BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I am beginning what has become the arduous task of registering and I have the first of probably many questions (I will try to add a few in here if I think of them)

first I need to get out of the way that I am furnishing 2 nurseries (apt and house) so some of my q's may be geared towards that.

now on to business

those of you that have 2 story homes with the child's room on the second floor, did you have 2 playards/bassinets.

I guess I am asking, if I register for Kolkraft bassinet to use in our bedroom upstairs, will it be weird to also register for Combi playard for the downstairs living room/den?

I am assuming I will need both. I don't spend that much time upstairs anyway.

to that end, will I need a playard in my one floor apt if I also have a crib/bassinet?

also, please recommend your dual action electric breast pump.

I am sure I will think of more but that's all I got for now.

TIA!

New question: rocker v. bouncer

I am trying to avoid a swing at all costs (too large!)

is there a difference between these two items? do you have a preference?

Combi activity rocker

and

Combi Pod bouncer

also, please tell me if it's better to update THIS thread with more questions or start new ones each time I have a question (bwahahahahah )

Message edited 6/2/2009 6:04:47 PM.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

We just had one pack and play in the downstairs den where we changed diapers and DD occasionally napped. We used the crib starting on like day 3.

If you plan on keeping the baby in the bassinet instead of the crib in the beginning them I would get both.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

The Kolcraft looks to me like a bassinet, so if that's what you are using it for I would say you need both.

I will also say this, I hardly ever used the PNP (and I had two of them, a regular sized, and a mini) - It's one of those things that everyone says you need, but you never really use all that much IMO. He never napped in it, he never played in it, but, it was a great place to store all of his extra toys and crapola!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

Posted by Diana1215

The Kolcraft looks to me like a bassinet, so if that's what you are using it for I would say you need both.

I will also say this, I hardly ever used the PNP (and I had two of them, a regular sized, and a mini) - It's one of those things that everyone says you need, but you never really use all that much IMO. He never napped in it, he never played in it, but, it was a great place to store all of his extra toys and crapola!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

My house is also 2 levels with the bedrooms upstairs. Both of my boys slept in my room in a bassinet. It is very helpful, especially in the beginning and you are BF them every 2 - 3 hours. I had a PnP in the family room and used that for the baby to nap during the day and used it as a changing table as well. In fact, DS2 is in there now

I have the Medela Pump In Style Advance. I LOVE it (well, as much as you can love a pump)!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Diana1215

The Kolcraft looks to me like a bassinet, so if that's what you are using it for I would say you need both.

I will also say this, I hardly ever used the PNP (and I had two of them, a regular sized, and a mini) - It's one of those things that everyone says you need, but you never really use all that much IMO. He never napped in it, he never played in it, but, it was a great place to store all of his extra toys and crapola!

see, this is what I am afraid of.

the Kolcraft has a moses basket that I can use down stairs if I want to put the baby down, and I also plan on getting a seat/bouncer thingy.

I *PLAN* to use a baby bjorn type carrier when I clean the house, so the baby will be literally on me at those times (feel free to tell me how I will fail miserably with this plan if that is the case ) so I am really not sure what to do.

I just have visions of myself spinning around in the middle of my den wishing I had a place to put this kid not sure if that will happen, but you know...I am a first timer

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

Posted by FelAndJon

My house is also 2 levels with the bedrooms upstairs. Both of my boys slept in my room in a bassinet. It is very helpful, especially in the beginning and you are BF them every 2 - 3 hours. I had a PnP in the family room and used that for the baby to nap during the day and used it as a changing table as well. In fact, DS2 is in there now

I have the Medela Pump In Style Advance. I LOVE it (well, as much as you can love a pump)!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

honestly, I would advise to not spend too much money on playards. We didn't use ours too long ... maybe 3 months?

we had 1 top of the line graco at mom's (she takes care of DS during the day) and a mid priced graco that is more portable for family parties.

the mid-priced one we used a total of maybe 5 times.

the one at mom's was used until he was 3 or 4 months old. he got too heavy for the bassinet portion of the playard, and we found the entire thing to be useless if we couldn't use the bassinet.

We had to buy a convertible crib and changing table for mom's house... and for travel, we now put him in his stroller to sleep/roll him around.

We have the crib/changing table in our bedroom... one day, it will move into another room.

In your situation (2 floors), I would probably invest in a bassinet that can accommodate up to 30 lbs for the ground floor... by the time DC outgrows that, you can instead invest in an infant to toddler chair for naps. We are getting much more use out of the chair than we ever expected.

