Best Infant Gear?

[Anonymous]

We are expecting a baby and curious what other parents recommend for these categories.

- Stroller system - Thoughts on Britax?
- Bassinet - Thoughts on Halo or The Snoo?
- High Chair - Thoughts on 4Moms?
- Changing Pad - Keekaroo or something more simple?
- Portable Bassinet - Pack and Play?
- Swing/bouncer - Fisher Price SnugaPuppy swing and bouncer?
- Bottles - Como Tomo and Tommee Tippee?
- Baby Brezza - If we need to supplement or formula feed?
- Best Breast Pump - Medela Pump n Style?
- Crib sheets - Burt’s Bees organic cotton sheets?
- Monitor - Best one?
- Sound Machine - Hatch Baby?
- Diapers - Pampers Pure or Costco?
- Wipes - Water wipes?

[Anonymous]

Stroller: love the UppaBaby. It’s worth the money.
Bottles: anyone your baby takes tho we love the Como Tomo.
Baby BrezA: unnecessary and a pain. Cross the formula bridge when you get there. We use basic smilac.
Changing table: we used a blanket on the floor or bed. A dedicated changing space was unnecessary since I would change diapers all over the house.

[Anonymous]

Changing pad- I adored our Keekaroo. It’s a splurge. Put it on the registry.

Baby Brezza- we did formula and loved this

Bottles- loved tommy Tippy. No leaks. Loved also how they have these little formula dispensers you can hang inside a bottle. (Learned about them on DCUM). Game changer for travel and nighttime feeding).

Also- bibs with pockets and Aden a d Anais swaddle blankets.

[Anonymous]

- Stroller system - Thoughts on Britax? Not a fan of stroller systems. I’ve never seen the appeal in attaching a car seat to a heavy stroller (unless it’s a double and you already have a toddler to push around. We got a Nuna Mixx (lays flat and can be used from birth without a car seat) for our long term stroller and just picked up a secondhand Keyfit caddy for the rare occasion (mostly travel) that we want to push around the car seat since it’s very light and easy. But I typically either just carry the car seat on quick errands or take the baby out and put in a wrap/sling or the regular stroller.
- Bassinet - Thoughts on Halo or The Snoo? If you’re rich the Snoo seems interesting but we don’t have $1200 to throw away on something we’d use for 3 months. Halo is just fine.
- High Chair - Thoughts on 4Moms? We did a booster seat that straps to a chair to save space.
- Changing Pad - Keekaroo or something more simple? Keekaroo is totally unnecessary. Get a basic one. Use disposable puppy pads during the “pee on the table” phase—it’s relatively short.
- Portable Bassinet - Pack and Play? Pack N Plays weigh so much! They are the old school from before the market got better. Much lighter, simpler options out there. We went with the Lotus Guava.
- Swing/bouncer - Fisher Price SnugaPuppy swing and bouncer? Skipped this entirely
- Bottles - Como Tomo and Tommee Tippee? Dr. Brown’s
- Baby Brezza - If we need to supplement or formula feed? Used Dr. Brown’s bottle warmer since we knew it would fit. Tip: Make formula with warm tap water so you don’t have to heat it.
- Best Breast Pump - Medela Pump n Style? Medela used to be the best but Spectra is newer and better.
- Crib sheets - Burt’s Bees organic cotton sheets? Never paid attention to brand. I just got a few cotton at PBK and Target.
- Monitor - Best one? We have Infant Optics. It’s fine but I don’t necessarily think it’s the best out there.
- Sound Machine - Hatch Baby? We have Wyatt the Whale.
- Diapers - Pampers Pure or Costco? Doesn’t matter. Don’t stock up before your baby arrives because different brands fit different bodies. We’ve used 4-5 different brands between two kids and both are still in diapers so I’m not ruling out another switch as they grow.
- Wipes - Water wipes? Don’t get water wipes. If they get warm at all they will grow mildew and bacteria. (This can happen before you buy them if they sit in a warm warehouse or truck during shipment.) If you all only want water on your kids bum then just buy a bunch of cheap cloths and use actual water. We use Pampers Sensitive wipes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:- Stroller system - Thoughts on Britax? Not a fan of stroller systems. I’ve never seen the appeal in attaching a car seat to a heavy stroller (unless it’s a double and you already have a toddler to push around. We got a Nuna Mixx (lays flat and can be used from birth without a car seat) for our long term stroller and just picked up a secondhand Keyfit caddy for the rare occasion (mostly travel) that we want to push around the car seat since it’s very light and easy. But I typically either just carry the car seat on quick errands or take the baby out and put in a wrap/sling or the regular stroller.
- Bassinet - Thoughts on Halo or The Snoo? If you’re rich the Snoo seems interesting but we don’t have $1200 to throw away on something we’d use for 3 months. Halo is just fine.
- High Chair - Thoughts on 4Moms? We did a booster seat that straps to a chair to save space.
- Changing Pad - Keekaroo or something more simple? Keekaroo is totally unnecessary. Get a basic one. Use disposable puppy pads during the “pee on the table” phase—it’s relatively short.
- Portable Bassinet - Pack and Play? Pack N Plays weigh so much! They are the old school from before the market got better. Much lighter, simpler options out there. We went with the Lotus Guava.
- Swing/bouncer - Fisher Price SnugaPuppy swing and bouncer? Skipped this entirely
- Bottles - Como Tomo and Tommee Tippee? Dr. Brown’s
- Baby Brezza - If we need to supplement or formula feed? Used Dr. Brown’s bottle warmer since we knew it would fit. Tip: Make formula with warm tap water so you don’t have to heat it.
- Best Breast Pump - Medela Pump n Style? Medela used to be the best but Spectra is newer and better.
- Crib sheets - Burt’s Bees organic cotton sheets? Never paid attention to brand. I just got a few cotton at PBK and Target.
- Monitor - Best one? We have Infant Optics. It’s fine but I don’t necessarily think it’s the best out there.
- Sound Machine - Hatch Baby? We have Wyatt the Whale.
- Diapers - Pampers Pure or Costco? Doesn’t matter. Don’t stock up before your baby arrives because different brands fit different bodies. We’ve used 4-5 different brands between two kids and both are still in diapers so I’m not ruling out another switch as they grow.
- Wipes - Water wipes? Don’t get water wipes. If they get warm at all they will grow mildew and bacteria. (This can happen before you buy them if they sit in a warm warehouse or truck during shipment.) If you all only want water on your kids bum then just buy a bunch of cheap cloths and use actual water. We use Pampers Sensitive wipes

