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1st Trimester
stephweinstein
member
What did you buy/receive during your first pregnancy that is absolutely useless?
stephweinstein
member
I'm a FTM and there's an incredible amount of "life saving", "baby perpetuating", "child stimulating" (soon-to-be garage clutter) products out. I can't figure out A from B.
Did you receive something or buy something that you never used and never needed? Can you tell me about that time you wasted an eighth of your paycheck on an item which was complete crap?
Danke!
Married: October 23, 2010
DS: 8/7/2013
#2 EDD: 6/29/2016, C Section: 6/22/2016
This discussion has been closed.
Re: What did you buy/receive during your first pregnancy that is absolutely useless?
Every baby is different so you'll get all different opinions. Best advice is register for the stuff you need when baby is little, then purchase things like a jumperoo or excersaucer second hand down the road when you know what your kid likes.
If you haven't read it yet, buy or borrow Baby Bargains....it covers a ton of baby stuff and brands.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I think it is really going to vary from child to child and household to household, but here is my list:
Things we could have done without:
Bouncy chair - DD was never really into her boucy seat for the first 3-4 months, but then it came in handy when I was home alone and pumping. Some people swear by them though.
Pack n play - We rarely used her pack n play for anything other than a changing table in our living room b/c it had the changing attachment.
Wamers - We never got a wipes warmer or a bottle warmer and never felt like we were missing anything.
Too many clothes - I am a crazy shopper and just couldn't help myself. I have already given a TON of clothes away and have a ton set aside in case we have another girl. You don't need a lot of clothes IMO, especially for the first 6 months or so - it is hard to gauge size/season until they arrive. DD was less than 6 lbs when we brought her home from the hospital and we only had 2 newborn outfits. To this day, she wears smaller than her age (in 18-24 months now and is 2.5)
Traditional high chair - we went with the stokke instead, doesn't have a tray so you can push it right up to the regular table. DD really liked being in it and it was like she was eating with us at the table like a big girl.
Things we couldn't live without -
Swing - we got one that went front to back and side to side - DD LOVED it and would take regular naps in it.
Bumbo chair - she loved sitting in it and we got the little tray and fed her in it when she was big enough.
Glider rocker - DD is 2.5 and we still rock her and read books to her in it every night. I may actually buy a more expensive, more comfortable one this time around because I spent many hours in that chair breastfeeding and the one I have is just a middle of the road Shermag one from target.
Good breast pump - if you are BFing and returning to work, or want to be able to pump, get a good one, it will be worth it. I BF DD until she was 9 months and having a good pump was worth every penny.
Blankets - a good amount of light weigh receiving blankets for swaddling, we used them like mad.
Like everyone else is saying, every baby is different, my son hated his bumbo chair and we never even tried its play tray (its still in its box). I know exactly what you're talking about, I would update my registry and ask my mom or grandma if they saw anything on there that seemed unnecessary, figuring the basics of childcare haven't changed that much. Its really easy to get sucked into thinking you need loads of junk.
let me know if you want any suggestions of things to get, I'd be glad to help.
Never used a bouncer, swing or bumbo. I also never used my boppy, it's been in a closet since DS was born. No fancy bedding sets (you don't use the quilt or bumper anyway). Never used a pack n play or bassinet.
We didn't buy much because I just couldn't imagine we needed ALL that baby crap, and I turned out to be right.
Now, the one thing I did not buy and later wished I had was a glider or rocking chair. We moved our big over stuffed armchair from the living room into the nursery (the colors matched perfectly) and while it was super comfy for middle of the night feedings, I wish I had had a rocker.
One of the best purchases we made was the Fisher Price infant to toddler rocker.
You are right, there is so much crap out there. Don't even think about buying everything on the suggested registry lists!
Personally I would invest in a good baby carrier, my favorites are the Moby and Ergo. Baby Bjorn hurts your shoulders and back big time. If you don't want the whole massive stroller car seat combo consider a snap and go stroller - small and light and the car seat can fit in nicely.
I have learned that there are some awesome secondhand stores out there where things are a fraction of the cost. I bought almost all my daughter's clothes and baby items at one nearby and found some great steals and clothes that looked like they had hardly been worn. Find out if you have some second hand stores near you, you can definitely find books, baby toys, baby carriers, strollers, clothes etc.
Wipes warmer- total waste (at least it was a gift!)
The best buy which I feel like I should be paid to say since I have bought/recommended enough of these to keep the company in business is the Rock and Play.
I also agree with people's suggestions to get the latest version of Baby Bargains!
We used our pack in play all the time, but I travel quite a bit. I wish I would have gotten a travel swing instead of the behemoth "snug a bunny" swing. It would have been convenient to take with me while traveling when he was really little.
We loved the puj tub, I was sad when he outgrew it.
We barely used the Bumpo and I hated the moby wrap.
I still love the Ergo, we use our pack n play all the time, and I love our City Mini stroller.
Married: October 23, 2010
DS: 8/7/2013
#2 EDD: 6/29/2016, C Section: 6/22/2016