Ooh, I love baby gear. I have an almost 4-year-old and a 15-month-old.
This is what I've loved:
Arm's Reach Mini Cosleeper Ring sling for months 0-6, Tula/Ergo for after Thule Chariot child transport system (stroller/jogger/bike trailer) Bob stroller Bumgenius Elemental cloth diapers Boppy, particularly for sitting on after delivery Lanacare wool nursing pads Medela handheld breastpump (Harmony?) Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags Polarn O. Pyret and Hanna Andersson clothes and jammies (they hold up SO WELL) Halo Sleepsack Swaddle Tripp Trapp high chair
For travel: Lotus travel crib Britax car seat cart
Mamaroo- was not impressed. We took it back after using it. DD like to be vigorously rocked/bounced and it just didn't cut it. She wasn't impressed.
Diapet Genie- we had 3 of them! At all of our diaper changing stations and it made things so much easier. We used them for quite a while.
edit to add:
Rock and Play was awesome. DD slept in it, in our room, for the first 5 months. It's the only place she would sleep besides our arms. And it's easily portable.
Really?? Bummer! I was seriously considering one of these bc they seem to take up less floor space than a traditional swing, and now that we have our daughter's endless array of toys taking up our living room, space is at a premium. Did she end up liking a traditional swing at all or just you rocking her? ETA: it's not letting me tag people, but I see it didn't work for several of you. Damn!
Ok, those of you who loved the Rock n Play (we did too!), do tell about your transition to the crib! Did you have any issues? DD slept through the night at 4 weeks with the Rock n Play, it was a god send. But, we had a hell of a time getting her from the RnP to a crib, so I'm second guessing using it this time around. Any tips?
@jillianpardo Some people have to try out a few different types of bottles, but we got lucky. I tried the playtex drop-ins first because they cut down on baby swallowing air which reduces gas. Plus you just toss the liners and don't have to worry about disinfecting lots of bottle parts. DD never had a proble with them so we kept using them.
I agree. This is what we used but we first used Doctor Browns and I loathed them and their billion different parts. We switched to the drop ins and they were wonderful!
We never put her in the Rock and Play at night, only during the day. She slept in her crib from night one, and we never had any issues. During the day she would hang out in the Rock and Play but if she fell asleep I would take her out and put her in her crib so she'd get used to crib=sleep.
@annabenanna We use one that has the spa sounds. We go with the rainfall or waterfall but as long as it's consistently the same sound. Sometimes DH accidently puts it on rainstorm and it'll be light rain and then full on raining and back to light rain. It bugs the shit out of me lol
We never put her in the Rock and Play at night, only during the day. She slept in her crib from night one, and we never had any issues. During the day she would hang out in the Rock and Play but if she fell asleep I would take her out and put her in her crib so she'd get used to crib=sleep.
This exactly!
Me (35) & DH (35)
Married: August 2009 DD #1 born 6/12/14 DD #2 born 10/31/16
YES: ergo cosleeper footie pajamas, lots rock n play aden n anais blankets, esp. for summer babies basic monitor
Things I would borrow: swing, exec saucer, bouncer, etc.
FAIL: newborn clothes, she didn't fit into her coming home outfit at 8lb, bring a 3 mo back up or something with stretchy any clothing too complicated or things with too many buttons, just no. Don't buy anything too many seasons and sizes up. Some babies skip sizes and you'll never be able to guess what season it'll be in. I wound up with so many clothes I couldn't use. shoes, completely useless in the beginning moby wrap, too complicated nursing pillow Bumbo bouncer video or fancy monitor. I laughed once hearing a FTM talk about the features on her 200 monitor. How she could talk to her baby if it was crying. Lol yeah right, that would just tick them off more.
Oh and don't buy any blankets, you'll have way too many by the time the babe comes!
Why do people love to give blankets??Everyone gave us a blanket. Once they enter the house no one wants to give them up. Kinda like stuffed animals. I will say this, When the stomach flu hit our house they all ended up getting used. I guess I shouldn't complain
A few people have mentioned the muslin blankets. Those are possibly the most useful thing we got for baby number one (other than the bouncer). So versatile. I even used them as a nursing cover in the summer - just fold in half to make a triangle and tie the points together.
