Northern California Nesties
Dear Community,
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.
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.
all the mamas out there...
Ok so I know not everyone on here has kids but I like you ladies here better than the ones on the bump.
So tell me:
1. your favorite baby shower gifts you received
2. The baby items you couldn't live without
3. Stuff that you thought was a imperative but turned out to be crap or useless
thanks ladies
-Brittany
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Re: all the mamas out there...
I don't know if there are many moms on here that aren't also on the Bump, so you may have just insulted pretty much everyone that would be able to give you the answers you need...
I'm really sorry. I really wasn't trying to offend anyone. I just meant that I haven't spent as much time on the bump boards as I have here so I feel more comfortable with the ladies here on the nest.
I hope I didn't offend anyone. I am very sorry if I did.
1) I didn't actually have a shower. Some of the best stuff I got for the early months were the burp cloths LuckyCA makes, a big quilted blanket that has fleece on one side and cotton squares on the other (I had a TON of blankets but most were crocheted or thin and didn't work on the grass)
2) I had no idea I'd actually need newborn clothes. I read so many posts from people saying they never used them and just returned them that I didn't buy many and Q spent a lot of the 1st month in clothes with sleeves down to his ankles. I also planned to dress him in a lot of gowns because it seemed so easy they're sized 0-6-9 months, easy diaper access, no need to straighten legs) but they all ended up to by too big (and later too small) I did really like footed sleepers with snaps in the beginning (IMO much easier than getting a leg in one side to zip the other). The swing was a 'couldn't live without'.
3) We bought a 3 stage exersaucer and, IMO it did stage 1 and 3 poorly. I wish I'd saved the $$ and bought a good mat for the infant stage, a regular exersaucer, and other toys for standing for stage 3. The Beco never fit, so it was a waste. We had a bassinet which he didn't like. He was in the top of the pack n play for a while at the bedside which was invaluable but only used the pnp for about 2 months. Next time I think I may just use a bouncy seat (that was another great investment, sad we waited so long to get it).
Something I've found, is that one mom's 'couldn't live without' is another's 'useless crap' so, go with what you want. Read Baby Bargains, think about what's important to you and what you think you'll use and go with the flow. I also know a few people who register for a ton, then return it (while they can) and then use the $$ to buy what they need as they need it. I think it's sad (and a lot of extra work for the purchaser and returner) but it's very practical.
FWIW I have heard this same sentiment (about not liking Bumpies and The Bump vibe in general) from many Nesties. To the point that I laughed in recognition when I read her comment because I've heard far more negatives about the Bump than positives. So I'd bet a pretty penny there are quite a few moms on here that didn't read that and get offended, but rather agreed, or at least knew where she was coming from with that.
*butts out*
Women don't want to hear what men think,
women want to hear what they think, in a deeper voice
L, I love you, but
...anyway, to answer your question:
1. your favorite baby shower gifts you received
A quilt handmade by my BFF's mom, who was like a 2nd mom to me. She gave us one for our wedding too and both are very special to us. Really anything useful was great though, and bonus if it was something we actually registered for or something another mom gave us because she knew it would be super helpful.
2. The baby items you couldn't live without
Moby Wrap in the beginning and Beco (or other good carrier) for later, sound machine (aka baby crack machine), Happiest Baby on the Block DVD, lots and lots of burp cloths (we used cloth diapers), and swing.
3. Stuff that you thought was a imperative but turned out to be crap or useless
Microwave bottle sterilizer thingy. Wish I had gotten the bags instead from the beginning. But like pp said, a lot of it comes down to your own preference or that of your baby. We had an awesome bouncy seat but Kyva wasn't a fan, though I know a lot of babies who loved them. Baby Bargains is a great suggestion, I used our copy a lot.
1. Favorite Baby shower gifts: Pack n Play, Swing, baby gate
2. A really good diaper bag. It took me a long time to finally find one that I liked AND did everything I wanted it to do/hold. CarFar can tell you... I went through a lot of different styles before I found one. For the longest time I ended up with a regular Backpack. That worked out great until I went out and wanted something more "dressy." I ended up with an oversized purse. It wasn't sold to be a diaper bag, but had a similar design and worked well.
3. A boppy. It's not very travel friendly. And takes up a lot of space. I was more comfortable using a regular pillow at home. When I was out, I'd use a sweater all balled up or my diaper bag to rest my arms on during feedings.
Thank you all for the advice! I will definitely pick up a copy of Baby Bargains.
again, i hope i didn't offend anyone I really appreciate all of your input.
1. The BOB, the car seat, and all the bath toys.
2. The bath toys, the BOB, the car seat....the wipe warmer WITH NIGHTLIGHT (Christmas baby = cold weather, cold weather = unhappy baby with cold wipes)...the moby wrap and the ergo, there are other things but I just can't remember. Thin lightweight blankets that are extra big, work for layering on baby or as cover to car seat.
3. Oh gosh....uhm....the ba-jillion newborn clothes...my kid wore them for all of 2 seconds since he was 9 lb 4.5 oz at birth. The grooming kits, finger nail clippers, I PROMISE YOU: just go get some nail scissors and use those...never chopped his finger off with those but the stupid clippers...I took off a chunk of his finger, it was horribly traumatic.
