June 2017 Moms

Baby Gear You Actually Used

Since I know several moms on here are eyeing baby registry lists, I thought I'd start a thread where 2nd+ time moms can share what they did/didn't use.  Baby sites (TB included) will make you feel like a 2nd mortgage is required to effectively gear for a child.  Share what you loved and never used to give other moms a leg up.
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 DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
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Re: Baby Gear You Actually Used

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  • You really don't need a lot.. There are so many things that are nice to have but you're right, sites and baby stores will try and convince you you need all the things! 

    Things we used:
    - Swing or bouncer (somewhere to put bubs when you're doing something around the house, but you don't need more than one of these items.)
    - Pram
    - Carrier
    - Play Gym
    - Wondersuits with zips (I don't remember what they are called in the US but like a long sleeved, long pant pyjama suit. Zippers are everything in the middle of the night. Press studs never line up in the dark!)
    - A&A swaddles 

    Things we didn't use or didn't own/need:
    - Jolly Jumper
    - Activity Centre
    - Walker / Walking Aid
    - You don't need loads of toys, books are everything until they are 8m or so.
    - Bassinet / Moses Basket etc. ( would have been nice but our daughter went straight into her cot and was fine.)

    Our kids are so lucky to grow up with all this stuff, I remember reminding myself that women all over the world parent without these things and raise wonderful humans.. Which always made me feel better about not having lots of stuff. Also it's nice not to have your home overrun with every baby item known to man. Our daughter is just over 1 so I'm only chiming in for the first year or so.. Good luck to all the FTM's here. The babes are so so SO incredible and so much fun! All the best.
  • We used:
    1. Swaddle sleep sacks 
    2.  Both mine were pacifier kids one liked nuk and one like MAM 
    3.  We used avent bottles for my first but preferred the tomee tipee we used for my second
    4.  The swing was used a lot in my house
    5.  Car sear
    6.  Pump
    7.  They also loved the rainforest jumperoo when they got older
    8.  We had a hand me down Moses basket/bassinet that we used in the beginning for my second that was awesome to keep in our bedroom.  
    9.  We also have a double stroller that I used all the time in the beginning and we still use if we are going on a day trip with a lot of walking
    10.  We used an infant bathtub with a little sling too that I really liked for easy bathing.

    I may think of more...those are off the top of my head.


                                                                              Married 12/17/2011
                                                                                  K born 8/31/12                                 
                                                                                  C born 1/11/14
                                                                  BFP #3 Nov 2014: D&C January 2015
                                                                  BFP #4 Sept 2016: Due May 31 2017


  • Rock n play
    dohm sound machine
    swing
    boppy lounger
    regular boppy
    boon drying rack
    video monitor
    mattress encasement or pads
    infant tub 
    a&a muslin blankets
    swaddlemes
    halo sleepsacks
    desitin
    playmat
    pack n play
    we used a bassinet (halo) first 5.5 weeks before we transitioned to crib 
    im sure I'm forgetting something :-)
  • I agree with a lot of these. Especially the carrier. Try not to let anyone scare you about forward facing in a carrier when they are old enough. Every child is different. From 5 months until about 9 months DS would ONLY face out in a carrier and was never over stimulated. In fact, he loved every second of it. We travel a lot so it was 100% necessary that he liked a carrier (International travel is lame with gate checking, so a stroller is useless in connecting airports.) Just remember, every child is different! Its so true.
    Also, take all the extra clothes you're offered. I was skeptical because I didn't like all of them I was offered, but I was SO happy to have them when I needed to change his outfit like 6 times in a day. I had no idea! 
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  • I recently gave a friend all of my son's first year clothes.  As I bagged them up, I noticed what I had washed more than others:
    Zipper sleepers, white onesies for layering in winter, and burp clothes.  
    Items of frequent use:
    Car seat 
    Crib
    A quality pump - if you want to go that route.
    Swing 
    Bouncer
    Baby carrier
    Diapers and wipes
    We used the NUK pacifiers - most have their own preference 
    I'm positive things have changed since I had a newborn 5 years ago, but I really don't want to over crowd my house with stuff.