@sidecarsareforbishes We borrowed the mamaroo from my cousin and my DD hated it. I mean, she look terrified when I put her in it and I'd give it a few minutes but that would just further piss her off. She did like being rocked in my arms in an armchair rocker, but her real preference was to be shushed on my shoulder and walked around. She's high maintenance.
We never put her in the Rock and Play at night, only during the day. She slept in her crib from night one, and we never had any issues. During the day she would hang out in the Rock and Play but if she fell asleep I would take her out and put her in her crib so she'd get used to crib=sleep.
This exactly!
Good to know, thanks! We screwed ourselves the first time around. She slept through the night early which was super awesome, but we also got ourselves in a trap of rocking her to sleep...until she was 18 months. And half the time the transfer to the crib woke her up and we had to start all over again. Trying to figure out a different way with this one. We didn't introduce the crib until around 6 months, and by then she was super used to (but outgrowing) the rock n play. She HATED the crib, and we had to use a magic sleep suit so she felt secure and cozy in the crib like the rock n play. It was all a huge pain in the ass. We'll try the crib right away this time around! Did you guys use swaddles or sleep sacks or anything?
Loved: Aiden + Anais swaddle blankets Halo sleepsacks Bouncer Nose Frida Zip sleepers (snaps in the middle of the night suuuuuck) Boon Lawn drying rack & accessories Rock n Play Comfy clothes/leggings/onesies white noise machine (we have one that makes a bunch of different fan noises) Video Monitor (multi-level house, this was a must for us!) Boba Wrap Infant car seat with attachment for stroller...no waking baby when moving from car Snuza and/or AngelCare Monitor (both for the super paranoid, like me) Formula dispenser
Dislikes: Pack n play Hard plastic baby bath Baby shoes Bassinet that came with the $$ stroller that I NEEDED (and dd HATED) Newborn dresses/fancy clothes Diaper Genie (took poo diapers outside) Bottles with a gajillion pieces to clean. This time we'll probably use the drop-ins
@sidecarsareforbishes I swaddled every time DD was in the crib. I used Aiden & Anais blankets and they were awesome! She loved being swaddled and that really helped her sleep from night one in the crib. I never used swaddle wraps - I found them cumbersome and I could always get a tighter swaddle doing it myself.
Me (35) & DH (35)
Married: August 2009 DD #1 born 6/12/14 DD #2 born 10/31/16
We had an awful time transitioning my son to the crib after letting him sleep exclusively in the rock n play. He'd stay asleep as I laid him down, but as soon as his feet relaxed down and touched the crib, he'd wake up. The plan was that we'd let him nap in his crib and sleep in the pack n play over night, but we didn't get the crib up and usable until he was 3 or 4 months old and by then it was too late. I think he'd have been fine if we'd followed the plan.
Must haves for us: baby k'tan carrier I swear she lived in that for the First months and still work at 11mo rock and play so I can shower and she was locked in gripe water! Life saver! It was magic and night light we slept with on till about a month ago so I could see what was going on w/o walking her up
things we didn't use: crib-just started now we half co sleep so she is is the pack and play next to the bee half the night and the rest on my boob Cloth diapers- I wish I had but they never worked for night and her butt always seemed too soggy swing- almost never used it
Waste of $ all the stuffed animals Play mat....we just put a blanket on the floor Stroller that was part of the travel system. It was huge and once she was no longer in the infant seat part she hated every second of it.
1. My breast friend pillow! My son had a very hard time getting the hang of nursing, and I don't think I would have succeeded without it. Also, you can (carefully) tiptoe to the kitchen and back with baby still sleeping on the pillow attached to you. And that was amazing. Also, bring it with you to the hospital! Those hospital pillows do not make things any easier. ***The pillow is also wonderful for bottle feeding, and just a cozy place place for the baby to nap on you if you're not breastfeeding.
2. Get a freaking changing table. We didn't have one the first few months be aide I read online they were a waste. I deeply regret that decision.
3. The bamboo muslin Aiden and Anais Blankets are 500 times softer than the regular muslin. They are amazing, and probably my favorite thing we got for baby last time.
