December 2015 Moms

Baby gear - what do I actually need?

kaylanpolkkaylanpolk member
edited November 2015 in December 2015 Moms
Okay I looked for a thread about this and couldn't find one...

At my shower I got a bouncer, bumbo seat, walker, and swing, pack and play, and play gym. I feel very blessed but I DO NOT want more crap than I need. I have limited space in my apartment and also... I just don't like extra clutter. Does anybody have an idea of what will actually be useful? I'm thinking of returning the bumbo seat and possibly the bouncer. I'd rather have the money for diapers or something.

Re: Baby gear - what do I actually need?

  • Every baby is different. Your baby might absolutely love the bouncer and mine might hate it. It's really up to you and what you think will work best.
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  • Most of these things I would keep...like a PP has said some babies LOVE the swing others LOVE the bouncer.

    If you plan on traveling at all you'll need a pac n play for baby to sleep in.

    I also felt baby gyms were fun and definitely keep baby entertained even if it is for 30 seconds.

    A walker might not be necessary right now but you'll want it when baby gets a little older.

    Baby's bring clutter and lots of it so prepare yourself now. Your house will never look the same.
  • My bro loved the bumpo seat, was handy to bring places & keep baby stationary in place of high chair. They even brought it on vacay & didn't have to worry about high chair. But I echo PP, you really won't know until you know. :) that said I found the baby bargains book very helpful & lucie's list was useful as well.
  • @LMJL what is the baby bargains book? And lucies list?
  • The bumbo is an awesome tool to help your baby build muscle to sit up on their own. I didn't get one this time around but I really want to get it!!
  • Walkers are illegal in Canada so we get along well without them!
  • They are?? @stephaniearthurs why?? Did I miss something??

    I'm in the U.S

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  • They are?? @stephaniearthurs why?? Did I miss something??

    I'm in the U.S

    Basically the have been deemed too dangerous for babies! Here's an article, it's old, but it still applies.


    https://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/fines-of-up-to-100k-for-owning-selling-baby-walkers-1.499954
  • I would be careful with the walker since they tend to be dangerous (easy to fall down stairs) and don't really help a baby learn to walk. Same thing with the bumbo. It allows infants that aren't really old enough to sit up sometimes causing dependency. I work in pediatric physical therapy though so I see all the kids that had issues.
  • Oh that makes sense. Can you still buy them at retail stores in Canada or are that completely off the market? @stephaniearthurs

    I have a stationary jumper so I wasn't sure if that applied and I'm glad it doesn't.
  • Oh that makes sense. Can you still buy them at retail stores in Canada or are that completely off the market? @stephaniearthurs

    I have a stationary jumper so I wasn't sure if that applied and I'm glad it doesn't.

    You can't buy them at all. And I believe if you buy one and bring it across the border and they catch you they will take it away.

    American car seats are also illegal in Canada.

  • I would return everything but the swing. You can get a cheaper bassinet instead of the pack and play and takes up less space. Everything else you can get at a consignment store if you decide you want it later on. I never used a bumbo for my kids. The play mat really isnt worth it when you can use a blanket. Alot of babies dont like bouncers and walkers are very unnecessary. You dont need a lot for a newborn and i would put extra money towards a jumper later on. My kids used the heck out of those!
  • redfallonredfallon member
    edited November 2015
    The last thing I'd return would be the pack n play and replace it with a bassinet. A bassinet you may use for a couple of months. We still use our pack n play after two years.

    My baby also couldn't stand the baby swing we had on loan from SIL. We never used it. Babies like different things, though. The bouncer seat was a big hit with us.

    Jamie


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  • Thanks for answering @Mammadoc! I miss the notifications b/c I mostly use my phone & don't have the app! ;)

  • mhwoodmhwood member
    edited November 2015
    I would return the bumbo and walker.

    ETA: The bumbo was pretty much useless for us. More than one of my friends ended up giving away their bumbo because their infants legs were too chubby to use it. As far as the walker goes, there are studies that say that walkers are not only dangerous but can also but children behind developmentally.
  • holoceneholocene member
    edited November 2015
    We only have a swing for this baby. (From the list of things you received) 

    With our first I went crazy and thought I needed everything. By baby number three you really get a sense of what's necessary and what's not. If you live in a small space, I'd return everything but the swing, and maybe the pack and play. But if you already have a safe place for baby to sleep/nap, then return that too. 

    ETA: Keep the bouncer. It's a life saver to bring into the bathroom with you while you snag a shower. 
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