Having a baby means you need a lot of things that you never even thought of before. These gadgets (and there are a lot in this day and age) take on a world of their own. Suddenly your house is no longer yours and you find strollers in your living room, Bumbo on your kitchen table and a swing (for the baby of course!) in your bedroom. While some of the items are fluff and "nice to haves," what do you feel are the essentials? (Beyond the crib and carseat)
What items do you strongly suggest Meagan and Ryan have for Baby Boy Livergood?
Comment now!
Unfortunately you just won't know until you know. My first did not like her swing, (I bought a crappy one) but my 3.5 month old loves the new used on we have. It's in my kitchen and gives me time to cook and eat. I also highly recommend sleep sacks and boogie wipes! Boogie wipes are saline cloths.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a lot of years since I had a baby; however, with my Godchild, Kennedy and Saylor around lately, I have a few suggestions. The latest and greatest baby monitor. Also, the car seat that fits on the stroller so you don't have to take the baby out. Once baby boy gets older, there are the covers for the shopping carts that are just great. I am sure you will find many items that you will really like and some you don't. Experiment and enjoy the do's and don'ts of having a small loved one.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Baby (Gwen)
gotta have a jump swing (hooks in doorways (up above) andyou can move Tadpole from room to room.....bouncing away as you do what u need to do in each room...
ReplyDeletealso....Halo sleepsaks and swaddling blankets...and last but not least...a sound machineQ
Mama (Julie)
I'm going to throw in bigger diapers then you think you need. We moved out of NB's real fast because he was getting soaked three times a day at one point. Also goggles... for changing HIS diaper - little devils. Oh and the goggles are for both you and him. Never tell my son how many time he peed in his own face those first two weeks before I got the hang of the 'different' equipment.
ReplyDeleteMy pump in style is my best friend.
Oh, and the bouncy chair. It's all about having places for the baby to sit.
oh, another must have - a small cooler. I never grab bottles from the fridge at night, I put them in my bedside cooler with ice pack before I go to sleep in the evening.
Landon loved the Boppy Pillow, Swing (with the music and vibrations), and the play mat. You will learn very quickly that kids use a lot of stuff.
ReplyDeleteI love Boogie Wipes too!
I don't think you need a diaper genie or that Wipe Warmer.
As for diapers...always make sure it is pointed down. My first week we had lots of outfit changes.
Enjoy-
Jenn
-Vibrating bouncer
ReplyDelete-LOTS OF BATTERIES IN EVERY SIZE
-Miracle Blanket (2 - for middle of the night leaks) - if I had to pick one thing only even over diapers, this would be the one
-A wicker basket for each major living area/bedroom to throw diapers, wipes, change of clothes, toys in etc (easy reach, easy cleanup)
-Snap in carseat stroller
-Forget diaper genies, wipe warmers, changing tables
The rest my nephew and your sanity will determine!
xx
Jessi
PATIENCE!
ReplyDeleteBooks for bedtime :-)So many to choose from... Where the wild things are, Goodnight Moon, any of the Shel Silversteins, all the Dr Seuss books, the Pooh books...so many!
ReplyDeleteOh! And maybe a tablet for book apps- the Lorax one is really cool :-)
- Ker
Doesn't matter what toys and gadgets you have around him, the best thing you can give him is you...your time, your patience, your love. And enjoy every minute, it goes by quickly...
ReplyDeleteNona
No kids for me yet, so I have no idea. But I have heard there's such a thing as a 'snot sucker' ... sounds cutting edge, totally gross and pretty practical, so I'd add that to the list. Ah, the joys of motherhood! ~ Darcy Clark
ReplyDeleteLove the suggestions above and totally agree - the haves and the no-needs (like the wipe warmer). Although I really loved my changing table but know that many have said the same thing, unnecessary. Which leads me to this - as long as baby has food, place to sleep, diapers, and clothes, and your love, he will have everything he needs! I like to share this because it makes the baby store a little less overwhelming. Everything else is nice to have for baby's comfort and yours (which are important because you will need sanity, even if you have to buy it). With that said, also agree that you don't know until you know. Some of the things we really liked were the pack-n-play (we used it as her bassinet). And advice on that PNP, don't get anything fancy. It is not necessary - the cheaper versions are just fine, found that out after we got the fancy one. Find something easy to assemble and dissemble for the days you need it to be portable. :) And then Lauren liked her swing for about a month so I'm so glad that was something on loan to us from someone. She did not like the vibrating bouncy seat thing though, but that was also borrowed. If you are breastfeeding, I liked My Breast Friend over the Boppy for actual feeding (but used the Boppy because I could sit her in it when I wasn't using it for feedings). But the two things we got the most use out of: a playmat (we had the Rainforest one) and the exersaucer. She used them for a long time and loved them both!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the baby monitor. I wished I had one with my children. It gives you a little more piece of mind but you will still want to check on them. I know parents don't always want to use a pacifier but sometimes it can come in very handy. Be consistent with a routine
ReplyDeleteand let little tadpole get use to sleeping in his own bed. It will pay off later.
