do i need any of these items for my baby? (diaper genie, bassinet, boppy pillow, play gym, baby carrier,pump)?

Answer 1

You definitely will need a diaper genie - or some other disposal system that contains the smell. Personally, I recommend the Diaper Champ because you can use regular trash bags rather than some expensive cartridge.

You will need a bassinet only if you wish to have the baby next to your bed in the first few weeks - or if you don't yet have a crib.

You will want a boppy pillow if you're breastfeeding, but you can always use throw pillows if you want to save some $$.

You don't need a play gym unless it seems like your baby 1) prefers to be on the floor, squirming around, and 2) enjoys looking at and reaching for things dangling over his/her head. Better to hold off until the baby's a little older.

You should also hold off on buying a baby carrier until your baby is here, so you can see which model is comfortable for BOTH of you. And there's always a chance your baby won't enjoy being in a carrier.

You will need a breast pump if you plan to be away from baby for extended periods of time. That doesn't just mean going back to work. If you're a Stay-At-Home-Mom, you may still want to pump some milk for your baby so you can get out of the house for a few hours, whether by yourself or with someone special.

Answer 2

When I found out I was pregnant I purchased the book "Baby Bargains". Not only do they give great advice on what is the best deal, what products are safest, etc they also give excellent tips on what you need and don't need. Here's a few thoughts:

1. Diaper Genie - I actually recommend the Diaper Champ. It uses regular trashbags instead of expensive refills like other diaper pails. It was worth the $$ for us and it really works. I went over a friends house who doesn't own a diaper pail and you could smell a faint diaper smell. She finally bought a diaper pail and you would never guess she has twin boys!

2. Bassinet. Not really necessary. It's used for such a short time and really you can put the baby to sleep in the car seat if you're worried about the crib. I really recommend getting the baby used to the crib early on though or you could have sleep problems later.

3. If you are breastfeeding then you'll want a boppy and a breast pump. The boppy is also very useful when the baby is learning to sit up by itself. The type of breastpump you need will depend on whether you are working full time (then you'll need a good double electric) or just want the occassional time away from baby (you can probably get away with a good manual pump like the Avent Isis)

4. The baby carrier was very useful when the baby wanted to be held constantly but I still needed to do things like dishes or laundry. It's also great if you're going somewhere that a stroller could be difficult to use. However, I recommend getting a cheap model like the Snugli until you know you're baby actually likes it. No sense paying $80 for a Bjorn if you're baby ends up hating it.

5. Play gym - I loved mine because it was a fun stimulating place to lay the baby down if I needed to run to the bathroom. My girls loved looking up at the toys. Then, they started reaching for the toys until finally they started crawling through it.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

You do not need a diaper genie, although you probably want some kind of diaper pail with a lid.[

You don't need a bassinet if you have a Pack'n'Play with a bassinet attachment or you plan on having the baby sleep in her car seat or her crib from the get-go.

You might find that a Boppy helps you as you learn to nurse, but you can certainly use other, regular pillows instead. And you can always pick one up or borrow one later.

A play gym can be nice for a physically precocious baby. My second daughter loved it. My first daughter didn't care for it at all. And they don't need a play gym at all, no matter what, until they're a few months old. And by then, you'll have a sense of your child's temperament.

A baby carrier is AWESOME if you have a) a reflux baby or colicky baby; b) if you travel a lot by plane; c) if you do a lot of walking or hiking. But you need to get one that actually works for you. I found that the Snuglis and various slings didn't work for me. I never felt like I could use one "hands-free." The Baby Bjorn was better in that respect, but I didn't like the way my girls were suspended by their crotches, and I didn't feel like they were well-supported. (Still, a Bjorn got me through a two-week trip to Rome and Naples with a 5-month-old...) In the last year, I discovered the Ergo carrier, and I wish I'd had one all along. Your baby sits in a "pocket," is totally hands-free, can ride front or back, and it's comfy enough to wear all day. You can nurse wearing it, if you have to, and I can still carry my three-year-old in it in a pinch.

