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December 2016 Moms
penelope4612
member
Giant Gear Thread
penelope4612
member
Ok guys, we are getting to that time when people will probably start making final decisions for registries, so tell us...
If you're a FTM, what do you have your eye on?
If you're a STM+, what did you use last time? Did you like it/not like it? Do you want something new/different? What's your advice?
The list is long, so feel free to skip parts if you don't want to answer all or don't have time!
Where are you registering (if at all)?
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering?
Stroller:
Car Seat:
Baby Carrier(s):
High Chair:
Crib:
Glider:
Dresser:
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device:
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc):
Baby bottles:
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable):
Other must-haves:
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time:
If you're a FTM, what do you have your eye on?
If you're a STM+, what did you use last time? Did you like it/not like it? Do you want something new/different? What's your advice?
The list is long, so feel free to skip parts if you don't want to answer all or don't have time!
Where are you registering (if at all)?
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering?
Stroller:
Car Seat:
Baby Carrier(s):
High Chair:
Crib:
Glider:
Dresser:
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device:
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc):
Baby bottles:
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable):
Other must-haves:
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time:
Re: Giant Gear Thread
Stroller: Didn't buy one first time around and literally never missed it, but bought a Contours Options Elite double stroller for this second time around. Some friends recommended it and I like you can move the way the seats face, remove seats, add an infant seat for hte car seat to fit in, etc. OPTIONS! I like them!
Car Seat: We have a Britax B-Safe. No complaints, But thankfully haven't had to test how well it works in the kind of situations you want it to.
Baby Carrier(s): Bought an infantino and a Moby wrap, both were fine for baby pre 15lbs, but after were ot comfy for me and confusing (moby) for ILs. Bought an ergo for after that weight limit, so in my opinion, if you have to buy one, buy the ergo 360. OR you can just have lots of options, which has been handy.
High Chair:
Crib:
Glider:
Dresser:
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: SWING WAS MY LIFE. I bought a Graco Lite LX and it was magical. ONly complaint is that the things that hang above the swing don't stay on well, so I wish I would have had one with one of those sweet musical mobiles that are attached and hang above the swing.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): I have had my 32oz bottle of Earth Mama Angel Baby foaming all over wash for like 13 months. I don't know what that says about my child's bathing habits, but it was worth the $25 for it to last that long.
Baby bottles: Comotomo 4 Life. But I never had any issues with baby bottles, I had issues breast feeding and went straight to the bottle so DS never really rejected anything I gave him, its really all he knew.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable):
Other must-haves: )Swaddle sacks from Halo. 2)If you are doing daycare, like, 1000 more plain onesies and cheap ass pants than you think you will need because mine goes through that stuff like WHOA. 3)Also people made fun of me for registering for lots of sheets so I only got a few sets at first. Eff that noise, buy sheets. Buy pantloads of sheets. 4)Also I didn't get a mattress pad cover or sheets for my pack n play at first-until I realized that that stupid insert at the bottom doesnt wash well. So buy the cover and the sheets for protection when they pee through or vom allover stuff.
Carseat: Chicco Key Fit 30
Carrier: I have an Ergo I bought off a friend that is basically brand new, and a Bjorn that someone gave me. I'm going to get a woven wrap or something similar as well.
Crib: FIL is building it.
Dresser: I bought a Thomasville dresser at a yard sale that I'm redoing that will double as a changing table.
Glider: Sutton Glider in Linen from Baby's R Us
Stroller: Not 100% sure yet. Dh likes the Chicco Activ3 jogging stroller but I think it's a little big. We will see.
I bought a pack n play from a friend that has the bassinet. Dh and I are trying to be frugle and I see nothing wrong with second hand things that are in good condition.
Stroller: GB X1 Urban Runner- Voltage. I saw it has great reviews, and I got to try it out at Babies R Us---handles like a dream. Got an infant support for it as well just in case.
Car Seat: Graco 4ever Convertible Car Seat. Great reviews, and I like that it grows with baby, although I am aware if baby gets too old it could expire and need replacing.
