What baby stuff could you have lived without?

gemduncan · November 2008

Hi Ladies,

Sorry for all my registery questions, but you all are always so resourceful.

What stuff could you have lived without? For example, do I really need a Pack n Play for my house? (My in-laws are buying one for their house). Do I need a swing and a bouncing seat?

TIA!
Naomi

IAM4UK · November 2008

This is a very personal opinion and everyone is going to say something different. What worked for one mom, might not have worked for another. Being a mom is all about trying new things, making mistakes, and learning from them.

Here are the items that I could have lived without:

Boppy- never used for BFing, only for when she was learning to sit. I could have just used pillows.
Bumbo- she never liked it

Things I loved:

Swing- she took naps and was great to help with her reflux
Bouncer- great when she was young to put in while I was taking a shower
PNP- if you travel, you will want one as their bed. Also, my mom uses it at her house when she is babysitting.
Bottle Warmer- I used pumped BM and warming the milk straight from the fridge was a lot quicker for us
Hook-on high chair- use it all the time when we are visiting other people's houses for her to eat
Exersaucer- she loved this and still does

jerseygirl81 · November 2008

Baby Charlie doesn't care for his bouncy seat at all. I know all babies are different and some of them love them, but he can't stand it. We didn't initially get a swing but ended up buying one around the 2 week mark when we noticed he liked being swing and rocked in his carseat.

Other than that, we've used pretty much everything we registered for. I'm mentally going through his dresser and closet and I can't think of anything that's collecting dust.

l_kristina · November 2008

some people swear by these, but we really could have lived without the diaper champ. we take our garbage out frequently so diaper stink is not an issue. i find that using the diaper champ was more of a pain than anything, the lid got stuck and the bag got rather heavy when full of diapers.

jerseygirl81 · November 2008

Oh, we didn't get a diaper champ, wipes warmer, or bottle warmer, and I haven't felt like I've needed one.

MrsMandaK · November 2008

We don't have a diaper champ/genie. Just put Kroger bags in the can and take it out whenever there's a poopy diaper. Works just fine!

I also didn't care for the big and bulky diaper bags. I actually ended up using the free black one you get from the doctor's office. I would never spend big bucks on a Petunia Picklebottom or something just to have cracker crumbs, milk and baby throw up get all over it! Big Smile (But hey...that's me!)

We also never used a big zip up coat/snow suit for her while she was an infant. Just had a cover (like a Bundle Me) and a fleece blanket with a hat.

Definitely register for a swing and bouncer. They can be lifesavers in times of shower desperation or colic!

RXjenna · November 2008

I agree with the PPs...

I also didn't use the Boppy for BF'ing, but I know some people rave about it
Diaper Champ - we just take the stinky ones straight to the outside trash

Definitely get a swing and bouncer!

Matilda&Leon · November 2008

we didn't use the boppy or bumbo.

definitely swing. we also used a papasan chair by fp a lot. I think this is basically same as bouncer but in my opinion a lot nicer and more padding.

i also used the bottle warmer all the time and we use our diaper champ but doing what the other girls suggested is really just as easy.

JenRose05 · November 2008

things I couldnt live without-

Bouncy chair- Even though he grew out of it by 5 months, Ben loved his bouncy chair...I really dont know what I wouldve done without it!

High Chair- I have a Combi full high chair... it does pack away flat and short and its EASY to take along in the car

Baby Einstein jumper (any kind of jumper)- Ben learned a lot of skills from his jumper and he loves it!

Pack n Play- We have used this from day one... we had 2 floors in the last house and 2 floors in the new one and its nice to have somewhere where he can nap and play safely....

Boppy- I dont use it to feed Ben anymore but he loves to have it snuggle him while hes sitting and playing but it came in REALLY handy for the first 3-4 months because he got heavy quick and it was nice to have him all comfy...just an FYI- You can find these almost anytime at TJ Maxx for about 16.00, thats where we got ours

feeding untensils and bowls from Ikea- They are BPA free and inexpensive and very handy

Activity mat- I didnt get one of these until Ben was almost 3 months old and I should have done it earlier because he really enjoyed it

Things I didnt need or need a lot of: (most of these things I didnt buy and Im glad!)

