Since I seem to have been making a lot of them lately, both here and IRL, I thought I'd start a thread. Everyone else is welcome to join in, just please tell us a bit about the product and why you like it.
These are things that I have found invaluable with Emma, who is now 16 months old. Some of them she has outgrown; some she still uses. In any case, I hope these help someone.
First, products I've recommended lately on Hatrack:
Baby B'air is wonderful for flying with a baby. When I fell asleep and hit turbulence on my last flight, I woke up just as the sleeping baby slipped out of my arms. I was so glad she was strapped in!
Land's End diaper bags are the best thing that ever happened to diaper bags. Land's End thoughtfulness and quality and functionality in a diaper bag; what else can I say? I especially recommend a backpack diaper bag; even dads will be okay being seen lugging something that non-girly around, and it's comfortable for hauling lots of stuff through an airport, too.
The Alpha Omega Elite carseat from Cosco is an excellent convertible, with a decent price for a 3-in-one carseat (I still recommend an infant carrier for the early months) combined with excellent luxury features and comfort, and the highest weight and length limits available.
Next, recommendations I've made IRL lately:
The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat lives in our trunk. We use it all the time when we're at restaurants or even Grandma's house. (They don't have it installed quite right on that page, btw, but you get the idea.) It really literally folds down to less than the size of my purse.
At home, we use a First Years 4 Stage Feeding Seat instead of a high chair. It's much more portable, doesn't take up room in the corner, and we could throw it in the car to take with us on trips before she was old enough for just a booster (or on long-term trips when we wanted her to have something familiar to eat in.) It's super-easy to clean, and we love that it's reclinable to allow a younger baby to join you at the table. Also, it costs less than most traditional high-chairs. (You can get it on sale for $25 fairly often.)
The Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder was great when Ems wanted to eat "real" food but couldn't chew un-mashed stuff yet. We'd stick a chunk of ripe banana or cooked sweet potato or canteloupe in there and she'd go to town; it helped her learn to chew while still allowing her to get some with her suck. It makes a mess all over the hands at first, of course, but you kind of have to expect that when feeding a baby solids.
Munchkin also makes Emma's tub, the Inflatable Safety Duck Tub. It's inflatable, so you can leave it up at home and then deflate it to take with you and make bathtime more comfortable and familiar when travelling. It has a "too hot" disc at the bottom that lets you know when you're risking burns, and it quacks when you squeeze the beak. We started to use it when Emma could sit up some, which was about the time she stopped fitting in the sink for baths. (It's much cheaper at Target than on that site.)
Now, let's be honest: no one wants to take a rectal temperature on a sick, screaming, wiggling baby. You really only need a ballpark figure most of the time-- like when baby feels hot and you want to know if she has a fever. For that, I recommend the Safety 1st AccuScan Ear Thermometer. It takes what we have found to be a completely accurate temp. in one second, has a memory feature that stores the last temperature, fits comfortably into a hand, and is easy to learn to use. Easier to learn, in fact, than taking a rectal temperature, because the squickiness factor is a great motivator. This is one of the cheaper ear thermometers, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not accurate. It's a good one.
The Odorless Diaper Pail, also from Safety 1st, is great. I've always had a problem with those horrid Diaper Genies. This is a great solution, works well at keeping the odor down (it's not completely "odorless", but I've found the Diaper Genie isn't, either), and is much cheaper. It uses standard plastic garbage bags, and we even got ours at the local Once Upon a Child for $7, brand new (they had several.)
And while we're talking diapers... I would have preferred to use cloth, but it just didn't work out with our little one. She also didn't fit in Huggies or Pampers after she got to size 3 because of her "different" body shape. (Let me tell you something-- when they say "baby shaped", they mean chubby babies. They don't allow for babies with skinny little thighs, and the stuff goes all over.) Luvs are sturdy, work well (we've only had 1 leak in 14 months, and that was when Grandma didn't cinch the diaper tight enough), cheaper than the other brands (we get the big boxes at Target), and actually fit. (We have to go one size up from what she "should" be in according to weight, but that's okay.) The tabs hold much better than other brands, to my mind, and they really hold a lot of stuff in if you're somewhere you can't stop to change a diaper.
Emma has incredibly sensitive skin. She gets easily irritated even by the "all natural, no additives" baby wipes. We often just use a wet washcloth when we're home and it's not dirty. If it's dirty or we're out, though, we've found that Huggies Ultra-Gentle Newborn Wipes get the stuff off and don't rip while irritating her skin the least.
We wash her with Dove, of course; it's cheaper per use than baby wash, it's what we use anyway, and it doesn't cause her excema to flare up.
Since Emma is allergic to zinc, she can't have pretty much any diaper rash cream. We use Eucerin on her diaper rash, and it works very well at both healing and prevention.
Get an umbrella stroller. You know, just a $10 one from Target or whatever. No matter what other stroller you have, you need an umbrella stroller. Keep it in the trunk. You will be surprised how many times you'll find yourself staying longer at the mall than you thought you would or walking an unexpected distance across the parking lot, and you won't have thought to bring the stroller, or even at how easy something as big as a stroller is to forget. It sure is nice to have an extra in the trunk, even of the no-frills variety.
That's pretty much it for now. There are a few products I specifically don't have recommendations for: bottles (we never could really get her to take one), sippy cups (she loves almost any kind), pacifiers (same as the bottles), breast pumps (I hyperlactate and got mastitis any time I tried to pump), and front or back carriers (we have a Snugli, but mostly used the stroller; I always wanted to try other kinds, but now she's walking. Oh, well, maybe with the next one.) But please, people who have strong recommendations on these products, share them here; I'm very interested to know. (Boon, here's your chance to link to that website for your sling! You never sent me that.)
