What One Thing Would You Recommend For A Newborn?

[Sunchimes]

My newest dcb was born this week, so in 6 weeks, I'll have a teensy baby--a first for me.
I will have a crib or pnp, I have a high chair (for later), car seat (for later), and I'm guessing his mom will bring him in the little seat thingy.

I'm making an amazon order and need something else for free shipping, and I think this is a good use for it. What is one (or 2) essential thing that I should have here before he starts?

This is what I'm considering at the moment.
One of those tummy time mats with the arch over his head with toys
Boppy (do they come in sizes?) I'm not even sure what these are for--just heard you guys talking about them
Bumpo-I'm thinking this is only for after they can hold up their heads?
One of those reclined seats that gently bounce or vibrate?
Nothing, I only need a quilt for the floor and some patience. Spend the rest of the amazon money on a good book. ;-)

Oh, and I'm collecting your favorite teensy infant hint.

[Unregistered LYNN]

My newest dcb was born this week, so in 6 weeks, I'll have a teensy baby--a first for me.
I will have a crib or pnp, I have a high chair (for later), car seat (for later), and I'm guessing his mom will bring him in the little seat thingy.

I'm making an amazon order and need something else for free shipping, and I think this is a good use for it. What is one (or 2) essential thing that I should have here before he starts?

This is what I'm considering at the moment.
One of those tummy time mats with the arch over his head with toys
Boppy (do they come in sizes?) I'm not even sure what these are for--just heard you guys talking about them
Bumpo-I'm thinking this is only for after they can hold up their heads?
One of those reclined seats that gently bounce or vibrate?
Nothing, I only need a quilt for the floor and some patience. Spend the rest of the amazon money on a good book. ;-)

Oh, and I'm collecting your favorite teensy infant hint.

BOPPY!!! BOPPY!!! Those are so awesome. I even used it for my bum ( I no longer will have any more children) after birthing a baby for a friend! It was such a relief!

[saved4always]

I like the mat with toys above it for floor time. When they are that little, they cannot do anything with toys so I think some babies enjoy having something to look at besides the ceiling when they are on thier backs. I like the bouncer seat for something like lunchtime when the baby is awake. The last baby I watched liked to watch the big kids eat.

But, actually, if it was me, I would probably buy the book for myself to get up to the minimum. I can be selfish like that..! Unless the book is for the kids...then that would not be selfish.

[Provider_Manda]

The mat on the floor is what you would get the most use out of right now in my own opinion of course My dcb I have is now 8 months so all the things I bought for him to use..He never really did and now Im stuck with them ! We did use a bouncy seat a good bit though, and when he started babyfood..we used that for a good while. Good luck !!

[youretooloud]

I recently discovered the Fisher Price rock n play sleeper.
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-N.../dp/B005IWM742 I don't think I could live without one now. It's been awesome.

Also, those gauze swaddle blankets are also high on my list of must haves for an infant.
http://www.amazon.com/aden-anais-Mus.../dp/B0065THLNO I can find those at Target for 4 $40. It's expensive, but very useful.

[Sunchimes]

ALM, I'm leaning that way too! Lisa Wingate has a new one out that I'm dying to read. But, if I don't start buying soon, this poor child will come here with nothing but Tonka trucks and baby dolls. ::

Manda-The one thing I don't want to do is end up with a lot of baby stuff they will outgrow in 4 months because I don't ever---ever---want another infant that small. I sort of got forced into this one, and I'm not looking forward to it.

I like those swaddle blankets a lot. But at that price, I'll make DCM furnish them!!! A bit off topic, but the link you gave me had a review that said the baby slept in it all night. Ack!! The one thing I've learned here is that babies must sleep flat!! I started looking at some other links and the pictures all show babies sleeping in those bouncy things. I think the positional asphyxia people need to spread the word a little more!!

Is the rock sleeper sturdy on it's feet? I have some wobblers, and it's inevitable that it will get a bit bumped sooner or later.

[youretooloud]

Is the rock sleeper sturdy on it's feet? I have some wobblers, and it's inevitable that it will get a bit bumped sooner or later.

It's very sturdy. But, I don't put it where the other kids can touch her. She's too little right now.

She does sleep in it at nap time, but it's easy to position her so she can only turn her head. I don't think I would put a baby down for the whole night in this.

This particular baby has some feeding issues, so she can't lie flat. (some muscle that should close after feeding doesn't close, she'll have a surgery around 12 months if it doesn't fix itself)

But, even if I used it for her to just hang out in, I love it! The only drawback is, it puts her right at 4 yr old face level.

[youretooloud]

oOOh.. ALso, I always buy a tiny inflatable infant pool for the baby to play in while out with the kids. That way, the kids see an obvious barrier, and I don't worry about them falling on her.

They are under $6.

[Mary Poppins]

oOOh.. ALso, I always buy a tiny inflatable infant pool for the baby to play in while out with the kids. That way, the kids see an obvious barrier, and I don't worry about them falling on her.

They are under $6.

:: I jokingly told my assistant yesterday that we need one of these for our baby so there is a safe "zone" for her when the toddlers are here. Too funny!!

Now I really want one. ::

[Checkinkids.com]

Section off

You may want to consider having a baby only play area sectioned off. This really helps keeps the fallers from falling or stepping on the baby. We've used a small couch and impromptu barriers to keep em separated before. I think it really helps.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I vote Bumbo. You won't be able to use it for a few months, but it's a great way to give the baby a different perspective.


BTW, Ungregistered (Lynn) - you had a baby FOR a friend? That's phenomenal. happyface

[MsMe]

I also vote bumbo. I recently got one and it was WONDERFUL!! It really made a difference.

[MyAngels]

Probably too late for your order, but these are the two things I cannot live without for my infants in daycare:

For times when baby can't be on the floor: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Pri...ouncer/5420734

For most of the rest of the time they are here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Infantino-...y-Gym/16679575

[saved4always]

Is it possible for the parents of the baby to "lend" you anything that you can use? Or maybe someone you know who has newer baby things that you can borrow? I borrowed a bouncy seat from my neighbor this year when I was watching a baby. I also have friends in the neighborhood who also provide child care in thier homes and we often borrow things between us all so no one has to purchase expensive baby things that are not really used long.

Oh..and I forgot...I loved my boppy pillow for my daughter who is now 9. I breast fed her and it got her to a good level when she was eating. But I also liked it for holding her. It was something to rest my arm on instead of a pillow or arm of a chair.

[Blackcat31]

I am going to go against the majority here and say nothing. I recently ditched every single piece of baby equipment I have besides rattles, teethers and the activity blanket you mentioned. No bouncers, No excersaucers, No Bumbo chairs, No vibrater chairs, carseats or swings.

I placed a mirror at floor level and invested in some really good baby rattles and exploratory toys and that's it.

I want babies in my care to experience the world without the false sense of entertainment and security that many of those items bring.

In all the years I have done child care one of the biggest things I have learned is that less is more in every area of this business.

I decreased the amount of toys I have, the use of electronics and the equipment I have for the kids and I have to say that ALL my kids are happier, play better and really benefit from the few activities and choices they have because with fewer choices, the play and experience is deeper and more complex.