From Michele who is having issues posting: When they start crawling, electrical outlet covers and cabinet latches!"
ReplyDeleteMy list is pretty simple because our house is too narrow for most things.
ReplyDeleteThe baby monitor is very handy (I didn't bother with the video one but most who have it love that one. I can hear her breathing and sighing with the one I have so I was content).
The flat waterproof mattress pads (not the ones that are fitted to the mattress but just plain old flat mattress pad. We use those instead of a changing table (even though I have a changing table in Faiths bedroom it rarely gets used). I have 3 of them; one for the living room floor where we have a basket of diapers and wipes (where she's changed the most), 1 for my bedroom for where she gets her bath, and 1 spare for the others in the wash. She's always peeing when she's cold and we take her clothes off for bath so it's better than washing the duvet (which I also did multiple times before I got smart).
The other thing I really love is that my diaper bag has a changing pad that has a pocket for the plastic wipe case and a diaper and handle so you can pull out the changing pad and only take that to the bathroom with you (as opposed to the whole bag). Thats really handy.
The cheap'o infantino baby carrier ($15 from target) was a must for me. It comes in very handy in the stores, in the kitchen (when she's being whiney and won't sit in the exersaucer), going for walks, going on vacation, etc.
Lastly the playmat - again we have a cheap'o one but it works well. Its small, easy to transport, and we leave her on it a few times a day to play by herself. She's getting much better at self entertainment now!!!
Ok, I lied I have one more. The bottle washer case that you bought us doesn't work well as a dishwasher bottle washing thing (because of the bottles we have) but it's great for sitting on the counter and using the basket for my bottles (we have Dr. Browns thanks to Kristin) and all the crap that goes with those bottles. The bottles dry in no time, it has a place for the silly blue thing (don't ask - I can't explain) and it takes up very little counter space as opposed to those big saucer things that look like a great torture device for when you're pissed that your husband who wont get up and take care of the screaming baby!
~Christy~
Meag, I have the munchkin too (I think that is what Christy is referring to.) I put the caps where the silverware goes and the other parts in the munckin. And here's the secret... I wash bottles twice a day. Where do I get that torture device?
DeleteOk I thought you had one of those torture device things....maybe I'm thinking of Barbs counter. you know, one of these silly looking things (which I'll admit I'm sure are very handy). http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12066900
DeleteI was reading in the American Baby magazine this morning (when do I have time you ask? Precisely at 9:25 when both babies - my daughter and my hubby - are napping!!) and saw this bottle rack - I'm sure it should go in the uesless blog but it's so cute I had to share (and because we're talking about it here) http://www.booninc.com/products/Grass/373 and it has a stem to for the nipples and such (sold separately of course) http://www.booninc.com/products/Stem/398
Too flipping cute right? (or maybe it's just me)
~Christy~
Meag - My favorite baby item was the Rock N Play. Didn't need it or receive it until the little one was home and had such horrible reflux that he ended up sleeping in the Rock n PLay until he was 7 months old!
ReplyDeleteThe gift of hindsight also allowed me to realize that you can register for the "best" bottles, etc but it is not until the baby is home and he will tell you which one he likes. I had a great collection of Dr Browns but my little one wouldn't take to them. We ended up with the playtex dropins. So the morale of my story of motherhood is that you can plan to your hearts desire but your little dude will run the show when he arrives! I know you can't wait to meet him :)
XOXO,
Katie
Katie, I sort of laugh when I think of this blog because of all of the conflicting advice and what have I started??? :) Poor Meag is going to tear her hair out. But making your own decisions (some good and some bad) is how you earn your stripes! So I'm getting to the point....I bought the Playtex Dropins inially and baby wouldn't take them, so then I tried Brestflow and Dr. Browns (whch we decided on). I eventually figured out my child was just cranky and it wasn't the bottles. lol. I always advise to start with just a couple of bottles of each kind. You just never know. The bigger issue is when you introduce a bottle in the first place... and that will definitely bring lots of opinions.
