Things you found useful for new baby

Lisha

As it is your 3rd I've another suggestion.
I used to put baby in rocker inside travel cot in living room in case older child decided to help by taking baby out.
When showering I used put baby asleep in cot in spare bedroom so I could lock door while I was in shower. I did not want to lock baby into my room when I was showering in ensuite as I did not want to lock toddler away from me. I also think this helped baby to sleep in spare room when she was moved in there later on

Hello Lady!

theLuggage wrote: »

I would argue that the Moses basket is great - especially for somewhere for the baby to sleep downstairs. Pain going up and down, when they can just sleep in sitting room. Some people i know had that set up. We had it up by our bed and I loved the way the baby was so close you didn't have to get out of bed to comfort them! We put ours in pram downstairs to sleep. If this had existed I would've bought it:
http://www.toys.ie/Tiny-Love-3-in-1-Rocker-Napper-!126049-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=55cd1729-ce61-45e5-abf5-5befae02694e

Think it looks fab, and love the way you can pull up the sides to keep draughts out.

This +1000000!!!

We got the tiny love rockers instead of moses baskets downstairs. Much better value than a normal moses basket as you use it as a rocker as well. The fact it is slightly tilted when in the bassinet mode means that if your baby has any reflux/wind/griping pain this helps relieve it. It also vibrates which helps them to sleep. This was hands down the best thing we bought and a god send since our two have silent reflux. You can also buy them from amazon uk and occasionally can get them delivered for about €60.

You need a rocker/bouncer. If you get the tiny love rocker napper you get two in one.

a changing table downstairs - especially in early days when you change a lot of nappies going up and down stairs is a pain.

We also got on amazon a floating bath cushion - brilliant! Like a baby lilo, they love it and it means you have two hands to wash with!

Bibs! Can never have enough of them!

Nasal aspirator for cleaning their little noses - the one like a long tube you suck on is better than the bulb one.

top and tail bowl.

Mobile with lights and/or projector over the cot.

blackout blinds/curtains on the windows - your room and babies room. Helps if you try to sleep when they do and the blinds help you get some sleep during the day.

Sligo1

highly1111 wrote: »

You'd actually be really surprised - because it's so light - we had ours up on the kitchen table for about 3 months and it was only when she kinda looked like she was starting to try and move that we put it on the floor - it might have even been longer than 3 months - I can't remember.

our little guy was 15 months when our youngest was born - and we had the same concerns but the doomoo lived on the kitchen table or the island for ages.

they are one of those products that need to be seen really - because you may have concerns that the baby might fall out etc. - but once you see them in action, you'd be amazed - I only got one when pregnant on my eldest after my sister in law had one.

anyway, you'd swear I worked for them at this stage - but they are really amazing - but a pure luxury item - my sister chipped in and got it for me as a baby present when he was born - as we knew in advance we wanted it!

Was in Medicare this avo buying some nursing tops and they had these doomoos! They looked and felt so comfy! Was tempted to ask if they had them in adult size! Lol

xxINeedHelpxx

Just googled the floating bath cushion seems a great idea. I will definitely try one of these

Hello Lady!

xxINeedHelpxx wrote: »

Just googled the floating bath cushion seems a great idea. I will definitely try one of these

Really are brill. We git one called softeeze bath pillow on amazon for less than €20. They love it. We also use it to prop them up sometimes as the microbeads contour around them.

xxINeedHelpxx

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Really are brill. We git one called softeeze bath pillow on amazon for less than €20. They love it. We also use it to prop them up sometimes as the microbeads contour around them.

Does it take long to dry ? The first one I seen was plastic

How Strange

We found the following really useful:

A Moses basket - we borrowed one but both babies hated the cot for the first few months. Baby no. 1 was in the Moses basket most of the time up to 4 months, baby no.2 only slept on me for 12 weeks and then started sleeping in the basket. I put her in her cot around 4.5 months

A cosleeper cot especially if you're breastfeeding. The baby is beside you but not in bed with you which I found helped me sleep better on the rare occasion I got the opportunity. Ours folded up like a travel cot so it was excellent for when we stayed somewhere else overnight.

