Baby products... did you buy or receive any baby products that you thought were a MUST HAVE?

Question

and then you ended up thinking they were not necessary...or not as discribed? i'm having a baby in 7 weeks and have a LOT of shopping to do in a hurry. i don't want to waste money on things i will later regret.

Answer 1

I'm going to take a different angle on your question and answer what were MOMMY-product must-haves, for me anyway. Your body goes through so much change, so it's good to be prepared. I breastfed my son and the following were key:

Nursing bras - bare minimum of 2, but I bought 5 in total since it's pretty common to get leaked on or spit up on. Your breasts will be engorged and very tender, and a sports bra or regular bra will hurt and will prevent easy flow and access. I shopped online at www.breakoutbras.com and bought Bravado, which had a sports bra feel to them. Good for me because I didn't really know my exact size and didn't have the time or energy to get measured.

Nursing pillow - I loved the Brest Friend Pillow which wraps around your waist and even fastens. It made feeding my son a lot easier on my arms, shoulders, and back because I could lay him on the pillow.

Electric breast pump - I was worried about buying this before our baby came in case breastfeeding didn't work out for me. I begged my husband to take us to buy this after we left the hospital with our newborn, the engorgement was so painful. I loved my Medela and used it throughout the 1+ years of breastfeeding.

Nursing pads - because you'll be leaking a lot of milk and want to prevent accidents. My faves were Lansinoh's.

And if you have a vaginal delivery...

Maxi pads - Oh, there are so many interesting liquids that come out of your body after giving birth!! Milk, lochia, and the night sweats... If you have a vaginal delivery, you'll be bleeding for a couple of weeks. My friend also recommended Tucks or a freezer-gel pad for swelling "down there".

Squirt bottle - if you have a vaginal delivery and required any stitches, you may be uncomfortable or in pain. You may fear using the bathroom for a while. You can gently cleanse your nether regions w/ a perineal bottle or some sort of squirt bottle.

Best of luck to you and your little one!

Answer 2

Depends on your lifestyle and if you are going to stay at home or work..One thing I got at a shower that I NEVER used was a baby bathrobe, cute but impractical. A good hooded towel is all you need there. Also, I never used baby powder or baby oil and in fact saw an episode of Oprah years ago where a baby got a hold of baby oil and breathed it in and it coated his lungs, outcome not good. So I swore I would never have baby oil in my home. The thing that we wasted the most money on was toys, they are much more interested in the box or that fascinating piece of fuzz on the floor. I had so many toys for my daughter that we would leave them on the sidewalk for other parents to take. A good play yard or bassinet is cheaper than a crib and will get you through the first 6 months while you look for a used crib or a good deal. But for the most part, babies need a lot of stuff. We got rid of everything after our first and had to buy it all again and I think I've spent about $1000 and haven't gotten a crib yet....AHHHHHHH!
My advice, get someone to throw you a shower and make a list or ask for gift certificates so that you don't get a bunch of stuff you don't need...Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I don't think a bassinet is necessary as long as the crib is in your room, or a changing table. I just change him on the couch or floor anyway. Don't buy too large amounts of newborn clothes, they outgrow them really fast. My son didn't like his swing either, but some kids love them. They also don't need a lot of toys at first, a few good musical ones seem to work best. Do buy some cloth diapers, they work best for spit up. Another thing we hardly ever used was one of those baby carrier/backpack thing. Most of the time we used the stroller and found the carrier not very user friendly.

Answer 4

Cloth nappies!!! Dont waste money on 'special' burping blankets, etc..
I used them every time i fed my kids. The youngest is 10months and i still use them. They sock up heaps. Throw it over your sholder before you burp them...excellant! Or have it as an extra while their eating food with a bib on..bibs are just not big enough.
Its something simple but gee's it works!
my sis-in-law never bought any and ever time the kid throw up (which is alot in the begining) some one had to run around trying to find tissues or wipes... very annoying!
Also, i've found you don't have to spend a fortune on special 'baby bags'. Ladies handbags come in so many shapes and sizes these days... And you don't look as daggy then! There are also SO many shops that have handbags you can find them real cheap...why buy one bag costing $100 when you can buy 5 bags for around $20each and swap and change to go with your outfit!!!
Another one i've caught on to this time around is a portable high chair (one that attaches to your dining chair) instead of a stand alone one. They are so bloody big these days! and our house's are getting smaller...it just doesnt make sense!! And the best thing is, you just un-clip it and take it everywhere. Grandparents,Restuarants, friends houses..no need to drag the pram into someones house or have to hold baby the whole time your there!

