Baby paraphenalia

[jamma]

What's your favourite baby stuff?? I know we had a thread on the old site, but since there are a bunch expecting, let's try a new one!!!

http://www.heart2heart.ca/ I love love love this sling! It is so easy to use, just throw it over the shoulder and away you go! I used mine right from new born up til about age 2. Fabulous.

There is another unpadded sling that someone here makes, but I can't remember who!! :roll:

[Kerina]

My Grandma made this sling for us. And it was less than $4.00. just the cost of the material.

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/index.html?Baby/tubesling.html

It was very easy, even though she is accomplished. I don't know how to sew, but I understood what to do.

This saved my life! Having a high needs preemie and a toddler to take care of, also made things a little challenging. I was able to put the baby in the sling, which she loved, and be able to clean or play with big sister.

I've never used an expensive one though. But honestly I can't imagine any others being better. It is fabulous!

[Timmys mom]

If I did get one, I'd have to make it (or have someone I know make it, considering I have no sewing machine and am kinda sewing inept.) Cause $65 is a lot! $4 sounds a lot more resonable! :wink:

[Crissyanna]

A friend of mine gave me the dimensions of her sling. And if you can find the material on sale, you really save money. And with the money you save, you could make a few more for a variety.

I LOVE Country Bunny's baby line (along with everything else they make). It isn't overly perfumy and has no petroleum jelly in it. All beeswax and shea butter. A friend of ours used it exclusively on their baby, and he has the softest skin ever and they didn't deal with a day of cradle cap. I plan on using it with our little Snookie. It is kind of expensive, but it is all highly concentrated, so it lasts a long time. Longer than the other brands that you get twice as much product from.

Crystal

I'm definitely getting a sling for this baby. It will make breastfeeding in public really easy I hope... I like the frontpacks but you can't use those for long. Unless you get the ones that look more like a tramping/hikers pack with the metal. They look so heavy! UGH

[jamma]

My sling rocked my world.

Also? I could not have lived without a swing. Saved my sanity some days!

What else do you all feel you couldn't live without??

[Madre]

I never used a sling (not sure they were around in those days). Yesterday I saw a lady walking along with a sling around her neck. The baby was riding along in the sling below waist level and the woman was talking "with her hands" so she didn't have to hold onto the baby.

Can this be comfortable on your neck and is the baby pretty secure not to fall out or that the sling will tear?

[jamma]

I never used a sling (not sure they were around in those days). Yesterday I saw a lady walking along with a sling around her neck. The baby was riding along in the sling below waist level and the woman was talking "with her hands" so she didn't have to hold onto the baby.

Can this be comfortable on your neck and is the baby pretty secure not to fall out or that the sling will tear?

Oh, they're totally comfortable, and while they're little, they cozy right down in the little pouch. I wear my babies a bit higher on my body but definitely hands free. Even for nursing!

[MommaBear]

Okay...I love my sling (by Rockin' Baby) but may FAVORITE baby item is: our portable infant swing. 'Cause sometimes it is not fesible to place a baby on the floor (ie: playgroups). My favorite TODDLER toy is Daniel's chalkmat by Sam and Bellie cause it rolls up and fits nicely in the diaper bag. And with two kids that bag gets full FAST! :lol: ~Kerri

[mamaroo]

I used a sling too! My dd looked like a little kangaroo tucked away in her pouch! I would always face her forward so she could see what was going on.

As for other stuff, I loved my boppy. (I still have it actually). I used it for nursing, for tummy time, sitting her up and playing, and for photos. I would recommend it even if you bottle feed!

[tracy]

I love my boppy, too. It is very versatile. Lamaze: Multi-Sensory Clutch Cube. Nuk has a pacifier case.
Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat - There are Snap 'N Go strollers now for these ($50/single).
Huggies Disposable Washcloths w/Baby Wash - great for newborns or when going on vacation. I cut mine in half - they have a lot of suds.
Evenflo ExerSaucer Ultra - can use at 4mo. In the beginning she just sat there, but now she loves playing and bouncing around.
We have a pacifier holder that clips on to her clothes or whatever. This was a lifesaver in the beginning. I never had to worry about it falling on the ground. Now she only gets a pacifier for naps/bedtime, but if we're out and she's tired I still use the holder. She won't let me clip it on anywhere, but she likes to hold it - otherwise, she throws the pacifier on the ground.
We also enjoyed our Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer. We didn't use the vibrations much, but the relaxing music and moving starfish/fish kept her VERY content.
I have a Maya Wrap (unpadded sling). I like it because it can be very compact. It probably could be made very easily, but I'm no good with that kind of stuff. :?
Since about 8mo dd has really enjoyed her foam alphabet tile set. We have numbers, too. I think they're great! Now she just likes to pull them apart, but as she gets older we can learn the alphabet and make short words. They can also make uncarpeted areas more comfy and safe.

[Rach]

baby carriers - http://honeychunks.com

also, nursing shirts! I have some Motherwear, Motherhood, and some homemade ones.

[e&m'sirishmum]

If I did get one, I'd have to make it (or have someone I know make it, considering I have no sewing machine and am kinda sewing inept.) Cause $65 is a lot! $4 sounds a lot more resonable! :wink:

You know I think you can just use a peice of cloth. My friend sent me a picture of her with her baby and it looked like it was a long peice of material she had it wrapped up over her shoulder and them around her waist. But maybe Rach would know more about that?

[jamma]

There are LOADS of wrap styles you can do.

http://wearyourbaby.com/

This site lists a lot of them.

I'd love to try some of Rach's gauze wraps!

[Crissyanna]

To make your own sling, you basically just get a huge peice of cloth and hem it. That is all. I could do it, but I hate hand stitching, and I don't currently have a sewing machine. Though, I know my MIL would do it for me if I went over to her place (three hours away, which I am thinking of doing one of these weekends when I'm not working).

Crystal

[BlessedMommy]

I guess that I got really blessed in the sling department. I have two slings--an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder and a Sling Eeze, both in brand new condition. The 1st sling I paid $5 for at a thrift store. The second one was for free, because my MIL found it at a clothing bank. So, keep your eyes open, you never know what you might find at thrift stores!

[DuckyMomma]

My favorite baby item is the hammock. I can't tell you how many nights I've thought "what do crib people do?" It is so nice to just lay her down at night and watch her fall right to sleep. She doesn't play in it or anything and she is so snug! Amby rocks!

[e&m'sirishmum]

I have never heard of that, but it sounds great :) I would like to know more about it! (I am talking about the hammock).

[DuckyMomma]

I got my AMBY hammock as my gift from the hostesses at my shower. Landry has never slept in the crib we have! we don't even have a mattress for it yet :shock: (which we really need to get by the way) anywhoo here's the link :

http://www.ambybaby.com/

I was totally skeptical at first and dh was, well let's just say he didn't like the idea of anything non-traditional :wink: Even he thinks it's awesome now. We set her in there and I kid you not, she turns her head and goes to sleep. no whinig, no fussing, no feed me please. nothing! If you want to know more, PM me, I don't want to bore everyone else with my ravings :)