Baby Carrier(s): Ergo 360 with Infant Insert. Love how it fits my body, love how it can be worn several different ways, and I love how it looks.
High Chair: We actually put two on our registry---one for home and one for visiting others or road trips. Phil & Ted's Lobster high chair is the easy to transport one, and Fisher Price Space Saver for home. Both highly recommended to me.
Crib: Sundvik by Ikea, in white. Very cost effective and looks great.
Glider: Graco Dreamglider. This will be where baby sleeps for the first little bit. I like how it glides front to back instead of side to side. Edited: I realized the glider was a rocking chair lol. We put a Morgan Nursery Swivel Glider from Babies R Us on our list. We got to try it out and it is amazingly comfortable.
Dresser: We got a DaVinci dresser from Amazon in Slate. Takes some time to put together, but looks great and is cost effective for furniture you don't plan on keeping forever. It will double as my changing table.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: We aren't getting a swing, but a bouncer. Fisher Price Moonlight Meadow Deluxe bouncer. It has vibrating functions and a mobile of forest creatures. I had originally considered the 4Moms swing, but I wanted something I could pick up easily and take wherever I am.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): Babyganics, California Baby, and Puracy. All for sensitive skin and free of a lot of the extra scary stuff--shampoos and body washes. Lotion I registered for Aquaphor. Beaudreaux's Butt Paste, and Burt's Bees Powder. I also included Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water, Saline, Baby Motrin, Boogie Wipes, Pampers Sensitive Wipes, a Temporal Thermometer, Boiron Teething Gel, and other things. Also, I included a First-aid Kit for at home and in the car.
Baby bottles: Tommy Tippee and Comotomo. Every baby is different, but I've heard nothing but great things about both brands.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers. I also put some Huggins on there, and have picked up some Nature's Best to try as well.
Other must-haves: I think a humidifier will come in handy, especially since they are winter babies. I also am really looking forward to using my Ju-Ju-Be diaper backpack. I put breastfeeding supplies on my registry, too. Also, I put a Fisher Price Ultra Light Pack n Play.
Where are you registering (if at all)? Right now I've got everything on Babyli.st
Stroller: UPPAbaby Vista, because #luxurylife. At least, until H vetoes it.
Car Seat: UPPAbaby Mesa, to match seat.
Baby Carrier(s): Infantino Mei Tai, Baby K'Tan, QuokkaJoy for H because it comes in multicam with molle...um...loops? And he thinks that's freaking cool.
High Chair: Stokke Tripp Trapp, plus a low table + chair for Montessori-style feedings
Crib: Mattress on floor. For Montessori-style sleeping.
Glider: Um, so is this for me? Unfortunately, I don't really have space in my apartment for a glider.
Dresser: Just using the shelves we have, plus baskets for compartments.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: None.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): Aquaphor, Burt's Bees Baby Bee stuff purely for the lovely smell.
Baby bottles: Comotomo Natural Feel, Born Free BPA-free
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): bumGenius Littles, bumGenius Freetimes. I also have a boatload of used FuzziBunz size mediums, with tons of various inserts
Other must-haves: Trying out the Keekaroo Peanut Changer, Skip Hop changing station for the diaper bag, Medela Harmony manual breast pump, Spectra Baby USA automatic breast pump, and the First Years Sure Comfort baby tub. And a topponcino! Look it up, it seems pretty legit!
Anyone have opinions on either the ERGObaby Natural Curve nursing pillow or the My Brest Friend? I'm trying to decide between the two.
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering? BBB is expensive and the discount isn't great. May be ok for big things if you have the 20% off coupon but most things are much cheaper elsewhere.
Stroller: first time we got a BOB Revolution SE and a Graco cheapie (for travel only). We used the BOB all the time. We later bought a joovy runner too for vacations where we planned to run but didn't want to bring our expensive BOB (we got the joovy used and cheap). We already bought a BOB dualie flex. But we are big runners and if you aren't, a BOB is totally overkill.
Car Seat: we had a britax bob b safe and britax advocate. We use the advocate still for DD and bought a britax marathon when she outgrew the infant seat. We will reuse the b safe then probably get another marathon when needed.
