We are currently making a list of items that we want and maybe don't want.
The thing that keeps popping into my head is a change table. I don't want one because knowing me I will just pop the baby anywhere and change them. Or I have seen those chest of drawers you can get with a section up top for the mat.
So what I would like to know
(mainly for mums with bubs already)
The 5 things you didn't need
and
The 5 things you can't live without
I'm watching this thread with interest Tamara .... good question!
There are 2 articles on the main site that might help too ;)
Mum's Top 3 Things I didn't need for baby
and
Mum's Top 5 things for baby
For me, I really didn't need the change table, we have a set of drawers which is the perfect height so I got rid of the change table and put the mat on top of the drawers.
So Top things I didn't need:
1. change table
2. baby bath (laundry tub & big bath)
3. Lots of clothes... I have clothes coming out our ears because of friends babies
Top 5 things I needed and use daily:
1. Hug a Bub
2. Rocker swing
3. Good backpack/nappy bag
4. Hammock (for newborn...)
5. A handheld blender for making food/icey pops/smoothies etc...
5.
Well I personally love changetables..have always used them and still do for Sammy, but the chest of draws with the mat thing might work just as well. Ive found the swinging rocking chairs probably to be a bit of a waste of time. Sammy had one for over $300 but he was just as happy in one of the little $60 ones without all the vibrating and music lol. Slings are always a must..make it so easy and bubs seem to settle so well.
Jo
TOP THINGS WE USED:
- Bouncer, great to settle in
- Dozen cloth nappies, just to clean up vomit, use when burping, feeding
- sling, also helps settle while doing things
- Bath seat, we have one of those reclining ones that sit in the bath, so great easier for holding slippery babies
- Jolly Jumper, she just loves it
THINGS WE DIDN'T NEED
- All those knitted things
- The millions of soft toys
- I probably wouldn't spend alot of money on electrical type swings and rockers.
- Lots of creams and lotions just need simple bath wash and we just use sorbolene on her dry skin.
As for change tables, ours was great but since she started rolling I found it easier to change her on the floor on a mat.
top 5 didn't need
- swing (IL's bought and for the time he could use it not worth the $$)
- all the lotions and potions
- bo babies :I used terry flats and bought 24 bo babies (muslin liners) never used them LOL
- play mats (vomit is hard to clean when you can't imerse in water) a sheet or old doona work just as well
- mobile (IL's bought)
top 4 can't live without
- terry flats (for burp cloths)
- micro steriliser
- link-a-doo rings (make great toys, can be used to hang groceries of the pram can be used for anything)
- bibs
also watching with interest...
Top 5 things didn't need:
- Lots of small wraps. Half the wraps we were given DD outgrew in a couple of weeks. Need big wraps.
- Loads of soft toys. They are very very cute but where do you put them all!
- too many summer clothes in 0000., It was hot when I was pregnant but it has cooled off quickly and she has grown quickly.
(can't think of anything else. I like the changetable - we have one that sits over the cot. But it is not necessary).
Top 5 things we can't live without:
- Hug-a-bub.
- Rocker. Great for settling, especially over dinner time.
- Heater for nursery. We have ducted but got a colum heater for her room just to take the chill off overnight.
- flat nappies to mop up spew and to put under her bottom during nappy off time.
- dummy. Much more settled baby since introducing this.
Always interesting to see how we all differ!
Top 5 things I didn't need
- Baby Bath (laundy tub, kitchen sink and big bath are just as good)
- Baby Bjorn (both my kids got too heavy too quickly)
- Small wraps
- Lotions and potions
- "Fancy/Special Occasion" outfits - they wear them once and thats it.
Top 5 things I couldnt live without
- Digital camera
- Baby play/activity centre (one of the ones they stand up in but it doesnt move like a walker)
- Bonjela with Alex (Gaby hated it) and teething rings for Gaby (Alex hates them!)
