Wanted to start a thread where we could mention a few of our favorite baby items and a things you could live without.
My #1 item is a quality baby carrier my August group turned me onto Tula and it really is so much more comfortable than my Ergo.
For the first few months the Rock and Play is also a major win.
The nipple cream was useful for about 2 weeks and then I never needed it again. I have a full jar still.
For pumping I had the medela double pump and had no success with it.I stay home and have a 25 pound baby so I know it isn't a supply thing. I got rid of the pump when I moved.
What an awesome idea noodles84! Thank you for starting.
So did you put the baby in the rock'n'play to sleep overnight? I've read that it's not "officially" safe for over night sleep and/or that it makes it harder to transition to sleeping flat, but I want to know from a STM!
Also, what would you suggest instead of buying nipple cream? Just something like coconut oil?
We used RNP for overnight sleep. We kept it right next to our bed. In the beginning he woke up every hour and a half to eat. We transferred him to his crib right before 6 months. He did great and is an awesome sleeper. My daughter is a terrible sleeper though so I think it all depends.
Coconut oil would work. Even the balm is worth it but I wouldn't stock up on it.
Post by peachesncream on Jul 14, 2015 10:19:18 GMT -5
I never purchased a travel system and I am really glad I didn't. I never was in a situation where I thought I needed it.
I love my Tula starting when baby was 6 months or so. Before that my ring sling was awesome.
We used a rock n play for the first few weeks but went out at 6 weeks and purchased a swing and LO slept in that for a few months.
I also never used nipple cream because I never really had pain with nursing. My Medela PISA was also a piece of crap but I don't know what I would use instead. I stopped nursing at 6 months because I wasn't able to pump anything at work.
I love my Avent bottles. Dr. Brown's are great for breastmilk but they are sort of a pain for formula.
I know it sounds stupid but this baby shusher was a miracle in the first few months: amzn.com/B00D2JN87I
If you are going to be like me and buy a cheap infant seat for the love of god make sure it's not rear adjust. Huge pain in my ass.
LOVE my Citi Mini GT. Totally worth the hefty price tag.
Make an Amazon registry, you get a completion discount and a discount on Amazon is like Christmas times 1000.
If you are going to formula feed just start with store brand. It is the exact same as the name brand for half the price.
Great minds think alike I just started a similar thread.
My motto is "less is more" So much of the stuff you must have you only use for a few months and your kid may not like the swing/bouncy/rockers etc you chose. If you have friends and family with LOs see if you can borrow first to see if your baby will like it.
Post by mom2boxers on Jul 14, 2015 10:27:18 GMT -5
1. If you're a FTM, register for whatever you want. Just don't open/set up/take price tags off. You have up to a a year at most retailers to return items and if it's on your registry they know what credit you should get regardless if it's no longer in stock.
2. A+A swaddle blankets are the best. I liked Swaddle Pods in the beginning when he was tiny.
3. If you formula feed, the Dr. Brown mixing pitcher is the best money spent.
4. I liked my Dr. Brown bottles for FF (formula feeding). I hand washed them and didn't attempt the dishwasher.
5. No travel system. I bought my Baby Jogger stroller and Britax car seat separately. Look for year-end close out models. I got mine for about 50% off retail.
6. Nose Frida - so gross but it gets the snot out much easier than the blue bulb they send you home from the hospital with.
Post by rachelilly23 on Jul 14, 2015 10:36:39 GMT -5
Rock n play was the best money I spent. My kids had bad reflux and couldn't sleep flat. Extremely easy to transport and store also.
Swings that swing side to side and back and forth are better. Options!
Travel system was not for me. I ended up with a BOB since we got into running and that was by far better than the travel system. If I could do it over, I would have had the BOB from the beginning and picked whatever infant car seat I wanted.
Snap and go stroller frames are great for when they are in the infant seat. I used that as an everyday stroller and kept it in my trunk.
