Ok. One thing I forgot, and I don't know how I forgot, bc it is the BEST baby product we own. Door monkeys. Stock up ladies. They keep doors about an inch open-no pinched fingers but also no getting in/out of rooms. Super easy access for adults, no struggling to get the right grip or dealing with finding something that fits the handles of your doors. Obviously more for older, mobile babies, but if you are working on your registry, add them- you'll thank me later. https://www.amazon.com/Door-Monkey-Lock-Pinch-Guard/dp/B004ECJWK4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1505486088&sr=8-1&keywords=door+monkey
This will be my third kid so I will share my wisdom twice over and it will probably leave you more confused... sorry!
Best with DD#1: 1) SWING! used it all the time! Got us through colic. 2) Velcro Swaddle Blankets. She slept just fine until she was too old to swaddle... 3) an outside baby pod with netting.
WORST DD#1 1) Wipe warmer, I mean what little baby snob needs warm wipes? 2) bouncer, she was always in the dang swing! 3) RockNPlay - she slept in the swing, pod or crib
BEST DD#2 1) Wipe warmer - Who knew my second kid would be a snob... she lost her shiitake mushrooms when you used cold wipes. ::eye roll:: 2) Rock N Play - The angle was perfect for her reflux and she slept in it like magic! 3)SWING - Seriously get a decent swing ya'll!
WORST DD#2 1) Bassinet - We had a flat bassinet my friend gave me and DD would not sleep flat 2) any blanket without velcro 3) Boppy - My Brest Friend was better for me.
@lady_mormont18 You make such a good point, and I know it's been mentioned before. Every baby is different and likes different things. So if you are able to borrow stuff first (or buy it extremely cheap), don't waste your money on all the expensive bells and whistles until you know if it will work for your baby.
Me, 35 Hubs, 32 Married June 2012 BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013 BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014 BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
Bravado had a version of their nursing tank at Target for way less than the normal $55 and they don't carry it anymore. I LIVED in these from the hospital until, well now. I still wear them. I am so upset!!!!!
My older actually had worse diaper rash issues with cloth. I know I'm in the minority here but she had digestive issues and was literally never dry. For a while I set a timer to change her every 60 minute and every.single.diaper had both poop and pee in it. So disposable worked better for her b/c a few drops of pee would be soaked up instead of sitting again her skin. My second was polar opposite. She was the kind that by 5 weeks would only poop every 10 days! I thought she was broken. Turns out both can be normal. So watch out - what works perfect for one baby may be useless for your baby. Also, sensitive skin is a real thing. Some butts are just tougher than others.
1. Boppy. Awesome for nursing and/or bottle feeding. 2. Boba wrap and ALL THE TULAS. I'm going for handwoven wraps this time around.
3. White noise machine. We have the skip hop one and it's a lifesaver. 4. Velcro swaddles. Trust me. Halo makes some great ones. 5. Zip up footed sleepers. I wouldn't even try the cute onesies until 2-3 months this time around. 6. Baby Brezza is awesome for formula and the Comotomo bottles are great and easy to clean.
Things that didn't work for us: 1. Halo bassinet (we're keeping on the off chance baby #2 likes it) 2. Mamaroo - we maybe used it twice the first week 3. Baby lounging pillow - nah. We just held her or would put her in the RnP.
Top 3: kick and play piano, rock and play with auto rock, a good, high quality carrier like a Tula, Lenny Lamb, or KP.
Worst 3: the infant seat/travel system we had. It was baby trend I think? I picked it because the print was cute and I hadn't done much car seat research at that point. The baby bjorn carrier. Worst thing ever.
@rowboat4 yes. Even the chicco cortina travel system was such a waste. So big and bulky. Also, the stroller has these weird wings on the side and OG (DS nn) couldn't fit his shoulders in past 1.5.
Speaking of, I know it's super early, but I've looked at double strollers online. Definitely don't want side by side, but want to be able to use the chicco infant carrier and have OG sit too (Not just stand) and then have them both sit layer on. I know I'll just have to take him to BBB to see but any suggestions would be great.
