Recommendations for Baby Gear?

[IBouteille]

Hello!
It seems that this is a great place to get advice on all kinds of topics, so I'm going to give it a shot. :)
I'm 7.5 months pregnant, and my baby shower is coming up in less than a month. The invitations have gone out, along with the place where I'm registered. The problem is, though, I haven't registered yet; I'm not really sure about what to get. I would love some advice. Are there certain products that you found invaluable during the first few months/years? Is there something you wish you had gotten? If you have any recommendations for baby essentials, I'd appreciate it if you'd share them with me. :)

Thank you, Thank you!

[ChristyMarie]

Timely question!

Here's the list I just made for my friend of what I actually use:



NURSERY:
-Changing table (you have to decide if you want just a table or a dresser with a changing pad on top)
-Glider w/footstool
-Small table next to glider. Trust me. Clock, lamp, place to put bottle, water, etc etc etc.
-Place for child to sleep: crib or co-sleeper. For a crib, shake it and make sure it is sturdy.
-dim lamp so you don't have to turn on the overhead light in the middle of the night
-baby wipes

PLACE TO PUT THE BABY:
-bouncy seat w/vibrate feature - we have a bouncy-to-toddler rocker that goes up to 30 pounds
-pack n play - optional. Nice to have a second "crib" especially if you plan to travel with the baby
-stroller and slings
-car seat
-swing that goes up to 30 pounds - Graco Hug
-depending on age and exersaucer or playmat for a few moments to go to the bathroom or grab a glass of water.

BATHING:
-eh - I returned my baby bathtub and wish I hadn't registered for those stupid baby towels. Cute but worthless - they don't absorb anything. Buy a water sling, take the baby in the shower and be done with it. In the beginning we bathed him in the sink.
-baby shampoo, etc. We just use cetaphil or aveeno - less harsh than the baby soap believe it or not.
-cetaphil lotion for dry skin

Clothes/sheets/blankets/stuff
You'll end up with way too many no matter what you do. And don't buy a ton of one style - you don't know what you and baby will like best.
-SLEEP SACKS!

Organization:
Babies have STUFF. Lots of little stuff. Find baskets or something to organize it or it will drive you insane.
Also, a laundry basket just for baby is nice
-diaper bag. The style I use most is a backpack (the Eddie Bauer diaper bag backpack) - but I also have cute ones for going out. I have a small pack of wipes, one extra outfit, diapers, burp clothes, small purrell and a large diaper changing mat in there at all times.

Baby fluid containers:
-diaper genie rocks for poopy diapers (we empty ours once a week and you never smell it)
-BURP CLOTHES. Buy them, use them, love them. Almost everyone I know prefers cloth diaper for this task over the actual "burp cloths" they sell
-waterproof pads - they sell these waterproof pads that are fabric. Buy them,use them. I keep one on top of the changing pad - that gets soiled first - a lot easier to change those then the entire pad cover over every little thing.
-bibs - the soft, cheap terry cloth are best - no decals or embroidery - makes them curl up in the dryer

Baby meds:
-baby tylenol
-saline nose drops
-nose sucker-outer
-thermometer
-gauze
-alcohol wipes
-vaseline
-some form of diaper rash creme. He's never needed it so I can't tell you what works.
-pump bottle of Purell for the changing table - sometimes you just can't get to a sink to wash up

FEEDING:
-Boppy Luxe pillow. Could not live without mine.
-Bottles: a few bottles to start and a little formula - you don't know what baby will prefer so don't buy a ton until you try. Also, bottle brush, bottle drying rack, dishwasher basket for nipples.
-Breast: lansinoh nipple cream, nipple pads - I liked the gel kind

That's the essential starting kit.

[gertdog]

Hi! You're right- you can get a conversation going on most any topic around here! :)

I'll give you my 3 "worth their weight in gold" items from the first year of DS's life.

1. Baby Papasan chair (Fisher Price). Soft and cozy; we carted DS all around the house in it, and he snoozed in it. It plays soft music and also vibrates. I felt kind of splurg-y putting it on the registry but it was the first gift we received and easily the most used during the first 3 months.