I agree with the rock n play. I loved it because I wanted her close enough to me (but not in our bed because I was scared of that too!) so I could check on her easily when I got paranoid at night.
Also, a video monitor. I hooked that thing up everywhere, even when we transferred her to a pack n play in our room, I was still able to look at the monitor and see DD whenever I needed to. It's now attached to a wall in her room so I can see her crib. It's been a lifesaver, I don't know what I'd do without it.
1) Some sort of baby carrying device in case you get a baby like DS that refuses to be set down for the first 6 months of their life. I prefer a baby wrap but there are tons of good buckle options - Ergo, Tula, Kinderpack etc.
2) Some sort of belly restraining device (like a belly bandit). Not for style but for that weird, loose feeling that you have in your belly PP.
3) Rock n play was great for the first few weeks and then after that we attached the crib to our bed which saved our sanity during the 8-10 nighttime wake-ups.
4) Captain Calarmi because he's awesome and was the only toy that kept DS' attention longer than .07 seconds.
Post by OrganicRosemary on Jul 14, 2015 11:57:50 GMT -5
Video monitor- I thought I could live without one, but I got out as a gift and it's awesome.
White noise machine-drowns our house noises so baby will (hopefully) sleep through you doing dishes in the next room.
A+A swaddle blankets, not just for swaddling, they are a great weight and go just about everywhere with us (still at almost 16 mo).
Baby carrying device- I used the Moby super early on then I invested in a girasol woven-worth every penny, I also have an ergo and wrap conversion ring sling. I use them all. Wish I had a tula. I will probably get one this time around.
Cloth diapers as burp cloths-large size prefolds if you're cloth diapering or the 6-ply gerber ones. If you can sew a rectangle you can add material down the center to make them cute. All other burp cloths just don't compare.
I used mother love nipple cream the first two weeks maybe, I hardly made a dent in the jar, but I'd still say it was worth it. Didn't have any cracking, etc issues.
My Brest Friend pillow-again didn't use it very long, but definitely worth it to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Boppy is just not supportive enough for little tiny newbs, though it's nice for mommy to sit on post delivery and good for tummy time, etc later on.
If you need to pump more than occasionally-a hands free pumping bra-I had and liked the pumpease ones.
Hygiea Q pump (the insurance model)-they are supposedly "hospital" grade but for personal use. I used mine for about a year 3 days/week with no issues. No complaints really. And medela parts fit them if you need extra parts more readily available.
Zip up sleepers-after the hundredth snap you'll want to kill the person who invented them.
It's way too early to think about this but I will anyways, so I will ask, does the RNP come in sizes, I have a friend who got a smaller one and always wished she got a bigger one, what do you all think.
Also, I saw this on pinterest and I am obsessed. It's a bassinet semi-co-sleeper thing. Did anyone do something like this, also how long do you think it will last. We will move when baby is around 3 months old, so I figured that we could wait to get a crib and just have it sent to the new house.
It's way too early to think about this but I will anyways, so I will ask, does the RNP come in sizes, I have a friend who got a smaller one and always wished she got a bigger one, what do you all think.
Also, I saw
t and I am obsessed. It's a bassinet semi-co-sleeper thing. Did anyone do something like this, also how long do you think it will last. We will move when baby is around 3 months old, so I figured that we could wait to get a crib and just have it sent to the new house.
I don't *think* the rock n play comes in sizes. There are options like you can pay extra for one that vibrates. DD didn't really care if it vibrated or not so I should have just gotten a cheap one.
I couldn't see what you embedded but I think a setup like miggg showed above would be great.
I also know some people use the bassinet attachment on their PNP and then just transition to the PNP in their room. Our room is too small to try that which is why we stuck with the RNP.
One thing I wish people would have told me - cosleeping is okay and a total sanity saver. I felt terrible when we started cosleeping but it is so much easier to nurse to sleep side lying with baby in bed! Make sure you are educated on how to safely cosleep and you'll be A-OK :-)
It's way too early to think about this but I will anyways, so I will ask, does the RNP come in sizes, I have a friend who got a smaller one and always wished she got a bigger one, what do you all think.
