I was trying hard to think of something we wasted our money on for DD and thankfully can't think of anything right now. But, I know that the play-mat I found at Once Upon a Child for $8 has probably been my best purchase. Emma loves playing on that thing and I love watching her laugh and bat at the toys hanging down. Plus I think it tires her out really well so she naps/sleeps wonderfully when it's time.
DD born 5/15/11
DS born 11/12/12
Re: s/o What was your best investment?
Beco carrier - I love this thing for when we are out food shopping, etc
Two boppy's - one for upstairs, one for downstairs. They're the most used items.for us probably.
Brest Friend pillow. I agonized over spending $ on it when someone had already given me a boppy. Ha! I hate the boppy and would spend the money several times over on the BF pillow!
Also, the plug in swing. She sleeps in it all night every night. I can only imagine how much we would have spent on batteries without the plugin. I wish my crib mobile plugged in, we're already on battery set #3 and we hardly use it!
A few favorites for us:
Snuggle Nest cosleeper. She still sleeps with us.
NoseFrida Snotsucker
and not a baby investment but we bounce her on the yoga ball ALL.THE.TIME when she's fussy. It does a better job calming her than the bouncer because she is snug in our arms while we're bouncing her on the ball.
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Haha yeah if we're doing a benefit/cost ratio - this one definitely wins for us too! It was free and it has been a lifesaver when we're out and about with her. We negotiated and bought a car with her asleep in the moby with that thing. Every sales guy at the dealership came over and asked us "is that thingy keeping her asleep??" haha!
I'm embarassed how much I love this thing.
I love our Valco stroller. It's fantastic.
Snug-a-bunny swing... it always calms him down when I don't know what else to do with him.
Our Halo sacks... I'm a reject at swaddling with blankets. LOL It's the only way we can keep him sleeping.
1. Bouncy Seat
2. My Blankee blanket. Expensive gift but totally awesome
3. Baby Bjorn. Gets my son to sleep and its a nice way to bond with him
4. Playmat. Don't know the brand but he loves his "friends" that dangle down
5. Bob Revolution SE. I bought the infant attachment and baby and I hit the trail or the mall. I love how versatile it is.
I've been very happy with a lot of my purchases:
BrestFriend nursing pillow - what would I do without this?? It goes everywhere with me around the house.
Summer SwaddleMe/Halo swaddle sack/Miracle Blanket - we use all of these and love them
A+A blankets - we use these all of the time too -- for everything except swaddling
BumGenius cloth diapers - love not having to constantly buy diapers!
UppaBaby Vista stroller + chicco carseat adapter - love these two together and the stroller is so nice to push!
Cloth diapers - haven't had to purchase a sposie once!
Snug-a-bunny swing - she loves this thing and I love that it plugs in.
Uppababy vista w/ car seat adapter - this stoller is fantastic. I love that I have the option of leaving her in the car seat or using the bassinet. We also use the bassinet downstairs.
Pack n play - she sleeps in this next to our bed, so it was definitely a good choice.
Video monitor - saves my sanity from having to run upstairs to check on her every 5 minutes!
Snug-a-bunny swing- many days it's the only way she sleeps longer than 20 minute intervals at all. Thank goodness it's not battery operated.
Snap-n-go- I love this stroller so much. I love how light it is, how I can fold it with one hand, how big the basket is and how it has cup holders built in. I will be sad when she grows out of it and I have to search for a stroller again, I'm afraid nothing will compare.
Things I bought and love and use every single day:
The Brest Friend Twins Plus pillow. I LOVE this. It has totally spoiled me for nursing anywhere outside the house. I love it so much more than the regular Brest Friend pillow because it is so huge and the baby can nap on it comfortably after he's done eating. I got mine used on Craigslist for $30 and am 100% happy with it. And I'm considering buying the travel Brest Friend inflatable pillow, too, even though it's not as big and awesome.
The Cooshee changing pad. My mother told me it was going to be a huge waste of money and I'd never use it. He poops, pees, and vomits in it multiple times every day and it is super easy to wipe up. Worth every penny of the $60 I spent.
BabyConnect app for my iphone. $4.99 and I use it constantly to track feedings, diapers, and weight. It is awesome.
definitely the RockNPlay- without it I wouldn't have slept for his first 8 weeks, and sleep is priceless (as we all know)!
something I can put a price on- his cloth diapers, love our Sunbabys
Even though I didn't buy it, I love my BOB Revolution (thanks Mom!!). It's our only stroller right now.
I did buy my Ergo (on Babysteals) and am using it more and more. I spent the day yesterday with a friend running errands and my BOB wouldn't have fit in her car b/c of her LOs' double stroller. But thanks to my Ergo, it wasn't a problem.
And the changing table I got for $10 at a garage sale has been used for every changing and the space underneath is great for storage. I was bummed when I couldn't find a low dresser (bought a tall narrow one) and I was forced to get a changing table. But it really is the best possible use of space in her tiny room.