Recommendations for baby stuff

[locolala]

Alrighty, so even though it's still pretty early I'm beginning to put together a baby registry. I've picked out a stroller set that comes with the car seat (evenflo, got really good reviews everywhere I looked) and I've picked out a crib set. Now, I have no idea what to look for as far as a tub, monitor, diaper system etc. I plan on avoiding bottles if possible at first, eventually I'll pump so Bobby can take over night feedings and let me sleep. I'm also looking at getting one of the attachments you put on the side of the bed to allow safe cosleeping. Any recommendations on those or other things?

Thanks for your help :D

[bignerpie]

Congratulations!

I definitely recommend getting an Ergo. I have never used the stroller that was part of the travel system we got. I just carry him in the Ergo. I also use a ring sling, and when my son was newborn, I carried him in a Moby Wrap all the time.

When I first read your post, I read 'Bobby' as 'Boppy.' I couldn't figure out how a pillow would feed your baby by itself! Oh, I recommend a Bobby or other similar breastfeeding pillow, too.

[grafxgirl]

Some of these items are for when the baby gets older. I find many people seem to concentrate on buying everything for when the baby is an infant and forget to think about the kinds of things they need when the baby gets older, even into the toddler stages.

An "umbrella" stroller when the baby gets bigger is great! So much smaller and lighter than most strollers.

http://www.baby-cribs-n-strollers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/jeep-all-weather-umbrella-stroller.jpg

Avoid the diaper genie. I found it to be a complete waste. Just wrap dirty diapers in some plastic grocery bags and toss them into a covered trash can.

A booster seat. They make travel ones that fold up and have a strap on them. I never even used a high chair because by the time the kids were old enough to eat solid foods, they were able to sit with support.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cgFUl36ACoA/Sl4hVKWaIdI/AAAAAAAAAJU/hFI4xULc52M/s320/booster+seat.jpg

Potty chair with a step stool. There's a cute Winnie the Pooh one that can be used on the floor as a chair or converted to sit up on the adult toilet. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08119a.jpg

I have been totally happy with my Safety 1st Baby Monitor. http://images.doba.com/products/2267/12837.1.jpg

[KemCam2]

babies r us should have a check list of what you'll need to "get started." I used this for my first to make sure I had the things I'd need.

*I recommend a moby wrap, I never had one, but seriously wish I had (they didn't become "popular" until after my kids were too big.)

*A swing. Some babies don't like them but both of mine did. I had the ones that swing both ways. (HA!)

*Bouncy, vibrating, seat. Great help when you need to cook and usually small enough to cram into an apartment sized bathroom for a 3 minute shower! (tried and true!)

*I used and LOVED my high chair, peg prego is my favorite but graco (I think it's graco) makes cute comfy ones now too. Softer more comfy for a 4 month old when they are learning to eat "solids."

*Ultra or exer-causcer.

*Pack n play or something similar for when you are away from home. They make them now with changing stations and other cool things.
*Changing tables aren't necessary but I had one with my second and wished I had with my first. Keeps everything in one place, is always ready for a stinky butt...

*Swaddlers.

*I'd push the paci over the thumb. We had one of each and the paci was much easier to take away than the thumb was!

There's tons more but it's been a while for me...I'll think more on it and get back to the thread later.

Congratulations, BTW!! :)

[toberah]

A vibrating bouncy seat is baby crack. Yay. Also a Bumbo chair with tray is great for sitting up and feeding. Ditto the nursing pillow and umbrella stroller.

As far as milk pads, I always meant to try the silicone ones, but really liked the Lansinoh brand of disposables. You may also want nipple cream. And good cloth diapers are a must for burp rags.

[amountz]

I third (or fourth) a carrier of some sort. Personally, I didn't like my Moby Wrap. I LOVED my sling and my Ergo. I still use my Ergo a lot. A carrier allows you to get something done while giving the baby all that closeness and warmth that they need and want.

A Boppy

I never used a stroller until the kids were older.

Car seat. I don't know what specific one you're looking at, but just make sure it is a 5 point harness and get its installation checked. Most people install them wrong. It shouldn't move more than an inch side to side and when the baby is in it you shouldn't be able to pinch the straps up and down. And NEVER put anything under the straps - including a coat, blanket or any kind of padding. They interfere with how the car seat works.

We have an Arm's Reach mini co-sleeper. Charlotte used it some, but largely just slept with us. Cooper slept in it maybe 1 night.

You can just get any tub really. Don't spend much money on it.

BTW I am in the process of moving out a lot of baby stuff including the co-sleeper, pack n play, a portable swing, a Moby D wrap, toys, and clothes. You can PM me if you're interested in any prices.

[grafxgirl]

babies r us should have a check list of what you'll need to "get started." I used this for my first to make sure I had the things I'd need.

*I recommend a moby wrap, I never had one, but seriously wish I had (they didn't become "popular" until after my kids were too big.)

*A swing. Some babies don't like them but both of mine did. I had the ones that swing both ways. (HA!)

*Bouncy, vibrating, seat. Great help when you need to cook and usually small enough to cram into an apartment sized bathroom for a 3 minute shower! (tried and true!)

*I used and LOVED my high chair, peg prego is my favorite but graco (I think it's graco) makes cute comfy ones now too. Softer more comfy for a 4 month old when they are learning to eat "solids."

*Ultra or exer-causcer.

*Pack n play or something similar for when you are away from home. They make them now with changing stations and other cool things.
*Changing tables aren't necessary but I had one with my second and wished I had with my first. Keeps everything in one place, is always ready for a stinky butt...

