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SuzanneG
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I'm looking for ideas for a couple of new baby things. Baby #7 is due in January, and I have a couple family members who want to get some sort of baby gift and have been asking WHAT. And, I don't have an answer for them.  
Not "equipment"....but just a few neat inventions that I probably don't know about being an advanced maternal age mother more concerned about chore charts, revolutionary war picture books, and a new 2014 planner..... than baby-items.  Although, once I HAVE them, I love them, so I'm not a complete baby-item-curmudgeon.
There are so many things on the market now, it's totally overwhelming to start looking. So many neat things on Etsy!
So, if you think of anything that you have LOVED.....please link! My daughters will love you for the ideas and I will love you for saving me from coming up with ideas on my own.
Here are some things I have seen:
:: Woombie.
:: Someone mentioned MUSLIN BLANKETS....for swaddling, etc. Anyone have a favorite?
It can be anything......any of your favorite things that you loved! Can be favorite hats, diapering items, travel items, etc.
Thank you!
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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JodieLyn
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love my maya ring sling as one of the bestest gifts ever
not used as much but so lovely when we want to use it.. a good quality backpack carrier. Used for an older baby(they should have head control) but sooo nice for long walks/hikes and crowded locations.
smaller things.. the socks with rattles for car travel, all in one short outfits for summer, footie jammies and footie jammies that look like a nice outfit but still soft and comfy for going out.
a cape for mom to wear in the winter.. you wear the baby in the sling and put the cape over you both for going out with a small baby in cold conditions.
oh and the wood cradle.. super sturdy (I've stood in it to reach something).. and low enough for younger sibs to see into it (NOT one of the hanging ones that are up high to keep mom from leaning over) so they weren't in danger of pulling baby's bed over.. and if they happen to crawl in as well, there's no danger of collapse.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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CrunchyMom
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My newest piece of gear that I'm almost giddy over is the Fisher Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper. So much nicer than my standard bouncy seat. I can set the baby next to me at meals and he's still "with" us, its a much nicer height for interacting in general, and best of all, the boys don't try to sit in it  . It is light weight to move around and can be folded flat for storage (though mine is in daily use, so I haven't done that).
I also just love the Aden and Anais swaddling blankets. Cutest prints, big enough to easily swaddle a large baby, lightweight enough to drape over baby in the sun or with mosquitoes and such, makes the best nursing cover of any blanket, and wipes up spit up and slobber like a dream. Prices vary by print and quantity, but there is a pack of four that includes one white one that is the least expensive option. ETA: I would just do an Amazon or google search so you can see all the great prints available.
Do you cloth diaper? I got new covers this year from a store in China that is run by a mission/orphanage for babies with birth defects like cleft pallets. They are really excellent quality but affordable, and I feel like it went to a good cause instead of some random company potentially exploiting workers in China. Assunta Store.They've since started selling leather Robeez style baby shoes, too.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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SuzanneG wrote:
| just a few neat inventions that I probably don't know about being an advanced maternal age mother more concerned about chore charts, revolutionary war picture books, and a new 2014 planner..... than baby-items. |
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LOVE being an advanced maternal age mom!! This postpartum has been fantastic for me!!
K...I have some sweet little favs I've discovered in baby land that are nice to have! Obviously, not as necessary as our Danish Wool Nursing pads...but still nice to have around!
:: Noodle and Boo products! Love this stuff! It has a very sweet scent, and it is the first shampoo/baby wash stuff that hasn't made my littles' skin break out and has completely dealt with the little bit of cradle cap that my babies usually have in the first few months. Lauren's noggin is sweet and free of all that cradle cap crud!  A great product to hint for is the Baby Love Gift Set - it has everything I love, and it's a good set to try just to see if you like it! Those Ultimate Cleansing Cloth wipes are just fantastic for little clean-ups...and they have the same sweet, pleasing scent. I know it's a big deal to go unscented with baby stuff...but in my AMA (advanced maternal age) I don't care! I like the sweet smelling stuff!!
:: Aden & Anais Muslin swaddles - like Lindsay, I love these things! I had a swaddling blanket with Katie, 5 years ago and loved it as a nursing cover and anywhere blanket! It's so light and packable and let's face it, those AMA postpartum hormones often leave us with INTENSE hormonal temperature swings!! I DO NOT want to sit under a tent of polyester while nursing!!! Which is another reason I love these things right now! I looked around on etsy for a few muslin swaddles and found a few I liked, and then I tried the Aden & Anais brand because it had cute little patterns and I could pick up a pack of 3 or 4 at Target. LOVE them!! They're nice and lightweight, have adorable prints, and are a great size (I wanted a large blanket to use as a nursing cover so I can fold it in half, tuck part of the blanket behind my back to lean on...and then have plenty of coverage). It's a true square - can I get an Amen? I mean...does it annoy anyone else that most baby blankets are NOT square?? Please don't make me feel like a total geometrically obsessed idiot!! But seriously, when a blanket isn't a square it's hard to fold or swaddle with it. It's always...off. I've used these for just about everything! One swaddling blanket rolled up in the diaper bag functions in so many ways and lets me pack efficiently! It's finally a blanket that's NOT the size of a postage stamp so you can do something with it!