  • All mine were pretty much covered.  I second baby carriers.  I only owned a Solly and a Tula, but I'd love more this go round.

    other things worth buying:
    swing
    bouncer
    car seat
    swaddles
    arms reach co-sleeper
    big diaper bag
    stroller
    infant tub
    pump + extra parts
    bottles of many varieties (each kid liked a different brand)
    pacifiers in different varieties (each kid liked a different brand)
    boppy (over my breast friend, because more uses)
    glider
    steamer (for pump parts, I EP'd for a year)

    i never used:
    pack n play
    changing table
    Rock n play (my kids preferred the swing or bouncer)

    As far as clothes, I'm not above hand-me-downs or consignment shops.  Once Upon a Child usually has great baby clothes.  Our local store does 10 for $1 onesies and pants.  I also shop local Facebook consignment sites for gently used baby gear and clothes.
  • I second buying things used, except for the car seats. I'm a huge thrift store and garge sale shopper and I frequent Goodwills half price day. This made it very economical for me to get things the first time around. Also, if you plan to have more than one child, buy gender neutral. 

    I used:
    Lilebaby carrier
    Graco click connect car seat
    jogging stroller
    Tommee Tippee bottles
    the wubbanub pacifiers
    baby bath tub
    swing and bouncer
    floor activity mat and gym
    Boon grass drying center for bottles (love this)
    Luvs diapers and Walmart brand wipes
    Get a good diaper bag with lots of pockets, I have a CindaB that was gifted to me and love it

    A tip for the crib: layer mattress pad protectors and crib sheets a couple times. That way when they have wet bed sheets in the middle of the night, you can just strip the top layer and have clean sheets under neath. No one wants to put clean sheets on at 3am!

  • Rock n play
    dohm sound machine
    swing
    boppy lounger
    regular boppy
    boon drying rack
    video monitor
    mattress encasement or pads
    infant tub 
    a&a muslin blankets
    swaddlemes
    halo sleepsacks
    desitin
    playmat
    pack n play
    we used a bassinet (halo) first 5.5 weeks before we transitioned to crib 
    im sure I'm forgetting something :-)

    Adding to my list -
    snap and go for my keyfit 30
    regular stroller
    tommee tippee bottles, caps and nipples
    tommee tippee sterilizer
    tommee tippee pacifiers
    soothie pacifiers
    wubbanubs
    medela pump (my insurance covered)
    pump bra so you can be hands free
    nipple lanolin cream 

     
  • BelhurstBrideBelhurstBride member
    edited October 2016
    I was the first out of my close girlfriends to have kids so there wasn't much for me to borrow- but every. single. baby item we own* has since been loaned out to multiple families. So much baby stuff gets used for such a short period of time it really is pretty ridiculous to buy it all new. 

    (*Except the Ergo; since the day DD1 was born we've never had a point in our parenting lives where that thing wasn't still used regularly. It still gets used regularly. Several of my other carriers, primarily wraps, have been loaned out.) 

    What's useful really varies per kid and per temperament. DD1 practically lived in her swing. It was the only place she'd sleep, aside from on me, for nearly a year. DD2 hated the swing. All the more reason to borrow or purchase stuff second hand. In addition, you don't need it all before baby arrives. Get a couple of things and use them, if they work, great! Less stuff! If not, put a call to arms out on Facebook; someone will have something taking up space in their attic they're willing to lend out. That said, here's my strong opinions based what's worked for our family: 

    Obviously, a carrier has been our #1 used baby item. Get a good one, an Ergo, a boba, Tula, ect. Don't waste your time or money on something like a Bjorn. I preferred wraps when the girls were bitty and switched to soft structured buckle carriers as they got more mobile. 

    The PnP is handy if you ever travel (road trips), but that's about all we used it for. Don't get one with all the bells and whistles, you won't use them. In fact, most of the add ons max out at 15 pounds anyway. 

