Baby gear raves and reviews...

[cheezee]

Now that most of us have outside babies...what are some things you are loving? Anything that you or LO can do without or don't like?

[cheezee]

We are loving this boppy newborn lounger. My BFF got me one because she loves it so much for her LO. He hangs out on the couch or on our bed in it. He'll take little naps in it too. I'll definitely be sad when DS gets a bit more mobile and we'll have to stop using it.

[teachermomtobe]

cheezee, we have one of those as a hand me down from my cousin. I never would have bought one myself but DD loves it!

I wish I bought the Rock n Play that automatically rocks. I may buy one that does and rationalize it that we can have one on each floor. Middle of the night me neeeeeds an automatic rocker!

[sdlaura]

teachermomtobe we have the rock n play that rocks. I had not had a rock n play before this baby. At first I wasn't really using the rocking function because I didn't want baby to need that to fall asleep. But lately I have been using the setting where it does it for some period of time to get baby to sleep and then shuts off, and it works well.

My most used baby item from all three kids is still the inexpensive fisher price bouncy seat. I just move it around the house all day - to the bathroom while I'm taking a shower or the counter while I'm preparing food.

[bagels]

Rock and play ftw! It's so cozy and slightly upright, so baby sleeps in there really well. I can bring him to which ever room I'm in. And then his spit up doesn't go down the wrong pipe so he doesn't have bad coughing fits like flat on his back (my babies are such heavy spitters!!). It also is perfect for when baby is congested and needs to be inclined. Unfortunately we've already had to deal with our first runny nose
I couldn't find one in good condition second hand, so I paid full price but I definitely get my money's worth!
That's all I've really used so far, besides my moby wrap. As they get older I love my boba carrier (I think that's which one it is) and the fisher price sit me up!

[lindsay]

Also on the RnP train. We use them for daytime naps most days.

Ring slings have been a life saver.

Halo Velcro swaddles - we use these for afternoon naps and night time and they sleep soo much better swaddled.

Now I just need a changing pad that changes the cover itself LOL. We're going through at least one a day!!

[starsandshamrocks123]

lindsay I swear by changing pad liners! So much easier to throw them in the washer!

m.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=95943886&cp=&t=298&t=621&page=1&page=1&parentPage=search

[brandiewine11]

Jun 27, 2017 12:42:35 GMT -5 lindsay said:

Also on the RnP train. We use them for daytime naps most days.

Ring slings have been a life saver.

Halo Velcro swaddles - we use these for afternoon naps and night time and they sleep soo much better swaddled.

Now I just need a changing pad that changes the cover itself LOL. We're going through at least one a day!!

Put down some cheap prefold cloth diapers like gerber or get the changing pad liners from munchkin. Then you don't have to change the whole cover most of the time.

[starsandshamrocks123]

I am not loving the dockatot. I am much more comfortable with baby sleeping in the rock n play vs in the dockatot which was in between us in bed. It must be the incline... we have a lot of spitting up/choking

[cateyes]

Absolutely loving the Halo Swaddlers and the Swaddleme ones. When it is warmer, we use the swaddleme. Baby would not sleep without being swaddled!!!

We like the RnP but haven't used it a ton. I have read mixed reviews on its safety for sleeping so we just put E in the bassinet part of his PnP and he does fine. We use the RnP when we are watching TV or just hanging out in our family room.

[sdlaura]

cateyes we are big on swaddling. We use the inner blanket with the swaddleme and it reduces breakouts.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4VdZxwsu4

[teachermomtobe]

cateyes, I also have read mixed things about sleeping in the RnP but after baby hated the bassinet the first night I felt it was okay. We are going to try and transition back to the bassinet soon.

[lindsay]

Thanks for the tip on the changing table - such a simple thing but that will be super helpful!

[cateyes]

Jun 27, 2017 14:39:09 GMT -5 teachermomtobe said:

cateyes, I also have read mixed things about sleeping in the RnP but after baby hated the bassinet the first night I felt it was okay. We are going to try and transition back to the bassinet soon.

I think it is super hit or miss where baby will sleep! We got lucky and he pretty much will sleep being held in any position or in his bassinet! I feel pretty lucky from what I've read!

[sdlaura]

teachermomtobe and cateyes, I think there's a big difference between the bassinet attachment on the pack and play and a traditional flat bassinet. My older kids slept in the bassinet attachment on the pack n play, which I think is pretty cozy and vibrates (if it's the same thing I'm thinking of). None of my kids would have slept well on a flat surface like a traditional bassinet at the beginning!

