Baby Gear - What Do You Need & What Is A Waste?

[Guest cassidy]

I am starting to buy/register for baby gear. I've read books and consumer reports, but it is still confusing which items are best and which things are unnecessary. People have been having babies long before all these gadgets so I don't want to waste money on things I don't need. Just to give a bit of background I will be staying at home, I like the idea of attachment parenting and I'm very into learning toys and being an involved parent.

What brand of diapers is best?

What brand of wipes is best?

For safety items, do you need a toilet lock?

Is a sterilizer a good idea or waste of money?

Which sling is best? I was looking at the Nojo recommended by Dr. Sears.

Car seat/stroller - it seems like you can get an infant seat and then an older seat and the infant seat fits into the stroller, or you can just get a stroller "frame" for the infant seat and get another stroller when they outgrow the infant seat - what is best?

Any gear that really makes life easier?

Any favorites that your child loved and you think are great ideas?

Gliders - Dutailier seems to be rated the best, is it worth the money?

Changing tables - worth it or waste of money?

Is it ok to get clothes at the consignment store? They seem to have good, cheap stuff?

Thanks for any tips you can give.

[Guhlia]

What brand of diapers is best? generic diapers should be fine for during the day when you'll be closely monitering whether or not the baby needs a diaper change, we prefer Pampers for night time and long car rides

What brand of wipes is best?We like Pampers unscented wipes, they are gentle and soft and they don't leave a funky slime behind like some of the other wipes

For safety items, do you need a toilet lock?We had a toilet lock and we were very glad that we did. They aren't expensive. Get the kind that attaches to the back of the toilet, not the side, the ones that attach to the side will break or fall off

Is a sterilizer a good idea or waste of money?Waste of money, you really only need to sanitize new things, you can do that easily on the stove

Which sling is best? I was looking at the Nojo recommended by Dr. Sears.I didn't use a sling, but I hear that the Nojo is great

Car seat/stroller - it seems like you can get an infant seat and then an older seat and the infant seat fits into the stroller, or you can just get a stroller "frame" for the infant seat and get another stroller when they outgrow the infant seat - what is best?It depends on how much you'll be taking the baby out. We had the infant seat/stroller combo that we used for a year, the we graduated to just using that stroller, then when she turned 2 we bought a heavy duty lightweight stroller for outtings. All of these purchases were well worth the money to us.

Any gear that really makes life easier?Graco Pack n' Play, a full sized swing (we used the Ocean Wonders Swing), Dr. Brown's bottles (they really do reduce gas and make for a happier baby, they were the only bottle that worked for us).

Any favorites that your child loved and you think are great ideas?My daughter loved her Fisher Price jumparoo. It's like a johnny jump up, but much safer as it only bounces within it's own frame. Very cool.

Gliders - Dutailier seems to be rated the best, is it worth the money? We just used a rocking chair that we got at a discount store. She's still using it for story time.

Changing tables - worth it or waste of money?100% worth it, especially if anyone in the family that will be changing her has back trouble. If he/she pees while their diaper is off, which WILL happen, the changing table pad is much easier to clean than the carpet.

Is it ok to get clothes at the consignment store? They seem to have good, cheap stuff?Absolutely. Just be sure that there are no loose buttons or decorations. Try to stay away from clothing with hoods as it's a safety hazard for napping babies/toddlers.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Both the crib and the changing table turned out to be a total waste for us. Changing the baby on a towel on the bed was WAY easier and safer, and when he started to turn over and roll, a towel on the floor was even safer. The crib ended up storing stuffed animals. I slept way better when the baby was in bed with me (between me and a bedrail, so that hubby would not roll on him), and so did baby.

That could have saved us hundreds of dollars, if I had only known...(sigh)

The sling was [i]wonderful. I had a Nojo and an Over-The-Shoulder-Baby Holder (one lived in the car). I ended up never using the car seat/carrier as a carrier (another total waste)--it was much easier to just take the baby out of the car seat and wear him in the sling. I tried carrying the darn car seat around on errands for two days, and my back and arm hurt like heck. I wore each of my babies in the sling for at least 2 years--they loved it, and they NEVER EVER FUSSED in the sling. I had a backpack-style purse, and carried only my wallet, a couple of diapers, a ziplock bag of wipees, and 2 spare onesies.