DeleteThis would be first on my list
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UEA95M
Clearly I'm not a mother...
Clearly you will make a great one though! I was going to buy those for my upcoming work conference. I refuse to pump and dump. $17 for 8 - I'm just going to drink and then wait 3 hours!
DeleteNicki...Breast Milk Alcohol Test Kit?!?!? hah....you are a hoot....according to Amazon, they are out of stock!
ReplyDeleteAunt Julie
Baby Einstein DVDs! When I was a nanny, this was the "go to" aid when all else failed to soothe the baby (don't look at me like that! I was a good nanny! This was the mom's suggestion....she knew her baby well.) And since the DVDs play Mozart, etc, in the background, you can comfort yourself with the thought that maybe the baby will learn something to boot! :) Sherri
ReplyDeleteOK - It has been a while for me, but definitely a bouncer and/or vibrating seat. You will certainly need a baby monitor because as you probably already know, the Livergood's are a bit hard of hearing. Be sure to place it right by Ryan's ear. :-) As the baby gets a bit older, the jump-a-roo is awesome!
ReplyDeleteJulie G.
The best thing ever (though pricey) is a really comfortable glider with ottoman! Even better if you get one with side pockets to hold diapercloths, bottles, small books, etc. You will both spend many a day, and late night, and early early morning, especially during the first year, propped up on this so make it very comfy and you won't regret it! We actually still have the one we invested in for our Zachary 14 years ago!
ReplyDeleteWe would not have wanted to live without the "4-in-1" carseat-to-stroller-without-waking-the-kid ensemble! However, definitely also get a cheaper, foldable "umbrella" stroller (~$20) to throw in your car truck because those fancy mega strollers are not convenient to lug around on all brief trips--**make sure you get one with easily turning wheels though because many won't have them; making you lift the back half of the stroller to make a simple turn just sucks.
Also get some soft infant sunglasses and get baby used to wearing them (and soft hats) early or he won't be happy to do it later. (Nice to have them too when the stick-on car shades aren't helping or for walks in the stroller on sunny days.) Another fabulous thing are Robeez! = soft little moccasin-like shoes that are made to stay on little feet and are so cute.
And, finally, if Tadpole begins to favor a certain blanket or stuffed animal--buy at least 2 more exact ones so you can rotate them in the washer AND for when he inevitably loses the original and the manufacturer has retired that one and so you search hopelessly on Ebay and pay a fortune for another one or never find it and it's devastating...take my word for it, ok?!
--Jessica :-)
OOOH Yes, Love Jessica's comment. As soon as baby attaches to an object like a blankie or toy, buy many more of them. I bought 5 of Saylor's blankies and I think three are still hanging around. And you always have one handy or as a replacement. It is the best suggestion. As soon as one year old they changed the color scheme and the blankie was no longer available so I was so glad I did that.
ReplyDeleteJessi
I hear Jessica is right on the money and I plan on doing the same thing myself!!
ReplyDeleteI thought of something else that has become very valuable for us when we're out and about. It's not always easy to whip out a boob so I've gotten Faith comfortable with formula and this little thing (again had no idea why anyone would buy it for me considering everyone knew I was breastfeeding) turns out to be a very handy gadget): A formula dispenser. Love it.
http://www.target.com/p/munchkin-formula-dispenser/-/A-13991505#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=travel+formula+dispenser
~Christy~
How did we leave this gem off?? GIFT CARDS!
ReplyDeleteAgree, my glider chair was worth every penny (every ear infection and tonilectomy and nap refusal) as said Jessica. I was my daughter's lovey but now I realize Diana is the 1% - the high needs baby! Something I don't have local but should - a quality babysitter.
add on - you do need to make sure kid isn't geting too much sun in carseat on long drives - easy to forget.
Time which is very important. Telling stories until they fall asleep. This is so important for me.
ReplyDelete-PackLessPlayMore.com