Message edited 6/2/2009 5:47:57 PM.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

The bassinet was a God send for us because DS would not and still will not sleep in his crib.

My cousin gave us her old PNP, and we have yet to use it, and I honestly don't think we will. I don't think DS will like the caged feeling lol...he also needs to see someone or he'll cry.

What I do use and is a lifesaver is the FP Rainforest bouncer. I put DS in it and he plays & watches me while I do things.

As for the Bjorn & housework...nice idea...I had the same...but it's hard, especially when they are still floppy. It gets in the way of doing things, and it's not safe for cooking.

I have the Medela Pump in Style Advance and I love it.

HTH

Re: BTDT moms...I need help

Posted by Ophelia


this is exactly why I want/need the bassinet. trying to streamline the feeding process.

did your bassinet have a portable moses basket/changing table...this one does?

would/should that make a difference?

thanks all of you for your help. there is so much stuff since it's two places and it's really stressing me out.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

Posted by FelAndJon


No, mine is an older style, bassinet with no bells or whistles. At the age they are in the bassinet, I changed my boys on the bed or in the bassinet.
not sure why you need the portable moses basket though

I totally understand!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I never replied to your other question... both me and a few of my friends had the ameda pump... and we all loved it. It cleans up much easier than all other brands on the market, and is the only home pump that is recommended by the FDA becuase the air tubes never get contaminated and unlike meleda and others, it can be fully cleaned after every session.

As for the swing... We live in a 1 BR apartment.... space is at a premium...

that being said, you would have to fight me to the death to get my papasan swing out of our home. even at 8 months, it's the ONLY thing that puts our fussy/over-tired baby to sleep. He started using it at about 2 months (when he could somewhat hold his head straight), and it's been a wonderful relationship ever since.

we have the bjorn bouncer. he likes it, I guess... but it's no where near the love affair he has with the papasan.

Then there's the infant to toddler rocker. we only got that at about 5 months, but he loved that instantaneously......

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I had both the bassinet in our room and then the Pack n play set up on the mail level. I kept it out for 3 months and then put it away. They only took the occasional nap in there but I did use it for a lot of diaper changes. I still it use now but when we are staying over some ones home or we are taking a day trip to visit friends so DD can nap in it.
I do like the bassinet you plan on registering for. I am just not sure if you are really going to be taking on and off. My bassinet did that also and I always kept it in place. They really don't stay in the bassinet for that long. DS was 3 months and DD was 2 months. I noticed once they were moving around more they would wake up more and that was my cue to put them in the crib.

For your weekend home, if you plan on going there every weekend year round then I would get a crib for the babies room and a monitor.

Now, for the bouncer or rocker. I would get neither that you picked and get the Fisher Price newborn to toddler rocker. I wish I got this because you will get so much more use out of it. Once they start trying to lift themselves you need to take them out because they will flip forward (around 3-5 months depending how active they are).

I had the Medela PIS and really liked it except it was a complete waste for me. I nursed and pumped with DS but only for 6 weeks. DD wouldn't take a bottle so I EBF her. My friend I think used it more with her 1 child then I did with 2. I would recommend renting the pump from the hospital or borrowing it first to see how it goes. If things go as planned then buy one.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I had gotten a crazy cheap pnp...graco, like 60 bucks. I used that thing all the time.

beach, yosemite, downstairs when visiting my family...I would set it up in kitchen, throw toys in and he would play while I cooked.

breast pump...I rented one from the hospital. 50.00 up front for the parts and insurance picked up the rest.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I agree with Adrianna, I would def. recommend getting a Fisher Price bouncer - I'll see now what they have (when Jack it was the rainforest theme) they are known to keep the babies attention.

Also, get the FP Newborn to Toddler Rocker, that can be used until the child is much older.

I will post pics!

ETA: You should def. get a swing....we couldn't have lived without it!

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 6/2/2009 6:32:42 PM.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

We live on one floor and we had a bassinett in our bedroom and the pnp in our living room. He napped in it a fair amount and I used it for the majority of his diaper changes until he was about 6 months old!!

I didn't have a moses basket, but my BFF swears by hers, but she didn't have a bassinett, so I think maybe you need one or the other.

We still use our pnp, he sleeps in it when we go away. And I do think they are worth it. Ours was a middle of the road one price wise, and it is still in great shape.

