HROT Dads or Moms

[Greenway4Prez]

Neither of my kids used that silly thing.

Dont waste your time.

Really? You might be the first parent I've heard that didn't like it.

Which kind of ties in to the earlier comment about the differing opinions on items.

To be fair though, both my kids were big babies, so maybe the Bumbo worked well at keeping their fat little torsos supported and upright.

 

[Hawk_82]

Really? You might be the first parent I've heard that didn't like it.

Which kind of ties in to the earlier comment about the differing opinions on items.

To be fair though, both my kids were big babies, so maybe the Bumbo worked well at keeping their fat little torsos supported and upright.

my son threw up when he sat in the bumbo. so we never used it. he might have been too small and putting pressure on his belly

 

[The Tradition]

my son threw up when he sat in the bumbo. so we never used it. he might have been too small and putting pressure on his belly

My son(s) threw up on everything. We would have lived in a cardboard box if we gave up on anything that got thrown up on.

 

[Hawk_82]

My son(s) threw up on everything. We would have lived in a cardboard box if we gave up on anything that got thrown up on.

this is why having a dog is so good. I have the cleanest baby in the world. he throws food off the table but when I get to pick up its gone. then I go to clean off the table and height chair and those are done too. it's amazing. but for some unknown reason the dog has steadily been gaining weight.

 

[TJ8869]

Don't forget a flat screen TV.

Only if the kid gets straight A's.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Something that hasn't been mentioned. If you have Amazon Prime, sign up for Amazon Mom. Gives you access to lots of discounts including the ability to do subscribe and save for things like diapers, wipes, diaper genie refills, formula, etc.

Also, if you aren't doing it already, get other subscribe and saves configured. I've got toothbrushes coming every three months so that I don't have to remember when to change them. You can do other things like tp, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. on a periodic schedule that you set and they give you a discount on them. It is nice to get a bunch of stuff that you absolutely need to just show up at your front door on the first of the month.

 

[The Tradition]

Something that hasn't been mentioned. If you have Amazon Prime, sign up for Amazon Mom. Gives you access to lots of discounts including the ability to do subscribe and save for things like diapers, wipes, diaper genie refills, formula, etc.

Also, if you aren't doing it already, get other subscribe and saves configured. I've got toothbrushes coming every three months so that I don't have to remember when to change them. You can do other things like tp, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. on a periodic schedule that you set and they give you a discount on them. It is nice to get a bunch of stuff that you absolutely need to just show up at your front door on the first of the month.

Have you sent your resume to Amazon? They need some marketers like you.

 

[UNIHawkfan]

Where do I even start....I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old, so I'm right in the middle of it.

Get a good stroller. The easier it is to go places, the more you will get out. A good stroller makes trips easier. I recommend the Baby Jogger City Mini or select. Don't buy it at a store, you can get it much cheaper online. They're expensive, but it was the best baby investment we made.

Get a white noise machine for the baby's room. It helps drown out noise so you don't accidentally wake the kid up.

Fisher Price bouncy chair with a vibrate function. This was a life saver with our first one.

Dr Smiths makes the best diaper cream. If you get Desitin, buy it in the jar. One jar lasts forever, tubes run out all the time.

Look into Amazon prime subscribe and save for items like wet wipes. Nothing sucks more than realizing you're out of wet wipes or diapers at 11pm

Don't buy one of the cribs that converts to a full bed set. I let my wife make that mistake (it wasn't worth the fight)...she now admits it was stupid.

If you think the baby has colic, it's probably gas. Our first cried for like 3 days straight. My wife finally called the Dr and he told her to cut dairy and greens from her diet. One day later he was as happy as can be. She eventually figured out it was dairy.

Diaper genie is a rip off. Plastic garbage sacks work just as well (don't keep them in the house).

You might have to experiment with bottle brands before you figure out which one works best for your kid...we landed on Tommie Tippie. Just buy one bottle of a couple brands and see which one works best...then buy more

Boppy pillow is a must. Your arms will thank you

Pack some tums and a pillow when you go to the hospital. The pillows suck and if you're a big ball of nerves you'll be glad you had tums.

