Today I went shopping for a gift for a baby shower and was struck by how many useless things are out there! Unfortunately, the new mom I was shopping for had most of them on her registry!
The saleswoman took me around the store and pointed out each item on the registry. She tried to convince me that an electric wipes warmer was "essential" for baby's comfort when changing a diaper. And that the Bumbo chair was a "godsend". Wow? A godsend you say? Well, I actually had one - recommended to me by our infant development worker as an item she thought might be a good choice for Kasia. She didn't actually sit on her own until about 13 months so you'd think it would've been a big hit around our house. In fact, I think Kasia sat in it about 4 times for no more than 5 minutes each time.
Then there was Sophie, the giraffe chew toy for $21 - apparently the hottest chew toy in the world right now. I got "the look" when I reiterated that I was shopping for a human baby. Chew toy? A $21 chew toy? That was pricey, but not as pricey as $40 for a pack of three burp cloths. A soother thermometer, a $65 sleep bag, a sleep positioner, a giant ladybug for tub toys - I was starting to get the distinct impression that this expectant mom hadn't taken an actual mother with her to pick out items for the registry. Anyways, I settled on a diaper Genie type thing - granted, it's useless after about a year, but helpful in the beginning.What did you find to be an absolute necessity and what could you have lived without?
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5 comments:
I loved our baby swing - which was a loaner and our bouncy seat which was another loaner. I have also enjoyed our wipes warmer (another loaner) - probably more than Bennett.
As for useless items - receiving blankets and burp cloths. We didn't really have many of the gadgets.
What is a diaper genie? Is it a diaper pail? If so, why do you only use it for a year? Even though Bennet is two, I must confess that I'm still pretty clueless about all this baby stuff. However, a baby chew toy? Is that what they're calling teething rings these days? Crazy kids....
My aunt and two of my cousins sent copies of their favorite baby books, with inscriptions inside about why it was their favorite. Those were really special gifts.
Other than that, the one product that I really loved and used a whole lot was the Boppy. And a $21 chew toy? Um. No. Just...No.
Diaper Genie is an excellent choice! I also loved our baby swing, the blanket that made swaddling a no-brainer, the Boppy. Someone also just told me about the Tummy Tub, a cute little bucket you bathe your baby in, here's a link to it: http://www.maternitycorner.com/info/abouttummytub.html
OMG Ellen, that tummy tub is crazy!! What an original and great idea! Looking back, I'll bet Kasia would've loved that thing!
Julia, I love the baby book idea too. Kasia received a few of those that I cherish as well.
And Barbara, I'm with you...I think I loved our baby swing most of all. IT was a godsend. As far as the teething ring things, Kasia had about 4 of them and never once put any of them even close to her mouth. Luckily I had paid nowhere near $21 for them!
With Addison, most of it was useless. By the time she could handle sitting in the swing without tipping to the side and making me fear decapitation, she didn't have any interest in it. The bumbo was good for a bit, but I think it wouldn't last long for a typical kid. I like to get diapers, baby shampoo, burp rags, outlet covers, and other useful stuff in a cute basket.
I tell myself if I ever get to have another baby, I'll just need my boobs and a sling. Well, and diapers. Yet the baby stuff is still in the garage.
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