[emcmaster]

I used to be a full-time nanny - this is what I've gathered...

What brand of diapers is best?

- Pampers seems to be the best, but I know my Mom claims that Luvs is just as good.

What brand of wipes is best?

- They use the "parent's choice" off-brand one from walmart and it seems to work just as well. I don't think wipes need to be as good as diapers.

Is a sterilizer a good idea or waste of money?

- you can buy sterilizers that you put in the microwave. Those aren't expensive at all and necessary, I think.

Any gear that really makes life easier?

- a baby backpack thing - babies over 2 months LOVE being able to see out

Changing tables - worth it or waste of money?

- absolutely worth the money, IMO. They get changed SO many times a day that it really makes it easier.

Is it ok to get clothes at the consignment store? They seem to have good, cheap stuff?

- I think this is one area that you can definitely save money. Babies grow so fast. Buy them a few cheap (but decently well-made), cute outfits for each age range. You'll be doing laundry at least once a week, so you really need only 7 or 8 outfits for each age. Granted, people will likely get you more as gifts, but the brands Carter and Just One Year make reasonably priced, adorable clothes.

Congrats again!

[CarlaB]

My youngest is 8, so I know products are different ...

There was only one "Sling" then, there were backpacks, etc. but the Sling was the best.

Get an umbrella stoller, don't waste your money on a big, fancy one. The kind that the car seat snaps into are nice for when the baby falls asleep in the car though. I didn't trust the snappy thing IN the car though, I always buckled the seat itself.

I used to carry a diaper and a small packs of wipes in my purse, thankfully for you, big purses are making a comeback. I kept an extra outfit in the car.

You can't have too many cloth diapers (burp rags) or receiving blankets.

I liked onsies for the summertime and sleepers.

The only safety item I ever used was outlet covers. Watch the cords on your blinds ... cut them short!! There is a family here that lost their toddler to those. TRAGIC!

I had a portable playpen next to my bed, the baby slept there, so I didn't have to actually get up at night to breastfeed. The baby generally spent the rest of the night in bed with us. Never if we had been drinking though (even a little bit).

I know the jury is out on this one, but with six kids, I never had a changing table ... I never would have walked all the way upstairs to change the baby anyway, and I had a plastic pad I could put on the floor, bed, sofa, etc.

If you get a used crib, be sure it meets current safety standards.

We trained our kids right to the toilet, never used a toilet seat. So, the toilet locks might be good for the first baby, but when you have a toddler, the last thing you'll want is the toilet to be locked!! I never let the baby out of my sight ... if I went to the bathroom or left the room for any reason, I put the baby in a playpen, though that's all I really used it for ... except as mentioned above next to our bed.

I don't even know what a sterilizer is ... for the first baby, if the pacifier dropped on the floor, I boiled it, for the second I rinsed it, for the third, I just handed it back to her as she also sucked on her hands that had touched everything, too!!! LOL

[chrissy]

i had a changing table---twice---and hardly ever used them. i preferred to sit on the floor and change my babies.

i LOVE pacifiers and went to the effort to train some of my babies to take them----only one of my children did not give the "papoo" up on her own before she was a year old. (and like carla---i didn't worry too often about rinsing off pacifiers)

i like to use the white cloud brand of diapers that walmart has----i also use parent's choice unscented wipes.

i think the most comfortable carrier i ever used is the ABC carrier---now they call them mei tei carriers----i made my own from directions on the internet.

i used alot of cloth diapers over the years with gerber plastic pants. i also used white washclothes instead of wipes alot of times. i fell in love with the new cloth diapers that are shaped, even sewed some, but rarely used them----maybe if my baby hadn't been so high maintenance.....

i really like the exersaucers---i started putting my kids in them when they couldn't even sit up on their own---i just propped them with blankets and they loved it.

