What are your go to items?

alphalyrae · September 2013

Hello! I'm 7 weeks, 5 days and although DH and I won't be purchasing anything until about 16-20 weeks, I'd like to get a feel for what items you frequently go to during the first 6 months of your little one's life (and not waste my time with all of the registry list suggestions out there). Please feel free to be as specific about brands as you want.

Thank you in advance!

bionic4me · September 2013

* Having a springtime baby, I loved having sleepers and baby gowns. Now that it is summertime, we have her sleep in short-sleeved onsies.

* I wish that we had gotten a summer hat (one that ties) earlier in the season to protect her head and face from the sun.

* We love our Britax Agile carseat/stroller combo.

* DD was a gassy (not colicky) baby, so gas drops and Dr. Brown bottles were great.

* Our Graco Pack n Play is constantly set up in our living room and we recently used it for camping in the trailer last weekend.

* DD enjoys the swing that we received from our neighbors... but is not a fan of the Mommaroo that we purchased.

* Last year, my sister suggested that we buy a costume during the after Halloween sales. I am so happy to have bought a $40 costume for only $8. DD is going to make a cute spider this year

I am sure there is more, but that is all coming to mind right now. I love having an April baby!!!

Good luck!!!

Liz629 · September 2013

Hello and congratulations. Here is what we use all the time:

Halo sleep sacks - great for some extra warmth. LO didn't like being swaddled, but once he is in the sack, he knows it is time to go to sleep. We only needed two as they can be used a couple of times before washing
Pack & Play - it is always set up in our living room for napping and changing since we have a two story. Also great for road trips
Baby swing (we have the snug a monkey) - was great for when LO just wasn't happy with anything else
Exercauser (your equivalent) - LO has loved to stand since he was 10 weeks, so this has been a life saver. When he was a little bit too small, we just put pillows under his feet and put blankets around him. It is awesome!
Carseat/Stroller combo - this was a must, so easy to move LO from Car to stroller and back
Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail - while I wouldn't consider this a must for everyone, it was for us. My DH hates the smell of dirty diapers (of course, who doesn't), but this really contains the smell. From what I have heard from relatives, it seems to work better than the Diaper Genies that they had
White Noise Machine (we have the sleep sheep) - LO is a great sleeper, and we have always had a lot of noise around him when napping and sleeping. Because of this, we found when we put him in his crib to put himself to sleep, he needed a little background noise, so that has helped tremendously. I also have a free phone app that I use when traveling.
Video monitor - not for every one, but we loved having the option to be able to peak in on him without going into his room.

I agree with PP that we could do without the bumbo...it is small and it is a pain to get LO in and out, plus he doesn't really like it much anyway. The top of a dresser works great as a changing table whether you get a piece that goes on it or just a changing pad on the top would work just as well. We also could've done without the three-in-one baby monitor (sound, video & breathing sensor). The sensor went off on the first night he was home...I never jumped out of bed so fast in my life. Once we figured out that LO was fine and reset the sensor, it kept going off, so needless to say, it was unplugged the first night. We loved the video feature, but could do without the sensor.

jlpev · September 2013

My DD loves her activity mat, bouncer, bumbo, tag toy, Sophie the giraffe, a pack and play once she's mobile so I can shower etc. My son loved his swing. DD doesn't care for it. Boppy for nursing and tummy time. Also my glider was great for night time nursing.

sgerrity23 · September 2013

White noise machine, swaddle me blankets and then halo sleep sack when she grew out of the swaddle. Infant car seat/stroller combo has been awesome! Teethers, started loving them around 4 months.

kmc84 · September 2013

LOVE: Video monitor (Motorola), Boppy pillow, Evelflo smart steps exersaucer, Oxo wipes dispenser (weighted insert keeps you from pulling out multiple wipes. Not necessary but I love it), old school cloth diapers for burp rags (super absorbent and big enough to actually catch spit up), diaper genie portable diaper bags, snap up sleepers (lots of them, outfits are a PITA when they are teeny), Medela steam sterilizer bags. Puj tub-they outgrow it quick, but I loved it while we could use it. Anything from Aiden and Anais-their swaddle blankets and sleep sacs are amazing!

If you are breast feeding, the Medela PISA is a great pump. Check with your insurance company to find out what pumps they cover.

Don't bother with: Bumbo seat, baby shoes, sterilizer (unless medically indicated),

Ashfann93 · September 2013

Swing, some days it is the ONLY place LO will sleep. Boppy, when I was still nursing. White noise of any kind. I never actually bought a specific white noise machine, just downloaded an app on my iPad, but its become part of our bedtime routine and puts him right out. Gumdrop pacifiers. Pack and play for traveling, our family is all over the place, so we are often on overnight trips. Zip up footie pjs. So much easier than messing with 15 snaps. Boudreax's butt paste. LO has sensitive skin, so until we found the right diapers and wipes, this stuff worked super fast on rashes.