Baby Carrier(s): I had a Bjorn last time but we only used it for hikes and a few other occasions. We have that and I also picked up an Ergo for half price at target last week.
High Chair: first 18 months we used the full sized one. Not sure brand but it was pretty basic. After 18 months we switched to a booster on the chair.
Crib: previously used costco. Love it. This time is DaVinci and I love it so far...time will tell how it holds up.
Glider: previous costco. This time undecided. Getting an upholstered one this time and maybe with a recliner because I want more comfort.
Dresser: same as crib.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: swing and bouncer was a snuggamonkey. I also had the rock n play that was used every night for 4 months. I've debated getting the automatic rocking one but DH rolls his eyes. We kept everything so we won't be buying anything new in this area.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): butt paste! Aquaphor (even I use it)! Desitin but we rarely use it. We started with target brand soaps and lotions but switched to aveeno 6 months ago when DD got bad excema.
Baby bottles: Avent naturals. It's all DD ever used. At 12 months daycare required the switch to sippy cups and it took trying every kind to find the right one. It's the nuk cup with soft nipped. She still uses that ONLY for milk. Nothing else is acceptable.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): we used and will use whatever is on sale. DD never had problems with fit or rashes with pampers (swaddlers and baby dry), huggies (all kinds), or target brand. DH prefers the more expensive ones so we use those at home and send target ones to daycare.
Other must-haves: pacis, spoons, bowls, burp rags, Aden and anais blankets. It's been mentioned already but sleep sacks! Also there are these little mats that go on the changing pad, I have munchkin brand, we used those early on when we changed on the couch, on the go, in the car, and even on the changing pad. Way easier to throw that small thing in the wash then wash the couch or even changing pad cover...she always peed during diaper changes so we would have needed to wash daily. I also love the diaper genie. And we have a pack n play for our bedroom early on.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: receiving blankets were useless for me. But I had a may baby so maybe this time will be different.
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering? BRU - ironic, huh? They royally screwed some things up with DS' registry. I figured it's NBD this time since we're buying all the things and know what we want. PSA - BRU will discontinue on a regular basis making items unavailable. You need to watch your registry to make sure your must haves remain available and if not, replace them.
*** Disclaimer - having twins this pg, so I may offer suggestions for singletons, too***
Stroller: we loved our Britax b Agile travel system. It is NOT compatible with anything other than Britax - keep that in mind for subsequent babies for double strollers if needed.
Car Seat: Britax
Baby Carrier(s): We had a Bjorn air and hated it. DS hated it too.
High Chair: Ehhh, Graco I think. After 16 months or so we switched to one that sat on a chair at our kitchen table. High chairs are HUGE and almost none of them fold correctly. Where are you going to put it away 3 times a day anyway. It's still huge folded!
Crib: we bought a suite from a website - no idea the brand
Glider: don't remember but we hate it.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: Graco swing and a rock and play.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): we did Babyganocs and got lots of Johnsons products from others, too.
Baby bottles: Hah! The biggest mind-F in registry making. We started with snappies with NICU nipples in the NICU. They STRONGLY suggested we get DR Browns. They were good for DS, we HATED them. We switched at about 8 months to Playtex drop ins and never looked back. Don't put all of your eggs in one bottle basket, your kid could hate them.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): we had to stick with Pampers at first according to NICU to prevent skin issues. We stayed with those until 16 months or so and switch to Huggies movers.
Other must-haves: Sound machine, breast pump, hands free pumping bra, aquaphor - for any kind of skin issue including diaper rash, a jumparoo for a little later (we had a stationary one not a door hanging one - DS loved it). Muslin blankets for swaddling. Sleep sacks as they start to roll over. Bibs with plastic between the layers if you have a serious drooler during early teething like I did. He'd soak through a cotton bib, then through his shirt within 15-20 minutes.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: hard to say. So many things are child specific and since I'm having two more I'm sure I'll be trying every trick in the book.
