Keep, toss, add

Ceridwen21 · March 2014

Just for fun, STMs name 1 baby item you found indispensable (KEEP), total waste of money/space (TOSS), and something you want to get this time around (ADD). I know we could all list a dozen things for each category, but just list your top choice for each.

KEEP: Cloth diapers

TOSS: Nursing cape (to hide your boobs/the baby)

ADD: Glider

trebekastan · March 2014

I LOVE this idea. Can't wait to hear the responses.

ve304856 · March 2014

KEEP: swing

TOSS: wipe warmer

ADD: a bottle drying rack, i just used a dish cloth last time and it made my kitchen look messy.

an02102 · March 2014

Keep: Aden and Anais blankets

Toss: random blankets people gave me

Add: newborn size clothes (I was told by family members I didn't need that size since I would have a big baby and they grow out of it so quickly, yeah I had him a month early and had no clothes to take DS home in that fit. My mom had to run out on christmas eve to buy clothes so he didn't completely swim in an outfit).

peanutbuttervibes · March 2014

KEEP: baby swing
TOSS: baby wipes warmer
ADD: car seat cover

SingleMom31 · March 2014

Keep: Swing (it was the only place DD would nap)

Toss: Nursing cover and boppy (I found that laying on my side on our bed or the couch was much better, followed by a normal pillow)

Want: Bouncy seat. We never had one with DD, but I could see it being good to put in the bathroom while I take a shower since the swing won't fit.

Tussie Mussie · March 2014

Keep: Baby legs (LOVE!)
Toss: Bumbo seat
Add: Ring sling

BabyMayinMarch · March 2014

Keep: Rolling bassinet

Toss: pee-pee-tee-pees - Seriously don't ask

Add: Swing

ve304856 · March 2014

I would also add a seat cover for under the car seat. I never realized how nasty the seat can get.

emmylu30 · March 2014

Keep: Rock n Play & Baby K'Tan

Toss: Bassinet

Add: Glider

Sunnyalj · March 2014

Keep: Ergo

Toss: baby bjorn

Add: a bouncer for each room! It would be nice to have a place to put the baby while you shower, cook, workout

JackieB15 · March 2014

Keep: Sleep Sacks

Toss: Nursing cover

Add: extra pump parts - I wish I would have had extra sets so I wouldn't have had to wash them as often.

lovesazzie · March 2014

KEEP: Every single baby carrier (we've got Moby Wrap, Bjorn, and Beco and I love them all for different reasons/stages) - these are good for the first baby but absolutely required for any additional babies.

TOSS: changing table! we just do it on the couch, floor, bed, anywhere except the actual changing table. (I do lay a blanket down first just in case!)

ADD: I'm not sure yet aside from TONS of girly clothes if necessary, but I added some small "luxury" items with DS2 that I didn't have with DS1 - Aden + Anais blankets - the swaddling ones and also a really thick blanket from them, we adored these and he still uses the thick one, and Sophie the Giraffe teether. It was nice getting a few special items for #2 since we didn't have a ton of other stuff to buy.

SmarieMcB84 · March 2014

Great post idea!
Keep: bouncy chair
Toss: bottle sanitizer ( never used it! Boiling pot of water was easier for me)
Add: rock n play

JulyMomma2U2 · March 2014

Keep: Sound Machine
Toss: Boppy Pillow
Add: Rent a hospital grade pump

brittneyandadam · March 2014

Keep it comin ladies! This is so helpful

Timscutie01 · March 2014

Keep: swaddle me's!! Dd lived in them until 4 months old!
Toss: swing DD hated it but I know all kids are diff so next one may love it!
Add: Nothing! We have so much stuff that we barely used that I can't imagine anything else coming into this house!

beck12803 · March 2014

Keep: white noise machine, sleeping sacks
Toss: changing table
Add: ergo

A&DPritchett2be · March 2014

This is great to read for us FTMs. My question for all of you tossing the nursing cover is: Did you mainly nurse at home? If not, what did you do when not at home if it isn't TMI?

I am planning to nurse and don't see the point of the cover in my own home. I will also be a SAHM and will probably to most of the nursing at home, but I wonder about places that are not my home such as MIL's house, not public places but not my home. Thanks!

kami09 · March 2014

I'm surprised that a few said to toss the bjorn...is it because you didn't really use it or was it uncomfortable?

peanutbuttervibes · March 2014

A&DPritchett2be said:
This is great to read for us FTMs. My question for all of you tossing the nursing cover is: Did you mainly nurse at home? If not, what did you do when not at home if it isn't TMI?