A microwave steriliser especially if you're breastfeeding and won't be using bottles regularly. Mothercare do one for around €10.

A microwave soother steriliser. It sterilises soothers in 1 min. We got ours in Smyths.

A travel blackout blind. Brilliant for when you stay somewhere else and the room isn't dark.

A changing table - we used it for 5/6 months both times and it saved our backs

A swing chair - it helped soothe overtired babies

A tummy tub bath - our daughter loved it

A baby carrier/wrap - the wrap was gorgeous for the newborn stage and the baby carrier (ergo) was essential on no.2 as I had a toddler to mind too.

Ikea muslin cloths - fantastic and absolutely essential for pukey babies. We used to have them all over the place and I always had one over the Moses basket/cot sheet to catch any spit up.

If breastfeeding invest in some boob (that's the co name!) fast food bras and breastfeeding tops. They're expensive but fantastic quality AND feminine. I only got these second time around and I probably saved a lot of money on bras as I only bought 6 in total in 1 year (2 x large, medium, small). The tops are so comfie and make breastfeeding in public effortless.

Hello Lady!

xxINeedHelpxx wrote: »

Does it take long to dry ? The first one I seen was plastic

Takes a while yeah, overnight I would say hanging in the bathroom or a few hours in the hotpress. Its made from nylon type material so not recommended to put on the rads but in the hot press it drys in a few hours. We give the girls a bath at night hang the pillow in the hotpress and its dry by morning or else we just leave it in the bathroom and its dry by the next evening.

xxINeedHelpxx

Thanks hello lady I will be giving this a try

iguana

I think it depends on the individual baby. With us, bibs were the only essential product as he was a big time spewer until he started solids. I used to put a bib between his vest and top as well as the more standard bib over his top. The upper bib had to be changed a lot.

In terms of what he loved to do, his mobile and his baby gym were massive hits. He would literally spend ages playing with them from about 6 weeks old, so much so that instead of enjoying a bit of downtime while he played, I spent the time googling whether or not it was harmful to allow a baby to play with toys for so long.:rolleyes:

Each was a Christmas present from a nana and not something that had been on my radar to get him but he loved them so much. In fact even at 17 months he still loves watching his mobile which is now hanging from the curtain rail in his playroom. But another child might enjoy neither, they are all different.

nikpmup

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

Sligo1

nikpmup wrote: »

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

Awe nikpmup... He's so cute!!!

xxINeedHelpxx

nikpmup wrote: »

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

awh he is very cute. I will keep that in mind if I buy one

nikpmup

Cute as a fox, the little fart has worked out how to wriggle into the floor. He lifts his bum and shimmys downwards, and slides down in seconds. Everything's getting covered in Clevamamma foam tonight! In that pic, the TV cabinet (glass, pointy cabinet!) is about 8 inches from his head!

Toots

A sleep positioner was one of the best things we bought. Our little guy was very colicy and had a bit of reflux. This kept him at a slight incline so his food didn't come back up and made digestion easier. http://www.toys.ie/Clevamama-ClevaSleep-Positioner-!104345-prd.aspx

Also we found the bandana bibs great for when he moved onto bottles and was kinda dribbly during feedings, and when he started teething quite early and was covered in drool. Before we got these I was having to change tops and vests constantly because the drool would be too much for regular bibs. http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/

Rosy Posy

Sligo1 wrote: »

What sling did you get rosy?

I have an Oscha woven wrap in a linen/cotton blend which is brilliant. I also have a woven ring sling which I found useful but my osteo said totally fecked my back because of carrying on one side; a stretchy wrap which I used for too long on my first and ruined for future use; and a mei tai in a heavyweight cotton. All three of the latter were handmade by friends. I love the Oscha, it keeps its shape really well and its so versitile.

