Smartmomma in Raleigh

Re: Smartmomma in Raleigh

• Rasz39

  January 2012

  There's a lot of things that if you can get it as a hand-me-down, do it. The swing, a bassinet if you aren't using a PnP....that kind of stuff. Then there's things like the Bumpo that people swear by but my daughter uses for her stuffed animals.

  We loved having a playmat (prevent cat hair as much on the baby!), the boppie was a must...but past that, I'm having a hard time remembering! Gummi Bear did sleep a couple of nights in her swing when she was first home & colicky as heck and we really loved having it...but she was done with it by about 2months. So I'd say that's more of a borrow than a buy if you can get away with it. A PnP is awesome, if you have the space. We didn't, and my cousin gave us her bassinet so we could have her sleep in our room for the first three months without the footprint of a PnP. We CD, so we don't have the typical changing station that some folks have (we built one out of a wine box though).

  The other things...wow. You really don't need a lot right away and everything after a point will be very subjective. We thought we wanted a sleep sheep - she hated it. We got the snuggie swaddle wraps - she wanted her feet & hands free or she wouldn't sleep. We got her a bouncing chair - she hated the feeling of being unsupported in the hammock-style chair (still does). We got her a single paci, because she used one once in the hospital - never used it again.

  Past that: there's a Einstein gift box that was rockin' for the first 9months with soft blocks and cute toys to play with on the floor. We received a set of tie-dyed burp cloths which have been fantastic. We did have some of the high-contrast large simple picture books, but she wasn't interested. The next big thing was around 6mon she decided she wanted to manipulate things and we got her pop beads. Those are still a hit.

  On the non-baby but baby front: if you're planning on being outside in the summer, get a SPF tent or large umbrella you can set up base camp under.

  Rae

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• becki777 member

  January 2012

  Things we loved: 

  My Brest Friend, Bouncer (we had a cuddly one from Graco), Flannel Receiving Blankets, Cloth Diapers (for burp cloths), Graco Snugride & the big matching stroller, Sound Machine, Huggies Baby Wipes, Dishwasher Basket, Drying Rack, Plastic/Wipeable bibs, Baby Bjorn

  Things I could have lived without but did appreciate

  Diaper pail, play gym, changing table, swing, boppy

  Things we never used 

  SwaddleMe Blankets, Cloth Bibs, SleepSacks, Soft sling for the tub

   

  That's all I can think of:) Good luck - its hard to decide what to spend your $ on. In the end, they really don't need much!  

  Caleb is 3! 101 in 1001

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• Jessrof member

  January 2012

  Thanks for the replies!  I found a PnP with a bassinet for 40 bucks at a local thrift store, so that is covered.  So overwhelming with all the stuff.  It doesn't help that my MIL feels like we need everything under the sun... which is fine if she is buying it, but she is not.

  Employed by the Toddler Tyrant named G!

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• CParis7271

  February 2012

  Check out craigs list. I bought a crib and changnig table/dresser for $150, an older model of the same brand that they sell at smart momma. Check recalls prior to buying though. This woman had all the screws/instructions/model number and was OCD about the furniture. I also bought almost all of his clothes on craigs list. 50 cents and less per item is a good deal $1 per item is average but still cheaper than the stores. Don't forget half of the clothes will be ruined at daycare anyway.

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