[missy'smom]

We loved our Diaper Genie.

[eLaurie]

Congratulations!

I'm an aunt to a 3 1/2, 3 and 2 year old. My sister (mom of the oldest) received what we found to be an wonderful gaget with all the babies - a baby wipe warmer. The newborns hate the cold baby wipes and diaper changing with cold wipes always involved crying, whereas the warm wipes changings were much better tolerated.

I've since given them several times as gifts and one friend had her baby prematurely, so I wasn't able to get it to her until a couple of days after the baby arrived. She was amazed at the immediate difference and says she's going to start giving these as gifts as well.

Open Original Shared Link

[Ursa Major]

From my own and my two older daughter's experience, I consider a cradle/basket/or similar little bed beside your own bed for the first few months essential. A full sized playpen is usually way too big to fit beside your bed, because unless you have a huge bedroom (and few people do), space is limited.

Also, if you have a two-story house, a bassinet to keep downstairs to have your baby nap in during the daytime is a great idea. Newborns usually don't have a very loud cry, and so it's better if they sleep nearby, so you can hear them.

A baby monitor is very handy. Once the baby gets too big for the bassinet (around three to four months), you will have to put him/her into their own crib in their room. If you have a baby monitor, you can turn it on, and take the receiver even outside for gardening for instance, and will still hear when baby wakes up.

Also, I personally think a crib is essential. Some babies hate the confinement of a small bed (like a cradle) by the time they're about three months old. Even though they still fit, they like to throw their arms out to the side, and like to have space.

I have five kids, and two of them were like that, and the other ones preferred being confined. My son slept in the basket until he was eight months old, because he felt safer in a confined space, I think. My oldest daughter started crying and crying when put to bed in her cradle at about three months old. So, I put her into the crib. She threw out her arms, smiled sweetly and went straight to sleep.

I had a changing table, and never used it. One of my babies started rolling over before she was two weeks old. It wasn't safe to use a changing table with her.

And like Carla, there was no way I would go upstairs every time a baby needed changing. Especially when I had three toddlers as well as a baby at one point. Who would have watched the toddlers while changing the baby upstairs? And taking them all upstairs with me while changing the baby?

I just used a waterproof changing pad wherever I was. I had several in strategic places, in the bedroom, in a corner of the living room, in the family room etc., along with wipes and a stack of diapers.

My oldest daughter used her changing table as a dresser (the shelves underneath are very handy), as did I. Her strategy for changing baby is the same as mine was. She has five children six and under right now, including a five-month old baby.

It will save money to use cloth diapers at home, but is easier to use disposables when going out. The new cloth diapers with Velcro closures are great.

A nice diaper bag is pretty essential. One of my daughters has a 'real' diaper bag, while my oldest (more experienced) daughter uses a backpack for that purpose. When you have toddlers, a backpack is good, because it frees your hands (or at least one, if you carry baby with the other).

I wouldn't bother with a sterilizer at all. It is a terrible idea to make everything sterile around the baby, as it will stop it's immune system from developing properly. You will have a kid with MORE illnesses, rather than less if you don't allow the immune system to go through normal challenges. That is not to say that of course you will keep things reasonably clean.

With the stroller it depends on what you want to do. An umbrella stroller (which are inexpensive) is a great idea to take to the shopping mall, as they are easily folded and thrown into the trunk of the car, without taking up the whole trunk.

If you like jogging, or will take walks over rough terrain, a jogging stroller is a great idea. If you go for long walks on normal roads, a stroller that converts to a baby carriage (having a boot) is great when baby is very little, as you can lie him/her down flat, which will be much more comfortable than being in a car seat.

For that reason, I myself (my own personal preference) would get a normal baby car seat as well as one for when the baby faces forward (you will be glad of that when the next child comes along, as then you will need both at the same time), and a separate stroller, that will grow with the baby. One that reclines, reverses, has a boot and is rugged enough to go pretty much anywhere. And I would have the umbrella stroller as well for shopping.

