We just started to get the baby's room together. And we're starting to buy a few things that we think we'll need. We're looking for suggestions. Does anyone have any advice on what we should buy?
+ Do we need a diaper genie?
+ Should we get a changing table or just the changing pads?
+ What about crib pads?
+ Glider?
+ Bouncer?
Any thoughts? Recommendations? What else do we need?
Posted by Mark at October 25, 2004 06:58 AM- Do we need a diaper genie? YES
- Glider? YES - They really help to put the baby to sleep and keep them entertained for a while as you fold clothes, etc. And while they are in there, you can still interact with them, since they are closer to eye level.
Things like changing tables are great in theory, but make sure you can do something else with it once the baby outgrows needing one and you get so comfortable with changing diapers that you just plop him/her down anywhere and change them.
Buying a set of cloth diapers to use as "cover it" cloths are also a good, cheap idea. They are relatively cheap, easy to clean and can be carried around in anything. They absorb well and fit nicely over the shoulder.
One thing to keep in mind when buying anything big-ticket, like strollers, car seats, and cribs is how long will they last? Try to get something that is well-made, but see if you can also get something that coverts as the child grows. Several cribs will convert later to a junion-sized bed which can come in handy as they grow.
Posted by: Stephen at October 25, 2004 07:46 PMcrib pad like a mattress pad? yes - a crib sheet on top of a plastic mattress is too sweaty and not cushioned enough. If you are concerned about "moisture" you can put a piece of plastic (Walmart craft dept., on a roll, very inexpensive and sturdy) right on top of the mattress, then the pad, then the sheet. If you are talking about something right under the baby, this will only work when the baby is an infant and even then it will get bunched up and probably be a SIDS risk.
genie - no. Bring out the trash more often if you are using disposables. Too much waste + cost. IMO, a gimic.
bouncers and swings - good for short term but consider used or borrowed unless you are planning on raising many children or have tons of storage space you don't mind using or know of others you can gift these to or just have lots of extra cash. Check for any recalls and generally speaking NEW is best for car seats.
I tend to not buy extra stuff, at least not new. I have some experience in the care of little ones - 3 birth kids, 2 more "permanent" kids by foster/adopt, and 50 foster children (and low income, which might explain something).
Mostly I don't write to "strangers" (and I'll bet you mostly don't listen to strangers?) but some of the marketing aimed at new parents rather annoys me :)
Elsie
Posted by: Elsie at October 25, 2004 08:45 PMWell, everyone's got opinions... :)
We've been contemplating some of the same things, so I am happy to share what I've gleaned so far. I caveat all this with the fact that I am not a parent yet (hopefully DTC in December!).
The experienced mothers I know *insist* we don't need a changing table, and depending on age/size, may even be hazardous. Their theory is that once the little ones are mobile, it's better to have them on the floor/bed and not trying to wiggle off a table.
(I personally think that a combo changing table/dresser might be the way to go - that way you have something you can use down the line.)
My mom and sister also claim that the bouncers are only good for babies that aren't mobile, because after that, it frustrates them to be strapped in.
Neither one think much of the diaper genie, because they wouldn't even consider not taking a diaper out to the garbage can in the garage immediately. My family members are big fans of recycling breadbags for diaper disposal. Might be less costly than buying all the accoutrement needed with the genie.
Good luck!
Posted by: Deanna at October 25, 2004 09:10 PMHonestly? The only things I think you REALLY need:
1. Pediatric first aid kit (you can by them at Babies R Us)
2. A few receiving blankets (which are those lightweight baby blankets) -- depending on how young your daughter is, they love to be swaddled in them
3. TONS of diapers
4. A few packs of onesies (people swear by them, but honestly we rarely put Alex in them)
5. Some of those pyjamas with the feet in them. Preferably with the zippers all the way up one leg and to the front -- I find them easier to get the baby in and out of.
6. LOTS of bottles, because you're not going to want to be washing them. I found 10 a nice number to start with. (Also -- note that the nipple holes vary in size, depending on the age of the child).
Okay, those are MUST-haves. Nice to haves:
1. A glider -- or better yet, a recliner. Something you can rock the baby to sleep in, and then recline all the way back so YOU can get some sleep if you need to.
2. A changing table is great -- especially if one of you is tall. My husband is 6'5", so he found the table a great help.
We threw out our diaper genie, 'cause I thought the baby's room always smelt of pee. So you might want to think about that one.
