Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

Hi,

I am 5 months pregnant, just started my registry and am very confused.

My mom will be watching our baby boy at her house from about 6 weeks on (I have to go back to work). He will likely be spending about 12 hours a day there. I think he'll have a crib there too.

I figured that I would need to get two of most things: 2 bouncers, 2 pack and plays, 2 diaper pails, 2 high chairs, 2 bottle sterilizers, 2 exersaucers, etc, etc, etc.

When I mentioned this to my mom she got upset and told me we didn't need to spend so much money getting 2 of everything. (I think she's just worried because we are also buying our 1st house)

I really want our baby to be comfortable and happy in both homes. Moms, what do you think are the things I really should get 2 of?

TIA! (a nervous and confused mom-to-be)

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

Highchair
Pack N Play
Exersaucer
Bottles
Bibs
Diapers
Wipes
Pacifiers
Basket for all Grandma's stuff

ETA: Bouncy seat!!!!

Message edited 6/16/2009 11:18:17 AM.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

If there is already a crib at grandma's then I would skip the pack and play.

I would get a second bouncy chair, and maybe a travel swing, and the fischer price space saver high chair is great.

Diaper pails are a waste of money IMO.

I don't think you need a bottle sterilizer, she can give you the empty bottles to sterilize at home, but a warmer to keep at grandma's may be handy.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My mom watched DD from 3 months-10 months. The only "duplicates" were a pack-n-play - but my mom didn't have a crib. At that age a high chair is unneccessary. My mom used regular garbage pail for diapers (as does my MIL who watches DD also).

Now DD is 18 months and my MIL/SIL watch her not my mom and they have their own set of toys for DD to play with, a pack-n-play for her to nap in, and a booster chair for her to eat.

When we visit my mom's house there is a high chair that she bought (my mom has other young grandchildren), and a bunch of toys - again those are toys that stay at my mom's and all the grandkids play with them.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My mom has a pack and play (with the changing table), a swing, a bumbo seat, a walker, a playpen, toys, diaper, wipes, formula, extra clothes, a high chair, etc. In reality, you need a place for the baby to sleep and a place for the baby to play. Eventually, you could just get a portable highchair that straps onto a chair.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My DS is taken care of by grandma too...

From my experience, buy:

an inexpensive convertible crib with matching changing table with a shelf for supplies
a papasan
teething rings and toys (different than those at home, so there's variety)
basket with changing supplies (diapers, cremes, wipes, bags)
extra receiving blankets
crib linens
lots of extra bibs
give her a supply of clothing/socks
bottles and formula... and if BF'ing, figure out a way to transfer milk to her home efficiently and safely
a dishwasher rack container for bottle parts
a stroller
and later on, he's now loving his fisher price infant to toddler rocker! he also likes his walker.

If your mom will want to drive around, she'll need a carseat base.

I think that's most of it

stuff to avoid becuase it was a waste of $$$:
swing that has an upright seat (they can't sleep in it!)
pack-n-play (once they reach 13 lbs, the bassinet can no longer be used and the whole thing becomes useless!)

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My mom watches DS. She just has the basics (she is what I call "old school" and didn't want/use a swing or bouncer). She has:

A full crib/baby mobile/sheets/bumper/blankets

bibs and burp clothes

receiving blankets

teething rings and toys

rectal thermometer/baby Tylenol/Mylicon

diapers, diaper cream, wipes

bottles/bottle brush/nipples/formula

baby bathtub/baby wash/shampoo

stroller

space saver highchair

infant carrier base

convertible car seat

clothes/socks/shoes

Message edited 6/16/2009 2:29:47 PM.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My ILs watch Kaydyn about 11 hours a day.

My MIL watched kids for a living before so she already had a highchair and PNP (she does not have a crib so this is where Kaydyn naps)

We got her or she got from neighbors/friends etc:

Changing pad
Wipes
Cream
Diapers
Exersaucer
Bouncer
Baby bathtub (she bathes and dresses Kaydyn each day)
Activity Mat/tummy Time Mat

My MIL is in her 60s and she found it easier to use the Boppy pillow to support Kaydyn she she was feeding her.

ETA: We also got a ton of bibs, receiving blankets, onesies, socks, 1 piece outfits (sleepers), two Swaddle Mes, bottles, bottle brushes, extra nipples, tylenol, thermometer, washcloths, bathing supplies, her own containers of formula.

ETA again lol: We also got her an infant seat and base for their car. When the time came she bought a convertible seat

Message edited 6/16/2009 3:26:10 PM.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

For our babysitter we got her
a pack and play w/ bassinet attachement for when baby was/is small also had the changing table attachment

diaper bag with all diapering accessories.

Snap and go for the car seat and an extra car seat base if she needed to go somewher

bath sling for the bath tub for the "explosions" that need a bath towels/washclothes/baby soap/lotion

extra clothes/diapers/wipes/blankets/ binkies/tylenol/mylecon drops(SP)

Feeding necessaties:extra closed bottles of formula(dishes/utlensils/bottle warmer(if you choose to use one)

reminer they are all suggestions you can put 2 of each thing on your registy if you get them, thats less money you need to spend, if not you can use your completion discount to get the extras.

Message edited 6/16/2009 3:35:48 PM.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

Definitely check garage sales and/or Craigslist for some of your list! My Mom got a great Chicco highchair for $10 at a garage sale for her house!

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

My mom used to watch my nephews a lot so she has everything now for my boys
Full size crib (everyone is so much more comfortable in the full size crib than a PnP!) with a bumper, mobile, and toys
extra sheets for the crib
Changing station:
Diapers
Wipes
Lotions
nail clipper
comb/brush
tooth brush and baby tooth paste
Bath wash and wash cloths
baby towels
extra changes of clothing and PJs
burp cloths
onesies
bouncy seat
exersaucer
high chair
plates/bowls/spoons
bottles
diaper disposal bags (the ones that smell nice)
(later on, she will needs snacks, sippy cups, etc as well)

She pretty much has enough of everything that if any of the kids got "stuck" at her house, she wouldn't have to run out at night to get anything!

She did not have a bottle or wipes warmer since we never used one.

Re: Grandma watching baby at her house, what does she need?

I got the high chair from an LIF mom & exersaucer from craigslist for my mom's house. We got a 2nd pack n play at my shower & that is also at my mom's house. We also got a 2nd smaller floor play gym at the shower for her house. Other then that nothing else is at my mom's house. Now that DS is 6 months I am starting to buy different toys so he has a variety toys between the 2 houses.

ETA I am about to buy her a convertible carseat since we will be moving DS out of the infant carrier within the next week or so.

Message edited 6/16/2009 5:29:46 PM.