Changing
table - we have one with a dresser below and a locker for storing
diapers attached. It works great!We have added links to photographs for some of these things, in case you have never seen them.
Baby car seat/carrier - loved it when she was a teeny baby for the carrier part - very handy in restaurants, but too heavy to lug just as a carrier. We had a Century - very sturdy, and will be used when we have another. Please look into car seat safety.
Baby monitor - not very useful for us, as we don't have her sleeping in a separate room. but we got a nice one. If we had a larger house it would probably get more use, too. We like the little blinky lights on ours.
Baby proofing stuff - I'd do as much as possible before you need to - it's a much bigger hassle now than it would have been if I had done it when she was younger. but they always find things you don't expect!
Baby tub - we have one called a "cuddle tub" with a little hammock thing for newborns, then it removes for older babies. Mackenzie stopped using it at around 11 months, when she started sitting in the regular tup. It's great. we *love* it. And it is still in great condition for the next baby!
Boppy pillow - either that or the "my breast friend" pillow are great for nursing at first - bring it to the hospital, I had to send my husband back for it.
Bouncy-door thing - OK, good compromise since I don't want a walker. we got this at a resale shop.
Bouncy seat - we used one while visiting, and she liked it. never had one ourselves though. just saw one that transforms into a toddler rocker. would buy that.
Breast pumps - if you're going to go back to work, I've heard wonderful things about the Medela pump-in-style. if you're going to be staying home, I've heard good things about Avent. but we don't have a pump. I have manually expressed with great success. However, Mackenzie is fussy about bottles, and we have been fussy about sitters, so we just take her with us.
Changing
table - we have one with a dresser below and a locker for storing
diapers attached. It works great!
Convertable car seat (infant-40 lbs) - get a 5 point harness, it's supposed to be safest. babies r us is great about letting you take down the seat so you can see how easy it is to buckle, and they can let you test it in your car. We have a Century, and really like it. However, I have also really liked the Evenflo and Fisher Price seats my friends have. We would love to have a Britax, but $200 for a carseat is a bit much for us. Please look into car seat safety.
Cordless phone - not really a baby item, but wonderful. especially one that you can page from the stand (as I lose mine periodically). An answering machine is very useful for when you're napping. If I were doing it again, I would probably order Caller-ID for the final month of pregnancy and the first month after the baby's born. That is a prime time to avoid telemarketers!
Crib
- ours is nice, but since we family bed it isn't very useful for us.
worked great for storing laundry, though! and right now one of the
dogs sleeps in it (it's attached to the bed). I do recommend a crib
that can transform to a toddler bed, as that way if you use it as a
sidecar it's safer. and baby can use the toddler bed
later.
Diaper bag - I got 2 bad ones, then a Land's End diaper bag. I *love* the Land's End one. I'd get one of those from the beginning instead of the silly decorated ones - they look cute, but break so quickly - the cloth seperates from the fabric.
Glider
rocker - fantastic, wonderful, loved it. I got one with solid bottom
slats- less apt to catch puppy tails & baby fingers. the ottoman
is a must-have to go with it. We aren't using it as much now, but i
lived in it when Mackenzie was a tiny baby.
High
chair (snap-on to the table)- *wonderful* - until she is old enough
for the high chair & for travel & restaurants.
High
chair (wood) - is useful as she gets older. we have a flexi chair,
that changes to be a kids and adult chair.
Playpen - Mackenzie hates it and won't sit in it, but did nap in it a few times when she was much younger - if I had to do it over again I'd get it at a resale shop.
Sling - couldn't live without - we really like the over-the-shoulder baby holder, or the sling-ezee. had problems with the size of the nojo. would love to try a Mayawrap or Sandy's attic sling.
Stroller - we got ours as a combo with the car seat, and wouldn't do that again - want a stroller that the handle reverses so you can see the baby.
Swing - I have a battery operated one that now is used for holding coats. but I'll save it in case another baby likes it. and maybe I'll try it again now. Mackenzie liked it more when bill was alone with her than when I was home. but it was nice to have it with an open top & battery operated. but I'd get one at resale if was going to do it over.
Wipe warmer - I use it to hold warm water for dipping home made wipes. it's nice.
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last modified by RRA 6/26/99