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2nd Trimester
treble_clef
member
2nd timer+ moms...what would you NOT buy?
treble_clef
member
I'm expecting my 2nd, but my SIL is expecting her 1st, and she's been asking me what to get and what not to get. It's been over 4 years since I bought my baby stuff, so I just want your input.
This time around, what would you NOT buy or recommend? (I know everyone is different, so some people might agree or disagree, but I'm just asking YOUR experience.)
TIA!
m/c - Dec 2005,
DS - March 27, 2007,
m/c - Oct 2009,
DD - Feb 20, 2012
Proud mother of two breech babies:)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: 2nd timer+ moms...what would you NOT buy?
one of those diaper thingy's where you stuff the dirty diapers into them.. I don't know we don't currently have room for one anyways.. we were given one and never used it..
Like you said, some may agree or disagree but...
I wouldn't buy a Moby. DD got too hot in it, even in Nov. I could never get it tied just right and my back would hurt after a short walk. I got an Ergo and loved it.
The Boppy was also a pain in the ass for breastfeeding. It's nice to prop the baby up later on so they can kind of sit up, but for breastfeeding...no. I recommend the BreastFriend pillow for that.
Get:
Boppy-loved it, still use it for myself in the car even.
Sleep sacks/swaddles and wrap shirts-Made middle of the night diaper changes so easy and kept LO warm and snug at the same time. My DS would always kick out of even my best blanket swaddle jobs.
Floor play mat
Don't get/Wait to get:
Swing-DS was scared of his.
Changing table-We used the one in the pack n play while DS was a baby and now we just change him on the floor. The only reason I'd want one is to have a nice place to organize diapers.
Expensive bedding sets-You'll only use the sheet and the skirt, the rest goes to waste.
Don't buy a nylon nursing cover, it gets too hot. I ended up throwing away a nylon one and getting a cotton one instead.
Be careful with buying carriers as well. My son hated the sling carrier we got and it ended up being recalled anyway because it suffocates babies. He liked the upright front carrier much more.
We loved our Boppy and Bumbo.
Edit: We also loved our swings ( travel and full size) and I'm old, so I loved the changing table.
Another thing, the first waste basket we bought was too small ( 3 gallon). We ended up buying a much larger one ( 8 gallon) within a month or so.
It's really so individual, but here's what I wouldn't get this time.
Loved:
moby
Ergo
cloth diapers as burp cloths
zippered sleepers
some sort of tracking device (I used the TotalBaby app on the iphone) to keep track of diapers, nursing, etc)
bouncy chair/swing or both
video monitor - key for piece of mind if your room is on a different floor than baby's and definitely excellent later with a toddler to see if they REALLY need you if they are making noise
Waste of $/space (we have a TINY house):
high chair (got a booster seat w/ a tray just recently and not sure why we didn't just start with that since we didn't' start solids until she could sit up anyway)
Exersaucer/jumper/walker (didn't have this at home - we both work so she was fine just being on the floor with toys but did have one at daycare)
Playmat - I thought this was SO necessary around 1-2 months old when I really thought my baby NEEDED to PLAY with toys.... she was fine just staring at the ceiling fan, and honestly got less frustrated with that! We have one but it was so huge and she was fine just laying on a blanket. She eventually got interested in toys later but I don't think there's any need to rush that. The more you can get them used to not having constant stimulation, the better, in my book at least.
Bumbo - she always just looked uncomfortable in it and again was fine just laying on her back or tummy before she could sit up on her own.
Proud mother of two breech babies:)
I totally agree with the boppy being worthless and getting yourself a My Brest Friend. Worth the extra $$!
How funny, we have been looking into a lot of foreign items for baby #2!
I'm a FTM but I used to be a nanny and here are my list of no no's...
-Diaper Genie-The diapers start to stink once babies starts solids and the bags costs too much $$$.
-wipe warmer- This has to be the most unnecessary item ever created and a waste of batteries to boot. I get the idea behind it, but unless you're willing to shell out extra cash for those travel wipe warmers(once again waste of money and space in your diaper bag) your LO will freak out every time a cooler wipe touches thier bottoms...
