I never had a separate scale for dd. Unless medically necessary I wouldn't worry about it. As OP stated she was weighing multiple times weekly for medical purposes.
Unless there is a medical reason for it; a scale isn't necessary at all. Doctors appointments are pretty frequent early on and baby is weighed at each one to ensure weight gain.
Yes a scale was not on our baby gear list. We had issues with baby losing weight and then not gaining fast enough. Then I had a hard go of BF and struggled with supply so the scale gave me peace of mind that my baby was gaining. I would not have bought it if not for those issues.
So I would skip this purchase FTMs!
BFP May 2013 - MMC at 8 weeks BFP September 2013 - MMC at 12 weeks BFP February 2014 - early loss/CP at 4.5 weeks BFP May 2014 - MMC/ complete molar pregnancy at 11 weeks BFP December 2015 - DD born 8/18/2015 BFP November 2016 - pending...
Yes a scale was not on our baby gear list. We had issues with baby losing weight and then not gaining fast enough. Then I had a hard go of BF and struggled with supply so the scale gave me peace of mind that my baby was gaining. I would not have bought it if not for those issues.
So I would skip this purchase FTMs!
Yes, I would skip this FTM's. We had a rough go with DS - he had oral coordination issues and dysphagia (which now is so much better after occupational therapy work!) Being unable to suck properly and remove milk effectively led to issues with supply. My milk also came in a tiny bit on the later side. He also had food allergies so he was throwing up like crazy. We worked very closely with our lactation consultant and our pediatrician in those early weeks. We had frequent weigh ins because his weight dropped below the normal dip. I nursed him all the time - on the hour and every two hours until he was 13 months old. He was born chunky 8 lbs 13 oz and his weight actually stabilized in the 90th percentile, which is crazy. Anyways, I should have gotten one with DS (would have helped avoid the germy doctor's office just for a weigh-in). This time I want to be prepared so I can ease my mind given my experience.
@mamadcb thanks for the recommendation - will check it out as well!
@star_beagle I didn't cut mine, but I put a standard size pillow case over that part of it as an additional barrier between my neck and that horrible seam.
Nowadays, I actually sleep on the end hook part of the snoogle so my neck doesn't land on the seam anyway. That seems to work.
One of the Amazon reviewers said he just uses the snoogle upside down so the seam is by his feet. I tried that, and I didn't like it as much. But maybe that would work for you?
Anyone have a recommendation for a diaper pail/genie that 1) contains smell; and 2) has a lid that locks? We have two curious dogs that like to get into trash cans so having some type of closing/locking mechanism is a must.
@oheliza44 My friend recommended the Ubbi pail because it's metal (and thus does not absorb odors like the plastic diaper genie) and you do not have to use proprietary bags. The product page says it has a childproof lock on it.
@oheliza44 I was a little research obsessed with diaper pails. Everyone claims theirs contains odor best.
Ubbi does have a decent lock that would keep dogs out. Although I found it too hard to open myself with one hand and it's an awkward height for me. Also, even though it's metal and looks like it would hold smell well while closed, it is just open when it's open. I felt like I could save $50+ and just get a metal trash can. They have been on Zulily off and on.
Our friends (also ftm) just went with the Dekor because they thought it would work against their dogs and whomever they did their registry with was doing a promotion for it. I didn't find as many reviews, and again felt it was a weird height for me. But it's one to look at.
We went with the Munchkin step pail. I don't think it has a lock, but it is tall and opens with a step pedal. And even when the top is open there's a close off to the diapers that are already in the pail. There is a second door on the front, though, to help empty when it's full. You technically need to push a button on top to open that. But it's just plastic so pulling on it might pry it open. Also takes proprietary bags and you are supposed to put a special baking soda puck in to help with odor as well.
I would recommend going to a store and looking at them in person.
I have the Dekor and don't have any problem with the height (I'm 5'9") but I have to think there are pails out there that contain smells better. I do cloth diaper though, and I think smells may not be as well contained within the diaper itself as with disposables. It has a little flap that is always closed unless you're pushing a diaper through. Because I was using cloth diapers I also got the washable bags and I think I'd do that even if I were using disposables. They're nice and thick and dry quickly after washing.
All that said, I will be trying out a different brand pail for this LO.
