@sm05-2 in the early days my husband would grab him out of the bassinet, take him across the hall to the nursery and change him on his changing pad (which we have on top of his dresser), then bring him back to me to feed. I'd nurse and then put him back into the bassinet. Then eventually he stopped pooping at night as much, and my policy became to only change diapers in the middle of the night if I smelled poop. This made life 1000X easier. Looking back, a changing pad on the bed would have been a lot easier, and I don't see a problem with it, but my husband has always been weird about changing our son anywhere but his designated changing pad on top of the dresser in his room.
Interested in the responses, @sm05-2. I also have a bassinet in there and recently thought about the changing table situation. We have setup a storage solution in his room with a changing pad, but what about our bedroom?
We have a set of 2 dressers in our room. The 3-drawer one works well as a changing table, but it's currently hosting our TV. The 4-drawer is too high for a changing table. So what we'll do is have the TV on the high one for a few months - I bet we'll be watching it less anyways... - and use the lower one as a changing table. I heard that the bed works fine but may strain your back.
Interesting, @zande2016. We may go the bed route, but I'm curious about other responses, too, like @kissableviv. I suppose we could use the top of my husband's dresser, but that does make me a little nervous--I like the idea of the bed with its wider surface area.
@sm05-2 we still carried DD down the hall and changed in the nursery which was a PITA and made me question the benefit of the whole bassinet thing anyway. Pad on the bed should be fine - follow the same rules of one hand on baby at all time, though in the first 3 months rolling should not be a high concern. Depending on the bassinet, in the bassinet would probably be cumbersome - you can also put the changing pad on top of your dresser if you have room for the time baby is in your room.
In hindsight i think i would have preferred using a pack-n-play with the bassinet and changing attachments (like this), but then again the bassinet we have was a gift and not at all what I would have chosen in the first place.
I won't be able to go back and forth because my mom will be sleeping there the first 3 weeks so that's not an option but the bed or the dresser should work, we tested the dresser and it fits the pad perfectly. I also bought and put together a cart at Ikea to put next to it - can hold diapers and wipes etc and if we use the bed it can still go next to the bassinet
I changed the baby on a pad on the bed unless it was a messy poop. Everything would be in arms reach on my nightstand so I didn’t have to stand up and walk. I would just sit up and change the baby. It is easier to go back to sleep if you do not get up and wander around. One of my “I would do differently” is not change the pee diapers as often during the night. Babies have zero bladder control so that line on the diaper always was blue indicating he peed. In hindsite, the diapers didn’t have much pee in them at all and the smallest amount of moisture changes the color of that line. I would wake up to 6 diapers tossed to the side...it was not needed and robbed me of sleep.
We had a change table in our room but literally just got rid of it. We are debating on DH building one (still have the pad). Thinking about it we have enough room in our restroom between sinks. DS use to poop at every single night feeding. Definitely want something convenient just in case.
@sm05-2, I would not plan to change in the bassinet because sometimes poop goes everywhere. Setting a pad on a bed or dresser in your room would be totally fine. We kept ours in DD's room - DH would take her in there, change her, then bring her to me. Gave me an extra 5-10 minutes to sleep before I would be up for 30-45 minutes feeding her.
This is baby #3 and for the life of me I cannot remember what we did for overnight diaper changes - I had to text my husband to see if he remembered! With our first we would take him into the nursery to change him. Our second we had a basket of stuff in our dresser and would change pre diapers on the bed and pop diapers on the floor. That being said our second didn't last in our room very long before we moved him into his own space. He was (and still is!) a very noisy sleeper!
We pretty much stopped changing on the table by 1. He was already mobile and very squirmy. I just get him when he lands lol. It’s a chasing game these days.
@sm05-2 DD slept in a pack and play with a bassinet in our room as a baby, we always just changed her in that. I see no reason to move them for a quick change and the goal was for her to stay as sleepy as possible. This baby will sleep in a halo bassinet next to our bed and we will change in that or on the bed.