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Maya Wraps and other babysling type things are awesome... I have two.
edit: and if you are doing cloth diapers, an Asko washing machine is an invaluable, if expensive, investment.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Shopping Cart Cover Also works on child seats in restaurants.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Ooh, Jim-Me, I've never seen an Asko washer. After looking them up, that's cool. *puts on list for dream house*
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
The Maya wraps are great, my wife really loves hers.
I used cloth diapers from Babies in the Sun : unleached prefolds and Pro-Wraps.
The most delicious skin stuff is Burt's Baby Bee . No, I have NEVER used up my babies bath stuff.
I really like the Medela Pump in Style. Since I worked full time after Matthew and Olivia was "happy to starve" and had to be finger-fed, it was a life saver. I used the Avent bottles with Matthew and he was never nipple confused. (Andrew would never take a bottle, so I rarely bothered to pump.)
Posted by wordman (Member # 1307) on :
Baby Bjorn carrier: especially excellent with young adopted children (infants) for bonding. Your back will let you know when the baby is too big to be in there anymore (about 15 - 20 lbs).
Jeep Liberty stroller: jogging stroller feel with the smooth-riding big wheels and large storage area, but with a swivel front wheel for easy turning (therefore, not for joggers).
Ditto on the umbrella stroller. When your child grows, it doubles as a toy.
Two thumbs way up for the Eucerin as well. Good for the eczemic child and the noneczemic adult.
Huggies diapers (good fit, no leaking) and wipes (gentle on the heinie).
Baby Innovations backpack (not sling) diaper bag. I can't find a link to a picture of this bag, but it's excellent, with the best mobile changing pad I've used (it folds down to a quarter its full size and has two pockets, one for about two diapers and one for wipes). Its design allows for easy one-handed use. (Amazon/Babies 'R Us has a nonpicture entry for the bag and changing pad.)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, another one: Banana Boat Baby Magic Sunblock.
It's SPF 50, "Instant Protection". What that means is that it is effective as soon as it goes on instead of 15 minutes later, like traditional sunscreen. It turns you about 3 shades whiter than you really are when you put it on, but it works like a charm. And it doesn't irritate either Emma's or my skin. It's also waterproof almost as soon as you put it on-- again, unlike traditional "waterproof" sunscreen. Great stuff; more expensive, but worth the money for sure.
Posted by racingbird (Member # 8400) on :
I know I couldn't live without the Playtex Hip Hammock. My littlest one is so tall that a snugli didn't work for us very long-- I kept bumping his legs when I tried to walk. The hip hammock holds him off to the side so you can still walk. It doesn't free your hands as well as a snugli, but it also keeps the Kidlet's hands out of my hair. That was a real problem with backpack carriers. Ouch! It's also rated up to 35 lbs, so it will last you a lot longer than a standard snugli carrier. Note, though: it's not for kids who can't hold their heads up independantly.
I also have two versions of the Alpha Omega type carseat. My three year old has the original and the one year old has the version put out by Safety 1st. I actually like the Safety 1st version better. It seems to have more padding and better head rests for when he falls asleep.
Not that there are a lot of choices in an actually affordable tandem stroller(by which I mean not the Peg Perego zillion dollar models), but if you need one, shell out the extra money to get the Graco DuoGlider. It's a lot taller than cheaper tandems. That was a real issue with my big ol' hulking kiddos.
Posted by racingbird (Member # 8400) on :
I know I couldn't live without the Playtex Hip Hammock. My littlest one is so tall that a snugli didn't work for us very long-- I kept bumping his legs when I tried to walk. The hip hammock holds him off to the side so you can still walk. It doesn't free your hands as well as a snugli, but it also keeps the Kidlet's hands out of my hair. That was a real problem with backpack carriers. Ouch! It's also rated up to 35 lbs, so it will last you a lot longer than a standard snugli carrier. Note, though: it's not for kids who can't hold their heads up independantly.
I also have two versions of the Alpha Omega type carseat. My three year old has the original and the one year old has the version put out by Safety 1st. I actually like the Safety 1st version better. It seems to have more padding and better head rests for when he falls asleep.
Not that there are a lot of choices in an actually affordable tandem stroller(by which I mean not the Peg Perego zillion dollar models), but if you need one, shell out the extra money to get the Graco DuoGlider. It's a lot taller than cheaper tandems. That was a real issue with my big ol' hulking kiddos.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
A little more about the Asko. I've had one for five years and use it nearly constantly... like a couple loads a day.
The first month I had it, my water bill dropped by about 60% and, since it has it's own internal heater, I saved gas, too (but I don't know how much because we had a leak reparied at that time).
I do a LOT of laundry, though.
Had one issue... a motor, which was replaced under warranty at no charge.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:I know I couldn't live without the Playtex Hip Hammock. My littlest one is so tall that a snugli didn't work for us very long-- I kept bumping his legs when I tried to walk. The hip hammock holds him off to the side so you can still walk. It doesn't free your hands as well as a snugli, but it also keeps the Kidlet's hands out of my hair. That was a real problem with backpack carriers. Ouch! It's also rated up to 35 lbs, so it will last you a lot longer than a standard snugli carrier. Note, though: it's not for kids who can't hold their heads up independantly.
I wanted one of these, but they were recalled before I could get one! You heard about the recall, right?