I had a toilet lock, which was a waste of money (and taken off not long after putting it on). Make sure your bathroom door is closed at all times once baby starts crawling around and pulls him/herself up. If you have a toddler, too, you can't lock the toilet, or you'll have accidents! Once you have more than one child, the older one needs to be trained to always close the bathroom door as well.

Essential safety items are outlet covers, and locks for drawers and cupboards that have things dangerous to a young child in them. Also, you'll want at least one gate, to stop a baby from going up or down the stairs.

I think those new over-the-sink bathtubs are a handy thing to have. Even though my one daughter just bathes her baby in the kitchen sink. Later you'll want something to keep a baby safe in the bathtub (there are several different ways). Wet babies are very slippery, and it makes bathtime easier if you don't desperately try to keep a grip on the squirming baby, while washing him/her.

My daughters both have a glider rocker in their bedrooms, and love them. I would have loved having one, now that I see how nice they are. You might want a glider ottoman to go with it, too.

Absolutely get clothing at the consignment store. I have bought things for my grandchildren that were brandnames usually costing up to $50.00 new, for a dollar a piece. And they still looked like brandnew, as babies don't do anything that wears out their clothing. You can get a lot of baby clothes for the same money one item costs new. Unless you're a millionaire and can afford to waste money, consignment stores are the way to go.

A crib mobile that plays a gentle melody is nice, my one granddaughter loves hers (my older daughter has never bothered with things like that). Also, something soft (like a blankie, or a very soft, washable doll or animal) is a good idea, that the child can get attached to. It will help with bedtime once the baby gets older. Mind you, it is impossible to know what the kid will chose for the 'favourite thing' in the end.

At home instead of baby wipes I used paper towels with warm water. Much cheaper, and you don't ever get any reaction, since water is always fine. I used wipes only when going out.

[Michi8]

Both the crib and the changing table turned out to be a total waste for us. Changing the baby on a towel on the bed was WAY easier and safer, and when he started to turn over and roll, a towel on the floor was even safer. The crib ended up storing stuffed animals. I slept way better when the baby was in bed with me (between me and a bedrail, so that hubby would not roll on him), and so did baby.

That could have saved us hundreds of dollars, if I had only known...(sigh)

I'm with Fiddle-Faddle on this one. Our crib got sold in almost brand new condition after I had three kids. First baby used it only for naps. Second used it maybe twice. Third...it was just a safe place to put her after diaper changes (kept her out of reach of her brothers until I could wash my hands.) All three kids slept with us...and then we introduced to their own beds at about a year...but still mostly slept with us. :-) My first slept between us (snuggle in next to me) Second slept on my other side with the guard rail on the edge. Third was in the middle again as both boys always slept in their own beds.

I found a change table was more useful for my second child, just because it worked well in the layout of the house we had just moved to at the time. For my first, the floor worked great.

The sling was [i]wonderful. I had a Nojo and an Over-The-Shoulder-Baby Holder (one lived in the car). I ended up never using the car seat/carrier as a carrier (another total waste)--it was much easier to just take the baby out of the car seat and wear him in the sling. I tried carrying the darn car seat around on errands for two days, and my back and arm hurt like heck. I wore each of my babies in the sling for at least 2 years--they loved it, and they NEVER EVER FUSSED in the sling. I had a backpack-style purse, and carried only my wallet, a couple of diapers, a ziplock bag of wipees, and 2 spare onesies.

Loved my sling too. Also used a Baby Bjorn a lot. A good quality stroller is a must too (especially if you walk everywhere like I did when I lived in Vancouver.) I've bought a number of strollers...our Chicco umbrella stroller (with built in rain cover) was the most versatile and lasted a long time. We did have a car seat/carrier for my third that was great. It had a soft shoulder strap for a carrying which was way more comfy than the standard plastic handle. But, a sling was still preferred.

A good high chair is important too. Look for one that doesn't have a lot of cracks and crevices to trap food. I loved my Peg Perego Prima Pappa high chair...it was well worth the cost.