4. But 2 sets of spare parts for your breast pump so that you always have one ready to go. I think a set of spare parts for my medela freestyle was under 20 dollars.
5. If baby has trouble latching, do not be afraid to try nipple shields (I used Medela). My son couldn't latch right without one for the first 8 weeks.
@sidecarsareforbishes my little never really liked to be swaddled, whether it was with a blanket or one of the velcro wrap things. He always prefered to sleep with his hands up by his face. We swaddled for maybe the first 2-3 weeks, then just used sleep sacks (the Halo ones have a nicer zipper than the Aden&Anais ones)
Loved: baby carrier of choice (for us it was three: stretchy wrap, kinderpack, and ring sling), pack n play, sound machine, sleep sacks, infant car seat, and lots of sleepers and onesies.
Didnt need: changing pad/table, stink proof diaper pail, newborn outfits, bouncy seat, baby food, bottles (try one of a few different kinds, don't buy a bunch you think you want!), extra car seat base.
Does anyone have a recommendation for sleeping arrangement when traveling? We live 2 hours from DH's family and 6 hours from mine so we'll need an easily portable option.
We're looking into getting the halo bassinet cosleeper, but I've heard it's heavy and not easily portable so I'm not sure we'd be able to bring it with us. DH suggested maybe also getting a pack n play for travel. As a FTM I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions! Thanks!
@LGW2015 We traveled a lot (by air) in the first six months and loved the Phil & Ted's Nest: https://philandteds.com/uk/Buy/sleep/nest-baby-bassinet#.VvFTofmLSUk It's a bassinet that has poles to set up with and it forms the base of a duffle bag. So we'd pack DS's stuff in the duffle part and then unzip the bassinet and set up takes two seconds. Note that we don't have a car so didn't want to lug a pack 'n play around on airplanes. When DS was older we bought the cheapest pack 'n play from Babies R Us and left it at the in-laws/my parents so we didn't have to travel with it. He's now graduated to an inflatable toddler mattress.
I agree with @Paturkey get one for your parents house. We hit the consignment shops once we got into town. Traveling with a stroller,baby stuff and kiddos is chaotic enough without bringing extra bulky gear. When i first starting responding to this I assumed you were flying but if you are driving it shouldn't be as big of a deal to just load up your vehicle. You may find that your baby has specific likes or dislikes so I would wait on buying doubles of items for your parents house until you know what works best.
....phone posted before I was finished. Our cosleeper was heavy but not any heavier than the pack n play. Maybe the rock and play would be a good option if you are traveling by car? I haven't personally traveled with it but it seems like it could work. What do mom's with the rnp think?
I don't have kids of my own yet but from my experience with kids of friends and family, the pack n play has been a great thing for overnights or naps away from home. It travels easily in the car but I'm not sure about flying...if I had to fly often to visit family I would probably consider getting a secondhand one to keep there once I figured out if baby liked it, like others said.
Nose Frida for sure! RNP was also a fave. Mamaroo (or what the hell is it called? The swaying one) was a total waste. Diaper Genies are also a waste IMO. Loved my Ktan and Soliel. I have a Dohm sound machine and we STILL use it. I was obsessed with the A+A Muslin blankets because they were cute prints but wish I would've bought fewer. I would NEVER buy Dr Browns bottles again. Too many pieces.
Me: 29 DH: 30
Aug 2012: Hyperprolactinemia & two prolactinomas discovered, started bromocriptine 2.5mg/day
Nov 2012: BFP!! EDD Aug 2013
Jul 2013: DS born at 35w5d in an emergency CS after maternal fetal hemorrhage and complete previa
TTA BUT SURPRISE BFP 1/29/15 without medication m/c @ 6w5d
TTC #2 starting Jul 2015: Back on bromocriptine 2.5mg/day
Dec 2015: Endocrinologist refers to RE, DH's SA was perfect, my hysteroscopy was perfect
Jan 2016: Femara cycle #1 - two follies on L, trigger CD 15, BFP, EDD 10/28/16
Bottles are a mystery to me. There are so many options. How did you decide what to get? ?