When DD was a newborn we would always change then feed since babies often fall back asleep during feedings. When she got a little older and we discovered no issues with diaper rash/sensitive skin we changed her way less at night so unless it was poop we'd feed her and put her back to sleep.
So many good tips, so glad I asked! I’ll talk over these options with DH tonight. Glad the bed is a viable option, and that the dresser may be, too. I also liked learning about feeding after changing—if it puts our little one back to sleep, I’m all for it!
@sm05-2 with our twins I changed them on a pad on the bed. I brought a diaper caddy and a cooler with bottles of breast milk into our room each night so I didn’t need to leave my room. DH initially insisted on using the change table in the nursery (like five steps away) that I had insisted we didn’t need but quickly converted to bed changes. I think I can count on one hand the number of times the change table actually got used lol.
@sm05-2 we used the bed (still do)! The only potential problem I can see is pee getting all over the bed if there isn't sufficient protection under baby. I also used our pack n play bassinet for changes but it hurt my back to bed over that much, so kneeling in front of the bed worked better for me.
During the day we changed on the floor mostly, the bed, the changing table, even the front seat of my car (and the trunk if it was warm enough). You make it work! The only rule is make sure they can't fall.
Regarding rolling (off of things), sometimes it can happen sooner than expected! DS rolled tummy to back at 3 weeks fairly consistently, and back to tummy at 3 months which thoroughly freaked me out of course (he didn't walk earlier than typical tho so he was just a weirdo early roller.)
Stroller input: my mom asked if I can try to find a jogging stroller for her to use when she’s with my son. She doesn’t actually want to jog, but there’s a park near us that is actually a huge nature reservation with tons of dirt trails - basically it’s trails in the woods. I know I can get a new jogging stroller for less than $200. It doesn’t have to be top quality, just good for walks in the woods. I could also look for a better quality used one. I’d buy a single since she’s looking to use it immediately, but don’t want to spend too much because she might want to go up to a double in the fall. Then I was thinking, what about the city mini gt? I know it’s “all terrain” but does that mean it can go in the woods in dirt trails? Or are we better off with a jogger? Any recommendations?
Has anyone had to change OBs halfway through pregnancy?? Open enrollment is in May at my office and I just learned that we are switching insurances, and my doc isn't on the plan i can switch to my husbands insurance (since his open enrollment happens at the same time) and drop mine, but having me + baby on his will cost us $600 per paycheck- which is just ridiculous!!! Ugh I'm so annoyed!
@coco305 I might start by asking your new insurance what it will cost to stay with your doctor. Like, maybe you just have to pay a bit more but it could be more cost effective than switching insurance? Ugh, hopefully whatever you do works out. Worst case you switch doctors and maybe it's to your benefit? Wouldn't hurt to check that out either.
@zande2016 I would definitely suggest getting a Bob for the trail walks. You can find tons of used ones on Facebook Marketplace or Craigs List. FB Marketplace is so good for buying used baby gear.
This is baby #3 and for the life of me I cannot remember what we did for overnight diaper changes - I had to text my husband to see if he remembered! With our first we would take him into the nursery to change him. Our second we had a basket of stuff in our dresser and would change pre diapers on the bed and pop diapers on the floor. That being said our second didn't last in our room very long before we moved him into his own space. He was (and still is!) a very noisy sleeper!
I’m so glad you said this! Baby number two for me and I can’t remember what we did either! I exclusively breastfed though, so especially early on DH was handling most of the overnight diapers then I nursed. I’ll have to ask him tomorrow morning if he remembers!
I had a pack n play with the changing table attachment with DS, but I didn’t like to get out of bed whatsoever so I did most changes on the bed with a blanket. In the beginning DS pooped after every feed, but it did slow down and then I would only change him if he pooped. I want to say after a few months the poops really slowed down in general- like every other day because he was BF, which really cut down on night diapers. This time around we have the arms reach which I wanted because it takes up less space, has a higher weight limit and baby would be a little closer, I don’t think I’ll miss the changing table much but it’s nice to have the option. I still almost exclusively change DS on his changing table in his room, but we’re down to only nap and night time diapers so it makes sense.