Sligo1

Rosy Posy wrote: »

I have an Oscha woven wrap in a linen/cotton blend which is brilliant. I also have a woven ring sling which I found useful but my osteo said totally fecked my back because of carrying on one side; a stretchy wrap which I used for too long on my first and ruined for future use; and a mei tai in a heavyweight cotton. All three of the latter were handmade by friends. I love the Oscha, it keeps its shape really well and its so versitile.

Thanks... Currently trying to get to a sling meet as I'm really interested in getting one. It's good to hear what others have and would recommend. I think I like the look of the ring slings but will get more info on the different types and what would suit me best.

Rosy Posy

Sligo1 wrote: »

Thanks... Currently trying to get to a sling meet as I'm really interested in getting one. It's good to hear what others have and would recommend. I think I like the look of the ring slings but will get more info on the different types and what would suit me best.

It depends on how much baby wearing you plan on doing (or how much your baby may insist on being worn). Ring sling is awesome for popping in and out of the car around town but if your wearing baby constantly for most of the day it's going to take it's toll on your back and shoulders. The woven wrap is a lot more comfortable and also great for discrete breastfeeding (I have actually managed to breastfeed my baby while doing the supermarket shopping with no one being any the wiser!), although there is a bit of a learning curve initially to tying it securely so a sling meet would be ideal to get someone to demonstrate. What I love about the Oscha is the width and firmness of the fabric- it keeps it's shape and doesn't roll up like the stretch cotton, which as well as being insecure can dig into your shoulders and cause back pain. It's also really soft and beautiful to look at. I've tried so many slings and I'm so happy with this one. I still use the mei tai around the house, it's good for popping baby in and out doing housework and once they can support their heads you can swing them round to the back without taking them out (say for carrying a big basket of laundry or putting stuff into the oven).

Sligo1

Rosy Posy wrote: »

It depends on how much baby wearing you plan on doing (or how much your baby may insist on being worn). Ring sling is awesome for popping in and out of the car around town but if your wearing baby constantly for most of the day it's going to take it's toll on your back and shoulders. The woven wrap is a lot more comfortable and also great for discrete breastfeeding (I have actually managed to breastfeed my baby while doing the supermarket shopping with no one being any the wiser!), although there is a bit of a learning curve initially to tying it securely so a sling meet would be ideal to get someone to demonstrate. What I love about the Oscha is the width and firmness of the fabric- it keeps it's shape and doesn't roll up like the stretch cotton, which as well as being insecure can dig into your shoulders and cause back pain. It's also really soft and beautiful to look at. I've tried so many slings and I'm so happy with this one. I still use the mei tai around the house, it's good for popping baby in and out doing housework and once they can support their heads you can swing them round to the back without taking them out (say for carrying a big basket of laundry or putting stuff into the oven).

Thanks for your reply Rosy... Seems like I have a lot of research to do . I think I'd more need one for the house...just so I can look after my 17 month old aswell and still get a few jobs done around the house (if that's possible)! And then maybe for a few jaunts around town when I don't want to have to take the double buggy. My LO is 3 weeks nearly and she loves being on me so I think she would like the sling. Definitely going to try and go to a sling meet. There's a woman based in castleknock in Dublin so I'm going to try and get appointment with her. Thanks again.

ted1

A good TV with an surround sound system, Apple TV, high speed broadband and an O'Briens loyalty card.

Oh I nearly forgot a good couch. Your social life changes so you do need to up the level of domestic comfort .

Hello Lady!

ted1 wrote: »

A good TV with an surround sound system, Apple TV, high speed broadband and an O'Briens loyalty card.

Oh I nearly forgot a good couch. Your social life changes so you do need to up the level of domestic comfort .

??? In what way were apple tv or an o'briens loyalty card of benefit with a new baby?? Genuinely baffled!