    RnPs weren't invented yet when DD1 was born, but we borrowed one for DD2. It's currently out on loan to another family, but that's on my must have back list before this baby arrives. It's so portable and handy as a baby parker. (If you have a baby who is content with being parked.) 

    If you have a close friend whom you trust completely, borrow an infant seat. The weight limit on those bad boys don't count for shit, in fact, DD2 is still no where near the max weight on hers yet. (15 pounds to go!) It's the height that matters and both of my girls were out of that thing by 9 months. They're big, they're bulky and while they're handy to transport in and out of the house that's a lot of plastic for such a short life span. They're pretty useless for grocery shopping- you CANNOT click it to the top of the cart where an older child would usually sit and they take up the entire basket. The one we purchased for DD1 has been used by 3 other families and had since expired. We're borrowing a friend's for this LO. If we didn't have access to one to borrow we would have just skipped to the convertible. 

    Breast pump- check with your insurance carrier. It may be covered. As a SAHM it wasn't vital for me and I found I preferred a manual, less parts to clean, on the rare occasions I actually needed to pump. 

    Stroller. Don't get one right off the bat. You honestly have no idea what your family life will look life until you're elbow deep in baby shit. If anything look into a used Snap n Go, a stroller frame that you snap the infant seat into. It'll be a few months before baby can sit in a traditional stroller anyway and by the time they outgrow the SnG/infant seat you'll have a better idea if you even need a stroller in your life and if so, what type. DO NOT GET A TRAVEL SYSTEM STYLE STROLLER, they're unnecessarily bulky and so not comfortable to push.

    As for surviving the newborn phase: 
    -sleepers with elastic bottoms, all of ours were from carters. They're literally a long dress with elastic at the bottom. So. much. easier. for the nonstop diaper changes. 
    - Arm's Reach Co Sleeper, both of the girls spent months in this. We borrowed one from a friend. 
    - A&A muslin swaddles. The cost is worth it. The size is imperative to a successful swaddle. DD2 still uses hers as a lovey
    - I loved the boppy for DD1, but it got to be too much to remember to bring back downstairs with DD2 and I just used pillows. (Or, nursed her as I chased around DD1.) DD1 used it as support to help her hold DD2 more than I used it. 
    - an i pad mini or e reader. A book with one hand is impossible and you'll spend a lot of time stuck sitting around
    - Amazon Prime. I bought so much stuff after DD1 arrived and that free two day or $4 overnight shipping was a God send. 
    - pre fold cloth diapers as burp cloths. A lot of them. 

    You literally have no idea what kind of parent you're going to be until that baby is here and makes it clear the type of parent he/she requires. Give yourself the ability to be flexible. 
    DD1 4.14.10
    DD2 8.22.13
    MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
    Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18

    Pregnancy Ticker
  • -Sleepers with zippers, NOT snaps
    -The kick n play piano gym is amazing 
    -used the pack n play about 3 times in 3 years
    -extra burp rags
    -rock n play 
    BFP #1: due 6/17/2013, DD born 6/25/13
    BFP #2: due 6/30/2017, MMC found 12/7/2016
    BFP #3: due 10/21/2018 
  • To me, there are two key drivers in these lists: where/how you live (apartment vs. house, city vs. lots of time in the car), and your kid. Sadly, only one of these is obvious before the kid arrives - so you'll want to pick someplace with a very liberal return policy (or, as many have said, borrow).

    For us, key items (apartment in the city) were:
    * Snug-a-puppy bouncy chair - can use very early (mine HATED the vibration, so it was just a place to park her, and takes up much less space than a RnP)
    * Swaddle blankets (still gets used to help dolls nap!) and then once she could bust out, all sorts of advanced swaddles (e.g., Miracle blanket)
    * Sleepers - totally agree with @bel194 that zippers are the way to go. We were also given one with magnets - it was amazing
    * Baby bathtub for the first 6 weeks (the $20 one from Amazon was perfect)
    * Baby hooded towels are actually good to make sure they're warm - mine also had an adorable robe
    * Blanket to cover up the glider since my kid was always spitting up
    * Activity mat - we had the Fisher Price jungle one. She adored it, even early on.

