FTM Questions For STM+

kmalls · August 2017

**Shamelessly stealing this from March as it seems to be a popular thread!**

First time moms, share your burning questions here! Second+ time moms - share your knowledge!

hedgepig · August 2017

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

kmalls · August 2017

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

@hedgepig for me, hands down, our Rock N Play. It's small and portable (I can bring it into any room I'm in) and was a LIFESAVER for both my kids with reflux. The incline is perfection for babies that can't sleep lying flat. It's wonderful.

Dumbgurl04 · August 2017

@hedgepig during teething it was the Amber Teething Necklace. It was the only thing that gave DD relief. Other things worked for a little bit but that necklace was the only thing that got us completely through teething.

looeeze · August 2017

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

riversdoctor · August 2017

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

Wrapsody maya wrap. It's sturdier than the moby so it can be used much longer. I didn't have a double stroller so it allowed me to walk the dog, push the stroller and carry baby.

kindbytealikat · August 2017

@hedgepig the swing was a lifesaver for us, I'm going with RnP also this time around. Also so many ppl are grossed out but it's not bad at all but Nose Frida 1000x more effective and easier use than the bulbs
@looeeze the bassinet DS hated hated hated it, granted that may have been reflux related. I'm not likely to get one this time around.

fishsticks-n-custard · August 2017

@looeeze For the love of all that is holy, do not buy a wipe warmer. Most useless pile of crap in my house.

riversdoctor · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

Baby monitor (our house is tiny)
sippy cups (they went right to open cups)
infant bucket (outgrown so fast vs the cost and it's not something I'd buy used)

riversdoctor · August 2017

kmalls said:

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

@hedgepig for me, hands down, our Rock N Play. It's small and portable (I can bring it into any room I'm in) and was a LIFESAVER for both my kids with reflux. The incline is perfection for babies that can't sleep lying flat. It's wonderful.

I second the rock and play! Ours was secondhand and definitely helped in those early days!! He outgrew it after 3 months but it was definitely worth it!

fishsticks-n-custard · August 2017

I third the rock'n'play. We got a halo bassinet too, useless. She wouldn't sleep flat until she was about 4 months so we transitioned her from the rock'n'play to the halo then and about a month later into her crib.

I am intrigued by this sleeper for the next baby: https://www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-By-Your-Bed-Sleeper/dp/B01MRV77ZP?th=1

merrypotter · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

Honestly most of what we registered for and got as gifts, we didn't need. The biggest thing I can think of is the baby brezza. It's like a keurig for formula fed babies. I used it maybe once and found that it was just quicker to make the bottles myself. Oh also the changing table, I've found that to be a pretty useless piece of furniture in DS room. I would just stick with the basics and buy second hand gear if you can. Such as a swing, pack n play etc. My sister got us a really expensive swing for my baby shower and DS HATED IT. We never used it. Same with his rock n play, bouncer, and pack n play. Save money where you can! You never know what your baby will like!

merrypotter · August 2017

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

Shoot I can't remember what they're called but they're baby pjs without feet or anything. They look like night gowns. Anyway they are life savers for middle of the night diaper changes!!

merrypotter · August 2017

@hedgepig these are what I'm talking about

bettyvonsomethingstein · August 2017

A baby-setting-down apparatus of some kind in every room, including the bathroom and by the front door. Make life simple for yourself and have a handy and safe place to set the baby down when you need to.

kmalls · August 2017

fishsticks-n-custard said:

I third the rock'n'play. We got a halo bassinet too, useless. She wouldn't sleep flat until she was about 4 months so we transitioned her from the rock'n'play to the halo then and about a month later into her crib.

Oh god, the Halo Bassinest. SO USELESS. I coveted the Bassinest prior to our first baby -- it's so pretty and the promo video makes it seem like the most wonderful sleep solution known to mankind. But no, it's awful. It's really flat and super hard, which should be a good thing, but my kids hated it. I don't think either of them got more than a 10 minute stretch of sleep in it. My SIL has tried it with both of her kids as well, and it was a big fat fail for them. Right now it's the most expensive dust collector/place to air dry clothes in our house.

looeeze · August 2017

@riversdoctor what is an infant bucket?

lindsye · August 2017

This has got to be at the top of the list:
LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine with 20 Unique Non-Looping Fan and White Noise Sounds and Sleep Timer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E6D6LQY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LShMzbGXYCZP8

All three of my kids have one in their room and the fourth one will too. We've tried other noisemakers and this one is our favorite. It's not babyish at all, so it transitions with them to toddlerhood and beyond.

Definitely second the RNP recommendation as well. That thing is a lifesaver for one month to 5 or 6.

bettyvonsomethingstein · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

The temperature thingie for the bathtub. Collapsible sink tub. Bottle warmer.

RosieMommy2016 · August 2017

@hedgepig
A nice baby bouncer seat. It was great to put LO in when I needed to shower (with him in the bathroom with me) or was cooking (just placed it in the kitchen where I could see).

@Looeeze
Someone gave us a baby jumper toy. DS hated it while my friend's daughter loved it.

fishsticks-n-custard · August 2017

@looeeze I think she means an infant bucket carseat, vs a convertible one. I actually really liked mine and we used it a decent amount. Helpful to bring her in sleeping the carseat and I could get groceries unloaded, pee, etc before waking her up.

looeeze · August 2017

@fishsticks-n-custard I don't know anyone with a newborn who doesn't have one of those.

orangecup · August 2017

The Halo Sleepsacks with the swaddle wings were my #1. My 2 YO still sleeps in a sleepsack every night and nap...unswaddled of course.

kmalls · August 2017

@looeeze some people go right to a convertible car seat to skip a step -- the baby will be in a convertible eventually, so for some it makes sense to use it from the get-go. We'll use a bucket seat only because we already have it, otherwise I can totally see the benefit of skipping it.

