With all of the baby items that are in the market, you are bound to find items that don't perform like you were hoping.
What items do you suggest Meagan leave on the shelves at the store?
That's how I felt about the Boppy pillow. It seemed like a good idea but it wasn't comfortable around my first C-section and I couldn't find a comfortable angle for baby's head to nurse. However, my husband loves it.
I also seem to be inept with a sling which I love the idea of.
The crib was a bit useless for my first.... she refused to sleep by herself.... and still does even though now she has a big girl bed. But obviously you need a crib.
Too many clothes become useless. I like a few outfits that are comfortable and easy to put on and my kids wore the same outfit over and over.... just like I do with my jeans.
Over-priced gear. I personally think very seldomly is the expensive gear worth it. If it seems like a lot of money for one just one thing, it probably is and as it goes, your child will probably hate it.
Shoes, wipe warmer and for Mommy - Colace - seriously TMI alert but how much do you take before it works?
ReplyDeleteWe didn't get a bottle warmer, I heat water in a small pot and use that just to take the chill off. I didn't want the kids to get used to warm milk because it is not always available.
For us, we never used the sling, but I think you will probably get the hang of it MUCH better than I ever did. So many people I know LOVE them! Also, I have already seen it on some other comments, but I agree you don't need a diaper wipe warmer.
ReplyDeleteP.S. As a person who develops and markets baby products for a living,I probably shouldn't be saying you don't need anything! Get it all!!!! LOL! Just kidding! One woman's "must haves" are another's "don't need". You will figure out what is best for you - so great to get advice from friends to help narrow your choices! Love it!
- Julie G.
I agree. Get it all, give it away later!!! :)
DeleteDefinitely the wipes warmer and electric bottle warmer are worthless!
ReplyDeleteAlso a cloth diaper stacker (that usually matches the bedding set) since a simple rectangular decorative basket (cloth-lined ones are nice) is much more convenient!
The bath visor--the sooner they don't fear water in their face, the better and baby shampoos are gentle anyway.
And absolutely NO baby powder or baby oil/baby oil gel--not necessary and both can, in fact, be dangerous!
--Jessica :-)
What is a bath visor? Do you mean that they make something a kid wears on their head to keep water out of their eyes? How strange. I have never seen that, but agree, that sounds quite unnecessary. I must admit I have been using baby oil on Clark's head to get the dry skin off when I pick at it. I don't use the powder either, nor do I use diaper rash cream yet since there is no rash in sight. Actually the whole bedding SET is unnecessary.... You cannot use the blanket unless you hang it, the bumpers are a no no now (debatable), you can buy the valance separately and the diaper stacker while cute, isn't that great... especially if it isn't hung near the changing table. (mine is on a door handle, not near the table). I do like the crib dust ruffle, but that's really the only part of the set that I felt was worth it.
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ReplyDeleteI'd have to say the bottle warmer. I had it on my registry and a friend bought it for me but it has never even seen the light of day (and I keep forgetting to return it). We have a hot water tap in our sink so we just put the bottle in a cup of hot water for a few seconds and voila - warm'ish baby bottle.
ReplyDeleteThe Moby wrap was my other one. That think is a pain in the butt to get wrapped around you, slung over your shoulder, and then trying to stuff the baby in the right way...and yes there is a specific way the baby fits in there. I said to hell with that and just bought a baby carrier (looks like a front facing backpack of sorts). The sling didn't work for me either (but really thats because it turns out I'm a lot bigger than any normal XL post pregnant mother apparently, although my ego finds that hard to believe, and the sling barely fit over my chest. There was no room for the baby unless I just slung it around my neck! Useless!)
The bedroom in a bag set was a waste although I do use the bumper (I know, I'm on the fast track train to hell - Faith rolls over and sleeps on her stomach too so maybe I'm on the bullet train). The diaper holder that matches the bed set is a cute idea but I'm with Kristin. It's useless unless you can hang it near the changing station or something. We just use a square basket for our diapers and wipes. And I ended up sewing my own curtains because I wanted more than just a valance.
The last thing that I haven't utilized much is the tub (sorry Kristin). I think we used it for the first month and then promoted Faith to the bathtub. I will say, however, that the bath craddle and turtle sponge that came with the tub I still use and even take with me on overnight trips to bathe Faith. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12383593&fromRegistryNumber=48110030&product_skn=449712
(there's the pic of the standalone bath craddle - don't know how you're supposed to give a baby a bath without one. They're slippery little suckers when they're wet)
The other thing I have quite a few of but never use is the baby bath towels. Everyone and their brother bought them for me so they must know some secret that I'm still waiting to be clued in on.
And Kristin - Colace didn't work but a prune or two (or three) and you're golden.
