June '14 Baby Gear Questions Thread

lindsaybluhm · May 2014

Your probably not going to like the way the light weight one handles after using a smooth riding BOB. Honestly the bob sets up so easily you will not notice it being heavier. I say skip the light weight.

temursgirl · May 2014

Today at my shower I received a humidifier. I don't have one and wasn't planning to get one, but since we got it as a gift is it useful? How exactly does it help with breathing?

Mia081081 · May 2014

Temurlang1 said:

Today at my shower I received a humidifier. I don't have one and wasn't planning to get one, but since we got it as a gift is it useful? How exactly does it help with breathing?

If your LO gets sick, you will absolutely want and love a humidifier. It helps boogies comes out and helps them breathe better overnight. We found it super helpful when LO got her first cold at about 4mo. And I live in Miami where the air is basically humidified. I would keep it.

Brittnic531 · May 2014

I searched through the different threads and didn't see where anyone had posted about this... but has anyone used a window AC unit in the nursery? It will be way too hot this summer to just have fans, and I feel like a good unit would be ok, but does anyone have any experience or words of advice? She'll be sleeping in our room for the first few weeks which has a window unit as well, but our room is slightly larger. TIA!

katekat8721 · May 2014

Temurlang1 said:

Today at my shower I received a humidifier. I don't have one and wasn't planning to get one, but since we got it as a gift is it useful? How exactly does it help with breathing?

Confession: I have been so congested at night and my skin is horribly dried out... I plugged in the humidifier a couple nights ago and have been using it and love it haha. It's a good thing these babies will be sharing my room when they're ittie bitties because I'm pretty sure mama just stole their humidifier

hollygb22 · May 2014

Re : RNP we used it as a place for DD to sleep at night. I liked it since it was easy for DH to pick up the entire thing and bring her into the next room. We had no issues/flat spots etc. I did try and make it a point to get her out of it and alternate with other gear during the day and do plenty of tummy time

katekat8721 · May 2014

@nutmegs8 thanks! That was probably in the manual that I didn't bother to read, haha

RaeJ004 · May 2014

@CAMag - I am dying at "sweaty taco". That is my nickname for my vagina these days.

@elsa1688 - We loved our mirror and couldn't have gone without it. For me I would get more distracted not being able to see DD. Constantly wondering if she was breathing or okay. As for the projectile thing, everything becomes a projectile in an accident. If the baby has a binkie in, a cup of coffee, your cell phone, purse, everything. So don't let that stop you if you think you would benefit from getting it.

JESNYC · May 2014

Do you have to wash baby carriers before using them? Thanks!

temursgirl · May 2014

@nutmegs8‌ that's good to know about the water. We have hard water and I do tend to use filtered or distiller for a lot of things, but I don't think I would have thought of that. It sounds like the humidifier is a keeper... and maybe I should try it out on my own sinuses.

gmc222 · May 2014

@nnh7 - I had a couple different nursing covers and didn't like any of them. Instead I used my A&A swaddle blankets and tucked a corner of it into my bra strap to keep it in place. Worked perfectly!

I'm a little late in responding, but as a STM I wanted to offer my opinions:

Stroller - I am not a jogger, but we got the BOB with DD and I'm still in love with it. We take it everywhere...to parks, festivals, the mall, etc. Easily folds up so size was never a problem. I will mention that because of it's sturdiness you can easily hang a diaper bag on it and it won't tip over, even without a child sitting in it. We gate checked it in January and had no issues. We do have an umbrella stroller that we keep in DH's truck, but I hate it and we've really never used it! There is no place to put the diaper bag so you end up carrying it which is annoying, plus I felt like DD was always scrunched up in it. With this LO we are getting a Baby Jogger City Select so we have the option of both kids sitting, but using the glider board for when DD doesn't want to sit in her seat. We are also keeping the BOB.

Baby Wearing - I have Beco Butterfly and while I do love it, we didn't use it very often because I sweat super easily and it would make me too hot. I'm hoping to get more use out of it this time.

Newborn Sleeping - We used a RNP in our bedroom for the first 2 months until DD transitioned to her crib, and it was awesome. DD ended up having a very common reflux problem, so even when she was in her crib we often had to use a pillow under the mattress to prop her head up (doctor recommended), so I'm not overly concerned about the angle of the RNP. We also got a PNP like this that had a 'newborn napper' so we had that setup downstairs and used it for naps, diaper changes, etc. so we didn't always have to run upstairs for those things. We also brought the newborn napper part with us frequently if we knew DD would need a nap while we were out visiting family/friends.

