re: To Buy, or Not to buy...that is the question.
229 postsposted 26th Oct
Quoting whatsername80:“ Hehe (: Thought it might be helpful...especially since I have a question already!! Whats everyones opinions ... [snip!] ... I've heard that they're really good from some people, and then from other people that they're a waste of time and money...”Personally I thought about something like that -but we just use a normal waste basket. If there's a stinky one, it gets taken outside to the dumpster; it probably saves allot of money -but I don't know since I never had one. I would say that it Could be nice -but if you don't have the money -it's definitely not necessary... just remember to take care of the stinky ones and you're good -but that's just our way of doing things -good luck deciding ~KP
I'm due March 30th (a boy), have 1 child & live in Berrien Springs, Michigan
posted 26th Oct
Quoting Cowgirl47429:“ Things not to get: Carseat stroller combo ----- Use a reg stroller, they are usually lighter and easier ... [snip!] ... probably well before they are old enough to be forward facing. I am sure someone can add to this but Its a little insight.”I agree with most of this; -I'm kinda copying/re-enforcing;
for our first son we got a convertible car seat and it works just fine, plus I don't want to be the one to lug the infant car seat here and there -we just carry the baby and it's lighter lol
-diaper pail -yes -use regular trash can -there are scented bags if you want them -but I always hated the scent -we just throw the stinky ones in the dumpster.
-play mat -true that you can just use a blanket -we Did get our son a play gym with lights and music and dangly toys and he got SO much exercise with that it was in sane! He absolutely loved it -however you still have to do tummy time -and for the tummy time a blanket works just fine -the gym was for let's play on our back for a long time and kick and giggle till we can't get any cuter -LOL
-expensive carrier -yup -don't do it -I got a Boppy one -really nice, really cute -tried it in the store -never used it. We just carried our son everywhere....
-small diaper bag -we got plenty of free ones -we never use them except for the backpack one if we were going to be walking allot. -I used to overstuff my normal size diaper bag! They definately come in handy -especially if you have more than one kids! -my 9 month old is expecting a little sister or brother once he is 14 months -and I'm very interested to see how the diaper bag thing works out with Two of them... LOL
-high chair -no, not in the beginning -but definately nice to have once they're eating solids -gives them a place to sit while you feed them.
-water proof lap pads? -don't have any -don't see a ton of use for them...
-Swaddle outfits -didn't have any when he was little -recieving blanket/blankets work just fine if you learn how to properly wrap them -and the velcro can get annoying?
-bassinet -yeah.... we aquired one... he slept in it a little when he was tiny -but then he switched over to the bouncy seat. He'd sleep in that at night too -the cradle we had in the living room for when he was sleeping during the day -and then a cradle in our bedroom at night -he slept in the bouncy seat most of the time even at night sometimes (always right near someone -and before he was old enough to go anywhere) -I even switched from the cradle to the crib and he was still taking his naps in the bouncy seat during the day for quite awhile. He finally stopped that when he learned how to crawl off the thing... once he was Able to do that -he started using the crib. -so in short -bassinet.... naaaaw
a few of my own things not to get:
-changing table: personally -we had one -never used it. We ended up going with a nice changing pad on the floor -that way there's not so much stress about him falling off and if he does -oh look -the floor's right here! If you have a bad back or something I can see why a lot of people would prefer one -but all we used ours for was clothes -and now I'm trying to sell ours along with the matching crib... just wasn't worth it...
-shoes for tiny babies -shoes can be cute and all that -but untill they're walking around they don't really need them. For one thing, it's not really healthy to put the shoes on their feet when they're so young -should the shoe be too small in any spot, and for another -it's just more money... with really no use... Our son didn't actually wear his first pair of shoes until he was about 8 months old and likes to walk around with help -and he doesn't like them -but will get used to them now that they are necessary.
This is already too long -but yay to person who started this and person I copied from, lol
and one last thing:
I HIGHLY recommend a bouncy seat! You can use it for So much more than you think!!!
shutting up now! LOL ~KP
I'm due March 30th (a boy), have 1 child & live in Berrien Springs, Michigan
160 postsposted 27th Oct
Quoting K_Parris:“ I agree with most of this; -I'm kinda copying/re-enforcing; for our first son we got a convertible car ... [snip!] ... one last thing: I HIGHLY recommend a bouncy seat! You can use it for So much more than you think!!! shutting up now! LOL ~KP”
I've got 3 kids already and a 4th on the way... here are my opinions... (which yes, they're like buttholes )
Diaper Genie - NO WAY ; Diaper Champ - YES!!! #1, great way to use up WalMart sacks...#2, easy to empty and de-stinkify. With my twins, I emptied it once a day, usually in the evenings (or mornings if I forgot - oops!) and it kept the aroma to a minimum. You can put a stick-up type air freshener inside of it too.
Play mat - blankets and boppies and a movable gym-thing worked great for all of my kids. Tummy time with the hanging-movable gym thing while propped on a boppy was EXCELLENT exercise and baby could see what was going on with the added support. They also have water mats which are nice, but not a "necessity".
baby carrier - with the twins, I had two rebozo wraps that I made and I also had two snuglis that I used with them as well. I also had a mai tai that I would carry my son in, but he was older when I used it. I don't have any experience with the "newer" slings, so I can't comment.
diaper bags - I had 3 kids in diapers at once (my son is 15 months older than the twins), and just carried one diaper bag, which was actually a backpack. I bf'd the twins, so I didn't have to worry about carrying bottles/formula and all that. I also kept a permanent diaper bag in the trunk of the car for those "just in case" moments and so that I wouldn't have to lug EVERYTHING in and out of everywhere I went.
high chairs - Nice, but not a necessity. I had a high chair for my son, but by the time the girls were old enough to need one, I just used the small versions of high chairs, like booster seats with trays attached that converted to booster seats and we'd all eat together like that.
waterproof lap pads - IMO, you can't have enough waterproof ANYTHING when babies and furniture are involved. I had several of these that I would leave on one end of the couch for quick changes, to grab while feeding, etc.
swaddle blankets - they were "brand new" when my kids were newborns and I never had one. I just wrapped them with blankets. So, un-necessary, but might be nice to have.
bassinet - my kids slept in co-sleepers, which converted to pack-n-plays. Never had a bassinet/cradle. I prefer gear that is multi-purpose and it's hard to lug a cradle to gramma's.
changing table - I used mine extensively with all three kids. It was nice to have a designated station where I could find everything. Granted, I don't have a huge space where we live now, and it isn't a definite that I will have one this time around, I'd certainly LIKE one
shoes - not necessary until they are walking. I like Robeez and my twins had several pairs, but they were mostly because they were cute and I had the disposable income at the time ...
travel system - I've never had one. I prefer to have components that I like (i.e., a higher-end stroller b/c I used the CRAP outta my stroller) rather than something that is just "cute". I am going the same route this time - found a carseat that i love (same type as last time - Graco Snugride) and a stroller I like (Mac Triumph) and I will use the crap out of both of them. I'm not a "carry the carseat around" type and much prefer using the stroller.
Sorry for the long post.... just putting in my $.02
I'm due February 15th (a girl), have 3 kids & live in Fort Smith, Arkansas
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