Monday, January 09, 2006

Monday Informal Poll

Hello, and this is for people with kids. Kev and I are about to have to start shopping for baby accessories, and I would like to know what you think are the top 5 things we MUST have, as well as the things you think are a waste of money and completely unnecessary. We know we have to have a crib/changing table and clothes and stuff. But I am talking about all the extra stuff they (the baby industry) make you think you have to buy. Thanks for the help!

PS. Please don't say we don't need a baby monitor, because Kev is AGAINST baby monitors and I am FOR baby monitors, and if you say we don't need one, Kev will say,"SEE! I told you we don't need a baby monitor," and then I'll really have my work cut out for me trying to get one. Thanks.

2 comments:

tschy said...

Do Buy
1. I highly recommend a baby monitor - expecially if you ever hang out in your house in a place that is far away from the baby's room.
2. A stroller that has a detachable car seat - where the car seat also has a base that you strap into your car.
3. Bouncy seat. You'll need something light-weight to carry around the house easily - especially if you have hardwood floors.


Don't Buy
1. A wipe warmer. They just get in the way.
2. A diaper genie. I liked it at first, but I think it is better to simply emply the trash every other day or so. And throw #2's directly into the ouside garbage can. Changing a diaper genie stinks worse than you can imagine.
3. Toys. Other people will probably buy you more toys than you will ever need during the first year.

Gye Greene said...

We actually don't have a changing table: we just use the bed (and damage our backs, I'm sure!!!), or kneel on the floor. Originally with a ''drop cloth'', but now we're all gutsy and experienced and (hardly ever) have accidents.

Likewise, I humbly disagree with the carseat/stroller combo deal. Jack of all trades, master of none. Get a stroller that's lightweight enough that Tara can lift it with one arm -- which pretty much means you CAN'T get one that also locks into a car seat. (But, I could be wrong.) :)

Baby monitor: We used ours for about a week, then stopped. Kid sleeps in the same room as us, and if you keep the bedroom door open during they day, you can hear when the kid is crying from most parts of the house (if the house is of reasonable size).

BUT -- you can do some interesting lo-fi recording effects with them (instrument in one room with one monitor, then mic the receiver). Use that fact to sell it to Kev. ;)

Also good as a one-way walkie talkie, in case someone's outside, and you don't want to yell out the window for them to come in (e.g. for a phonecall or lunch).

Get a cheap, $20 ''umbrella-style'' stroller for wheeling around the house, so the kid can follow you as you're puttering around the house. Easier to maneuver, and the wheels will be clean.

High chair: Get one that's easy to set up -- the ease of set-up varies widely. Have a fiddle in the baby section of the store you visit.

'Round these parts, we've found Target to be slightly cheaper than those ''Babies B Us'' stores. But YMMV.

--GG