Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
BR: Useful (or not) Baby Items?
I have so many questions about what is really useful or not...so I'm just going to lump them into one post to avoid multiple postings, but if anyone has any experience about any of these items, your opinion/advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA!
- Milkies/Milk Savers: Has anyone used these? Do you really save that much milk? I can't even imagine that I would even leak enough milk to need nursing pads. I really have no idea though...
- Seat Savers: Does the infant car seat (ours is convertible) really ruin the seats in your car? Is it that bad that it would require the use of seat savers?
- Boppy: I don't get/know why we can't just use a regular pillow for nursing? What is so special about the Boppy and is it really worth $35?
- Wipes Warmer: Some ppl told me that it's a must or your baby will wail to no end when you wipe his/her little bottom with a cold wipe. Some say it's not necessary at all. I can't decide...
- Pack N Play: We got one from MIL and I had MH put it together once so I could see if we have enough room to keep it set up in the house (we didn't). He hated putting it together. Do those of you who have one actually use it often? Is it because you travel often? Do you take it on flights?
Re: BR: Useful (or not) Baby Items?
I can only comment on a few so far...
Seat Savers: My friends recommended this, but when we went to get our car seat installed at the hospital, we were told to avoid anything that wasn't originally part of the design (and therefore included in the crash testing). They didn't even want us putting a towel underneath, but said we could use a towel as a wedge to properly balance the seat. Our cars are both older models, so it wasn't a big deal, but I was surprised that they advised against it.
Boppy: I have one (thanks, Lori!), and use it occasionally. It's helpful, but I tend to mostly use whatever pillows are available.
Wipes Warmer: Our guy hates the feel of cold wipes. And his bottom is super sensitive to commercial wipes. As a result, we've just been using Viva paper towels (they're very soft) dipped in warm water. It's sort of a pain to fill a dish with warm water each time, but it keeps his tush healthy, so it suffices for now.
we were originally told this too by the fire dept. inspector, but there is NO way the seat was going to be at the right angle with out a towel wedge so the second "inspector" said the towel was a must (the manual even says you should use one if needed). The Seat Saver seemed to make the seat slide less on my lame interior vinyl so I feel safe using it.
Milkies/Milk Savers: Has anyone used these? Do you really save that much milk? I can't even imagine that I would even leak enough milk to need nursing pads. I really have no idea though...
I have never even heard of these so n/a
- Seat Savers: Does the infant car seat (ours is convertible) really ruin the seats in your car? Is it that bad that it would require the use of seat savers?
We bought one and I think we're using it now. Vance installed the carseats both times. We didn't use one for the infant carseat, but I think we're using it for the convertible. I don't think it's necessary.
- Boppy: I don't get/know why we can't just use a regular pillow for nursing? What is so special about the Boppy and is it really worth $35?
Totally laughing at Christine's comment. I can't nurse without my pillow (I use the MyBrestFriend). If you can learn to do it without a pillow, then that would not only save you the money, but allow you to nurse wherever you go. Otherwise, I like the MyBrestFriend b/c it's more support.
- Wipes Warmer: Some ppl told me that it's a must or your baby will wail to no end when you wipe his/her little bottom with a cold wipe. Some say it's not necessary at all. I can't decide...
I had never heard of these either until people on the bump and here started posting about it. When Brooke wailed about being changed, I never thought to warm anything up. . . she just got used to it, I guess? In my opinion, if they don't know any different from the beginning, they will just adjust. Also, FWIW, she wails to no end when you change her now anyway (just b/c she doesn't like to be changed)-- so it may not even be an issue about the wipes being warmed-- more about being changed.
- Pack N Play: We got one from MIL and I had MH put it together once so I could see if we have enough room to keep it set up in the house (we didn't). He hated putting it together. Do those of you who have one actually use it often? Is it because you travel often? Do you take it on flights?
We used it for Brooke to sleep in next to our bed for a few months (after the bassinet). We even 'altered' it because she outgrew the weight limit SO quickly (for the bassinet portion). We never took it traveling.