@jillianpardo With DD I tried a bunch before settling on the Avent bottles. It's really what your baby prefers and you find that out through trial and error. But it wasn't a big deal! We just bought one bottle and tested for a couple of days and went on to the next. The same with nipple holes. I had to learn to be mindful of when it was time to go from one hole in the nipple to two to three.
EVERYONE told me that my baby would love Tommy Tippee (sp?) bottles and nope! The same with Dr. Brown bottles. But your baby might love them! You'll figure it out, I promise.
ETA: You might go through a few bottles or your baby might love the first one he or she tries. It all depends on them, I have found. (I don't know why I said that like Yoda.)
I forgot to mention my #1 recommendation: if someone offers you their old baby stuff, take it (within reason -- no need to amass multiple cribs/bouncers, or to take on out-of-date equipment that no longer meets safety requirements). Better to take a big carload to Goodwill when your baby is a month old than to suddenly realize, "I actually really, really wish we had a changing table, and now we have to pay money for one because I told Mike to give theirs to someone else."
Ok, those of you who loved the Rock n Play (we did too!), do tell about your transition to the crib! Did you have any issues? DD slept through the night at 4 weeks with the Rock n Play, it was a god send. But, we had a hell of a time getting her from the RnP to a crib, so I'm second guessing using it this time around. Any tips?
I honestly think it may just depend on the baby. I was so stressed about transitioning from rock n play to crib (my LO loved the rock n play and slept in it for months). We transitioned her at about 12 weeks and she had no trouble. I think for mine swaddling was key.
What works for one family may not work for another. Here are some of our favorites with our DD:
Favorites: 1. Mamaroo- We put her in this when we got home from the hospital and it was a lifesaver. She loved it and it let me run to the bathroom or make dinner. Some babies like more vigorous swinging, but mine loved this.
2. Baby Brezza - If you aren't planning on breastfeeding, this is a must. You put the formula up top and it comes out perfectly warm in 5 seconds. Amazing at 3am!
3. Aiden & Anis swaddles- I used these for everything.
4. Baby K'tan- This is best for a newborn. We have a Ergo carrier too with an infant insert, but I preferred the Baby K'tan for the first few months.
-Swing -Bouncy -Sleep sacks. She used a sleepy every night and loved having her arms free -Chicco travel set. Loved it, really convenient. I think I want a jogger this time though. -Chicco pack n play with the newborn attachment. She slept in that for the first few weeks by our bed, then we moved her to her crib. DD was a loud sleeper, and we all slept better when she moved into her room.
Not liked/ needed:
-Bumbo. Hated it, never used it -Changing table. A blanket on the ground was way more convenient. -Diaper bag. It was just a really heavy junk bag. For long outings I used our TNF backpack, for short outings I just tossed the essentials in my purse and off we went.
I just wanted to pop in and say that I really appreciate everyone's feedback in this thread. As a FTM, i'm nervous and have been researching like a mad woman. Between these kind of threads, lucie's list, and baby gear lab, my registry list is shaping up pretty well.
My favorites: - Arm's reach co-sleeper - Baby carrier of choice (we got by with the ergo but I want a wrap style this time) - Pack'n play if you are traveling or for at grandma's house - City Mini select stroller with car seat attachment - Breast pump (though my Medela lost suction over time. I will be trying something else this time) - Lansinoh breast pads - Lansinoh breast milk storage bags - footed pajamas - SwaddleMe wraps - White noise machine - Gerber cloth diapers as burp cloths - I love our video baby monitor. We tried a plain one at first but it just wasn't enough. - A high quality blender (I have a refurbished vitamix) if you plan to make your own baby food
My dislikes: - Travel system. Just get the car seat, skip the stroller and get one you would want to use long-term (such as the city mini) with the car seat attachment - Bunches of swaddle blankets - I really didn't like the Ergo. The straps were too thick for my small frame. - Baby food making system. The magic bullet is a joke and gets mold in the engine - Diaper genie. Just get a stainless steel trash bin, so much easier.