    We were given a swing that she was never really a fan of (and have since given away). Not sure if this one will get another one. We also were given a bassinet which now holds DD's stuffed friends and will come back into our room for this one.
    Me 37, DH 40
    BFP #1 6/13 DD 3/14
    Mirena 10/14-5/16
    BFP #2 9/2/16, CP confirmed 9/8/16
    BFP #3 10/10/16 EDD 6/22/17
  • I am on the hand me down boat too. Once upon a child sells lightly used gear at very affordable prices. And I cannot stress enough how quickly babies outgrow clothing. Also, diapers and wipes are your best friend!! The more you get, the less you'll have to buy.

    With DD, I got enough diapers & wipes to last me about 7 months which I think is pretty good. 

    Best items:

    -Swing from handed down by my cousin
    -snap and go was a lifesaver especially when I went out without DH, it's so easy and lightweight
    -car seat w/stroller (used the stroller when she grew out of snap and go)
    -Tommie Tippee bottles are amazing 
    -a simple tub, nothing fancy or with too many doo-hickeys 
    -Boppy for breastfeeding or starting tummy time 
    -Pack and play was the best


    DH: 35 | Me: 29
    BFP #1- 07.25.12, EDD: 03.24.13, DD born 03.26.13
    Surprised BFP #2- 02.25.15, EDD: 10/29/15 |*m/c 7w4d, D&C 04.02.2015 
    BFP #3- 01.21.16, EDD: 09.29.26 |*m/c-blighted ovum 2.19.16 8w1d, D&C 03.04.16 
    BFP #4- 05.24.16, EDD: 02.04.17 |*natural m/c-  07.08.16, 9w1d
    BFP #5- 09/25/16, EDD: 06.07.17 GROW
    , BABY, GROW! 

  • Swing.
    swaddles. 
    Bouncy seat: this one saved my life and let me take showers. 
    Baby carrier. 
    I had a boppy pillow but honestly only used it to sit on while my episiotomy healed. 

    If I had to choose just one? Baby carrier, hands down. 
  • I'm totally on board with all the hand-me-down suggestions! 

    We we had someone offer us their Uppababy Vista. That thing is awesome. I could not have justified the price tag new. The other things we borrowed or bought used: jumper, swing, newborn clothes, cloth diapers, pack n play, baby gates (not needed until the baby is mobile), bottles (don't stock up until you know which ones the baby likes), baby carrier, diaper bag, Boppy

    Things we bought new and couldn't live without: A&A muslin blankets (still the only ones DD will sleep with), crib, infant car seat (wait to buy a convertible), noise machine

    If I had it to do again, I would have asked for more gift cards to help offset the costs of items we purchased months down the line



  • Carriers: 
    Moby was great in the first few months! 
    I swear by my Ergo. Baby bjorns are a back-killer. 

    Pack n play
    rock n play for my colicky baby only
    Boppy pillow
    A space-saver high chair that straps to an existing chair is all you need AND you can travel with it. It sets up in a hotel desk chair in a jiffy. 
    When checking out strollers, try to fold it Up and imagine how it might fit into your trunk. Also imagine yourself trying to work through the narrow aisles of the clothing department in Kohl's. If it would get stuck, don't get it! I ended up getting rid of my "fancy" stroller for a smaller one that fit this criteria. It also stands up when folded, which is helpful if you're in a restaurant, or tight space.

    Triple paste is the bomb of diaper creams. It's worth every penny.

