Babies 'R' Us Wish list

[shoyski]

Hmmm, I posted this just a bit ago and it disappeared....pardon me if it duplicates.

We are going to sign up at BRU. Any must haves that we should get? I thought perhaps maybe some of you new moms might have ideas fresh in your head.

We are not opposed to going to other stores or online, either. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by shoyski (edited 06-09-2001).]

[BlueMoose]

I loved my Snugli (front carrier) and my Boppy (one of those c-shaped pillows for nursing). I didn't have a Boppy with my first, but I do now (in fact 2) & just love it.

I agree don't ask for a bunch of crib stuff or small sizes. They won't get used.

With my first we used a little bouncy seat a lot, but my second wouldn't tolerate it. I did use a bassinet for him, though.

[shoyski]

Thanks for the feedback. It's very helpful and I'm sure we'll be editing our wish list as we talk with more people. It's so helpful to speak with people who know what's going on. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif The choices are almost overwhelming.

[BosunsWife]

Well, not a "new" mom since my little one just turned two yesterday, but here are some of my thoughts.

We could not have lived without our swing. We had a Graco model without the bar across the top and it was battery operated. DD lived in it for about the first two and a half months of her life LOL!

We didn't use a cradle, she slept with us for the first three months and then went directly into her crib in her room.

We used diaper service for the first three months and would have gone longer if DH would have used them (he refused to wash out the poopies in the toilet).

A good front carrier if you are so inclined to carry your child that way - I didn't, but my DH loved to carry her around that way.

I found that all the nursery items were really a waste of money, i.e., the whole bag of bedding. We used the bumper pads, the crib skirt and the sheet. The diaper stacker while cute, was kind of a waste of money as was the comforter that we have never used and is stuffed in a drawer someplace. We also didn't use a changing table and didn't invest in one. We borrowed a friends and never used it. We lived in a townhouse at the time and I never would run upstairs to change her on the table. I made a changing station in our laundry room on top of the dryer and changed her downstairs.

Just a few thoughts. I'm sure you will gets tons more. If you have showers (and I'm sure you will) just pray that people buy you bigger sizes. I got all of DD's clothes in size 3 months at her showers. She was a big baby (9 lbs 13 oz.) and didn't wear that size for very long. Keep the tags on them and try and return what you won't be using.

Congratulations and best wishes.

[Christina64]

I would add a Diaper Genie and a baby monitor to the list.

[BlueMoose]

Yes...I second the motion to add a Diaper Genie to the list. If you will be using disposables you will need one!

[mb]

on the BRU website there is a new parent checklist that gives you a million ideas on what to register for. i used that list and then pared it down (i.e. do we REALLY need this?) of course, i'm only 2 weeks into parenthood, so i'm no expert! here's what we registered for...

BEDDING: crib bedding set (since the crib we got converts into a toddler bed, she can use the whole bedding set for a long time...) if you just get a non-convertible crib, i would say to skip the whole set and just get some sheets and mattress pads (waterproof), plus a bumper. also, you will want some 'receiving blankets' - we have only a few lightweight ones, whichis fine because it's summer in south florida and she doesn't need to be bundled too warmly. we also didn't get a bassinet, because we were able to move her crib into our room for now. in a few weeks we'll just put it back in her room...

Diapering: we didn't get a changing table per se, but a changing pad that attaches on to the top of her dresser. we didn't get it at BRU though... also, we chose the diaper champ vs. the diaper genie because you don't need to buy the special refill bags. so far, so good. i've heard other positive reviews on the diaper champ also, while i know a lot of people aren't satisfied with the diaper genie. stock up on some newborn diapers, too. we also registered for cloth diapers to use as burp cloths. they are very very handy!!! i'd say get lots of them. we didn't get a diaper stacker - we just store the diapers in a dresser drawer. we also got a wipe warmer, but now we're probably taking it back because it's a gimmick. my SIL swore by it, that it was the greatest thing, so we registered for it. but since baby's been in our room we haven't used it and she doesn't mind the 'cold' wipes...

TRAVEL: you will need an infant car seat in order to take the baby home. we chose one that fits into graco's lightest-weight stroller (metro lite). be sure to test out the strollers in the store...push them down the aisles to see if it's comfortable, and also practice folding it up and lifting it. don't choose a stroller based on the pattern alone! we did that at first and the stroller was so heavy i couldn't lift it!!! combi also makes a lightweight stroller that accepts any carseat. i'd go for one of those. we also got a snugli front carrier but haven't used it yet. you may also want to register for a big-kid carseat for when baby outgrows the infant carseat. (it'll sit in the closet for a while, but i think it's better to register for it now and have someone buy it for you than to wait until you need it and shell out $100 yourself...)

Other Stuff: I agree with Christina84 - choose a baby monitor. Also, get a swing if you can (it's been so useful already to get her to quiet down!). And you may also want to get a baby bathtub, plus a few washcloths and hooded towels. We didn't register for baby clothes at all, since we'd been stocking up on clothes (all sizes) since we found out i was pregnant. plus, at BRU i've found that it's hard to find the exact clothes that people register for... we registered for a high chair and some feeding things like spoons, bowls, etc. (again, it will be stored for a while, but better to get it now when people are eager to buy things for the new baby...) we also registered for a glider and ottoman, but no one got it for us (yet) - i've been very comfortable nursing on the couch or in bed anyhow so far... a boppy might be good, but i've heard you can also just put any pillow under your arms for more comfort?!?

it all seems like a lot of stuff for such a little person, doesn't it?!? we just tried to register for the basics (plus some fun toys!)..when you go to BRU it's easy to feel like you NEED to get one of everything. my advice is to just think sensibly - like, "What will happen if we don't get this?" or "Will this really make things easier?" or "What does baby really need?" good luck!!!