We have an Ubbi and love it. Also had good luck with the Diaper Genie. A regular trash can worked fine for the first year, but then got way too gross. @oheliza44
We recently switched from diaper genie to ubbi based on the recommendation of pretty much every mom friend I have. So far we love it, no smell, toddler and dog proof and easy to use.
I have the Dekor and while I'm too cheap to get a new one, I think there has to be another one that is better for smells. We change the bag less than once a week though because we mostly use cloth and keep those in a separate container so our Dekor doesn't fill up very fast. If you change it every couple of days, I'd imagine it's not too bad. I like that it is easy to use and that DD can't easily knock it over.
Does anyone have any recommendations for travel cribs? I'm torn, don't know if I should be getting a regular pack n play because it might not be that portable and we will be driving down on weekends to a beach house frequently, my sister in law gave me her bassinet so I won't be needing a PnP for that purpose. I want something that's not that heavy and that's easy to set up and take apart.
I'm 29, husband is 30 Together since 2006 Married 01.17.15
@BusyZee I've been looking at the babybjorn and have it on my amazon registry, I keep my "to buy" things there but I'm not totally sold on it. Wanted to hear from someone who actually owns it.
I'm 29, husband is 30 Together since 2006 Married 01.17.15
@fiorip We've gotten a ton of use out of our pack and play, including bringing it to hotels the few times we've traveled. Once folded, they're pretty compact and not terribly heavy, and my almost 2 year old still naps in one at my mom's. I'm not familiar at all with the baby Bjorn travel crib, but I can say that we've been very happy with our pack and play.
@star_beagle I'm just now seeing this! I took the cover off, then just took the scissors to it at a point above where I wanted it to start. I made a hole, then just cut the fabric around it. After I had the top part off, I removed a bunch of the filling and then sewed the top back shut. I got lazy with the cover and just left it long and folded it over. But I was thinking, you could just cut the seam at the top and remove the filling out of the curved part and just knot the top of it or tape it down if you don't have any sewing skills.
@fiorip I've taken a regular pack n play on countless trips near and far. It's not that heavy and DD is comfortable in it. We used it as a play yard in the living room when she was about 6-12 months and we are using it with the bassinet attachment for this baby. Worth every penny IMO!
We have no problems with our munchkin diaper pail, and we use a pack n play a lot, too. We got the one where the cover zips off and can be washed...love that feature.
@fiorip check out the guava family lotus travel crib. We travel a lot and the regular pack n play was too big and heavy so we got the lotus. We absolutely love it and it folds up small enough to be carry on for a plane.
Can someone compare the lotus to the baby Bjorn?i won't be buying these immediately but the only difference that appealed to me was that bjorn had a thicker mattress and was flat on the floor.
@abmommy15 thanks for that code this "expert" guy was almost pushing me to buy the European model and was convinced it could be brought here but the code confirmed that it wasnt up to par with the standards here. Not to mention it was going to be more expensive bringing it here. I ended up getting the maxi cosi mico 30 infant seat.
Are there any babywearing experts/seasoned pros in the group? I really want to babywear this baby (I didn't with my first), and I am so overwhelmed at all the different types, different fits, different materials, and different price points. I need help!!!
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08 DD - 6 years old, March 17/11 #2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
I'm no expert, but yes to the above. With DS, we started with a wrap for the newborn phase (an inherited Moby) and then switched to a structured carrier (Ergo 360). The Ergo was the most expensive baby item that I purchased new, and it was worth every penny.
I've joined some babywearing FB groups, but find it to be quite overwhelming. I was happy with our last experiences with carriers, so will just do the same again. Ring slings may be easier than wraps, but after a couple days, the wrap was easy enough for me anyway. (I'm one to make do with what I have, so certainly being given the Moby had a big influence on my decision.)
@cait32 Let me know how the belly wrapping goes and what wrap they use! My "local" chapter is at least an hour away, and for some reason they think nobody has to work and have everything during the weekday. Next Thursday they are having a babywearing 101 class and I'm thinking I might take off for it, but still undecided.
@hyperangel_8509 Another BMB has a babywearing thread several hundred posts long - I want to say it's May 2017. I'm also just a FTM, but so far I have a ring sling, 2 k'tans (breeze for me, reg for DH), and an all-seasons Lillebaby.
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@virginiaunicorn11, do you think a Moby wrap is ok for the summer? From looking at it online I'm wondering if it would be too hot/stifling in the summer heat.
