What do you think are the best baby items on the market? What did you find really handy?

Question

I am 15 weks pregnant with my baby, and I am wondering what items you moms out there found super handy and worth the money when you had your baby- things you couldn't live without with your baby!! If you could give me brands of items, too, I would be grateful. I am planning on nursing and pumping/bottle feeding, things like pumps, bottles, etc... I am also thinking about using cloth diapers, if anyone used them let me know what it was like... What baby products (shampoo, wipes, diapers) did you use and why? What baby monitor did you like?
I am trying to get an idea of items we will need to purchase and put on our birth registry... which will probably be at WalMart. I am in Canada, so products would have to be available here! THANKS!!

Answer 1

I'm in Canada as well, so everything will be available here :)

For newborns we used SwaddleMe Blankets (way easier then trying to so it with a recieving blanket) by Kiddopotamus. They are sold in specilaty stores in Canada unfortunately. BUT Walmart has a type similatr by First Years, it isnt as good, but it does the trick and is about $12 whereas the Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe blankets I bought at a speciality store cost me $22 each.

First Years: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A166747011%2Cp_4%3AThe%20First%20Years&page=1

Kiddopotamus: http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_swad.php

Jolly Jumper Airflow Bumper Pads. They are fabulous. They keep baby's arms and legs inside the crib but are breathable and reduce SIDS. I was way too scared to put the regular bumpers on because they were so padded and was afraid one of my babies would burrow into them and suffocate. So, it saved me a lot of worrying. I bought 2 at walmart, each for $20 http://www.babyproofingplus.com/item5253.htm


Jolly Jumper Sling. I got 2 snuglis and hated them, they were confusing and uncomfortable, and only good up to 22 lbs. These Jolly Jumper slings were very inexpensive at $25 each at WInners and they are good until 2 years of age with so many different ways to wear your baby. Its super comfy and I love it. http://www.babyproofingplus.com/item3361.htm

When I was pumping I bought Avent ISIS manual breast pump. It was quicker and more comfortable then the electric one I had used at the hospital. Cost me $99.99 at Superstore. If you arent looking for a manual one, I have heard Medela ones are great (they are pricey though), maybe try looking into renting one. At the hospital I delivered I was given a list of places in my area ( medical supply stores, pharmacies etc) that rented out the hospital grade pumps for relatively cheap. http://www.toysrus.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10052&langId=-1&productId=81851


Both my children absolutely love their Fisher Price Intellitainer. You wont be able to use it until about 4 months of age, but its great. I bought it at Walmart for $64 http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?e=detail&pid=32073&selcat=bgetn&st=2011


I also bought a Fisher Price play mat which they used before the exersaucer. It converts to a tummy time mat (just move the toys from the top to the sides) it was great. http://store.babycenter.com/product/toys/gyms+-+playmats/miracles+-+milestones+magical+mobile+gym.do?scid=SSE:NXTG&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=07-20118959-2

We also bought 2 Fisher Price mobiles from Toys R Us. They are operated by remote control. One is really neat, it has birds that actually fly around and flap their wings. The other one is fish that move around in a circle, but the top of the mobile projects shapes onto the wall and ceiling at night. I like the bird one better but with the fish one, when the babies no longer use or need the mobiles, you can take the part that projects the shapes onto the walls and ceiling and put just that part onto the nightstand or something and it acts as a "night light" that only projects the shapes etc, for older babies. They were about $50-$60 each The remote was great so the babies didnt see us and start crying etc

Fish Mobile: http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2011&e=detail&selcat=bgtoys&pid=31392

Bird Mobile: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3538824

*RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND A BATTERY CHARGERY*
I could not live without this! Everything needs batteries. I swear all these companies have some sort of deal with the battery companies. If you dont buy rechargeables and a charger you will be spending SO much money on batteries. We didnt buy one until the twins were 4 months and in that 4 months we probably spent $350 just in batteries,.

For shampoo we use Huggies all over wash. Good diaper cream I recommend is Aveeno Baby diaper cream. We use Huggies sensitive wipes and I find that Huggies diapers are the best BUT Parents Choice at walmart (half the price) is pretty good as well. We've tried other store brands, no good..they leaked etc. Pampers leaked and didnt fit my son properly at all.