I hope that helps!!! (and saves you some money too!!)

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

Wipie warmer never usued also I over bought on clothing but he out grew it realy quick! I also never usued my baby sling or front carrier. The baby bathtub ended up being a waiste of money. I give him a bath with me or in the sink.

Things you definitly will use. Diapers, wipies, baby soap a few newborn size clothes otherwise buy 3-6 months. Also baths stuff a towel, lotion, soap. Of course you'll need acrib or bassinet which I prefer next to my bed for the first few months until they are sleeping through the night. You will not be aloud to leave the hospital without a carseat. Bottles and formula if you are not breatfeeding. A stroller will also come in handy.

Answer 6

I never used the baby bath tub. I just stuck both of my kids in the sink. When they were newborns and needed sponge bathes, I just put a thick towel on the floor and did it on that. I didn't waste my money on burp clothes. just used old wash cloths. I didn't get a changing table, I would change the baby on the bed. That one will save you anywhere from $50-$100! You can do without the diaper genie if you are one of those people that saves plastic shopping bags. Absolutely do get the swing... It can save your sanity at times. I never put my son in a walker. He did not like it and it didn't roll that well on the carpet anyway. They say they aren't that safe anyway, the baby can reach higher things with them. I didn't buy baby mittens, just put socks on the hands. It looked funny, but why waste the money, they just get lost anyway.

Answer 7

I have my list of things to buy. It is long! But I am not getting bassinet or moses basket, breast pumps and things I didn't use last time or didnt' work. However... I know how hard it is to shop and tote around a car seat and a grumpy baby. So I am getting everythign I could possilbely need now. Then if baby is a happy one and I want to go out and show him off.. I'll go shopping for fun stuff

Answer 8

the main things you need are obviously diapers. only thing is ppl tend to buy too much of one size. newborns grow fast and you end up with way too many preemie or newborn diapers. so try to shop for a wider variety of sizes. so you dont end up with too many extra. Just think if you buy, say, 5 bags of newborn and then 3 bags of the next size up you will have those once they all of the sudden do not fit in their newborn diapers one morning. and if you buy too many what will you do with the left overs. NOTHING. but if you run out you can always go back and buy more. formula or breast pads which ever. you do not need a million bottles. Just be sure to stay on track and wash them so you dont have a million dirty baby bottles laying around. Get your wipes, your warmer, trust me a wipe warmer is key to keeping your baby asleep at night when they need to be changed, a cold wipe will wake them up completely and you will not be able to go back to sleep cuz they wont. You also need lots of rash cream, baby lotion, rags, towels, plenty of crib sheets. a nightlite, all those sorts of things. but you do not need a designer diaper bag. Chances are they cost a fortune but aren't made nearly as good as the regular graco ones. swings are a must, pacifiers aren't alway NEEDED . you dont need as many clothes as you would think, half the time if your at home your baby will probably be in his/her diaper and comfortable. But you will want a billion onesies. they are phenominal. ok I am just wishing I had another baby right now so I can buy all this stuff again, so I can go on forever. I am just going to stop cuz I am rambling on, Hope I helped, but I dont thihnk I did. lol

Answer 9

don't buy covers for the changing table. it's much easier to clean the plastic of the changing table pad then to have to wash the cloth cover.

a thick pillow like bumper for the crib, it's a SIDS risk. I kept finding my son with his face near it. Instead buy a breathable mesh bumper

sterilizer - huge waste of money - just boil everything that is new, and then wash in the dishwasher or with hot soapy water after that

clothes that look cute but are not very practical - get one or two nice outfits for photos, but otherwise buy cotton stretchy clothes. shirts are a big pain because they keep riding up, just go with onsies

Answer 10

I rushed out and bought a sleeping positioner right before my baby was due. NEVER used it.

Someone gave me a wipe warmer. It's a neat idea, but not totally necessary.

I don't use a Diaper Genie. We just take out the trash every night.

I don't use a bottle sterilizer. You can sterilize them in a pot, dishwasher, or microwave.

Hope those help!!! Best wishes with your delivery and baby!