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Post by zuke on Feb 5, 2019 16:01:47 GMT
My daughter is only 11 weeks pregnant but started thinking of items she should put on a registry that will actually be used. None of her friends have kids yet so she and our SIL are clueless. They know the usual things like a stroller and crib. They live a a 2 bedroom apartment. They can't fit a changing table. Do you have and faves that you can tell me to share with her and even brands if you found some to be better than others. Thanks in advance.
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Post by workingclassdog on Feb 5, 2019 16:10:44 GMT
It's been years since I have had a baby.. and everyone is going to respond with 'you don't need this or that' then the next person is going to say 'I couldn't live without it' Just stuff I remembered.. we received tons of blankets.. some bought, some homemade... but yeah SOOO many blankets.... I LOVED my Diaper Genie when we lived in our first apartment/2 kids 14 months apart.. cause of the hassle of taking out the trash. Didn't really use it by our 3rd kid (we were in a house by then) as I threw in a grocery bag and tossed in the trash can. That was taken out regularly so no smelly diapers. I put on a diaper bag on the registry after searching for one. I didn't need some special high end bag.. wasn't a thing like it is now... but whatever the store had was good enough. There is so much more.. but those are what come to mind. Congrats!!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 5, 2019 16:20:17 GMT
We loved the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. Our kid spent a lot of time in that thing when she was too little to be on the floor (we had big dogs at the time). Also the Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster was so handy to keep in the car for the times when we needed a secure high chair when we were on the go.
The other big thing that we have really gotten our money out of probably ten times over was the Babee Tenda Feeding Table we bought instead of a high chair. I just Googled them and sadly they have recently closed their doors, but you might be able to find one used on Craigslist. We got it before DD was born and she still uses it as a small desk to this day (our kid is almost nine). We got our crib from them too. The company never had a single recall in 81 years, so I’m really sad they’re gone. Anyway, it has a removable seat thing in the middle that the kid can’t tip over or wiggle out of, and the table part basically surrounds the kid. Once the kid is too big for the seat part, you take that piece off and there’s a separate table insert that sits on top so it can be used as a portable table or desk. The legs are adjustable height so as the kid gets taller, the table can too. It wasn’t cheap, but it is the single most used baby thing we ever bought since our kid is still using it almost nine years later.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Feb 5, 2019 16:26:26 GMT
Apparently I liked to put my kid down alot because the first things that came to my mind were a bouncy seat and a boppy pillow The bouncy seat was great for in the bathroom when I wanted to shower, just sat him outside the shower door, in fact our last kid I had two....one for each floor of the house. The boppy was good for nursing and to prop him up next to me on the couch and stuff.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 16:03:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 16:31:53 GMT
Especially in an apartment where she can't control the noise level, a white noise machine will be very helpful.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,529
Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Feb 5, 2019 16:36:40 GMT
Infant sleeper gowns and side snap tshirts
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,750
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Feb 5, 2019 16:52:44 GMT
Test drive the strollers before she nails one down she wants. I mean, push that thing through THE ENTIRE STORE and all obstacles.
I'd also register for a car seat that grows with the child.
Boppy pillow (w/additional covers) was also my very favorite purchase and lasted me through 3 kids.
Good bottle drying rack too.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,229
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Feb 5, 2019 17:06:24 GMT
My DD has a one month old baby. She has an UPPAbaby infant car seat and an UPPAbaby stroller. Both are expensive, but worth every cent IMO. The car seat base installs in less than one minute. If the stroller develops a wonky wheel or any other problem, it can be repaired. UPPAbaby also has an excellent warranty if you buy from an authorized retailer. My older DD had an UPPAbaby stroller that was still under warranty. The covering on the handle tore. They sent her a brand new stroller.
