Community› The Bump Month Clubs› February 2021 Moms
February 2021 Moms
New Discussion

Ask a STM/+: Baby Stuff Good and Bad

hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
edited September 2020 in February 2021 Moms
Some people have baby showers coming up and need ideas! So let’s bounce around our thoughts on things that are worthwhile and things that didn’t get used too much!

STM/+: 
1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion?
2. What’s one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion?
3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful?

FTM: is there any item that you’re undecided on whether or not you should get it and want opinions from internet strangers? 

For everything, post links where possible!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Ask a STM/+: Baby Stuff Good and Bad

  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion?
    Hands down the Tula baby carrier. Very adjustable, and you can use it for a long time (I carried my 19mo DS in it just yesterday). 
    https://babytula.com/products/coast-beyond-tula-explore-baby-carrier

    2. What one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion?
    I bought a knockoff Tripp Trapp high chair. It was so heavy and not well-made. I ended up buying an actual TT in the end because I hated this one so much, and the actual TT is lightyears better. If you want a TT (definitely a niche thing), get the real thing.
    DO NOT BUY: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044R7HYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dOrDFbNEYHEJT

    Actual one that's really good if you like this kind of thing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KQQD7W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yPrDFbEJKF38J

    3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful?
    This toy, the Winkel, which was the first toy DS enjoyed once he had control of grasping and became the universal F19 bmb toy (I think something like 35+ of the 40 of us ended up buying it LOL): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNCA4K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QQrDFbMHBH9RN
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • babyturtle22babyturtle22 member
    @hannahbananas11 I've definitely been eyeing the Tula baby carrier! I've read some carriers aren't as supportive when they are newborns (I think I read the Ergo needs an infant insert?) and that the wraps are more useful when they are tiny, did you feel the Tula worked right off the bat or did you use something else until he was a bit bigger? 
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    @babyturtle22 if you’ve got extra money to spend, or people who want to buy you lots of things, I loved having a Solly wrap for the early days. It was really cozy. But H used the Tula right off the bat and never felt like DS was in an awkward position or unsupported. I also carried DS in it on hikes in the second month and it worked great for that.
    As for Ergo vs Tula, my friend had the Ergo, and after she borrowed my Tula she decided to buy one and sell the Ergo. The Tula is more supportive and comfortable for the wearer, and doesn’t require a newborn insert. The seat adjusts to fit the baby so that the legs/hips are in a healthy position. So long story short: I loved the Solly for the first two months or so, but DS quickly outgrew it so I’d only splurge on that if you have extra cash to spend on Baby things. The Tula is definitely good for newborn carrying!
    Report Reply
  • birdiejobirdiejo member
    @hannahbananas11 I have an ergo but was looking at lillebaby ... you think Tula is better? I hadn’t decided yet. 
    Report Reply
  • birdiejobirdiejo member
    1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion? Bob stroller especially if you are a walker/jogger/runner. 

    2. What’s one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion? Baby swing but to be fair I think for some baby’s it can be gold for soothing. 

    3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful? Friday baby nasal aspirator. Get over the weirdness and suck those boogies out!! 
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    edited October 2020
    @birdiejo I have the Lillebaby Complete All-Season carrier, which I got in Atlanta because I liked the mesh and thought it would be cooler for DS while hiking during the summer. It wasn’t bad and adjusts well to all different body sizes (me and DH wore it). That said,  I much prefer the Tula Explore or the Tula Free-To-Grow (I also have both of those... can you tell I’m a baby-wearing fan? 😆). The Tulas feel less bulky than the Lillebaby, and I can get those on by myself, whereas I need a second person to connect the straps in the back of the Lillebaby. The Lillebaby also wasn’t as flexible in the area that goes under the baby’s thighs to the knees, and DS got some chafing on the inside of his thighs when I wore it.