If you're going to nurse for your baby's first year and you work outside the home, you need a pump. And you really need a double electric pump. Most people get the Medela Pump in Style. But Avent has recently come out with a double electric Isis pump, and that was always my favorite manual one. I think that even if you're NOT working outside the home, a manual pump is a good idea. You never know when you're going to need to pump and dump, or when your baby is going to decide not to eat on one side, leaving you engorged and uncomfortable.

Answer 4

the diaper genie was the BEST THING i ever purchased! i can't stand the smell of dirty diapers and this product DOES completely seal off the odor! don't buy any other brand though (it's tempting as there are cheaper brands) because they do NOT work the same.

bassinet is not necessary if you have room for the crib... babies grow so fast and they can't be in a bassinet once they can roll (3 months).

boppy pillow... i never had one so i can't comment

play gym... i have bought them but the baby still gets bored VERY quickly. several toys on a blanket work very well too!

baby carrier... have you ever tried to get a baby out of one of those without help? i like the sling style but NOT the type where they are riding on your tummy...

i HAD to use a breast pump as i was never able to stimulate enough milk production without one!

Answer 5

Diaper Genie - got one. Love it!

Bassinet - never used one... didn't really have space and didn't want to have to undo it later and get her used to a new bed. We put baby right in crib with a sleep positioner right from day one and never had a problem.

Boppy pillow - still use mine twice a day to nurse (baby turns one today) plus it was GREAT for tummy time and when she was learning to sit on her own.

Play gym - had one... it was okay, but I could've done without it

Baby carrier- the carseat "bucket" is GREAT!!! Convenient and no doing up straps in a cold car (or putting baby in a cold carseat!) As for the "Snugli"... I thought I NEEDED a Snugli because everyone said I did. Got one as a shower gift and I hated it. With the baby in front of you your arms aren't long enough and you can't see around them to do anything. I got a sling when my daughter was 7 months old and I only WISH I'd had it sooner. I still use it and it's the BEST!!!

Pump--good if you plan on breastfeeding, pumping bottles will allow you to get out a bit, plus if you ever get engorged, need to "pump and dump" if you've had a couple drinks, are taking meds or you get a plugged milk duct taking a manual breast pump with you into a warm bath REALLY helps.

Answer 6

A diaper genie is nice, but not necessary. You can just go throw stinky diapers outside if the smell bothers you. A bassinet, I think is a waste of money, as they tend to grow out of it pretty quickly, and isn't as comfortable because the mattress is so thin, it's better to just start them off in a crib. The boppy pillow is helpful for first time breastfeeders or for mothers with heavy babies, but if you are a pro at breastfeeding, then you probably don't need it, but it is nice to be able to prop your child up instead of keeping him in a crib all day. The baby gym gets a lot of use in my house, particularly after that first month, it works on the back, neck and arm muscles. I personally think baby carriers are a waste of money, I would rather carry my 7 lb baby without the extra 8-10 lb carrier. Although people like to see them at restaurants, I find that it is fairly easy to eat holding a newborn. And a pump...well that depends on how long you plan an giving your child breast milk, when you will go to work etc etc. If you want to give your child breastmilk for the first several months of his life, but you have to return to work after, say...1 month...then yes, you do need a pump...a double electric to keep your milk supply...a hand pump would take forever. But if you have the luxury of staying with your child for several months and decide to stop breastfeeding when you return, then you don't need one. If your baby is premature and has to stay in NICU for some time, then you will probably need to rent a hospital grade electric pump to start your milk supply. (and in that case invest in lasinoh as a first time breastfeeder going straight to a hospital grade pump will be painful to your nipples) Good Luck!

