Hey moms! I need your advice!
Hey ladies! I was just wondering if you could list some of the things that you would consider the biggest waste of money when it comes to a baby like for example a wipe warmer or diaper genie. I just want to save money and also avoid those things on our registry so we get the most helpful, practical, & important things we will need once baby gets here.
Thanks so much! Your advice is much appreciated!
-Ashlie
Both of those are a waste of money, I think. The warmer I had with our first would dry out so fast and the cold wipes don't seem to bother babies anyways. The diaper genie is a pain in the butt and a waste of money on the refills. I find that a little trash can in the nursery does just fine and if it is a really stinky diaper I just take it right to the garage anyways. I am trying to think of other things that I have and don't use, I will let you know if I can think of the things soon.
I agree with the wipe warmer - they also breed germs in the moist warmth.....
I actually love my diaper genie..... but it isn't for every one :)
Can I make a suggestion for diapers & wipes? If you have a Target near you UP & UP diapers and non scented wipes are awesome!!!!! They save me a TON of money. I used to be a pampers only type of girl - but we tried these out and love em. We same like $75 a month between the 2 kids using these! :)
Dawn
I actually love my diaper genie..... but it isn't for every one :)
Can I make a suggestion for diapers & wipes? If you have a Target near you UP & UP diapers and non scented wipes are awesome!!!!! They save me a TON of money. I used to be a pampers only type of girl - but we tried these out and love em. We same like $75 a month between the 2 kids using these! :)
Dawn
Dawn Momma to:
Bailey Rachelle Renee 8/21/07, Baby #2 in heaven 4/12/08,
Isabella Ava Rose 6 18/09, Carter Kenneth 7/14/10
Bailey Rachelle Renee 8/21/07, Baby #2 in heaven 4/12/08,
Isabella Ava Rose 6 18/09, Carter Kenneth 7/14/10
I loved my wipe warmer, but not a necessity. I think the diaper genie sucks, the diaper champ is way better! You can use the diaper champ with any bag you want (target, grocery, garbage, etc). I can't put diapers in an open trash can because the dog likes to steal them then!!
329 (pre-op) 167 (4-22-10) 150 (lowest and goal Summer 07)
Wife to Russ and Mommy to Elizabeth "Libby"
i hope this stuff helps, its stuff i wish i knew with my son, it would of saved me tons of time and money
1:if you plan on bottle feeding get bottles that don't have drop ins, i used and plan on using for the baby the playtex vent air bottles, i tried the ones with the drop in things and broke em every time when i was trying to get the air out. my son never had any colic or gas problems with the vent air bottles.
2 also this is im sure a personal opinion thing but stay away from organic clothes, its silly to think that you baby will be throwing up on a 12 dollar onsie.
3: i had a jumparoo for my son and he hated it. my pediatrician actually told me that they aren't a good idea because they can actually cause whiplash. get an exersaucer.
4: Swings and bouncy chairs are wonderful to have you can just set em in there and go!
5: sheet savers! they are little cloths that you put under your baby while you change em, they are washable and they saved me tons of time lijah would pee on one id just take it out of his bassinet and throw it in the laundry basket. saved on loads of laundry.
i also hit up thrift stores for burp cloths or cloth diapers to use as burp cloths.
my son happens to be allergic to all store brand diapers, its wierd but they give him a rash so i had to buy the more expensive ones.
i hit up tons of garage sales in ritzy neighborhoods around me and got tons of brand new things for a dollar, things that still had tags on em! only rich people.
Rummage sales are also good places to find things, also check out your news paper classified people usually sell some nice things for less than what you'd pay for em.
i also didn't have a high chair simply because we couldnt afford it but i loved my bumbo chair, i could put him in it as soon as he could hold his head up and i used it until recently, the bumbo chair does have a high chair attachment which is really easy to attach and clean.
i really hope this helps, the one thing that you can't buy in a store that will help more than anything is an amazing sense of humor, being on 3 hours of sleep with a baby that wont stop crying can bring out the worst in anyone just try to find a way to laugh..just not in your kids face, they dont like that. well at least mine doesnt.