2. Pack and play (Graco). We got the deluxe one with the bassinet and changing station and were glad we did. We're in a two-story house- DS's room is upstairs, so we set the pack and play up in the downstairs family room. It was wonderful to have a safe place to put him down, change him, or let him nap. Now that he's outgrown the bassinet (long ago!) and the changing station, we use it as a portable crib when we travel, or as a play yard outdoors (last fall).

3. Amazing Miracle Blanket for swaddling. It's lightweight with a bit of stretch so you can get a good tight swaddle. I had a Swaddle Me blanket too and liked the AMB much better.

You might also try posting your question on the new moms thread over on the Healthy Living board- I bet you'll get lots of useful advice there!

Congratulations in advance and good wishes for a safe delivery!

[LA98]

3. Amazing Miracle Blanket for swaddling. It's lightweight with a bit of stretch so you can get a good tight swaddle. I had a Swaddle Me blanket too and liked the AMB much better.

Slight hijack: Gertdog, is this the blanket you're referring to? http://www.miracleblanket.com/ It doesn't have "Amazing" in the name as far as I can see. I was thinking of buying it... Thanks!

[615bride]

Couldn't live without:

Miracle Blanket for swaddling
Boppy pillow with multiple covers from when they get dirty
baby gowns for the first few weeks - pull legs out and change diaper
those breast milk freezer bags - write the date right on them

I'll keep thinking.... It's funny because what works for one family/baby doesn't work for others so you'll probably get lots of answers... Good luck!

[gertdog]

Slight hijack: Gertdog, is this the blanket you're referring to? http://www.miracleblanket.com/ It doesn't have "Amazing" in the name as far as I can see. I was thinking of buying it... Thanks!

That's the one! Maybe I subconsciously added "Amazing" to the name- though I could swear it was once called that! :o

[testkitchen45]

I only have time to skim the other posts, so you may see some repeats here. But since it's been awhile since I've had an infant, these recommended items really made an impact if I can still recall how great they were!

I can't rave enough about the Avent bottles. My colicky baby--and it's been awhile, but Avent is still around--would ONLY tolerate these (they were a lifesaver), and all of my kids loved them. Didn't interfere w/ breastfeeding, either.

No clothes that separate at the waist, or that can ride up. If you get any cute dresses or two-piece outfits (top & pants) for your shower, exchange them (except maybe for a little church dress or something). Pants are a nightmare for diaper changing w/infants, & things that don't secure at the crotch always end up around the baby's shoulders.

Dutailier (brand name) glider & footstool--worth every dime. We're still using ours every day, and it's been YEARS.

Discovery Toys oval-shaped links in unbreakable, colorful plastic. Invaluable for hooking things somewhere for many, many years. We still use ours to hold misc. items in the van.

A little hat that ties under the chin. Your baby will be born in cool weather, and will easily chill for long after that.

Carseat that detaches w/ handle to become baby carrier; stroller base for it to hook into. Second carseat for DH's car. Worth the $ not to have to strap that darn thing in over & over--although now that most seat belts have the locking mechanism, it's a lot easier.

[LA98]

Thanks, Gertdog! I'm definitely going to buy one.

[PoppyJ]

Congratualtions!

I would recommend buying the book Baby Bargins. Someone on the pregnancy thread recommended it to me when I started to panic about what I needed. The book was so helpful and really gave me the security that I was registering for good/safe brands and registering for all that I needed.

[MISSINDI]

One of the things we loved are those Sleep Sacks (http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?uid=5E268F29-5EEB-43D5-BF37-8A314863375D-39940495&search=sleep%20sack&stype=ANY&sl=&modelNumber=undefined&advSearchCat=undefined&brand=undefined&minprice=undefined&maxprice=undefined&productID=134993). It keeps the baby warm without need a blanket. Very cozy. :) Congrats on the baby!

[PamN]

It's been a while, but the one single thing I could not have lived without was a windup baby swing that had interchangeable swing seat and bassinet. Using the bassinet was the best way to get any of our four into a really sound sleep. They would go to sleep in our arms and then startle awake when we put them into the crib -- and be inconsolable after that -- so we pre-wound the bassinet and put them in there for a couple of wind-up cycles. It's most helpful for tiny babies -- not after they can sit up (which is when you switch to the swing seat for entertainment and relaxing).

I agree about using cloth diapers for burp cloths. Plus then you'll have them around if you should ever run out of disposables.