Posted by racingbird (Member # 8400) on :
Yes, I heard about it, thanks. I sent mine in a couple of weeks ago and just got the replacement in the mail. Probably the fastest turn-around time on a recall I have ever seen. I remember seeing them lately at Target, so you might look there.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, are they back? I know right around the time I asked for one for Christmas, they disappeared. Then I heard about the recall. I haven't seen them since. I'll check Target next time I'm there. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I second the recommendation for Huggies diapers and wipes. My girls were not chubby, kq--right now, at the age of seven, they both weigh under 45 pounds--and we never had problems with them. We used the Supremes version, but the regular version worked fine on the occasions when we used them. We sometimes compared notes with parents who used generic or supermarket brands, or changed each other's babies. I would NOT recommend supermarket or drugstore brands. They were often not resealable, they leaked, and babies who used them got diaper rash.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
The problem was that she's got a big round tummy, small bone structure, small hips, and small thighs. So whatever fit one way didn't fit the other-- Huggies that went around her middle bagged completely at the thighs; those that fit her in the thighs wouldn't close securely around the middle.
While I don't recommend Target or supermarket store brand diapers, either, we've gotten some free samples of a store brand from the local discount baby store, and while the "regular" diapers aren't great, the "premiums" are comparable to Luvs-- but, for us, at a comparable price.
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
My best baby product is a metal jigger. Yes, this small kitchen item provided much entertainment and relief for teething. It rolls, it makes that metallic sound, it can be used like a cup, and it must feel awesome on incoming teeth! My jigger had two different sizes, one on each end. I'd bought it to measure rum for a Christmas party when I made hot toddys.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Sorry 'bout that, kq.
My most favorite baby products ever:
MayaWrap Non-padded slings, has instructions to make your own, or you can just order one. You can get one that matches yours to fit your child too, so they can carry their "babies" just like Mama does. I've been using a sling since Boo was born, and I'll still be using it for at least a year. I've been known to use it as a shopping cart strap, a privacy screen for an outdoor potty break, a blanket, and a baby carrier. It even does duty when I'm cleaning the house (not that that happens too often) to hold small items I've picked up until I get to the rooms they belong in. I even use it to carry laundry from the laundry room to the couch for folding. No more dropped socks. And while we're talking about socks...
A lingerie laundering bag. The mesh kind with a zipper. It's the perfect size to stick dirty baby socks in all week. Then zip it up, throw it in the washer with the rest of baby's laundry, and you don't have to worry about tiny missing socks anymore.
I'll second (third? fourth?) Huggies wipes. Definitely better than store brands...and believe me, after 3 babies, I've tried them all! but not as costly as the "premium" brands.
Peek A Blocks Boo loves them, and they don't have the sharp edges that the old fashioned wooden blocks do.
Plain white cotton cloth daipers, the big flat square kind. They serve multiple purposes: spitrag, sunshade, light summer blanket, and of course, when you add a couple of pins (or one if you're really talented and short one ) a daiper. I've picked up a dozen or two with each new baby, and I buy them for every baby shower I go to. I also give the new mom-to-be a short lesson in folding them for use as a daiper and a couple of folded ones, along with a pack of pins. Plus they make great dustrags when baby gets to school-age.
Potty seat Combined with a small stepstool, this could be your best investment. I've potty trained a boy and a girl, and let me tell you, this made my life much easier. I don't really like the one I linked to though. Try to find one with a removeable shield for a boy. Trust me, the first time you put your little boy on the potty and the stream arches over the seat rim onto your shoes, you'll wish you'd listened to me on this.
Also helpful for potty training boys: a big phone book. slather it with glue and stick it in a trash bag to waterproof it. Most stepstools are too tall, and allow the "aim" to... well... not be aimed very well. The phone book is just the right height to get it over the rim without him feeling like he's up too high.
Infant swing This one is short, light, foldable, and battery operated. It has a good battery consumption rate, and has lights and music that can easily be disengaged if needed. It's easy to move from room to room, and folds up to fit in a truck. My guy loved his.
Okay, that's it for now. I'll think some more, and post later maybe.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Oh yes, the other tip for potty training boys. When you teach them to sit to poo, make sure you tell them to point it down while they sit there, even if they don't feel like they have to pee. Trust me, the stream will find the crack between the seat and the bowl every time if you don't.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Seriously, no kidding, this book works.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Boon, have you seen the potties that are first a training potty, then a toilet seat and step stool?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Wow, Icarus, all those reviews also say it really works.
Something to check out when we're ready (although I don't believe in toilet training until around 3, when kids are mostly emotionally and physically ready already.)
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Yep, had one with the older two. We only used the training potty for about 2 days, and then took it apart and used it on the toilet. But when we moved to a house that only had one bathroom, we wished we had one that didn't have to be removed. So we got one...big improvement. Maybe not an issue for anyone who has more than one bathroom, but I use the kids' bathroom frequently, as do any guests in our home.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
And if it worked with my kids, it will work with anybody's kids.
-o-
(I also saw a book that talked about potty-training infants--though clearly potty-training meant something a little different in that scenario. I obviously can't report on whether or not that works, but they had a lot of interesting things to say about their approach and how it fit into the whole physical development/self-esteem thing.)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Potty-training infants?
Yeah, I'd bet they meant something different.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
That swing Boon linked to is awesome!
But Boon, you use PINS on diapers?!
Diaper covers -- never stick your baby (or yourself) with a pin again!
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Or, you can use Snappis in place of diaper pins.