Swing/Bouncer - all we used was the Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny swing and DD loved it. We had a small vibrating bouncer that we got free through a BRU promotion, which we used minimally. No Mamaroo here.

I also want to recommend baby gowns for the first couple weeks, they are awesome. Nothing to unsnap for diaper changes!

elsa1688 · May 2014

I'm nervous about using our RNP because it is about about level with our dog. Any advice?

JESNYC · May 2014

Thanks @StrawberryDreams219 That makes sense.

katekat8721 · May 2014

JESNYC said:

Do you have to wash baby carriers before using them? Thanks!

FTM but I've washed all of mine (used and new). I'm pretty much washing anything that is going to be touching the babies.

Mizoo · May 2014

katekat8721 said:

JESNYC said:

Do you have to wash baby carriers before using them? Thanks!

FTM but I've washed all of mine (used and new). I'm pretty much washing anything that is going to be touching the babies.

I'm also a FTM, but I've taken this philosophy as well. Anything we get for LO is getting washed!

PressLove · May 2014

How many moms about a mattress for your PnP? It won't be necessary for the bassinet part, but I'm thinking long-term.

ElTrain5 · May 2014

PressLove said:

How many moms about a mattress for your PnP? It won't be necessary for the bassinet part, but I'm thinking long-term.

My mom already got us one and it's installed in the bassinet level in our pnp. She says its a nessecity since the "pad" it comes with is so hard. After checking out the thin little pad I agree with her. Plus you can get sheets for it that seem like they would be much easier to clean than the pad.

PressLove · May 2014

@ElTrain5‌- Thanks for the insight. I didn't know it would work on the bassinet level.

elsa1688 · May 2014

Thanks ladies- just to clarify I was thinking more if the baby was in it during the day and I was doing dishes or something. Baby will not be left alone with the dog and we have a bassinet for night time.

lest12 · May 2014

elsa1688 said:

Thanks ladies- just to clarify I was thinking more if the baby was in it during the day and I was doing dishes or something. Baby will not be left alone with the dog and we have a bassinet for night time.

It was a good question. I worry about that with the baby in the swing when we're hanging around the house, too. I feel like I'm always just going to have one eye on the two of them.

babygabe614 · May 2014

So, upon walking into the nursery and seeing all the STUFF we now have and immediately going into panic mode, where do you plan on putting everything while you wait for baby's arrival? Some stuff I plan on storing in the nursery but for example, we got a Mamaroo at our shower but I have no idea where to stick it for the next 5 weeks?! Just have it chilling in the living room? What about the PNP (we are not using ours as a bassinet because we're borrowing a bedside bassinet from a friend)? Put that together and stick it in the living room too?

I know this might sound like a silly question but I guess I am feeling overwhelmed that my house is going to fill up with baby stuff now!

Also, a question about strollers - we have two, a BOB and a lightweight umbrella stroller. Do you STMs typically keep your strollers in your vehicle, or store them in your house/garage/shed/etc. when not in use?

QT3.14 · May 2014

babygabe614 said:

So, upon walking into the nursery and seeing all the STUFF we now have and immediately going into panic mode, where do you plan on putting everything while you wait for baby's arrival? Some stuff I plan on storing in the nursery but for example, we got a Mamaroo at our shower but I have no idea where to stick it for the next 5 weeks?! Just have it chilling in the living room? What about the PNP (we are not using ours as a bassinet because we're borrowing a bedside bassinet from a friend)? Put that together and stick it in the living room too?

I know this might sound like a silly question but I guess I am feeling overwhelmed that my house is going to fill up with baby stuff now!

Also, a question about strollers - we have two, a BOB and a lightweight umbrella stroller. Do you STMs typically keep your strollers in your vehicle, or store them in your house/garage/shed/etc. when not in use?

I set stuff up already because I didn't want to wait until baby gets here. I wanted to make sure everything fit, no missing parts, get everything washed that needed it (PnP sheets), and make sure we had enough batteries. PnP and RnP are set up in the bedroom. Bouncer and swing are hanging out in the corner of the breakfast area. Strollers are set up and in the garage. Make sure you practice with the stroller before taking it out so you won't be stranded in a parking lot somewhere trying to figure out how to fold it up. It's one of my worst fears.

rastrau · May 2014

@babygabe14 - we've got a dog and a cat, so we're leaving all that stuff out for them to get used to, along the lines of @mullenem's suggestion above. So the bouncer is currently hanging out in the living room, the tub is in the bathroom, the PNP is in the bedroom (which might have been a mistake, as it is now collecting my clothes in lieu of the chair it replaced, lol). Otherwise, I'm trying to organize stuff in the nursery if that's it's permanent home.

babygabe614 · May 2014

@rastrau Good point about letting the pets get used to the new stuff. We have two cats that don't adapt to change well, so putting the PNP/swing/etc. out for them to sniff and rub their faces all over ahead of time is probably a good idea.

