Must have baby items??
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive July-December 2005:
Must have baby items??
I've started to do a bit of shopping. (I'm half way there already!!) Most everything I have kept is PINK! Oops! So, I've picked up a couple of bath towels and wash cloths, blankets, bibs, a few clothes, crib sheets, a boppy pillow. I gave my car seat/ stroller away and the swing and lots of other key items. But, I'm glad they are getting good use by people who really need them. So, I'm shopping!
I've fallen in love with the Peg Perego P3 stroller, but my DH thinks I am nuts. Everything I have read is good and I can attach an infant car seat to it. So, I may splurge. (I didn't splurge on anything when my DD was born.)
Is there any baby item that you love? There are so many new things on the market since my DD was born! Even maternity clothes are all fitting so differently.
Any suggestions?
We loved the aquarium swing...Connor would only get comforted if he were swinging side to side and he just loved the lights on that swing.
And, splurge away...we did with Connor and we don't regret it at all!
Is this one going to be the last?
My last baby is 8 now, so I really do not have any NEW items to suggest. I do like the new maternity clothes though. Much more flattering than the ones I wore!
Even though I do not have any new items to sugggest, I wanted you to know that I think of you often and am glad you are enjoying this pregnancy. 
I totally suggest one of those stuffed animals with the fetal heartbeat thing inside it. My youngest dd had one and she slept the best out of all three kids.
My only must-have was a nursing bib.
Plenty of those linking things to attach misc toys, bottles, rattles, etc.
HHmmmm...Dana, you peaked my interest...is there a website that shows what these look like? I've been dying to attach Connor's toys to his stroller.
you can find those linking things through discovery toys (walmart also carries a fish version but they break too easy for my taste)
A must for me was the changing table. I didn't have one with kid one or two, thought it was silly, didn't need it could use the bed, etc. BUT i found a great deal on the one that matched my crib and I splurged. WELL I loved this, it was so nice having everything right there, not having to bend over. Having a place to stack newborn diapers so I could count at the end of the day. After he got older he used it as a shelf for his cardboard bricks.
I loved my changing table. Granted, I had diapers and wipes out in the living room and sometimes changed out there, too, but if I was in the bedroom, it was nice.
I liked the little foam bath thingie.
Also, little baby gowns, basically a long shirt with either a drawstring or elastic at the bottom. Made night-time diaper changes so much easier.
Call me a weirdo, but I never had a changing table. Always figured it was much safer changing the guys on the floor because there is nowhere to fall. Just threw a blanket on the floor and changed them.
My all time fav baby item is Huggies supreme baby wipes. I dont know how many times I stuck my finger threw a wipe before I found those gems. Still keep a box or two about for quick face and hands wipe ups.
I have so many of those links and I use them to attach toys to the stroller and Diaper bag. I also attach them to luggage so I can find our bags quicker when they are going around the luggage turn table.
I am so glad I got the Fisher Price Jumperoo, Talyor LOVES it and Cloth Diapers for burping. I wll send you an e-mail if I think of anything else.
I am so excited for you!
I had a changing table with the first two and then loaned it to a friend. She moved, taking it with her, and I didn't get one when my third was born. I never missed it. I still kept all the diapers, etc. together in the bottom drawer of the dresser and just changed her on the floor.
I LOVED the Huggies Supreme wipes! They are without a doubt, the best quality wipes on the market. I also loved my Baby Bjorn carrier and my ocean bouncy seat. I'm so excited for you, Eve!
I agree with Heidi, the Aquarium Swing and Bouncy. Rylee loved hers. Also, I don't have one but I know parents that do and their kids love them, the Jumparoo.
I like the lightest stroller I can find but sturdy like Graco because I find it tiring to take in and out of the car.
Those entertainer discs - swing - high chair - crib - playpen - burb cloth - baby bjorn - bouncy seat - some toys.
Thank you, ladies! Now, I am going to have to go look some of these things up! LOL!
I do have a changing table that was a hand me down from Trina, along with a baby bjorn, pack and play and lots of other items.(Like 2 HUGE bins of baby toys! LOL!) I need a bathtub, but I did buy the little foamy insert thing. (I gave mine away) I have my high chair still.
My friend is loaning me her portable swing. My DD never liked the swing too much, so we'll see how this one works. I also still have my bouncy seat, but my DD never liked that either!
I have a jumper that attaches to the molding that my DD LOVED, so I kept that. The new jumper seat is such a good idea though!
And, YES, the Huggies Supreme wipes! Trina told me about those and they were the best, best, best!! With other wipes, I felt like I had to use 3 at a time as not to get anything on my hands! Eeew!
Colette, that was one item I wanted for my DD, but didn't spend the money to get! I totally forgot about them, until I saw one at Target. I was in a hurry and didn't get a chance to check it out. My DD was not a good sleeper, so I just added that to my list!
I also plan on checking out my local kids consignment shop! Thanks, everyone!
One of the things that I had for ds and loved(I had a lot of them) was this foldable bath seat that I got from Toys R Us, it was small enough to fit in my sink and cradled my ds. I think it was also comfortable for him because instead of the hard plastic (like the bigger ones for the tubs are made of) this one features a mesh liner.
Now with dd I had a bath seat for her that I loved, it suctions to the bottom of the tub and the seat locks the child in. This was helpful when I need my hands out of the water to answer the phone or getting her towel. I could take my hands off of her and not have to worry about her falling into the water.
Our life saver was the vibrating bouncy seat. Both the kids fell fast asleep when it was on. We also had the aquarium thing that attached to the crib, they both loved that. There are newer ones out now though.