I am planning to nurse and don't see the point of the cover in my own home. I will also be a SAHM and will probably to most of the nursing at home, but I wonder about places that are not my home such as MIL's house, not public places but not my home. Thanks!

I actually used blankets at first to cover myself then finally broke down and got a real nursing cover. I happened to love it and even used it home when we had friends over. It's all about what works for you though

melrob613 · March 2014

kami09 said:

I'm surprised that a few said to toss the bjorn...is it because you didn't really use it or was it uncomfortable?

I am not the biggest fan of my Bjorn. Used for DD, not really for DS. It's not the most comfortable, but also with all the snaps/hooks/buckles it is awkward to try to wear baby alone. I liked assistance. Thus is why I will:

Keep: velcro swaddlers. Those nurses can really crush your hope with their unrepeatable ways of swaddling your NB. Velcro swaddlers were a lifesaver for me. And my Boppy.

Toss: bjorn

Add: a wrap type baby wearer (suggestions anyone?)

mrsH1112 · March 2014

I love this! Big time helpful to all us FTMs. Ive never even heard of Aden & Anais blankets...im off to look it up!

SmarieMcB84 · March 2014

alexisann4250 said:

A&DPritchett2be said:
This is great to read for us FTMs. My question for all of you tossing the nursing cover is: Did you mainly nurse at home? If not, what did you do when not at home if it isn't TMI?

I am planning to nurse and don't see the point of the cover in my own home. I will also be a SAHM and will probably to most of the nursing at home, but I wonder about places that are not my home such as MIL's house, not public places but not my home. Thanks!
I actually used blankets at first to cover myself then finally broke down and got a real nursing cover. I happened to love it and even used it home when we had friends over. It's all about what works for you though

-----------------------
This. I used blankets with DS1. DS2 I got a good nursing cover that doesn't fall off and used it if we had company or went out. I'm more comfortable covering up. I did have one I returned bc it was supposed to stay together with magnets and it was dumb.

MrsLaLaBug · March 2014

Keep: rock n' play
Toss: Bouncy seat(but only b/c it was overkill b/c we also had the swing and the RnP
Add: More Halos!! Sleepsack versions!

emmylu30 · March 2014

melrob613 said:

kami09 said:

I'm surprised that a few said to toss the bjorn...is it because you didn't really use it or was it uncomfortable?

I am not the biggest fan of my Bjorn. Used for DD, not really for DS. It's not the most comfortable, but also with all the snaps/hooks/buckles it is awkward to try to wear baby alone. I liked assistance. Thus is why I will:

Keep: velcro swaddlers. Those nurses can really crush your hope with their unrepeatable ways of swaddling your NB. Velcro swaddlers were a lifesaver for me. And my Boppy.
Toss: bjorn
Add: a wrap type baby wearer (suggestions anyone?)

My husband loved the Bjorn and the ease of putting it on but it killed my back after wearing it for 5 minutes. I have the Beco Gemini and really like it.

@melrob613 I really like the Baby K'tan. It is a soft wrap type but it's already pre-formed if that makes sense. Not a bunch of tying involved which I've heard is a complaint of the Moby.

Edit to add hyphen.

henderson1026 · March 2014

KEEP: Nose Frida
TOSS: nursing covers
ADD: a better wrap ( I have a K'Tan but didn't like it)

** I nurse uncovered. At home I'm always walking around with one boob out, at other people's houses I really don't care. I NIP when I need to, often if I'm at the mall or something, I'll go to the women's lounge in nordstrom - not so much for privacy, but because they have comfortable chairs and less distraction. DD likes to people watch and will pop off to look around.

JackieB15 · March 2014

A&DPritchett2be said:

This is great to read for us FTMs. My question for all of you tossing the nursing cover is: Did you mainly nurse at home? If not, what did you do when not at home if it isn't TMI? I am planning to nurse and don't see the point of the cover in my own home. I will also be a SAHM and will probably to most of the nursing at home, but I wonder about places that are not my home such as MIL's house, not public places but not my home. Thanks!