Stroller/Car seat: Right now I have two different travel systems that I' m registered for, one is Graco Click Connect and the other is a Britax. Not that we want both, but you get entered into a sweepstakes on Amazon for having $75 of Britax stuff on your registry, so I figured I might as well add it just to see if anyone gets it. We might get it with our completion discount, otherwise we'll get the Graco one. I'm not a brand snob so I'm not too worried about which we'll end up with, both had really good reviews on Amazon.
Baby Carrier(s): Sakura Bloom ring sling, also an Ergo. We have a local store here that sells baby carriers so we can go try them on and see which we like. I don't know that any carriers will be going on my registry because I don't want to register for it and then get it and have baby or I hate it.
High Chair: I forget the brand but it's one that attaches to a regular chair. Living in an apartment, we don't want too much extra stuff.
Crib: Baby's first several months, possibly his first year, will be spent in a cradle that my grandfather made by hand for me. He didn't follow a blueprint or anything. Eventually we will get a convertible crib, not sure on the brand just yet.
Glider: We registered for one on Amazon that had really good reviews, can't remember the brand. I think it'll be worth it to have one. My mom told me that hers was a life saver. I went over my registry with her while she was here, and when she saw the glider I registered for she asked me if I still liked the color scheme of it. So maybe I'll get surprised with it. My birthday's in October, otherwise I wouldn't speculate over it. We'll get it one way or the other.
Dresser: We'll probably get one off a Facebook swap site. It's something I'd rather have already assembled and be able to look at, plus things off the swap sites end up being a lot cheaper than something new.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: We registered for the same bouncer, @dmontgo; great minds think alike! We also registered for a swing, I think it's a Fisher price one? We'll most likely end up getting one or the other, not both. If we do get both we may see if my grandmother wants to keep one at her house for when we come visit. I just don't anticipate us having lots of space so the less stuff we have to have the better.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): I registered for a lot of different brands of baby stuff because honestly if baby has FI's skin condition, we may be experimenting with a few different brands until we find one that doesn't irritate his skin. I registered for Aveeno, Burt's Bees, Johnson & Johnson, the Honest Company, and I think Babyganics? Also registered for Aquaphor because FI swears by that stuff and Boudreaux's Butt Paste.
Baby bottles: Again, we registered for a lot of different bottles and not too many of each one. We'll have to figure out what baby likes so I didn't want to register for too many.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): A few different types and brands of cloth, plus some newborn size Pampers since we won't be CDing in the new born size. Also a Diaper Genie pail. I think some of the cloth diapers we registered for were Bumgenius, Rumparooz, and Softbums. Not sure about that last one but I know soft was in the name. I tried to only get the ones that snap since I know the velcro wears out and has to be replaced eventually, and I didn't want to do pins or anything that would stick baby.
Other must-haves: Aden + Anais muslin blankets, they're so multipurpose and very lightweight. We registered for things like socks and hats and a newborn layette set that was like 24 pieces, but we didn't register for too many clothes, toys, or books because we know that people will buy whatever they think is cute of that stuff even if we don't register for it. Also maternity and postpartum stuff like Burt's Bees Belly Butter and Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Cream.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: Wipe warmer, bottle sanitizer, specialty blender for making baby food, crib bedding set. We only registered for crib sheets, no point in registering for a bedding set when baby can't have a blanket or bumper pad in the crib.
Car Seat: hand-me-down, chico keyfit 30
Baby Carrier(s): We have an ergo and a bjorn. I like them both at different times. And an osprey backpack which is what we mostly use now. I have a moby wrap but never really used it. All hand-me-downs
High Chair: hand-me-downs. We have one that goes on top of a chair and a kelty one that clips to a table.
Crib: hand-me-down pottery barn
Glider: something we got at american furniture warehouse. I actually do like it though.
Dresser: ikea. one of the recalled ones. But we put drawer stoppers on it so DS can't open the drawers.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: Rock-n-play. Love it! also a swing thing - hand-me-down... and a doorway jumper. All were used. only the rock-n-play was used enough that I would have actually purchased it in retrospect
Baby bottles: Dr. Brauns. I'll probably try something different with this baby though.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): Bum Genius 4.0. Had I known I would have skipped buying prefolds.