They have already taken over the bassinet in our bedroom but now it's covered in hair so I guess I just need to come to terms with the fact that I'll be cleaning everything at least twice before baby arrives!

hollygb22 · May 2014

PressLove said:

How many moms about a mattress for your PnP? It won't be necessary for the bassinet part, but I'm thinking long-term.

we bought one off of amazon. I think it's the 3" Dream on Me mattress. I think we only paid around $30. I can't imagine having DD sleep in the pNP without it. We use the PNP mainly for weekends away etc. But it's been $$ well spent. People recommended wrapped that horrible cardboard mattress it comes with in blankets etc..if we had to do it again I might even get the thicker one (5")

amackattack · May 2014

I'm sure this question has been addressed at some point...but we are planning to CD and I am confused about whether or not we will need a diaper genie?? We will be giving the daycare wet bags...but what does everyone use at home to store the dirty diapers in until its time to wash them?

Please redirect if there's a better place for me to ask this!

amackattack · May 2014

@michellev10 @mullenem

thanks! I will look into the Grovia Perfect Pail...that sounds like what I'm looking for.

We do have a diaper sprayer we plan on attaching to the toilet....the only thing is, we were planning on attaching the sprayer to the toilet that is in the basement and is closer to the washing machine, not the toilet that is close to LO's room. Here is how I have the process planned out in my head: remove diaper, change baby, wipe poo into toilet closer to LO's room, separate inserts from the outside (we mostly have the insert type of diaper), and put the outside and the inserts into two separate wet bags (or possibly get a grovia perfect pail situation). Then when it's time to do laundry I figured we'd just spray the diapers in the toilet near the washing machine, and then wash them!

Does this process sound about right? Do any of you do any soaking of the diapers?

amackattack · May 2014

@michellev10 Aha!! Sprayer will go on the upstairs toilet then.

Thank you! I'm feeling better about this whole process now. Also, I just ordered that wet bag

steprozz · May 2014

@Lcgroenewe‌ we cloth diaper and your plan sounds pretty good except I would imagine if you don't spray the diaper right away, the poop will dry and trying to spray it will be pretty pointless? (we spray right away or not at all so not sure if that's an accurate assumption). also, you shouldn't need two wet bags for inserts and shells. once everything has been prepped it can all be washed together so only one wet bag/pail liner should be necessary for each load (we do have two so while one is in the wash we can start throwing dirty diapers in the other one)

edit for words

amackattack · May 2014

@stephross88.....even better! Keeping them all in one sounds easier. I just ordered a big hanging wet bag which I figured we would send to and from daycare and also keep hanging in her room (when the diapers are not being loaded into the washing machine).

Then, we have three small wet bags which we'll use for our diaper bags or for if someone forgot to bring the big diaper bag back upstairs.

But, as far as poo spraying...the daycare will give us back the wet bag and they obviously won't be spraying the diapers for us so that's why I figured we'd set up the sprayer in the downstairs toilet. Unless it'll all be dried by then? In which case perhaps we'd need a scraper. Maybe we need two sprayers. Or maybe just one sprayer in the upstairs and a scraper in the basement.

Sorry I'm hijacking this thread talking about my personal poo spraying setup.

MrsRahl · May 2014

This isn't a baby gear question per say, but don't know where else to post without sounds SS. Anyone have a fitbit? Do you love it? How did you utilize it during pregnancy? Postpartum? anyone thought about getting one?

elsa1688 · May 2014

mrsdbc said:
I cant sort through all the pages, humidifyer yes or no?

Yes, great for anyone with a cold - even you. Cold mist is preferable.

steprozz · May 2014

@Lcgroenewe‌ sounds like you have wet bags covered

usually with diapers that have been in wet bags all day while out and about and not sprayed immediately I don't even bother and just wash them. like PP said, if you are EBF you don't even have to rinse, but DS is 18 months old and we have only been CDing since his poop was ploppable so I'm not really sure how it works with formula fed or the beginnings of introducing solids. I would imagine a little trial and error is in order. a scraper or spatula is a little out there for me honestly, I would probably invest in a second sprayer for the other toilet.