@jillianpardo it's funny because I have to look up 3/4 of the items mentioned on amazon to see what they are, and I can't help but ask myself how I didn't know about them already, considering my LO is only 7 months old haha
Re: btdt moms: favorite baby tools and tools you didn't need
This is what I've loved:
Arm's Reach Mini Cosleeper
Ring sling for months 0-6, Tula/Ergo for after
Thule Chariot child transport system (stroller/jogger/bike trailer)
Bob stroller
Bumgenius Elemental cloth diapers
Boppy, particularly for sitting on after delivery
Lanacare wool nursing pads
Medela handheld breastpump (Harmony?)
Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags
Polarn O. Pyret and Hanna Andersson clothes and jammies (they hold up SO WELL)
Halo Sleepsack Swaddle
Tripp Trapp high chair
For travel:
Lotus travel crib
Britax car seat cart
I could go on, but I'll rein myself in.
ETA: it's not letting me tag people, but I see it didn't work for several of you. Damn!
TTC#2: BFP: 8-23-15 MMC: 10-29-15
DD 2: 9-15-16
DD 3: 9-16-17
Pass: my LO was not a fan of the bouncy seat or the bumbo. I feel like both were kind of a waste of money.
DD #1 born 6/12/14
DD #2 born 10/31/16
ergo
cosleeper
footie pajamas, lots
rock n play
aden n anais blankets, esp. for summer babies
basic monitor
Things I would borrow:
swing, exec saucer, bouncer, etc.
FAIL:
newborn clothes, she didn't fit into her coming home outfit at 8lb, bring a 3 mo back up or something with stretchy
any clothing too complicated or things with too many buttons, just no.
Don't buy anything too many seasons and sizes up. Some babies skip sizes and you'll never be able to guess what season it'll be in. I wound up with so many clothes I couldn't use.
shoes, completely useless in the beginning
moby wrap, too complicated
nursing pillow
Bumbo
bouncer
video or fancy monitor. I laughed once hearing a FTM talk about the features on her 200 monitor. How she could talk to her baby if it was crying. Lol yeah right, that would just tick them off more.
Oh and don't buy any blankets, you'll have way too many by the time the babe comes!
E born 6/2014
O16 April Siggy
Aiden + Anais swaddle blankets
Halo sleepsacks
Bouncer
Nose Frida
Zip sleepers (snaps in the middle of the night suuuuuck)
Boon Lawn drying rack & accessories
Rock n Play
Comfy clothes/leggings/onesies
white noise machine (we have one that makes a bunch of different fan noises)
Video Monitor (multi-level house, this was a must for us!)
Boba Wrap
Infant car seat with attachment for stroller...no waking baby when moving from car
Snuza and/or AngelCare Monitor (both for the super paranoid, like me)
Formula dispenser
Dislikes:
Pack n play
Hard plastic baby bath
Baby shoes
Bassinet that came with the $$ stroller that I NEEDED (and dd HATED)
Newborn dresses/fancy clothes
Diaper Genie (took poo diapers outside)
Bottles with a gajillion pieces to clean. This time we'll probably use the drop-ins
DD #1 born 6/12/14
DD #2 born 10/31/16
rock and play so I can shower and she was locked in
gripe water! Life saver! It was magic
and night light we slept with on till about a month ago so I could see what was going on w/o walking her up
things we didn't use: crib-just started now we half co sleep so she is is the pack and play next to the bee half the night and the rest on my boob
Cloth diapers- I wish I had but they never worked for night and her butt always seemed too soggy
swing- almost never used it
lanolin nipple cream
boppy
bumbo
halo sleep sacks/swaddles
bouncy/jumpy thing
Wished I had:
bouncy seat
Waste of $
all the stuffed animals
Play mat....we just put a blanket on the floor
Stroller that was part of the travel system. It was huge and once she was no longer in the infant seat part she hated every second of it.
Also, bring it with you to the hospital! Those hospital pillows do not make things any easier.
***The pillow is also wonderful for bottle feeding, and just a cozy place place for the baby to nap on you if you're not breastfeeding.
2. Get a freaking changing table. We didn't have one the first few months be aide I read online they were a waste. I deeply regret that decision.
3. The bamboo muslin Aiden and Anais Blankets are 500 times softer than the regular muslin. They are amazing, and probably my favorite thing we got for baby last time.
4. But 2 sets of spare parts for your breast pump so that you always have one ready to go. I think a set of spare parts for my medela freestyle was under 20 dollars.