[leightx]

One thing I would recommend - don't wash EVERYTHING (or unpack the diapers from the bag they come in) unless you are positive you will use it. And keep all of your receipts.

Neither one of my kids ever spit up, and we didn't need all those burb cloths I had already washed and folded. Likewise, each of them used different diapers because they leaked out of the other brand. Both of them hated the vibrating bouncy seat. My daughter loved the jumpy seat (that you hung from the doorway - now they have freestanding ones), and my son cried whenever he saw it. Daughter loved the Baby Bjorn; son couldn't stand the thing. You just never know with babies!

I guess what I'm saying is - all the lists are helpful, and you can get an idea of what worked for some people, but you never really know what you'll use until you're in the thick of things. It can't hurt to be prepared, but don't stock up on a ton of one type of diaper (or bottle, or pacifier) until you are positive that your baby will like it. And once you think you've finally figured her out, she'll change the rules in the middle of the game! ;)

[MaryMorph]

My biggest advice is to borrow as much stuff as you can. I know I was told that, andI ignored it b/c I wanted new stuff for my kid, but now I've got a gazillion and 10 things that are just taking up space in my storage area!

I'd say no to a couple of the previously listed items. Nathan had no interest in Avent bottles. I had to try several different brands before I found a brand that I could send to daycare with him when I wasn't available to nurse.

He also had no interest in the Baby Papasan. He had just a regular cheap Fisher Price baby seat with a little vibrator that he loved. He would fuss every time we put him in the papasan.

Don't stock up on diapers ahead of time. You never know what's going to fit your kid and prevent leaks. We tried several brands before settling on Luvs; my brother thought they were useless and could use only Huggies.

If you get a baby swing, don't get the wind-up version, but get a battery operated one. Nathan would sleep overnight in his occasionally, and I was happy to let it swing, without having to get up to wind the thing!

I hated the diaper genie, and instead just keep a stash of plastic bags from the store to toss diapers out on a daily basis. When they're little and getting exclusively breast milk, their poo doesn't smell anyway!

My favorite thing was a variation of the amazing blanket. Ours was just a blanket that was about 18 inches wide and a couple of yards long (actually, it was a pillowcase with the sides split open.) We would roll Nate up like a burrito and he would sleep like a lamb, without whacking himself and waking himself up like he did when he wasn't burrito-ized.

I also love and still use regularly NICE, hooded baby towels. Don't get the cheap little ones that don't absorb anything, but get the ones that are made from real, grown up towel material. There is not much cuter than a clean little baby, all wrapped up in a big fluffy towel! Additionally, it keeps them warm!

Have fun, and congratulations!

mary jo

[DanaSD]

Like a pp said, borrow what you can and buy used (for anything you don't get from your shower). We got lots of stuff as gifts and bought even more - what I didn't realize is that so much of the baby stuff is only used for the first 4-6 months. I thought my son would be a 'baby' for a year and half or so. Craigs List is a great place to buy stuff used along with ebay.

Miracle Blanket
Sleep sacks
clothes in larger sizes
toys for 6 months and a year
boppy
swing - papason
bouncer chair - we had the fisher price aquarium
bjorn or other babywearing carrier (I have an ergo hip carrier, babyhawk mei tai, and an ergo). My son was too big for the bjoern by 4 months but we still use the others.
infant carseat and a snap and go stroller type stroller. Then when they outgrow this get a new stroller based on how you use the stroller. We bought a peg early on and I wish I had waited.

Join us over on the Healthy Living boards - there are lots of threads that you find useful.

[Hoodone]

I'll second some stuff. The Baby Bargains book is excellent. Also, the borrow as much as you can. Some babies love things that others hate. For example, my first baby loved the swing. Second couldn't stand it. Swings are expensive and they only use them a short time. Borrow one. Same with exersaucer. Neither of mine liked it, thank goodness it was borrowed.

Things we still use from the baby days (kids are now 4 1/2 and 2 1/2): high chair (only very occasionally for super messy food) and crib (first one NEVER slept in it, may have to dynamite the second child out of it), hooded towels (the nice ones), occasional blanket, and that's about it. No, wait, a rocking chair. I don't have one of those glider things, but just a couple of "normal" chairs that have a similar gliding mechanism. I couldn't see getting something that didn't go with my regular decor.