MrsRahl · May 2014

@Lcgroenewe I am new to CD as well, but just wanted to share that there is a cloth diapering board on here that has been super helpful with any of my questions or you can search using the little magnifying glass on their page: https://forums.thebump.com/categories/diapering

Also we have a thread that @chickpea912 was super helpful with in the past and may answer a lot of questions for you if you have time to read through it

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12205816/cloth-diapers-anyone

PressLove · May 2014

MrsRahl said:

This isn't a baby gear question per say, but don't know where else to post without sounds SS. Anyone have a fitbit? Do you love it? How did you utilize it during pregnancy? Postpartum? anyone thought about getting one?

I bought DH a fitbit last year along with the wristband. He loves it. Many of the walks we take are because he hasn't gotten all five of his dots. I feel like I get the benefit, too. I haven't thought about getting one for myself because I really don't want to know how much sleep I'm not getting. However, I recommend them to anyone who is interested.

Before buying the fitbit, I looked at the fuelband. We have Android phones, so a fuelband would have been useless.

lest12 · May 2014

mullenem said:

lest12 said:

elsa1688 said:

Thanks ladies- just to clarify I was thinking more if the baby was in it during the day and I was doing dishes or something. Baby will not be left alone with the dog and we have a bassinet for night time.

It was a good question. I worry about that with the baby in the swing when we're hanging around the house, too. I feel like I'm always just going to have one eye on the two of them.
With DD, it just involved taking the dog with me around the house if she was in her swing or something. He was pretty freaked out by the swing though. Definitely get the stuff out and have it around before baby gets there so he can investigate it without baby.

@mullenem - thanks! Hopefully we will be OK. Buddy usually follows me around the house anyway, and is usually steers clear of anything that moves/makes noises. I do need to set up the PNP and bring the swing downstairs.

temursgirl · May 2014

@MrsRahl DH and I both have fitbits. I actually haven't used mine at all during pregnancy because I know I am exercising less and I know that will change later. I like it, but I don't really need it to know if I'm getting enough exercise. I use it mostly to estimate lengths of trails or trail sections. DH loves his and it has benefited him a lot. He is naturally very sedentary, and seeing numeric proof of that does get him moving. He has the wrist band type. I have the other, clip on style, which is easy to lose.

MrsRahl · May 2014

@temurlang1 I guess I don't really understand quite yet what the fitbit tracks exactly? I'll be honest, I want to use it to track distance walking/running for weightloss purposes post pregnancy and sync it with my fitness pal (as I LOVE the MFP app) just seems to me though like it could just be a glorified step counter, which to me I don't think I'd like, but everyone seems to be jumping on the fitbit train...

babygabe614 · May 2014

@MrsRahl My DH uses his fitbit every day and one of the things he loves is the sleep tracker to see his wake/rest times during the night. I'm not really sure how he can change his sleep habits based on the data it provides him, but he thinks it's pretty neat nonetheless.

The other thing he loves is the "glorified step counter" as you mentioned, and the "active minutes" that show when he was actually working hard during his activity. Oh and he adores the alarm clock. It vibrates on his wrist to wake him up gradually which is great for both of us because he gets up before I do, and his alarm never wakes me. I think the convenience of the fitbit is also part of what attracts people - DH keeps his on his wrist pretty much 24/7 because it's waterproof and comfortable - no worries about losing it when he is playing sports or doing landscaping at his side job, so it is pretty much a no-brainer type toy to have.

temursgirl · May 2014

@MrsRahl it counts steps and miles, and also measures activity as light, medium, or strenuous. So if you used it on a trail it would tell you how long the trail is in miles, how many steps you took to complete that distance (for me that's less important than knowing the miles), and the percentage of the trail where you're getting a real workout. DH is one of those people who looks for the parking space right in front and always takes the elevator. For him, seeing the step count makes him conscious of making active decisions to take the stairs and walk around after lunch at work.

Example: The section of the trail by our old apartment I liked to hike was about 3.8 miles round trip. It was hilly, so I would have strenuous activity on the uphill parts and moderate on the downhill, meaning only about 60% of the time was I really working out hard. The fitbit makes this easy to calculate. So if you wanted to get more workout in less time, it would be useful.

You can also use the app to track calories, sleep, and other activities, such as yoga class, etc. that burn calories but don't have steps. I never tracked calories, but DH does that too because he has the tendency to not notice what he eats.

Does that help at all? I'm not familiar with your app, so I don't know if the fitbit is better.

ETA: obviously, it does a calorie count/estimate.

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