    For anyone confused, the main difference between the Tula Explore and the Free-To-Grow is that the Explore has a forward-facing option, whereas the FTG doesn’t. They both can be adjusted to carry a newborn without requiring any inserts or anything additional.
    Side note for all carriers: Babies should be carried facing you until they’re older, to encourage proper spine and hip development.
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    @birdiejo Luckily, I never had to use the Frida! The hospital sent us home with a bulb to suck out his boogers... almost like a turkey baster except smaller LOL and that worked like a charm! The Frida is still unused in our medicine cabinet. Though after DS peed straight into my face and mouth once during his infant days, boogers no longer seem that bad to me. 😆
    Report Reply
  • moguippymoguippy member
    edited October 2020
    Just want to throw this out there. It is a stretchy cover for the car seat. We used it for DS and it keeps random strangers from reaching and and touching your baby. Because yes, random people in the grocery store have no boundaries and will touch babies they don’t know. It doubles as a nursing cover but I never used it for that. 

    Car Seat Canopy Nursing Cover - Multi Use Baby Stroller and Carseat Cover, Breastfeeding Nursing Covers, Boys and Girls Shower Gifts (Classical Arrows) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XCGH232/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JMuDFbW7AAT9C

    We have the Ergo and you need an infant insert for under 11lbs (I think dont quote me). We got it from SIL so I never tried anything else. It worked well enough for us. We will try it again for this kiddo and only buy something else if he hates it. I don’t baby wear a lot bc I have a bad back but sometimes you gotta do stuff and babe does not want to be put down!  

    For splurge, nothing specific comes to mind right now. But I want to say I definitely spend more on something that will cut down on time it takes me to do something. My time is more important now that I have a kid I want to spend it with. We bought a roomba (although I don’t love it) so it could run while we sleep. Cookware that can go in the dishwasher instead of hand washing. Stuff like that. I think I just value my time more now and will pay to save it. 

    ETA: my DS loved the swing (and rock n play 😳) but hated the mamaroo. So that wasn’t worth the hype to us. Oh! And these burp cloths are basically the best thing ever. They are so absorbant. We bought like 3 packs (DS spit up a TON)

    Report Reply
  • jumpy57jumpy57 member
    Favorite splurge:
    I have loved all our fancy strollers and get a lot of use out of them (jogging, biking, zoo trips, neighborhood walks, shopping, farmer's market). Zero regrets on those, I will say though if you are a FTM and know you will want a second kid a few years after consider a full size stroller that you can expand to a double later.

    Also zutano booties, they stay on so well!!!! I think Target sells their own version that works well too

    Regrets/dissapointment:
    The pack-n-play with the extra attachments, we never use them 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

    Some favorite low dollar items:
    - indestructible books
    - fruit shaped silicone baby teethers
    - a sun hat (but maybe not for February 😂)
    - Mustela No rinse cleansing water
    - Muslin blanket
    - stretchy nursing/car seat cover 
    - mirror with pivoting adjustability (not just straps)
    - teething mit that velcros to hand

    Don't forget to add to your registry:
    - toddler plates and silverware
    - sippy cups and water bottles
    - size up in wearable blankets
    - baby first aid stuff
    Report Reply
  • babyturtle22babyturtle22 member
    @hannahbananas11 thanks for all the Tula info! Definitely keeping that on my list and the Solly wrap is very tempting to get as well 🤔 

    @moguippy I literally don't know what I would do if a random stranger touched my baby.... I can't believe you really have to worry about that! 


    Question for STMs that breatstfed, I've always thought I would get the Boppy pillow for postioning but is there anything else you used that you preferred over that? 
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    @babyturtle22 the Boppy worked really well for me. But my lactation consultant had the My Breast Friend pillow, and it was nice! Was definitely more supportive than the Boppy if you're nursing in different positions than the regular cradle hold, but I didn't feel the need for that extra support since I pretty much only nursed DS in the cradle hold (that's the typical hold that you see in most photos of nursing moms).

    @jumpy57 Yes to the Zutano booties! That's one thing that I always throw into gifts to new moms, even if they're not on the registry. They're so useful in cold weather!