We bought a cheap bouncy chair from Walmart by Saftey 1st. Cost $10 and it just plays music, works well enough :)

If you decide to bottle feed at all (either expressed breast milk or formula) I highly recommend the First Years Bottle Warmer, its also great for when your baby starts baby foods at 6 months because you can also warm up the baby food in the jar without microwaving and risking burning baby's mouth. It was $20 at Walmart

I have a Graco Duoglider stroller (twin stroller) but its great so I recommend any type of Graco single stroller. DO NOT buy any Saftey 1st strollers from Walmart. They are horrible and dangerous. (we bought one and took it back 5 months later, the harness strapes came right out while my daughter was in the stroller)

Also be aware, someone posted something about head supports. The hospital will not allow you to leave with your baby in the carseat using one. Our car seats came with them and I had to take them out. They make you roll up to receiving blankets. Apparently, (according to the nurse) the head supports actually compresses a baby's head which can be dangerous.



Hope that helps!

Answer 2

The best thing I got was the Graco Metrolite Stroller. I really love this thing. The funny thing is that I got the Bugga Bug as a gift too, but I loved the Metrolite better.

Also the Baby Bjorn baby carrier really helped me run errands with my baby safely tucked in. The best diaper bag I ever got was from redenvelope.com; does NOT look like a mommy bag and is not too bulky and easy to open close with one hand.

The thing that really helped me get my baby on a napping schedule was the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Swing. It's worth every penny.

The vibrating bouncy seat is a must ---it's compact, so you can put it anywhere. I got one of those shower curtains where the top is clear and you can see out ---and I would bring the bouncy seat into the bathroom and keep an eye on my baby (and talk/sing to her too) while I showered. It gave me piece of mind.

Don't forget to always have a humidifier, nose suctioner, saline drops, a good thermometer and infants Tylenol in the house ---you never know when you'll need it.

Finally ---for any mother whose baby ever had colic: Mylicon drops are a gift from heaven. You must get a bottle. And the really smelly Desitin is the only thing that will help your baby's diaper rash.

Don't spend so much on one thing, like fancy swaddlers, or bottles. Your baby may not even like being swaddled (none of mine did) and you may have to try different bottles before you find the one that works best for your baby. Avent worked great for mine, but again ---every baby is different.

There is no 'right' thing to get. You have trust your parental instict, and you will see you have great instincts!

Congratulations and good luck with the little one. Make sure your burp her/him well!

Answer 3

Congratulations!!! I haven't had the chance to use anything yet, I'm due in 5 weeks, but, as for pumps, I've been told to hold off on buying a pump till after the baby arrives... incase, A) you dont like it B) the baby doesn't like it and you should also have the option to rent one. Check with your hospital. I did put one on my registry, but havne't gotten it. It may be a 'personal' purchase.

Right now, I'm saving coupons, and picking up the diapers as I have coupons, then I'll have a pack of each, and I'll know which I like best.

Any monitor you get, get the extended warranty ;)

I think with alot of baby things, it's trial and error. Some babies love things that other babies hate... and some kids grow super fast (my cousin has a 25 Lb 6 month old! *egads*) So, what would normally last a year + for most people, she can no longer use (like a swing, or the carrier).

Speaking of, go with Graco, when getting a travel system, or car seat/carrier. I was looking at the Evenflo's and they were rated horribly in crash tests.

Good luck!

Answer 4

congrats- I have a 5 month old son and here are the favorites.

Soothing Motions Glider (he used to sleep in it next to my bed- he did not like sleeping flat in a bassinet)

Symphony in Motion mobile

The First Years 2.4GHz baby monitor (Has the best reception)

Graco Snugride infant seat AND the stroller base that goes with it .

Britax Marathon car seat for when he outgrows his infant seat

Fisher Price Baby Gymnastics Jumperoo (by far my son's favorite item)

Sesamee Street kick and play by Fisher Price

Bumbo infant chair (best invention!)

