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Baby items that are must haves and ones that are not so much
My best friend is having her shower in January and trying to find items for her regestry. What items are must have and what not so much?
Umm something silly if she plans to breast feed? Findout if she is going to use a pump too and a gift certificate to a store that cells bras compatible with her pump when she goes back to work or just pumps in general can make her life lots easier.
Pack and Play!! A good one has an area for really young kids and can be used much longer than a bassinet.
The Plastic indoor outdooer fences that fold up are really good as they get older too as you then have a large play area while you clean house.
The Plastic indoor outdooer fences that fold up are really good as they get older too as you then have a large play area while you clean house.
One other thing, about the changing table or pad, I liked the concaved one when she started to roll on her sides I wasn't worried she would roll off if I had my hands on a diaper or wipes or something like that.
The only reason we used our playpen was for overnight visits to where a crib wasn't available. We never used it to "play". If they won't need it for sleep purposes when away from home...Joy is probaby right and they won't need it. :)
Yeah, don't get her a play pen. She'll have a bouncer and/or swing and a crib and other places to lay baby. The ONLY reason I'd suggest a play pen is if they have multiple levels in their home or large dogs. But if the place is one story and small, skip it. It'll save them room and save you money!
I know that she doesn't travel much and the only place she will be going is to her moms and her husbands parents and they will have a crib there for the baby so is a play pen a waste at that point?
I'd totally pick bassinet over playpen!!! I still have mine from when I was pregnant with my first daughter.
Some people made some other great suggestions that I had forgotten about. Changing table is a MUST-HAVE. I use mine still, with my almost-2-year-old. And using cloth diapers as burp cloths are the BEST.
Some people made some other great suggestions that I had forgotten about. Changing table is a MUST-HAVE. I use mine still, with my almost-2-year-old. And using cloth diapers as burp cloths are the BEST.
I haven't had my baby yet ... but I know some of my "must-haves" are:
Clothes (duh! lol)
Diapers and Wipes (another duh!)
Pack n Play (we're not getting a crib yet, so I wanted this with the bassinet to use in our room)
Car Seat (gotta get that kid home!)
Bouncy Seat (great to have if you wanna take a shower but are paranoid about leaving the baby in their crib/bassinet ... just plop 'em in the seat and set 'em on the floor of the bathroom!)
Burp Cloths (like cminameyer said, great for feedings and cleaning up messes! Just buy the cloth diapers and use 'em for burp cloths!)
Otherwise, I'm not sure yet!
A great place to find cheaper, but more often than not used, items is Craigslist or Freecycle (on Yahoo) or garage sales ... you may not find the *exact* items off her registry ... but you'll save lots of money! Just make sure the items are in good, working condition and that you give 'em an extra scrub down! =D
Clothes (duh! lol)
Diapers and Wipes (another duh!)
Pack n Play (we're not getting a crib yet, so I wanted this with the bassinet to use in our room)
Car Seat (gotta get that kid home!)
Bouncy Seat (great to have if you wanna take a shower but are paranoid about leaving the baby in their crib/bassinet ... just plop 'em in the seat and set 'em on the floor of the bathroom!)
Burp Cloths (like cminameyer said, great for feedings and cleaning up messes! Just buy the cloth diapers and use 'em for burp cloths!)
Otherwise, I'm not sure yet!
A great place to find cheaper, but more often than not used, items is Craigslist or Freecycle (on Yahoo) or garage sales ... you may not find the *exact* items off her registry ... but you'll save lots of money! Just make sure the items are in good, working condition and that you give 'em an extra scrub down! =D
You definitely get more use out of a pack and play. You can only use the bassinet for a few weeks but a pack and play can fit them for several months (or years like my daughter!) So if the cost difference isn't an issue then I would recommend spending the extra on the pack and play.
Which is better to have a bassinet or a "pack n' play"? She looked at just the little "portable" bassinet thing and it was only $40 and she saw some play pens but they are like $80 - $120. Is it worth the difference to get the "pack n' play"?
My favorite thing and an absolute must were burp rags...my great aunt got me some cloth diapers from Target that were for little girls and they were the best burp rags ever! Just the right size, soft, absorbant and cute! They make them for boys and girls or just the plain white ones were good.
For us a "pack n' play" was a must, we had our daughter in our room for the first 6 weeks and then took it with us on vacations, which we went on a lot. My daughter could only use hers until she was about 1 1/2 though she got too tall for it...