Posted by Goo Boy (Member # 7752) on :
kq, the basic idea as I remember it (and I'm too lazy to go look for the book now) is that in infants you can learn to predict exactly when they're going to go, because you control all their ingestion, they urinate and move their bowels predictable lengths of time after eating and drinking, and they usually give facial cues and such when they are getting ready to have a bowel movement. So the idea was that within the general timeframe when you expected your baby to go, you took off the baby's diaper and held the baby in your arms with the pot strategically placed to catch the baby by-product. Allegedly, when done over enough time, this would condition a response in an older infant where the infant would start to gesture for the pot or reach for it when it felt the need to go, and start to hold its elimination back until it was correctly placed. When the toddler was old enough, then, the transition to being "fully" potty-trained, as in taking off its own clothes, sitting on the potty, cleaning, etc., would be easier, because the idea of eliminating (as opposed to keeping which is what a child in diapers really does--and this makes some sense to me. When I first started to potty train my girls at two years old or so, using traditional methods, I found that they would quite happily pee in a diaper, but strenuously resisted peeing on the potty. It did not feel natural or right to them. So they had control; they were simply not using it as I would prefer. The idea here is to change the baby's inclination). So if by potty-training you mean the child does it all on his or her own, from taking off clothes and cleaning up, then this is not potty-training. But if you mean that the six- to nine-month-old will not need to wear diapers and will indicate the need to be pottied, then this approack allegedly works. Does it really? I couldn't say. The girls were too old for me to try this method when I started researching potty-training. But I was intrigued.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Ooooooooh, I just put that on hold at the library. Andrew is three now and I'm kind of ready to put diapering behind.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Oh, yeah, I think you're talking about elimination communication, I have some friends who did it.
The "Less than a Day" book? Great! Good luck! Just to be clear, though, the approach I just described is NOT the less than a day approach, it's from a different book entirely. The "less than a day" approach is basically behavior modification and teaching through dolls and lots of practice (made possible by saltines and water).
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
I've never stuck myself or a baby with a daiper pin, and I've daipered a lot of babies. It's all a matter of technique. Posted by racingbird (Member # 8400) on :
Ketchupqueen--
I looked at Target last night and didn't see the hip hammock. I did find it at Babies R Us on my next stop.
Who'd have thought it would be so hard to find a mat to put under a high chair?
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
A mat for under a high chair?
Like...the mats that go under rolling office chairs?
Or a cheap plastic shower curtain?
Or one of the many big plastic Sesame Street play mats I have and would be willing to send you?
Or a cheap vinyl table cloth?
Posted by racingbird (Member # 8400) on :
Boon,
I finally did find a decently priced mat at Babies R Us. We're moving into a brand new house and I wanted something to protect the carpet so I don't get billed something around a zillion dollars to replace it when we move on to the next base. (My husband is in the Air Force, so moving is a fact of life.)
It goes along with the new rugs we just ordered to protect the REST of the carpet from the kids. Posted by MandyM (Member # 8375) on :
For an infant: A boppy pillow. It was the only item I really needed with a new baby. She is two and a half now and I have just now packed it away.
I will look up that potty book. We are working on it now and she really wants to go in the potty but she can't feel it before she has to go yet; only after.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
We need to go to StrideRite soon and I thought of this thread.
Emma has my high arch and instep (although thankfully not my fat fat fat feet.) StrideRite is the only place with shoes that fit her right. They're expensive, but well-made.
Posted by Nitasmile (Member # 8275) on :
Racing Bird wrote: "Who'd have thought it would be so hard to find a mat to put under a high chair? "
I have seen a mat for under high chairs/other messy activities at Wal- Mart. The mat is around 6$ and looks like a light mesh material w/a smiley face design. It is back in the infant section, near diapers, etc . I don't have kids, but if I did this is the mat I would want! Maybe I should get this for my sister who is expecting her 3rd child!
EDIT: I did go to the Wal-Mart website to find a link. However, I couldn't find a picture, they must only advertise their more expensive items on the website.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I love this thread. I just found out I'm expecting, and I would love to see this thread going again with new baby product recommendations and advice for little ones.
So far, I want a cosleeper and some sort of sling. We don't have a lot of money, so I want to get things that I'll get the most use out of, and I think I would get a lot of use out of those things.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Congrats, Kat! In my experience, the sling is an EXCELLENT investment -- Christy has a Mayan Wrap that works very well -- but cosleepers are functionally useless.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Thanks!
Really? Why do you find the cosleeper to be worthless? What would you recommend instead? I like the idea of having the baby right there to tend to in the middle of the night.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Mainly, it's because the baby winds up in our bed anyway.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I would try out a bunch of slings/snuglis beforehand. IME, people have VERY strong preferences about the precise brand/style that works for them. Personally, I never could get slings to work properly, but I loved my Snuglis, especially the convertible one.
Congratulations. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Our experience was the same as Tom & Christy's, but the co-sleeper makes a great place to pile books and things. Kind of an expensive nightstand, though. You'd probably be better off spending the money on a few good books about safe co-sleeping and a sturdy bedrail.
John lovesthis teether. We got it as a gift and I thought it was the goofiest thing, but from about 3 months old it's been one of his favorite items.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
So cool all the folks using slings and the like Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
More:
We got the stroller frame to put our infant carrier car seat into instead of one of the bigger stroller travel-systems. It’s lighter, folds smaller, and is more maneuverable. It will be useless once he outgrows the car seat, though. We’re very glad that we got the Graco SafeSeat, since it’s one of the infant carriers that goes up to 30 lbs. Many of the infant car seats only go up to 22 lbs, and John is almost definitely going to be past that before he turns one and can move up to a forward facing seat. And we got bases for both of our cars, so we just have to snap the carrier portion in whichever car we’re using.
We are also big fans of the BabeeTenda feeding table. It’s more expensive than a highchair, but it’s easier to move around and it’s safe to leave the babe in it while you go to the bathroom or change a load of laundry. We put John in it and position him so he can see into the kitchen and play with cars or munch a few cheerios while we get the meal ready and then push him over to the dining room table when we sit down. And it comes with a solid top that is a dry-erase board on one side and a chalk board on the other for when he outgrows the feeding seat. It also has a pile of optional accessories to turn it into a bath station and a sun-canopy and who knows what all else, but we didn’t get any of those.
Our critter never really got the hang of sippy cups, but I taught him to suck out of a straw and Bob found some nice kids water bottles with built-in straws. Now he carries his water-bottle everywhere just like mommy.