NOT Dr. Browns! They leak and have a million parts. Just no.
Do get a stroller caddy- snap and go. Just get it used.
Love having a swing. Again get used bc your baby may not like it.
DO NOT give baby warm tap water. It’s unsafe. Google it.
Agree on diapers advice. First see what works.
Agree on the lotus (strongly)

[Anonymous]

Mom of 4. Youngest is 8 months. I’ve tried a lot of stuff over the years.

Best pump I’ve used is the Spectra S1. I used a medela pump in style with the 1st 3 kids (new pump each time since insurance covered it). spectra is so much better. Though if I weren’t on my last kid I would have looked more closely at the Elvie and Willow pumps. I pump at work til 1 year.

Bottles: I am using the Kiinde system this time and like it a lot. There aren’t any bottles to wash since I pump directly into the bag. For my other kids I used medela bottles that came with the pump and they worked just fine. No need for fancy bottles imo.

Wipes: I disliked water wipes - way too thin. I like Huggies natural care best, but had one kid who was very sensitive and got rashy with them, and for him the Seventh Generation wipes were the best alternative I could find. I also like pampers pure wipes, but they’re $$$ and not any better for us than the Huggies.

Diapers: depends on the kid. I liked pampers for two kids (the skinny ones) and Huggies for the chunkier ones. Huggies special delivery are new and my current favorite. They really do absorb better than anything else.

Bassinet: I used the Halo and loved it.

I have a knock-off keekaroo from Skip Hop and it’s great as a 2nd changing table downstairs. I love the changing table topper on the baby dresser as our primary changing table.

I have the hatch baby sound machine and like it a lot. We also have a marpac dohm that’s great. Either is fine.

[Anonymous]

Uppababy Cruz stroller
Comotomo bottles worked for us right from the start and they are super easy to clean.
I exclusively formula-fed from day 1 and never felt the need for the Baby Brezza. We got some changing pad liners and initially changed on the bed and now on the floor.
I use the Kirkland wipes from Costco and also buy Huggies plus diapers there. A wipe warmer is nice but not essential.
A Graco swing helped tremendously for the first 4 months for daytime naps.
We used the Halo swaddle sacks up to 4 months.

[Anonymous]

Just in case you don't understand why nobody should drink warm tap water - a majority of homes' water heaters are contaminated with various types of dangerous bacteria. Even at a temperature hotter than most homeowners keep their heaters, it would not be high enough to kill the bacteria. When you take warm water from the faucet, it contains this bacteria from your water heater. It's fine if you're going to boil it and make pasta or something but it's not fine to drink it

[Anonymous]

I like lucieslist.com for baby gear recs.