1fish2fishredfish · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

how much time do you have? LOL!

wipe warmer, diaper genie, an Itzbeen timer (don't ask), so many friggen blankets ( don't register for them- people will give them to you anyway), water temperature duck thing, doorway jumper, any type of flat bassinet (we didn't even use our Pack N Play- it had a bassinet- until DS was well over a year and slept in the crib part).

But I absolutely 5th, 6th, 7th, the Rock N Play.

joyful08 · August 2017

For me the best thing we've purchased is a good comfortable baby carrier. I chose a mesh tula because of where I live and my extra sweaty baby. I registered for a cheaply infantino brand carrier (I really didn't think I'd use it much) and after a month I was searching for a better one. There are lots of good brands but the Tula was the best for us.

The most useless thing is definitely all the blankets. We have so so many. The big thick ones they aren't supposed to sleep with anyways but that's what everyone gave us. Something about cute baby blankets make people go nuts. I literally have 25 of them.

kindbytealikat · August 2017

I disagree on the changing table. I still use ours with my 2.5y.o. I was always so much easier to keep him from wiggling away there as opposed to wrestling with him on the bed. I enjoyed the wipe warmer also but agree is not necessary.

To add Halo swaddle sacks also a savior for us

kmalls · August 2017

@kindbytealikat agree on the changing table. We have one in our living room plus one in each kid's room. I feel like I'll use them forever. Plus if you spend a little extra to get one with drawers underneath, they're great storage spaces as well.

zombiemom1318 · August 2017

I never had a rock n play with my first. Hands down that is going to be my first purchase this time around! The boppy pillow was one we used a lot last time. As well as the bottomless sleep sacks!

fishsticks-n-custard · August 2017

Also, swaddles. I bought a few different kinds so I would have options and we ended up doing a double swaddle most the time over naked baby. (otherwise too warm). We loved the Swaddle Me brand.

looeeze · August 2017

@fishsticks-n-custard Thank you for including a link! I've been googling/amazoning all brands of a ton of stuff and got overwhelmed pretty quickly.

looeeze · August 2017

1fish2fishredfish said:

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

how much time do you have? LOL!

wipe warmer, diaper genie, an Itzbeen timer (don't ask), so many friggen blankets ( don't register for them- people will give them to you anyway), water temperature duck thing, doorway jumper, any type of flat bassinet (we didn't even use our Pack N Play- it had a bassinet- until DS was well over a year and slept in the crib part).

But I absolutely 5th, 6th, 7th, the Rock N Play.

I legit have no idea what half those things are and am now furiously Googling "water temperature duck thing"

zombiemom1318 · August 2017

@joyful08 I agree with all the big blankets, we had so many!

ngolimento · August 2017

Ok guys, a portable diaper change pad is a life-changer. Now I always give it as a gift at baby showers. Get one, for real.

I also recommend the Love To Dream baby swaddle. Not only is it adorable looking, but the wings zip off so you can transition your kiddo. I love multi-stage products.

Get a rocker of some kind (splurge on the ones that self-rock- trust me), instead of a bassinet.

riversdoctor · August 2017

looeeze said:

@riversdoctor what is an infant bucket?

The bucket car seat or rear facing only. We had to go to a convertible car seat after three or four months.

Sissy42 · August 2017

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

Rock'n'play without a doubt.
Followed shortly by the A&A swaddle blankets

Sissy42 · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

For me, it would be those things that are supposed to "help" swaddle your child. I never did like them, and vastly preferred either A&A blankets or the hospital blankets for swaddling both of my kids

hedgepig · August 2017

Wow ladies! So many great responses, I gotta get a pen and start taking notes.... keep 'em coming!

maureenmce · August 2017

I don't think I've seen anyone mention this yet, and maybe it was specific to our DD, but as far as items to buy, the baby Bjorn bouncer was a lifesaver for us. She hated swings but she freaking loved that thing, especially once she could bounce it herself. Allowed me to eat, do 5 min of house work, etc. I was so sad when she outgrew it.

https://www.babybjorn.com/baby-bouncers/baby-bouncer-balance-soft/?gclid=CjwKCAjww9_MBRAWEiwAlaMJZvXGlyM8siJT65p-_fMpOEU2uqbqQqMxcd-u3GRVWHHOU9DuEY2y8BoC0isQAvD_BwE

And waste of money wise, so glad we're not alone re: the halo bassinet! DD would literally scream every time we put her in it. Really hoping for an alternative sleeping arrangement to keep in our room this time because what we did with DD was just put her in her crib in her room (which she loved) but I really don't want to do that at the beginning cause this LO and our DD will (eventually) be room sharing and I don't want this LO to disrupt DD's sleep in the newborn days. I'm guessing based on rave reviews here the Rock n play may be the way to go?

And I'd say in general just be prepared that your specific baby may hate things everyone raves about. I assumed we'd have our DD in our room for 6 months in the halo bassinet - she loathed it. I assumed we'd baby wear constantly - she REFUSED. I thought she'd love a swing - bouncer or GTFO. All babies are different, so ideally with big ticket items you could get some loaned from friends before committing to the purchase.

Edited to add YES on the portable changing pad @ngolimento

tooraloorah · August 2017

hedgepig said:

What is your SINGLE most favorite (most useful, best value, etc.) item that you have puchased for your baby/babies?

A wubbanub! (Sorry if this has already been mentioned or if you plan to skip pacifiers). DD still has her animals (pacifier was cut off for weaning purposes).

tooraloorah · August 2017

looeeze said:

In the same category: what's something you got that you ended up not needing/using, or wasn't worth the money?

We went minimal with DD but I do regret not purchasing a carrier that I know I would use more often than the ergo. I didn't find the ergo comfy at all.

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