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November 2016 Moms
doraleigh35
member
BTDT Moms: Baby Gear
doraleigh35
member
I know we had a thread about baby gear not that long ago. I was thinking it would be helpful for us FTM to gain some knowledge from the BTDT Moms.
So oh wise ones please tell us......
1) What were your favorite items or must haves for baby?
2) What did you find totally useless?
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind?
So oh wise ones please tell us......
1) What were your favorite items or must haves for baby?
2) What did you find totally useless?
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind?
Re: BTDT Moms: Baby Gear
DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24
Lucie's List is a great guide
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
Aden & Anais swaddles. Made of cotton muslin, worth their weight in gold as swaddles, carseat covers, nursing covers, burp cloths, table sanitizer, it goes on an on.They wash beautifully - get softer every time and they are in gorgeous prints. Worth the cost. Also, BABY Aquaphor. It's silkier than regular and cures up diaper rash in 6 hrs. It's amazing for dry skin. I have mad love for it, I buy giant tubs as gifts for new Moms. Also, Lanolin or Earth Angel Mama Baby Nipple Butter. It was a life saver when adjusting to nursing and pumping. Your nipples will thank you and they will thank me. Edit: add a baby carrier to your registry, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish errand wise with a carrier. I could cry thinking of the amazing use I got out of my Ergo, I wish I hadn't waited until 5 months.
2) What did you find totally useless? A diaper bag after 6 months. Throw a toy, diaper and wipes in your purse and you're golden. I did the SkipHop thing and I almost never dipped into it.
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind? I plan on writing up a post about this once my mind is done forming all the thoughts, but I cannot stress enough the importance of growing your Mom balls asap. People in your family, in your circle are going to try and step on your toes when it comes to, "THE BAAAYBEE" and you are most likely going to be knee-jerk polite because you're good people. But if I can impart any cliche knowledge, please read this: YOU know what's best for your baby. YOU are the only one who is there 24/7 and can calculate their every need. It is your divine right to be their voice and their advocate and anyone trying to infringe on that needs to be dealt with in that moment. This comes to pushy family in the delivery room, someone trying to take the baby out of your arms, someone wanting to feed them water or rice cereal in a bottle months too early, comments on your BFing or bottle feeding or sleep schedule or circumcision or lack thereof or immunizations or your dirty house or taking them out in public or a million other things that will come up and shock you that the other person find acceptable to do with a newborn when you can see crystal clearly that it's not proper.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE find your Mom balls, use your voice and stiffen your backbone because you have the power and the right to be your baby(ie's) voice and you owe NO ONE an explanation. They'll get over it or you will get over them.
Thanks for reading.
If you choose to breastfeed: This one wasn't for baby but for me, but I absolutely loved Lily Padz. For the first few months of nursing, I could leak through anything, but these stopped me from leaking, and I didn't need to wear a bra to bed which was amazing. It also solved the 'headlights' issue which is pretty common when nursing. I'll be buying a couple sets this time around. They only lasted about 6-8 weeks a set but they were worth every penny.
A good bassinet. Our kids were each in our room for a while and the bassinet was a great space-saver in our bedrooms, great to have baby beside us, and the storage we had under them was very convenient to have diapers and wipes at hand at night.
Bumbo. This is one of the 'gimmicky' things I still totally loved. These were pretty new when my son was born, but the one we bought then we still have. My five year old daughter still sits in it while we watch movies. We used it as an early feeding chair (with the little tray) because it was so easy to clean. We did use it only on the floor. Both of my kids absolutely loved being able to 'sit up' before they could completely steadily do so on their own and it was great for keeping them happy once they reached that 'I want to see everything but I can't!' frustration stage around 3-4 months.
2) We honestly didn't have very much in the way of 'extra' stuff for our kids and we didn't have a baby shower with either so we didn't really get many gifts of useless things. Neither of them really cared for their 'baby gyms' - a blanket with a few soft toys was more than enough to keep them happy. Mobiles seemed pointless. We never used a monitor since we lived in fairly small places where we could hear the baby just fine from wherever we were; that was important because for me, I'd wake up at the littlest hiccup and once baby was in his/her own room I wanted to be able to get some decent sleep and a monitor would have made that impossible. Baby sunglasses were beyond useless - my kids were really uncomfortable with them on.