LisaLisa1980 · September 2013

Get the swaddleMe swaddles, and a woombie
Swing
Moses basket with stand
Sleep sheep
Travel system carseat & stroller

I hated sleepers. Stopped using them after week 1.

I also just use a regular garbage can for diapers. We change it out everyday and it doesn't smell. Takes up less room than a genie

We also don't use a change table. I put a water proof change pad down on our bed. It looks like a blanket

kmc84 · September 2013

I forgot to add-get a rock and play! I put lo in it while I shower. We didn't have this problem, but babies with reflux supposedly sleep much in this rather than being flat.

HarleyKins · September 2013

Loved: Aiden & Anais muslin blankets (Target) A wubanub - we have 3! Gerber diapers as burp rags - must get the ones with the thick middle (for ease of "is this one dirty?" I wrote/drew on them with fabric marker) Dr. Brown bottles A hand pump! Congrats!

Devbo18 · September 2013

Congrats! Wish I had asked this when I was registering!
1. Rock n play- my son slept in this next to our bed for first 6 weeks- great if you're nursing!
2. Swaddle me blankets
3. Fisher price monkey bouncer
4. Bob jogger stroller- we are very active and this has been awesome!! Has an infant seat insert. Drives well on the beach too!
5. Jumperoo- my kid is OBSESSED with jumping!
6. Baby ergo carrier. Way better than Bjorn!

wku2011 · September 2013

Miracle blanket- LO busted out of the swaddlemes. It really is a miracle.

Fisher Price Kick & Play- this was a big item on the may board. After seeing everyone rave about it, we decided to get one for ourselves. It's so much fun & he loves it. Just an FYI, it's wayyyy cheaper from Walmart, but my target price matched as long as you could show them on the phone.

Snap n go caddy- we got the chicco one since our infant seat is chicco & I love it. I have a smaller car with a smaller trunk so wrestling the full sized stroller was a major hassle. This was an item we bought more for convenience, but it has definitely been worth it, since it's made outings a bit easier.

Ditto to the pp on gerber (prefolds) burp rags, medela pump (I just swapped to that from an ameda, & I've noticed a huuuge difference in them), noise machine (we have an app when we travel), zip sleepers, an exersaucer or jumperoo, & the munchkin diaper pail. We have a small trash can that we use for wet diapers that gets emptied regularly, but the pail is nice for those super blowouts. Putting the wets in a separate place from the pail helps keep the cost of the replacements low. I also really like that once you put the diaper in, it twists it down so you're not stuck smelling it every time you open it.

emmy236 · September 2013

-Definitely the FP kick and play piano mat
- a few different swaddles to see what works. We started with swaddle design, swaddle me and now we're on the halo
- a few carriers. We have a big one for hicking but also have a ring sling ($30) that DS loves and was a lifesaver when he went through phases where he only wanted to be held. Also have a mei tai ($30) for when I do grocery shopping/chores
-PnP
- an inexpensive bouncer or a swing/bouncer combo
-a swing of some sort
-nuk passies (you can steal a bunch of the soothe ones from the hospital)
-don't worry about bottles yet. Sign up for samples and when the time comes test them and then go buy what LO prefers
-soooo many burp cloths and bibs
-only newborn jammies they grow out of them quickly
- a good stroller. I splurged and got the Bumbleride Indie and I love it. It's well made, great outside plus they have a car seat adapter for $20 that works perfectly with all car seats. Travel systems can be huge and ugly plus those strollers can't do much off road/jogging. I just got that and a snap in go. Now DS is bigger I got the Bumbleride Flite for a small umbrella stroller. Love it too!
-don't get shirts that aren't onesies. They ride up constantly!

tig594 · September 2013

jlpev said:

My DD loves her activity mat, bouncer, bumbo, tag toy, Sophie the giraffe, a pack and play once she's mobile so I can shower etc. My son loved his swing. DD doesn't care for it. Boppy for nursing and tummy time. Also my glider was great for night time nursing.

Pretty much all of these. We would be lost without DDs swing. She LOVES Sophie and the musical thingy on her car seat (sounds like wind chimes...got it at walmart). The bumbo is also great. DD sits in it everywhere....on the counter to watch me do dishes, back porch to supervise yard work, and even on the dining room table so she is really a part of dinner time. We even got her the little table for it.