Bottle Warmer- Ben likes all of his bottles at room temp and even straight out of the fridge

Wipe warmer- He never seems to squirm with regular wet wipes and Ive heard they can be a PITA

Sleep sacks- This works diff for every baby but Ben got very long and outgrew them within the first month....

baby positioner- we bought a really nice one only to have our pedi tell us they werent really safe for the baby and if the baby needed to be reclined to place a rolled up recieving blanket *under* the sheets to rest babys head

--I know theres more but this might help a bit?

sistrkate · November 2008

I BFed for a year, but never used the boppy very much.

The bumbo seat was a waste for us too, DS didn't like it so much and so we only used it a few times. I have loaned it to a friend, maybe our next baby will like it.

We used our pack and play for a changing table at first. We kept it downstairs so it was nice to have a place to change the baby in those first couple months. However, he would NOT sleep in it, so the bassinet feature didn't do anything for us. We are using it now a lot, there are tons of toys in it and it's great to put him in so we can get ready for work, etc., and keep him occupied.

I didn't use my shopping cart cover more than twice.

We could not have lived without:

- bouncer

- swing (trust me, you will want a swing)

- bottle warmer (we used it to thaw BM from the freezer for bottles for daycare)

- monitor

- playmat / gym

I wish we had registered for our convertible car seat. I didn't register for anything that I thought I wouldn't need for a year, but people love to buy stuff off of your registry. We ended up buying our convertible seats ourselves and that would have been a good thing to put on the registry.

I'd encourage you to register for things like the bouncer and swing even if you're not sure you'll need them right away. Chances are, you'll be looking for things to keep your baby happy and occupied and those things are a lifesaver. People LOVE to buy baby gifts, so don't skimp on your registry -- if you don't get something you're not sure about, then you're ahead of the game. But I think you'll be happy to have them so you don't have to run out in the first two weeks and buy them yourself.

JenRose05 · November 2008

I forgot to mention that the swing was a great investment

and the bumbo was very nice but it wasnt long before he would try to squirm out of it and now we dont use it

lisamm1 · November 2008

I only have 4 weeks of experience as a mom, but here is what I feel like we can't live without so far:

Swing: sometimes this is only place she will sleep...she loves rocking motion, vibrating seat, and white noise

Bouncy Chair: we bought this after 1st week when I realized I needed some place to put her while I take a shower. It also has vibration seat that she loves.

Boppy: Not necessarily for breast feeding, but convenient on our lap (my DH uses it too) for holding her and she also likes to be propped up on it on floor or couch.

We could live without:

Pack and Play. We initially thought we would use the bassinet feature for her to sleep in, but she absolutely hates it. Everytime we lay her in it she screams. I'm hoping we'll get more use out it later when we she is old enough to sit and play in it.

Hope that helps!

adamsbabble · November 2008

Items we could have lived without:

-Bumbo/Bebe Pod - we had one but were lucky enough to receive a brand new one from a friend whose DC didn't like it, otherwise, I don't think they are worth the $40 or so that they cost.

-Diaper Champ/Genie - would have been a good investment if we had still been in an apartment and unable to run dirty diapers right out to the trash, but now that we're in a house, it's useless.

-Burp cloths - instead of the tiny decorative ones, register for old fashioned cloth diapers which are much larger and more absorbent.

-Hooded Towel/Wash Cloth Sets - I received several sets and they are adorable but not as soft or absorbent as our regular bath towels, which is all that we ever use now that she is bigger.

-Huge healthcare/grooming kits - All you really need is a soft brush/comb, nail clippers, nasal aspirator and thermometer. Your diaper bag will probably come with a little pouch you can put everything in, so don't worry about missing out on that by getting everything seperately. Also, on the healthcare/grooming kits, I found that on the reviews people were always saying the thermometers were cheap, etc. By getting a few seperate items, you can get better quality. Also, you don't really need the medicine droppers b/c the pharmacy always gives you a disposable one with prescriptions and Tylenol/Motrin/etc. always come with one as well.