I also liked sheet savers, they are these soft things you put ontop of the crib sheet where you put the babys head, when she was spit up it would absorbe it so she wouldn't get it all over her when she was asleep. They tie to the sides of the crib so they don't move and the baby won't get caught up in it.
For us a "pack n' play" was a must, we had our daughter in our room for the first 6 weeks and then took it with us on vacations, which we went on a lot. My daughter could only use hers until she was about 1 1/2 though she got too tall for it...
I also liked sheet savers, they are these soft things you put ontop of the crib sheet where you put the babys head, when she was spit up it would absorbe it so she wouldn't get it all over her when she was asleep. They tie to the sides of the crib so they don't move and the baby won't get caught up in it.
I never used a pack and play except when I go on vacation to my parents and that is where it stays. As for security toys I would wait until the baby picks something. I have lots of designer blankets and toys that I wanted Aspen to get attached to and instead she picked the ugliest blanket. No joke. My must needs were my changing table (it is my life saver), bottles, burp rags, swaddle blankets (didnt have ANY because I didn't think they were important TG my sister brought some while I was in labor), some kind of music maker for the crib or bassinet, pacifiers (never know if they will take one but they were great for me), bath time set, bouncer, possibly a swing. Thats all I can think of right now.
My boppy is great! My son is 5 almost 6 months and I still use mine! ( I also bottle fed so not really its purpose but my DH and I used it so our arms didnt fall off. Now its wonderful for those middle of the night feedings!)
My Play yard was a Necissity! My son was in my room until he was 3 months and we used it as well as the changing table a ton! We still use it but just when we are getting ready. When he starts crawling I will use it a ton! ( Hes soooo close )
A MUST HAVE for me was the first year calander! I have a baby book and the calander. It has stickers for every first moment and its perfect. I can put the sticker on the calander when it happens then go back when I have the time and update the baby book! Babies r Us has the cutiest ones! My DH and I purchased ours and dont regret it!..
Hope that helps!
My Play yard was a Necissity! My son was in my room until he was 3 months and we used it as well as the changing table a ton! We still use it but just when we are getting ready. When he starts crawling I will use it a ton! ( Hes soooo close )
A MUST HAVE for me was the first year calander! I have a baby book and the calander. It has stickers for every first moment and its perfect. I can put the sticker on the calander when it happens then go back when I have the time and update the baby book! Babies r Us has the cutiest ones! My DH and I purchased ours and dont regret it!..
Hope that helps!
Playpens? Nah!!! Ours sits in a closet. We rarely used it. Boppy was my must-have item. I had that thing with me everywhere I went.
Do you mean like a "pack n play?" I think it is a MUST HAVE!!! It traveled with us for all overnight stays! My daughter actually slept in it until she was 2.5 years old!
Umm, what else...I highly recommend a video monitor. Yes, it's a 'luxury item'...but VERY nice to have! Not only could I keep an eye on my "baby"...but now that I have a toddler in a big girl bed I can keep an eye on her in her room!
If your friend is registering for any special blankies or lovies or security items for the baby, make sure to tell her to buy TWO of the SAME kind! If your child takes an attachment to it, you'll want to have an extra in case one is lost, dirty, etc...
Little things...I liked the "single serve" formula containers for the diaper bag. It was convenient to be able to scoop the right amount and have it handy to make a bottle anywhere. I also liked the portable freezer bags...like a small lunch sack with the ice packs inside. That way you can keep a bottle cold longer if you're out or unused jars of baby food etc...
Gosh, I could probably ramble on forever...it's hard to decide what's good to have because they make EVERYTHING under the sun for babies nowadays! :)
Umm, what else...I highly recommend a video monitor. Yes, it's a 'luxury item'...but VERY nice to have! Not only could I keep an eye on my "baby"...but now that I have a toddler in a big girl bed I can keep an eye on her in her room!
If your friend is registering for any special blankies or lovies or security items for the baby, make sure to tell her to buy TWO of the SAME kind! If your child takes an attachment to it, you'll want to have an extra in case one is lost, dirty, etc...
Little things...I liked the "single serve" formula containers for the diaper bag. It was convenient to be able to scoop the right amount and have it handy to make a bottle anywhere. I also liked the portable freezer bags...like a small lunch sack with the ice packs inside. That way you can keep a bottle cold longer if you're out or unused jars of baby food etc...
Gosh, I could probably ramble on forever...it's hard to decide what's good to have because they make EVERYTHING under the sun for babies nowadays! :)
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