~Christy~
OK, I want my money back. You don't use the tub? I used mine the whole first year with Diana. Won't use as much with Clark because I foresee joint baths down the road with big sister.
DeleteI have something similar to this one; http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3553504&gcsct=0ChMI4ISp4PnvtAIVgpbnCh1BPQAAEAE
Around the 6-8 month mark, I take the mesh hammock out and bathe them in the tub still. Saves water and keeps them contained, i.e kid can'tfall over and risk hitting the side of the tub or slipping. You can definitely have too many towels. I use the baby towels towels until kid can walk, then they get a real towel... maybe. How are you drying Faith... big towels? Please tell me you aren't sticking her under the hand dryers or under a fan. I don't think they are needed but definitely a reasonably priced gift... which is why you get so many.
Interesting enough CC, that sling you gave me... Clark doesn't fit in while I have it on. So apparently I am bigger than an XL too. I think something is just wrong. I noticed in my Parents magazine that brand is giving that sling away to a limited number of people if you sign up on their website. (in fact the black one is pictured) Now we know why! Yes three cups of prune juice and I was back in business so they say. But it was a little scary that last day in the hospital. I think I'm alone on this, but I think those little gloves the babies wear so they don't scratch themselves are useless. I've been cutting cat claws for years so I feel well trained. My kids always put their hands in their mouths and then the 'gloves' get wet and then they are cold. So I just clip and leave the gloves elsewhere.
This isn't "gear", but something that was a MUST for our babies...Mylocin drops. Anyone else use them/find them useful? It has been so long, perhaps they are banned now for all I know! Saved us from many late nights of crying (us and the kids!).
ReplyDeleteJulie G.
Ooops...posted in the wrong section!!!! Sorry!
DeleteJulie G.
The anti gas drops? yes a must! My first was given the drops like candy, my second is getting biogaia for his tummy issues.
DeleteThere are so many things but four years out already leaves my mind asking...hmmmm....how could it go so fast and memory loss already set in. I DO know that my favorites always was someone else's least favorite and you will buy anything and everything you said you would never buy...to just you know give it a try. If it buys 30 minutes of sleep, happiness, or time for you to do something like take a shower, then it was worth the money. And will be worthless the following month when they sneakily move on to bigger and better things. Also, love the commentary on the Colace. Just forget that.
ReplyDeleteThings I hated - Lanolin or any other nipple cream, just let some breastmilk dry on the nipple (sorry TMI) and that takes care of it. (Think chapstick making your lips more chapped?); diaper genies, wipe warmers, diaper stackers...come on the wiggly beasts don't allow for that kind of organization and you will find strategies that save you trips and time, baby shoes until they are walking, agree with Kristin on the gloves, CUT THE KIDS FINGERNAILS.
I have lost the rest permanently from my brain.
Jessi
I had two genies, one for each floor, in hindsight a small metal can may have been better but it wasn't tettible. As diapers change, stink will creep out no matter what. Agree to lanolin-kids don't want to eat that. If it does get really bad I suggest a nipple shield.
DeleteAdding my two cents. My coworker gave me one of those small bag holders and the replacement bags to go in them (can't find the link now for the small holder but here's what the bags look like - http://www.target.com/p/arm-hammer-bag-refills-72-pack/-/A-14232143#prodSlot=large_1_16) At first I was scratching my head wondering why in the heck anyone would use these but I have to admit that instead of a diaper genie I use these bags, fold it over when I have a diaper or two in there and then when it's fullish I tie it up and throw it out and repeat. It takes up a lot less room. As it turns out this was easier than listening to my husband whine about the fact that either me or the baby have pissed in every corner of the house with our stuff! I just kept reminding him that it could be worse, we could have a diaper pail in every room. :)
Delete~Christy~
Can you just use grocery store bags? That is what I do when I travel and that is my fav option.
DeleteI took a poll of a few friends. It basically came down to what Julie G said - depends on the person. One person would say the wipe warmer was unnecessary, another loved it. One person said silver spoons/cups, others liked them (just as keepsakes- not to use). Another agreed on the shoes... one said homemade knitted blankets are pretty and of course super thoughtful, but the soft cloth ones were easier to care for (wash, etc.) and seemed softer for the baby.
ReplyDelete-ker
I got 7 quilted, knitted, crocheted blakets-not couting homemade receiving blankets!
DeleteEven though you will get many homemade receiving blankets and many are too pretty to use, save for your children so you can carry on the love that was put into many of them for your child and they then can carry on to their children. Some items work for one child and then don't work for the next one. That's the interesting part of being a parent and why all the baby books might not have suggestions of what you are going thru with your child. Each child is God's creation and that is why they are very special.
ReplyDeleteAnon-who are you?
DeleteBibs - how many do you need? A couple plastic ones for when the kid starts solids.
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