BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

DH and I are registering on Monday. I'm completely on information overload between Baby Bargains and just general research.

I need some help please. Can you let me know the differences and SPECIFIC product recommendations for the following:

~Rock N Play - this is for sleep and nap right?

~Swing - stationary and large. For napping, hanging out?

~What's the difference between an exersaucer and jumper?

~What's a bouncer for?

I've heard no on walkers for safety reasons correct?

I'd also love specific recommendations for pack n play, high chair, and baby monitor.

I plan on registering for a lot because I'm having a decent size shower. I figure we can always return things later on when we figure out what works/baby doesn't care for, etc.

TIA!!

BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

I used the RnP for naps and for hanging out playing with toys. I also still lay out his towel on it and place him in it after his bath before bringing him to his room. We can't do this for too much longer bc he is 20 lb (7 months).

Swing - yes, napping and hanging out.

Exersaucer has a bottom to it and I think it for slightly younger babies. Jumper is for slightly larger babies. I only got a jumper and put a pillow on the floor for his feet when he was really small (3-4 months).

I never bought a bouncer so don't know too much about them. Certainly not enough to give an opinion.

I have the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Lite and am OBSESSED with it. Please check out the video for it. There should be a video right on BRU or BBB. It is amazing. It opens and sets up in about ten seconds, no exaggeration. And this is ideal after a long day of traveling, etc.

I highly recommend his high chair, the Oxo Tot Sprout Chair. Very comfortable, made extremely well and becomes a regular chair when older. I also like the Stokke Tripp Trapp but think it is dated and overpriced but that is my opinion. The new Boon high chair looks really cool, too. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend my Motorola video monitor. Has temperature gage, music (I think 5-6 tunes), intercom, zoom, extremely clear image, and more. If you google Motorola baby video monitor it should come up right away. I can't remember the exact model. Let me know if you have trouble finding it.

HTH!

ETA: My sister got him an AWESOME Ferrari walker - it is hysterical. Just keep an eye on baby, keep doors locked, make sure baby has zero access to stairs.

Message edited 3/29/2013 10:44:51 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

Rock & Play - can be used for naps and sleeping at night - however I personally suggest you don't get the baby used to sleeping in it overnight unless no other method works. Then you'll have to worry about transitioning to a crib later on.

Swing - yes napping & they find it soothing..most babies do. Not all though! If you have the space, the Fisher Price swings are great. And they make a small portable one now too.

Exersaucer is stationary, it's like a round thing where the seat spins and there are all different toys for the baby to play with that are attached. It's a lifesaver around 6 months old. Jumper is just that, you put the baby in and they go nuts jumping - but that's better for when they have full head control.

Bouncer, good to keep them in when you need to get things done, shower etc and I also reccommend the FIsher Price Rainforest one if they still make it or one similar to that - it lights up. My DS was fascinated by it.

Some people don't like walkers, we had one we just made sure the door to the basement stairs was closed and locked..besides he was always in our sight.

Another tip - I made the mistake of registering for too many little things and wound up not getting the big stuff I needed, like a stroller. Better to put the big stuff on first!

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

Rock N Play - DD slept in this exclusively for almost 5 months.

Swing- I never had one, but yes I hear babies sleep really well in them.

Exersaucer doesn't bounce, Jumperoo does. You won't need either until 4+ months, but my DD loves both. We have the Baby Einstein Neptune Exersaucer and the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo.

Bouncer- baby can nap or just hang out in it while you get things done.

Walker- depends on your comfort. I see no issue if it is used properly and baby is well supervised.

Pack n Play - depends on your needs. I haven't even opened mine bc we just used the Rock N Play. I am going to return the one I have for the one that looks more like a play pen at this point. Some people like to get the one with the bassinet and changing table feature and use it all the time. Up to you.

High chair- we got the Fisher Price Space Saver and like it a lot.

Monitor - we didn't register for a video monitor, which I know most people prefer. We got a Philps Avent audio monitor which works well for us.

Message edited 3/29/2013 10:23:48 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

~Rock N Play - this is for sleep and nap right?--- Yes. My DD only slept in this. Hated the bassinet. I personally find the bassinet is a waste of $. I haven't had 1 friend whose baby liked the bassinet and actually slept in it. My friend lent me hers and Im happy I didn't register for it it saved me $ since my dd spent 1 night in it, her first night and then never slept in it. Also you can get the pack n play with the bassinet attachment and can use that instead of getting a separate bassinet.

