born, we did go out and buy a couple of NB outfits, but I am glad we didn't have too much.
I am very budget conscious, I did a lot of research and price checking when registering / buying baby gear.
I agree with what previous posters have said, get the swing that goes side to side and front to back. The swing was essential for my DD, she napped in it all the time. Also, make sure you get one that plugs in to an outlet, you'll go through a TON of batteries otherwise. I think ours is FisherPrice..... love it!
I skipped the baby bathtub and just washed DD in the regular bathtub, just a small amount of water in the bottom and it worked just fine.
If I had to do it over again, I would have gotten a bouncer chair that was a little cheaper. We registered for a really nice $70 bouncy chair and although its cool, it doesn't bounce much. I think we would have been just as well off with one of the less expensive options --- $30 - $40.
Also skipped the diaper genie, we just took our diapers outside every time and it was fine. (I often didn't do this in the middle of the night, just laid them on the changing table until morning). I found the less noise and activity in the middle of the night the better for everyone. Also, this probably wouldn't work as well for apartment dwellers.
We also registered for the uber-expensive baby Einstein jumper (it was the one item DH really wanted), DD didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the cheap-o doorway bouncer. The cheaper one provided a lot more springiness and DD would seriously bust-a-gut while jumping in that thing.
We got two Halo brand wearable swaddle blankets from the hospital, they were the fleece kind and I loved them. Will definitely use them again with our Feb baby.
I didn't have one but I heard awesome things about the Fisher Price Rock-n-Play sleeper. I bought one for a friend of mine's baby shower and I just saw her and her three week old this weekend, she said it was by far her favorite baby item.
Strollers.... I opted to skip the giant travel system. They are heavy and difficult to maneuver. I picked up a stroller frame off of craigslist for $20, I highly recommend them, especially for little babies. You can pop the carrier in and go for walks, the store whatever. Once DD got a little bigger we got a light, easy to maneuver stroller with larger wheels. We go for a lot of walks in the evenings and this has been nice.
Likes:
1. Fisher Price swing (although she only used it a few months)
2. Boppy or nursing pillow
3. Glider
4. Aiden & Anais swaddling blankets (made of muslin which can be warm or super light (depending on how you fold) and much bigger than other swaddling blankets
5. Jumperoo - LOVED this thing.
6. Bouncer - great for when I hopped in the shower. Just brough DD with me in the bathroom!
7. Movement Monitor - woulda been a nutcase without it!
8. Wipe warmer - would you like something cold on your bum in the middle of the night?!
9. flannel sheets for a winter baby - don't get cool to the touch like cotton
10. "The ultimate sheet" - if you have a baby where blowouts/heavy wetter. They hook on crib rails so you don't have to take mattress out to change in the middle of the night. So easy!
11. cool mist humidifier
12. Baby cozy car seat cover (or the like)- AWESOME in the winter! I like that style versus the JJ Cole one b/c it only leaves a little hole for LO's face vs. the Jj Cole version that leaves entire upper body exposed to the cold. Plus, it fits just over the top of the car seat instead of through the straps like the Bundle Me type do.
Disslikes:
1. Blankets especially made for swaddling (Miracle Blankets, etc) DD LOATHED being swaddled...so now what do I do with all those darn blankets that do nothing but fold into a swaddle?! Hopefully this LO likes to be swaddled.
2. Hand mittens - DD occassionaly scratches herself. But seriously, babies survive for 30 weeks in the womb of doing whatever they want with their hands...now they can't handle it??
3. infant booties - socked worked just fine
4. Gerber receiving blankets- they're too small to do anything useful. See #4 above.
Can't think of anything else right now. If/when I do, I'll come back and add more.
Enjoy registering!
Oh! I second skipping the huge travel systems. I had a Snap n' Go (whatever the baby trend universal one is called) and LOVED it! So easy and small!
The Fisher Price Rock & Play Sleeper is an AWESOME item. It is only $60 and so, so useful.
It is approved for use as a bassinet (it has mesh sides for safe sleeping) and has a nice straight angled back so it helps reduce spit up and is very comfy for babies with reflux or babies that just like to sleep/nap on an angle.
It is also a nice height so baby is at arm's length when you are sitting on the couch or in bed. It's super lightweight and portable.
We used it primarily for naps but our DD loved it so much she slept and played in it quite often in her early days (she liked this MUCH better than her bouncer or swing).
It comes in a few cute colors now too.
I recommend this to all my friends as my #1 MUST HAVE item. The reviews on Babies R Us on this item are outstanding.