1:if you plan on bottle feeding get bottles that don't have drop ins, i used and plan on using for the baby the playtex vent air bottles, i tried the ones with the drop in things and broke em every time when i was trying to get the air out. my son never had any colic or gas problems with the vent air bottles.
2 also this is im sure a personal opinion thing but stay away from organic clothes, its silly to think that you baby will be throwing up on a 12 dollar onsie.
3: i had a jumparoo for my son and he hated it. my pediatrician actually told me that they aren't a good idea because they can actually cause whiplash. get an exersaucer.
4: Swings and bouncy chairs are wonderful to have you can just set em in there and go!
5: sheet savers! they are little cloths that you put under your baby while you change em, they are washable and they saved me tons of time lijah would pee on one id just take it out of his bassinet and throw it in the laundry basket. saved on loads of laundry.
i also hit up thrift stores for burp cloths or cloth diapers to use as burp cloths.
my son happens to be allergic to all store brand diapers, its wierd but they give him a rash so i had to buy the more expensive ones.
i hit up tons of garage sales in ritzy neighborhoods around me and got tons of brand new things for a dollar, things that still had tags on em! only rich people.
Rummage sales are also good places to find things, also check out your news paper classified people usually sell some nice things for less than what you'd pay for em.
i also didn't have a high chair simply because we couldnt afford it but i loved my bumbo chair, i could put him in it as soon as he could hold his head up and i used it until recently, the bumbo chair does have a high chair attachment which is really easy to attach and clean.
i really hope this helps, the one thing that you can't buy in a store that will help more than anything is an amazing sense of humor, being on 3 hours of sleep with a baby that wont stop crying can bring out the worst in anyone just try to find a way to laugh..just not in your kids face, they dont like that. well at least mine doesnt.
I totally agree and disagree with some of the previous posts! LOL.
I hated the Genie, love the Diaper Champ
I loved my jumperoo
I LOVED my playtex drop-ins bottles. WAY less hard to clean!!! Never broke one but I got the Vent Aire ones for my first child and hated those...too much to clean!
I got some of those swaddle-wrap things and HATED them. I couldn't figure them out and they shrunk and I just tossed it.
I wasted money on tons of sheets. As often as I do laundry - even once a week - 2-3 sheets would totally suffice!
We got tons, I mean TONS of cute blankets. My kids NEVER used any of them except one or two. They have their special "night-nights" but could care less about anything else.
Crib sets. I think they are a waste. I had blinds in the room so didn't need the valance, didn't need the diaper stacker, and the comforter is too stiff to even be useful. I found a place that sells TODDLER Bedding in the same crib design I wanted. It came with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and a super soft cuddly blanket. $45 vs $195!! I just bought the bumpers seperate. ( I had to get two so it would have been a SUPER waste at $400!!!)
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head....
Sandy
I hated the Genie, love the Diaper Champ
I loved my jumperoo
I LOVED my playtex drop-ins bottles. WAY less hard to clean!!! Never broke one but I got the Vent Aire ones for my first child and hated those...too much to clean!
I got some of those swaddle-wrap things and HATED them. I couldn't figure them out and they shrunk and I just tossed it.
I wasted money on tons of sheets. As often as I do laundry - even once a week - 2-3 sheets would totally suffice!
We got tons, I mean TONS of cute blankets. My kids NEVER used any of them except one or two. They have their special "night-nights" but could care less about anything else.
Crib sets. I think they are a waste. I had blinds in the room so didn't need the valance, didn't need the diaper stacker, and the comforter is too stiff to even be useful. I found a place that sells TODDLER Bedding in the same crib design I wanted. It came with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and a super soft cuddly blanket. $45 vs $195!! I just bought the bumpers seperate. ( I had to get two so it would have been a SUPER waste at $400!!!)
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head....
