Confused about baby gear

Re: Confused about baby gear

• ellewoodsSC member

  January 2013

  PinkSparty:

  I'm so confused by all the different things what they're supposed to used for! Is a bouncer supposed to help the baby sleep or keep the baby occupied? Is the swing used to help the baby fall asleep? Do I need a rocker or a bassinet? What activity gym do I need? etc...

   Any advice would help. Are there any books that help with this sort of stuff?

   I'm so confused, do I go for what looks cozy or do I go for the one that looks less cute but might keep my child stimulated?

  This stuff is so expensive and it's difficult to not try and equate high price = safer and not assume lower price = deadly for my baby

  This is an excellent resource for explaining the essential baby gear and recommending some of the particular brands:  

  https://www.lucieslist.com/ 

  You'd be surprised about how much time we spend agonizing over the details and how little use things get used in the long run.  Everyone's situation is different and unfortunately you may find through trial and error that certain products and gear may be completely wrong for you. As far as cost, I usually ended up buying products that were priced in the average to slightly higher range of the cost spectrum and opted for tried and true brands like Fisher Price, Chicco, Peg Perego and Ergo.  More expensive products don't typically correlate with safety but usually offer different features, designs and a brand name.   There is a pretty good resale market for quality brands so you can save money buying used and recoup some money by reselling lightly used gear.   I avoided going for the cheapest route in general because I wanted to have things last beyond one child.  GL!

   

   

  

  
  

  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• SweetHurricane member

  January 2013

  I wouldn't worry so much about the looks. Something that matches your home decor but doesn't stimulate baby is a waste of money and space. Anyone who is at your house knows you have a kid, so don't worry about it. Soon enough you'll have a slew of toys spread all over the house anyways.

  I've noticed that with baby gear you're usually paying more money for the name (brand). Everything has to pass the same govt regulations, so don't get too hung up on safety (of course use common sense too).

  In my experience, swings are used as a soother. We used ours with both kids while they were in the newborn stage. They slept fine in their cribs at night but protested naps anywhere but the swing. It was a total life saver for us.

  You can use a bouncer as a sleeping area, but IMO there are better products out there that serve that purpose (swing, RNP, etc). We use ours as an activity place. It's nice because it's a safe yet portable place for baby to hang out while I do things around the house.

  Play mat - anything that has rings you can add toys onto. I know they come with toys, but it's nice to swap them out once in a while.

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• Angela814 member

  January 2013

  I was just at BRU yesterday for the first time in forever, and I was surprised by how much baby gear has changed. There were a lot of cool new items and some things that were probably not necessary.

  A bouncer can be for play or sleep. I prefer a simple one that just bounces. Neither of my girls really cared about the vibrating kind.

  The swing was awesome for getting them to sleep. We have a Fisher Price papasan version. The side to side swinging motion is what worked best for us.

  We bought a bassinet for our room. I had a co-sleeper with DD1 that I gave away to family after she no longer needed it. For DD2 I bought a bassinet that had the option of rocking. I'm not sure one was better than the other. Neither of my DDs really slept without touching me anyway. If you get a Pack N Play, there should be a bassinet attachment that you can use.

  We used our glider in the nursery a ton. I still rock DD2 in it before her naps and at bedtime.
  

  We loved the Rock N Play sleeper for naps and so that DD1 could interact with DD2. She used to pull her around in it so they could "play" together.

  This is similar to the activity gym they had at DD1's first daycare. It's super basic, but you can hang any infant toys from it. We had different activity mats that we rarely used, so that's the one I plan to buy now. We'll just put a blanket down underneath baby.

  Pretty much any exersaucer is great for when baby gets older. I kept one in my bathroom so I could shower and DD would stay occupied.

  I'd say for most of it, basic is just fine.
  

  Annalise Marie 05.29.06
  Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
  Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
  

  Report0 Reply