Other must-haves: Guava lotus play yard. a mobile of some sort.
Stroller: Britax B Agile. Not getting a double stroller because little man will stay in the Britax and I'll wear the small one.
Car Seat: Britax B safe because we had the travel system that came with the stroller. Got a Britax Marathon for convertible seat that he'll be in for a long time. This baby will get a Graco 4ever for Christmas next year.
Baby Carrier(s): Moby for when a squish, but will get a ring sling this time. Then moved to Ergo and now Tula.
High Chair: Graco space saver. Heed my advice, get an all plastic or all wooden high chair. Yes, the cloth is nice that you can take off and pop it in the washer, but when your kid starts feeding themselves, you'll be doing that twice a day. We got a space saver high chair that converts to a booster seat when he was ready for a booster and I kind of wish we would have had that from the beginning. Takes up less room and is much cheaper.
Crib: DaVinci Kalaini I think it was called. Got from Amazon and it looks beautiful and converts to a toddler bed that I love, but the wood scratches so easily and my son used it as a teether so I have to get a cloth guard thing for around the top for this one.
Glider: 100 year old rocking chair my grandma gave to us.
Dresser: Something from a local furniture store- it's a long one that doubles as the changing table.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: 4moms mamaroo- he didn't like it and wouldn't stay in it long. I have found my friend's babies are the same, they either love it or hate it. He did love his bouncer though which is a Fisher Price snugapuppy or something. He probably would have done better with a traditional swing.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): Babyganics, Honest Company Healing Balm, Aveeno are what we've mostly used. Triple Paste for LIFE for diaper cream- it's expensive but so, so worth it.
Baby bottles: He only took the Tommee Tippee ones that were shaped like boobs. Stock up on a few different bottles with different flow nipples.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): Pampers Swaddlers for the first year and into Huggies or Pampers little movers or whatever they're called now that he doesn't stop running around. He is very narrow with a long torso and those fit him best. We hated the Walmart ones and the ones from Target. Honest Company ones we weren't a fan of either. I think we're going to try cloth this time though.
Other must-haves: Prefold Gerber cloth diapers as burp cloths (A and A Burpies are good too), a good diaper bag that will hold all of your crap, Aden and Anais or some other brand swaddle that we used for everything- tummy time mat, nursing cover, car seat cover, etc. The boon Lawn drying rack for bottles and pump parts (excellent for drying wine glasses too), a good breast pump, O Ball rattle, a lovey, baby banana toothbrush (best teether ever), an app on your phone to track feedings, diapers, and sleep (your pedi will probably ask), mittens or socks so baby doesn't scratch, a soft brush, little nail scissors, gas drops, gripe water, Nose Frieda, saline for the nose, and a humidifier.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: The cart cover for the buggy at the store. Such a PITA to put on and it never stayed in place. Wear the baby. The big packages or crib bedding. You can't use a comforter on baby, no bumpers in the crib, etc so buying those is a huge waste of money.
Stroller: I had the chicco travel system and loved it. I will register for a double stroller this time, and I am leaning towards the chicco one
Car Seat: Chicco key fit. It is so easy to install. I have to buy a new one as my last one is expired.
Baby Carrier(s): I love my Ergo
High Chair: I have a wooden one with a fabric pad inside and I wish I had one that folded away when not in use.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: I have the fisher price snug a bunny swing and I love it. It plugs in so you don't use a million batteries. And as I said above my kids didn't like the mamaroo.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): I like the head to toe baby wash by Johnsons, but both my kids have eczema and the regular dove body wash works better for dry skin so I will probably just stick with the dove for this baby.
Baby bottles: DS loved the tommee tippee bottles and DD never took a bottle. I really liked the Tommee Tippee bottles as there wasn't a ton of parts to wash and the nipple looked like a boob
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): I will start with pampers swaddlers and then switch to target brand as they are cheaper and usually can get a gift card with purchase.