Someone gave us a baby-bathtub, but we have a large and extra deep kitchen sink so we’re still bathing John there. It’s easier on our backs, it’s easier to empty, and the kitchen sprayer makes a great shower-rinse. He’ll probably go straight from that to the regular tub, so if you’ve got a good sized sink you can save money and space by avoiding the baby tub altogether.
I definitely recommend some squishy cloth books. John loves to turn pages and we’re teaching him to be careful with the paper ones, but it’s good to have a few that he can turn by himself without worrying about tearing. He’s moved on to board books now, but he still likes his cloth books too. His third word (after “dada” and “mama”) was “buk”.
And of course every baby needs an uncle and a dog.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Congrats Kat!! Thanks so much for finding this thread! I'm also very interested in Hatrack-recommended Baby stuff. Heh - I even spent weeks slogging through to find this old thread with some recommendations for baby things.
I need to find some people with baby slings so I can figure out which kind I want. What a good idea to try them out beforehand - duh!
I've always liked the idea of co-sleeping for young infants, but I don't think it will work in our situation (you're not supposed to co-sleep if you have cats and we have 3, 2 of whom often sleep on the bed with us). So, I need to think of some other hopefully easy solution. Any one have any good ideas? So far, the best I've come up with is just putting the cradle really close to the bed, which isn't really much of a solution, I know.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
If we were to have an infant in our bed, we'd need a larger bed as we sleep in a Full, and it's too small for the two of us, let alone us and a baby.
But we should get a new bed anyway. But if we don't get one, then a co-sleeper would either be needed (and used!) or I could get a bassinet. I'm not sure what would be better.
I'm clueless!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I like a bassinet simply because you can move it as needed and 'cause by the time they outgrow it my babies are usually sleeping through the night and don't need to nurse at night (same argument for cradle and moses basket.)
But I know lots of people who love the co-sleeper AND have a bassinet or moses basket for while they're doing chores or whatever during the day.
About slings: if you like ring slings, I just discovered Solarveil, which is a fabric that provides high SPF UVA/UVB protection for mom and baby dry OR wet!
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Yeah, the Diaper Genie is useless.
They're expensive, but Robeez are worth the investment in my experience for babies that are close to walking. They provide for a much better foot experience and lead to less clumsy walking. Get the ones that are darker so they look nicer longer (and clean up better).
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Bumbo Baby Sitter I would have gone completely bananas without this. The baby can safely sit in it before she can sit on her own (but after she can hold her head up, of course). You can use it as a feeding chair, in the bath (for hair washing), even on the kitchen counter, as long as you are less and an arm's length away. Aerin loved hers.
Avent Steam Sterilizer You will need this even if you don't use bottles. You can sterilize binkies, toys, pump parts, syringes - anything that you need to sterilize and will fit.
Nursing Stool Before Aerin decided she didn't want to nurse, this was extremely helpful. It keeps your knees up without you having to point your toes. I use mine with my rocking chair now (I'm short) and it's great.
SwaddleMe Infant Wrap I'm not a great swaddler - I just can't bring myself to wrap the blanket tight enough. These are great because they use velcro.
Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat I bought a fancy old-fashioned wood high chair and Aerin was fine in it for a couple of months. Then I got this for restaurants and Aerin loved it. We started using it at home and it made mealtimes so much easier. Aerin loves sitting at the table with us and stopped fussing at all. We didn't need to waste all that money on a high chair. Oh well, live and learn.
Buggy Bagg High Chair/Buggy Cover This is much better than your typical buggy cover because it's padded and comes with a pillow to prop up the baby. It also has handles when folded and zippered compartments. You can use it as a diaper bag, though I don't.
WubbaNub Pacifier These are essential for preemies, but they are great for term babies, too. You can prop the binky in the baby's mouth and it stays in. It's light enough that the baby can push it out if she wants to. It was approved to sleep with by my neonatologists and developmental specialists and pediatrician, but I recommend checking with your own doctors, too.
Aerin slept in her own room since the second night she was home and it was fine. She did much better for some reason and it wasn't any harder on me. Plus she was sleeping through the night at 2 months adjusted.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
For toddlers and up the Bananan Boat sun block with "Dri-Block" is great -- it goes on smoothly, does dry so that it feels like baby powder and isn't sticky.
And good for adults too -- the least annoying sun block I've ever used, and no burns yet.
<---is such a white boy.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
We had a bassinet right next to the bed. She was right there if I needed to nurse, and we often ended up falling asleep together in my bed anyway ... but having the bassinet made it easier to put her down when she fell asleep before I was ready to go to bed. Then I could go to bed when I was ready and not feel like I was disturbing her, and sleep until she was ready to nurse.
We also have only a double bed and hubby could only stand the baby in bed with us for about 6 weeks ... after that, when I was done nursing - if I'd fallen asleep - he'd take the baby & put her in the bassinet.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
I can't believe I forgot - Mazel Tov, Kat!
Absolutely don't cosleep if you have cats that sleep with you or that can get up on the bed. In fact, I would recommend making sure that the cats cannot get into whatever room the baby is sleeping in. Also, you cannot safely cosleep if you have a pillow-top mattress, so please keep that in mind when buying a new one.
We had a bassinet that lifted off the frame and doubled as a Moses basket. It was okay, but I'd probably just get a regular bassinet and a separate Moses basket if I had it to do over again. Though we're just going to use Aerin's crib for the next baby (no, I'm not pregnant, just thinking ahead). I've never really understood the advantage of a co-sleeper over a bassinet myself.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
So when are you due Kat?
I'm due on December 18th (here's hoping to not have a Christmas baby).