-We never used a crib soother/mobile in Ava's crib

Things I love:

-Hotsling (could not have lived without)

-SwaddleMe Blankets

-Halo Sleep Sacks

-Swing (FP Nature's Touch Papasan Swing)

-Bouncer (FP Rainforest Bouncer and yes, we found it useful to have both a bouncer and a swing because unlike the swing, the bouncer was portable and easy to take from room-to-room or over to other people's houses)

-Jumperoo/Exersaucer (we had the FP Rainforest Jumperoo but people love the Exersaucers too)

-FP Space Saver High Chair (hooks right on to one of our kitchen chairs instead of having another piece of baby gear in the way)

-Graco Snugride Infant Carseat

-Snugrider Frame

-Chicco Capri Umbrella Stroller

-Mirror for the backseat of the car (I thought I could live without this but then decided to get one and LOVED having it while she was rear facing)

--JJ Cole Bundle Me (not sure if your DC will still be in the infant carrier during the winter months, but if so, this is a MUST have)

-Snuggle Nest

As for the PNP, you will want something for your bedroom for the first few weeks or months (especially if you're BFing) whether it be a PNP, co-sleeper, snuggle nest, swing, etc. We had our PNP setup in our room before she came home, but she preferred to be in the swing or co-sleeping with us in her Snuggle Nest. However, our PNP still comes in handy b/c we use it for travel and babysitting.

adamsbabble · November 2008

Oh! I forgot our tummy time/activity mat and our diaper bag!

We have the Gymini Total Playground Activity Mat, and it was worth every penny! Ava played with this multiple times daily from very early on until she was about 6 months old. Even after she could sit up, she still liked sitting on the mat and playing with it, lol. My favorite thing about this is that the music on it plays for 10 minutes straight. On a lot of them, the music shuts off after a minute. I didn't want to have to keep coming back to it to restart it, ya know? Often times she would play on her mat for 20-40 minutes at a time--for awhile, it was the ONLY way I could ever get a few minutes to start dinner or fold laundry.

Our diaper bag is a Skip Hop, and I don't know why, but I just love it! It works great for us and clips on to the stroller.

Temp806465500003043 · November 2008

Stuff we use a lot:

Pack n play- we live in a 2-story and we use the PNP downstairs to change diapers and for naps. ?My mom and my MIL bought their own to keep at their house. ?I am so glad they did so we don't have to haul ours around when we go to their houses.

Boppy- I use it for BF.

Diaper genie- I could go either way on it but DH loves it.

Vibrating seat- she loves the vibration

?

riabiron · November 2008

We love

Our swings. We have a portable one at my mom's house for when she watches her. At the house we have a Grace Snapin Swing that we can snap her infant seat into. WE LOVE IT!! It is great for when we get out of the car and she is sleeping - we can snap her carseat in and turn it on so we can empty the car etc.

Boppy. I use it to BF and to sit her up on the sofa.

Bumbo - She LOVES sitting up so she can see.

Baby Bjorn - I have a nosey kid and she likes to be able to see. She will stay quiet for hours if I have her in the Bjorn.

Swaddleme Blanket - She jerks in her sleep and will wake herself up if she isn't swaddled.

Could live without -

Bouncy seat. She HATES it.

Diaper Genie. We have two. Have never used them.

Wipe warmer or bottle warmer.

MrsMoher · November 2008

Don't try to go without a swing. I loved that thing when he was little!

We loved our jumperoo... E used to play in that thing for HOURS! So to me it was worth it. We only got a PNP b/c at the time it was his crib (we lived in a 1 BR when he was born). Now the PNP comes in handy so he can nap in the basement family room with us when we are down there on the weekends, but we just got a cheap one.

curlypie1 · November 2008

I could have lived without the P&P. We used it for the diaper changings and that was it.

Also the bebe pod was a waste for us. Nora hardly ever sat in it.

doodlebug914 · November 2008

We have a PNP that we primarily use as a changer and for storing toys. Ethan napped in the bassinet part when he was little, but that was it. We have a 2 story house and keep the PNP in the family room. We had a bassinet in our bedroom and then the crib in his room. He slept in our room for 6 months, which was longer than I was thinking, but worked well for us.

Things we definitely needed:
Swing (loved the FP Papasan swing)
JJ Cole Bundle Me (Ethan was a winter baby - loved this!)
Swaddle Me blankets and Sleep positioner
Boppy (still use now)
Playmat with hanging toys
Sleep gowns (the kind that have elastic at the bottom)
Carter's towels are more absorbent
Hotsling or other baby carrier
Jumperoo and Exersaucer (you can find them much more reasonable on craigslist - I got both of ours for $30 total!)