Sandy
I have both a diaper genie and a wipe warmer....waste of money. For me a baby bath tub was a huge waste....I tried to bath Matthew in it a couple times he would scream. So I found it was much easier to get a bath sling from babies r us and put him in the tub with me. He LOVES baths now! We love our jumperoo and exersaucer. I don't think you can have enough bibs or burp cloths. I love my playex drop ins.....we tried TONS of bottles before going to them and they work wonders! I have yet to bust one. Matthew even plays/pokes them while he's drinking his bottle. Matthew loved his bouncer when he was smaller but hated a swing. I prefer Pampers but like the pp the Target up and up diapers are good too. If I don't have a coupon for Pampers or they aren't on sale I buy the Targer brand. I hate Huggies...they feel like cardboard to me. Baby detergent --- waste. I purchased 1 bottle to use when he first came home. After all the hugging, loving and holding if he didn't break out from being on our clothes he was fine. I just wash his stuff with mine. Register for plenty of socks, gowns and sleepers...that's what they are in the most at first.
kaytiebugs
on 10/9/09 4:34 am - Flowery Branch, GA
on 10/9/09 4:34 am - Flowery Branch, GA
These are IMO a waste:
* Diaper Genie (I had one and it was a PITA to use... I bought a regular pail from goodwill but for the most part I just put the diapers in those little travel plastic bags and put them in the trash. We have to take the trash out daily anyways).
* Warmers of all kinds - bottle warmers, wipes warmers, etc. Had them, never once used them. Hang me from a tree... I used the microwave and wiped my baby with cold wipes.
* Bottle sanitizer thingey - The dish washer does just as good a job. I did boil nipples, though, but you don't need a special thingey to boil a nipple, just toss it into a pot.
* Bassinet - We had a really nice one and only used it maybe three times. We coslept, and even if we hadn't, the crib would have been just fine. Her crib stayed in our room until she was 7 months old.
* The little basket bed thing - cute, but a waste IMO.
* Tons of expensive outfits - They grow out of them super fast and puke on them even faster. Plus, how often are you going to be taking your baby anywhere besides the grocery store? Baby jeans don't look comfortable, either.
* Fancy schmancy baby monitor - I don't need a video monitor or a light that shows how loud the baby is screaming (unless you're deaf of course). I'd rather someone spend $75 on the boppy swing I'm dieing to have rather than a baby monitor with a little TV screen.
* Dreft laundry detergent - it's highly scented (which some babies may not react to well) and not any better than other, less expensive brands designed for those with sensitive skin.
Things I think are crucial that others may be able to live without:
* What to expect the first year - the book. Awesome.
* Boppy pillow (especially if you're nursing or have a C section).
* Pack and play/portable crib. Perfect for spending the night out or taking on vacation. Even if you're just going to a family cook out, you're little one will need somewhere to nap besides your arms or grandmas bed.
* Diaper Genie (I had one and it was a PITA to use... I bought a regular pail from goodwill but for the most part I just put the diapers in those little travel plastic bags and put them in the trash. We have to take the trash out daily anyways).
* Warmers of all kinds - bottle warmers, wipes warmers, etc. Had them, never once used them. Hang me from a tree... I used the microwave and wiped my baby with cold wipes.
* Bottle sanitizer thingey - The dish washer does just as good a job. I did boil nipples, though, but you don't need a special thingey to boil a nipple, just toss it into a pot.
* Bassinet - We had a really nice one and only used it maybe three times. We coslept, and even if we hadn't, the crib would have been just fine. Her crib stayed in our room until she was 7 months old.
* The little basket bed thing - cute, but a waste IMO.
* Tons of expensive outfits - They grow out of them super fast and puke on them even faster. Plus, how often are you going to be taking your baby anywhere besides the grocery store? Baby jeans don't look comfortable, either.
* Fancy schmancy baby monitor - I don't need a video monitor or a light that shows how loud the baby is screaming (unless you're deaf of course). I'd rather someone spend $75 on the boppy swing I'm dieing to have rather than a baby monitor with a little TV screen.