[Anonymous]

My kids are 3 and 6 so some of the products that are out now weren't out then. Here are my thoughts though:

- Stroller system - Thoughts on Britax? - don't get a stroller system. Get a car seat + snap-in frame. Then get a separate umbrella stroller. Or get that Donya thing. Stroller systems are heavy. We had Britax, never used the stroller, much preferred our umbrella stroller after 6 months.
- Bassinet - Thoughts on Halo or The Snoo? - we used a mini pack and play
- High Chair - Thoughts on 4Moms? - we used a Fisher Price thing that sits on a chair, the padded kind that leans back a little. It was like $30 and PERFECT. For my second, who had hip issues, we used the Abbiie Beyond starting when she could sit up on her own.
- Changing Pad - Keekaroo or something more simple? - We just used a simple changing pad with cover, but Keekaroo didn't exist when I had my first, and I wasn't going to buy it for my 2nd since we already had something.
- Portable Bassinet - Pack and Play? - Yes, just use the same thing.
- Swing/bouncer - Fisher Price SnugaPuppy swing and bouncer? - we never used the swing, but the snugabunny was a great bouncer
- Bottles - Como Tomo and Tommee Tippee? - you'll just have to see what your baby likes. Mine both liked Dr. Browns
- Baby Brezza - If we need to supplement or formula feed? - not necessary, just shake.
- Best Breast Pump - Medela Pump n Style? - I think people prefer the newer brands, but again, they didn't exist when I had my kids.
- Crib sheets - Burt’s Bees organic cotton sheets? - It really doesn't matter
- Monitor - Best one? - We used the best selling model on Amazon, forget the name, but I would never get a wifi-enabled one.
- Sound Machine - Hatch Baby? ???? We just used an air purifier.
- Diapers - Pampers Pure or Costco? - Whatever fits your baby. Costco = Huggies.
- Wipes - Water wipes? - Water wipes are a waste of money and get moldy. I LOVE the Costco wipes. Amazon Elements wipes are good, too, and Huggies Natural Care.

[Anonymous]

If you have an agreeable baby, you won't need to bother with bottle warmers. Both of my kids were fine with premade bottles straight from the fridge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just in case you don't understand why nobody should drink warm tap water - a majority of homes' water heaters are contaminated with various types of dangerous bacteria. Even at a temperature hotter than most homeowners keep their heaters, it would not be high enough to kill the bacteria. When you take warm water from the faucet, it contains this bacteria from your water heater. It's fine if you're going to boil it and make pasta or something but it's not fine to drink it

This is looney tunes. Ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case you don't understand why nobody should drink warm tap water - a majority of homes' water heaters are contaminated with various types of dangerous bacteria. Even at a temperature hotter than most homeowners keep their heaters, it would not be high enough to kill the bacteria. When you take warm water from the faucet, it contains this bacteria from your water heater. It's fine if you're going to boil it and make pasta or something but it's not fine to drink it

This is looney tunes. Ignore.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322798/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case you don't understand why nobody should drink warm tap water - a majority of homes' water heaters are contaminated with various types of dangerous bacteria. Even at a temperature hotter than most homeowners keep their heaters, it would not be high enough to kill the bacteria. When you take warm water from the faucet, it contains this bacteria from your water heater. It's fine if you're going to boil it and make pasta or something but it's not fine to drink it

This is looney tunes. Ignore.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2094925/

"However, Canadian studies have shown, even when the thermostat is set at 60°C, a high percentage -- approximately 40% -- of electric water heaters remain contaminated because of the lower temperature, about 30°C to 40°C at the bottom of the tank."

[Anonymous]

I'm a minimalist, and a cheap one at that.

- Stroller system - Thoughts on Britax? Skipped. Got a convertible seat and a stroller that lays flat.
- Bassinet - Thoughts on Halo or The Snoo? Arms reach. Bonus: can be used like a pack and play later
- High Chair - Thoughts on 4Moms? Ikea. Don't need fancy.
- Changing Pad - Keekaroo or something more simple? regular changing pad with 2-3 covers worked just fine. Keep it cheap.
- Portable Bassinet - Pack and Play? see above: arms reach did double duty, though we didn't travel much and when we did, grandpa already had a pack n play or hotels have cribs.
- Swing/bouncer - Fisher Price SnugaPuppy swing and bouncer? we were gifted a FP bouncy seat of some sort. Fine, but not life changing. Didn't have a swing.
- Bottles - Como Tomo and Tommee Tippee? lol, my kid hated bottles so zero insight here
- Baby Brezza - If we need to supplement or formula feed? seems pretty ridiculous, but I didn't use formula. Wait and see if you even need it.
- Best Breast Pump - Medela Pump n Style? I used a hand pump, so not advice
- Crib sheets - Burt’s Bees organic cotton sheets? sheets, any sheets will do.
- Monitor - Best one? never used one
- Sound Machine - Hatch Baby? something I got at Buy Buy Baby. No idea that brand. It was cheap. It works.
- Diapers - Pampers Pure or Costco? did cloth until 18 months, then used target disposables
- Wipes - Water wipes? Target brand basic wipes