5. If baby has trouble latching, do not be afraid to try nipple shields (I used Medela). My son couldn't latch right without one for the first 8 weeks.
Didnt need: changing pad/table, stink proof diaper pail, newborn outfits, bouncy seat, baby food, bottles (try one of a few different kinds, don't buy a bunch you think you want!), extra car seat base.
We're looking into getting the halo bassinet cosleeper, but I've heard it's heavy and not easily portable so I'm not sure we'd be able to bring it with us. DH suggested maybe also getting a pack n play for travel. As a FTM I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions! Thanks!
https://philandteds.com/uk/Buy/sleep/nest-baby-bassinet#.VvFTofmLSUk
It's a bassinet that has poles to set up with and it forms the base of a duffle bag. So we'd pack DS's stuff in the duffle part and then unzip the bassinet and set up takes two seconds. Note that we don't have a car so didn't want to lug a pack 'n play around on airplanes. When DS was older we bought the cheapest pack 'n play from Babies R Us and left it at the in-laws/my parents so we didn't have to travel with it. He's now graduated to an inflatable toddler mattress.
....phone posted before I was finished. Our cosleeper was heavy but not any heavier than the pack n play. Maybe the rock and play would be a good option if you are traveling by car? I haven't personally traveled with it but it seems like it could work. What do mom's with the rnp think?
O16 April Siggy
Me: 29 DH: 30
Me: 29 DH: 30
EVERYONE told me that my baby would love Tommy Tippee (sp?) bottles and nope! The same with Dr. Brown bottles. But your baby might love them! You'll figure it out, I promise.
ETA: You might go through a few bottles or your baby might love the first one he or she tries. It all depends on them, I have found. (I don't know why I said that like Yoda.)
E born 6/2014
Favorites:
1. Mamaroo- We put her in this when we got home from the hospital and it was a lifesaver. She loved it and it let me run to the bathroom or make dinner. Some babies like more vigorous swinging, but mine loved this.
2. Baby Brezza - If you aren't planning on breastfeeding, this is a must. You put the formula up top and it comes out perfectly warm in 5 seconds. Amazing at 3am!
3. Aiden & Anis swaddles- I used these for everything.
4. Baby K'tan- This is best for a newborn. We have a Ergo carrier too with an infant insert, but I preferred the Baby K'tan for the first few months.
Oct 16 March Siggy Challenge
Oct 16 Feb Siggy Challenge
Things dd/we loved:
-Swing
-Bouncy
-Sleep sacks. She used a sleepy every night and loved having her arms free
-Chicco travel set. Loved it, really convenient. I think I want a jogger this time though.
-Chicco pack n play with the newborn attachment. She slept in that for the first few weeks by our bed, then we moved her to her crib. DD was a loud sleeper, and we all slept better when she moved into her room.
Not liked/ needed:
-Bumbo. Hated it, never used it
-Changing table. A blanket on the ground was way more convenient.
-Diaper bag. It was just a really heavy junk bag. For long outings I used our TNF backpack, for short outings I just tossed the essentials in my purse and off we went.
- Arm's reach co-sleeper
- Baby carrier of choice (we got by with the ergo but I want a wrap style this time)
- Pack'n play if you are traveling or for at grandma's house
- City Mini select stroller with car seat attachment
- Breast pump (though my Medela lost suction over time. I will be trying something else this time)
- Lansinoh breast pads
- Lansinoh breast milk storage bags
- footed pajamas
- SwaddleMe wraps
- White noise machine
- Gerber cloth diapers as burp cloths
- I love our video baby monitor. We tried a plain one at first but it just wasn't enough.
- A high quality blender (I have a refurbished vitamix) if you plan to make your own baby food
My dislikes:
- Travel system. Just get the car seat, skip the stroller and get one you would want to use long-term (such as the city mini) with the car seat attachment
- Bunches of swaddle blankets
- I really didn't like the Ergo. The straps were too thick for my small frame.
- Baby food making system. The magic bullet is a joke and gets mold in the engine
- Diaper genie. Just get a stainless steel trash bin, so much easier.
O16 April Siggy