* Dreft laundry detergent - it's highly scented (which some babies may not react to well) and not any better than other, less expensive brands designed for those with sensitive skin.
Things I think are crucial that others may be able to live without:
* What to expect the first year - the book. Awesome.
* Boppy pillow (especially if you're nursing or have a C section).
* Pack and play/portable crib. Perfect for spending the night out or taking on vacation. Even if you're just going to a family cook out, you're little one will need somewhere to nap besides your arms or grandmas bed.
I haven't used a lot of the "bigger baby" items but here is my opinon.
Wipe warmer - waste. Dries them up quick. Drew doesn't mind the cold wipes.
Diaper Genie - I love it - can't imagine not having it. Granted the refills are pain, I like the idea of the Diaper Champ and being able to use any type of bag, but I was given the Genie so the Genie I will continue to use and love.
The sleeping gowns are WONDERFUL and easy to use at night time, not having to deal with the buttons. At the same time - be careful not to shrink them, they're a pain in the butt to put on sometimes. Drew locks his arms, so sometimes the buttons are worth it to me.
Drew also LOVES his bouncer and hates his swing.
Special swaddle blankets - I hate them, confusing to use. I just swaddler in a stretchable fleece blanket that I found at the $$ store - works perfectly.
As far as bottles - I love the Vente Aire bottles - my only complaint is that the numbers wear off VERY quickly. The Vente Aire Natural Shape ones are my favorite but hard to find, I can't find them in the stores, but have ordered some online. Same as the Vente Aire Advanced but the numbers don't wear off. I love Dr. Browns too but they are a PAIN to clean.
Many people don't like the microwave sterilizer - but I have the Munchkin brand one. Granted it takes a few loads but it's convenient. Boiling sometimes left a film on the outside of the bottle - I just wasn't into it. I like the easiness.
Bumbo - AMAZING. Drew hates laying down and he has amazing head control - I just started putting him in his bumbo and he LOVES it (he will be 2 months tomorrow.)
Pacifiers - a lot of people don't like them, I love them. Drew loves his. I think little kids sucking their thumbs is adorable but a bigger habit to break - they will always have their thumbs!
Desitin - Drew had very strong urine, one application of the stuff and it was gone.
I dunno - can't think of anything else. Good luck though!!
Wipe warmer - waste. Dries them up quick. Drew doesn't mind the cold wipes.
Diaper Genie - I love it - can't imagine not having it. Granted the refills are pain, I like the idea of the Diaper Champ and being able to use any type of bag, but I was given the Genie so the Genie I will continue to use and love.
The sleeping gowns are WONDERFUL and easy to use at night time, not having to deal with the buttons. At the same time - be careful not to shrink them, they're a pain in the butt to put on sometimes. Drew locks his arms, so sometimes the buttons are worth it to me.
Drew also LOVES his bouncer and hates his swing.
Special swaddle blankets - I hate them, confusing to use. I just swaddler in a stretchable fleece blanket that I found at the $$ store - works perfectly.
As far as bottles - I love the Vente Aire bottles - my only complaint is that the numbers wear off VERY quickly. The Vente Aire Natural Shape ones are my favorite but hard to find, I can't find them in the stores, but have ordered some online. Same as the Vente Aire Advanced but the numbers don't wear off. I love Dr. Browns too but they are a PAIN to clean.
Many people don't like the microwave sterilizer - but I have the Munchkin brand one. Granted it takes a few loads but it's convenient. Boiling sometimes left a film on the outside of the bottle - I just wasn't into it. I like the easiness.
Bumbo - AMAZING. Drew hates laying down and he has amazing head control - I just started putting him in his bumbo and he LOVES it (he will be 2 months tomorrow.)
Pacifiers - a lot of people don't like them, I love them. Drew loves his. I think little kids sucking their thumbs is adorable but a bigger habit to break - they will always have their thumbs!
Desitin - Drew had very strong urine, one application of the stuff and it was gone.
I dunno - can't think of anything else. Good luck though!!