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Baby Gear Overload
Alright... I'm having baby gear overload. I need to start registering for my baby shower. This is my first child, and I'm not exactly sure what the MUST HAVE's are and the NICE TO HAVE's are. Like the crib, do I want a convertable crib or just buy a separate bed when the time comes is that a waste of money? What about having a mobile on the crib, does it really help put them to sleep that much? Same thing with the car seat, convertable car seat or get one for infants and then one for toddlers? Swing or bouncy seat, or neither? Stroller AND baby carrier or just the stroller? There are so many baby products out there and I just feel like that's too much stuff that you will only be using for a few short months, is it really worth the money and the hassle to get this stuff? Or is it not worth the risk of A) it not being useful or B) baby doesn't like it? I'm open to suggestions, I'm really trying to be price causious about this baby. Not that I CAN'T afford everything we need but I just don't like being wasteful. We are trying to save up for our first house after all! Oh that's another thing, we are in the military and I'm also concerned about shipping all of this stuff back home when the time comes and don't really want all that extra stuff to move across the country if it doesn't have to! Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
That you so much for your opinions! All of them have been very helpful! I am definitly more confident with what I want to get and what I don't want to get now! Thank you all so much again!
I agree, babywearing is amazing. I used a Moby wrap with my little one, now she is 17 pounds and makes the wrap sag so we use a mei tai carrier which is wonderul. The benefits are never ending of babywearing. I also believe in the 4th trimester theory. Our little one co-sleeps but we do use a crib for a safe place for rest. She loves her mobile and is mesmerized by it even now. It turns into a ceiling projector too! Something like a mobile or chimes over the changing table is very helpful. I suggest an umbrella stroller (lightweight easy) and a jogging stroller. I actually have the jeep liberty off roading stroller love it! For the crib if you don't want one to ship back than get one that doesn't convert? My girl liked the swing and bouncer she LOVES her bouncer and exercauser. Boppy pillow for breastfeeding and nursing cover are very helpful and a medela breast pump. I also suggest the breathable blankets, they are great and safe. And Halo sleepsacks.
As for carseats. An infant seat is much safer for an infant than a convertable seat.
I hope that helps
As for carseats. An infant seat is much safer for an infant than a convertable seat.
I hope that helps
Having baby #4. What I've learned is each baby is different! I have had babies who loved the swing or bouncer and others that HATED it, for example. This is one thing that you will have to find out with your own which leads me to my first point...
The Carrier
Carrying your baby has so many health benefits it's insane there's such a huge stroller industry! It helps regulate your baby's circulatory system, they may cry less and be happier just to name a few. And putting on a carrier is so much easier than lugging around a huge stroller. Your baby has been comforted in your womb, near your heartbeat, for 9 months and then all of a sudden they're left in bouncers, swings or strollers far from reach. I strongly believe in the "fourth trimester" when baby needs to slowly transition to independence, not be thrust into it immediately after birth. You cannot spoil a baby! Wear them - SO MUCH EASIER when shopping! I use Moby Wrap.
I still like having a bouncer on each level of the house for baby to sit in safely (rather than on the floor where my older kids or pets could trample them), especially when I need to shower and they're awake and happy (I bring the bouncer into the bathroom and set them in it where I can easily see them and supervise them the entire time). As much as I love baby-wearing we can all get a little overstimulated and sometimes I need a break from having kids all over me all day so the bouncer is great.
The Crib
We never converted our convertible crib. But then again we've had all our babies so close in age that we just use the crib for the next baby. It's really up to you! And as Clysta does we also co-sleep. All of my babies have slept in bed with us except for one (she preferred not being held and was the happiest little baby in the whole world!). I still like having the crib as a safe "rest time" when I can't lay down with baby and for when they are ready to transition to their own room. But it's really up to you if you'll convert the crib to a bed later or not.
Crib Mobile:
I think having something over the changing table is better than having it over the crib! Keeps baby distracted when they're a bit older and really wiggly. I hang wind chimes over the changing table. Never used a mobile.
Car Seats:
I always have the infant seat AND a convertible seat. Again, it is a preference. I don't think the convertible seats recline good enough for newborns but there may be models out there I've never seen before. REALLY do your research on the seats!