In terms of diapers. I used cloth (Motherease one size) faithfully for my first (absolutely loved them)...and almost faithfully for my second. By the time my third was born, I found them too much work to be washing in addition to clothes for a family of five. When I used disposable, it was based on price and fit. Also important to me to avoid perfume...the perfume in Pampers gives me an instant migraine...and I found that they had the worst fit on my kids. I preferred Huggies and similar no-name versions. For wipes...cloth with plain water is my first choice. I had many flannel wipes for this purpose (just got washed with the diapers). Otherwise any wipe that was scent free did the job...it didn't see the value in buying the "Supreme" version of any wipes.

Make sure you get lots and lots of receiving blankets. Flat cloth diapers also make excellent burp cloths...good for cleaning spills, messes, can be used as a bib in a pinch too.

Finally, you may want to invest in a good quality rocking chair. I found it was the perfect place to breastfeed. Make sure that it is comfortable, roomy enough and that the arm rests are at a good height. I also used a nursing pillow...made breastfeeding more comfortable, especially for the first few weeks. The pillow also made a good place to secure baby for a nap (I'd just slip away after breastfeeding and left baby sleeping.)

Michelle

[Guest cassidy]

Thanks for all the tips! It is really helpful to learn what has worked for other people.

Ursa, good point about the stroller/car seat. I never even thought about when there are two of them you need infant stuff and bigger kid stuff. I was an only child so it is hard for me to imagine. We definitely want more than one because I didn't like being the only.

We decided not to do the crib and I found a little 3 sided box type thing that you put in the bed with you that keeps the baby in place so you don't roll over on him. I have also read that moms know where their babies are so maybe that isn't necessary, but it makes me feel more comfortable. I won't be upset if I only use it a couple of times and decide we can sleep without it.

Thank you so much!

[Michi8]

A crib mobile that plays a gentle melody is nice, my one granddaughter loves hers (my older daughter has never bothered with things like that). Also, something soft (like a blankie, or a very soft, washable doll or animal) is a good idea, that the child can get attached to. It will help with bedtime once the baby gets older. Mind you, it is impossible to know what the kid will chose for the 'favourite thing' in the end.

I just wanted to point out that having an attachment can be an issue at times...especially if that attachment item gets misplaced. Personally, I appreciated the fact that my kids were attached to me, rather than an inanimate object. Since my babies slept with me, they needed no other object to fall asleep with. They did have soothers, because they all were constantly wanting to suck, but they stopped using them by 13 months...and my daughter stopped hers at about 9 months. They all breastfed until around 2 years old (my middle child until 2.5.)

Once they were weaned, they actually transitioned to sleeping on their own quite well. None of my three have any particular stuffed animal or blankie that they need with them for sercurity. None of them were ever clingy or fussy either...they transitioned to playing with others and going to school without me very nicely.

Michelle

[Ursa Major]

There is one 'little' thing that may get to be a problem with not having another place but your own bed for baby to sleep in. And that is that certain activities between husband and wife require privacy, and don't allow for a baby to be in the middle of your bed. So, unless you are actually planning on not having any sex for a year, you might want to reconsider not having a crib.

And yes, my babies would often sleep in my bed. Especially because I'd be too tired to bother getting up and putting the baby back in his/her own bassinet or crib after nursing. But it was nice to have the option. I also liked that when around a year old, and they started being mobile, I knew they couldn't get out of their crib, and crawling/walking around getting into trouble while I was blissfully sleeping and unaware of their activities.

The same reasoning goes for naps. A crib is a safe place for a baby/toddler to sleep in. Plus, they now have cribs that convert to a toddler bed/daybed. That's what I would go for if I would have children these days.

Some children will get attached to something without you having any say in it. My oldest granddaughter wasn't attached to any object until she was a year old. At which point I gave her a fluffy (washable) white bunny for Easter. She will be seven in May, but will still not travel/go to bed without that bunny (poor thing is looking a little tired after all this wear ).