@coco305 I have heard that you can submit an appeal to your insurance plan to keep an existing doctor, but I imagine that it will be a giant pain. The people I know who have done it have done it for very specialized doctors for very sick kids - may not be worth it for an OB.
@runsomewhere when DD was in the pack and play, did you move the pack and play to another room during the day for her to hang out in sometimes, or did you just keep it in your room and then later move it when she was no longer sleeping in your room? Also, why the bassinet this time around?
I'm trying to weigh my options here. I like the idea of a pack and play because it will get more use even after she switches to a crib. But then the bassinet is smaller and has 1 use; no need to move it anywhere.
@supersara2 I know you weren't talking to me but I recommend getting a pack n play regardless of whether or not you use it as a bassinet. They're so convenient for trips, for a safe play space when going outside, and for use in other parts of the house. In our case, DD used the pack n play bassinet feature for about 4 months, but DS hated it from the start and so we gave up on using it within the first month and moved him to his crib. This time I am borrowing a friend's bassinet just in case we need it.
@supersara2 I know you weren't talking to me but I recommend getting a pack n play regardless of whether or not you use it as a bassinet. They're so convenient for trips, for a safe play space when going outside, and for use in other parts of the house.
SECONDED - we got one specifically with a sun shade for our may baby DD - it was SUPER useful for all the cookouts and family outings that first summer or just to be out on the deck cooking and hanging out. We never use it *IN* our house as a playpen, but it stays in the trunk and is our travel crib for weekends away and days or nights at grandma's - she's 2 and we still use it all the time. I've actually thought about getting a second one for this baby since DD still sleeps in hers but it is getting a little tight anyway.
Thanks, @flockofmoosen3 and @gingerbride26! I'd like to get a pack n play for all those reasons you both listed. Is the idea to get both a pack n play and a bassinet and see what the baby likes the most? Or see if the baby is fine/not fine with the bassinet part of the pack n play and go from there? How did you start out?
I am sure this question has been asked and answered a million times and there is probably another thread about it, but this is happening in about 3 months, and now I'm officially ready to figure stuff out.
Yup, pack n play is essential. And they're cheap too, you can get a basic one for $50. My son hated sleeping in the bassinet of the pack n play, I think it was just too open for him, but once he outgrew needing the bassinet portion, he slept just fine in the regular part of the pack n play whenever he slept over at one of his grandparent's houses. We kept our pack n play in the living room and used it as baby jail once he got mobile. If one of us was home alone, he would play in there or watch TV from in there while we took the dog out, took a shower, ran down to change laundry, etc. Sometimes you just need a safe space to contain the baby. I was really sad when my husband disassembled it to make more room for toys and other toddler crap, because now I can't really leave him unattended at all.
I plan to have both the pack n play and the rock n play in our room for this baby. Once he outgrows the rock n play, he'll sleep in the pack n play (either in our room or my office) until he's consistently sleeping through the night without feedings, then he'll move upstairs to his crib. I don't want to deal with stairs and baby gates in the middle of the night.
My friend has a Joovy Room pack n play that we plan to borrow for DD when we're travelling with both kids, which I'm sure won't be super often!
@supersara2 we started out with a bassinet, pack n play, and rock n play...basically we were ready for all sleep contingencies lol. He hated the bassinet at first, and also did not like the pack n play (with bassinet attachment). Our first choice was to use the bassinet because it fit much better in our room. He slept well in the rock n play, so we gave in to that a lot, but I want to try to avoid that this time because it is not approved for overnight sleep. Eventually he did well in the bassinet and started sleeping through the night in there. Once he outgrew that, we tried the pack n play again but he did not like it, so we just transitioned to his crib. Then by the time he was transitioned into his crib, he was perfectly happy in the main portion of the pack n play when traveling. I guess if space is a concern next to your bed, or you want baby as close as possible, I'd go for a bassinet and pack n play, but if those are not concerns, maybe start out with just the pack n play and run out to buy something else if baby refuses to sleep in there.
