Things you didn't use/ need

acbfreire · May 2012

Hi all, I am a FTM and close to LO's arrival. What items did you end up NOT using and you thought were essential? I am getting the last things soon and I keep wondering if I need a swing, swaddle blankets vs. regular blankets. things like that.

Fink · May 2012

Congratulations on the pending arrival :-)

I spoke with my sister and all of my friends who have kids before my LO arrived and we don't have a lot of stuff that we don't use. As for things we have that are essential, we cannot live without our swing. Even though we are truly blessed with a super easy baby, the swing is great for when our LO wants to be held and we have things that we have to get done.

eav2c · May 2012

Didn't need: so many clothes... I didn't buy a lot of things so we've been lucky but lots of clothes just aren't necessary.

Essentials: Rock n Play, halo sleep sacks/swaddle me, pacifiers.

He likes his swing and bouncer but only lasts in them a short time before getting fussy.

MelissaMiso · May 2012

My nephew got a ton of use out of his swing. My girl likes to be swaddled. Really just need lots of onsies and burp clothes. And diapers. but don't get a lot of newborn diapers in case LO is born big

sweetMay119 · May 2012

I'm glad we got a hand me down swing and bouncy seat, because she is not a big fan.

baloneydisc · May 2012

DD only likes the swing once she's asleep. If you put her in it while she's awake she screams. The bouncer was a complete waste, so was my Boppy. Unfortunately all babies are different, there's no way to know what they will like (swing, bouncer, swaddle, paci, bottles) so much of it is trial and error.

Eleventy11 · May 2012

Everyone is going to be different. I couldn't live without my Boppy...I also go through a TON of clothes. We go and do a lot, and I like LO to be dressed.

A small bouncy chair is great because it's portable...you can bring the baby in the bathroom while you shower, kitchen while you cook etc. most people swear by the rock n play, but we don't have one. Our LO sleeps in a pack n play in our room. She started in the newborn napper and has since moved into the "play" part. Though not a total "necessity", I found a diaper changer to be amazing. We have one on the PnP and it is so much easier than leaning over the bed.

If you plan to breastfeed, make sure you have a good support bra /tank and some nursing pads. You will leak milk!

MrsJetSet · May 2012

Like pp we asked for advice first so don't have much we don't use. I hate Boppy for feeding, but it is good to prop dd up so she can 'sit'. We didn't get a bottle warmer or wipe warmer and don't miss either. Dd is not a fan of the bouncy chair but loves her swing. Her cousin is the opposite so you never know. Love love love our rock n play.

MrsJetSet · May 2012

Oh and we use our A+A blankets lots but never any of the receiving blankets or the ones we took from the hospital. Once dd could break out of the A+A swaddle we switched to swaddle mes and love those.

jennica416 · May 2012

Like many have said, all babies are different. My little man hates being swaddled so those blankets and swaddle me wraps were wasted. I also hate the Boppy for feeding and he doesn't like the bouncy seat. The biggest thing I was surprised about was clothes. So many people bought us 3-6 month stuff and older that we had hardly any newborn or 0-3 month stuff! I had to go out and buy a few outfits because we didn't have enough! We do use the bottle warmer because I breastfeed so if he gets a bottle from Daddy it's been in the fridge and it's way too cold for him- he's used to it being body temperature.

jenskurn · May 2012

All of the bath products were a waste bc LO has sensitive skin and needs all unscented stuff. I rec'd a few JJ sets and they weren't cheap. I am giving it all away to a co-worker now.

eyenigh · May 2012

We use the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets for everything but swaddling. My son runs hot so we use them as his blankets for naps (just tucked around his legs) or even just for cuddling if it's chilly. I use them as a car seat/stroller cover if it's really sunny and I just need a quick shield and don't feel like putting the real one on, a burp cloth (it gives you much better coverage than a standard burp cloth for projectile spit ups), a floor mat since I don't like him lying directly on the carpet and even a big bib in a pinch. The more you wash them, the softer they get so they don't get weird like other stuff that starts looking over washed. It was the item I was most surprised that I got so much use out of. I never use any other blankets.

We have a swing, bouncer, Rock n Play, pack and play and a crib. The RNP was my favorite item for my son to sleep in until we just transitioned him to the PNP in the last week. If I could've only picked one thing out of those that I mentioned, I would've picked the RNP hands down. If I had to pick the thing we use the least, it's the bouncer. My son just doesn't love it but like a PP mentioned, I leave it in the bathroom for him to sit in while I shower. That's about exactly as long as he'll tolerate it.

The only thing that I actually returned because I didn't use it was a bottle warmer. Room temp works just fine for us.

Under.the.Rose · May 2012

Must haves (for both DS and DD):
Aden + Anais swaddling blankets
Stockpile of dipes and wipes
Change pad
Rock n Play
Swing
Onesies (bubbles/rompers for DD)
Footed sleepers
Stroller
Carriers (moby, sling, Ergo)
My Brest Friend nursing pillow (amazing!)
Nursing pads and lanolin
Fold-over waist yoga pants (had a c-section)
Always infinity pads
Diaper cream
Meal replacement shakes, yogurt covered raisins, fruit leather, almonds (for me!)

Not required:
Crib
Pacifiers (they were a life-saver with DS but DD hates them)
Bouncy seat (infant carseat does the same job)
Bibs
Burp cloths (there's always a blanket nearby anyway)

Mrs.Barry31508 · May 2012

The bouncer, I haven't even used yet. I also have used the swing maybe twice. My LO is usually on the bobby or in her bassinet. I recommend the eddie bauer musical bassniet, its' just like the hospital one that rolls around.

jenna3016 · May 2012

I didn't use onesies. Preferred snap up rompers or sleep & plays. Much easier than gowns or onesies.