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Post by padresfan619 on Feb 5, 2019 17:19:38 GMT
Boppy Pillow and the lounger or a dock a tot. Baby Shusher Sleep Miracle Soother Diapers and wipes A large drying rack for bottles (if she plans to use them) A diaper bag that is a neautral color with lots of pockets and compartments rather than a large bag with one or two pockets. Way easier to organize a bag with lots of pockets rather than stirring through a bag with one large pocket.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
Jun 17, 2016 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by ashley on Feb 5, 2019 17:27:42 GMT
After four kids, my most used baby items include: A Bumbo seat A bouncy sling type chair Jolly Jumper
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Post by zuke on Feb 5, 2019 20:03:46 GMT
WOW! Thank you all for such great suggestions. I've heard of a few of these items from my friends at work. Our daughters SIL has the uppa stroller and car seat. She loves it. Great to know about the warranty. Would Buy Buy Baby be a reputable dealer for the warranty to be valid?
My DD tried it out and loves it. She did put it on the registry hoping her group of friends would chip in together being that it's so expensive.
She put a diaper bag backpack ( she'll be using the subway a lot so this kind would make it easier), some kind of sound machine, I think a diaper genie, breast pump and some bottles. I don't think she's added anything else at this point. All of your suggestions will go to her. Thanks!!!
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Post by zuke on Feb 5, 2019 20:04:04 GMT
--- sorry for the double post. My cell isn't letting me delete it!
WOW! Thank you all for such great suggestions. I've heard of a few of these items from my friends at work. Our daughters SIL has the uppa stroller and car seat. She loves it. Great to know about the warranty. Would Buy Buy Baby be a reputable dealer for the warranty to be valid?
My DD tried it out and loves it. She did put it on the registry hoping her group of friends would chip in together being that it's so expensive.
She put a diaper bag backpack ( she'll be using the subway a lot so this kind would make it easier), some kind of sound machine, I think a diaper genie, breast pump and some bottles. I don't think she's added anything else at this point. All of your suggestions will go to her. Thanks!!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 16:03:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 21:32:50 GMT
If she intends to use pacifiers, the Wubbanub kind are awesome. They're the kind with the little stuffed animal attached. My DS2 came to us already hooked on them and I thought they were the dumbest things ever. But that little stuffed animal makes it so much easier for their little hands to hold, and easier to find in the dark of night when they've dropped it.
A Moby wrap for when baby is little and then some sort of structured carrier for when he/she is older.
A projection mobile is awesome. Those silly crank kind that match the nurseries are so worthless-they only run for 90 seconds before you have to wind them again. The projection ones are electric and remote control operated. They start out with traditional littler critters hanging on them and then when baby starts grabbing, the critters come off and it just projects designs on the ceiling. Kiddos love to watch the projection, and love playing with the buttons.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Feb 5, 2019 21:56:48 GMT
I'm out of touch on baby stuff, but make sure she puts items in a wide variety of price ranges. Little stuff - wipes, children's versions of medicines, etc - can be put together to make a gift, and multiple people can go in on a big gift. She might want to put some of her favorite childhood books on the registry.
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Post by mrssmith on Feb 6, 2019 4:11:21 GMT
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Post by ntsf on Feb 6, 2019 4:23:02 GMT
wash clothes (you can't have too many), diapers, and 18 month old onies.. and 18 and 24 month old clothing.. they grow out of the little stuff too fast. receiving blankets.
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Post by pierkiss on Feb 6, 2019 4:41:11 GMT
Receiving blankets. They are so handy! I used them to wrap our babies up during the day to help keep them calm. I use them to change diapers on (like in place of a standard change mat). We have never had a changing table. I just plop down wherever with the receiving blanket under them and change them. Then you can throw it in the wash. They’re great as burp cloths, because they are long. You can use them as a nursing cover. Later on when baby is a toddler and into playing with baby dolls, they can use the old receiving blankets as doll blankets. And then once they’ve completely outgrown them you can use them for dusting!
Diapers and wipes obviously.
2-4 crib sheets and mattress pads. Preferably the waterproof ones. Very handy for when the newborn has one of those explosive up the back poops at 3am.
Baby Bjorne or some kind of baby wearing wrap. Very convenient for when you need to get stuff done but you also have to do things with your hands.