[mreve]

bagels - I'm not sure how big your baby is, but I've been using my boba carrier for the last week and love it already! I didn't use it with DS1 until he was almost 2 months old so I wasn't sure, but it's been great. It's the only way I can play with DS1 on our 7 acre yard. DS2 didn't feel secure enough in the moby if I need to chase a toddler, and I love the hood on the structured carrier to provide more sun protection.

[mreve]

I also love the swaddleme at this age, I can never get a blanket tight enough. I loved the halo sleep sacks with DS1, but haven't used them yet this time.

[bagels]

Jun 27, 2017 16:11:41 GMT -5 mreve said:

bagels - I'm not sure how big your baby is, but I've been using my boba carrier for the last week and love it already! I didn't use it with DS1 until he was almost 2 months old so I wasn't sure, but it's been great. It's the only way I can play with DS1 on our 7 acre yard. DS2 didn't feel secure enough in the moby if I need to chase a toddler, and I love the hood on the structured carrier to provide more sun protection.

You're right he is big enough for the boba! I love the hood too

[Deleted]

We love the swaddleme too over here

[eucalyptus]

I have a Boba wrap, a Beco Gemini, and a ring sling. I love them all so much! Baby wants to be held all the time, so it's awesome to have the carriers to give me some mobility and free hands!

[sabrinaml]

Jun 28, 2017 6:11:37 GMT -5 eucalyptus said:

I have a Boba wrap, a Beco Gemini, and a ring sling. I love them all so much! Baby wants to be held all the time, so it's awesome to have the carriers to give me some mobility and free hands!

I have a boba wrap, but it makes me sooo warm when I wear her. I just ordered this FTG carrier.

I already have a vintage car themed standard Tula and an Ergo but I wanted to be able to wear her without the infant insert. I was hoping to find a FTG coast (with the mesh panel) but they are always out of stock and I got tired of waiting.
I haven't mastered my ring sling yet. She looks so uncomfortable in there and starts fussing when I try and adjust her. Maybe I should work on that one today.

[cheezee]

Also loving this Jessica Simpson nursing top that I found at motherhood maternity. Its long and flowy and great with comfy leggings.


I'm also trying to figure out our carrier situation. I was given a hand me down ergo which we tried yesterday with the newborn insert...DS definitely loved it. I wish it were easier to nurse in there when they are little. Everything I've seen about nursing in an ergo is when LO is older. I'm tempted to try a ring sling for now to be able to nurse on the go. Any suggestions??

[lindsay]

cheezee do you have a local babywearing international chapter you could go to to try on some different ring slings? If not, I think a cotton one with a gathered shoulder is a good way to go. I use that and a silk one the most. I have a linen one and don't really like it, it's not very comfy for me or baby (but it was a cheap one so that could be why)

[lindsay]

Also that JS top reminded me of couple nursing top recs - I got a few from kohls by aglow brand and really like them. Not too expensive and super soft and flowy.

[ihatepizza]

I love the halo swaddle, E actually won't sleep until successfully breaking out of swaddle so I just swaddle arms out. I also love the pack and play with all the traveling it's nice to have a safe sleep space. I'm also a huge fan of the Owlet, it allows me to sleep without always feeling the need to check on her

[cateyes]

Jun 29, 2017 2:05:37 GMT -5 ihatepizza said:

I love the halo swaddle, E actually won't sleep until successfully breaking out of swaddle so I just swaddle arms out. I also love the pack and play with all the traveling it's nice to have a safe sleep space. I'm also a huge fan of the Owlet, it allows me to sleep without always feeling the need to check on her

100% the same! On all 3 (except E doesn't need to break out, but does need to be swaddled!)

[mreve]

Has anyone here used a baby tent for spending time outside and have a recommendation? I never have but am thinking of getting one that would provide sun and bug protection. I was thinking it would be nice to put baby in while gardening as well as if we are able to get to the lake this summer.

[brandiewine11]

Jun 29, 2017 16:07:01 GMT -5 mreve said:

Has anyone here used a baby tent for spending time outside and have a recommendation? I never have but am thinking of getting one that would provide sun and bug protection. I was thinking it would be nice to put baby in while gardening as well as if we are able to get to the lake this summer.

I have not found it necessary but daycare has a summer infant play yard with a big screen that they like.

I get eaten alive by mosquitoes myself so if the bugs are out we go inside.

[cheezee]

Jun 29, 2017 16:07:01 GMT -5 mreve said:

Has anyone here used a baby tent for spending time outside and have a recommendation? I never have but am thinking of getting one that would provide sun and bug protection. I was thinking it would be nice to put baby in while gardening as well as if we are able to get to the lake this summer.

My BFF is loving this one. She has a lot of mosquitoes at her house and uses this a lot while they're outside.