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    BFP #2 10/2011. EDD 7/11/12. MMC discovered 11/2/11. D&C 11/4/11.
    DX PCOS 10/2012.
    BFP#3 1/11/13. DS Born 9/17/2013
    BFP#4 9/30/17. Grow baby grow! 
    ~Everyone Welcome~
  • pghctwifepghctwife member
    edited October 2016
    My favorite most used stuff:

    baby carriers, but especially for the second 
    stroller, but I thought I needed 2 (bob and city select). I sold the cs because the bob is fine for the mall hte few times I go and I need it for running. I have a single and a double bob and that is plenty.
    pack n play. I use it in newborn stage a size a second changing station on hte main floor with all hte stuff I need so I'm not running up and down a million times. I haven't needed it much for travel but when you need it you need it.
    playmat. One item I need to replace for this baby actually. 
    High chair. Get one you don't hate how it looks bc it becomes furniture. and is easy to clean.
    waterproof lap pads. Get a pack and put it over your changing pad so you don't have to wash your changing pad every time baby pees mid change or has a blow out

    donr buy too much lotions and creams until you know what works for your baby. Mine all had sensitive skin and diaper issues so we went through a lot till we found what worked

    My kids didnt like hte swing or rock and play. 





    11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
    05/2017 cp
    08/03/17 no hb 8w

  • edited October 2016
    Pack and play. Swing. All the burp cloths.
    A lot of articles I read said that a changing table wasn't necessary but I'm so glad I bought one anyway. Sure, you can change a baby anywhere but it's nice having all the stuff you need right there. Not to mention, my back hurt a lot in the beginning from breastfeeding, big boobs, carrying baby, hunching over baby, etc. Having an elevated surface to change baby instead of bending over was a life saver. 
    Me: 26 DH: 27
    Married 6-15-13
    DS born 4-9-15
    Septate Uterus
    BFP 10/12/16--EDD 6/24/17


    BabyFruit Ticker
  • Pack n plays are a waste unless you travel. We have one and barely used it for our first. It's currently sitting in my parent's garage for baby number 2 so she'll have somewhere to lay down at their house.

    Baby will probably be in your room for awhile in the beginning so some sort of bassinet is crucial. We have the Rock n Play that we got when DD1 was maybe six weeks old. I wish we had it from day one. It's amazing.

    DD1 hated her swing but DD2 might like it so we have it set up for her.

    An infant car seat is a must. Or they could just start out in a convertible. The one we used for DD1 expired so we're buying a new travel system for DD2. I know some people think they're bulky but we like them. We test-drove every stroller in BRU until we settled on one that steered well and was comfortable to push around. Plus it's pretty lightweight and has one-second folding.

    Things you absolutely don't need? Wipes warmer, paci sterilizer, video monitor, etc. Babies are pretty versatile and don't need everything to be sterilized. And warm wipes? Give me a break. What are you going to do when you're out in public and baby has a blow out but they're spoiled to warm wipes? I never understood that logic.
    DD1: EDD 12/21/11 - Born 11/24/11 at 36w1d
    DD2: EDD 1/16/17 - Born 1/12/17 at 39w3d
  • Loved my Tula. I actually still use it. Invest in a good baby monitor, it's worth the money and the peace of mind it gives you. My one piece of advice don't keep all the clothes you get. 
  • PSA:  Muslin is a fabric; Muslims are followers of Islam.  (I'm assuming DYAC moments here).
    Lilypie - Personal picture Lilypie - Personal picture Lilypie - Personal picture 
     DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
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  • Pack n plays are a waste unless you travel. We have one and barely used it for our first. It's currently sitting in my parent's garage for baby number 2 so she'll have somewhere to lay down at their house.

    Baby will probably be in your room for awhile in the beginning so some sort of bassinet is crucial. We have the Rock n Play that we got when DD1 was maybe six weeks old. I wish we had it from day one. It's amazing.

    DD1 hated her swing but DD2 might like it so we have it set up for her.

    An infant car seat is a must. Or they could just start out in a convertible. The one we used for DD1 expired so we're buying a new travel system for DD2. I know some people think they're bulky but we like them. We test-drove every stroller in BRU until we settled on one that steered well and was comfortable to push around. Plus it's pretty lightweight and has one-second folding.