Also, I saw
t and I am obsessed. It's a bassinet semi-co-sleeper thing. Did anyone do something like this, also how long do you think it will last. We will move when baby is around 3 months old, so I figured that we could wait to get a crib and just have it sent to the new house.
I don't *think* the rock n play comes in sizes. There are options like you can pay extra for one that vibrates. DD didn't really care if it vibrated or not so I should have just gotten a cheap one.
I couldn't see what you embedded but I think a setup like miggg showed above would be great.
I also know some people use the bassinet attachment on their PNP and then just transition to the PNP in their room. Our room is too small to try that which is why we stuck with the RNP.
One thing I wish people would have told me - cosleeping is okay and a total sanity saver. I felt terrible when we started cosleeping but it is so much easier to nurse to sleep side lying with baby in bed! Make sure you are educated on how to safely cosleep and you'll be A-OK :-)
+1 I'm a big cosleeping advocate assuming it's done safely of course. DS has been pretty high needs from the start and co-sleeping has 100% saved my sanity. We still co-sleep with his bed attached to ours. We used the armreach co-sleep for awhile but he preferred to be closer to me.
ETA: I don't know why I'm using euphanisms here lol. "he preferred" = he screamed his little lungs out until I snuggled him up next to me and offered my boob.
Another vote for rock and play, halo sleep sacks, white noise and zip up sleepers only! Snaps are a pain in the butt.
Fisher price sit me up floor seat saved our loves. Much much much better than the bumpo.
If someone offers to help you do anything, take it!
Let family and friends know that you want the first 24 hours at home to be visitor free. They will understand and you will be so thankful you did!
This! with DD everyone wanted to come to hospital and i got so stressed out, dad posted picture of me on FB hours after i get birth, i looked a hot mess. With Ds I said no one step foot in my hospital room unless you're bringing my other child. I let parents visit first day we were home but was very clear on amount of time they can visit, in laws came from out of town so Dh took DD and they all would go find stuff to do away for the house otherwise i felt like i was trapped in my room, I do not feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of my in laws. Well i went on a tangent there... oh well there you have it.
Another vote for rock and play, halo sleep sacks, white noise and zip up sleepers only! Snaps are a pain in the butt.
Fisher price sit me up floor seat saved our loves. Much much much better than the bumpo.
If someone offers to help you do anything, take it!
Let family and friends know that you want the first 24 hours at home to be visitor free. They will understand and you will be so thankful you did!
This! with DD everyone wanted to come to hospital and i got so stressed out, dad posted picture of me on FB hours after i get birth, i looked a hot mess. With Ds I said no one step foot in my hospital room unless you're bringing my other child. I let parents visit first day we were home but was very clear on amount of time they can visit, in laws came from out of town so Dh took DD and they all would go find stuff to do away for the house otherwise i felt like i was trapped in my room, I do not feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of my in laws. Well i went on a tangent there... oh well there you have it.
Agree 100%. Even beyond the first 24 hours. Three days PP my in-laws, BIL, SIL, BIL#2 and their 2 kids came over and I had a complete nervous breakdown with all the noise and chaos and everyone passing around my brand new little baby. It was bad. Shaking, gasping, sobbing. Don't do that to yourself. Be honest with your family and set limits.
This! with DD everyone wanted to come to hospital and i got so stressed out, dad posted picture of me on FB hours after i get birth, i looked a hot mess. With Ds I said no one step foot in my hospital room unless you're bringing my other child. I let parents visit first day we were home but was very clear on amount of time they can visit, in laws came from out of town so Dh took DD and they all would go find stuff to do away for the house otherwise i felt like i was trapped in my room, I do not feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of my in laws. Well i went on a tangent there... oh well there you have it.