-changing table-Unless you have multiples, have back issues, or live in a multi story home and need a "diapering station" on each level. You can easily store diapers, wipes, and creams in a diaper caddy or a simple basket and use a waterproof mat , this will save space and money to boot. I'm okay w/getting a detachable changing table topper, b/c it's utilizing the space on a real peice of furniture, aka a dresser, that will be used far longer than a changing table.
-baby walker- I can't believe these death traps are even still on the market, countless babies have tipped them over and rolled them right into an ungated flight of stairs. If you want a toy, then get a stationary activity gym instead.
-high chairs- There are so many new space savers on the market w/many if not all of the same features as full size ones, why waste money and precious kitchen/dining room space on a full size high chair? Strap a space saver on a chair you already have and boom- baby has a safe place to eat w/o wasting additional space.
-stocking up on certain types of formulas, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers- This sounds good in theory, but in reality, every baby is different and you won't know which one will work best for your LO. Try to get small packs of different diaper brands on super sale, get a few single packs of bottles and pacifiers and don't open everything unless you need to. Keep reciepts and return what you didn't open. As far as formulas go, sign up now for each brand and you will get free samples in the mail to try out. Also try to get some samples off at the hospital as well. That way, if your LO doesn't like one brand, you can try another one w/o wasting so much money.
My best tip is if you have friends or family that are willing to let you borrow baby gear, even for a few days, such as carriers, swings, bouncers, ect, try them out w/your LO so you can test them out before you buy
Don't Buy:
Bumbo (didn't have one, didn't need one)
Newborn size clothes (outgrow them too fast)
Baby shoes (until LO is actually walking)
Expensive bedding set (all you need is sheets)
Wipes warmer (wasn't necessary, although this time I'm having a winter baby so we'll see)
Changing pad covers (it's easier to just wipe down the plastic rather than changing a cloth cover )
Do Buy:
Boppy + extra covers
Extra Burp clothes
Swing
Diaper Pail- some people don't like Diaper Genie, and I agree that the refills are expensive, but you do need A diaper pail.
I loved my Boppy (both for BFing and to prop DS up in). I also loved (and still use) my Diaper Dekor, but we do have a two-story house, so it's helpful upstairs.
Loved the Bumbo, too.
We barely used our high chair and if had a regular-height dining room table I would have gotten the booster with tray.
I liked having a bouncer, swing, jumperoo and exersaucer at different phases, but I highly recommend second-hand for these things.
We ended up with WAY too many blankets (both regular and receiving).
The biggest unnecessary item is the crib bedding set! You're not supposed to use the bumper, and you can't use the quilt (unless you hang it on the wall). Just buy color-coordinated crib sheets. And the diaper stacker is worthless as well.
Must buys: sheetsavers, swaddleme's, lots of burp cloths, a comfy glider or rocker
Good question- I'm just going through the baby bins today to sort out what to keep and what to send to the consignment shop this time around, and I'm shocked by some of the stuff I thought I needed that is now taking up space!
What NOT to buy:
Shoes for children too young to walk. Why do I have 12 pairs of size 1 shoes??
Bibs too small to do any good when eating solids- tiny decorative bibs are okay I guess if baby spits up, but mine didn't
More than a few baby spoons and special baby plates- we have tons we don't need, just hand wash when you're done and reuse at the next meal- baby is not going to have a 12 person dinner party
Too many outfits of any size, and especially anything that isn't a sleep and play in NB and size 0-3. A handful of cute outfits suffice, baby doesn't need a bigger wardrobe than me
Expensive bedding sets
Too many toys for the 0-6 month age
we just borrowed a bassinet and if we hadn't I probably wouldn't have bought one but I did like it. I could easily move it up or downstairs and dd slept well. That said, I much preferred her sleeping in her room in her crib at night. And after she stopped using it as much, it ended up being a place to store junk and hide my pump. I don't think we will get one this time.
Don't get:
-bassinette (used it for 1 night)
-changing table (used it-never? It serves as a bookshelf)
-Diaper genie-what a waste.
-Baby bjorn: BFing bewbs that hurt + baby bjorn = hell.