Sligo1

Lol lol.... I find I literally never have time to watch tv anymore! Lol... Bar perhaps an hour at night in bed for game of thrones or Vikings (if I'm lucky).

Hello Lady!

Sligo1 wrote: »

Lol lol.... I find I literally never have time to watch tv anymore! Lol... Bar perhaps an hour at night in bed for game of thrones or Vikings (if I'm lucky).

Sure who needs a tv when you have a gorgeous baby to sit and stare at for entertainment! In that regard I suppose I do have a surround system! Lol

ted1

Hello Lady! wrote: »

??? In what way were apple tv or an o'briens loyalty card of benefit with a new baby?? Genuinely baffled!

Your social life changes a lot when baby comes and your in the house most Friday and Saturday nights. So to keep you some what sane you need to increase your home luxuries.

Hello Lady!

ted1 wrote: »

Your social life changes a lot when baby comes and your in the house most Friday and Saturday nights. So to keep you some what sane you need to increase your home luxuries.

Jesus with a new baby in the house the last thing i would worry about or consider a luxury is a big tv! As for o'briens....i assume you meanthe off licence and not the sandwich shop! Another thing i would never even give a thought to.

maybe it depends on what stage in your life when you have your kids but for me i have never watched so little tv and never been so sociable. Granted a lot of the socialising involves friends with kids but we're out and about or having visitors so much that I am more social than ever. Last thing I have time for is sitting on a couch watching apple tv and drinking wine....they were definitely my pre baby days!

ted1

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Jesus with a new baby in the house the last thing i would worry about or consider a luxury is a big tv! As for o'briens....i assume you meanthe off licence and not the sandwich shop! Another thing i would never even give a thought to.

maybe it depends on what stage in your life when you have your kids but for me i have never watched so little tv and never been so sociable. Granted a lot of the socialising involves friends with kids but we're out and about or having visitors so much that I am more social than ever. Last thing I have time for is sitting on a couch watching apple tv and drinking wine....they were definitely my pre baby days!

Plenty of socialising done during the day but When the kids go to bed for the night then what do you do?

Especially as they get older you'll find your nights quieter , you can bring baby in a car seat or buggy most places and let them sleep but it's harder to bring a toddler to places especially after 7 when there tired

Hello Lady!

ted1 wrote: »

Plenty if socialising done during the day but When the kids go to bed for the night then what do you do?

Make bottles, tidy up, have a bath in peace, do some housework, go to the gym, have a conversation with my husband which doesn't involve one of us having to stop mid sentence to attend to a baby! I am lucky and both my girls sleep from 8ish til 7am. So sometimes a friend will pop over around 9 for a chinwag. Once or twice we've also invited friends over for a late dinner around 9 when the twins are asleep. But if you have babies that wake during the night when they sleep so should you. And not everyone has the luxury of babies who settle to slerp early - a fancy tv is no use when you have a crying baby!

Hello Lady!

ted1 wrote: »

Especially as they get older you'll find your nights quieter , you can bring baby in a car seat or buggy most places and let them sleep but it's harder to bring a toddler to places especially after 7 when there tired

the thread title is about useful things for a new baby...not for toddlers!

Moonbeam

ted1 wrote: »

A good TV with an surround sound system, Apple TV, high speed broadband and an O'Briens loyalty card.

Oh I nearly forgot a good couch. Your social life changes so you do need to up the level of domestic comfort .

With no cap

xxINeedHelpxx

ted1 wrote: »

A good TV with an surround sound system, Apple TV, high speed broadband and an O'Briens loyalty card.

Oh I nearly forgot a good couch. Your social life changes so you do need to up the level of domestic comfort .

I get where you are coming from with some home comforts but i'm lucky to afford the ones we have :P
Also my night as it is consists of a very interrupted eastenders before 15 min alone time in the bath then i'm usually ready for bed that is as luxurious as it gets for me lol I can only imagine a new born in the mix

I can see my hubby really appreciating your post tho :P