And the item that was an absolute god send and saved my sanity with all 4 if my babies: a baby swing. Get one that plugs into the wall vs uses batteries because you will have to change them every month or two. It is the greatest invention ever!
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Post by snugglebutter on Feb 6, 2019 4:53:27 GMT
Frida Baby nail clippers. I got them for baby #5 and they are revolutionary. I plan to add them to future baby gifts!
Zip up swaddles. We used the Swaddle Me pods during the first few months and then switched to Love to Dream swaddle ups.
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seaexplore
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 6, 2019 5:07:02 GMT
This is longer than I intended.....
Many of the things mentioned are things I would say skip. I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old.
Boppy/breast friend pillows were never used with either of my kids. I had one, never used it. I used a regular pillow but found nursing in my recliner was best.
Diaper genie is a space and money suck- walk the diaper to the trash.
Skip the wipe warmer- my sister got me one. I used it with the first, couldn’t be bothered to use it with the second.
Skip the baby bath tub. Get a small laundry basket and put it in the tub with the baby in it.
I also did not use a baby seat type thing. I always held my kiddo or put them down on a blanket on the ground for tummy time.
As mine got a bit older, we liked the jumperoo.
A swing is iffy. My daughter loved it, son hated it.
LOVED my ergo carrier. Worth every penny!
I used a regular backpack for a diaper bag- plain old jansport.
Diapers! Every size. Heavy on the 2’s and 3’s. Very few newborn- maybe 1 jumbo box? If they’re on a target registry, she can exchange them for the size she needs. I registered for diapers and didn’t need to buy any for the first 18 months!
Neither of mine liked to be swaddled. Those were a waste. We did use the sleep sack part tho.
Newborn gowns are cute but again, not necessary.
Skip the cute mittens too! Babies need to feel their environment.
Have her register everywhere! I got a free bottle at Target and it’s the only one we used for my son. We seriously only used ONE bottle. I worked and pumped at work and dad gave him bottled while I was gone.
As for a pump... Medela is my preferred brand. I got a free Ameda from my insurance and used it all of one time. My Medela was used by my cousin for her 2, by me for my 2 and my sister for her 2. As far as I know it’s still going strong 12 years in! Have you daughter see about getting a free pump from her insurance. She will need storage bags for pumped milk.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Feb 6, 2019 7:37:32 GMT
The bouncy seat was an item that I didn't initially plan to purchase, but it became my favorite baby item ever. My DD loved it and was happy as a clam whenever I put her into it. Happy baby = happy mama!
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Post by ametallichick on Feb 6, 2019 8:28:31 GMT
I would make sure she registers for the big stuff... car seat, stroller, high chair, etc. And when she’s in the store, she can look at other things that she might like or need. My dd had a baby almost 11 mos ago (she’s the best thing ever). She registered at Target and Babies R Us. About 90% of the gifts she received were NOT on her registry. So my daughter got stuck with a lot of duplicates and things she just didn’t like or need. Her trunk was full of go backs. So be prepared for that. She also did a diaper raffle and she is still using the diapers she got. My dd also swears by the Up and Up brand diapers (Target). She just didn’t like them in the smaller sizes. (Newborn, 1, etc).
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,389
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Feb 6, 2019 12:32:08 GMT
Another thing that is not generally done in the UK.
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Post by dudleypippen on Feb 6, 2019 13:05:11 GMT
We are pretty baby minimalist and didn’t have a very large registry. With an apartment I’d be concerned about storing too much stuff (and it’s easy to get sucked into the trap of thinking you need special stuff for EVERYTHING). I agree with trying out a stroller- also pay attention to how small it folds up and if it will easily fit in the trunk of their car. I have a Bob jogging stroller that I absolutely love but it’s a beast. I highly recommend a Tula carrier over a Moby or Baby Bjorn. Better quality and easier to use for a variety of people. If her insurance covers a breast pump I recommend the Spectra as a first choice, Medela second and everything else third.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,229
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Feb 6, 2019 14:24:31 GMT
WOW! Thank you all for such great suggestions. I've heard of a few of these items from my friends at work. Our daughters SIL has the uppa stroller and car seat. She loves it. Great to know about the warranty. Would Buy Buy Baby be a reputable dealer for the warranty to be valid? Yes, BuyBuyBaby is an authorized retailer. They list others on their website. Manufacturers also release new models every year. Retailers will usually discount the prior years model. My DD bought the display infant car seat that was the “old” model. She saved $100 and it came with full warranty.