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:Absolutely don't cosleep if you have cats that sleep with you or that can get up on the bed. In fact, I would recommend making sure that the cats cannot get into whatever room the baby is sleeping in.
I co-slept with cats that sleep on our bed. I found that the cats take a while to get used to the baby; by the time they are bold enough to want to cuddle WITH the baby, the baby is old enough to roll over and defend herself. In the mean time the cats would cuddle with my feet. I never had a problem.
And I disagree that you can't co-sleep with a pillow-top mattress. It depends on the pillow top and the bedding.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Thanks for the congrats. It's still so new and mindblowing. There's so much to figure out!
I think I'm due late February. I can't remember the date of my last cycle--I only know that it was somewhere between two weekends. I'm hoping the doctor can help me figure it out.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Oh, and I don't have cats.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Kat, they'll probably do an u/s to figure out when you're due.
I chart my periods but I'm totally irregular; neither due date based on date of last period has been accurate for me. An u/s is much more accurate for many women.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Yeah, I've had bouts with irregularity, too. But not recently.
Honestly...this wasn't the smartest thing we've ever done. But it's happened, and now we have to figure out how we're going to manage. I believe that new babies should be celebrated, and that it's okay if I freak out a little every once in a while. Which I do! Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I think the general guildeline about cats and co-sleeping is to protect against tragedy. Whether the arrangement would work with specific cats and babies would depend on the animals and baby involved. I definitely plan to have any interaction between cats and baby be very closely supervised until both are comfortable with each (and I'm comfortable with them). As it is currently, one cat sleeps for a few hours each morning at the very foot of the bed and the other sleeps on her own pillow on my husband's side of the bed. So, while co-sleeping with cats may not be a problem in our particular case, it's not something I want to assume from the get-go.
Kat - Your doctor will probably send you for an ultrasound some time in your first trimester to pinpoint a due date for you. According to the tech who did mine, the due date from that first ultrasound is the most accurate (at that stage, development is pretty constant, and it's based on a single measurement). My ultrasound showed that the due date based on my last cycle was waaaay off (like 3 weeks). Also, don't be worried about freaking out. Even though this was planned, I still vacillate between freaking out and being excited all the time. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
You'll manage. My last pregnancy was a total surprise, but the more I worked out how I was going to get care, and how we were going to make room for the baby, the better I felt. And now I couldn't do without her!
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Everyone says we'll manage. I have to believe they're right.
I guess what I really don't like is that I'll have to go back to work. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom, and I don't understand how I let this happen now when I can't manage to stay home for the next 5 years. I'm desperately trying to figure out how to make it if I cut back to part time, cut expenses, etc.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, look into day care costs before you make that decision. I don't know your situation but most of the women I know who are stay home moms couldn't afford to work full-time if they wanted to...
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Don't forget to look at the possibility of staggering your and your spouse's work hours so that part of the time when you are at work he can take care of the baby and part of the time when he is at work you can.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Well, I'm the only income provider right now.
That's why I said this wasn't the smartest thing we could have done.
Ugh... it's depressing to think about. I have thought a lot today about solutions and extra work I can do in the next few months. I think I'll give myself a break for the evening (I'm about to go home), and worry about it some more tomorrow.
Thanks for the product ideas and all. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Ah. Is your hubby in school, or is he available to be a full-time dad?
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
Oops, I just asked the due dates in the pregnancy thread... Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, I wanted to add as far as product recommendations that I could not stand the Dora prints on the Pampers training pants, and Emma didn't like the Disney Princesses on the Huggies, but we've found that CVS training pants (which have Dragon Tales prints on them) work quite well, and they are oh-so-much cheaper than regularly priced Pampers and Huggies (and about the same as Pampers or Huggies training pants on sale with double coupons.)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
As far as the bassinet v. co-sleeper debate, I vote for neither. I much preferred a cradle. All my kids loved being rocked, and having the ability to rock 'em to sleep at 3 am without getting out of bed was a blessing.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote:Originally posted by Zalmoxis: Yeah, the Diaper Genie is useless.
I didn't find this to be true at all.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I second the aquarium swing that Mrs. M linked to. My daughter loved it, and spent large chunks of her first few months in it. Some people say that babies should always sleep in their cribs for naptimes, so that they learn that they should sleep there, but I never had any problem with letting her sleep in the swing. And since it's soft, and she only slept in her crib at night, there were no issues with the back of her skull flattening.
--Mel
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
It's the same swing Boon recommended up-thread 2 years ago, and which I was so thrilled about. (My brother and SIL still love the one I bought them, as have both of their sons.)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, I prefer a bassinet just because of the wheels/portability issue. They make bassinets that rock, like a cradle, they even have ones with motors like a swing, but have wheels on them. If I wanted rocking that's the way I'd probably go.
My bassinet has a vibrating option that Emma found extremely soothing (Bridget was such a good sleeper we only used it once or twice with her.)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, also: I think I said this in the pregnancy thread at one point, but we have found that the absolute best burp cloths are small white terry towels we find in the auto care section at Target. They are absorbent, can be used for many things other than just burp cloths (like cleaning up messes and lining car seats to protect the new outfit from a diaper blow-out that happened while you were out or even as an emergency changing pad or a liner for the changing table in the nasty public bathroom), can be washed in HOT water (unlike pretty patterned burp cloths), and are less than $0.25 each (price per towel depends on the size of the package you buy)-- so if one gets REALLY REALLY grody, you can throw it out and not feel guilty! My mom gave us a few when Emma was a baby (she uses them for cleaning) and we grew to like them so much that we bought a whole bunch when we had Bridey (and have even given them away as part of baby gifts!)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
My cradle had wheels. And wasn't all that heavy. But it was far sturdier than a bassinet.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I looked when we were shopping for one but didn't find one that had wheels that we could remotely afford.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
Although my recommendations may be of little value to those of you in the US, I'm sure equivalent things are available. So here's my 2p:
1) Sudocrem - say goodbye to sore bums, unless of course your child is allergic to zinc - sorry KQ. Sudocrem
3) Inflatable highchair - for braekfasting at Tiffany's or just lunch with the inlaws. Inflatable booster seat
That and "fragranced nappy bags", the best thing since sliced bread for the squeemish among us...
