MUST haves

[CoachTsWife]

As a FTM, I'm loving this thread. I'm making a spreadsheet and will cross reference it with the "Useless Baby Gear" thread. Maybe then I'll feel up to tackling our registry.

[3timemom]

I loves my travel system. I still use the stroller every day.

The gerber pre fold diapers are the best for burp clothes. They absorb way more than those fancy super thin ones.

A changing table. I didn't have one with my first 2. It is so nice to have all their changing stuff in one place. I kept it in his room since we had a single level house. I'm trying to decide if I'm moving it this time or leaving it upstairs.

[danious]

Jan 23, 2015 12:28:25 GMT -5 mtsue said:

Jan 23, 2015 12:15:13 GMT -5 mischiefmama said:

Rock n Play. If this one likes it as much as the last I'm buying another so there is one on each floor of the house.

A&A swaddles.  Never swaddled with them, but they are so damn useful.

A carrier.  Current favorite are Kinderpacks and Tulas.  I plan to try to wrap this baby at first though.

What kind of wrap? I'm slowly being introduced to the world of wrapping and babywearing. I've been hunting the resale groups locally and on FB and so far I've picked up a Maya Ringsling and Beco Butterfly II. I'm still on the hunt for a Boba wrap (I think I want a Boba over a Moby) and an Ovolo woven size 6/7. I also registered for a Tula cuz...you know...why not? I think I have a new addiction.

I love the Girasol wovens. I've become mildly obsessed with some of the babywearing fb pages. Some of the wraps are just gorgeous.
I want a Tula when the baby is a bit older, but see myself being more of a wrapper.

[tashala107]

This thread is great! Thanks, Mommas!

[brummy14]

Ergo. 

Swing, RnP or bouncer (esp for reflux babies!)

Halo Sleepsacks. 

White noise machine -- with an app on your phone to do the same.

For us, a running stroller -- we took it on walks, runs, etc. You technically aren't supposed to run with the babies until 6mo (such that they have head control to tolerate the bouncing), so that kinda hinders any Fall getting back into shape running plans this time around (bummer!). But, I'll still use it in the Spring.

LEARN the 5 S's! I will bet this will save you thousands of hours of screaming (both you and the baby), and reassure you that your baby does NOT, in fact, have colic.

Cheap, incredible burp cloths (which can be later repurposed for dusting, cleaning, waxing your car....). Don't get the cheaper 3-ply version. Go for the 6-ply!

Angelcare Monitors are God's gift to stressed out parents who desperately need sleep. We had, maybe, two false alarms. The thing is incredible.

Munchkin Dishwasher Baskets if you plan to bottle feed at all -- even if not 100%.

[mtsue]

Jan 23, 2015 13:13:10 GMT -5 danious said:

Jan 23, 2015 12:28:25 GMT -5 mtsue said:

What kind of wrap? I'm slowly being introduced to the world of wrapping and babywearing. I've been hunting the resale groups locally and on FB and so far I've picked up a Maya Ringsling and Beco Butterfly II. I'm still on the hunt for a Boba wrap (I think I want a Boba over a Moby) and an Ovolo woven size 6/7. I also registered for a Tula cuz...you know...why not? I think I have a new addiction.

I love the Girasol wovens. I've become mildly obsessed with some of the babywearing fb pages. Some of the wraps are just gorgeous.
I want a Tula when the baby is a bit older, but see myself being more of a wrapper.

Ooh, I hadn't looked at the Girasol wovens before. And they're very reasonably priced! The Ovolo I'm longing for (that of course isn't stocked and I'd have to buy it resale) is over $250. Nutso. And I hear you on the fb pages! I've just been lurking for a couple weeks but I've learned a lot, and I can't stop ogling the wraps.

[shopgirl]

Jan 23, 2015 13:06:22 GMT -5 forevermorgan said:

Even if you aren't a runner I recommend a jogging stroller. We used the snap n go until DD could sit up, then switched to the BOB. The suspension, the easy handling, it just glides across almost any surface with minimal effort. We tried a MacLaren umbrella stroller but DD only wanted to ride in the BOB. We even used it on the beach.

I also recommend the BOB stroller.  We love a lighter stroller for stores, but anytime we are walking outside we are using the BOB.  A double BOB was our first purchase for this new baby.

Also, I don't know how I forgot to mention video monitor before - definite must have.

[brummy14]

Oh, and the ONLY thing I ended up having them wear those first months -- ZIPPER (not snap) sleepers with mitten cuffs attached. Most of Carter's NB sleepers come this way. That's it. Onesies made them FREAK OUT b/c it went over their heads, and having separate mittens was a PITA.

[mollykinnz]

Thank you doctaco and carli Very good to know. We are so limited on space here that I make look further into the frame stroller option!

[imavera]

Carriers of all kinds- I have wraps, ring slings and soft structures

A&A blankets- forget all others

I love our swing- fisher price zen, if it's still made. The seat comes off, so we never needed anything else.