It's a blast. Don't wish it away, enjoy every moment for what it is.

 

[iammrhawkeyes]

Get a good stroller. The easier it is to go places, the more you will get out. A good stroller makes trips easier. I recommend the Baby Jogger City Mini or select. Don't buy it at a store, you can get it much cheaper online. They're expensive, but it was the best baby investment we made.

Get a white noise machine for the baby's room. It helps drown out noise so you don't accidentally wake the kid up.


Look into Amazon prime subscribe and save for items like wet wipes. Nothing sucks more than realizing you're out of wet wipes or diapers at 11pm

Yes to these. We like this stroller: The BOB

It can go anywhere. You'll appreciate that.

We buy our diapers from Amazon Prime and they're much cheaper than the store when you buy the big boxes.

 

[GarryO37]

Wipe warmer.

I don't know from first-hand experience, but I gotta think it's unpleasant to have the coin purse cleaned by a cold wipe.

Had two and never used them.

 

[GarryO37]

Neither of my kids used that silly thing.

Dont waste your time.

Same here. We had twins and both never used them.

 

[artradley]

A clip on mirror for your rear view mirror, can see the kid and the road must have

That reminds me - the first few months you're supposed to have the car seat facing backwards. So you need a little mirror that goes on your rear windshield, so from the front seat you can still see the kid.

 

[The Tradition]

That reminds me - the first few months you're supposed to have the car seat facing backwards. So you need a little mirror that goes on your rear windshield, so from the front seat you can still see the kid.

That's ridiculous. Eyes on the road, please.

 

[UthoffFan]

JFC, do I really have to be the first one to do this?

All sorts of Hawkeye gear, clothing, pennants, what have you. Make sure he/she is inundated with the Tigerhawk logo as much as possible. Have things with IOWA on it all over the room. Don't let them go more than few minutes time, ever, without being brainwashed to love all things black and gold.

They'll thank you when they're older. Trust me.

 

[Wendy79]

One thing about diapers...they're different. One brand may cause a rash, another may not fit the baby properly (leaks and blowouts!)...so it can be trial and error. But if you're going the cloth diaper route, then this shouldn't be a problem. I recommend using disposable the first week or two.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

My wife just had a baby. He's two months old now. Things we appreciate other than the normal day to day stuff (diapers, wipes) include -

baby monitor,
diaper genie,
swaddles,
sleeper gowns - even for boys, gets you quick access to the diaper at night,
onses that have flaps over hands so they don't have to wear mittens
small fan - white noise
lanolin cream or some mixture with this stuff in it - for dry skin
nail files and trimmers - they get razor sharp nails that will cut their face
baby bjorn or equivalent - he loves it and I can get a lot of work done with two hands free,
stroller/car seat combo,
changing table - it's quick and easy at night,
burp cloths - they throw up all the time
one of those devices that cleans the bottle in the microwave otherwise sterilizing the bottles is time consuming and a pain in the butt.

Don't waste too much time or resources on:
a bassinet - he's already in his crib,
newborn clothes - get the next size bigger,
toys - he doesn't need much yet
I can't recommend the baby swings because he hates his. Every baby is different.

I recommend setting up an account on Amazon or Babies R Us to keep track of items you need and to share as possible baby shower presents.

 

[artradley]

JFC, do I really have to be the first one to do this?

All sorts of Hawkeye gear, clothing, pennants, what have you. Make sure he/she is inundated with the Tigerhawk logo as much as possible. Have things with IOWA on it all over the room. Don't let them go more than few minutes time, ever, without being brainwashed to love all things black and gold.

They'll thank you when they're older. Trust me.

My heart is filled with regret...

 

[BigDelHawk]

No clothes.

Everyone will get the tiniest newborn clothes which will fit the baby for about a week.

I know it sounds cheap, but babies grow so fast, secondhand clothes are absolutely the way to go.

This, go to Barrington near Chicago or West Des Moines, hit the garage sales, tons of stuff with tags still on it.

