Question for you veteran moms

I know many of you have been moms for some time now... and I have a question for you:

What was a godsend off your baby registry?

I look at registries, and think that there are practical items that are necessary, but then there are SO many extras in other categories, that I wondered what moms really couldn't live without.
For example, does one really need a swing, bouncer AND walker together? I would think one item would be sufficient...
Or, baby bottles... they all look like they work, but are Dr. Brown's really better than Avent, or vice-versa?

So please give your tips, suggestions, whatever is greatly appreciated !

TIA!

Re: Question for you veteran moms

There is no way to know which bottle will work for you before the baby comes...every baby has their likes and dislikes.

I never had a walker. I had a swing, bouncy seat, jumperoo and a step& play piano exersaucer..if I did not have a lot of room I would have gotten the swing, bouncy and jumperoo.

Do you NEED these items? Of course not. Women all over the World raise children with almost nothing. But were these nice to haves, yes.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

I don't think I'm a "veteran" mom but I can tell you what I couldn't live without!

YES, you need a swing AND a bouncer. I would definitely register for both.

It's a little tougher to say with the bottles because you never know what your baby will like or not like, but I swear by the Dr. Brown's bottles. We've never had any big gas or spit-up issues and I attribute it to those bottles.

Those are the biggies for me but I would also highly recommend registering for side-snap onesies, bottle warmer, and a sleep positioner.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

Ok, so here's what we couldn't live without:

-the swing - especially important for "collicky" and high needs babies. This is just about the only place Alex would sleep for weeks on end, and I swear I would have left her with hubby and moved to another country if we didn't have this thing

-one bouncy seat is sufficient - it's helpful for putting baby down in various rooms while you're doing something else. Can't use the swing for that because it's so cumbersome, unless you get a portable swing

-playmat - really helpful for tummy time and a good alternative for playing with baby, rather than just putting him/her in the bouncy seat all the time

-sling/carrier - again, a MUST HAVE for a collicky/high needs baby. On the days that Alex was especially gassy or cranky, the only thing that would help was to put her in the carrier or sling and walk around the house with her

-video monitor - made our lives SO much easier. The monitor is portable so while Alex was sleeping (which was rare - HA!) I could do things around the house and still keep an eye on her. Same at night - if she made a noise I could just look in the monitor and see if she was still asleep or awake instead of dragging my butt over to her crib in the wee hours of the morning

-bundle me - a godsend for the winter months

-glider and ottoman - used it every single day and night. I think it has an impression of my butt in it at this point

-boppy pillow - very helpful for breastfeeding

-Car seat and stroller system (graco metrolite). I found it to be very convenient though others may disagree

-Medela Pump In Style pump if you plan on breastfeeding and/or pumping... it works so efficiently, but not recommended to buy until you have established breastfeeding and know you will use it.

There you go!

Re: Question for you veteran moms

I knew I came to the right place!!!
Bxgell, YOU'RE a godsend! Always super duper helpful!

Thanks for the info ladies! And keep it coming!

PS: Avocado... you ARE a veteran, compared to me!

Message edited 2/27/2006 2:49:08 PM.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

The one thing that I could/can't live without are definetly their bouncy seats! They are in them soooo much. Its funny cuz I still use the one my son had for the babies and he is going to be 8.
I never used a walker, but I did have the exersaucer which my son loved, and the babies are loving it too.
But like Michele said, do you NEED any of this stuff??? No!

Re: Question for you veteran moms

For me, the bouncy seat was a must, must, must!

I have to agree with the Bundle Me big time and in addition, the Swaddle Me or Miracle Blanket for swaddling.

Also, the Snap N'Go for the infant carrier was a godsend for me. I LOVE my stroller (Pliko P3), but I'm going to be so depressed to give up the Snap N'Go...it's half the size of my stroller.

Oh, and this is like $5, but I love the divided box to keep premeasured dry formula in (if you're doing the formula thing). It's so convenient to make bottles when you're out if you have this.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

Not a Mom but I just hosted my friends baby shower yesterday. She was the one who hadthe preemies who are doing well by the way. I would recommend-not registering for any clothes. EVERYONE loves to buy baby clothes and she got more of that than anything. She also has about $500 in returns-she got 4 carseats, 5 monitors, etc. Plus about 300 in cash and another 150 to babies r us(she was registered at BBB) just my piece of advice

Re: Question for you veteran moms

I don't know if you consider 6 months a veteran but...

swing
bouncer
and two things that made my life much easier

*bundle me
*BABY BRELLA POLARTEC (THE BEST INVESTMENT)

Re: Question for you veteran moms

Swing, bouncer, bibs, Dr. Brown bottles, plenty of blankets to swaddle the baby in, Burpy cloths, video monitor and a binky.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

We could not live without the bouncy seat. The one we got was cheap (dh picked it- I had to give him something lol) and it is really the only place we can put her down awake.

Also the Bundle Me, depending on the season.

I also use the swing, although not so much anymore.

Re: Question for you veteran moms

The FP acquarium swing; the Baby Einstein Gym mat (he LOVES them). Also the avent sterilizer, bundle me, burpies (many of them), sheet savers, extra mattresses for the pack and play and boppy pillow for bfing.

Message edited 2/27/2006 7:53:20 PM.