    Things you absolutely don't need? Wipes warmer, paci sterilizer, video monitor, etc. Babies are pretty versatile and don't need everything to be sterilized. And warm wipes? Give me a break. What are you going to do when you're out in public and baby has a blow out but they're spoiled to warm wipes? I never understood that logic.
    A pack n play can be useless for some, essential for others. We used it as our son's crib in our room for the first 4 months, and have used many times since then. We don't travel far but we do overnights at grandparents a lot and we have used it for vacation. We are pretty close to family and do weekends with family often. Even now that DS is in a toddler bed, we have the PNP for when we are traveling somewhere that isn't very well baby proofed where he will be sleeping. (He is 18 months so he still fits). 
    So it just depends on the family I guess. I can't imagine not having a PNP. 
    Me: 26 DH: 27
    Married 6-15-13
    DS born 4-9-15
    Septate Uterus
    BFP 10/12/16--EDD 6/24/17


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  • @BelhurstBride It's like you read my mind. I agree with all of it!

    Someone mentioned it on another thread, but the NoseFrieda is worth its weight in gold.  Nothing clears out baby (and toddler) snot better.
    Lilypie - Personal picture Lilypie - Personal picture Lilypie - Personal picture 
     DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
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  • Xath said:
    PSA:  Muslin is a fabric; Muslims are followers of Islam.  (I'm assuming DYAC moments here).
    Oh ffs. Yes, an iPhone apparently changes muslin to Muslim!
  • I forgot to add that the video monitor was really important for us. We had a difficult sleeper and need the video to make sure he's staying safe. He's three now and we still use it every day.
    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers
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    BFP #1 9/1999. DD Born 6/7/2000
    BFP #2 10/2011. EDD 7/11/12. MMC discovered 11/2/11. D&C 11/4/11.
    DX PCOS 10/2012.
    BFP#3 1/11/13. DS Born 9/17/2013
    BFP#4 9/30/17. Grow baby grow! 
    ~Everyone Welcome~
  • mamaelle27mamaelle27 member
    edited October 2016
    A backpack as a diaper bag. Other diaper bags get so heavy and cumbersome and your hands will be full of baby.  Backpacks are awesome so you're hands-free.

    Any  backpack (preferably with pockets) will work. Vera Bradley diaper bag backpacks are awesome. I have a Vera Bradley backpack (not intended as a diaper bag) and it's still awesome. Plus, you can buy matching keychain, wallet, lunchbox, etc. if you're into that sorta thing.
  • I had a pack n play on my list above and see some people find it great, others useless. So we never used it for travel. We have had it set up in the kitchen area in our home from the beginning. In the beginning we used it daily for diaper changes since our changing table was upstairs and it was difficult for me to get up there post c section. When she got bigger we put her fisher price piano playmat in there and it would be a safe spot away from our three dogs for her to lay on so I could do some things. Then when she outgrew the playmat, we have used it as a playpen. We have a playroom for her downstairs. Sometimes it's  just easier for me to put her in there for a few minutes with some books so I can make food, do dishes, etc. just thought I would share More of why we found it so useful and she loves it!
  • allywatallywat member
    edited October 2016
    I used a shit ton:
    rock in play 
    sleep sacks
    changing table (your back will thank you) 
    pack in play we used as a bassinet for first 5 months then never used it again
    baby nail file 
    aquaphor
    boppy
    woven wraps 
    stroller 
    playmat
    Breast pump I had a preemie and rented a hospital grade pump for 6 months, I literally cried when we returned it 
    I never used:
    crib 
    jumper (little one just never cared for them)
    baby tub (sink then tub once they can sit up) 
    shoes (my Ds still hasn't started walking so still haven't worn much) 
    pacifiers (even though I loved wubbanubbs and bought a bunch because they are cute, they never got used) 


    i agree with previous posters go second hand where you can but new for car seat. 


  • As others have said, carriers are amazing!  My favorites are the Maya Wrap ring sling and the Ergo 360.  I pretty much wore my second son in the Maya until he was 4 months old.  It was a great way to keep people from trying to touch or hold him and left my hands free to help my oldest.





  • I agree with the original poster about buying second hand. we bought a ton of stuff second hand and saved a bundle. 