~Swing - stationary and large. For napping, hanging out? -- Yes! This is a DEF DEF Must have! It was the only other place dd would nap when she was newborn.

~What's the difference between an exersaucer and jumper? --- I have a jumper, the name kind of tells you its purpose, they jump in it and it has a bunch of activities around it so when they aren't jumping they are standing and playing. The exersaucer just has the activities and they play with them while they are standing.I don't have one so I cant say which is better. My dd loves her jumper.

~What's a bouncer for? --- another playtime/nap/chill out for baby. Not a necessity. I used for a lil while sometimes she would stay in it and sometimes not. It wouldn't have made a difference if I didn't have it. Its not that expensive I would say ahh just register for it.

I've heard no on walkers for safety reasons correct?-- correct I have heard the same thing. Also they say it has effects on the babys hips. I do not have one and do not plan on getting one. I personally do not have any friends who have it either.

I'd also love specific recommendations for pack n play, high chair, and baby monitor.
Pack N Play- Graco Pack N Play with Bassinet (its in baby bargains as the best) I LOVE IT! Would be lost without it. My only suggestion is you don't need all the bells and whistles. I got the bells and whistles and never ever used any of them. Just the bassinet and pack n play piece.
High Chair- Graco Blossom! Easy to clean! Grows with baby for YEARS! Has a great booster seat for when you go to someones house you can take it with you. I think its cute and modern not gawdy or overly cutesy. I love it! Highly recommend. About 3 of my friends have it too and love it.
Baby Monitor- Summer Infant touch screen baby monitor. (Again its in baby bargains I don't know the exact name but its def the most popular one) I love it. Touch screen like an ipod or android. Great color, sound, quality. No issues with it.

Message edited 3/29/2013 10:24:04 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

~Rock N Play - this is for sleep and nap right?

Yes - you can use this for sleep and nap and just hanging out.

~Swing - stationary and large. For napping, hanging out?

Yes - this can be used for napping or hanging out. Some babies love it (DS 1) and some babies can take it or leave it (DS 2)

~What's the difference between an exersaucer and jumper?

A jumperoo has springs so that the baby can jump in it while an exersaucer is more of an activity center (jumperoo has activities too).

~What's a bouncer for?

A bouncy seat? It's a vibrating chair for them to hang out or sleep in.

I've heard no on walkers for safety reasons correct?

Walkers were frowned upon since people were using them at the top of a set of stairs and then upset when the kid fell. We had one for DS 2 and he enjoyed it (we didn't have much walking room when DS 1 was young so we didn't get one). I didn't register for one, I bought it when I felt it was something DS 2 would enjoy.

I'd also love specific recommendations for pack n play, high chair, and baby monitor.

I love my Chicco pack and play, my Fisher Price High Chair (but, if I could do it again, I'd get a space saver one that attaches to the chair) and my Summer Infant Video monitor.

Even though the swing, rock and play and bouncy seat are for similar purposes, it's nice to have different options since some babies take to some things better than others. It's also nice to have things strategically placed around your house to put them down in when you need to, especially when they are little (even more so when it's the second kid and your first kid needs something asap).

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

when i was on mat leave, i would leave the bouncer in the bathroom so when i had to go i could just put her down in it...

She loves the swing, to just hang out... we put her in it when we are eating sometimes she falls asleep sometimes she doesnt...

RNP is for her sleeping period... whether its a nap or for the night... it has the swaddle effect so she stays sleeping the longest in that.

ETA: we would have loved for her to sleep in the PNP or crib but we are still at my parents house and the PNP is basically solely for the changing area

Message edited 3/29/2013 10:46:22 AM.

BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

I never used the RNP. DS just slept in the Pack and Play. We got the graco model. At my house, i had the one with the infant sleeper. My mom had the basic model (no sleeper or any other bells & whistles). I actually wish i had the basic one at my house too. DS only fit in the infant sleeper for about a month or two (he is a huge baby though )

We have the Motorolla Baby Video Monitor and like it. There are two models available - we got the one with the smaller screen. It's plenty for us.

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

Re: BTDT Moms: Registry Help!!

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the info.