@cups4 I'll probably skip a double stroller. I'll most likely wear #2 and push DD in the stroller or let her walk depending on what we're doing. I like the stroller we have now.
We never bothered with a double stroller. We wore DS and by the time he was big enough to not worry about wearing DD was fine walking with us. I can only think of a couple of times I wished I had one.
Best: Boba Wrap/Ring Sling/Infantino Sash & Tie Pack 'n' Play with bassinet Infant carseat- we needed one we could take out of the Arizona heat Nipple shields. I could not have nursed without them
Worst: Woven Wrap- my kid hates the time it takes to get him situated Lots of baby toys-they can only focus on 3 or so, they don't need or want any more Baby books-ain't nobody got time for that Any baby clothes that don't open at the bottom. My MIL gave me some and they were far too troublesome
Jana Lynn
Happily married since 5/24/2015 Momma of a baby Viking since 4/16, expecting #2 in 5/18
In no particular order car mirror sakura bloom wrap cloth diapers
we didn't really regret anything as we are pretty minimalist and didn't ask for too much BUT things we wish we had purchased are DockATot or similar baby nest. Umbrella stroller for our tiny car newborn clothes! No one bought us any newborn clothes and we assumed we would receive loads so we didn't buy any either. Our poor kid was drowning in all her sleepers for a good 2 months
I never liked the car mirror... I could only focus on watching J crying in the car, and if he saw me in the rear view he would freak out. He'd probably enjoy it now though.
eta: It also blocked my view out of the back of my car.
@cups4 we got a sit n stand from BRU, I don't remember the brand, but I'm not sure if it's compatible with the infant car seat. It works great when we go places like Disneyland because DS1 can either stand or sit on the bench seat. My biggest dislike is that the front seat doesn't recline much for naps. DS2 will barely be 2 when number 3 is born so I'm planning on a used double Bob.
So question regarding gear for STMs. I "plan"(I use that loosely because this thread has already taught me you can't predict what your baby will like or not like) to use a bassinet next to the bed for the first few months. People seem to feel strongly about the Halo bassinet (good or bad). So what bassinet do you all recommend?
@bjkay22 I've only used the Arm's Reach, and I had no problems with it. We used it for probably 4 or 5 months before having two babies in there at once got a little crowded.
Me, 35 Hubs, 32 Married June 2012 BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013 BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014 BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
@bjkay22 we bought the halo and only used it for 1 week There was nothing wrong with it but as you said each baby is different and our DD need a slight incline. Therefore, we used the rock n play for the first three months, then used the halo for a week before transitioning her to her crib. Hoping we get more use out of the halo this time around!
cosleeper - got this for ds2 as ds1 didn't transfer from Moses basket to cot well. We used it from day 1 until about 10 months!
baby swing - much more useful than a bouncy chair when they're very little.
3 worst buys: i haven't really had any disastrous buys. I wouldn't recommend the baby bjorn carrier. It's not awful but I'd far prefer a wrap or an ergo for the money. We haven't used our doorway bouncer much. We didn't get on with a baby bath, far prefer a baby seat in the big bath!
Re: STMs: Best and Worst Baby Gear Buys
Stock up ladies.
They keep doors about an inch open-no pinched fingers but also no getting in/out of rooms. Super easy access for adults, no struggling to get the right grip or dealing with finding something that fits the handles of your doors.
Obviously more for older, mobile babies, but if you are working on your registry, add them- you'll thank me later.
https://www.amazon.com/Door-Monkey-Lock-Pinch-Guard/dp/B004ECJWK4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1505486088&sr=8-1&keywords=door+monkey
Best with DD#1:
1) SWING! used it all the time! Got us through colic.
2) Velcro Swaddle Blankets. She slept just fine until she was too old to swaddle...
3) an outside baby pod with netting.
WORST DD#1
1) Wipe warmer, I mean what little baby snob needs warm wipes?
2) bouncer, she was always in the dang swing!
3) RockNPlay - she slept in the swing, pod or crib
BEST DD#2
1) Wipe warmer - Who knew my second kid would be a snob... she lost her shiitake mushrooms when you used cold wipes. ::eye roll::
2) Rock N Play - The angle was perfect for her reflux and she slept in it like magic!