One grandson is attached to his first blanket. My daughter crochets the same blanket (different colours) for all her kids, and nieces as well (she has no nephews yet). All the other kids use it to cover themselves at night. Ethan is wearing his out, because he 'bops' (his word) it against his face, as he sucks his thumb when going to sleep.

So, you never know what they'll get attached to. Some kids won't be attached to anything at all, and other will be attached to something. You can't control that.

Oh, another thing you might want is one of those lounger rockers for babies, with toys attached to the handle. Babies love them, and so do mothers. Because you need to put the baby somewhere when cooking supper for instance. And you can position the lounger where baby can watch you.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

There is one 'little' thing that may get to be a problem with not having another place but your own bed for baby to sleep in. And that is that certain activities between husband and wife require privacy, and don't allow for a baby to be in the middle of your bed. So, unless you are actually planning on not having any sex for a year, you might want to reconsider not having a crib.

Never was an issue for us--we just sneaked off to the guest room or the living room couch!

As for no sex for a year, it was literally 6 months after the birth before I could sit down without any pain (HORRIBLE hemmorhoids after the birth), so I wasn't the least bit interested until after that, anyway.

[CarlaB]

Never was an issue for us--we just sneaked off to the guest room or the living room couch!

As for no sex for a year, it was literally 6 months after the birth before I could sit down without any pain (HORRIBLE hemmorhoids after the birth), so I wasn't the least bit interested until after that, anyway.

We always had a portable play pen (the small kind designed for travel) beside our bed. Since baby went to bed before us, he/she would start out there and would move to our bed later. The playpen was also convenient because you had a place to put the baby to sleep when you shower.

We also always had a crib for the baby even though it's primary bed was with us. The crib was used for naps once he/she was older.

Keep in mind, that you don't need EVERYTHING before baby is born!! You can start out with the three-sided thing (that will keep baby out of the way for activities ) then decide later that you want a crib.

[Michi8]

[

]There is one 'little' thing that may get to be a problem with not having another place but your own bed for baby to sleep in. And that is that certain activities between husband and wife require privacy, and don't allow for a baby to be in the middle of your bed. So, unless you are actually planning on not having any sex for a year, you might want to reconsider not having a crib.

Never was an issue for us--we just sneaked off to the guest room or the living room couch!

As for no sex for a year, it was literally 6 months after the birth before I could sit down without any pain (HORRIBLE hemmorhoids after the birth), so I wasn't the least bit interested until after that, anyway.

Not an issue for us either. We had lots of other rooms in the house.

Besides, there are many cultures where cribs aren't used...and families share sleeping quarters. This hasn't stopped people from procreating in the least! Even my own relatives shared beds when they came to farm on the prairies...they built a one bedroom house. Everyone slept together for warmth...you certainly didn't want to waste fuel heating many rooms at night when one was enough. There were other opportunities for privacy between partners...the family bed was not the place.

It really is mainly in western society where we want to quickly push children into sleeping independently. I think it is a shame to insist a baby be alone at night and use inanimate objects for comfort rather than human touch. That said, you need to do what works for your family. In my family, it doesn't matter where you sleep as long as everyone sleeps.

Michelle

[AndreaB]

I had posted ealier today and I don't see it. I won't repeat everything but I want to share my stories with sleep arrangements.

My first. We had a crib, took forever to get her to sleep in it. Put our mattress on the floor with the crib mattress next to it against the wall so she only had the bottom that she could get down on the floor from. I nursed her to sleep for naps and nightime (although she woke frequently to nurse at night). She nursed 10 times a day and I think was still nursing 6 times a day at 2 years.

My second. Skipped the crib. Slept with me on the mattress for the 1st month. I had overdone it after my section so the head of the bed was raised so I could get up easier. Moved to the car seat until he was 6 months old because he hated sleeping on his back. He also nursed about 10 times a day to start and was down to 6 times at 2 years. I also nursed him to sleep for naps and nighttime. He generall would give me a 5 hour break at night. I nursed both for 2 years 10 months.