Some thoughts on other things: I changed my first baby on her changing pad (attached to dresser top) for every diaper change as we lived in a one-story house. With #2 we had moved to a two-story house with a basement, so really 3 stories. I think I changed her on that pad, hum, maybe once? I was not going to carry a baby upstairs just to change her diaper on a special pad. She was changed on the floor almost always. Same with the Boppy pillow. Every nursing with #1 was with pillow. Second was never with the pillow. I guess I had developed the nack for holding a baby while nursing by then.

Did anyone above mention an activity mat? They don't use them for long and they are expensive, but especially #1, having 20 minutes to do something while she was happily laying on her activity mat was worth it!! Borrow if possible. Bouncy seat is priceless. Where else (other than a swing) can you place an infant while you are preparing dinner, eating, or other such activity?

Read the Happiest Baby on the Block book.

I used the Baby Bjorn a lot.

Second one slept to white noise CD's while swaddled (see Happiest Baby book). She still sleeps in a sleep sack at 2 1/2.

If you can find a stroller frame that accepts the infant car seat, those are good. I think one is called the "snap and go" or something similar.

That's about all I can think of right now. Good luck!

[DanaSD]

yes, activity mat! - that was the toy that kept him entertained the most for around months 2-4. Sometimes up to an hour! When we had to stay at a hotel for 2 days while our house was tented, I brought it with me. The nice ones cost around $60 and if you don't get one for your shower, they usually go for $20-25 on Craigs List (at least around here).

For the first 3 months it was the bouncer chair and swing (swing allowed us to eat dinner every night). Then months 6-9, the top toy was a Leap Frog activity table.

[granolagirl]

Congratulations!

I agree with everyone that has said to borrow as much as possible, because you won't know what your baby likes until he or she is here. For example, the swing and swaddling did not work at our house!

That said, here are some useful items:
-alcohol pads/wipes
-vaseline (in a squirt tube)
-some newborn diapers, some size 1 diapers (if using disposables)
-wipes
-washclothes (especially if you have a boy--shield yourself during diaper changes)
-sling/carrier
-a good pump (Medela Pump in Style or rent a hospital grade one)
-bottles (you may think you don't need them right away if your are going to breastfeed, but have a few on hand if you are unable to get your baby to latch and you need to pump!)
-bassinette/co-sleeper/pack n play, etc.
-onesies!
-sleepers with zippers (the Just One Year at Target or Carter's brands are good. Gerber's are too thin, too small and the zipper doesn't go down far enough)
-sleep sacks
-thermometer
-Tylenol
-diaper rash creme (we like Aveeno)
-hand sanitizier (and a mini one for the diaper bag!)
-Happiest Baby on the Block (just watch the DVD to get the idea. It's helpful to at least know the techniques!)

Good Luck! Oh, and I second the Baby Bargains book.

[Kerri]

Huh, so that is how you swaddle your baby after they get to big for the receiving blankets...the amazing miracle blanket. I'll have to remember that for next time.

My two cents, don't get a baby carrier ie Baby Bijorn from a major store. Get a good one from an online vendor. See the different kinds at thebabywearer.com. The baby bijorn has a 20 pound weight limit, which my 5 month old exceeds. Other carriers have a 40 pound weight limit.

[testkitchen45]

Don't stock up on diapers ahead of time. You never know what's going to fit your kid and prevent leaks. We tried several brands before settling on Luvs; my brother thought they were useless and could use only Huggies.

This post reminded me of something. Don't buy Toys R Us store-brand diapers! They're cheap and horrible. I remember the fury I felt when that crummy material they're made of actually stuck to my DS's privates--his very tender, circumcised privates. Remove the diaper unawares = cause your baby pain. I marched all of those da!n things back to Toys R Us & demanded a refund; no diaper should stick to a tender little baby like that. We ended up using name-brand diapers (don't recall which, except that Pampers was the only brand that came small enough for one of my children), and they were worth every penny.

[ChristyMarie]

My two cents, don't get a baby carrier ie Baby Bijorn from a major store. Get a good one from an online vendor. See the different kinds at thebabywearer.com. The baby bijorn has a 20 pound weight limit, which my 5 month old exceeds. Other carriers have a 40 pound weight limit.