Nursing Cover:
You didn't ask about this but I really love mine from Bebe Au Lait. There's a company out there that gives out free ones if you just pay shipping and those ones are okay. They're really thin and short. My Bebe Au Lait is a thicker fabric (but still very breathable and airy) and is a couple inches longer which makes all the difference. Not sure if you're breastfeeding and if you even care about covering up if you are. Just thought I'd throw that out there!
The Carrier
Carrying your baby has so many health benefits it's insane there's such a huge stroller industry! It helps regulate your baby's circulatory system, they may cry less and be happier just to name a few. And putting on a carrier is so much easier than lugging around a huge stroller. Your baby has been comforted in your womb, near your heartbeat, for 9 months and then all of a sudden they're left in bouncers, swings or strollers far from reach. I strongly believe in the "fourth trimester" when baby needs to slowly transition to independence, not be thrust into it immediately after birth. You cannot spoil a baby! Wear them - SO MUCH EASIER when shopping! I use Moby Wrap.
I still like having a bouncer on each level of the house for baby to sit in safely (rather than on the floor where my older kids or pets could trample them), especially when I need to shower and they're awake and happy (I bring the bouncer into the bathroom and set them in it where I can easily see them and supervise them the entire time). As much as I love baby-wearing we can all get a little overstimulated and sometimes I need a break from having kids all over me all day so the bouncer is great.
The Crib
We never converted our convertible crib. But then again we've had all our babies so close in age that we just use the crib for the next baby. It's really up to you! And as Clysta does we also co-sleep. All of my babies have slept in bed with us except for one (she preferred not being held and was the happiest little baby in the whole world!). I still like having the crib as a safe "rest time" when I can't lay down with baby and for when they are ready to transition to their own room. But it's really up to you if you'll convert the crib to a bed later or not.
Crib Mobile:
I think having something over the changing table is better than having it over the crib! Keeps baby distracted when they're a bit older and really wiggly. I hang wind chimes over the changing table. Never used a mobile.
Car Seats:
I always have the infant seat AND a convertible seat. Again, it is a preference. I don't think the convertible seats recline good enough for newborns but there may be models out there I've never seen before. REALLY do your research on the seats!
Nursing Cover:
You didn't ask about this but I really love mine from Bebe Au Lait. There's a company out there that gives out free ones if you just pay shipping and those ones are okay. They're really thin and short. My Bebe Au Lait is a thicker fabric (but still very breathable and airy) and is a couple inches longer which makes all the difference. Not sure if you're breastfeeding and if you even care about covering up if you are. Just thought I'd throw that out there!
I'm pregnant with my third now so I can give you my opinion too.
The only two items you don't want to skimp on are the carseat and crib. We lucked out and had grandparents buy both of those for us, but I did register for mid to higher end styles on both for safety reasons. My crib converts into a toddler bed, but it's taken so much abuse at this point that I will probably just pick up a toddler bed when we need it.
When it comes to car seats I love the baby carriers that you can snap in and out of the car because it's super easy to move baby around without waking them up. However this also means around 1 year old if not sooner you'll have to get a bigger car seat.
I don't suggest getting the stroller carseat combo because the strollers are big and bulky. I love jogger strollers! Even if you, like me will never jog behind the stroller it's easier to get around with and you can take it on bumpy roads or trails. Also easier to push.
I think a must have is the bouncy seat. I used it with both my kids from about a week old to around 6 months old. You don't need a highchair for months so I don't suggest getting it before the baby is born.
Some of my other LOVE IT items were the boppy pillow for nursing and bottle feeding, a sleepy wrap baby sling (similar to the moby), our glider chair for nursing and the infant activity mat for belly time. Those are the essentials.
When it comes to sleeping we used a baby bed with a drop down side that attaches to my mattress for the first 8 weeks. That way baby is at arms reach, but not co-sleeping right next to you and in your same linnens. I felt like it was a safer option for us and made the transition to a crib at 8 weeks really easy. With my son I co-slept in the same bed and honestly he didn't fully transition until around 4 years old.
Oh I didn't mention the swing on my love it list because my son hated the swing while my daughter loved it. If after baby is born you think they might like the rocking motion of the swing you can always pick one up from a garage sale or second hand shop. I paid $25 this time around for one.
Good luck!