My third. We got a crib. We swaddled this one and he loved it. He's the only pacifier baby as we are hoping to avoid the long term thumb sucking. I realize this may not work but my daughter is 7 and still sucking her thumb. My second never ventured to his thumb. This one did when he was 1 day old. His crib is shoved up against an interior wall with my side of the bed right next to it. I left the rail down until he could sit up. He goes to sleep by himself for naps and I'm in the room at night reading or working sudoku until he goes to sleep. He nursed 5 times a day from birth and is now on 6 times a day unless we are out and miss one. I'm hoping to keep him going until he's 2 years 10 months as well. My original goal was 3 years so that is pretty close. This is my only child that has slept through the night since he was about 4 months old. I'm thinking the pacifier may have helped a little. He hasn't suffered as far as weight. He hasn't tripled his weight yet (he's 21 pounds) but I'm working on trying to get him more solid food. He only has 5 teeth and two of those just started coming through. I gave my other two Cheerios but don't like the Cheerio wannabes that are out there.

I was never one who could handle having a baby in a totally different room. When my older two were born we had my stepsons occupying the other two rooms. My daughter was in our room until she was 4 3/4 or 5 years. My oldest son was 2 years. We moved them out together into separate rooms. My youngest will be in with me until he's between 2 and 3 years. We didn't move our daughter out sooner due to the stepsons as well as the fact that when we moved there was no way she would have wanted to go to the opposite end of the house from us all by herself.

Of the three I like the crib right next to the bed so the baby can be right next to you but still has his own space. I believe that they sleep better knowing that you are there, but I also know they can be trained to be by themselves pretty young. This house always feels colder than the others we were in due to the fact that it has a heat pump. We keep the temp around 68 at night and I have the now 13 month old double pajamad to keep him warm. 68 even feels colder. He sleeps comfortably well like that. I always know if he's cold since he tucks his legs up underneath himself if he is.

As far as husband and wife finding time to spend together intimately, not a problem. You find ways. My husband isn't in the room now with me and the baby since his (husbands) wake times are so sporadic. Neither one of us was sleeping well. Now all 3 of us sleep better and hubby and I just make sure we carve out some time together. My daughter is also more comfortable having him on her side of the house.

You had asked about 2nd hand clothes. I think it is frugal with as quickly as they grow the first year to have a majority of them be 2nd hand. Most of them are in great shape and look new. I've bought many nice things on eBay. It's always nice to have some things that you can buy, but you'll also probably get some clothing for gifts. If you can afford it Hanna Andersson is a very nice, albeit pricey brand. They hold their value and most tend to sell well on eBay.

[Guest cassidy]

There is one 'little' thing that may get to be a problem with not having another place but your own bed for baby to sleep in. And that is that certain activities between husband and wife require privacy, and don't allow for a baby to be in the middle of your bed. So, unless you are actually planning on not having any sex for a year, you might want to reconsider not having a crib.

And yes, my babies would often sleep in my bed. Especially because I'd be too tired to bother getting up and putting the baby back in his/her own bassinet or crib after nursing. But it was nice to have the option. I also liked that when around a year old, and they started being mobile, I knew they couldn't get out of their crib, and crawling/walking around getting into trouble while I was blissfully sleeping and unaware of their activities.

I know a bunch of other people have already commented on this.

My husband and I can't sleep in the same bed. He needs complete silence, ear plugs, a noise machine and blinders to sleep. Whenever I roll over I wake him up and he wakes me up to tell me that I woke him up. We both just agreed that we sleep better in separate beds. So, he will be in the master bedroom so he can get up for work and the baby and I will be in the second bedroom, where he sleeps now. So, adult activities can still happen in the master bed. I have a low-lying placenta which I've read has a great chance of going away, but we haven't been allowed to have sex in a long time. Maybe that is getting us used to having a baby in the house and being exhausted all the time!

I plan on having a pack n play downstairs for naps and I guess I will see how the baby does to determine if we need a crib. I was going to put bed rails on my bed from day one just to be safe and also put the mattress on the floor so if he falls he isn't falling far. I was thinking at nap time when he is old enough to get out of bed then there wouldn't be much in the room for him to get into so it wouldn't be a big deal.