Ocean Wonders bouncy seat

Tiny Love floor gym

I recommend renting a hospital grade pump from the lactation center at the hospital.

Get a few baby gowns for when they are first born- you do not need to put in fancy outfits- the gowns are the easiest and most comfortable for baby. Get a few of the Gerber side snap tt-shirts, too.

Do not reccommend baby powder...it has been found that the particles can get into the baby's lungs. Use a good diaper cream with every diaper change and you should be set. Aveeno and Desatin make good ones.

Get nice hooded towels and soft baby washclothsfor bathing and I like the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders baby bath tub (it has a hammock in it for newborns)

Pottery barn baby has nice baby sheets- chenille like
and Babystyle.com has some great ones that feel like t-shirt material. I love them both.

I have a Maclaren Quest Stroller that I love for travel and walks around the neighborhood.

I would not use cloth diapers. In theory great idea- but not practical. I love pampers swaddlers. Never had a leaky diaper.
I am now using pampers cruisers for my 5 month old.

Love the Avent bottle warmer.
Love the Ultimate Wipes Warmer
Love the Medela microwave steam sterilazation bags.

Answer 5

I had to exclusively pump, I used a medela lactina and used avent bottles. Some babies have a preference, we went through like 5 different kinds before he would drink an avent one.
I am using cloth diapers-I can't imagine going back to the horrid stench of disposables. You can find tons of info at www.diaperpin.com, www.diaperjungle.com, http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm and www.realdiaperassociation.com I mainly use fuzzi bunz and fitteds w/covers. The pinstripes site has washing instructions-it's actually really easy-I've travelled all over the place while using cloth diapers-many are suprised that I can do it but I am very hardcore hippy lol.
For baby care, we use california baby products and dr. bronners castille soap. My son has severely sensitive skin and these are the only things that will not break him out.
I don't use a baby monitor-we cosleep ;)
Another great thing you should consider is babywearing http://www.thebabywearer.com/ Your baby will be so much happier in one of these slings/carriers!

Answer 6

I, too, was going to use cloth diapers.... For about 2 days and then I went out and bought diapers. It was a mess. Kept the baby's bottom wet. Hard to use going out anywhere. Those plastic pants are nasty. Disposable diapers might be hard on the einvironment but they are much easier on the mom - and baby... I liked the Johnson and Johnson products. They had the best smell and that is important. - plus the products did not cause any allergic reactions in my children.

Answer 7

I liked Huggies. They smell not so great with urine in the diaper, but I never once had a baby with a blow out! Tried every other brand out there. That's for when you decide cloth diapers are too much. The best thing I bought was a cloth velcro portable high chair. I got it at Babys R Us. When the are able to sit up, you tie it to a chair (great at restaurants) and velro the baby in so that they can see what is going on and you don't have to worry about them sliding out or getting crooked in their own high chair, or restaurant high chair. Life saver.

Answer 8

Congratulations.

There are a couple of things I couldn't do with out when I had my daughter.

1. Bundle me sack
2. Sleep sack
3. Avent manual breast pump
4. Avent bottles
5. Tiny Love play mat
6. Recliner and ottoman
7. Fisher-Price Imaginarium bouncy seat
8. Fisher-Price Intelltainer

For bathing I prefer the Aveeno shampoo and wash.
I prefer the Pampers over the huggies

Answer 9

I really loved my stroller! I had a Graco single woth my first child, then got a Graco double when I had my second child. Also the baby swing, find one that has a push button, instead of a crank for starting it up, less noise. If you will be doing any traveling, a Pack-N-Play is very handy. Monitor is a must, it so fun to hear the sweet cooing sounds your baby will make. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

1. Just call it: 25! 2. 5 by 5 3. 5 by 5 = 25 4. 25 things to know about before you reach 25! 5. The world of 25

Answer 11

The item I couldn't live without was the baby sleeper sacks. It made me feel so much better knowing my son would be warm all night and he wouldn't accidental pull the blanket over his head. I also wouldn't have traded my rocking chair for anything in the world (except for a recliner he he) I kept it in his room so I could comfortably nurse without waking my husband with lights or sound.