Marisa http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[shoyski]

Wow, thanks again for the responses. Dave and I spent two overwhelming hours, checking everything out and trying to think of what is really necessary.

The thing that cracked me up was the bottle situation. I plan on breastfeeding but feel I'll eventually need bottles to supplement when I go back to work (part-time). I had it written down at the top of my sheet to ask my friends which one they thought I should get and here's what the lady at the store said to me. "Oh, just get one of each...your baby will let you know which is the best one." Are they on commission or something?!

Anyway, we managed to get out of there with some good ideas, thanks to all of you. I like the idea that I can edit online if I want, though. That's a neat plus for the store.

[mb]

i'll second the Avent bottles. If you are breast feeding, i've heard these are the best (also, i've heard good things about the dr. browns bottles). i also bought the avent pump, but only used it a few times so far. the baby already took a bottle of breastmilk (in the first week), and had no problem switching back to the breast. i have 3 4oz bottles, but ifyou're going to be pumping a lot, you might want to get the disposable system (it will take up less room in the freezer).
Marisa http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[KristaMB]

Can anybody tell me the benefits of a Baby Bjorn over the other brands of carriers? I've noticed that the Baby Bjorn brand is much more expensive.

Marisa, a co-worker gave me a hand me down stroller, and I can barely lift it. I am thinking about taking it to my parents house and leaving it, so that when we fly, we won't always have to cart one back and forth.

shoyski, I've been to BRU twice, and both times I felt completely overwhelmed. There's just so much stuff! Thanks for starting this thread, I'm sure I'll find it really helpful.

~Krista

[BlueMoose]

You know, the funny thing is, you do all this research into what the best products are, look at reviews, talk to friends, etc...and the only way to really find out what works for you is after the baby comes. Some babies like swings or snuglis while others don't. (My 8 month old has thrown up twice recently in his swingset seat!) Everyone seems to swear by a different bottle system (I like Playtex). Everyone has different things that they like, and you need to experiment to find out what works for you (and it will be different for your 2nd child).

Krista...I honestly think you are just paying for the name with the Baby Bjorn. I used the Snugli and really liked it. Unless you are loaded with cash, I wouldn't pay a lot for something you can only use for a couple of months.

You'll learn quickly what works best for your own situation, but it takes some trial and error. Babies can be rather opinionated about what they like and don't like.

[BosunsWife]

Ditto what BlueMoose said about prices. We bought a Graco front pack - less money than any of the others and DD was very comfortable in it. It had all the same features, just less money. I think I bought it at the Burlington Coat Factory store that is for babies.

[BosunsWife]

Shoyski, I'll put in a plug for the Avent bottle system. I was intending to breast feed, but nature wasn't with me. After two months of DD pretty much starving and not really gaining much weight, we started supplementing with formula. I had the Avent breast pump and loved it so we went with the Avent bottles. They are a little more expensive, but we didn't seem to have much of a problem with DD getting gassy from air in her bottles and the nipples are very similar to your own.

[mb]

krista & shoyski, i agree with bluemoose and bosunswife... your baby will probably let you know what they like/dislike...and everyone has a different preference for bottles, etc. just a note about BRU: when you go there to register, don't try to do everything at once. go one day and try to choose a carseat and maybe some other small things. we did a lot of research before choosing stuff, and it meant a lot of trips to BRU! plus, at the store they usually have little seminars on different items (like carseats) and you can ask all kinds of questions. it can be pretty helpful. in general the staff should be helpful and honest if you ask them questions about items (i.e. they shouldn't just try to sell you one of everything or the most expensive thing either!). but my advice is to choose carefully and don't feel like you have to do everything in one day!

[Beth Y]

About the Baby Bjorn, I bought one and loved it. I can't say I tried anything else, but all my friends, who had tried others said that all other snugglys hurt their backs, but the Baby Bjorn. They told me not to bother with the others. Of course, we are all late 30's, early 40's Mom's who would probably notice these things!

[cola]

Just one more thing before you become overwhelmed...be sure to get a wipes warmer. With my first child it was so sad to wipe her with a cold wipe so I immediately went out and bought one. Luckily my second didn't have to go through that. Good Luck, this is a fun time!!

[MrsReber]

I vote for the Avent bottles, too. My baby will go back and firth between breast and bottle with no problem. The lactation specialist at the hospital told us to use Avent because they're most like the real thing. Thet make newborn nipples which drip very slowly so they don't become lazy and develop a preference for the bottle over breastfeeding. Also, if you express milk for bottle feeding, have someone else introduce the bottle after about 4 weeks. The baby may not accept a bottle from mommy!

other than that, I agree with all the other advice here and each mom will have a personal preference for one thing or another. We have tons of 0-3 month clothes and Casey's umbilical cord has still not fallen off so she will most likely outgrow most of the newborn clothes. Don't forget to get t-shirts for the first few weeks until the cord falls off!

[shoyski]

MrsReber, I wouldn't have thought of the t-shirt thing...thanks. And thanks once again for all of the good advice, everyone. I've found it very helpful.

[mb]

about the t-shirts, you might want to get the kimono-style t-shirts vs. the ones that go over the head. babies don't always like things getting pulled over their heads. but on the other hand, we have the 'regular' t-shirts, and they're not so bad. if you've never dressed a baby before though, it's a little tricky at first! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mommywannabe]

I've also registered for the Baby Bjorn...my neighbor has two kids and swears by it. She says it's really easy to get them out of it when they're sleeping because the front unsnaps (or unbuttons?) and lays down, rather than having to pull them up and out of it.