Yep, I am actually going to go so far as to ask for your advice and opinions. Normally, I don’t go asking for such things, people just tend to offer them so willingly, why would you need to ask? But I want all of your opinions. God knows you have ’em!
Here is the deal: Simeon and I need to actually start doing some things to prepare for our daughter. On our list of things is to create our registry. Simple enough, right? Well, that is where you would be wrong. Have you been into Babies R Us lately? Totally and completely overwhelming. Not only are there a million and one things in there they claim you “need” to have, but there are also five or so kinds/types of each thing. So what I want to know is 1) the most valuable thing(s) you have for taking care of your baby (what made things so much easier for you?) and 2) the thing that was completely useless (Now if you simply never used it, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. I want actual experience. Like you tried it but it just made things worse.) Any help you provide will be greatly appreciated….that is unless you all contradict each other. Then I will really be screwed!
Yes, Yes, and Yes. My boob was by far the most important baby device. Never had to worry about bottle warmers or any of that. 😉 and hopefully you’ll be one of those gals that breastfeeding is a breeze for!
As for purchased items, I absolutely agree with Jen, I HATE my diaper genie. Get the one, I think it’s called a diaper Champ, that has a top piece that has a hole in it, and you sort of rotate the whole handle over…kind of hard to explain, but Chloe has that one and I love it. also, Lindsay can use it and loves helping me throw away the diapers when we’re over there, and hey, the more you can entertain the second kid when you have one, the better. 😉
Let’s see, I did get good use out of my boppy pillow, but while i was breasfeeding emery, used a different kind while out and about, I think it might have been called My Breast Friend…it was more flat and boxy shaped, but seemed to work way better for me, and I’ve heard people like them better in general.
Yes, the bouncy seat and/or swing are awesome. the portable/tablee swings they have now rock, like the portable aquarium swing. We used that at several playgroups and both Emery and Lindsay always loved it!
Really spend a bit looking at and trying on some diaper bags for comfort and inspect them for durability, because I’ve probably been through like 5 diaper bags so far, and finally have one i like, but even it is starting to fall apart! You’ll be taking this everywhere for a while though, so you’ll want to find one you really can live with.
Hmmmm, our pack and play has come in so handy, both with having a portable crib on different floors of your house, and for the travelling/napping at other people’s house thing.
What else….my god there’s so much to tell you. I’m just going to have to come over, or go to the store with you like chelle did. Heck, Jennifer and I can both go with you together, so you get soome good, possibly varied opinions on the spot! 😉
Ok, I have been paying attnetion to what I have used with Brandon today and I need to change a comment. We TRIED to do the whole baby thing minimalist. Our house is covered with baby stuff in all rooms.
The wipe warmer (thanks guys!) is awesome! He doesn’t wake up during a sleepy diaper change.
The swing, oh lord, the swing is awesome! It puts him to sleep when he doesn’t realize he is tired but is throwing a fit!
We TRIPLE love the chicco stroller/travel system (the colors would work for a boy or girl if you plan on having another bambino).
However, when all else fails my boob can:
feed him
soothe him
put him to sleep
quiet him
pacify him
hello my dear! i am actually baby sitting for a 2.5 month old right now so let me tell you….i have taken care of babies when i was younger and boy have things changed! i agree with the diaper genie comment-i think it is silliness. my favorite new gadget is a bottle warmer. i will have to check on the brand but the one that my friend has keeps 2 bottles cold and then has little containers to hold the water you need to heat the bottles. so much easier then heating the water in the microwave and then putting the bottle in and then having to have to wait for it to heat up. 🙂
Oh, I forgot to tell you that the first time we walked into Babies R Us I stopped once we got thru the door, turned around, and we we walked right back out. It was about another month before I ventured back into that store.
Another time I cried, yes folks, cried when staring at the massive, warehouse style wall of bottles and nipples. Ironically my son refuses to take a bottle. You can’t deny a connection! Call me if you want more advice!
1) MOST USEFUL – my boob
Ok, the most useful thing we purchased was one of the sling-shot bouncy chairs. It was only $20.00 and we use it ALL THE TIME! He loves the toys that are on there. He sits in the chair on the counter while I cook, on the table while we eat and in the bathroom while I shower. It is AWESOME!
The Baby Bijorn is also GREAT! We use that for walks and the mall and when he is overstimulated.
2) LEAST USEFUL – (we did the baby thing very minimalist) however, the diaper genie is a total WASTE! The refills are expensive, BF babies poopies don’t stink, and I am capable to dump his bedroom garbage every evening.
Also, we have an overabundance of clothes for a summer baby – but it might be different for a winter baby – B is naked often!
I could give more advice! 🙂
I know exactly what you mean. I have scoured those online reviews like nobody’s business. And they can be very helpful, but sometimes conflicting, so you never know.
As for having someone go with me, my friend Chelle was a great help and walked me through the store on a "pre-registry" mission. But being totally anal about this sort of thing, I wanted other opinions as well. Since we all know each child is different, we have to keep in mind that so are the parents. So what works for one, may not work for another. I just wanted a good sampling to work with! But thanks for the words of advice!
Hi darling. Of course I have no personal experience with what works/what doesn’t, other than what my sister-in-law has told me. But, living a bazillion miles from the city, we were forced to register online. When you register at Target online (probably same with Babies R Us), you can view the "most ordered" items by other parents, and read reviews of each item to see what other consumers think.
If you’d rather go in person, why not enlist the help of a friend who’s done this before (like Heather)? When my sister-in-law was expecting she went registering with a friend who advised her, "this is good, this is a waste of money," etc.
In my experience babysitting both my nephews from infancy on, the items worth their weight in gold were the "Baby Einstein" DVDs. Now, if you’re an adult and watch these, you’ll be thinking two things: 1. How could anyone possibly find this interesting? and 2. Why didn’t I think of this? Anyway, popping in one of these little gems was THE ONLY way I could get my very active and fussy nephew Jordan to sleep. After he watched for five minutes, he was out like a light. Same with his brother.
I’m sure you’ll be having a shower soon, so here’s another piece of advice she gave me: if you’re having a girl (like your little Ana), people will buy you clothes…if you’re having a boy, people will buy you "gear." Perhaps you can register accordingly.
Although, if it ends up that I’m having a boy, I’m gonna have to buy you something adorable, pink, and frilly…somebody’s gotta have it! Sorry.