Other must-haves: I have an angelcare monitor and I love it, I don't get very many false alarms. But with this baby I want to get a video monitor with 2 camera, one for each room.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: receiveing blankets, and baby mittens, baby's need to feel their hands for comfort
Where are you registering (if at all)?
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering?
Stroller: I got the Britax infant seat and stroller combo, it was great. This time around, though, I already have a nice Graco jogging stroller so will probably just do the Graco carseat.
Car Seat: We had Britax with DD, and it was nice, but I will say... IT WAS SO HEAVY.
Baby Carrier(s): I tried a bunch. I liked the Moby when she was under like 12 lbs, but then I've been a Tula addict ever since. I also loved my woven wrap.
High Chair: We had a Chicco high chair, but I found cleaning it to be a real pain in the butt thanks to all the bells and whistles it had. I've heard good things about the very simple Ikea highchair and will probably get that this time since we gave the old high chair to my parents.
Crib: I wasn't particular. I got a consignment Graco crib that we enjoyed.
Glider: We had this beautiful sage green toile glider. It was so nice and a major splurge for us. It got destroyed in a move.
Dresser: We have the Catalina dresser from Pottery Barn Kids. I am a fan.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: We would not have survived without the Rock N Play. I found it especially helpful because DD had reflux and this allowed her to sleep at an incline.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): Not too picky for every day use as far as diaper creams, but we love Triple Paste for diaper rashes. I like Babyganix for lotions and shampoo/soap, but needed to use Mustella when she was really little for cradle cap.
Baby bottles: We used the Nuk bottles and they transition nicely to sippy cups because you can just change out the spout. I'm not sure how compatible with nursing this is, though, because we formula fed.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): We did both. I liked Bum Genius for cloth and Kirkland brand from Costco for disposable.
Other must-haves: Sound machine. It really helped her learn her sleep cues and we still use it today to set the bedtime tone. Boppy.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: swing.
We are getting some stuff from family - pack and plays, some non-expired car seats, exersaucers, changing table, etc... so once we go through that inventory, we'll know of what more to register for. I've started a Target (not published) and BuyBuyBaby just for ideas.
Also, I have no idea if I'm having a shower, so no need to publicly register until I know for sure that I am having one. And if I do, it wouldn't be until Fall anyway... probably September/October.
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
Where are you registering (if at all)? Will create a registry just in case, probably Amazon and BRU to get the completion discounts.
Stroller: avoid the bulky travel systems. I have a Britax b-agile but I am drooling over that fancy backpack stroller that I can't remember the name of. We have a cheap umbrella stroller too. The more compact the better.
Car Seat: we used the Chico key fit last two times but I'll probably stick with the combi coccoro convertible car seat since I'm going to have to puzzle in two boosters and an infant three across. The combi is pretty compact and narrow, but I have a whole list of car seats to try.
Baby Carrier(s): I have a beco Gemini but it is hot. I'm looking at the ergo performance or the lillebaby airflow to try out, and I want a ring sling. I can't deal with complicated wrapping. All that material dragging on the floor.
High Chair: I'm going to get one that can fold up, as long as it has a tray. We have an eat in kitchen that only has 4 chairs so seating us 5 around and soon to be six is going to be hard, so no on chair booster options yet.
Crib: we have a convertible crib, it's currently assembled full bed style so we have to buy bunks first then I can reassemble the crib. I think it's davinci, Emily, although I am not sure. It's still in great shape. For the mattress I'm getting another Colgate foam mattress, loved the last one we had, it was so lightweight and made changing easy. Also getting another 2 ultimate crib sheets, makes changing in the middle of the night way tolerable.
Glider: nope. I have a rocking chair hand me down that works just fine. i might get a nursing stool though, never did before and I think I would like it.
Dresser: will reuse from the last two. I kept the changing pad rails.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: swing was worthless to us, both kids hated it, we had a fisher price vibrating bouncy chair and got like 3 years out of it, just had to replace the motor a couple times. Might get a rock n play instead though, wasn't out yet when I had the last.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): desitin purple alternating with this special beeswax based compound that the local pharmacy has. Soaps, lotions, not picky, whatever I have coupons for. Both kids have sensitive skin but they tolerate most shampoos and lotions.