Besides the rest of the essentials (diapers, mainly), I just needed my boobs.

[beachy]

-My Motorola video monitor. We have a half acre and I still get reception in the back corner of our yard.
-sleep gowns, best thing ever for early on
-Sophie
-Our PNP

This time I'm getting RNPs and A&A blankets.

[mischiefmama]

Jan 23, 2015 12:28:25 GMT -5 mtsue said:

Jan 23, 2015 12:15:13 GMT -5 mischiefmama said:

Rock n Play. If this one likes it as much as the last I'm buying another so there is one on each floor of the house.

A&A swaddles.  Never swaddled with them, but they are so damn useful.

A carrier.  Current favorite are Kinderpacks and Tulas.  I plan to try to wrap this baby at first though.

What kind of wrap? I'm slowly being introduced to the world of wrapping and babywearing. I've been hunting the resale groups locally and on FB and so far I've picked up a Maya Ringsling and Beco Butterfly II. I'm still on the hunt for a Boba wrap (I think I want a Boba over a Moby) and an Ovolo woven size 6/7. I also registered for a Tula cuz...you know...why not? I think I have a new addiction.

You've got the basics covered!  Wow!  The stretchy wraps are only supposed to be good while they're smaller, so I'm skipping straight to woven.  So far I have a girasol gleam of sun in a 6 and a nati foxes in a 4, but I think I'm going to sell the foxes and get a ring sling instead.  Watch out, it is very addicting.  If you haven't yet, get on The Babywearing Swap on facebook.  It's also referred to as "The Big Swap" around other smaller facebook babywearing groups.

[mischiefmama]

Jan 23, 2015 13:06:22 GMT -5 forevermorgan said:

Even if you aren't a runner I recommend a jogging stroller. We used the snap n go until DD could sit up, then switched to the BOB. The suspension, the easy handling, it just glides across almost any surface with minimal effort. We tried a MacLaren umbrella stroller but DD only wanted to ride in the BOB. We even used it on the beach.

This exactly for us.  Nothing handles like a BOB.  

[dcwtada]

My best investment was a pack and play that had a newborn care/sleep station. We have a two story house and the pack n play with the care station gave me a place to change her, a place to sleep, storage for clothes, diapers, wipes, etc. It was like have a mini nursery downstairs. It is perfect if you dont want to make runs back and forth upstairs because of csection recovery, have another little one or just for your own sanity. Plus the storage help us contain the baby's stuff to one area.

Now my DD is 6 months old, the changing station is still attached for easy changes and we removed the bassinet and extra storage so she has the entire pack and play to play/sleep in and hold all of her toys.

[mtsue]

Jan 23, 2015 13:57:51 GMT -5 mischiefmama said:

Jan 23, 2015 12:28:25 GMT -5 mtsue said:

What kind of wrap? I'm slowly being introduced to the world of wrapping and babywearing. I've been hunting the resale groups locally and on FB and so far I've picked up a Maya Ringsling and Beco Butterfly II. I'm still on the hunt for a Boba wrap (I think I want a Boba over a Moby) and an Ovolo woven size 6/7. I also registered for a Tula cuz...you know...why not? I think I have a new addiction.

You've got the basics covered!  Wow!  The stretchy wraps are only supposed to be good while they're smaller, so I'm skipping straight to woven.  So far I have a girasol gleam of sun in a 6 and a nati foxes in a 4, but I think I'm going to sell the foxes and get a ring sling instead.  Watch out, it is very addicting.  If you haven't yet, get on The Babywearing Swap on facebook.  It's also referred to as "The Big Swap" around other smaller facebook babywearing groups.

Ah, foxes is so cool! I'm in the "Big Swap" and I can't stop stalking it. I'm crossing my fingers for a big tax return so I can justify buying my first wrap! My BFF is pregnant and due in April and she's more addicted than I am (so far) but I find it catching!

[valigrl21]

My MUST have list is very short:
car seat
safe place for baby to sleep
diapers
bottles to feed baby. Stuff to put in bottles (either formula or a breast pump and storage bags).
some clothes for baby

My really really nice to have list is:

• a rock and play: We didn't have one the first time around, but got one as a gift for DD#2. It was super convenient to have a place to put baby in any room because it's so lightweight, it's really easy to move around. Also, DD#2 loved sleeping in it.
• Ergo: Especially useful for #2, so I could keep my hands free for #1.
• Halo Sleep Sacks: They come in a variety of thickness/warmth, so there is one for every season. It keeps baby warm at night and I think it helps (eventually) cue baby in that it's time to wind down and get ready for bed.

[lovemyirishtwins]

My must haves...sleep sacks and gowns when they are little, my ergo and a wrap, a binder for after delivery, the fisher price soothing motions glider is my last and favorite. Both my kids loved it and it sets up a little higher that was great for my csection.

[mischiefmama]

We were also large sleep sack fans!

mtsue it is gorgeous, but it just seems SO thick for some reason. It isn't well broken in yet, but I don't know if I want to take the effort to break it in in July/August and see if it gets thinner, KWIM? But it's 50/50 cotton/linen, so technically a "lighter" blend.