3) Dont go overboard buying every little piece of equipment on those 'baby essentials' lists. You really do not need that much for a baby. Clothing, diapers, something to eat and a delivery system for that (formula and bottles or just boobs,) somewhere safe to sleep, a car seat, and some form of reliable transportation (even if that's just your arms!) THOSE are the essentials. The rest is just for convenience's sake. Having somewhere to put the baby while you do other stuff - a swing is a common solution for tinies, then a pack and play when they are bigger - is also very helpful but you don't need all the super fancy bells and whistles. Don't feel like you have to buy a million things to make your baby smarter or whatever; just be involved and responsive to your baby and you're good.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
I second the A+A blankets. We still use them and my son is 2 next month.
We survived the early months with baby carriers, since my little man always needed to be held. I highly recommend the K'tan for the newborn days and then a Tula when they start getting bigger.
I also found a snuza to be essential for my sanity in the beginning.
2) What did you find totally useless?
bottle warmers and sterilizers. Waste of counter space and not any faster/easier than a bowl of hot water and the dishwasher.
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind?
absolutely what @HomeyDontPlayThat said. And never say never. There's tons of things we vowed we'd never do as parents, that we now find essential. Stop judging other moms. You do you and leave everyone else be.
The Velcro newborn swaddlers are the one I feel most strongly about though. It took a couple weeks for me to break down and buy them, because they're like $30 each which seemed insane to me. They are SO worth it. I had so many crying fits trying to get her swaddled tightly enough before these came into our lives. They're so easy, and they make such a difference.
2. Her crib, for the first 4 months. She didn't sleep in it once until she absolutely couldn't fit in her bassinet or sidecar crib anymore.
3. Be flexible, and listen to your instincts. If something isn't working, try something new. If advice sounds wrong or dangerous, it probably is.
2) What did you find totally useless? Bouncer- my babies never liked them. Changing table- after c-sections, I didn't want to stand too long. I would change the babies on a diaper pad on my bed or the floor. They also can't roll off the floor. Diaper Genie- they smell like piss no matter what. You're better off putting diapers in your kitchen trash and taking it out normally. If they're super stinky, put them in a grocery bag tied up tight and take them out immediately.
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind? The list of things you "need" is super long at Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby because that's how they make money. Be practical.
1. Faves (the less obvious ones)
Swaddles w velcro
Baby food maker (that kind that steam and puree in one machine)
Bouncy vibrating chair
Automatic swing (buy used!)
A good stroller is worth the money- we have: a light travel stroller, a jogging stroller, a medium weight stroller
2. Didn't like (basically not worth the money)
Bumbo
Baby shoes (just no. wait until they walk, for pete's sake.)
Diaper bag (just use a purse or backpack that you already have)
3. Keep in mind
You don't need to buy toys or books- you will be swimming in gifts by the kid's first birthday.
Buy used whenever possible. Baby gear is pricey and they use it for such a short time.
Gender neutral lasts longer and is easier to re-sell.
IUI #1 Feb 2012= DS1 born 11/2012
Unmedicated BFP (first post-weaning cycle)=DS2 born 9/2014
Unmedicated BFP (first post-weaning cycle again)= EDD 11/2016
*our swing was a freaking life saver... that thing could get my daughter conked out in minutes
*bassinet- we were up every 4 hours until she was 6 months for feeds on doctor's orders, the bassinet saved more space than the giant pack and play
*summer infant swaddles. Velcro to be more specific. We also used the muslin blankets to swaddle but the velcro was needed to get a half decent fit for my tiny baby
* Gerber prefolds used as burp cloths. Because of all the dribbless and spit up.
2) I found all the extra accessories for the pack and play a waste. The changing station was too low for me and killed my back if I tried using it. The newborn napper was no better than using her swing or bassinet. I did like having the higher level to use for naps and that essentially made the newborn napper pointless. Any of the bulbs or nose frieda. We just took a few of the heavy duty snot suckers from the hospital and even then I didn't use it much. When she had a cold I just let it run and wipe when it got bad.
3. Every kid is different. What works for one family may not work best for you. Or even another baby in that family. Someone may rave about a product and you may end up hating it or find it's overpriced. Don't go fancy with baby tubs. Just use the standard cheap blue baby tub in the sink and when baby is bigger move to a tub with a mat. No need for all the fancy things.
https://mrsbigtime.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/stuff-i-love-tiny-baby-edition/
For our downstairs changing station (which was a little box with diapers/wipes and a travel changing pad), we loved the Arm & Hammer diaper bags (they look like dog waste bags, but are more scented and expensive) and would put a days worth of diapers in the bag, just twisting it up between uses and then tossing at the end of the day when it was full. They were great and we never had a smell issue!