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Post by phoenixcov on Feb 6, 2019 14:50:34 GMT
Another thing that is not generally done in the UK. Still mostly the get what you are given system here I think.
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Post by utmr on Feb 6, 2019 15:16:08 GMT
My kids are all big now, so take this with a grain of salt...my recollection of the most useful things were
Mittens - DD had nails like razors and nearly clawed her eyes out. You only need then for a few weeks but we really needed them. Of course socks on the hands work just as well.
Bouncy chair - probably a YMMV item but it was the only way to get them to settle down sometimes.
Diaper genie - waste of money. We just folded the diaper back up and sealed it with its tabs, basically made a little sealed up diaper ball and dropped it in the trash. It was all sealed up, so no leakage or grossness.
Baby bath - waste of money. Bathroom sink when they were tiny, then kitchen sink when they were a little bigger was much easier on my back. Then one they could sit up good, we moved to the bathtub. The laundry basket in the tub is a great idea. Mine played in the laundry basket a lot when they were in the sitting-but-not-crawling stage.
Breast pump - get the absolute top of the line, best one she can afford. A crappy one will be a hassle and make it much harder. Compare the cost of formula to the cost of the pump. It will probably pay for itself in a few weeks.
Congratulations, what an exciting time!
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Post by Peace Sign on Feb 6, 2019 15:35:04 GMT
the "coat" that attaches to the infant carseat was so much easier than trying to put a coat on a baby, or trying to keep a blanket over the carseat.
the little plastic links were so handy in the stroller when he got to the "throw everything on the ground - it's so funny" stage. they didn't get lost.
sleep sacks. easy access.
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Post by aprilfay21 on Feb 6, 2019 16:04:26 GMT
I'm on baby #4 (due in June) and we have a 7 year old, 4 year old, and 2 year old.
I've used and loved my wipe warmer on all of them. I still have it.
Swings - my kids loved them but only for a couple of months so I'd get a cheap one.
Bouncer seats were a must. My kids loved them until they could sit up.
Diaper bag - really, any is fine.
We loved receiving blankets and used them for everything.
Our house is loud and our babies just get used to it so we never used noise machines.
A portable sleeper can be handy. Either a pack n play, rock n play, dock a tot, something.
Unopened diapers can be exchanged for different sizes, if the store carries them. Walmart is easy to do this at. Only open what she's using RIGHT THEN.
Make sure she registers for the boring stuff. Medicine droppers, nose suckers, thermometers, nail clippers, etc. I prefer to put together a basket of the boring stuff that no one wants to buy because it's not cute and fun.
Nose Frida was a LIFESAVER. Kind of gross at first, but seriously the coolest invention ever.
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Post by ntsf on Feb 6, 2019 16:20:34 GMT
I love diaper genies in the houses where I nanny. I can keep a hand on the kid and stuff that diaper in the genie. sometimes it is a long way from changing area to trash..and the smells...sleep sacks are the bomb...
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Post by workingclassdog on Feb 6, 2019 17:25:41 GMT
Many of the things mentioned are things I would say skip. I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old. Not to be snarky and I posted this.. what works for one person doesn't work for another. For example, the Diaper Genie was a God send for us in an apartment especially because going to the trash can and out of the apartment was a hassle. At least the diapers were contained and smelly free until we could dump. Everyone has good suggestions.... some things work for some of us some things doesn't. The Boppy pillow thing never worked for me, but I wouldn't say not to use it because a LOT of moms love love it.
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