    Our baby loved his swing. We also used the pack and play for the first fee months for DS to sleep in. We splurged and got a nicer one with an infant sleeper and changing table. When DS was four months old we moved him to his crib where he has slept ever since. 

    DS hated the toys that kept him stationary but loved the jumper. 

    We also used the boppy pullow quite a bit. 
  • Favorite items are going to be different for every person, but things I loved are:

    boppy
    swaddles-not just a blanket. My kid would bust out of those. She needs the Velcro to keep her arms inside. 
    Rock n play- I would never have purchased this, but it was super awesome for the spit up days. 
    Pack n play- baby sleet in her PNP in my room until she was almost a year old. Her crib was too big to fit in there. 
    Fisher price frog seat- it's better than a bumbo, as it does not force them to sit Ina weird position, and they can't flip these at. I still use mine to restrain my toddler for short periods of time.
    my travel system- I loved that I could haul a sleeping baby out of the car and not wake her, and the stroller is great. 
    My soft structured carrier- my Tula is awesome for time when a stroller is not practical. 

    Things I want for this time around:
    gliding rocker w ottoman-my forest wasn't super fussy, but the few times she was, I would have given my arm for a good comfy rocker. 
    A space saver swing-Ours is huge and there is a weird seam that rubbed a sore spot on baby's head when she got a little bigger. 

    Things I will never use again:
    wubanub- the cute animal is heavy for a little baby and often pulls the paci out. 
    Baby bathrobe- I prefer a towel, and you end up changing your kid enough that a bathrobe was only a cute inconvenience. I gave mine away. 
    Bibs with Velcro-they snag on things in the wash. 
    Bumbo- baby's flipped it the first time she used it. Plus, it rips them up in an awkward position. 

    NEVER turn down hand me downs! It is the best way to try new things to see if you like/need them! You can always pass on items you don't care for and goodwill and pregnancy care centers love getting baby stuff. 
    Married 8/29/09
    MC: 9/14
    Goober #1 born: 8/17/15
    MC: 9/16
    Goober # 2 EDD: 6/27/17
  • Things I could not have lived without: Ergo, Tula, and wraps. The bouncer. Lots of newborn clothes. Cloth diapers. Those zip up sleeper blanket things. A second car seat and base for grandma's car. A "baby gym." Changing table. Baby socks. Burp cloths. Nosfrida. Fever reducer. Thermometer. Nursing cover. A good JJB bag.

    Things I have but never really used: Boppy, crib, swaddle me, baby shoes, bottles. 

    Things I never bought, because they were unnecessary, for us: diaper sprayer, gripe water, rice cereal, baby food maker.
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers image
  • These are some great lists. I totally recommend having a pumping bra if you pump for hands free pumping. Best thing I purchased and wish I would have purchased sooner!

    We have a pack n play with a basinet on top. I used that while baby slept in our room. I used my old fashioned baby monitor until my son was 4... maybe over kill but I got my use out of it. I am debating about a video monitor next time around. My friends have one and love it so they can be about the house while their little one naps and she can even log in at work when baby is at home with a family member... kinda cool.

    We used a lot of desitin and lotion. I also recommend Amazon subscribe and save for diapers. You can save a lot of money.

    I also love 2nd hand and love the consignment sales we have around here. 

    For first time mom's I woukd recommend not over buying items... like 20 pacifiers / bottles ... try out a couple then buy what baby likes. 