I adore the rock n' play. I had it for both so far and will use it for this next one, too. Couldn't live without it.
I think burp cloths are useless - they're way too tiny to do anything. We bought "receiving" blankets and used them for everything - burp cloths, drop cloths, diaper changing pads, cleaning up milk spills, etc...The big kid even used them as capes when we had them out for the little one.
I'm one of the middle-of-the-road diaper genie people. I love it because I feel like it does contain the smell MUCH better than the regular can. But I also sort of hate how expensive the liners are, how fast they need to be changed, and how annoying they are to trek down 2 levels to the garbage pails. I will say that when we only had one baby's worth of diapers in it I loved it much more. It just seems like we fill it up way too fast now with two.
My babies hated the bouncer chair.
They did, however, love the jumper that you can hang from a doorway.
If your baby likes to be swaddled, I highly agree with the velcro swaddle sack recommendations. If not (mine hated to be swaddled) I would recommend the sleep sacks that have regular arms but a sack on the bottom. I used them for mine and they worked really well to keep them warm and snuggly.
I never once used my bottle warmer - sticking the bottle in a bowl of hot water worked much better and faster.
Nose Frieda - I was horrified at this product the first time I saw it but after I lost my hospital bulb aspirator and couldn't get another one (the store ones are not the same and they stink), I decided to try it. It's still sort of gross, but it works SO well that I got over it pretty quickly.
If you're going to use bottles, I adored the playtex drop-in systems. It's a little annoying to buy more bags, but a box lasts a while and they're recyclable. It's so much easier to clean just the nipples and rings and if a bottle gets lost...well, I can toss the bag (and nipple, if I have to) and not worry about having to clean a nasty chunky milk disaster.
My thing to think about is to not open everything from your shower- like the bottles, pacis and breastfeeding accessories. Sometimes things don't work out as you want them too, sometimes babies won't take certain bottles or pacis If you open it all before making sure baby likes it then your left with a lot of stuff you can't return.
I liked having several options for baby carriers. My older two still like to be carried in our Ergo (my favorite for 6+ months), but I also have a Beco that works well for a baby (2-6 months), a wrap (my favorite for 0-3 months), and a ring sling that I've never been able to figure out but still have high hopes for.
Our stroller we're actually using a lot more now that my kids are older. It's a Phil&Ted's in-line double and was my big splurge before DD was born. I HATED my nephew's Chicco travel system stroller (the Gracos are just as crappy) so we knew we wanted one with 3 wheels, real tires, and a big sun canopy. It's about the same as we would've spent buying a decent stroller just for DD, then replacing it with a decent 2 kid stroller, but instead we have 1 really nice stroller.
Aden and Anais blankets were great for lots of stuff, especially sun shades and nursing covers before I learned to not care.
I needed 1 baby containment device for a young baby -- we have a rock-n-play which also works well for naps. Then 1 baby containment device for a pre-sitting baby -- I should've just gotten the bumpo but I was cheap and got a lesser knock off.
2. Bouncer, changing pad/table, activity mat, dedicated bassinet
3. I had a hard time saying "no" to people who offered their hand me downs. Some was definitely useful, but some really is just taking up tons of space in our spare room. Be ok with getting rid of things you won't use.
Loves:
-Aden and Anais swaddling blankets
-Ergo - with infant insert is the only carrier I ever needed
-Citi Mini Stroller
-one of those little vibrating chairs to set baby in, take in the bathroom with you, near you while cooking, etc
-Bumbo
-Arms Reach Cosleeper
-O ball - the first toy my kids could actually hold on to
-A&D ointment
-Diaper Genie
Dislikes :
-swing
-nose Freida
-baby shoes
-Velcro swaddlers
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
Lanolin for the nips! Severely underestimated how much I would use. Need lots!
Swaddles/Swaddlimg blankets! Can never have enough.
Totally useless: Crib?? Haha, ok but seriously that baby would scream the minute his head hit that crib mattress for months. We didn't use regularly it til he was almost a year old.
Little shoes! While cute, completely useless and a pain in the butt.
Edited because TB ate my post again
I know as soon as someone tells me it's gonna be soo obvious....
DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24
DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24
1) What were your favorite items or must haves for baby?