MrsArrow · September 2013

* I LOVE our Graco Click Connect 35 Tidal Wavevstroller/car seat...the car seat is easy to use as well as the stroller. The car seat even clicks into the swing we purchased.

* Arm & Hammer dispenser and bags (for blowouts, spit-up, etc)

* Lots of baskets to corral all the little rattles, animals, teethers, extra pacifiers, toys, etc. (we have an abundance of trucks and cars from my dad...

)

*I don't think you can ever have enough receiving blankets..I use them for everything! (cover-up when breastfeeding, they will get peed on, spit up on, and of course blowouts, I lay one down on his mat for tummy time, and an extra one in the diaper bag for chilly pedi office and other buildings..our church is usually cold).

*Medela Pump and bottles! I love mine..I only pump once/twice a day/night so I have the single Swing Pump and I think its perfect for a part-time pumper.

Congrats on your little one!! Good luck to you!

MAdams728 · September 2013

RockNPlay! I dont know how I would have gotten through the newborn phase without it. Also, Medela PISA and definitely a couple of hands free nursing bras. I also really appreciate having a sterilizer for bottles\pump parts. Not everyone feels the need to sterilize, but I do. I didnt think I would need a million washclothes and burp rags, but you do.

I wish I hadnt wasted my money on a pretty crib bedding set. You dont use the nice comforter or bumpers, so you just spent a lot of money on a sheet. I bought a bunch of single sheets and the mesh bumpers after I realized this, and that's all I need.

CrazyMary77 · September 2013

Here are some of mine:

Definitely a swing - Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny

We have a Fisher Price rocker chair that vibrates, and LO has a bouncer at my parents' house. Both are great. Nice to have a portable place to sit LO. You could get a portable swing/bouncer combo if space is an issue.

Get some source of white noise. We just use an iPod that has baby friendly music, and we put a white noise track on repeat. We had an extra ipod and docking station we weren't using, so it became LOs.

Lots of burp cloths.

Aden & Anais is one of my favorite brands. Love their swaddling blankets, crib sheets, bath towels, sleep sacks.

Dr. Browns bottles, bottle brush, drying rack and dishwasher basket

Onesies. LO practically lives in onesies.

Zip up pjs and gowns are great, better than ones you have to button. Makes MOTN diaper changes much easier.

Since your LO will be born right before the summer, a hat to protect from the sun.

Britax travel system

Sealy Foam Core crib mattress. It is so light weight and makes changing the sheets easy, especially if you have to do it in the MOTN.

Portable toys that crinkle, jingle, make noise to keep LO entertained in the car and whenever needed. I always keep a toy in the diaper bag.

We get a lot of use out of our Boppy, very versatile. I didn't end up using it much for feeding personally (I found a regular throw pillow more helpful), but I use it a lot to prop up LO. She used to have bad reflux and couldn't lay flat for at least 20 minutes after feeding, so this was really helpful to prop her up. You can use it for tummy time and to help support them while they're learning to sit.

shihtzumomma · September 2013

We're not quite 3 months in, but I can tell you what have been must have thus far.

Rock N Play Sleeper. Best.Seat.Ever. I started with a bouncer, the infant/toddler rocker, and swing and DD only liked the swing, so I needed something more portable. I finally went out and bought the RnP and boy is it fabulous! DD sleeps in her crib overnight, but naps in the RnP during the day. I sold all the other seats (except the swing). FWIW, we have the one with the vibration feature.
Swing. Ours is a travel swing so I also have the Tiny Love on the go mobile that I've attached to it and DD loves this. She takes her morning nap here and her afternoon naps in the RnP.
Kick n Play Piano Mat. Fun fun fun! We started with another mat but purchased this one after seeing all the raves on here. We haven't used our first mat since. I suggest just getting this one to begin with.
SwaddleMe's. So much easier than blankets! I swaddled DD1 with blankets, and I can't believe I never tried the SwaddleMe's!
Motorola Video Monitor.
Homedics Sound Spa and Baby Einstein soothing crib aquarium thing. Nighttime lifesavers.
Colic Calm - it's magic.
Arm & Hammer disposable dirty diaper bags

So far we haven't had much use with the boppy, but I used it a lot more for DD1. Maybe once DD2 is sitting I'll use it to catch her falls. Otherwise, kind of useless at this point.