*Swaddlers.

*I'd push the paci over the thumb. We had one of each and the paci was much easier to take away than the thumb was!

There's tons more but it's been a while for me...I'll think more on it and get back to the thread later.

Congratulations, BTW!! :)

How did I forget some of this stuff? She is absolutely right about the pack-n-play, the bouncy and seat exer-saucer.

Baby Bjorn...I had one of those and my son lived in it because he one of those babies that liked to be held 24 hours a day.

[JiveTurkey]

I used my Moby wrap twice, but the Maya wrap all the time! Love that thing.

Slimmy never really liked the swing, so I could have done without one of those.

You know those baby washcloths? Perfect for feeding. I had about a million of them. He was a very sloppy eater for a couple months. They are cheaper than burp cloths, too. If you have the boy kind, I can hook you up with a few things. ;)

MONITOR: I almost forgot to mention. Our monitor was kinda expensive but totally worth it. It's the one where you can actually see the baby.

We do disposable diapers, and never had one of those stinky diaper genies. If you take your trash out regularly, you 'll have no issues there. Lots of the girls here cloth diaper, and I am sure they have loads of info if you are interested.

[TheEditor]

I concur wholeheartedly about baby carriers (Moby, ring sling et. al.)

Get a receiving blanket that's actually big enough to swaddle with. Swaddling did nothing for my first, but I've rediscovered sleep since resorting to a swaddle with my recently-born second. I found a great seller on Etsy who sells flannel blankets at larger sizes for pretty cheap.

We use a Diaper Genie for the first four months that we use disposables. After that point, I cloth diaper.

[toberah]

I have a diaper genie we used for a couple of months... still clean and I also have one new refill if you want it.

[amountz]

MONITOR: I almost forgot to mention. Our monitor was kinda expensive but totally worth it. It's the one where you can actually see the baby.

We do disposable diapers, and never had one of those stinky diaper genies. If you take your trash out regularly, you 'll have no issues there. Lots of the girls here cloth diaper, and I am sure they have loads of info if you are interested.

LOL I came on here this morning specifically to mention the monitor. I remembered it last night. We have one that is video also and it's great. So many times the baby will just make a noise and without the video you have to go check. Checking can sometimes be enough to wake up the baby. With the video you can see that everything is fine and not go disturb the baby.

I do cloth diapers. Love them. Let me know if you want to know more.

[LFE]

We had something simular to this that worked out great for us and traveling:
Amazon.com: Regalo Easy Diner Portable Hook-On High Chair: Baby (http://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Diner-Portable-Hook-Chair/dp/B0000A1O7P)

[Jenniffer]

I swear to Hera if I ever have another baby, I'll buy a Maya Wrap sling (gave all mine away) a baby monitor, a carseat, and that's it. If y'all catch me buying anything else, you have my permission to smack me.

[rooneymom]

Definitely get the Lansinoh cream for breastfeeding. A friend gave some to me and I used it a lot until my nipples got more used to breastfeeding.

I co-slept with both my babies. When they woke up hungry I just nursed them back to sleep. I was able to get more sleep, as were they.

When you're ready to start solid food get a small food mill.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2585711
You use it to puree your own food for the baby. It'll save you a ton of money on jarred baby food.

[attachlings]

Well first, congratulations!
I have 3 children, ages: 10, 6 and almost 3.
We're WAY 'attachment' or natural parents around here. If you've seen Mothering magazine, then that's my perspective. If natural parenting is your kind of thing, then I'd definately recommend Mothering Dot Commune (mothering.com) forums. They are awesome and there's always someone with help or insight there. :)

A subscription (paper or electronic) to that magazine is one of the things I'd ask for as a 'baby gift.' Absolutely priceless.

Next, well, IMHO babies really don't need much.
Each of my babies co-slept with us (and yes I realize that is kind of controversial in some circles...but it can be done very safely and is the way most of the babies worldwide go to sleep every night) and found they didn't need anything but healthy, aware parents to do so. I've never used a sidecar kind of thing, though.

So what I think is crucial: baby carriers (try several...you and babe will have preferences) My ergo is my favorite for once they can hold their heads up without assistance...because it's easy to put them on your back and keep doing what you need to on those days when they will not be put down. ;-)

Before then, though, my favorite carriers are either a Moby or a basic ring sling. You can make your own moby out of some basic stretchy knit fabric....so easy! Happy to show you if you like. Ring slings are easy to make and easy to use.

Let's see, what else? Cloth diapers! We did cloth exclusively for babies 2 & 3. Extraordinarily economical and so easy to care for. Some are such that it is no harder than disposables. We called those 'grandparent and babysitter friendly' ;-) But the other kind are easy to use with like a 10-minute learning curve.

For breastfeeding success, perhaps a boppy pillow (NOT optional if baby comes via c/s...BTDT!) and maybe some herbal teas that help with milk production. Fenugreek is one, there are other herbal ingredients. I found that just having oatmeal helped a lot...though any oat-containing product will help with this as well.

A dozen or so inexpensive flannel blankets can serve loads of purposes, burp cloths, swaddle wraps, basic clean up or put the baby down on to play or get 'tummy time.'

I'd not go to any expense for a thing like a swing or a bouncer...many babies simply will not be placated that way and they do take up space.

Highchairs are handy, but also take up space. If space is an issue, get the kind that straps onto a basic chair...also good because they are portable for trips to see family/friends.

Well, that's really it. Those few basic things plus LOADS of human interaction is all they really need. Babies can be amazingly easy to entertain if they are up in a carrier on your front or back where all the 'action' is.

HTH,