I just thought I would ask, for all you non-first time mothers to be, what are the things you brought last time for your new arrival that you NEVER USED?

For the twins my parents brought us a change table bath combo and I NEVER used it!! Probably a couple of times for nappy changes but I found it more convenient to change the babies on a mat on the floor.

I also couldn't use the bath because after the caesarian I couldn't lug the water back and forward to fill the bath and it was attached to the change table so I bathed the twins in the laundry trough!

Also what could you have NEVER done without?

Mine was my twin pram for going out for walks with the twins to keep myself fit and out of the house.

The mobiles they had.

My bottle steriliser

What are you buying this time around that you never had before?

I have a baby pouch/sling which I got in anticipation of shopping trips and wanting free hands to control the twins and pick up items - in my mothering magazine all the other Mum's RAVED about them.

I agree with the front pack/snugli thing..NEVER used it! We tried..but it just produced a backache and crying baby!

The thing I could not live without was the cloth diapers that I used as burp cloths. My dd was a big spitter upper!! I would also say my baby monitor. We used that with both kids..everyday!!

The second time around I would say my splurge item was a Mommy Bag. I wanted a diaper bag that didn't scream DIAPER BAG!! It was $89 well spent!!

Oh, NzMummy..I would splurge a little on the exercaucer. You don't have to get the most dazzling one with all the buttons, water bubbles, and horns...just get a simple one, with a few toys on it. You can always set other toys on it when baby is in it. It really helped when we wanted to eat supper and baby was no longer happy laying back in his bouncy seat. You could even check out used ones at a consignment shop...you can wash it real good. Would send you ours..but shipping would be crazy!

Good luck!

Something that i didn't have the first time around but got now is a swing. Before i would put my daughter in her bouncer to calm her down because it had the vibrations to sooth her when she was a little colicky. Now i have no need this time around because the swing does the trick. It's such a life saver when i'm busy with the house and especially with my daughter.

What is an exersaucer

it is a stationary play seat..it is round and has toys attached to the top. The child sits down "inside" the middle of it and all around him is toys. Don't have those down under??

I actually couldn't have done without my front pack snuggli! Ethan was a cuddler, so we used this all day and he didn't like to be put down due to reflux, so I'd wear him around the house even to do small chores! It saved my life!
He hated his playpen and never once would use it! Ergh
Oh, but the smallest piece of equipment to have for sure...a million binkies/pacifiers! Never leave home without one! :lol:

yeah we do have those downunder but they aren't called an exercauser just a play centre.

They are so expensive, some are over 300.00 but of course there is always the option of garage sales, trade papers etc.

I just had a jolly jumper recommended to me by my SIL. anyone used one of those?

I sent back a simple stroller STUPID,STUPID,STUPID! I can't tell you how many times I hoped for it once I took it back :lol:

I used all of my stuff...We didn't have a changing table so I made my own...It was a board with foam and pink cover and ribbons for security and I had the luxory of having a sink in the nursery so bath time was a breeze...We used everything...

That snugli came in handy with housework and errands....expecially since I also cared for a preemie newborn while Angela was just 4mo old....Soooooo I had my hands and snugli full :)

My favoritie was the playpen/cradle......If I ever have anymore I'll be sure to have another playpen/cradle...

The only things we never used were all the preemie clothes bought for my expected 5 pounder who turned out to be 8 :lol:

That's the thing nzmummy, all things in moderation :wink:

We never used our swing, our son hated it. I wasn't going to get a bouncy seat but we were given one, he would have slept every wink in there if we would have let him.

Something we got this time around that we didn't have last time was one of those swaddle me blankets that takes the guess work out of swaddling this is more for DH than me :lol:

I also agree with the others that if you can swing it get an excersaucer I found mine at a garage sale, cleaned it up and it was a wonderful thing. Especially when I took showers I would just drag it in the bathroom and pop the little muffin in there and he loved it.

The only thing we didn't use for our DS was some bathrobes. We would dress him right away and for our DD, she refuses to sit in the swing. OH children are so different.

We could not have lived without the exersaucer - like you all said. Perfect for lounging while mommy does some work I also suggest a wedge in the crib. My kids - Praise the Lord - are rarely sick. I really feel the wedge they sleep on helps with digestion and circulation. My DS slept with a wedge until he was 20 mnths.

I don't remeber what I splurged on with DS (I just bought what I thought he would need). With DD I have a fetish for these little sandals called Robeez - I have bought her several pair. It is such a splurge considering the childs feet will grow out of them so quickly.... but they are soo cute. [girlsmiley]

I didn't have a pack 'n' play the first time around, I said I would definitely get one the 2nd time and I did and I just LOVE it :) It is so handy for traveling, taking outside etc.

Something I did buy the 1st time was a cheap glider with a footstool, I wouldn't do that again. It was very uncomfortable, it is worth waiting until you can afford a good one! I haven't used it at all this time with the baby :(
It is actually sitting here waiting to be donated to our Church yard sale!

Our must haves were; swing for those sleepless nights, playpen with bassinet, breastfeeding pillow, (and breast therapy pads you can warm up in the microwave), stroller, breast pump (best to look ahead of time), burp clothes (especially those with a waterproof backing), exersaucer and Jolly Jumper were also great and a comfortable glider rocker. Also another great thing we bought was a Rail Rider, kind of like a portable change table. Saved us money and space!