- Kiddies sofa (perfect for taking places for bubs to sleep instead of a portacot and then good for at home)
- Bibs
Hope that helps :)
5 things i loved
1. BIG muslin wraps
2.napisan and bucket for soaking cloths
3 change table
4 cloth playmat with dangly toys, basic one that can go int he wash
5 video camera/digital camera
6. mobile over change table for distraction
5 things didnt need
1. vibrating chair/rocker
2 baby biorn
3 baby bath- just borrow one
4 small wraps
5 mmmm will think of something
Needed:
Activity gym (countless hours of use)
Steriliser (didn't actually have one but wish I had, will definitely get one if I have to do bottles with the (hopefully) next one - Milton & water was waste of time)
Change table (have section at top with matt & two shelves underneath...anything that is at the right height for your back that can store everything you need in one spot wins in my books)
BIBS - had 30+ and still wanted more but really hated cleaning them (perhaps will do disposable bibs next time)
Little leather shoe/slippers (only really for once they were walking but I found them brilliant for little feet that were starting to walk and non-slip on all services)
:)And lastly....A husband/partner that can supply breast milk for middle night runs & when it runs out!!! :lol:
Didn't Need:
Too many toys - too much fun had with cardboard packaging & plastic bottles & the like
Buckets loads of soft toys - nasty dust collecting things that are a bugger to store
Bath seat - hopeless waste of money
Digital ear reading thermometer - cost us $100 and never had an accurate reading - under the arm thermometer always reliable and cheap as chips.
Bath toys with holes at the bottom - damn things don't fully drain of all water and go moldy inside resulting in being chucked out (alternatively you can glue up hole).
P.S. with the bath toys, I meant the ones like rubber ducky etc
Can't live without:
Bouncer - both my kids have used it to death. Saved us much pacing the floor LOL.
Muslin Wraps - I had two summer babies
"Airwrap" Cot wrap - breathable mesh bumper that has finally stopped DS from jamming himself in his cot bars and waking up 50 times a night.
Avent Breastpump and Steriliser
Waste of $$
Bumbo Seat - both my kids wouldn't sit in it for more than 5 minutes
Clothes - Both of them have FAR too many. And don't buy dresses for newborn baby girls - they're a pain in the butt to get on and off and they have to be ironed only for them to spew on them and look like they slept in it 5 minutes after it goes on their back!
Fancy shoes - they always grow out of them before they get any decent wear. DD has a million pairs of pristine shoes I'm meaning to put on ebay
Hats - neither of my kids could ever keep them on their heads
5 Things I loved
Bellybelly - I couldnt imagine doing it without you guys.
Muslin wraps - 120cm x 120cm
Change table - I'm 6ft tall so this was a life (or should I say back) saver.
100 ways to calm the crying
Amby Hammock
Things I didn't need/use
Baby Monitor - we borrowed ours so no wasted money, thought IMO it would be good to have.
Mobile (over cot)- DS would not sleep at all while in sight of the mobile
Bath lotions - we used plain water for the first 8 months due to DS' sensitive skin, and some intensive moisture balm.
Toys - these will accumulate on their own - their is absolutely NO NEED to buy any yourself.
Lol AmyGirl at that last Need, wouldn't that be fantastic!
My answer relates to a newborn - cause there are different "needs" now my DS is a big boy...
Couldn't do without:
1. muslin wraps in 120cm square
2. change table with slide out baby bath
3. sunshade window covers for car
4. play gym/activity centre with removable base for machine washing
5. fisher price aquarium cot toy
We didn't use:
1. baby monitor (depends on particular layout of house I guess)
2. knitted things in small sizes - sooo not worth it when they wear it once and it needs handwashing!
3. soft toys - blahhhhh you'll receive sooooo many of them as presents no need to buy them yourself
4. rocker chair - DS never liked it so was a TOTAL waste of money and space for us
5. mittens
Couldn't live without :
-Car/Carseat - quickest/easiest way to settle my DD
-Nappy bag
-Pram
-pre-made dinners!
-my mum (for those first few adjustment weeks)
Could of lived without
- baby bath (DD didnt like it one bit!)
- rocker chair (DD didn't like it)
- 0000 clothes DD didn't fit in these for more then a week
-lotions n potions -
- insensitve comments from ppl
5 THINGS I USED
1. Change table (I got one that was a timber set of drawers with a change table on top)
2. FP Swing (MUST HAVE!!!)
3. Baby Bjorn carrier
4. Lots of wraps and blankets
5. Rocker for daytime sleeps in the lounge
6. Cloth nappies to use as spew rags. Used HEAPS
5 THINGS I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT
1. Nappy wrapper. I used this until nappies got smelly. So for about 6 months.
2. Too many little clothes. In the early days Bonds grow suits are the best!
3. Hmm I can't think of anymore