 

[joelbc1]

My wife (no pregger wife pic) and I are expecting our first child in June and are getting ready to register for the baby shower. What are some must haves, best brands and/or worthless things that we will be needing/not needing. We stopped into Buy Buy Baby in Des Moines a couple weeks ago and most things seemed like a waste of money to me. I've done some additional online research but thought I should get some more info from the elites to hopefully not screw my kid up too much.

Scotch whiskys are best.....They numb you up but onlookers think you got class!

 

[Vroom_C14]

A really hot nanny!

 

[naturalmwa]

A really hot nanny!

You have a nanny/maid combo? Poor!

 

[hawkifann]

Congrats, hope your wife breastfeeds. It saves you from getting up in the middle of the night and gives you a designated driver for a while. And the kid should be smarter too.

This is authentic knowledge. Can't validate the smarter part, but the "all about dad" stuff is dead on. She'll also have incredible metabolism while feeding.

 

[hawkifann]

Wipe warmer.

I don't know from first-hand experience, but I gotta think it's unpleasant to have the coin purse cleaned by a cold wipe.

They're never going to remember. I have 3 kids and I'd put this I n the complete waste category.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

This is authentic knowledge. Can't validate the smarter part, but the "all about dad" stuff is dead on. She'll also have incredible metabolism while feeding.

This x10000

I would also recommend a good coffee pot. Because your gonna need some good coffee the first month or so. Regardless if momma breastfeeds or not, you have to get up and help with something. I didn't know that at first and then the wife went into a "breakdown" mode one night and I finally started getting up and changing the diaper and then having her breastfeed it. Then I would rock her back to sleep.

Also I can't say this enough, a GOOD STROLLER! Do not go cheap on that, you want the best $$$ can buy.

 

[QChawks]

My wife just had a baby. He's two months old now. Things we appreciate other than the normal day to day stuff (diapers, wipes) include -

baby monitor,
diaper genie,
swaddles,
sleeper gowns - even for boys, gets you quick access to the diaper at night,
onses that have flaps over hands so they don't have to wear mittens
small fan - white noise
lanolin cream or some mixture with this stuff in it - for dry skin
nail files and trimmers - they get razor sharp nails that will cut their face
baby bjorn or equivalent - he loves it and I can get a lot of work done with two hands free,
stroller/car seat combo,
changing table - it's quick and easy at night,
burp cloths - they throw up all the time
one of those devices that cleans the bottle in the microwave otherwise sterilizing the bottles is time consuming and a pain in the butt.

Don't waste too much time or resources on:
a bassinet - he's already in his crib,
newborn clothes - get the next size bigger,
toys - he doesn't need much yet
I can't recommend the baby swings because he hates his. Every baby is different.

I recommend setting up an account on Amazon or Babies R Us to keep track of items you need and to share as possible baby shower presents.

Good list. When babies are really little it was nice to just have them in a small bassinet in the bedroom rather than go to the nursery.

 

[dbq hawk 32]

Don't forget a flat screen TV.

I'd at least make sure they are getting straight crocodiles in daycare before splurging.

 

[hawkifann]

This x10000

I would also recommend a good coffee pot. Because your gonna need some good coffee the first month or so. Regardless if momma breastfeeds or not, you have to get up and help with something. I didn't know that at first and then the wife went into a "breakdown" mode one night and I finally started getting up and changing the diaper and then having her breastfeed it. Then I would rock her back to sleep.

Also I can't say this enough, a GOOD STROLLER! Do not go cheap on that, you want the best $$$ can buy.

I tend to be more of a night owl anyway and my wife is more of a sleeper, so when she was feeding our kids, we had a system set up where she'd do the evening feed and then go to bed. This was usually around 9-10 pm. I'd then take full responsibility for the kid until around 1-2 am when the next feeding came around. It was rough, because I was then usually getting up around 6 to get ready for work, but it only lasted a few months until the kid would start sleeping through that overnight feeding. It also allowed my wife have the monitor off for a good 3 hours and then she'd usually go back and get a couple more hours of fairly decent sleep.........but those days when nothing worked? Brutal. Definitely have caffiene.

 

[Pepperman]

The wife voted on cloth diapers so hopefully we will see some savings there. I have a sprayer installed on our toilet already. She also plans to breastfeed (no pic) so hopefully our kid is smarter and I get a DD for a couple months longer.

