Friday, September 26, 2008
Attention Moms - want your input!
Ok, so as I progress in this whole pregnancy thing, I am realizing there is SO MUCH STUFF out there for a baby that been in the world for like, 30 days. It's amazing. I am slightly overwhelmed by all the possibilities. So...as I start to put together the registry, here is the question: what shwag has been the best investment for you for the first year? I mean, there are bottle warmers, wipe warmers, swings, bouncers, jumpers, mobiles, you name it, they have made it. What actually worked for you? What did you think was not worth the time? I'd love to have your thoughts as I am so...brand new to all of this!
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Okay, I'll go first: My youngest is still under 2 (until next month) so I have a somewhat fresh perspective.
I have never used the warmers. They might be fantastic, I just never had them, and never felt I was missing anything. But I DID love the Baby Bjorn baby front or back carrier. It's the only brand that you should go with for that, in my opinion. I also recommend using the Pack 'n' play playpen/bassinet combo...instead of spending a bunch on a bassinet that you will use for 2 seconds...our babies slept in the bassinet part for, I don't remember, like 2 months? And if you take out the top bassinet part, the pack 'n' play can serve as a portable crib if you ever go anywhere with the baby, so you can use it long term. We just used ours last week. We also like the Diaper Champ better than the Diaper Genie, because you can use any bag with it, and it's much, much simpler...the genie requires it's own special bagsa and can be complicated. I also used some sort of recieving blanket or "hooter hider" for public nursing...the hider is awesome, but the blanket works, too.
I also recommend some sort of vibrating bouncy seat that has the row of toys that you can put in front of the baby so that you have somewhere to put him or her when you need to get stuff done, and the baby will stay entertained. I recommend the one that fastens NOT with velcro, because the baby figures out how to pull the velcro off sooner than you'd like, and that can be dangerous. I also recommend a baby swing, preferably one that swings either front to back or side to side; some babies don't like the front to back motion, but will love the side to side motion. When the baby gets to be a little older, they tend to like the exersaucers, too, and the doorway jumpy things...and you will also probably want a high chair. Oh, and I recommend getting the baby carseat that also functions as a baby carrier and has a matching stroller that you can just click the baby carrier right into...this will be very useful in the early months, because if they baby is sleeping, and you don't want to wake him/her up by unstrapping him from the carseat and then having to readjust him/her in the stroller.
I'm sorry this is so long, but these are some things I was really grateful for. Hope it's helpful!
Michelle left some great advice. I thought I'd give a little input as well. Whatever stroller you go with, try to make sure that it is lightweight and easy enough for you to manipulate while holding a baby in one arm and folding and putting the stroller in your car with the other arm. We had registered for a lightweight one and then my in-laws found a good deal on a really fancy Eddie Bauer one that was so heavy we rarely ever used it (I'd had a c-section too so I wasn't supposed to be lifting heavy things for awhile). It's still sitting at my in-laws. We ended up buying a $19 one that works great! You definitely need a diaper changing pad. Swaddle blankets are really helpful for calming the baby and helping them sleep. I didn't think we'd need a baby monitor since we live in such a small place, but get one anyway because it's so much easier to relax when you know for sure that you'll hear your baby. If you plan to breastfeed, you'll need a breast pump. Try to go for an expensive Medela one... your nipples will thank you. However, since this is your first and you may not know how well breastfeeding will go, you may want to rent a unit from the hospital for the first month or so before buying to make sure you'll use it first. If you register for clothes, go for comfort and easy on/off items over cute stuff. My son HATES tags and jeans and anything constrictive, so tagless items are really nice. Button down items are easier than pull over the head items, etc. A sunscreen cover for your stroller and car seat are really nice, too because babies hate the sun in their eyes! Here is a great website for those items and so many other nifty inventions: www.onestepahead.com. You may even be able to create a registry on it, I'm not sure. Oh, two other items that were life savers for me: 1.) scented bags for when your baby shits all over himself while you're out and about and you need something to put the clothes into. 2.) Security blankies - at Target they sell mini blankets that are supposed to be SIDS safe and they are comforting for the baby. It's usually around 4-6 months old that a baby will start to develop a comfort item. A blankie is so much nicer than a binky after they're a few months old because you won't have to get up every time the binky falls out of the baby's mouth. Hope all of this helps!
These 5 things were absolutely critical to my mothering existence in the first year.
1)The baby bjorn or whatever you use to strap a baby to your body. Those are indispensable!
2) An "umbrella" stroller, that folds up teeny-weeny.
3) The kind of infant car seat that has the carrier that clicks in and out of the base.
4) Koala Baby Luxe Blanket. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2415414
I call them "crack blankets."
5. Hooter Hider http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-6871429-6372613?ASIN=B000W9LWZ6&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000W9LWZ6|Hooter_Hiders_Nursing_Cover_Montalvo&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000W9LWZ6&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001
You can make your own if you're crafty like that. It's a simple idea that saves your dignity.
And yes, Tiny Tots Diaper Service will deliver to Aptos. The how to fold diaper video is on their website, but I'd be happy to give a lesson. :)
Also, if you are doing cloth diapers, especially diaper service diapers, Mother-Ease diaper covers are worth every cent. Seriously, I am a complete cheapskate and tried a bunch of other ones before Mother-Ease. https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=2&cat=Covers
We like the Maclaren umbrella strollers b/c they're small and light weight and you can sling em over your shoulder if you need to. Also, they're taller so you don't need to stoop down to push the wee one. I have a lot of recommendations, but I will say first and foremost to keep in mind what our ultrasound tech told us when we first saw Gracie. "As new parents you are the most vulnerable consumer group in the US. Everyone is telling you that you need their thing in order to be a 'good parent', and since you don't have the experience, you'll buy it, so that you can be a 'good parent'." And then she went on to say one of our oft-repeated quotes, "All you really need is A BOX and a TOWEL and a BOOB and a DIAPER!" We laughed. But it was just about true....And I don't want to tell you about my favorite baby product, b/c I want to get it for you!!!
i would say Ergo baby carrier. better than Bjorn, but that's my humble opinion. forget the diaper genie/champs. those are stinky potholes. just put them outside in the garbage and get some exercise and fresh air. i would definitely wait on any huge purchases until you need them. like breast pumps. bottles...you just never know. hey, i'd rather tell you all this in person anyhow, so i will find you soon. hugs & love, ali ps. it will all come naturally! you are amazing babe!
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