3)SWING - Seriously get a decent swing ya'll!
WORST DD#2
1) Bassinet - We had a flat bassinet my friend gave me and DD would not sleep flat
2) any blanket without velcro
3) Boppy - My Brest Friend was better for me.
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
Best:
1. White noise maker
2. Baby ktan & later Tula
3. A&A blankets
worst:
1. BAby tub
2. Infant car seat--he HATED the car until we switched to the convertible kind
3. Nursing Apron (get the poncho kind instead)
Both are cloth diaper safe and my DD has never ever had diaper rash. Ever.
with cloth. I know I'm in the minority here but she had digestive issues and was literally never dry. For a while I set a timer to change her every 60 minute and every.single.diaper had both poop and pee in it. So disposable worked better for her b/c a few drops of pee would be soaked up instead of sitting again her skin. My second was polar opposite. She was the kind that by 5 weeks would only poop every 10 days! I thought she was broken. Turns out both can be normal. So watch out - what works perfect for one baby may be useless for your baby. Also, sensitive skin is a real thing. Some butts are just tougher than others.
2. Boba wrap and ALL THE TULAS. I'm going for handwoven wraps this time around.
4. Velcro swaddles. Trust me. Halo makes some great ones.
5. Zip up footed sleepers. I wouldn't even try the cute onesies until 2-3 months this time around.
6. Baby Brezza is awesome for formula and the Comotomo bottles are great and easy to clean.
Things that didn't work for us:
1. Halo bassinet (we're keeping on the off chance baby #2 likes it)
2. Mamaroo - we maybe used it twice the first week
3. Baby lounging pillow - nah. We just held her or would put her in the RnP.
Worst 3: the infant seat/travel system we had. It was baby trend I think? I picked it because the print was cute and I hadn't done much car seat research at that point. The baby bjorn carrier. Worst thing ever.
Speaking of, I know it's super early, but I've looked at double strollers online. Definitely don't want side by side, but want to be able to use the chicco infant carrier and have OG sit too (Not just stand) and then have them both sit layer on. I know I'll just have to take him to BBB to see but any suggestions would be great.
I lost my angels 07/2010, 04/2017, 10/2017
Meimsx no more
Boba Wrap/Ring Sling/Infantino Sash & Tie
Pack 'n' Play with bassinet
Infant carseat- we needed one we could take out of the Arizona heat
Nipple shields. I could not have nursed without them
Worst:
Woven Wrap- my kid hates the time it takes to get him situated
Lots of baby toys-they can only focus on 3 or so, they don't need or want any more
Baby books-ain't nobody got time for that
Any baby clothes that don't open at the bottom. My MIL gave me some and they were far too troublesome
Rock N Play
Handsfree pumping bra
nosefrieda
worst:
mamaroo
pacifiers (he wouldn't take any!)
boppy pillow (never used it)
Mama to a crazy toddler (J-5/28/15)
EDD 5-3-18
car mirror
sakura bloom wrap
cloth diapers
we didn't really regret anything as we are pretty minimalist and didn't ask for too much BUT things we wish we had purchased are
DockATot or similar baby nest.
Umbrella stroller for our tiny car
newborn clothes! No one bought us any newborn clothes and we assumed we would receive loads so we didn't buy any either. Our poor kid was drowning in all her sleepers for a good 2 months
Is there any such thing as a car mirror that doesn't need a headrest to strap to? My new van doesn't have headrests.
eta: It also blocked my view out of the back of my car.
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
moby wrap - so comfy
cosleeper - got this for ds2 as ds1 didn't transfer from Moses basket to cot well. We used it from day 1 until about 10 months!
baby swing - much more useful than a bouncy chair when they're very little.
3 worst buys:
i haven't really had any disastrous buys. I wouldn't recommend the baby bjorn carrier. It's not awful but I'd far prefer a wrap or an ergo for the money.
We haven't used our doorway bouncer much.
We didn't get on with a baby bath, far prefer a baby seat in the big bath!