Good advice!!!

Plus the bjorn can be bad for their spinal and hip development because of how it distributes their weight. And it isn't very comfy for the parent either. A great carrier in the same style is the ERGO - goes up to 40 pounds, switches from a front to back carrier and is SUPER comfy. I can carry my son for several hours at the mall and we're both happy.

[IBouteille]

Thank you, all, for taking the time to send me your suggestions. There are so many things that I've never even heard of (What's a glider??). I can see that I"ll soon be spending quite a bit of time at the computer with two tabs open: Babies R Us and the recommendations you all gave. Time to do that registry! Thank you again for your help. What a great community this is! :)

[MISSINDI]

(What's a glider??)

This. We bought one when Nicholas was born, but ended up selling it because I never used it.

http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-3006875t130.jpg

[testkitchen45]

What's a glider??

As MISSINDI's photo shows, it's a rocking chair whose base stays put in one place on the floor, unlike a rocker, whose base has curved runners that allow the chair to rock (and that cause the chair to creep across the carpet in the direction of the nap!).

Obviously, you've got two polar-opposite opinions here on gliders. :) Maybe it has to do with whether you like rockers to begin with. I am a huge rocker fan; if I could have one in every room of my home, I would! :D Not everyone likes rockers as much as I do. With heavy use for over a decade & several kids, my Dutailiers (yes, plural--one's in DD's room; one's in guest room) are still going strong: no maintenance issues at all. I like their smooth rocking motion more than the up-&-down "feel" of a traditional rocking chair, and if you go that route, Dutailier is a good brand. With a baby, you've gotta have a rocker of some kind. The gliding footstool, however, was not always comfortable to me when rocking a baby; that's more for my own personal use now if reading a book or something.

[TKay]

I loved the exersaucer. Used it constantly. I also got a lot of use out of the boppy pillow. And for me, the sleep sacks are a must. I got a heavy blanket one for the winter months and it was so nice since the nursery was a chilly room.
As for infant carriers, I got a Graco one and never used it. I just couldn't get the baby comfortable in it. So if you're going to get one, I'd recommend splurging on the Baby Bjorn. Friends of mine swear by it.
As for diapers, if you're using disposables, check out the Target brand. They're essentially Huggies without the label. Far cheaper, but just as nice.
Good luck and congrats!

[LA98]

IBouteille, it really is funny how you can get differing opinions on things from everyone you ask -- especially when it comes to baby gear! After you mentioned the glider, I was going to say don't go cheap on one (if you decide to get one, that is) because you may end up living in the thing. I can't tell you how many hours DS and I spent in ours, and while he was nice and comfy in my arms, I was incredibly uncomfortable because I went cheap on it for some stupid reason!

Someone mentioned clothes: I'd add not to get clothing that snaps in the back when they're really small -- too darn hard to maneuver them plus they're laying on those snaps all the time which can't be comfortable.

[MISSINDI]

Obviously, you've got two polar-opposite opinions here on gliders. :) Maybe it has to do with whether you like rockers to begin with. I am a huge rocker fan; if I could have one in every room of my home, I would! :D

You can always ask two people the same question and pretty much get a different answer. ;) I love rockers, just not the glider. Part of it was the foot thing ... always felt that the foot rest was gliding at a different rhythm than the chair, but that could be just me. :rolleyes: When this baby is born, think we may go the traditional rocker route ... depends on the next house. :D

[DanaSD]

I have spent so many hours in my glider and I love it. We tested out a lot of different ones, mostly the dutailer brand (I read a lot of reviews and these were reccomended). I slept in it towards the end of my pregnancy and then often during the first few weeks when we transitioned my son to his crib. Also, the many hours spent feeding and rocking to sleep and then those challenging times when he would only sleep on me so I would again sleep in the chair. My husband loves the chair too and can't wait until it gets moved out to the TV room. We picked a neutral color so that it will someday be moved out of my son's room.

[Kerri]

I would also recommend getting some kind of comfy chair. We got one cheap glider, which is nice and all, but DS outgrew it for breastfeeding in like a month. We spent our money on a nice swival/rocker/recliner from lazyboy and that is what we have been using ever since.