Money Matters The other half's blog.
EJ is growing up too fast!
1. your favorite baby shower gifts you received: Didn't have a baby shower, so N/A
2. The baby items you couldn't live without: Moby wrap, swaddle blankets for the first 3 months, sleep sacks after 3 months, Dr. Brown's bottles, old school cloth diapers for burp cloths
3. Stuff that you thought was a imperative but turned out to be crap: I agree with PKW--all the newborn sized clothes; DS was huge at birth and did not need more than a few onesies and sleepers. Baby Bjorn--hurt both DH and my backs, and DS grew out of it so fast. An expensive electric breast pump--to clarify, this was not crap, it just wasn't imperative for me. BF was the most difficult, humbling, heartbreaking experience for me. I did not produce any milk, so didn't really need a pump beforehand; I should have waited till I needed one before getting one.OMG!!! How did I forget BOB!!!??? YES! lol. I know I seem like a crazy lady now, but honestly, I'm in love with this stroller. I really wish I had purchased it when DD was younger. We got it after her 1st bday.
And the wipe warmer. I felt silly getting it, but it was great pulling warm wipes out for DD.
1. ultimate swaddle blanket
2. carseat, baby carriers, diapers, clothes. And that's pretty much it, and in that order.
3. swings, exersaucers, swaddle contraptions, crib (DS1 one barely used any of it, DS2 hated them all), oh yes, and the Bjorn (expensive and poorly designed for both mom and baby)
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
IUI #1 10/12/11 (Bravelle + HCG + Prometrium & acupuncture) = 10/26 BFP! Beta #1=250, Beta #2= 615. 1st u/s 11/8.
I'm not a momma but I'll tell you what my cousin with a 5 week old says she can't live with out.
She loves her moby wrap because it gives her the ability to use her hands and baby to be happy because he's close to her. She swears by the thin cotton blankets for wrapping him up in. She loves the burp cloths LuckyCA (Kim) made. She loves all of the hand made quilts that she got and things of that nature. She thinks the boppy is awesome for a few reasons but it lets her step kids hold the baby without tiring their arms out.
1. Fave: cloth diapers. I didn't use cloth diapers as diapers, I used disposables but I used them for burp cloths, put them in my diaper bag for clean ups & putting them down over my diaper bag changing pad, put them over my changing pad in his room (easier to pick up and drop in the wash with bleach if needed).
I also received some over-sized, hand-made receiving blankets. They were amazing for swaddling. The store bought ones are useless.
I also received a lot of hand-made items that I truly treasure
2. Can't live without: Diapers and butt cream! LOL I know it is widely popular but I hated Boudreau's Butt Paste. I loved Burt's Bee's. Other things, that aren't so exciting but necessary: diaper genie, monitor, stroller etc. I also rec'd tons of clothes and I don't think I had to buy any clothes for him for at least 2 years.
3. Useless (for me): Carriers and wraps. They are far from useless but the problem is that it seems to be a really personal choice. I had the Ergo, which I really liked (in theory), but my kid didn't like it. I used it maybe twice (tried numerous other times) and then gave it to a friend. Her kid loved it. Mine - no way. Also - Boppy. Hated it, totally didn't work for us for BF'ing. Also useless, the cover ups for breastfeeding. First of all, I could pull down my shirt to my babies face and no one could see my boob and if I used a cover or blanket, he always pulled it off. Part of the BF'ing experience is looking at each other (when they are first born, babies can only focus at about 2 feet away from them....magically, the distance from your boob to their face when they are feeding! lol).
Now, as the mom of a 5 year old, my favorite gifts to give to a new (or repeat) mom:
~BOOKS! I pick a few board books and then a few, really special kids books for when they get older. The really good kids books are good for a variety of ages (3 to 103, lol).
~Clothes. Usually at different ages, they get tons of newborn stuff. Also, fun clothes with attitude. Something that will appeal to the parents and isn't all cutesy with ducks and froggies.
~Music. My favorite is to make the proverbial mixed tape. But good kids music or books/stories on CD is great too. There is a ton of crap out there so it can be hard. I want stuff that I can't listen to without losing my mind!
~Sometimes I put together a package of my favorite products for baby: Aveeno baby wash (Johnson's is incredibly harsh and drying), Burt's Bee's diaper cream, cloth diapers, pack of nightlights, few board books. That type of thing
Good luck and have fun!
Lighthouse State Beach, Santa Cruz.
1. your favorite baby shower gifts you received: The stroller, onesies, crib bedding, and especially gift cards to help you purchase the things you don't receive.
2. The baby items you couldn't live without: The swing saved us during some rough nights the first few weeks. The bouncer seat is also good because I can put her in that while I shower or cook.
3. Stuff that you thought was a imperative but turned out to be crap or useless: The swaddler blankets. DD does not like her arms to be swaddled so I use them under her arms just so they don't go to waste. She doesn't like the Playtex bottles and prefers Dr. Brown's (although bottle training in general has been a pain because she wants the boob).
Sorry that I came of as biotchy
I'm just really protective of the gals over there, and I've seen you post and get support there, so it just seemed like a harsh thing to say. I know you didn't mean any harm 