DD would never nurse under a cover or blanket (would you want to eat under a blanket?) If I'm at someone's house I generally find a quiet room or corner away from the action. At my parents' house I just go in the next room and can usually still be part of the conversation. At my SIL's I go to my niece's room and she "feeds" her babies at the same time I do. If it's a friends' house I usually ask if I can use a bedroom or office. I personally don't care if people see, but I know it makes some people uncomfortable.

Out in public I just pretty much go for it. Although I do know all the good nursing rooms at the mall if I want some peace and quiet (Nordstrom has a great lounge).

biokitty42 · March 2014

Keep: Clothes with little built-in mittens. DD was a bad face rubber/scratcher.

Toss: Low quality breast pump. I hated it so much.

Add: Ergo and maybe a co-sleeper

trebekastan · March 2014

jpfeifer said:

kami09 said:

I'm surprised that a few said to toss the bjorn...is it because you didn't really use it or was it uncomfortable?

It was uncomfortable. It put too much weight on my upper back that I ended up holding her bottom half up with my arms, which defeats the purpose. Plus I felt guilty she was hanging by her crotch, and wondered how comfortable it was for her. A friend had an ergo and would wear her son for hours with no complaints. A positive of the Bjorn was that you could use it forward facing, which I don't think is an option on the Ergo.

Babies aren't supposed to be forwards facing, that's why it isn't an option.

Fishyhatch · March 2014

This is an awesome discussion, thanks for posting this OP!

SingleMom31 · March 2014

A&DPritchett2be said:
This is great to read for us FTMs. My question for all of you tossing the nursing cover is: Did you mainly nurse at home? If not, what did you do when not at home if it isn't TMI?

I am planning to nurse and don't see the point of the cover in my own home. I will also be a SAHM and will probably to most of the nursing at home, but I wonder about places that are not my home such as MIL's house, not public places but not my home. Thanks!

If I was at home, I didn't care... Everyone knew I was nursing and I figured that anyone who cared didn't need to stay. If we were out, I kept a blanket in the diaper bag and covered my stomach with that. Then, I'd pull my shirt up and let her latch on. Her head covered my breast, so as long as my shirt covered my shoulders and the blanket my stomach, I figured we were good. After the first few times of trying to cover her with a blanket, etc., I gave up on modesty...

Milo5181 · March 2014

Keep: Wubbanub
Toss: Baby bathrobes
Add: Baby Monitor

ve304856 · March 2014

Damasked said:

STMs, I'm curious what swings you used and how well they held up. I was reading reviews on some of the FP ones that said the motor burned out quickly. Did any of you have this issue?

I had the FP My little snugabunny swing. I loved it. It never gave me any problems and I didn't have to worry about going through tons of batteries or running out.

Milo5181 · March 2014

We had the FB little lamb swing, it was third-hand when we got it, and held up through at least one more kid after us (we gave it to a friend). But we didn't use it to the extent that some do, I mean, he probably used it for 3 months total and at most a few hours of swinging a day, most days about an hour.

A&DPritchett2be · March 2014

Thanks all! Your advice is very helpful!

Bella2425 · March 2014

Keep: miracle blanket, sound machine, swing
Toss: baby bjorn, bumbo
Add: rock n play, a carrier that doesn't hurt my back

adoxyinherear · March 2014

Love this!

KEEP: Cloth diapers FTW! Also can't wait to use my Baby K'Tan again with a little person... DD is still rockin' the Ergo but the K'Tan was perfect when she was small and snuggly.

TOSS: Any kind of nursing pillow. I already sold our Boppy, as a mountain of regular pillows was far more effective.

ADD: More nursing friendly tops. DD would never tolerate a cover and it was a PITA to nurse her in public.

suitern · March 2014

KEEP: Rock N Play

TOSS: Jumperoo (I hated that thing)

ADD: Double video monitor

anewadventure · March 2014

this is a great thread!

thanks for all your responses, STM's. although it does point out how much i need to look up...like what a wubbanub is, or a rock n play, or the difference between an ergo and a bjorn...

...ETA for spelling

T&HLove · March 2014

Keep: boppy & swaddlers edited to add video monitor! Especially now that she's a toddler.
Toss: pacis, bigger bottle nipples (breast fed babies don't need to go up a size)
Add: baby carrier

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