What are your must have baby items!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2007
What are your must have baby items!!
10
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 10:31am

Hey everybody!


My friend is registering for her baby and keeps coming to me for advice. It got me thinking....What are you must have items that you register for-or just have to have!!


I have always wanted, but never got the travel system-stroller/carseat combo. I guess its not a must have, but I

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2006
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 11:22am
My must have item is what I call "sweet peas", the baby nightgowns. They are a must for middle of the night diaper changes, so convienient, and great for either gender. My husband always complained that it looked like his son was wearing a dress, but I said you try changing a diaper at 3am and unsnapping and re-snapping all those buttons on a sleeper. Anyway the "sweet pea" is my vote for must haves.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 11:45am
I second gowns--took til my 3rd to even try them!
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Avatar for dr_kae
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 6:32pm
I'm not sure there was any one thing that was a total must have, but our front carrier got a lot of use. We would use it in museums, at the zoo, going Christmas shopping...so much easier than fussing with a stroller. And LOTS of onesies and a big tub of Oxy soak, since we had a major spitter-upper.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Fri, 08-17-2007 - 9:30am

My must haves:
1. A sling. later, a carrier, but for the first few month a sling gives babies that snuggly womb-like feeling. I LOVED hotslings. Here's the link www.hotslings.com
2. I totally agree with pp who said a good breast pump.
3. HALO sleepsack
4. An activity Mat
5. Robeez shoes. They kept my baby's socks on his feet and are just so comfy looking.
6. Supermarket cart cover
7. Swing. I like the cradle ones that swing back and forth and side to side.
8. 2nd Car Seat Base-If you register for the 2nd base you won’t get stuck always taking the one car. If you give one to the Babysitter, or to Grandma, it can be much easier than constantly uninstalling and re-installing the base every time someone else drives the baby somewhere!

HTH-
Annie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2007
Fri, 08-17-2007 - 7:21pm
I would definetley say the "sweet peas" too. They are very handy in the middle of the night. Also a good diaper bag with a changing pad and lots of pockets, and Avent bottles. They saved me because my little girl was so gassy and was always spitting up until we switched to those bottles.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2007
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 10:16am

This isn't really a "must-have," but when I first saw it I fell in love with it. It's a crib called "Simplicity - Providence 4-in-1 Convertible Crib." It's a crib that your child can use basically his/her entire life! I thought, what an awesome idea! You just have to buy one bed and never have to worry about, "is it time to go look for a child's bed..." yadda yadda.

It goes from crib, to child's safety bed, to a day bed, to using it as a headboard (all you would have to do is get a new mattress and possibly the frame). I'm registering for the one in cherry. It's so beautiful and gives the baby's room such a warm, old-fashioned look. LOVE IT!

Avatar for cathby
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2003
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 12:01pm

As a mom of 3-1/3 kids, I must say that the convertible bed things aren't always that great an idea or a deal.

Often, by the time your child is finished w/ the crib, you have another child who needs a crib. Do you get another crib? Do you get another convertible bed?

I just find it limiting, to be "married" to a bed for the child. What if the kid wants bunkbeds later? Plus, I'm told that the whole "conversion kit" thing can be an expensive nightmare, and who knows if it will be hard to find in 4+ years when you need one.

Just my $.02,
Cathy

Avatar for dr_kae
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 1:32pm
We got a convertible crib for our son and so far it's been great. Part of what I like is that it's not flimsy like a lot of cribs. It's a solid piece of furniture--no wobbles. Now, he's two, so we haven't had the opportunity to find out how it makes the transition to full-size bed. But I figure, you can get the rails for a hundred bucks, so if he doesn't want it in his room, we can go ahead and use it in a guest room. (But really--does he need that much say in his furniture? I had the same furniture in my room my entire growing up and we still sleep in my husband's childhood bed when we go to his folks'.)
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2007
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 4:58pm
I have also heard that is is difficult to find furniture to match it for when the child gets bigger(that isn't baby furniture)
I thought it sounded really cool too - but TONS of my friends have said they are not worth it - just buy 1 really good crib for each kid to use was each of their advice.
Just an FYI...
Jaime ~ Mom to Brennan Patrick and Molly Catherine Image and video hosting by TinyPic
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2000
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 7:40pm

I think this sort of thing is way too subjective to try to come up with a real list of must haves. I only see one thing one the pp's that I would even consider and that is the second carsear base for the carrier seat. What one baby really likes, another may hate. I have three kids so I'm speaking from experience here.

My baby necessities:

cloth diapers - either for diapering or for burp cloths

diaper bag - big enough to hold diapers, wipes, extra clothes, toys, nail clippers, tylenol, teething ointment, etc...

clothes - whatever works for your climate (btw, my kids hated the sleep gowns)

blankets - my babies liked to be swaddled

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