I won't be getting a pack and play for a few months, there simply isn't space in my house. We got one for the in laws so it's already there for when we visit, and my mom has one in italy too that she used with my "niece" (her husband's grandbaby). We'll have a bassinet, hoping he likes it. Then we'll move him to the crib around 4months? It will all depend...we have a rock and play for naps. Once he gets more mobile, we will probably get a second pack and play for our place too but I don't anticipate that being until Christmas time (maybe we'll get a deal for black friday or buy one used). I don't want to buy everything at once in case he hates one of the items. These days Amazon gets you things in a day in one click so I'm not too worried.
The rock and play and the swing we have (which already take space) we got off Craigslist for a great price and they are spotless. We also got 3 playmats in great condition from a mom. The bassinet we are getting for free. The only thing I put on the registry is the baby Bjorn bouncer but I'm not even sure about that now because it's went from $160 to $200 and it seems like a lot for the use you get out of it...
So in terms of major items for sleeping and carrying that we will purchase it will be the stroller, baby carrier, and the car seat pretty much as we are also holding off a couple of months after he is born for the crib. Given our small space I didn't really bother with a "dream nursery" and went the more practical route I guess:)
We didn’t get/use a pack n play until we had to travel. DS slept in his crib since day one. During the day he would be on the mamaroo or play mat (if not being held/worn). We hope to do the same without one but starting in a bassinet since DS is still in his crib/toddler bed. Trying to avoid buying another crib. We’ll get DS in his own bed by EOY i think to free up his crib.
I had baby equipment all over the house. A pack n play in the bedroom, rock n play in the bathroom, and swing in the living room. I had a place to set the baby down where ever I went! Of course he always wanted to be held but if I needed to do something, I had a spot for him!
I had baby equipment all over the house. A pack n play in the bedroom, rock n play in the bathroom, and swing in the living room. I had a place to set the baby down where ever I went! Of course he always wanted to be held but if I needed to do something, I had a spot for him!
That's pretty much how it's going to be for us but I seriously cannot fit another bulky item lol. we are making sure to spread the items out especially between upstairs and downstairs.
@supersara2 when DD was born we lived in a condo with one large bedroom and one tiny one. The large bedroom, our master had french doors opening to the living room so it was easy to just roll the pack and play in and out. We'd keep it in the living room during the day then roll it on to the bedroom at night.
Now we are in a house where our bedroom is down the hallway, past 2 bedrooms and a bathroom so rolling it back and forth would be a huge pain. We will have the pack n play set up in the living room and keep the bassinet in our bedroom by the bed.
So it's really all for convenience and practicality.
@zande2016 Being prepared for every possibility sounds like me! Luckily we have space in the house, so what you're saying and what @chaser61 does makes sense to me.
Thanks, all, for your input! This was super helpful.
@sm05-2 I pulled babies into bed with me and changed their diapers and then put them back in the co-sleeper/bassinet. Anything to avoid actually getting out of bed because once I was upright I was much more awake and couldn't get back to sleep as easy.
@coco305 I had to change halfway through with my DS. My original OB that I had for my DD was planning to move December 2015 and I was due January 2016 so I switched in October 2015 and a new OB and it wasn't too bad! They kept good records and just picked up where my old one left off. Additionally, my "new" OB was actually the Dr. that delivered my DD because my Dr was on vacation.
supersara2 honestly...personally I don't see the benefit to the separate bassinet. Maybe we would have had the same issues with DD not liking the one in the pack-n-play...the separate bassinet just seemed like a stupid additional $100 for 3 months of use that could have been better used elsewhere- but again - I'm super frugal and MIL bought it on her own and told us we needed it. We have a fairly large unused corner of our bedroom, so the pack-n-play would have fit - but I could totally see a bassinet fitting better in a bedroom since it has a smaller footprint. To each their own though! I don't think there's a wrong decision.