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Icarus:
Ok, you are right. The diaper Genie is good for the first six months or so. After that, the combination of heavy use and changes in the quantity and odor of what is in the diaper, render it ineffective, in my experience -- even if you empty it often and clean it out. I suppose it's fine if you can buy a new one every six months.
I also found loading it needlessly complicated and trying to track down the cartridges for it was annoying (may not be an issue for most people -- but was in the Bay Area).
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I looked when we were shopping for one but didn't find one that had wheels that we could remotely afford.
I borrowed one with kid number 1, and got one as a gift from my mom with kid #2.
This is fairly similar to the one we had. (Which my ex has now, and don't even get me started on that. )
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yes, that's like the ones I looked at.
Our budget was about $40, so not for us.
anti-maven, that booster is just like the one I linked to but a different company!
And I love nappy bags for when we're out. I get them at the dollar store (250 for $1, much much cheaper than the Eddie Bauer equivalent or even the Munchkin brand, so I don't mind the lack of keychain holder thingy) and keep some in the car, some in the diaper bag, some in my purse... They're wonderful for public disposal.
Posted by DeathofBees (Member # 3862) on :
I decided to try the Diaper Champ instead of the Diaper Genie since you can line it with any old plastic bag. I have mixed feelings about the results. Positives: 1. It definitely keeps down odor. I don't have to smell the old diapers as I toss in a new one. 2. No cartridges to buy or change. I've even stopped lining mine with plastic bags and just let the diapers fall directly into the can. If you're using disposables, I recommend a bag. 3. Pretty sturdy construction (I've heard the pusher part on the top flip mechanism can get pushed all the way out if you're too aggressive, but that it's easily fixed). Mine has served me for almost two years, and it's still in great condition. Negatives: 1. The can is too small to hold as many wet cloth diapers as I would wash in one load. 2. The top flip thing gets stuck easily and you have to sort of shake the can to adjust the contents and shove the top part down before it will turn over. 3. The lid is very heavy and permanently hinged to the can. If it closes on you while you're emptying it, it HURTS! Plus, if you try to pick it up and dump it out it's awkward and, again, may bite your hand. 4. Related to negative #3: It's not very easy to clean.
I wanted to go with an economic sling option, so I had a La Leche League friend make me a sling that turned out to be very comfortable and doubles well as a blanket. It's basically one large piece of cloth sewn into a loop and then folded in half to make a pocket for baby. It's similar in construction to the New Native Baby Carrier. The reason I like it is because it has a wide shoulder area instead of a strap that can cut into your neck muscles.
My first sling, the PreMaxx BabyBag, had the strap problem, although I'm making an adjustable shoulder pad that will Velcro onto the strap. I loved the BabyBag's zippered pockets and that it was sporty enough for my husband.
Our co-sleeping solution ended up being to place two very firm queen futons side-by-side on the floor. Not exactly House Beautiful, but our toddler can roll off and on with ease, and after the kids decide they want their own quarters we can sleep like the rest of the neighborhood in a "western" bed.
Other recommended items:
* Extra-long bibs, for soup and spaghetti dinners * Ricitos De Oro Shampoo - it was the only shampoo we could find that didn't irritate, plus it smells great and the cap doubles as a rattle! * Umbrella stroller (as has been mentioned by several others here)
Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
I'd like to third the recommendations for the Bumbo Baby Sitter, with one caveat: my baby learned to escape from it by the time she was not quite seven months old. She leaned over the side, pushed off with the opposite leg, and flipped right out of it onto the table.
She was quite proud of herself. That afternoon we went shopping for a high chair.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I'm starting to make a list for things we need for the baby, so I thought I would bump this thread in case anyone has any new thoughts to add.
Has anyone else found it difficult to find things not made in china?
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
To be honest, the thought hasn't even occurred to me Katarain.
Of course, my daughter is older now and doesn't put things in her mouth.
Here's the thing that's been driving us crazy, lately:
We'd like to have a potty seat for the grandparents house, too, since they live so close. But nothing seems to fit their toilet and the potty seats don't tend to have good (or even have misleading) info about what types of toilet seats they fit. It's rather frustrating. If it was just a matter of a not-ideal fit, that would be fine. Nor is it an aesthetics issue. The problem is that we can't seem to find a seat that doesn't have major (potentially dangerous) slippage issues. Yes, we can help, but part of the point of getting a potty seat for the grandparents house is for her to get used to the idea of self-managing her bathroom usage even when she's not at home.
I think the toilet seat and potty seat manufacturers should get together and come up with a size/shape chart. Potty seats could then print what portions of the chart they work with on the box.
Am I just being silly or have any of you experienced this phenomenon?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
What is the shape of the toilet? I may have some recommendations.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I guess I never posted about my stroller connectors. Great for those with two under three or four where one is getting too big to want to carry/sling all the time, for travel with kids (if the airline trashes your umbrella strollers, muuuuch cheaper to replace) or "emergency" use (we keep 2 umbrella strollers and the connectors in the car at all times, so if we make an impromptu trip somewhere we didn't think we'd need a double stroller, we have an option.)