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08 DD - 6 years old, March 17/11 #2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
I think you're probably right. There are probably much better carriers for the heat. We used it mostly indoors (where it was absolutely crucial for his witching hours) or for walks outside after the sun went down. When it was 90+ degrees, we didn't really take DS outside anyway, though.
@virginiaunicorn11 good point! Inside wearing won't be a problem as we have A/C. I guess if we are out during the day, it will mostly be in our backyard with DD and I won't have to babywear per se.
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08 DD - 6 years old, March 17/11 #2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
FTM here, but I heard great things about the K'tan wrap for infants, and the Ergobaby carriers once the baby is older. My sister swears by the Ergobaby brand.
Re: ring slings and wraps. I will say that if you get them right, they're great. I know some people, including myself who feel as though they might not be secure enough?
One of my "crunchier" friends is obsessed with wraps and has like 20 and swears by them.
ETA: I have the Ergo 360, and personally it's the best one I've found and you can get infant inserts so you can use them from the beginning. I've used it in the summer as well and have had zero problems with it.
Re: Baby Gear Questions and Recommendations
So I would skip this purchase FTMs!
BFP September 2013 - MMC at 12 weeks
BFP February 2014 - early loss/CP at 4.5 weeks
BFP May 2014 - MMC/ complete molar pregnancy at 11 weeks
BFP December 2015 - DD born 8/18/2015
BFP November 2016 - pending...
@mamadcb thanks for the recommendation - will check it out as well!
Nowadays, I actually sleep on the end hook part of the snoogle so my neck doesn't land on the seam anyway. That seems to work.
One of the Amazon reviewers said he just uses the snoogle upside down so the seam is by his feet. I tried that, and I didn't like it as much. But maybe that would work for you?
Ubbi does have a decent lock that would keep dogs out. Although I found it too hard to open myself with one hand and it's an awkward height for me. Also, even though it's metal and looks like it would hold smell well while closed, it is just open when it's open. I felt like I could save $50+ and just get a metal trash can. They have been on Zulily off and on.
Our friends (also ftm) just went with the Dekor because they thought it would work against their dogs and whomever they did their registry with was doing a promotion for it. I didn't find as many reviews, and again felt it was a weird height for me. But it's one to look at.
We went with the Munchkin step pail. I don't think it has a lock, but it is tall and opens with a step pedal. And even when the top is open there's a close off to the diapers that are already in the pail. There is a second door on the front, though, to help empty when it's full. You technically need to push a button on top to open that. But it's just plastic so pulling on it might pry it open. Also takes proprietary bags and you are supposed to put a special baking soda puck in to help with odor as well.
I would recommend going to a store and looking at them in person.
All that said, I will be trying out a different brand pail for this LO.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Munchkin-Arm-And-Hammer-Diaper-Pail-Refill-Bags-20-Ea/48320276
https://smile.amazon.com/Munchkin-Hammer-Diaper-Refill-Diapers/dp/B009R27JVU?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
$13.13 for 20 bags.
Together since 2006
Married 01.17.15
Together since 2006
Married 01.17.15
https://blog.totscoop.com/review-baby-bjorn-travel-crib-light-vs-guava-family-lotus-travel-crib/
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08
DD - 6 years old, March 17/11
#2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
I've joined some babywearing FB groups, but find it to be quite overwhelming. I was happy with our last experiences with carriers, so will just do the same again. Ring slings may be easier than wraps, but after a couple days, the wrap was easy enough for me anyway. (I'm one to make do with what I have, so certainly being given the Moby had a big influence on my decision.)
@hyperangel_8509 Another BMB has a babywearing thread several hundred posts long - I want to say it's May 2017. I'm also just a FTM, but so far I have a ring sling, 2 k'tans (breeze for me, reg for DH), and an all-seasons Lillebaby.
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12694392/baby-carriers/p1
CP 3/2019
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08
DD - 6 years old, March 17/11
#2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08
DD - 6 years old, March 17/11
#2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08
DD - 6 years old, March 17/11
#2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
One of my "crunchier" friends is obsessed with wraps and has like 20 and swears by them.
ETA: I have the Ergo 360, and personally it's the best one I've found and you can get infant inserts so you can use them from the beginning. I've used it in the summer as well and have had zero problems with it.