Didn't use swaddles. E hated it. Preferred to keep his hands free.

beth2882 · May 2012

We don't swaddle at all - LO HATES it and loves to be free, kick move around. All LO's are different in that respect though, so you could wait and see or just buy 1 or 2 swaddlers until you decide if its for you.

Pack N Play - I have seen a lot of posts about the Rock and Play and would have gotten that instead. We used the pack N play for a grand total of 4 weeks. Not worth the $100 unless we use it on vacation or something.

Get the swing or some equivalent. We have a chair that later converts to a rocker - its really nice to put LO in when I need to do something, so I don't have to worry about the dog getting to her or anything.

Regular blankets will be needed for floor play/tummy time.

Thing I love and didn't know/think I would: my Moby wrap. Super easy and comfy.

Also, a fun toy is the Fisher Price Kick and Play piano. It ties to the crib and LO can kick at it to play music.

loupac · May 2012

sweetMay119:
I'm glad we got a hand me down swing and bouncy seat, because she is not a big fan.

My LO hates his swing and really only sits in his bouncy seat during our dinnertine and mommys showers but gets fussy within 20 minutes...

Cant live without mh BOPPY!!! Also I love my Moby...

treble_clef · May 2012

If you already have essentials, I would wait until your baby is born to buy more stuff. You can buy pretty much everything on Amazon, and they deliver so quickly too! I know you are excited, but once you have your baby, you will buy things more selectively.

I recommend Aveeno bath products. J&J products tend to cause dry skin problems.

shaket83 · May 2012

Can't live without our rock and play! They sleep in theirs every night. Ours love love love their swing--they take EVERY nap in them, but are starting to get used to the bouncy seats and they are portable so that it a huge plus. I've heard a lot of people say that their kids like the bouncers once they are a bit older and actually able to "bounce" them because they are heavier. (Mine are 8 weeks now) So maybe that is something that you can wait to buy until your LO is older if needed. I do NOT use our pack and play at all--I've never even opened it. We never needed a wipe or bottle warmer. But those are relatively inexpensive things you can buy later if needed.

PotomacSt · May 2012

I have about 20 bibs that people gave me that I haven't touched...

I don't/can't use the Boppy. I have overactive letdown and the only way I can nurse my daughter without choking her is if we're both lying on the bed or the couch.

If you do get a Boppy, at least hold off on buying the 'accessories' like extra covers until you know you'll use it.

dizzycooks · May 2012

Must haves -

moby

bjorn

swaddlemes

tons of plain white onesies in all sizes

zip up sleepers

kick and play piano

Not needed:

swing, bouncer, pacifiers, receiving blankets, mittens/hand covers, boppy

Newmoonbaby · May 2012

Hats are at the top of my didn't need list. They are good for the hospital, where room temp is somewhere between Alaskan tundra and meat locker, but at home they just fall off and get annoying. Socks and mittens are tied for second place. Footed sleep/plays are better, and so are the sleeping gowns that have attached mitten/hand covers. Third place goes to safety nail clippers. Don't bother. Better to just file them. Trust me.

We use a ton of plain cotton receiving blankets. When my mom and mil came home with several packages of them, I thought they were crazy. Turns out...they are burp cloths, blankets, changing cloths, nose rags, etc etc all in one. I don't think it's worth getting the super expensive aiden and anais...target brand works fine for us. Have at least one swaddle blanket and the book Happiest Baby on the Block. They were both lifesavers IMO. My baby pretty much lives in footed zip or button up sleeper outfits. She's a big baby, and I'm glad I had a couple of size options. Lanolin rocks, if you are breastfeeding you will want it ASAP so don't wait on that. Luxury items I am glad to have: terry cloth hooded robe for bath time and the "lawn" bottle drying rack.

Best wishes for you!

hass2001 · May 2012

I love my boppy pillow - it is by far my favorite thing. We use lots of swaddle blankets, mostly for just wrapping her in as an extra thing to keep her warm or throwing it over her legs in the car seat or even as a quick burp cloth if I don't have one close by (we use a lot of those too). I got far too many bibs - I have yet to use one (although I can see how it would be useful - maybe I should try one LOL!). DD used to really like her bouncy and swing, she slept in those the first week, but don't use them much lately as she is going through a being held 24/7 phase. Love her wipe warmer - it's also a cool dispenser. Don't use the bottle warmer and I don't think I will.

JaimeG183 · May 2012

We love the a&a blankets but don't use them for swaddling. I use them to cover the carseat, nurse in public, cover LO etc they are great bc they are so lightweight

I only use the halo swaddle sacks, the swaddle me ones he broke out of

the RNP

Ergo carrier

Something to hold the baby in when you need to shower, cook, go to bathroom- swing or bouncer works

dam0ne4 · May 2012

Essential - Rock n Play, A&A blankets, Miracle Blanket, Swaddle Me, Moby Wrap. My baby loves being swaddled. MAM pacifiers, Happiest Baby on the Block video

Not as useful as I thought but still used occasionally: boppy for nursing, swing, pack n play

Useless - changing pad cover, mittens, bibs (so far, but will probably use these in the future) hats, cute newborn outfits (it's been hot so I just throw her in a onesie usually) Pacifiers that aren't MAM

JNoelleE · May 2012

Didnt/dont need- Changing table, wipe warmer.

Did/do need- Bouncer, swing, aden and anais swaddle blankets, preemie clothes! DS was 7lbs and all of his newborn clothes were huge on him.

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