  • - Tons of sleepers!
    - Rock n Play
    - Fisher price my little lamb deluxe cradle swing (best thing ever, even after the motor breaking 3x- their customer service was amazing!)
    - woombie
    - white noise machine (no time limits- needed to run continuously)
    - nursing bras and tanks, button up night gowns
    - Medela double electric breast pump in the travel bag
    - lanolin
    - gripe water and Ovol gas drops for fussiness
    - tucks pads for muah post delivery
    - peri bottle to clean after going to the bathroom then dabbing with extra soft toilet paper (soft and thick was needed- and cold water worked best for me in the peri bottle)
    - baby carrier (I used the ergo and it was fine)
    - tons of receiving blankets
    - oxyclean for diaper blowouts
    - +++ baby wipes for everything
    - coconut oil for diaper rashes (zinc cream did nothing for my girl unfortunately)
    - diaper changing mat (portable or on a change table- change table was a must for me post partum having everything at a good height)
    - nasal aspirator 
    - diaper bag with a "mom" pocket
    - yoga mat for tummy time (rolled up a bit on one end to prop baby up, good grip and no sliding off the mat during tummy time!) with a mirror in front
    - netflix


  • jc_twomamasjc_twomamas member
    edited October 2016
    Newborn phase: 

    Obviously a car seat 
    Arms reach co sleeper (or any kind of bassinet next to the bed)
    Moby wrap/Ergo baby carrier. COULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED WITHOUT BABY WEARING. Getting a ring sling this time around too.  
    Sleepers with ZIPPERS. The snaps made me stabby at 2am. 
    Muslin blankets for various needs 
    Lots of burp cloths 
    Swing 
    Breast pump (although it's not totally necessary right off the bat when you're regulating your supply) breast pads, storage bottles and baggies 
    Boppy Lounger. I didn't like the bobby for nursing. Pillows worked just fine for me. 
    Rock and play 

    **Note about the Rock and Play** 
    PLEASE be sure to be getting your babe out and on their tummys or on your chest AS MUCH as possible. If the baby uses the rock and play too much, they can be subject to torticollis or flattening of the head. Rock and plays are amazing, I used ours daily, but TOO much use of rock and plays (or swings and bouncers for that matter) could increase the chances of flat areas or torticollis. 

    2+ months: 

    Baby bath with supportive net 
    Dr. Brown bottles 
    Activty mat or a large floor blanket for tummy time
    Brightly colored rattles/soft toys/soft books 
    Exersaucer 
    Nose Frida 
    White noise machine 
    Baby jogger 
    Crib 
    Changing pad with 2-3 changing pad covers 
    High chair for 6+ months 

    We use our pack n play often, but we travel a lot too. 

    Me: 29
    DH: 29
    DS: 18 months 4/2/2015
    Baby #2 EDD: 6/1/2017 
    <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Baby Names"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1d450a" alt=" BabyFruit Ticker" border="0"  /></a>
  • My lillibaby baby carrier! Best thing I ever bought!
  • The Rock N Play saved my sanity since my son had GERD. That thing is amazing.

    If you have a boy, the wipes warmer is a godsend and drastically reduces the amount of times you get peed on while wiping baby. Lesson learned.

    Somebody gifted me a Sophie the Giraffe at my shower and I thought it was a ridiculously overpriced piece of rubber. Dude, that thing was the baby whisperer and my kid was addicted to it.

    Like others, my Ergo was one of my favorites. Didn't discover it until my lo was 6 months and desperately wish I'd had it sooner.
    Me: 38 l DH: 41
    Gavin - 8/27/10
    *TW*
    Gabriel - 2nd tri loss 5/17/16 Trisomy 18 & 21
    Hope -  2nd tri loss 12/7/16 complications from pneumonia


    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
  • Babybjorn bouncer - because well you have to shower and I had a fussy reflux baby that couldn't be left in the crib.

    Babybjorn cradle - it's cute and has a small footprint in our bedroom - we didnt like the look or size of pack n plays.

    Wipes warmer - life saver for us! - baby was really sensitive to temperature.  My husband went out and bought this himself - the only thing he took the initiative to buy!  We.needed.it.

    Coconut oil is great - I second that - put some on nipples cracked from nursing, on baby's bum, and use as baby skin moisturizer especially if baby has sensitive skin.

    Cloth diapers - because baby had sensitive skin.

    White noise machine - it's the best we can do in lieu of being on an actual aircraft.

    Peg perego book plus stroller - click and go in frame is amazing in the newborn phase!  If I were only buying one stroller though this wouldn't be it - there are better hybrids.
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