Of course a baby monitor is very helpful.
Heidi, here is a website with those links
http://www.discoverytoysinc.com/toys1a.htm
You can find them just about anywhere they sell baby stuff. target, walmart, babiesrus, etc.
Ditto on the aquarium swing, Natalie loved it. LOVE link-a-doos...I attach them to everything no matter where we go! Ditto to everyone...I LOVE my changing table (still use it, she's almost 13mths), couldn not have lived without the bouncy/vibration seat either.
My links are fisher-price, but you can generics that do the same thing at walmart for $2.
Good luck!
I always put a towel on the floor of the tub, put an inch of water in, laid the baby in the water and bathed them like that. I always had a hard time holding on to them being slick w/ soap and they always seemed to scoot away when in a baby bath.
For what it's worth, after having 5 kids, the only 'must haves' were t-shirts, nursing bras, diapers, baby wash, Snugli, stroller and car seat.
By the time #5 came along, I no longer used a crib because the baby slept with me from day 1, bathed with them or used a towel like Missmudd after the umbilical cord fell off, either changed the baby on the sofa or bed, and used a pack-n-play when I needed to put the baby in a safe spot (for naps and such).
I'm not much help, sorry. I think that the 'baby business' is overrun with items that are presented as must-haves, when IMO, they are a waste of money. I only say that after having had so many kids and having less money to spend on each one, LOL so please don't take my post the wrong way. I realized, for myself, that simpler was better.
I had the fold up bath seat too! I may get the same one. I really liked it.
I agree Sunny, that's why I'm trying not to freak out. I'm just trying to get the basics out of the way. Then, I will pick up more things that I need as the need for them arises. Good advice!
One neat thing we have is a vibrating crib mattress. So neat! Push a button and it goes on. After 15 minutes it gradually goes off by itself.
We also have a really big play yard with foam mats on the floor. It gave Randy and now Helen the room to really move around while being safe. It can even be brought outside.
It's called a Supergate play yard.
http://www.consumerinforeport.com/baby_products/safety_gates/supergate_playyard.htm
Ame
Ditto Sunny (except a crib is a must-have for me). I think people go way overboard with baby stuff and I came to that conclusion after only two kids--LOL. But I'm kind of a tightwad too.
Thanks for the link!
My favorite thing was the jumparoo. Christopher loved that thing. Unfortunately, my dog loved it too, and chewed through one of the straps that held it up. Lol!
I think people go way overboard as well, but some things just make life easier. What made my life 100% better was the blow dryer. Whenever Christopher wouldn't stop crying or he wouldn't sleep, I would turn on the blow dryer and it soothed him. It was a miracle worker!
Favourites:
Swing
Exersaucer - still use it and Matt is 16 months
Bassinette
Bumbo Seat
Electric Breast Pump
Avent Bottles
Avent Microwave Sterilzer
Take along Sterizler Bags for the Microwave Medela (sp?)
Reclining portable bath seat
Poncho for breast feeding in public (was bigger than a nursing bib not to mention more fashionable
Do you breastfeed Eve? My only suggestion, which was my lifesaver with Kayl, is a NOJO sling. Its different than a regular carrier, but they can lay, sit, forward, backward and when older ride your hip. If you have never used one it takes a few tries to get the feel. It comes in different colours and patterns too.
http://www.babyuniverse.com/pro.asp?rc=bizrate7976&id=7976
I agree if breastfeeding, an electric breast pump. Mine was not a super spendy model but worked fine.
If you are still considering the Peg perego P3, I have to tell you that I have never regretted spending the 300 bucks or so on that stroller.I had a bad case of stroller envy, and did some research and fell in love with the P3. It is a fabulous stroller, light weight, very easy to fold up and put in the car with one hand.It's very attractive and it has a good size storage area underneath.It also maneuvers very nicely.If you can, go for it.Dh likes it too because the handles adjust (he's very tall, I'm short) so he is comfortable pushing it.I'm talking about the "Pliko".I think it's the same thing.
I have a Peg Perego Venezia and I love it. I has a step in the back that my 3 year old can stand on and ride, too.
Check out ebay. Mine was brand new in the box and in the door for $150!
Ame
Thanks everyone--some more good ideas. Yes, I did breastfeed, but I also introduced a bottle as well.
Thanks Clarabel and Ame, I've only heard wonderful things. I figure since I'm not having to buy any large items, that I'm going to splurge. Besides they have it in my most favorite color--lime green! How can I pass it up? I never should have tried it out at the store--I fell in love. LOL!
(BTW-If I give up my green, I can get one cheaper on Ebay!)
Eve, do you know what your having? Boy or Girl? How fun and exciting! Congratulations!!
Must have...baby sling!! LOVED IT!!! I used an "Over the Shoulder Baby holder"! It was great!
Okay, something simple that I used and loved. Johnson and Johnson's Lavender Baby Wash.
This calmed my fussy baby and my fussy toddler more than a time or too. Not to mention the relaxing effect the scent had on me, too.
Breann-we're expecting a boy!
I never had much luck with the baby sling. My DH ended up using it the entire time DD was a newborn. After that, we never used it. I'm rather short waisted, so maybe that was it? I used the Baby Bjorn more.
I liked the baby wash for colds too. I actually bought some of the lavender disposable wash cloths to try out.
Yes, I just saw that on the general discussion board! Congratulations again. We have one girl and one boy. Our little boy is definitely the little sweetheart of the family.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy
|
Members