Baby bottles: I liked the avent bottles last time, because they have a wide neck, but we will see what this baby likes. I think I still have the ameda truly yours breast pump (got free with insurance) but I threw out my Medela PISA, it was going on 4 years old. I'll see what insurance offers me this time, i really liked the Medela. I also hate lugging the pump back and forth to work so having a work one and a home one is worth it to me.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): pampers for dipes but Huggies for wipes. I wish I could cloth diaper but both MIL and DH refuse.
Other must-haves: stroller hooks, car mirror, baby monitor (probably going with another movement monitor with video), white noise machine, play mat for tummy time, boon grass, diaper genie, car shade, behind ear thermometer, gas drops, nursing pillow, swaddlers, bath faucet protector, bath sling or something similar
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: gripe water, crib mobile, sterilizing anything in any way, purée food trays, wipe warmer, diaper genie past about 6-8 months, full baby bath tub, baby proofing anything, swing, most baby toys.
ETA, also a nursing cover is essential for me, but not for nursing baby in public, rather for covering myself while pumping at work. I have been walked in on so many times (despite cute signs, locked doors, etc) that having that coverage whole pumping was really helpful. Also the hands free bra was good but sometimes took too long to put on.
My Wedding Bio!
Most baby toys are useless. Indestructible books are awesome though. Google them.
We use the arm and hammer Pail not diaper genie and love it.
I agree that baby bullets and anything to sterilize is useless. You shouldn't sterilize plastic because it breaks down the plastic which can leach chemicals into whatever you put it in. To make baby food use your own blender or food processor. So much cheaper and you probably already have one/you can use it again.
@PharmDMom You just made up my mind for me re: the nursing pillow. I think I was sticking to the Ergo one because it's not quite as fugly, but I suppose I'll have to give up on that idea. It really does look like the better pillow
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Anywhere you would advise NOT registering? Not so much don't register there, as don't let the associates at Babies R Us pressure you into putting something you don't want on your registry.
Stroller: I splurged here. We're not buying very much for this baby, since we kept all our old stuff, so I got an Uppbaby Vista. It can convert to a double stroller, and has a bassinet. It's so puuuuuuuuuuuuurdy.
Car Seat: Using my same Chicco Keyfit 30.
Baby Carrier(s): Already have a bunch. A Babyhawk Meitai, a Lillebaby Complete, a Tula Toddler (obviously this won't be useful for the new baby for a while).
High Chair: Might just switch DS to a booster at the table and give the new baby his old Stokke TrippTrapp.
Crib: I bought a convertible crib for DS, the new baby will use that since we never converted it to a toddler bed. DS will move to his big boy bed.
Glider: Rocking easychair that we got on super discount at BRU for DS. (Like I said, we're not buying much for the new baby!)
Dresser: Matching dresser for the crib, also used as a changing table.
Swing/Rock N Play/other rocking device: I do want to get the new baby a Nuna Leaf bouncer. Those things are awesome, and they go up to like 130 lbs in weight.
Baby care (ie, lotions, shampoo/soap, diaper creams, etc): Probably need to buy more of the solution I add to the cloth wipes.
Baby bottles: I'm going to try the Kiinde Twist ones this time. The pumping system you use for the bags of milk is pretty cool.
Diaper brands (cloth or disposable): Already all stocked up, but I have a huge variety. I got my newborn ones back from the friend I lent them to, so just to wash them and get them ready.
Other must-haves: I need to pick up a few more Woombies. DS loved being swaddled, and those things made it SO easy.
Things you're going to skip or were not useful last time: I'm probably going to sell the Mamaroo. DS didn't like it, and it's the older generation that went really kind of slow, so it was useless.
Also, it seemed like everything we held off on popped up as a hand-me-down from a friend or coworker within a month or two. Like to the point if I needed something, I almost began to expect that someone was just supposed to magically appear with it for me. It really was kind of magic for us though... there weren't even any duplicate items. I don't understand how it all worked out so seemlessly!