Get:
-Boppy (in fact, I'd suggest two-one for upstairs and one for downstairs-I had a c-section and I hated lugging that thing around)
-A really amazing double hands-free pump (Medela Freestyle)-I EP'd for 9 months so this was a Godsend
-Extra pump parts
-A zillion types of pacifiers: babies are finicky and when you're trying to stop a crying newborn the last thing you want is to be without a pacifier LO will take
-Gas drops: if you don't need them, you're lucky. If you do need them you'll have an ounce of sanity left and won't want to make a special trip to the store to get them
-More than one bouncy chair: I kept one in the bathroom for when I showered, one in our living room, and LO actually slept in one because he had reflux
-Snap-n-go-stroller: the BEST-forget the fancy bulky strollers-this puppy is $60 and works like a charm
What I wouldn't get: bottle warmer (waste of money), wipe warmer (another waste of money), Moby (like previous poster, could never get it just right).
What I would get: My Breast Friend for nursing (Boppy is nice, but only to prop the baby up, not BF), and a Swaddle Designs receiving blanket. The Swaddle Designs blanket is a bit spendy for a receiving blanket, but WORTH IT. Absolute best swaddle blanket out there.
I prefer a MyBrestFriend over a Boppy pillow any day... but that's just me. I have both and I never used my Boppy, except as a back rest.
Wipes warmer. The kid will get used to cold wipes.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my Moby! Yes, it takes practice, but once you get it, it is SO WORTH IT. Especially with a younger infant.
I actually really liked our diaper genie. If you are like my husband and wrap the diapers up ridiculously small you can fit more in one bag. Yes, it does get stinky after more then 4 days but if you change them often and hit up costco for refills it's pretty good. We had just a regular garbage pail and I was gagging at the smell after just one day. For me the cost of refills was worth it for me.
My son LOVED the swing. Also when he got older the jumperoo was awesome. Bumbo, it was eh, we used it a few times but it's not something I would have used if we hadn't borrowed it from a friend.
We had a full size highchair and had the room for it, but a small one that sits on a chair you already have would have been so much better. You can take it with you if you need to and is just easier to deal with. When we were in the midst of selling our house last year we got one and stored the highchair. If we hadn't paid so much for the highchair I would go straight to the chair top one (that is at my mom's for my niece and nephew right now) but I kiind of want to get our money out of the highchair.
Don't buy many (or any) newborn sizes!!! I know i might be one of the rare ones but my son was almost 12lbs and didn't fit into the newborn outfits we took to the hospital. DH had to run home and get the 3m sleepers. Even once we got home some of the 3m stuff didn't fit. You can always buy some after the baby is born but buying and washing them up then they can't be returned kind of sucks.
I agree with many different pacifiers. My son couldn't keep any of the ones in his mouth that had the orthodontic nipple. he would try sucking on them and they would just pop out. However, if your child is a big soother fan then stock up!! Nothing sucks more then trying to find one of the two you have. (and a tip, they will throw them out of their crib. Have a stock pile in the bedroom and just give them a new one then search out all the tossed soothers the next morning. So much easier.)
We bought a dresser/change table but once the change part was taken off it didn't look like a change table. We used the change table all the time. Sadly it got put in storage when we moved and we decided just to keep it stored for this baby and bought DS a new dresser.
A glider. I was all "oh we don't need one." Let me tell you though, it was kind of a life saver some nights when my arms would be sore from jiggling him to try and sooth him. The rocking was good.
I've heard a manual pump is a waste of money. I had an electric one and it worked great!
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YES... if you plan to have baby sleep in your room for a while, I think it is. The pnp was too big to fit in out bedroom, a bassinet was perfect.
I didn't like our wipes warmer. It was more of a wipe dryer - they would dry up so quickly in it. I also would skip the diaper genie - it was just easier to put the diapers in a plastic bag and tie it up.
We loved our swing, bouncer and boppy.
I also really liked having a changing table - however ours was a dresser with a attachment that made the top a changing table so we can still use it long after we are done changing diapers.
Well, count me as you (kinda) meeting someone who found the diaper Genie necessary!
Well me rephrase: I found having a diaper pail necessary, doesn't really matter what brand,. But something better than an open garbage can which can easily let the smell out.
We lived in an apartment, and you aren't allowed to put diapers down the garbage shoot, so unless I wanted to go downstairs to the dumpster every time my baby had a poopy diaper...i had to use something.
I also LOVED the bumbo and playmats.
What I would NOT buy - swaddling blankets (nurses told me not to use them, so we never did), expensive bedding set (as others said, it's a big of a waste). i also agree not to stock up too much on diapers ahead of time, unless you buy a variety of brands.
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