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I've been thinking we should get this for the Grandparents' house. And maybe for home too. It's a toilet seat that has a smaller seat built in, so instead of having two flaps -- a seat and a lid -- it has three -- two different sized seats and a lid. No worries about slipping that way, and it doesn't take up any extra space.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
kq: you know, I'm not sure how to describe it, but it seems to be longer than what the potty seats are capable of handling. But the in-laws are moving soon anyway, so we're going to hold off trying anything else for now.
dkw: that's a good lead. thanks!
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
John's not quite big enough for it yet, but I think we'll probably get one soon. He's been going on his potty chair in the mornings 3-4 times a week.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mrs.M: Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat I bought a fancy old-fashioned wood high chair and Aerin was fine in it for a couple of months. Then I got this for restaurants and Aerin loved it. We started using it at home and it made mealtimes so much easier. Aerin loves sitting at the table with us and stopped fussing at all. We didn't need to waste all that money on a high chair. Oh well, live and learn.
These are AWESOME. Although we don't use the insert that you see pictured, just the blue tray, as Thomas learned early just how to flip that thing out of there. But it's easy to clean, can go to restaurants with ease, we even travel with it as it fits fairly well in a suitcase.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Zal, they make the one dkw just suggested for elongated seats.
But I've found that this kind (we have a Sesame Street print) fits fine as long as it's pulled to the front; when my daughter's had real trouble with it sliding on an elongated seat, I put some duct tape on to hold it down and we just use a different toilet if we need to go.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks!
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I thought about making another thread, but this one seems to fit so well that I'll put my question here.
I need recommendations for cloth diapers. I've seen two links in this thread for Mother-ease cloth diapers and Babies in the Sun diapers.
I know there about a million different types online, though!
So does anyone have any other recommendations, or reasons why I should go with one of the ones already mentioned?
(I'd like ones that will work with the disposable liners...that'd be neat.)
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
My sister had some that had quite a few elastic gathers in place, and snaps in multiple positions. She said they were quite good, and she tried a lot.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I bought ours from green mountain diapers. We have the "prefolds" (which are flat and you have to fold them) rather than the fitted kind because they're cheaper and can be used for burp rags, changing pads, etc. We love them. We have used the flushable paper liners, but since we got the potty pail system to spray off the poop we don't use the liners anymore, except when we're traveling. We use the Bummis original and Bummis super whisper wrap covers.
Edit: We even did a 5,000 mile three week vacation last summer and cloth diapered the whole way!
We also bought a few "all in ones" which go on just like disposable diapers that we put in his diaper bag for Sunday and Wednesdays in the church nursery. Some of the nursery workers were a little afraind of the cloth diapers and kept putting him in a disposable from their stash if he needed changing.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I liked the prefolds best too. We used a diaper service, which was great. But it's not nearly as cheap as dealing with them yourself -- and not an option at all in many areas.
Posted by Vamp96 (Member # 9030) on :
I remember looking at this thread last year when I was pregnant with my first baby. I'd like to recommend the Nosefrida Baby Nasal Aspirator. It is so much better than the bulbs! It sounds really gross, but it is very effective. http://www.nosefrida.com/
Boudreaux's Butt Paste has worked wonders on my baby's diaper rashes.
I really liked the Bumbo seat, but if you buy one, do so early to justify the expense. I actually bought mine at a consignment sale.
Target makes some knockoff Robeez that are probably just as good.
BabyLegs leg warmers are awesome. They keep the baby's legs warm and protected when crawling. If worn with a onsie you don't have to take any pants off when you change the diaper! Plus they are so adorable.
Also, I highly recommend going to yard sales. It saved us a lot of money. The consignment sales were good too, but not nearly as cheap as yard sales.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
And thrift stores. Posted by DeathofBees (Member # 3862) on :
I started with prefolds, and I like them almost as much as the Mother-Ease diapers because they can be adjusted to fit any age baby, right on up to potty training (I'm using them concurrently on Mini-Bee, 28 mos and potty training, and BeeBoy, 4 mos). I have around 50 diapers, and I wash every two days ( ), but I think every time I'm dumping the pail into the wash how much money I'm saving by not buying disposables and how much healthier my boys' bums are because I don't have to skimp on changing frequency.
I don't, however, like using pins. I have cracked and bleeding thumbs from a combination of chapped winter skin, constant hand-washing, and pushing on diaper pins. Owie.
I recommend the Mother-Ease covers most of all, because they breathe and they don't have velcro that gets full of lint in the wash. Whichever covers you get, I recommend line-drying them. I tumble-dry my diapers, but line-dry the covers because they can lose their waterproof quality in the dryer.
Additionally, I want to mention that I switched from using a dry diaper pail system to using a wet pail with 1/4 cup of BIZ laundry booster. My prefolds may be ragged at the edges and have a few holes here and there, but they're sparkling white! Since I wash so often I don't have to change the water daily, but if you wash less frequently (probable), you'll want to pour off the dirty water into the commode. Here are good instructions for washing cloth diapers, although I don't second his recommendation for Bi-O-Kleen. I use Arm & Hammer.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
We use Snappi Fasteners instead of pins. They're great.
Posted by DeathofBees (Member # 3862) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Everyone else is welcome to join in, just please tell us a bit about the product and why you like it. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
You really only need a ballpark figure most of the time-- like when baby feels hot and you want to know if she has a fever. For that, I recommend the Safety 1st AccuScan Ear Thermometer. It takes what we have found to be a completely accurate temp. in one second, has a memory feature that stores the last temperature, fits comfortably into a hand, and is easy to learn to use. Easier to learn, in fact, than taking a rectal temperature, because the squickiness factor is a great motivator. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
This is one of the cheaper ear thermometers, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not accurate. It's a good one.![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
It even does duty when I'm cleaning the house (not that that happens too often) to hold small items I've picked up until I get to the rooms they belong in. I even use it to carry laundry from the laundry room to the couch for folding. No more dropped socks. And while we're talking about socks...![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
)