Thursday, June 18, 2009

All This Baby Stuff is Confusing... And Expensive...

Okay everyone. I know you ALL have experience with babies, either your own or someone you know. (Unless Aaron is reading this, he is the only person I know with ZERO or a negative number baby experience.)

SO, in the midst of gathering/registering/stocking up I have come to realize there is a TON of stuff out there. Most of which I am HOPING is useless or unnecessary. This is where I need your help! What are the BEST things you purchased that you could not have survived baby without? What was absolutely a ripoff or not needed or crap? Include BRANDS! Would you please leave me a comment listing some of your favorites? (Or for the babyless - what you have HEARD are people’s favorites!)

What do I absolutely NEED before Baby B’s arrival? (The books’ lists are pages long, and you can’t possibly need ALL that stuff, right? They must secretly be receiving kickbacks from Babies R Us…)
HELP!

11 comments:

Mychelle and Sam said...

Where to even start. :) A swing was a must at our house both my girls loved it. It's a fisher price swing that can either swing back and forth and or front to back. We also really liked the Bumbo. Of course it's for when the baby is a few months old, but we got one for our second baby and that way she could be up on the counter watching what was going on. The baby night gowns were a pain in the butt for me, I prefered the jammies with feet. I can't think of anything else at the moment but I am sure there is lots. anything specific that you are trying to decide if you should get or not?

Alexis Treese said...

Cannot live without the side to side swing, the boppy- but only the first month, swaddle blankets, Gap has the best, super heavy pads- ugh, and a glider.

Price Blog said...

Love my diaper genie - love baby einstein - love the bumbo with tray - love love love the cotton thermal blankets to swaddle - love bordeaux butt paste - love small bouncer (K wasn't into his swing really) - love little mittens

Kristin said...

Both my boys loved the vibrating bouncing chair and the sleep sack is wonderful! Carter socks for babies are the best because they can't be easily kicked off and when the baby gets a little bit older the bumbo chair is great! I am so excited for you and your new family! Can't wait to meet baby B!!!

colliganclan said...

Bourdeax Butt Paste is the best diaper cream on the market! I HATED my diaper genie or any other diaper pail for that matter. They stink, no matter how "scented" they claim to be. Take the poops to the garage and toss!! Jordyn would not have slept the first 6 months without her swing, but Ireland didn't like it. Mostly, things are trial and error. You don't really NEED anything. If you are going to breast feed a boppy makes things more comfortable, but so does a pillow! You also don't need special towels or wash cloths, they are super cute, but come on! A binky clip was huge for us, but only if Baby B is going to have a binky. You will use lots of bibs, diapers, wipes, formula or breast pump(depending on how you are feeding her), high chair(our fav is the kind that hooked to the kitchen chair), our portable crib was a great investment, bottles, and anything that makes noise. I do agree that the swing that moves side to side or back and forth is your best bet. If you get the swing than you don't need a bouncy seat and vice versa, they usually like one or the other! I should know I am the expert! lol, but my kids plus the thousands of daycare kids I've had has helped me form these opinions!!! Oh, and by the way..an extra carseat has been HUGE, because even though moving your carseat from one vehicle to another doesn't sound like a big deal it becomes one. You want a good stroller too, yes they are ridiculously expensive, but you will use it for years and for all your kids!:)We also bought a Snugli at consignment and Ireland lived in it!!!! So, that's pretty much all I can give ya! Don't forget breast pads for yourself!!!!!heeheheheheheh

WHIT said...

I hear just not having babies is cool

Deek said...

Whitney may be right.

All she needs is a curious george stuffed animal and she'll be just fine.

Maybe a little skate deck too.

The Englanders said...

Ok, I don't have a baby yet...but my friends have told me all about strollers. She said the Phil and Teds stroller is the best! Costco actually sells it now online for $300. Anywhere else it's $500. The stroller looks amazing, because, you can get an attachment that will hold the car seat in the stroller for when they are baby babies. There's 6 different car seats that fit into this stroller. It's a compact stroller, and it's also a jogger too. And when you have baby numero 2, there is an attachment that goes behind the stroller for the baby. So it's like all 4 in 1! It sound amazing. I think Im leaning towards this one.

JJH said...

Whitney's comment is divine wisdom! but then again that vibrating bouncing chair sounds interesting...

colliganclan said...

Hey, we just got word that we will be in Colorado for a few more weeks! So, I'm not 100% sure if I will be back for your shower, but send us an invite at our Colorado address please! Also, we sent you a package last week! Jordyn addressed the box so I'm not sure if it's going to make it! Let me know when you get it otherwise I will have to investigate where it went!!! I'll keep you posted on whats going on around here and you do the same!!!!

Ray said...

I can tell you what worked best for my babes, but they are all so different. My daughter loved our bouncy seat, my son hates it. My son loves the jumper-oo thinga majig, my daughter hates it. Haha. Just be sure to have lots of little blankets, and onesies. I LOVE the Bumbo, and the Boppy. Even if you don't nurse, you can lay the boppy on your bed, and they fit so snuggly and comfy in it. Don't over buy, yet. Just get the necessities, and add things later. I can't tell you how many things I used just once. And, like you said, baby stuff is expensive!

You're getting so close! I sure hope I can make it to your shower. I may or may not be out of town, but either way we'll meet up.