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BR: Stuff You Bought But You Didn't Use
I visited BRU with my mom, dad, and aunt today. I mentioned that we were planning to buy a PNP for their house so the LO can rest in there, but my mom said it was unnecessary and she could leave the baby in their bed with a baby monitor. I'm not so sure how comfortable I feel about that but I haven't done any research on safety. She also said that with my sister, it was only used a handful times because she after a while she would refuse to get in.
They all also mentioned how most of the stuff was unnecessary because babies would get bored and/or outgrow them really quick, like the swings and baby tubs that you can use in your sink. This was based off of my mom's experience when my 10 year old sister was a baby. I realize that all babies are different but it still makes me wonder if there were just some things that you bought but never used.
So what did you end up buying but didn't use?
Re: BR: Stuff You Bought But You Didn't Use
updated 10.03.12
I keep hearing about this book, I really should check it out. Speaking of registries, where did you register?
The only thing we got that we have never used and is actually still in the box is the baby tub, we ended up using a bath sling instead. Other than that we used everything we registered for, especially the swing and Rock and Play sleeper. We use our pack and play at our house for T and we have one at my moms and it has gotten a ton of use I am so glad we have one there for her bc I would not be comfortable leaving her on the bed , especially now that she is all over the place.
. I don't know if you have a Once upon a child near you but you can get a second hand one for your moms house for cheap. Everything is inspected and cleaned so they won't sell you anything that has been recalled.
I second MB with the baby margins book, its a big help.
I never heard of Once Upon A Child, but you just reminded me that there was a second hand store next to this small baby store we went to. I'll have to remember to check them out tomorrow!
Just BRU -- there's one right up the street from us, and adding and removing items was easy enough online. And were received a 10% off registry completion coupon after the shower to get what we hadn't received!
A buybuyBaby just opened up in town as well.... had it been there when I was registering I might have gone there instead. Might.
But other than that, I would suggest Amazon, then Target. So many options!
updated 10.03.12
We registered at BRU and Target because there isn't much else near us for baby stores (we live in the sticks). As far as items we didn't use: We received about 6 pairs of infant shoes and we put one pair on Alex for Easter and didn't touch the rest. I don't see any point to shoes until they're walking. As for the Pack-n-Play we used ours a LOT. We didn't set up Alex's real crib until we moved so he slept in the bassinet part of the PNP for the first 5 months. We also travel to my BIL's at least once every other month or so and it's great to have. I would NOT leave baby to sleep on a bed with a monitor. My niece rolled off the bed even with pillows around her and luckily was okay...but still a horrible scare! If baby is going to be sleeping at all anywhere but home in her own crib I would suggest either a portable bouncer seat or the rock-n-play if you don't want to get a PNP. That way baby has somewhere safe to sleep.
I really wish we had bought a swing, I think it would have made the first few months a lot easier when Alex did not want to be put down. Some babies love them some don't so that's kind of a wildcard purchase.
I will third the baby bargains book. It's really good at explaining the difference between different options (like types of strollers, etc.) and giving you suggestions in different price ranges. Really helpful if you know jack squat about baby things (like me).
I've also heard recommendations to bring a good friend or family member with you to register who has a baby, because they can probably give you good suggestions on things you don't really need.
Congrats to both my TTC buddies, Amberley18 and sb2006 on their beautiful babies!
Audrey is only a month old, so obviously I don't have a lot of experience yet, but here's my 2 cents:)
We have used the pack n play a ton already. We might even get a second bassinet for it so we can keep one upstairs (she's still sleeping in our room and the pnp is downstairs in the living room). Anyway, it's been awesomely convenient and I'm sure if our parents were closer, it would be great to have one for their house too.
We have a swing...sometimes she likes being in it, sometimes she doesn't. But it's still great to have because it gives me somewhere else besides the bassinet to put her down in. Definitely worth having.
<a href="http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h205/adia83/?action=view
I'm going to echo all the opinions about a PNP. We use it any time we visiting someone overnight. I will also say, that I have used 3 different brands and found them all to be the same. So I don't think there's much difference, maybe one has an extra feature than another doesn't. It's definitely something good to get second hand.
We registered at Babies R Us for most things and Buybuybaby for other things BRU didn't have.
Something a lot of people recommend but I kind of feel is a bit pointless is the boppy. Yes, it's useful but no more so than a small firm pillow. Most of the time it was a hassle to get out and into position to use rather than getting the small pillows and stuff it under my arm for support. Or at least that was my experience.
Swings, bouncers and rock n plays are dependent on your baby, I believe. Evie didn't like the swing but liked the bouncer and the RNP. A few people suggested buying them as you go along so you don't have all that equipment if you don't need it.
My Acme Box last update 3/28/11
We used the Pack N' Play at the beginning and then put it away. I am sure we'll use it again once he is crawling more reliably and we want to keep him contained.
We never used the tub. It was free, so I wasn't compelled to try it.
We never used burp cloths, but I know I am weird for this. We just used paper towels if there was any spit up.
I ditto Christina on the shoes. People like giving them for gifts. I'd return them all if you had receipts.
We used the boppy a lot for when he got a bit older and wanted to "sit" but couldn't sit on his own yet. He still takes naps in it.
We used a swing, bouncy and a Rock n' Play. He liked them all.
I am not sure you need a Bumbo. We used ours for maybe a month or two until he learned to sit on his own. You can get a used one and clean it very easily.
We never used baby mittens.
IMO, you don't need a wipes warmer or a bottle warmer.
We still use Birp Cloths now. My kiddo loves to spit stuff up. No reflux or anything, she just loves to do it. Not as much as we used to- but we use the cloth diaper ones so it makes it nice.
Shoes- a pain in the arse.... I only used them for pictures.
Tub- I could have lived without it. We have the blow up rubber duck tub now and she loves it. She is a bather though- she would play in the bath for days if we would let her.
We never used mittens, I didn't have a RNP however I wished I did- Charlotte hated her bassinet. We loved the swing, our stroller, the car seat, the bouncy seat I could have lived without, but we used it. and our pnp gets used daily.
Thanks everyone! I'll definitely get a PnP for my parent's house because I really don't feel comfortable knowing that our baby will be on a totally different floor and opposite part of the house from where my mom usually hangs out.
I think I will pick up some of the other things like bouncy seat, rocker, swings closer so I can return if need be.