CLICK for blog
Milkies/milk savers -- didn't use this.
Seat savers -- we have this in the car, but it's only to keep the car seat in place because we found it difficult to install the infant base without it.
Boppy -- I used it a lot with both of my kids. I used to it nurse and to nestle the baby in it and also for tummy time.
Wipes warmer -- didn't use.
Play Yard -- we have one and it was handy because we used the bassinet feature when my youngest was born.
- Milkies/Milk Savers: Has anyone used these? Do you really save that much milk? I can't even imagine that I would even leak enough milk to need nursing pads. I really have no idea though...
i had never heard of these until christine asked me about them before she had kaya!! honestly, i have over supply and i tend to leak a lot but like i told christine... i held a milk container until my other breast one time to see how much it was and even when it was a lot it was only 0.25oz. i think on average it's much less. i'd wait until you're nursing and see. i definitely need nursing pads though! when i am home i use cloth wipes b/c it doesn't matter what my boobs look like but when i am out i need something more discreet under my bra
so have cloth nursing pads my mom made for me.
- Seat Savers: Does the infant car seat (ours is convertible) really ruin the seats in your car? Is it that bad that it would require the use of seat savers?
never heard of these either! i'm guessing MH would have liked to use it but sounds like it's a safety issue so i guess i shouldn't even look into them now
- Boppy: I don't get/know why we can't just use a regular pillow for nursing? What is so special about the Boppy and is it really worth $35?
in the beginning it was very critical for me to have a nursing pillow. using regular pillows was a pain and i couldn't get comfortable using them. do they work? yes. but the boppy was easier...that said i found the my brest friend nursing pillow to be more comfortable and more supportive than a boppy. i do like the boppy can be used for tummy time and to help them learn to sit though so it has more than one use! i know they say not to buy them used but i did and just washed the pillow and the covers - it was just $10 so it was worth it to me
the my brest friend pillow my friend sent me as a gift b/c she loved it so much. i used it for the first few months but then had to nurse in the side lying position due to oversupply so i don't use it much anymore.
- Wipes Warmer: Some ppl told me that it's a must or your baby will wail to no end when you wipe his/her little bottom with a cold wipe. Some say it's not necessary at all. I can't decide...
we use cloth wipes w/a water spray bottle, no warmer. in the beginning (first 2-3 weeks) she cried during diaper changes but i don't think it was from the wipes, i think it was just from being new to the world and trying to figure things out. regardless, she doesn't cry during the diaper changes now and we still use cold water. i'd just wait and see...you can find them all the time on craigslist
- Pack N Play: We got one from MIL and I had MH put it together once so I could see if we have enough room to keep it set up in the house (we didn't). He hated putting it together. Do those of you who have one actually use it often? Is it because you travel often? Do you take it on flights?
we don't have one and i've only considered getting one for when we visit family so she has somewhere to sleep...but even then we're going for a week to SIL and our plan is to lay a blanket on the floor and let her sleep on it. she really doesn't move much when she is sleeping and we'll put some cushions up further out but i doubt she'll roll far since she only rolls once and stops now. i think when they get older it may be useful so you have a pen to put them in while you do something w/o having them get in trouble since they are mobile, but even then i think some people like play yards better.
i can't imagine lugging one on top of everything else you have to take w/you when flying (diaper bag, carry on luggage, car seat, +/- stroller, etc).... you can check one but w/the fees going each way you're almost better off buying a cheap one NEW at your destination and leaving it there (assuming you're going to visit family or something)
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
- Milkies/Milk Savers: Has anyone used these? Do you really save that much milk? I can't even imagine that I would even leak enough milk to need nursing pads. I really have no idea though...
I am considering getting these...I leak a ton! Especially when she's nursing...the other side leaks like crazy! I also want to try LilyPadz for when I am at work.
- Seat Savers: Does the infant car seat (ours is convertible) really ruin the seats in your car? Is it that bad that it would require the use of seat savers?