We like the Bebe Pod but it only got used often for a month or two. I've heard that wipe warmers and Diaper genies are a waste - we bought a trash can type diaper pail with a flip lid, it was only around $10-$15 at BRU.

Have I mentioned that I love craigslist??

HTH!

hav2run · November 2008

Things I didn't need/use: Boppy pillow, wipe warmer, bottle warmer,sling carriers (infantino and Hot Sling...DD hates both of them), receiving blankets. I prefer the larger blankets over the tiny receiving blankets.

Things I could not live without: Bouncy seat, swing, play mat, Pack N Play downstairs and a bassinet for upstairs, Snuggle Nest, Miracle Blankets, Moby wrap, JJ Cole Bundle Me, Snap N Go stroller, Bumbo seat, lots and lots of cloth diapers for burp rags, baby bath tub. We have a jumperoo (shower gift), high chair (shower gift) and exersaucer that she is just now getting use from.

AgathiP04 · November 2008

We used our PNP on vacation and for Niko to nap at other people's houses (very handy for holidays where we'll be somewhere for a while). We still use it! We never used our swing, but loved our bouncy seat, exersaucer and jumperoo. Also loved our Gymani playmat, especially for the first few months. Niko used the FP rainforest mobile, and loved it. When he was done with it, he used the FP rainforest crib toy and he still loves that thing! The Miracle Blanket was something we used every night until he was 4 months old.

mrs.george2be04 · November 2008

We use our swing and bouncy seat ALL THE TIME. Those were definite must haves for us. We could have lived without the PnP but it is admittedly nice for when we travel. One thing I didn't register for but I love is a diaper caddy that we keep downstairs. Soooo handy.

kel716 · November 2008

Must haves- many of the same things already listed-

Swings- we have a cradle swing set up downstairs and the portable one that the carseat snaps into upstairs. The cradle swing is really nice because DS loves to swing from side to side quite a bit

Bouncy seat is nice for when we're in the kitchen

Carseat/Stroller- while we will need a convertible down the road, the pumpkin seat is hands down the most used item in our house.

lots of cloth diapers/gerber burp cloths (which are bigger)

Sleepers- DS wears those more often than outfits or onesies.

bath tub/washcloths/absorbent towels

We also got something called baby "luve" which covers DS when we bathe him and keeps him warm. A larger washcloth would do exactly the same thing. He loves his bath but hates to be cold. So, by using that it really helps.

Toys- some rattles, a good play gym, glowing sea horse, FP Rainforest Crib soother, womb sounds bear, baby "crack" machine (Homedics Baby Lullaby sound machine), cute mobile. Now that he's kicking, I bought a kick toy for the crib that he loves too.

Boppy- It is way more helpful now than when I was trying to BF. We use it to practice sitting. I'll sit Brandon on my bed with him in the boppy while I get ready. He loves to sit "up" and watch

Pacifiers

Not so much for the baby, but you- Mini fridge for upstairs- great for storing cold water me and dh for late night wakings/early mornings

BundleMe

PNP- right now it is serving as my extra "laundry" basket as I can't seem to find the time to put away clean clothes. However, at first it was very useful because DS slept there. Now he sleeps in his pumpkin seat and we're transitioning to the crib. However, I know we'll use it down the road.

Mirrors for both cars. I didn't think I'd want one, but I can't stand not being able to see him. Now, DS LOVES it because it's the FP one that plays music.

Sleep sacks/swaddling blankets

I personally liked having a few receiving blankets when DS was first brought home.

Books: Baby Bargains & Baby 411

Also, a good BFing book if you plan to BF.

Aquaphor, Mylicon, and Infant Tylenol are good things to have on hand. A nasal aspirator, hair brush/comb, and nail file are also helpful.

Baby Oxyclean is also a good purchase.

What we don't need and never bought-

wipe warmer, diaper genie (we just use plastic grocery bags and take them out when they get stinky), bottle warmer (I store EBM in lansinoh bags and it warms up quite quickly), bottle sterilizer (we just use the dishwasher)

What we got and don't use-

baby bath robes- even though they're really cute!!!

lap pads

baby shoes

changing pad covers. I don't use one. I just clean the plastic cover on the changing pad. It seemed every time I put one on, it just got soiled. It became pointless.

Also, we could live without the 6 piece bedding set. All we really needed was sheets. My thought is we could use the bedding set accessories and still have a really cute nursery.

Have fun shopping!!!

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