    @moguippy DS also loved the rock n' play. It worked so well as a place to let him chill while I was making dinner or H was studying. I was so bummed when they were recalled (though it makes sense because even before the recall, I thought people using them for nighttime sleep were taking big risks). DS didn't like any other rocker.
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    I just remembered something else that was really useful for a long time and is multi-purpose! I bought this used on Facebook Marketplace as an infant activity seat thing for DS. It converts to an adjustable-height table, and you can buy two stools separately, which DS now uses as his table for crafts and for eating snacks. We've gotten daily usage out of it for a solid year now.
    Report Reply
  • lovemesomemonsterlovemesomemonster member
    1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion?
    i have to second the bob stroller but my H and I both run so that is why it has been so worth it. Another item I couldn’t have lived without (not exactly a splurge but not under $15) is the boppy lounger. Especially in the first couple months while tired and healing I would put it by the couch and when little man fell asleep just put him down in it.

    2. What’s one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion?
    a bouncer! It is massive, hard to move and store, and our kiddo has not like being restrained since day 1, he would rather be running free on the floor so it has turned into a massive space sucker for us.

    3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful?
    cloth diapers, I was given a pack and used them to put under him when he was sleeping in the boppy lounger or between me and him especially on flights. That way if there was ever a diaper blow out all I had to do was wash the cloth and not change all my clothes.
    https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Birdseye-3-Ply-Prefold-Diapers/dp/B007VBYVWE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=cloth+diapers&qid=1601572177&sprefix=cloth+dia&sr=8-3

    side note on breast feeding, I just used the couch pillows if I was there and my let down ended up being too strong for DS so I fed him side lying a lot. I didn’t end up using my boppy. 
    Report Reply
  • birdiejobirdiejo member
    @hannahbananas11 Do i want the explore or the free to grow?
    Report Reply
  • hannahbananas11hannahbananas11 member
    @birdiejo if you want to be able to forward-carry once the kid is a toddler, then maybe go with the Explore. Otherwise I think the FTG is great, and it’s cheaper than the Explore. It just can’t forward-carry, so that’s really the only reason that anyone would go with the Explore in my mind. I have one of each, and keep one in H’s car and one in my car. I use them interchangeably with DS and like them both equally. FWIW, I don’t like the feeling of forward carrying, so it’s only H who uses the Explore for that purpose.
    Report Reply
  • jumpy57jumpy57 member
    @babyturtle22 I have a boppy pillow that I didn't find especially useful for breastfeeding, but I'm also really tall so I think that's part of it. With DD1 I would build myself a little pillow fort with random pillows to get comfy. Eventually as we both got used to it I needed less pillows. No pillow forts necessary for DD2, just a couple couch or bed pillows.

    @birdiejo I'm personally not a fan of face out baby wearing because it really throws off my center of gravity and is awkward for me. Some people and babies really enjoy it, but it wasn't for us
    Report Reply
  • babymamadimobabymamadimo member
    1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion?
    It sounds like I might be solo on this, but I loved the mamaroo! My son loved the swing and I hate the bulky bouncer swings.

    2. What’s one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion?
    i have to agree with pack n play with the extra gadgets. It is likely because I live in a ranch house so if i had a 2 story house I would appreciate the changing area on the pack n play. I just hve no use for it because I just went to his room to change him.


    3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful?
    baby shusher—it was randomly gifted to us and was amazing!!

    also it’s not a splurge, but not $15–fisher price kick n play piano! We got sooo much use out of that.
    Report Reply
  • lovemesomemonsterlovemesomemonster member
    @babymamadimo out kiddo loved the kick n play piano as well! Kept him entertained forever on the floor.
    Report Reply
  • birdiejobirdiejo member
    @jumpy57 I am not either! I think I’m going to get the free to grow! 
    Report Reply
  • aaimeeaaimee member
    1. What is the #1 splurge-worthy item in your opinion? A jogging stroller period. I was a runner before my first to having a jogging stroller made waling around the neighbor, the Zoo, and 5k's so much easier! 


    2. What’s one item that you bought/received that is definitely not worth the hype in your opinion? Bumbo seat was a pain. My first had some chunky legs and could barely fit in it so we took it to a resale shop and bought a bouncer instead and was able to use it for both kids. They loved it! Also we never had a changing table. I didn't see a real need for one. I changed them either in the crib, the couch, the floor, where ever. We didn't have the space for another piece of furniture. 

    3. Bonus: what’s one item under $15 that’s super useful? pacifier holder/leash. We didn't use the stuffed animal type, just a basic strap that clipped to the onesie. 
    image
    image
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"