The only two items you don't want to skimp on are the carseat and crib. We lucked out and had grandparents buy both of those for us, but I did register for mid to higher end styles on both for safety reasons. My crib converts into a toddler bed, but it's taken so much abuse at this point that I will probably just pick up a toddler bed when we need it.
When it comes to car seats I love the baby carriers that you can snap in and out of the car because it's super easy to move baby around without waking them up. However this also means around 1 year old if not sooner you'll have to get a bigger car seat.
I don't suggest getting the stroller carseat combo because the strollers are big and bulky. I love jogger strollers! Even if you, like me will never jog behind the stroller it's easier to get around with and you can take it on bumpy roads or trails. Also easier to push.
I think a must have is the bouncy seat. I used it with both my kids from about a week old to around 6 months old. You don't need a highchair for months so I don't suggest getting it before the baby is born.
Some of my other LOVE IT items were the boppy pillow for nursing and bottle feeding, a sleepy wrap baby sling (similar to the moby), our glider chair for nursing and the infant activity mat for belly time. Those are the essentials.
When it comes to sleeping we used a baby bed with a drop down side that attaches to my mattress for the first 8 weeks. That way baby is at arms reach, but not co-sleeping right next to you and in your same linnens. I felt like it was a safer option for us and made the transition to a crib at 8 weeks really easy. With my son I co-slept in the same bed and honestly he didn't fully transition until around 4 years old.
Oh I didn't mention the swing on my love it list because my son hated the swing while my daughter loved it. If after baby is born you think they might like the rocking motion of the swing you can always pick one up from a garage sale or second hand shop. I paid $25 this time around for one.
Good luck!
Well I can tell you the things I have and what I've used. I was given a convertible crib that changes into a toddler bed and single? bed. (I'm not 100% on the last thing it can be used as) I love it, because I can change it as she grows. However, you might not use it often in the first few months. It all depends. For example, my daughter has rarely used her crib and she's 10 months old--we co-sleep. We have a mobile on her crib (it matches her bedding) however it's just there to look pretty--and give her something to try and rip off the crib.
I have an infant car seat, but will be getting a convertible before too long. Some babies are tiny and can use them for much longer, other babies grow out quickly. My daughter will likely be in her car seat now till she's a year old. It's personal preference.
I have a swing and bouncy seat, and she used both maybe a handful of times. She's more interested in playing with us than being in them. You could wait and see how your baby responds and then buy one as needed. Some babies need to be in a swing to sleep, others hate them--my was the latter.
Baby carriers are nice for things like shopping, errands, etc. You don't have to pull out a stroller a million times and fool with it. Plus some babies love to be closer to mommy and are just overall happier. I have 3 strollers (2 large ones, 1 small) and 2 baby carriers and we use the small stroller and carriers more than anything else. I used her big stroller (it was car seat/stroller combo) more when she was smaller because she could sleep in it and we could just attach it and not move her.
Do you have any baby stores around you? Like I have a once upon a child (a few of em actually) near where I live, and it's convenient for buying used baby things for much, much lower than you would find anywhere else. That way you don't have to buy brand new and if baby doesn't like it you can resell it to them. You won't get your full amount back, but some is better than nothing.
I have an infant car seat, but will be getting a convertible before too long. Some babies are tiny and can use them for much longer, other babies grow out quickly. My daughter will likely be in her car seat now till she's a year old. It's personal preference.
I have a swing and bouncy seat, and she used both maybe a handful of times. She's more interested in playing with us than being in them. You could wait and see how your baby responds and then buy one as needed. Some babies need to be in a swing to sleep, others hate them--my was the latter.
Baby carriers are nice for things like shopping, errands, etc. You don't have to pull out a stroller a million times and fool with it. Plus some babies love to be closer to mommy and are just overall happier. I have 3 strollers (2 large ones, 1 small) and 2 baby carriers and we use the small stroller and carriers more than anything else. I used her big stroller (it was car seat/stroller combo) more when she was smaller because she could sleep in it and we could just attach it and not move her.
Do you have any baby stores around you? Like I have a once upon a child (a few of em actually) near where I live, and it's convenient for buying used baby things for much, much lower than you would find anywhere else. That way you don't have to buy brand new and if baby doesn't like it you can resell it to them. You won't get your full amount back, but some is better than nothing.
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