[Ursa Major]

Okay, I can see why for the baby to just sleep in your bed is no problem. I always liked to have my kids sleep in my bed, but my husband would tend to roll over on them, and our bed was not big enough (just a double bed).

But now we sleep in separate rooms, too, because his snoring keeps me awake, and my tossing and turning keeps him awake. Separate rooms weren't an option until some of our kids moved out, because we had no extra rooms.

[TinkerbellSwt]

I hated my diaper genie, if you miss one day on changing it, the smell is outrageous. I threw that thing out right away. The wipe warmer, nah, not necessary, not for me anyway.. seemed like a waste of time, the only time a wipe temp really matters is in the middle of the nite, when a cold wipe can wake baby more.. I loved our mobile from Sassy. It was one of the most recommended by Parents magazine, and Colin loved it.

Our high chair is from the Aquarium line of stuff, easy to clean, and put baby in it, it adjusts back and such, so even infants can be put in it.

Our infant seat was part of our stroller system. We still use the stroller today, Colin is almost 2. I cant imagine life without it. He does enjoy walks in the cheapy umbrella strollers too.

We loved our mirror for the back seat, so we could see Colin easily while we were driving, all we had to do was look in our rear view mirror, when he realized he could see us too was rather neat!

We had one of those circle thingys to keep him busy, ours was baby einstein, absolute life saver! he loved it and gave me time to go potty myself!

We didnt use bouncers or anything and he wasnt that fond of swings, I think that is just him though, I hear a lot of babies like them.

Anything else you can just PM me about if you would like, I have a lot of stuff here and can give you my opinions on our stuff that we bought. and why we bought such and such a brand!

oh yeah, we didnt have Colin in bed with us, he had too many machines hooked up to him, we used a co-sleeper. it works great. it actually attaches on one side to your bed and is small like a bassinet. we didnt use a bassinet, again due to all the machines, but we loved our co sleeper, he stayed in that until he was off all his machines. He was small for a long time though!

[AndreaB]

I didn't like the diaper genie either. I do like the one I have now.....will have to check what the name is. You use your own garbage bags in it. I want to say Diaper Champ. Will try and remember to look at it and post it.

[Ursa Major]

Right, that mirror so you can see your rear-facing baby in the backseat, I forgot about that. My second daughter (who only has one baby) absolutely loves it. If we go somewhere in my car, she says every time, how she hates not being able to see Zoey, because she is so used to looking into the back mirror to check on her.

My oldest daughter doesn't need one, as she has four older kids checking on their baby sister .

[AndreaB]

Yep, it's Diaper Champ by baby trends.

I didn't use any walkers, swings, changing tables. I did use a wipes warmer with my first but got rid of it after I saw some spots on the fabric. I think they've changed how they make them now though. My oldest is 7. I just hold the wipe in my hand to take the chill off. Worked just fine. Now I don't worry about it.

I used primarily huggies/huggies wipes although I have used pampers. I don't like the scent in pampers diapers though.

Bought cloth diapers for my first and she hated them. Never tried them on the other two. My daughter still hates being wet unless she's in the tub. She freaks if her clothes get wet.

I also bought a sling on ebay which I never used. Didn't feel comfortable with it.

I like the infant car seats with a base so you can snap them in quickly in the car. I also like the sun shades for the cars to protect their eyes the first year or so.

For toilet locks. For the first it's fine, but doesn't work well with subsequent children since the older one generally would need access to the toilet. We have used blind cord shorteners, cabinet locks, door knob covers. Door knob covers are important for the bathroom and outside doors so the child can't get in the bathroom without you and can't go outside without you. Hm, I wonder if we kept ours....will be needing some soon if not. We also have the foam type wedges that go on the door so baby/toddler can't squish his/her fingers. Love those too. We also have the outlet covers.

We also love the baby mirror. We got a new one with this last child. Liked the first one we had better. Even though it's smaller we can see him better.