We got the Lionsheart ones from Target. Glad we did because we have leather seats.
- Boppy: I don't get/know why we can't just use a regular pillow for nursing? What is so special about the Boppy and is it really worth $35?
Got mine second hand and bought a new cover for it so I only spent $20. I also got a My Brest Friend second hand for $15. I preferred the latter. It was SO helpful those first few weeks. She's big now so we don't need a pillow to nurse anymore. I do still use the Boppy to prop her up and for tummy time.
- Wipes Warmer: Some ppl told me that it's a must or your baby will wail to no end when you wipe his/her little bottom with a cold wipe. Some say it's not necessary at all. I can't decide...
Got a Lionsheart second hand for $6...figured what the heck for the price I'll get it. SO glad I did! We use cloth wipes with plain water...roll them up in there and they stay nice and warm. Perfect for those late night diaper changes but really great no matter the time of day. I am not sure if sposie wipes would dry out in there though since we've always only used cloth.
- Pack N Play: We got one from MIL and I had MH put it together once so I could see if we have enough room to keep it set up in the house (we didn't). He hated putting it together. Do those of you who have one actually use it often? Is it because you travel often? Do you take it on flights?
We have an original size Arm's Reach Co-sleeper...basically a PnP with a drop side. We use it in our room. Not sure we'll travel with it though. We got ours used for $50...bought a new liner for it for $30.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
Milkies/Milk Savers:
I've never heard of them. I did not leak one drop. I was worried b/c I heard other people's horror stories. I would wait and see. If you need it, get it later.
- Seat Savers:
I didn't get. Seats do leave a slight mark on leather. Even if you have a seat saver, you'll end up w/ a playmate's carseat some day. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have a fancy new car.
- Boppy:
Had two (gifts). Not useful for nursing. My baby liked to be held and snuggled up close w/o resting on the boppy. They are comfy to sit on.
- Wipes Warmer:
Waste
- Pack N Play:
I didn't have one. I know people who liked it when visiting family (car trip).
My extra advice... everyone is different. Go by what you think you'll need with your lifestyle. You can always buy more when you know what you and your baby NEED. For instance, so many people said that the little baby swing was a waste. They thought it took up too much space and cost too much for the short amount of time that a baby could use it. I disagree. That thing was a Godsend. My daughter had to be held. If she was asleep in my arms, she would wake up the second I put her down. The only time I could get a break (to shower, get a little food, whatever) was when she was in that swing. Others may not have appreciated it, but it was so-o-o amazing for us.
Newlyweds since 2007
Thanks for all the input everyone! Looks like a lot of these I can wait until later too, so maybe that's what I'll do. It's really helpful to see what worked and what didn't for different people!
As for the PnP, that's the only item on the list that we already have. We may do an international trip with the baby at about 6 months and was wondering how feasible it would be to take the PnP with us. It seems burdensome and heavy but I just don't know if there's an alternative because we'd only make this trip once while the baby can even fit in a PnP so I don't know if it makes sense to purchase one there and if they even sell it (in Asia?).
We do have leather seats. But I don't know if the dent is really that bad because we don't mind a small dent. If it's just a small mark, then I probably wouldn't get one then, especially if it may be not recommended for safety reasons...
Milkies/Milk Savers: don't know what these are
Seat Savers: we didn't feel it was necessary
Boppy: LOVE it. not for nursing/feeding, but at 5 months we can prop him up some without having him lay flat (he has reflux, so this is important), and it's helping him learn to sit as well. We used it for tummy time in the beginning and he loved it.
Wipes Warmer: decided we didn't need it. hasn't seemed to bother him. I'd wait to see if it's something that really affects LO
Pack N Play: we got one for free, but it's an older model with no bells/whistles. we still haven't used ours, but I did use one at a friend's house when LO fell asleep and needed to be put down - she had leather couches (and is a grandma), so that wasn't going to work. I"m hoping to use it more one he can crawl so that we can contain him if we need to.