I am baffled by this bolded part. What the heck? I'm picturing some sort of hose device that you're going to use to blast the poop out of a cloth diaper? That's disgusting.

Go with disposable is my advice, but Wendy is spot on that different brands fit differently. I'm pretty sure we decided that Pampers were the best for us. Huggies were one of our least favorites, ironically.

 

[kn288]

Lots of good stuff in here already. Only thing I would add is a water purifier that fits on your kitchen faucet. You can use warm water from the tap instead of waiting for the bottle warmer to heat up while the baby his going nuts. Enjoy every minute of it. My two are 5 and 3 already. Time literally flies by.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

if you are able to, when my boy was a baby, me and the missus (no pic) alternated evenings when we would get up with him. When she was trying to breastfeed, I used the stored milk we had in the fridge/freezer. the breastfeeding wasn't happening for too long, which sucked because formula is damned expensive>

At any rate, it was good that if i had a rough night getting up to take care of him, I knew I was able to sleep the next night and not have to get up. It worked well for our situation.

 

[theIowaHawk]

That reminds me - the first few months you're supposed to have the car seat facing backwards. So you need a little mirror that goes on your rear windshield, so from the front seat you can still see the kid.

First few months?

It depends on height/weight, but I'm pretty sure most experts cite 2 years backwards.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Good list. When babies are really little it was nice to just have them in a small bassinet in the bedroom rather than go to the nursery.

I agree with this. Sure bassinets aren't a long-term investment and don't get used at all when they are done, but that applies to a lot of baby shit. If you want them in your room at all for any period of time, good to have one. And then pass it on. Call your friends/family first, someone always has one sitting unused.

As is the key with a LOT of baby stuff, just ask around, more than likely it is sitting in a basement somewhere ripe for the picking, then you pass it along yourself when it is time.

 

[UthoffFan]

My heart is filled with regret...

T's and P's for the coma that you've apparently been in for the last year.

 

[stevenpatrick]

OP, why would you have anything to do with your baby's shower?

BOB stroller. get it.

 

[orod741]

I am baffled by this bolded part. What the heck? I'm picturing some sort of hose device that you're going to use to blast the poop out of a cloth diaper? That's disgusting.

Go with disposable is my advice, but Wendy is spot on that different brands fit differently. I'm pretty sure we decided that Pampers were the best for us. Huggies were one of our least favorites, ironically.

All I can say is everyone poops so I guess I don't find it that disgusting. I'm not used to wiping baby's asses though so what do I know. But my wife works at UIHC on a floor that deals with that pretty much daily so I guess if it bothers me, I will use the phone call trick. It's not a fire hose or pressure washer, it's pretty much a kitchen sink sprayer. We should be able to keep it under control and not get crap everywhere.

OP, why would you have anything to do with your baby's shower?

BOB stroller. get it.

Ummm... I guess I'm just trying to help out with registering? I'm not involved with the shower at all unless you consider helping with the gift registry. I've been to a Daddy baby shower and it was terrible. It was pretty much a way for the couple to get people to buy them diapers.

 

[Hawk_82]

if you are able to, when my boy was a baby, me and the missus (no pic) alternated evenings when we would get up with him. When she was trying to breastfeed, I used the stored milk we had in the fridge/freezer. the breastfeeding wasn't happening for too long, which sucked because formula is damned expensive>

At any rate, it was good that if i had a rough night getting up to take care of him, I knew I was able to sleep the next night and not have to get up. It worked well for our situation.

+1 on this plan. my wife and I still rotate our baby monitor every night at 17 months old. this method saved both of our sanity an our guy was very collicy.

BTW i am not a fan of getting tons of diapers as gifts. you never know how big your baby will be at birth, or how quickly he will grow, or what brand will work best. we got a bunch and ended up taking half back for a different brand/size and donated the others we opened but didnt like. Also cloth diapers have lots of kinds and can be very expensive. Do u know what u want to use?

my sister used cloth in the day and disposible at night. Once baby sleeps through the night consider a pampers baby dry. These hold a ton and dont leak or cause skin irritation.