We have a Paci Plushie (like a wubbanub, but universal). It's only served to piss DD off when she grabs the legs and jerks her paci out. I'm also hoping this will become more useful as she gets older and make it easier for her to put her paci in herself. So far, it's a hassle.

megandscott07 · September 2013

Things we used right away: zip-up sleepers (snaps are super frustrating with a screaming baby IMO), snugamonkey bouncy seat (put baby in this to take a shower), Halo sleep sacks and/or SwaddleMe blankets, rock n play (DS slept in this the first 8 wks), Dr Brown's wide neck bottles, Skip Hop Versa diaper bag (I used this as both a purse and diaper bag especially in the beginning), B-Agile carseat and stroller - I love how quick and easy this is to use, highly recommmend! Aden & Anais blankets, cloth diapers for burp cloths. Things DS loves now - snugamonkey swing (lifesaver for naps), bumbo seat (I got mine on Craigslist because they are kind of a rip off), Sophie the Giraffe, Whoozit toys from Manhatten toy, Primo bathtub, Burts Bees lavender wash and lotion, FP space saver high chair, baby einstein play mat and exersaucer. Things I wouldn't waste $ on: wipes warmer (I never used it), baby shoes, 'cute' burp cloths that don't absorb anything, tons of 'outfits' for a newborn, they are a PITA.

alphalyrae · September 2013

Thank you so much for the recommendations! They'll be a huge help once we start purchasing and registering.

NicoleNielsen59 · September 2013

Ready to feed formula bottles with disposable nipples if FF

BC&LM · September 2013

Rock and Play for nap time is awesome. I would get some Aden and Anais blankets too. I never registered for any and just finally broke down and bought some last month, and I am totally kicking myself I didn't buy any earlier. For burp cloths, cloth diapers or Aden and Anais burpy bibs work best. (If you get the burpy bibs, get the bigger ones that sell for $22 for 2, not the $10 for 1 ones from BRU and Target that are a lot smaller.) I like Swaddle pods for newborns and Swaddle Mes and sleepsacks for a slightly older baby. My son loves to look at his mobile, so I would get one for your crib. I would also get a playmat like the Kick and Play piano mat. You want some kind of nursing pillow even if you don't breastfeed; my son is mostly bottle fed, and we still use ours all the time. I'm sure there is other stuff I forgot, but that's what I can think of right now.

BC&LM · September 2013

Also, check out Children's Place for some very cheap clothes for next summer. I went there the other day, and they had quite a few things on the 99 cents rack, as well as some other things for 3 dollars or less. If you pair that with a 20% off coupon, you can get some nice stuff for like 79 cents! I ended up with 12 pieces for next summer for about $19. Then, check them out at the end of each season for clearance on other sizes you will need too.

HeartLikeMine3 · September 2013

Congrats my favorite most used items are:
A&A blankets
Swaddlemes
Zip up sleepers with hand mits
Angel care bath sling
Rock and play
Snugabunny swing
Bouncer rainforest
Sleep b sheep small one for travel
That's all I really used for the first 3 months

pinottoparenthood · September 2013

Fisher price kick and play piano is AMAZING... we have used it since we brought him home and he will play with it for 30 minutes at a time so I can throw together dinner or,clean up.

Definitely a white noise machine.

One or two swaddles, but our DS ended up hating being swaddled so,we returned them. For sme people though, it's a lifesaver.

Swing... We have the snugabunny. He doesn't use it much anymore, but when we first brought him home, it was the ONLY place he would sleep.

If you're breastfeeding, definitely get a boppy. I also have a Medela PISA which is awesome aside from the fact that I hate pumping.

Diapers, wise, diaper cream (Burt's bees is the only one that works for us).

Baby shampoo and fisher price whale of a tub. Seriously... The whale of a tubis the best tub ever.

Different types of pjs. Sometimes we would put him in a onesie and a swaddle to try to,get him into the bassinet the. Ten if we ended up having to put him I'm the swing, we would change him into warm footed pjs. Yu want to have some options!

Clothes... Be sure you have some little pants and little socks. We had next to no newborn things and had to run out and get more, so make sure that you have a few newborn outfits.

Carseat and stroller. We love our city mini and have used it since we brought him home with a head positioner.

Those are really all our must haves for a newborn! Once he hit 3-4 months, he started to love toys- anything with a mirror, crinkly toys, oball, Sophie, etc.

Congrats!!!

kgs0505 · September 2013

1 - play gym - any kind

2 - Halo sleep sacks

3 - Video monitor - Keeps my anxiety way down

4 - Booginhead paci grip (and for after 6 months, get the sippy grip too, you won't be sorry - I can't tell you how many people have asked me about it and where did I get it, and older people who wished they had one when they had littles)

5 - I like either a floor swing (swing close to the floor), and/or the infant to toddler fisher price rocker. The rock n play is great if you have a refluxy baby or if they have congestion.

6 - get a good humidifier. You can't give babies anything for coughs and congestion for at least 2 years, and a humidifier is a godsend for those conditions.

Happy shopping! And congrats on your pregnancy!

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