Baby gear question for STMs

Joness11 · January 2016

So I'm going to be a FTM and I have a question about what baby gear you used for those who of you who already had LOs. So far I have a crib, pack n play with a bassinette thing, a cosleeper bassinette, and a bumbo seat. I'm debating on getting a bouncer chair or one of the rock n play sleepers but not sure how much I'll use those things with the stuff I already have. Any advice?

brie_and_almonds · January 2016

Kinda depends on the layout of your house/where you plan to spend your time. We had all the things you mentioned minus the co-sleeper bassinet and plus a rock n play. The rock n play got a ton of use because it was easy to carry it to whichever room/area of the house I was in. I would bring it into the bathroom while I took a shower, for example.

Joness11 · January 2016

That is a good point about having something to bring the bring in the bathroom during a shower. I was planning on using the pack n play in the living probably. But sounds like a bouncer chair thingy or a rock n play would probably be put to good use.

imrachellea · January 2016

So I kind of hate bumbo seats. I was thinking that today when I saw a friend in Facebook post a picture of her two month old in one. They are NOT designed for young babies. 4 months at the EARLIEST. If a baby is not already sitting somewhat on their own, they shouldn't be in a bumbo. They were actually made as an OT tool for kids with delays and have become more commonly used. I don't see a problem using them when your kid might need a little assistance sitting but is already sitting fairly well...but don't rush it. It messes with spinal development.

Sorry, a little off topic

imrachellea · January 2016

Oh and on your question. Our bouncer was invaluable. DD loved it. In fact, it's out of storage and about 15 minutes ago she just tried to climb in it. She's 2. Told her she'll have to teach her little sister "how" to use it.

olivemomma · January 2016

I agree that something a little less bulky and easily portable is key. Plus, I think you will find the rocking and/or vibrating feautures these offer something worth having. We actually had both - I set the pnp up in our room for night time sleeping and kept the bouncer and rnp downstairs and would use both depending on what baby was feeling that day. You just never know what they will love.

Monicagail1 · January 2016

For us, with both kids we used the swing a lot. The bouncer was less used. Later, a stationary activity center and/or jumper was a huge hit.

We room shared in the early days, so we had a bassinet in the master and crib in the baby's room.

sprocketsngadgets · January 2016

The one thing that was worth it's weight in gold was our swing that could go either side to side or front to back and the seat can detach and be used as a rocker. It also has vibration. I think it's a graco.

cmjenkies · January 2016

@imrachellea actually, I'm an OT and I am not a fan of Bumbo seats either. Babies are much better off passing through developmentally appropriate positioning sequences on their own timing. Functionally and posturally, using the Bumbo is not good for small infants. I read this a year or two ago and bookmarked it, as I tend to agree.. it's from a pediatric PT on an OT mom's blog, and it has really good information if anybody is interested in reading further.

https://mamaot.com/beware-the-baby-bumbo-seat/

cmjenkies · January 2016

PS: I got a deluxe RnP on clearance at Sam's club for 25$ the other day, originally over 60$. Holllla!

mrstrax · January 2016

We had the crib in the nursery, pnp with bassinet in our room and a bouncer in the living room to start with. DD hated the bouncer so we got one of the portable swings like this one which she LOVED and didn't take up a whole room. https://m.target.com/p/ingenuity-convertme-portable-swing-brighton/-/A-16343376

I'm considering cheap bouncer like this one to keep DS safe in the bathroom so I can shower while DD naps:

imrachellea · January 2016

I'm so glad an OT agrees @cmjenkies! We don't have one and I don't want one. Once my DD could have safely used it she would have hated the confinement.

amaniupendo · January 2016

I loved having a bouncer chair! It was super portable and so handy.

Goldsgirl9 · January 2016

We never used a bassinet. DS refused to sleep in it, the Rock n Play was a LIFESAVER! I cant say enough about it. The bouncer was also great. I would tote DS everywhere in it. I could shower and watch him. We also used the swing and Bumbo a lot. The Bumbo was perfect for when DS and he loved it.

Ellenlbishop · January 2016

Yep I second Rock and Play. That was DDs bed until she could sit up. We also didn't use bassinet we had. I used bouncer as portable place to put baby throughout house. We also ended up buying Mamaroo swing so I could put DD down for naps. She also liked staying in Mamaroo awake. She would wake up in pack and play as soon as put her down. Not sure if you invested in play mat but it's a must for small infants.

Joness11 · January 2016

Thanks for the advice ladies! So I'm definitely going to make sure I have at least a bouncer or a rnp sleeper in addition to the other stuff I already have. A play mat is another thing I need to get. Yeah just the other day I was coming across the negatives of a bumbo seat. I figured a newborn couldn't use it and it would be a several months before it could be used but before the other day I had never heard the stuff about it causing some delays in development. I didn't buy the bumbo, it was given to me, so I'm definitely reconsidering using it at all. And @cmjenkies I didn't even think to check sam's for a rnp, I'm going to look there for sure! Thanks!

brie_and_almonds · January 2016

IMO, a play mat is not a must. Most of the time with DD we just spread out a blanket on the floor. We have a mat with arches, and she enjoyed kicking at them, but it was more geared toward back play and not tummy time. I think a blanket and a few interesting objects nearby are just as good.

Joness11 · January 2016

Yeah I was going back & forth in getting an actual play mat with the arches and hanging toys. I definitely didn't want to spend like $40 or $50 on one. But I just found one on a moms group for $10 so I snagged it. For that price, why not lol

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