I had a reunion with old college roommates who all have babies now. They said there were a few items on their registry or received as gifts that weren't worth the trouble of using. Since we're still expecting, most of our stuff is still boxed up. Are there items we should consider exchanging because they were not much help, or didn't perform as promised?
2007-03-19 08:35:21 · 10 answers · asked by bugspiker 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It depends on what you guys already have. There is so much baby gear out there and some of it is great and some not so great.
One thing that we got 2 of that we never used were wipes warmers. Some parents swear by them, but we weren't going to go there. Our theory was that it would make those away from home changings that much more difficult. As it is, our baby is in an unfamiliar place, then I put a nice cold wipe on his bum when he's used to it being all warm.
We also have an evenflo highchair that I hated. Reading about it it sounded great. The part I liked best was that it transformed into a booster seat that you can bring up to the table when the baby is old enough. Sure, that was true... but the cover was cloth. I hated that I couldn't wipe it off like I could a vinyl one. Sure, with a little shout, it washed up nicely, but what a pain. So make sure your high chair cover is vinyl or some sort of other wipeable material.
Some people love the diaper genie, some don't. The biggest complaint that I've heard is that it fills up so quickly that you need to empty it every day, which can be a pain. But it is wonderful for those stinky poopy diapers. What we do is put all the wet diapers in a covered trash can in our bathroom, and the poopy ones into the genie. If you use this, thats one way to get around having to constantly empty it.
One thing that we didn't use were the prepackaged layette sets we got. Most are one size, what size, I never figured out when my son was an infant. Yeah, the look nice all packaged up (they use an entire roll of tape to make it look as perfect as it does and it does not come off easily!), but it was something that we just didn't use. You're better off exchanging it for store credit and getting whatever size clothing you need.
2007-03-19 08:53:45 · answer #1 · answered by Stacy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you put bottles on your list odds are you'll have several of them. In fact I have 13 in my closet and only use 5 of them and they are the ones with disposable bags he wont take the others and I don't use them. Also the bouncy seat, he hated it with a passion. And lets not mention the clothes that if your child is born term more then likely will outgrow in the first month buy bigger.. I personally would return my travel system {car seat stroller} if I could and would have just bought a CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS to start with. I purchased the Evenflo Ellipsa Travel System which looks cool but I'll be honest that stroller took up way to much space and I drive a full size SUV. I'd have just bought a fully reclineable lightweight stroller which is what I am doing now so I'll be shelling out another 125 dollars for a stroller that is lighter, more convenient for us and comfortable for him and doesn't take up as much room in the back of the vehicle. Also the baby bath that I bought for when he started to sit on his own, I have the Safety 1st Tubside Bath Seat used it twice, waste of money and the bottle warmer made the bottles as I used them and most babies cant tell the differance in their tummy if its warm or cold, wipe warmer and a changing table was no way I was climbing those stairs everytime just to change his little bottom.Want me to keep going on?
The things I couldnt have lived without was his swing, highcare ofcourse got the spacesaver one, jumeroo, newborn baby tub, and the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium. He's 10 months old now and still loves that thing.
2007-03-19 08:48:36 · answer #2 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got way too much baby powder and lotion! The baby wash, I used 'til they were at least two yrs old, but my doctor said it wasn't necessary to use powder or lotion, because they could cause allergic reactions and the baby could inhale the powder when you sprinkle it on. I saved the lotions for when they were older and could use them, or I used them on my dry hands and legs. The powder, I let my 4yr old play with a small container for her dolls and I used it on the inside of my thighs on hot, sweaty days. I always get too many newborn clothes that they, of course, grow out of so quick. I usually wrap these up and use them for when someone else is having a baby shower(unless I get to the store in time to exchange it for something more useful.) Every baby is different, so they may have different things that work for them.
Oh, yeah, the diaper genie definately was more in my way than a help. It was too much trouble than it was worth, especially now that I have twins! Once it fills up, it's almost too heavy to lift! I just put diapers in our garbage cans, since we have to empty it often.( I put poopy diapers in a plastic WalMart bag first, to keep it from smelling.)
2007-03-19 08:49:33 · answer #3 · answered by mom-of-4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is different, some of my friends loved the items that I never used. I would suggest leave everything in boxes or with the tags on for now, take it out as you feel the need and return everything that is left at three months.
2007-03-19 08:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by growing inside 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy the Baby Bargains book! www.babybargains.com It is full of great advice on this stuff.
Off the top of my head -
- Anything desinged to keep you baby from rolling in the crib. Babies can't roll over untill they are ready.
- Dreft! You can use anytype of unscented detergent. I use All free and clear.
- I also don't beleive in wipe warmers. What are you going to do when you are not at home - blow on wipes unitl they are warm?
- Keep in mind that you will put your baby in sleep clothes nearly all the time the first three months because they are sleeping so much. Save the clothes for when they are bigger and going out of their car seat or crib.
Good Luck!
2007-03-19 08:52:45 · answer #5 · answered by zzmama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone is different. I personally never used any of the receiving blankets that I had, but other people went thru them like crazy. Also, I used cloth diapers as burp rags instead of actual burp rags (so less expensive, and you get more cloth diapers) My advice would be to leave whatever you think you may not need or use in its wrapping until you actually think you may need it or just take it back and exchange for something that you know will make your life easier.
2007-03-19 08:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by danczar1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The diaper genie is useless.Who wants to have these little bags of dirty diapers sitting around forever?
Just get a nice, small plastic garbage bag and change it daily. Much easier and much fresher.
Congrtaulations.
2007-03-19 08:46:14 · answer #7 · answered by Cammie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that you can have too many bottles, bath rags, and socks! We have two babies (6months-adopted & 3 months-foster) and I would say that too many of these items just causes less room for other more useful items.
2007-03-19 08:40:24 · answer #8 · answered by AdoptiveMama 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took back a sleeper that allowed the baby to sleep in the bed w/ us but be in their own area. It was useless. She rolled to the side my husband was on b/c he was heavier.
2007-03-19 08:40:25 · answer #9 · answered by JEN 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why not donate the excess to those in need of it?
peace
2007-03-19 08:43:01 · answer #10 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