What are the “must haves” and “not necessary” items when expecting a baby?

[BigDog]

I used my boppy all the time with #3 -- but I'm pretty well endowed ;) I loved it because you could lie them in it so they weren't completely flat after a feed, helped him not to spit up.

The thing I NEVER used was the Diaper Genie. I know some people feel they're fantastic, but for me once they're out of the really small sizes, you have to empty the thing too often to make it worth the trouble. We just walk the "stinkies" out to the garage trash.

I agree on Diaper Genie. We had Diaper Champ (2 months) after a 1 week try with the Diaper Genie. But, now we just put a particularly stinky in a CVS/Wags/Publix bag, tie it up and throw it in the normal trash.

Opening up the Diaper things after they are full make me want to gag.

[hugnkiss0211]

my little one is only 9 weeks old, and she is our first. we got a diaper genie because it seemed like a good idea... and i have to say it is pretty useless. the refills are expensive, it's sick sticking your hand in to push down the stinky diaper, and i am sure when we get through a full refill (she was in the NICU for 46 days which is why we havent used it much) it will be sick to empty. We ended up buying a cheap garbage can and just empty it daily!

And I also agree, the boppy is my savior! She has bad reflux and that helps prop her up sometimes and it's nice to breastfeed with!

[MasonsAuntie]

When my nephew was still in his mommys tummy, I worked for target ,and found a diaper genie for $2.61! So I bought it, and We used it for maybe a month, and only seeing the munckin for two days a week at the time, and not thinking of emptying it, I wasnt worth it one of the last days walking into the house and being hit by a AWFUL smell, and then actually emptying it. Like pp said, the refills are expensive. and Now we just throw the diaper into the regular trash we take out daily anyways. Its easier, and cost a heck of alot less.

As for the boppy, Mason, who is now 10 monthes old, after he ate if we didnt lay him, or prop him up, hed throw it up, So he used that for the first couple monthes for that, then once He was able to hold down the formula, He just like sitting in it, and taking naps. He also LOVED when we put him on his belly on it and played with him. but after about 6 monthes he wanted nothing to do with it, and we passed it on to a friend-after cleaning it of course.

As for travel system, Mason grew out of the infant seat at 6, but we kept him in till 7 monthes. Hey we tried. lol

We used playtex drop-ins, and now just use regular boring gerber bottles, or the sippy cups.

oh! a for Teething, if you can find them in your area, Teething Tablets. They are a God send, just put two in his/her mouth and they dissolve instantly, and help them sleep through the night without the teeth bothering them! Then during the day we just used orajel, and days when it got really bad, hard to handle, we gave him infants tylenol.

[3libras]

Never used a baby bunting/snowsuit and I had 3 fall babies. I had bought ones for my twins but returned them when hospital nurses said that too thick of a bunting interferes with the fit/tightness of the car seat straps. Just put hats on and piled blankets on them to keep them warm.

No bottle warmer, wipes warmer, formula measurer/dispenser, mesh feeder, bumbo seat, diaper stacker, sleep positioner, sunglasses, baby powder or oil around here.

[sehrwunderbar]

What are people's thoughts on the convertable carseats that are supposed to change with baby's age? I don't have children but have been thinking that is a great deal, since it lasts really long. Is that true?

[addysclosetandmore]

What are people's thoughts on the convertable carseats that are supposed to change with baby's age? I don't have children but have been thinking that is a great deal, since it lasts really long. Is that true?

We had one for a while & switched to an infant carseat after about a week (moved up the the convertible once they were too big for the infant carseat). We live 30 mins from town so they always fell asleep in the car. It was nice to be able to leave them in the infant carseat while I shopped, otherwise I would have to wake them up to move them because I was NOT going to lug around that huge seat! (Our first one could be taken in & out, the other was stationery in the car).

[jenatatm]

Great thread - very informative! I'm due in May with our first and I love hearing all the different opinions. I have a couple of questions though.

DH and I are probably just going to use a regular trashcan rather than a diaper genie (or champ or whatever). Everyone says to just take the poopy diapers straight out to the outdoor garbage, but what about in the middle of the night? We have a 2 story house, and I just can't see going up and down the stairs multiple times in those early sleep deprived weeks (months?). Do you just wait and deal with it in the morning?

Also, as far as breast pumps. Is it better to just wait on that until after he's here and I can see what our routine will be? (I'm still undecided about returning to work part-time or SAH.) I thought that even if I become a SAHM, I would still want a pump so that eventually I could be able to leave for a few hours and DH could feed the munchkin, but maybe this isn't the case? Or maybe it's better to just have a cheaper non-electric pump for that, rather than the fancy $300 Medela ones?

TIA!

[OneHotMomma]

Great thread - very informative! I'm due in May with our first and I love hearing all the different opinions. I have a couple of questions though.

DH and I are probably just going to use a regular trashcan rather than a diaper genie (or champ or whatever). Everyone says to just take the poopy diapers straight out to the outdoor garbage, but what about in the middle of the night? We have a 2 story house, and I just can't see going up and down the stairs multiple times in those early sleep deprived weeks (months?). Do you just wait and deal with it in the morning?

Also, as far as breast pumps. Is it better to just wait on that until after he's here and I can see what our routine will be? (I'm still undecided about returning to work part-time or SAH.) I thought that even if I become a SAHM, I would still want a pump so that eventually I could be able to leave for a few hours and DH could feed the munchkin, but maybe this isn't the case? Or maybe it's better to just have a cheaper non-electric pump for that, rather than the fancy $300 Medela ones?

TIA!

I usually tie up poopy diapers in a walmart/target/whatever bag really tight and put them in with the regular trash and it is usually okay until whenever the trash goes out (Most of the time, it's only 2-3 days at the most anyway).

[Nitenites]

And babies usually don't poop during the night, anyway. If your baby is solely breastfed, the poopy diapers aren't stinky enough to warrant taking them out to the garage. The regular trash will do just fine.

As for a breastpump, I got mine brand-new from Ebay. Stay away from the ones made by formula companies (Evenflo and Gerber are baaaad), this is one place where you don't want to skimp. As a SAHM, I never needed one. If I was away from my baby long enough for him/her to need a bottle, then I had to pump to relieve my own pressure. Easier just to take the baby than find a place to pump - pumping is a PITA. Nursing is much easier.

[BigDog]

[quote=Nitenites;2246056]And babies usually don't poop during the night, anyway. quote]


Somebody forgot to tell my kids this. All 5 of mine were "regular" night time stinkers till about 3 months of age. All were fully or partially bf till 3 months (might be the reason why).