As far as anything else -- I was AMAZED at how much people got for us -- including neighbours down the street we'd never MET! Trust me, you'll have more clothes and toys and bouncers etc than you'll know what to do with. What I've listed above I've found to be the bare minimum you'll need.
Hope this helps -- and congrats!!!
Posted by: Karen at October 27, 2004 10:44 PMCongratulations on your adoption journey! We adopted our son from S. Korea in 2002, and are currently in process for adoption #2....Living in Southern California.
We also have an adoption blog (password protected, if interested e-mail and we'll share).
We went all out with our first and bought expensive bottle warmers, bouncy swings, the works. It turns out that many of these were useless. Here's what we've found to be essential:
-Korean lullabyes CD (or China lullabies for you lil one)
-Lots of bottles...lots!
-Baby Bjorn (or baby backpack, snuzzly thing)
-High quality and dependable baby monitor
-COMFORTABLE rocking chair
-Lots of burp clothes
-Baby Einstein videos/dvds (these are amazing and allow you a few minutes to clean house or take a breather)
-A floor mat for under the high chair
-A lightweight carrier that you can easily transport and use to swing by hand to rock to sleep
-In addition to a high-tech three-wheeler stroller for the beach and neighborhood walks, we found a good quality umbrella stroller to be vital (especially for Disney Land and trips to LA museums, etc).
I'm loving the questions that you are asking, because you are saving me from having to ask them myself.
I can't wait until you get your referral, because that means we're that much closer to ours! DTC Oct. 9!
Posted by: Shelba at November 2, 2004 07:21 PMHi Mark
Haven't been to the blog for a while, thought I'd drop in.
First of all I don't know what some of these things are that you've mentioned.
genie - ??? If it's something to do with disposing of the disposable nappies I would say you don't need one. I just throw them out.
Glider - ???? Going by the posts, sounds something like a play-gym. These vary. My friend has an attachable play thing that goes onto the bouncenette. You can get them so that baby can lie under, or I used to have a old one where it had legs and I just put the baby in the bouncenette semi under it. After we had our third son, we got rid of it (end of Family), but when God gave us our daughter, I just hung some play-gym toys we were given, onto the clothes airer. I put Alisha in the bouncenette semi under the clothes airer (amongst all the washing), and she plays with the toys.
Changing tables aren't neccasary. We didn't have one for the first three, I only used one this time round because someone gave it to me. I find it easier on the bed, couch or floor. You really have to watch them when they strat to move around. I had Alisha on it a couple of weeks ago, and she had moved up on it so her head was over the side between the wall and the changing table. It happens so fast. I'm not using it now!!
We used to have a thing called 'Jolly-Jumper'. The boys loved that. You hang it in a door way, and they bouce in it. Great Fun!!!
For cots, I just have a plain mattress with a matress protector and old sheet over the top and a towel, then the bottom sheet. I would not put anything with plastic on it. As babies grow more, they may pull at their coverings, and you don't want them to reach the plastic. I recall vaguely an incident in NZ where a baby died as a result of plastic over the mattress. I can't remember the details???
Honestly, I wouldn't spend too much on these things as they outgrow them so quickly, and if you aren't having more kids it's not worth it. One thing I would buy that is reliable is a car seat. Get a good car seat, even if it's a good second-hand one. You'll also find people will give you so much stuff esp. clothing. God has been so good. It was like starting over again for us, but He has provided everything for us.
Any way that's it from me!!
Blessings on you and your wife.
-Michelle
UK residents could take a look at www.snugnights.co.uk for waterproof cot mattress protectors. Absorbent 100% cotton terry on one side with breathable inert polyurethane on the other. Machine wash a high temperatures. Fitted sheet style for easy changing. Protects from dust mites and bacteria in the mattress and keeps the mattress clean and stain free
Posted by: cot mattress protector at November 22, 2004 09:40 AMA Diaper Genie? No.
A change table? No.
A Glider? No.
A Bouncer? No.
I have been involved with foster care for more than 22 years now and am still going strong! I have always used cloth diapers on all of the children and instead of a baby changing table, i change diapers in the bathroom, on top of the bathroom counter top. It's really handy because the bathroom is where i keep the "diaper pail", not Diaper Genie, so the wet and dirty diapers can go straight into the plastic diaper pail when i'm done changing one of the children's diapers. The toilet is right there to dunk and rinse out poopy diapers, and extra diapers, rubber pants, and safety pins are kept under the cabinet for ready use.
With foster care it's important to think about saving money rather than spending it.
Very interesting site and beautiful design !! Thank.
Posted by: Jane at February 19, 2006 05:12 AM