[bwettstn]

Between this thread and the useless baby gear thread I have made so many updates to my registry! Thank you for the input everyone! This is so super helpful!

[dalia123]

First of all I'm about to cry thinking of buying all these cute things. Second of all this is soooo helpful thank you ladies!

[valigrl21]

Also, for help with your registry, I strongly suggest the Baby Bargains book. It does a great job of breaking down what you need and what you can skip. It also recommends products at different price points, so you have a variety of great products to choose from.

[0ashley]

I am surprised and very pleased with all the babywearing love in this group!!! I'm new to babywearing, started recently with a Tula when my first child was 2 and have built a big stash for this baby: Infantino Sync, two woven wraps, two ring slings and a standard Tula. 

My must have items are sleep gowns, HALO sleep sacks, night light for nursing in baby's room, Roku player (I watched a series or two just during nursing) but I'm sure TV in a nursery is controversial, my used the white noise giraffe, and I wish I had purchased a new video monitor with night vision instead of the one I found on craigslist. I hope to buy a new one for this LO. Pacifiers, but don't stock up until you know which one your kid will like. Boppy pillow. Extra pump parts (specifically the membranes) for pumping working mommas.

[peanutbutter0807]

For us:

rock 'n' play - we had a reflux-y baby, so the upright position prevented me from having to hold her upright for 30 minutes after each feed during the night

video monitor

woombie swaddle, followed by zippadee-zip for when it was time to move away from the swaddle

Boba Wrap for first six months, then Tula carrier

Bravado nursing bras - especially the silk seamless

Medela PISA and accessories ... I started with an Ameda and it was TERRIBLE.  It was a major cause of my drop in supply at 6 months.

nail trimmer with light on it - made seeing her little nails so much easier

swing - we had the snugamonkey 

[natalie115]

Baby k'tan....I would have gotten nothing done ever if I couldn't wear him. It was easier for me to use than a moby and I didn't need the ergo yet since it was mostly around the house.

I also loved Swaddle Me blankets. DS adored his swing and it was one of the few places I could put him down and he would fall asleep on his own. It allowed me to take a shower or get something to eat.

I lived in nursing tanks during my maternity leave. I don't have huge boobs so I could wear them without a bra around the house.

I also was really glad we got an infant carseat and not just a convertible one. I used the crap out of that thing & when DS was sleeping I didn't have to wake him up taking him out of his carseat. I could bring it inside and let him finish his nap.

This time around we are getting a rock n play and an arms reach co sleeper. I have heard from so many people that the rock n play is a must have and I wish we would have gotten one last time.

[lonegalathome]

Sleep gowns (convince DH son isn't in a dress)
Rock and play (we had one on each level of the house)
Dishwasher baskets
Ergo or carrier
Prefolds as burp cloths
Small bibs- so with small sip up or drool you aren't changing whole outfits
Halo sleep sacks


Haven't had before but I'm getting the A&A swaddle blankets this time!

[lynnyloo]

Prefolds for burp cloths
Sleepsacks
Zip up sleepers
Side snap shirts with mittens (until the cord falls off)
A good pair of fingernail clippers (I clip them at least 1x/week)
Nose Frieda
video monitor
Swing
Dr. Brown's bottles (they have a lot of parts, but we tried so many bottles with DD's problems latching and these were the only ones that worked for us)

Things I want this time: A good glider/recliner and a bouncer

[ashiscute]

I agree with a good carrier. We started with a moby when they are new and switched to a beco Gemini when they were older and didn't want to be so snuggly in there.

I think stroller depends on your needs but I don't see the value in a snap n go stroller. I wore mine when they were little so they hardly went straight from car to stroller. They can sit up in a regular stroller by 4 months. I'd spend the money on a good jogging stroller.

I prefer the snap sleepers versus the zip. The snap you only had to do a few to get to the diaper where the zipper you had to unzip and remove the whole thing. Plus the zipper once never laid flat on them but the zipper stuck out.

I loved my boppy and all the burp cloths. DS had reflux and we needed tons all of the time. I loved Sophie the giraffe and a good diaper cream.

[midwestchaos]

My favorite things:
Rock n play
Boppy (snoogle also works well for feeding in bed)
Aden & Anais blankets
Baby carrier (I've used both k'tan and ergo)
White noise machine
Jogging stroller (so much easier to maneuver)
Hydrogel pads for nipples
I got a bellefit after my last c-section and LOVED it, not a must, but it was well worth the money. It helped with pain and my stomach went down a lot faster.

This time around I think I'm going to get a video monitor and more carrier options.

[natalie115]

Can't believe I forgot to say the boppy! I used the bejesus out of that thing!

I also really liked having a bathtub with an infant sling. It was super helpful after DS was circumcised and couldn't be submerged.

[bshelly]

Had anyone tried Solly baby wraps?