A lot that has been said here! Wrap or a ring sling for a newborn and ergo/other soft sided carrier for when baby is older. We loved the Halo sleep sacks - super easy to use and the fleece ones are nice and warm for those of us in cold places. Also a good playmat/play gym. And a million of those pre-fold cloth diapers to use as burp rags. And a ton of the carters sleep-n-plays for the first few months.
Now, with a toddler, our stroller is essential. We have the baby jogger city select and I looooove it.
for mom: if you're nursing - nipple soothies and a breast friend pillow. I tried that and a boppy and it's just the best. Baby would always fall in the crack of the boppy. You'll also need a hands-free pumping bra. And having a hand pump was a lifesaver for me too.
2) What did you find totally useless?
Actually, the Rock-n-play, which is unpopular I know. DD hated it. She preferred sleeping on a flat surface from day 1.
And my nursing cover. I had a Bebe-au-lait and DD hated it. I ended up never using it and just investing in some good nursing tanks so I could be discrete. For this baby I'm thinking of trying one of the full coverage nursing covers like the Milk Snob ones.
3) Anything else a FTM should keep in mind?
Ever baby is different! Don't be afraid to dismiss a baby item that's just not working for you. I tried to make the stupid rock-n-play work for so long before just giving up and trying the crib, and I realize now how stupid that was. And don't be afraid to buy used. I bought so many brand new items for DD before I discovered a local Mom's buy, sell, trade group which changed my life. They use these things for such a short time and most of then are still in perfect condition after.
My moby wrap, sound machine and the velcro swaddlers.
Did use:
Diaper genie, changing table, wipes warmer, pacifers bottles or crib.
Keep in mind:
A lot of products are gimmicky and play to the worries of moms like the wipes warmer or the self closing pacifier. The only thing you really need and clothes a way to feed baby and a place for them to sleep, which may just end up being your bed. A great carrier is a sanity saver though, especially going through wonder weeks when they don't want to be put down for even a second
Engaged 10/2/1202
BFP (a lil quicker than expected) 12/7/2012
Married to my best friend 12/24/2012
Beautiful baby girl arrived 8/15/2013
BFP #2 3/13/2016
-Soft swaddle/Receiving blankets. Get tons of them. You can even make them for like 3.50 each by getting snuggle flannel at joanns and serging/sewing the edges.
-Floor bouncer
-Diaper Genie, great especially with odor and dogs in the house.
-Wish I would have had a baby carrier like a wrap or tula.
-Video/sound monitor. So helpful.
Totally useless:
Wipe warmer, tons of light up toys
Advice/thoughts for first time moms:
Sing to baby. Read to baby. Cherish them when they're little! TAKE CARE OF YOU. You don't have to have it all together all the time. Ask for help! Don't get too caught up in formula vs breast milk / cloth vs disposable / sahm vs work out of the home debates. You will learn what works best for you! Be flexible, your best plans will probably need adjusting.
And I know that it's tempting to hit the treadmill and go on a diet right after you leave the hospital/birth center. There is so much pressure for a woman to bounce back quickly and look trim right after baby. Please know that you are beautiful and it may take a while for you to find a new normal. Don't put such intense pressure on yourself to lose the baby fat. I'm not saying we shouldn't take care of ourselves, rather, focus on healing and bonding! You can't get those precious moments back.
1. The rock in play was where my DS slept from the first day home until 4 months old. Gripe Water, my son was so fussy for forever and that seemed to help relieve his tummy aches. Steal the hospital blankets. Nothing worked as good for the swaddling like those blankets! And the we used the Velcro swaddlers and he slept swaddled of some way (arms in and then arms out) for the longest time (like 6 months). Also we borrowed a swing at 1 month is it was the jam. We also got a Soothin Crusier off of Amazon bc it mimicked a car ride and that was the only thing that made my kid chill out and fall asleep (did I really agree to go through all that again!!?)
2. Wipe warmers, the little penis covers so they don't pee on you, and sheet protectors (they were not very cozy and were just a big pain in the ass as changing the damn sheet anyway)
3. It gets easier week by week. I was literally in the ob's office a week post-partum crying my eyes out. My milk production was low, my baby cried all the time, and I was so tired.
We made it people and so can you!! Babies are the worst boss you will every have but there are some moments that are utterly incredible and make your heart melt and it suddenly is all worth it. Until they throw the dinner you so lovingly prepared on the floor!
Also, the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD is pure gold.
Awesome Kid #2: Due November 2016!