As for the swing, I have sage advice about it Get one. We were limited on space (and were moving) so I got the bouncer, he liked it enough, but he was a fusspot and the side to side motion on the swing was a godsend when we finally got one at about 6-7 weeks old.

ETA: About cleaning with the Bjorn. I LOVED THAT!! We moved when DS was 3 weeks old and I think we would still be a house of boxes if I didn't have a Bjorn. I used it for a long time (like until he was about 10 months old) we used it to travel, the grocery store, etc.

I gave it to my BFF for her second DS and she loves it, she has tried every sling out there and finally tried my Bjorn and LOVES it!

Message edited 6/2/2009 6:32:21 PM.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

when DD was born we lived in a 2 bedroom apartment, we didn't have unlimited space, I did not have this rocker or bouncer. We did have a swing that was priceless for the first 6 months. We also had a bouncy seat that I did use alot (allowed me to shower when DH was not home.) When we retired the bouncy seat we brought out the exersaucer, which was also worth it's weight in gold.

HTH!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

We used our Graco PNP as a bassinet for the first 3 months and then switched her to the crib. Now she plays around the PNP with her little toys and it is great for when I need her in a safe zone.

You can get a travel swing. I have the Boppy travel swing and it doesn't take up a lot of room. I think Fisher Price makes travel swings as well.

I also love the Boppy Bouncer. DD is almost 6 months old and we still use it for her solids feedings. It's nice and big.

I used the Medela Pump in Style, but honestly, liked the manual one better. Something weird about all of those tubes attached and the strange machine like noise...

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I had a PNP and a mini co-sleeper upstairs. That way she napped in the PNP during the day plus I could change her diaper downstairs on the changing table part of the PNP. At night she sleep in the co-sleeper (with the sides up).

I would also recommend getting 2 rockers/bouncers. That way you haveing a "holding station" upstairs and downstairs.

I would highly recommend getting at least 1 of them as an Infant to Toddler rocker. I used it with my DD if I needed to keep her in place while I went to the restroom etc. until she was almost 1!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

Two floor home here. Yes, bassinet for upstairs and playyard for the downstairs.

Bouncer and rocker, I have both, but the fisher price ones. You can never have too many fun places for DC to stay IMO, since some babies have different preferences at different times.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

Posted by Ophelia

I *think* it's to carry the baby around in a prone position while it's sleeping. at least this is what I would do...say if I am cleaning upstairs (I am so June Cleaver in my mind ) and the baby falls asleep and it's time to go down, I can just lift the moses basket up and carry the baby into the next room...

at least that's how I *think* it would work.

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

The ONLY bouncy seat I recommend is the Boppy bouncy seat. Cailen wound up living in it - literally - it was the only thing he would sleep in, and he used it like a chair until he was 18 months old!!!!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

I would definitely get the bassinet & the playyard----I use my Pack&play alllllll the time----I take it when we travel, he stays in it while I shower and I used it downstairs when he was an infant for diaper changes and snoozing. I don't think you will need an additional playyard in the apartment if you have a crib. As far as breast pumps, if you don't want to spend the $$$ on a Medela PIS, I was very happy with my Ameda Purely Yours and paid much less. Its small, the tubing never gets dirty and works very well. I rented a pump for the first month from the hospital as I wanted to make sure things would "work out" with BF first. As far as the bouncers, I have no experience with either of those, plus my son refused to sit in one ever----he only now likes to sit in his FP infant to toddler rocker at 16 months. That said, he loved the swing and I could not have done without it!!

Re: BTDT moms...I need help Updated to add rocker/bouncer question!

We used a the graco travel sized PNP in our bedroom for the first 2 months and have the larger PNP with changing set downstairs. DS has never slept in it, like a PP said it has become a catch all for blankets, bibs, sweaters, etc. I find that I don't use the changing table often, it is uncomfortably low and irks my back (I'm only 5'3"!) so I still carry him upstairs to change.

I also prefer the bouncer over the rocker, it stays in the bathroom DS will sit in it happily while I shower ...I am beginning to wonder how much longer that will last!

One thing I would recommend if you are looking for a place to put DC is a play mat, DS is totally entertained by it and will hang out long enough for me to get dinner together or to do some cleaning.

We have the Tiny Love play mat - it is my favorite piece of baby gear!


ETA: I used the medela Pump InStyle also ...or I should say I TRIED to use it. I had a ton of trouble pumping and never got more than 1oz, so $300 out the door. You may want to consider renting one to see if you are able to pump.

Message edited 6/2/2009 8:04:02 PM.