Do I really need these baby items?

Question

I got a diaper genie, i've heard that they're a waste of money. I've also heard that they're great. Do they stink? should i upgrade to a genie 2?

I'd like to get a bassinet or a playard made for infants to sleep in ( dont have room for a crib yet) which do you think would be better?

Also, about how long after the baby drops do you go into labor?

Answer 1

First off, Congratulations!

i had a diaper genie with my first two. the things i hated about it were, spending $5-6 each time i had to get a plastic refill, and the stench that ended up staying in it so each time i opened it, it was vomit inducing. I cleaned it, bleached it, aired it out, finally i trashed it. I have a diaper champ now. It uses plain garbage bags (way cheaper), and the odor isn't too bad, just a little bit when you turn the handle to drop the diaper in, and when you go to change the bag. But it dissipates quickly

I had a bassinet for my little ones at first. The playpen was just too big to fit in our bedroom, but we did use the playpen some when we traveled, and outdoors fishing or camping, so they both came in handy. The bassinet was nice because it was on wheels and rather small and moveable, so I could bring it out in the main room with me, or move it wherever.

As far as the baby dropping and labor- it can be from a matter of days, to months- anytime. My boy dropped a few weeks prior to due date, and I was induced 6 days past duedate. My 3rd child, I carried low for the last 2 months of pregnancy. her head was way down and I still had over 4 weeks to go. It varies from person to person.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I had a diaper genie, I thought it was great. I had my first child before the genie and the diaper pail smelled a lot worse, no matter how often I emptied it. The diaper genie was a lot less smelly. I think the diaper genie 2 is bigger. If I was buying one, I'd probably get it, but if I already had the original I wouldn't bother to get the newer one.

I would go with a bassinet. It will be harder on your back to put the baby into and take her out of the playard, although she will probably grow out of the bassinet sooner.

I don't know about the baby dropping, I don't think I ever really noticed that.

Answer 3

1. We have a diaper genie. It seems to work pretty well. If my daughter has been particularly productive in the #2 department it can get a little rank. If you already have it it is worth giving it a try.

2. I would shoot for a pack-n-play that also doubles as a bassinet. We borrowed a bassinet from a friend for the first 8 weeks or so. Would have felt like a waste to spend a lot of money on something used for not all that long.

3. I think it can range from real soon to several weeks.

Answer 4

I have a Diaper Champ and I love it, keeps the smell out. I wanted it vs. the Diaper Genie because you have to buy special bags for the Diaper Genie but you can put regular kitchen trash bags in the Champ.

Go for a playard. Most also come with a changing table and can be coverted into a playpen. We have a crib but my son sleeps in his playard in my room for the time being (it's too far of a hike across the house in the middle of the night for a feeding).

Each person is unique. My baby dropped right before I went into labor, it all happened at the same time. Some people it can be weeks.

Answer 5

I don't have a diaper genie, but I think that the reasoning behind having one is so you don't get the stink. Although, a friend of mine just gave me a bunch of those little plastic baggies that they put your paper in when it rains. I put the dirty diapers in those before putting them into the trash, and it seems to keep the smell down.

I would probably go with the playard (I'm assuming your talking about a pack-n-play type playpen) as they can stay in those much longer (my daughter was still using ours up to 15 months, and even now that she's 20 months, I will put her in on occassion). I don't have a bassinet, but I have been told they can only be used until the baby is a few months old.

Answer 6

I hated my diaper genie! With my other 3 kids I just went with a regular diaper pail. I had my kids in a bassinet for the first month and moved them to a crib. If I had to do it again, I would go with the playard! It is amazing how many baby products you DON'T need!! Just get the basics and save the rest of that money for diapers, food and clothes!

Answer 7

Diaper Genie - Its a gadget for Smelly Diapers. Store bags work just as well if you take the bag straight to the trash bin. And you already have Tons of those left over from shopping for baby things, or the Quart size Ziploc bags if you cant make it to the Bin.
Play Pen? Bassinet? Its what ever is easier for you. The Lower to the ground it is the harder on your back it will be from bending. What ever you choose, just watch for areas that your little person might get caught in like corners.
Time - Each pregnancy is different. The only thing that I can say about that is the closer you get to labor, the more you will know when its time.
Good Luck & Congratulations - (My 2 cents- Dont let Mothers scare you with labor Horor stories before you are due- Compare them After the baby Arrivies over a glass of wine and a Sitter. They arent so scarry then)

Answer 8

Diaper genie...please. I get diaper dispoal bags 100ct at the dollar store and have a "special" trash can I only use for diapers. Yeah it stinks a little if I don't empty it often enough but anything is going to stink if filled with crap and left for awhile.
A bassinet/playyard. You don't have to get one but the playyard with a bassinet attachment is very hand to have around. If it is the travel variety and folds up you have a safe place to put your baby when you are at someone elses house or if you go to the park you can put a crawler in there to keep him/her from getting away or for a break on your arms or back. This item I would definately recommend getting...but not a bassinet that is just that like the fancy ones that baby will outgrow in a few months. We had one with our first daughter and she only used it for like 4 months, it was a waste of money.
As for baby dropping, that really doesn't indicate much when it comes to when labor will come on. Some women have the baby drop weeks before birth and some the baby doesn't drop at all until she is in labor. Good luck and congrats on the upcoming addition.

Answer 9

We have a crib and a bassinet. The bassinet is a life saver! During the day if I want to go to the kitchen or just hang out in the living room, I just put him in his bassinet and can take him anywhere I go. I have a diaper genie, and I only used it for the first week or so. They just keep the diapers from causing odor all through the house. But if you take out your trash frequently, you really dont need one. You can't really tell how long it will be just because the baby drops. It could be months.

Answer 10

I heard diaper genies are nice, we use a diaper pail. It stinks! But, I know myself, I wouldnt end up buying the refills for the genie so I didnt get it.

I would get a playard that has a bassinet with it. Graco makes one.

Dont know about question 3