@gingerbride26 I am with you on not spending extra money on something that may or may not get used for a couple of months. Freebies from friends for the win! That's the only reason I have one this time around.
@gingerbride26@flockofmoosen3 Excellent points about being frugal, which I like to be as well. But I also like to be prepared for anything. So many decisions! I'm sure whatever we decide will work out.
@supersara2 I strongly suggest Once Upon a Child or neighborhood FB groups and Mommy Swaps or whatever they're called....community wide tag sales specifically kid stuff...coffee hasn't hit yet and i barely slept lol. I know hand-me-downs and buying used is a polarizing topic...but HONESTLY...baby stuff is used for such a short amount of time and some stuff was never used. Nothing a little oxiclean can't fix. We have every single disney princess dress for maybe the price of 1 in the park, we also got a mamaroo and upholstered rocking horse for free from coworkers - all of which has gotten more use than the things we bought new .
Re: Questions w/o 4/9
We have a set of 2 dressers in our room. The 3-drawer one works well as a changing table, but it's currently hosting our TV. The 4-drawer is too high for a changing table. So what we'll do is have the TV on the high one for a few months - I bet we'll be watching it less anyways... - and use the lower one as a changing table. I heard that the bed works fine but may strain your back.
Curious to see what other moms did!
In hindsight i think i would have preferred using a pack-n-play with the bassinet and changing attachments (like this), but then again the bassinet we have was a gift and not at all what I would have chosen in the first place.
When DD was a newborn we would always change then feed since babies often fall back asleep during feedings. When she got a little older and we discovered no issues with diaper rash/sensitive skin we changed her way less at night so unless it was poop we'd feed her and put her back to sleep.
During the day we changed on the floor mostly, the bed, the changing table, even the front seat of my car (and the trunk if it was warm enough). You make it work! The only rule is make sure they can't fall.
Regarding rolling (off of things), sometimes it can happen sooner than expected! DS rolled tummy to back at 3 weeks fairly consistently, and back to tummy at 3 months which thoroughly freaked me out of course (he didn't walk earlier than typical tho so he was just a weirdo early roller.)
Sorry that was a long winded question.
i can switch to my husbands insurance (since his open enrollment happens at the same time) and drop mine, but having me + baby on his will cost us $600 per paycheck- which is just ridiculous!!! Ugh I'm so annoyed!
This time around we have the arms reach which I wanted because it takes up less space, has a higher weight limit and baby would be a little closer, I don’t think I’ll miss the changing table much but it’s nice to have the option. I still almost exclusively change DS on his changing table in his room, but we’re down to only nap and night time diapers so it makes sense.
I'm trying to weigh my options here. I like the idea of a pack and play because it will get more use even after she switches to a crib. But then the bassinet is smaller and has 1 use; no need to move it anywhere.
I am sure this question has been asked and answered a million times and there is probably another thread about it, but this is happening in about 3 months, and now I'm officially ready to figure stuff out.
My friend has a Joovy Room pack n play that we plan to borrow for DD when we're travelling with both kids, which I'm sure won't be super often!
The rock and play and the swing we have (which already take space) we got off Craigslist for a great price and they are spotless. We also got 3 playmats in great condition from a mom. The bassinet we are getting for free. The only thing I put on the registry is the baby Bjorn bouncer but I'm not even sure about that now because it's went from $160 to $200 and it seems like a lot for the use you get out of it...
So in terms of major items for sleeping and carrying that we will purchase it will be the stroller, baby carrier, and the car seat pretty much as we are also holding off a couple of months after he is born for the crib. Given our small space I didn't really bother with a "dream nursery" and went the more practical route I guess:)
Now we are in a house where our bedroom is down the hallway, past 2 bedrooms and a bathroom so rolling it back and forth would be a huge pain. We will have the pack n play set up in the living room and keep the bassinet in our bedroom by the bed.
So it's really all for convenience and practicality.
Thanks, all, for your input! This was super helpful.