Agree 100%. Even beyond the first 24 hours. Three days PP my in-laws, BIL, SIL, BIL#2 and their 2 kids came over and I had a complete nervous breakdown with all the noise and chaos and everyone passing around my brand new little baby. It was bad. Shaking, gasping, sobbing. Don't do that to yourself. Be honest with your family and set limits.
All this. The day I was supposed to leave the hospital I had unannounced visitors come in at 9 am and not leave for 2 hours. The nurses got tied up and I wound up not being able to leave until 3 or 4 and I was furious.
I also had super unflattering pictures posted on FB. I was doped up on magnesium sulfate and smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
The only kinds of visitors I will allow this time are ones that bring DD or food. No staying longer than 15-30 minutes.
peachesncream I fixed the link, but it's pretty similar to what miggg showed. Any resource/book recommendations for co-sleeping?
It looks good, my only concern would be that baby would outgrow it by length relatively quickly. I also have a loooong baby haha.
For co-sleeping help I usually turn to my local attachment parenting group. Here are some links from their files. They also have a bunch of links on why cosleeping is biologically awesome :-)
peachesncream I fixed the link, but it's pretty similar to what miggg showed. Any resource/book recommendations for co-sleeping?
It looks good, my only concern would be that baby would outgrow it by length relatively quickly. I also have a loooong baby haha.
For co-sleeping help I usually turn to my local attachment parenting group. Here are some links from their files. They also have a bunch of links on why cosleeping is biologically awesome :-)
Ditto, I've found my local AP group to be a huge help on many different topics/issues. I've seen this book by the La Leche League recommended many times though I haven't read it myself:
What is the difference in a rock and play and a swing/bouncer? Do you need both?
Depends on your baby. The Rock and Play is lower and more portable than a big swing. Some babies hate swings but unfortunately that isn't something you will know ahead of time. Mine loved the swing and I literally could not have lived without it. Oh and get one that plugs in not battery only!
We used the crap out of the rock n play, swing, and bouncer.
I loved my Medela In Style double electric pump...PSA most insurance covers a breast pump. There is a fairly painless procedure and you have to wait until w/in 30 days of your due date. We got a fairly inexpensive Graco car seat and stroller that the infant bucket strapped into. It is super light weight and was perfect for getting out and about when he was tiny. However, we are very active and go a lot of places and hike on different terrain, beach, etc. We also got a Bob Revolution when LO was about 4 mo. That is one of our most used items. We use it nearly daily. Last thing....we were gifted this chair and it is so fantastic we now give it as our gift when friends have a baby! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0072IINY8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1436899704&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=ciao+baby+portable+high+chair&dpPl=1&dpID=51KZcME8TkL&ref=plSrch
Did you wear compression stuff while you were pregnant? When did you start if you did? Did you wear it regularly or only certain times?
I am a teacher. I wore compression socks to work through most of second tri. I was swelling by lunch time. I got them at a medical supply store. I wear a lot of sandals so I got nude open toed ones and did a lot of maxi skirts and dresses. I was out for summer during third tri, so only wore them a few times when I was going to be on my feet all day. This time I am only teaching half days, but will be teaching up until I deliver, so I am sure I will pull them out again.
peachesncream I fixed the link, but it's pretty similar to what miggg showed. Any resource/book recommendations for co-sleeping?
It looks good, my only concern would be that baby would outgrow it by length relatively quickly. I also have a loooong baby haha.
For co-sleeping help I usually turn to my local attachment parenting group. Here are some links from their files. They also have a bunch of links on why cosleeping is biologically awesome :-)
^This is why we didn't get that with DS. The weight limit is pretty low too, IIRC. We used the convertible mini crib as a sidecar cosleeper and I had a Moses basket for daytime.
Also, FTMs: this isn't gear, but my advice is take a babymoon. Even if it's a state away. I won't say I don't travel anymore, because we travel just as much. But it was nice to have one last trip where we could hop on a plane with a backpack, turn our phones off, and just have time for the two of us.
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