Answer 7

Yes.....
diaper genie - yes and no - We have one and it's nice because it helps keep the smell down and is neat looking (more so than a trash can) for our nursery. It's also nice because each individual diaper is wrapped (When emptied - they look like a giant string of pearls). It's easy to empty, too.

bassinet - Yes. We have a co-sleeper that fits right next to our bed but acts like a bassinet. My only compaint is that they don't make clip-on mobiles. So get a basinet with a mobile (they make bassinets that look like mini- pack `n plays) - I'll get that next time around.

boppy pillow - If you are planning on breast feeding it is very helpful because it helps keep the baby up to your breast. We also sit her in it on our bed, etc. It helps her learn to keep her head up (when sitting in it) and also when she is laying stomach down on it. It's a life saver - and helpful for the baby. The downside is that it doesn't fit in every chair when you are breastfeeding (case in point - my father in law made a rocking chair and the arms are so high that I can't use the boppy when I sit in the chair).

play gym - We have a pack `n play as an extra crib/changing table. It's great because we have two stories - so we keep one downstairs near the kitchen/dining room. We also pack it up quickly and use it when we go to my parents, etc. It's convenient and doubles as a 'playpen'.

baby carrier - YES! You need one. I love our baby bjorn. Our daughter loves being close to us. I put her in the baby carrier around the house to get stuff done (laundry, making a quick bite, etc.). It's awesome because she still gets to be close to me and keeps her from being fussy. It's also convenient when we go to the store. I can wear her and push a grocery cart. I would not be able to function well with out it!

pump - do you plan on breastfeeding? My daughter is exclusively breastfeed and we have the Avent uno. (I wish I would have gotten the duo). I pumped in the beginning to relieve engorgement. I pump now to store milk for when she has a baby sitter and when I'm at work. The pump helps me do other stuff so I can go out and not worry about how my baby's getting fed. She will never use formula and the pump ensures that for us.

Long story short... these items make life with a baby easier. I know you could substitute other items for these or not use any at all - but TRUST me - it would be easier if you just got them.
(We also keep an extra pack and play and stocked diaper bag in the car just in case).

Answer 8

I loved having a bassinet, but it's not a necessity a lot of babies go right into their cribs.

A bobby is great for feeding time, especially if you are breastfeeding.
I never had the diaper genie, the refills were to expensive for me to justify buying one.

The play gym is tons of fun for the baby. The baby carrier...depends on what you mean? A lot of baby carriers are also car seats so you would need one.
The pump is an absolute must if you are going to breast feed. It allows you to give your baby a bottle if you aren't going to be around, or increase your milk supply by tricking your body into thinking the baby is eating more then it really is.
I would suggest a swing as an item on the must have list, I couldn't have lived without it.

Answer 9

People spend way to much money on newborn baby stuff.
Diaper Genie - we had one at our church and it was a pain. Also, you'll need to continue buying the liners. Solution: save your plastic bags from the grocery store to dispose of your diapers. Free!
Bassinet - if you have someone who can loan you their bassinet, I don't have a problem. Otherwise, it's an expense that's unnecessary. The baby is only in it for a few months.
Bobby pillow - not sure what that is
Play gym - I put both of my children on the floor (on blankets) and let them "play" and "explore". You can stimulate them without buying them "gym" equipment.
Baby carrier - they are really nice for hands-free shopping, etc. I had a front carrier and a back carrier.
Breast pump - If you're going to be a stay-at-home mom, then you don't need a breast pump. If you're going back to work, you might want one if you intend to continue breastfeeding.
I breastfed both of my daughters and never needed/wanted one.

Answer 10

I would recommend buying a boppy pillow.

I don't really use my diaper genie because I live in an apartment & it's easy to dispose of stinky diapers.

It's nice to have a bassinet, but it's not a must.

Pump- I guess so, if you're breastfeeding. I wasted my money on a pump because I ended up bottlefeeding-- baby didn't latch on.

Play Gym- I don't know, it's up to you.

Baby Carrier- Yes, but it's only useful for a few months-- the baby gets too heavy.

I hope this helps:)