:: I got an Ooyoo diaper/stuff bag from a zulily sale and love it. (I have this one in gray dots - very cute!) It's fun and a little funky. You may not be in the market for a new bag at all, and these are on the pricey side, but I love the look and love how I can fit everything in it. The stroller straps are great, too!! I'm picky about the interior of a bag - and this one is fantastic! I like light colors so I can see to the depths of the bag...and I like wipeable in something that sees a lot of action and is going to hold wet bags with used dipes. The ooyoo has a cute print in nylon so it wipes out very nicely. It has lots of really useful interior pockets for tissues, keys, rosaries, notebooks, phone...you know...all the stuff you DON'T want getting mixed up with the Haba toys and Bum Genius diapers!! I like how the interior of the bag is big enough to accomodate a couple of cloth diapers and a change of clothes along with notebooks, my missal, and all the blah, blah, blah other stuff that we invariably stuff in the bag from all the other kids! And, it doesn't scream "baby bag"...which I think makes the bag fun to carry! I love the shape of my bag and how stuffable it is, but there are lots of shapes & styles to choose from! Also, the handles are really sturdy and great length for carrying over the shoulder.
:: And...I know you and I have already talked nursing shirts, but just in case someone else reading is wondering...check out the nursing shirts thread. I still love my Peek-a-boo nursing shirts because they have been so versatile for me the last 6 months! Great nursing opening style that isn't restrictive or hard to access and they dress up or down great! They were a total splurge, but I'm glad I did in my advanced materal age!!
:: Lastly, I tried a couple of pieces of teething jewelry and I kind of like them. They're fun, and if you have intense and early teethers (I do!!), you might appreciate them. They're all made of silicone, so totally safe for baby to chew on, and they're made with baby safety in mind. I have a Bumkins Nixi teething bracelet in gray, and a saffron yellow pendant. The baby loves gnawing on both.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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JennGM
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MackFarm wrote:
| It's a true square - can I get an Amen? I mean...does it annoy anyone else that most baby blankets are NOT square?? Please don't make me feel like a total geometrically obsessed idiot!! But seriously, when a blanket isn't a square it's hard to fold or swaddle with it. It's always...off. I've used these for just about everything! One swaddling blanket rolled up in the diaper bag functions in so many ways and lets me pack efficiently! It's finally a blanket that's NOT the size of a postage stamp so you can do something with it! |
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AMEN! No snuggling babies here, but Jen I just had to echo your non-square baby blanket frustration. Either make it clearly a strong rectangle or go for the square. The almost squares drive me crazy!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JodieLyn
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Ah ha.. I couldn't figure out what you were talking about the swaddling blankets etc. I had large square lightweight flannel blankets that were made for me. And I made a couple out of old sheets. So I never did look for anything like that. But now that Jen talked more about using them I get what you're looking for. Yes they're wonderful however you get them.
I wear sterling silver c-clamp type of bracelets.. so again I never looked for teething jewelry because my littles loved what I already wore.. and the silver won't hurt them and it's cool to the gums.
OH!! since it'll be cold.. I was given one of those blankets that's flannel on one side and a wool fleece on the other side. If you're not allergic it's so soft and cushy and provides such a warm place to lay baby down
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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CrunchyMom
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JennGM wrote:
MackFarm wrote:
| It's a true square - can I get an Amen? I mean...does it annoy anyone else that most baby blankets are NOT square?? Please don't make me feel like a total geometrically obsessed idiot!! But seriously, when a blanket isn't a square it's hard to fold or swaddle with it. It's always...off. I've used these for just about everything! One swaddling blanket rolled up in the diaper bag functions in so many ways and lets me pack efficiently! It's finally a blanket that's NOT the size of a postage stamp so you can do something with it! |
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AMEN! No snuggling babies here, but Jen I just had to echo your non-square baby blanket frustration. Either make it clearly a strong rectangle or go for the square. The almost squares drive me crazy! |
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I feel the same way about diapers. Finally found square flat diapers that didn't cost $3 a piece  My 10 year old pre-folds finally bit the dust, and I love the versatility of a square flat. This is my favorite fold, and it is just wonky with the rectangular flats.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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MelissaClaire
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Lindsay---what's your favorite flat? I just have flour sack towels from target, which I liked for my toddler while she was in diapers, but have never tried them on a new baby. I have a bunch set up in a mini kite fold just waiting for baby (due next week!) to arrive.
I bought the A&A blankets online at Kohls when I had a 30% off coupon. I think they're $34 for a 4 pack before any discounts. Can't wait to try them!
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CrunchyMom
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These are the ones I got. I have the size small/one size in the unbleached.  The birdseye makes them nice and thick and absorbent, but it is a much tighter weave and heavier fabric than the Gerber birdseye--and of course, square  I've only been using them for 3 months, but I am completely satisfied so far.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Erin
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Suzanne
I'm in the same boat, with baby no 10 I feel like I have it all but then my mum and m-i-l have both asked and I've said, I don't know.
Anyhow you've just sparked an idea, I could do with a baby monitor, my old one has died. Oh and mum suggested I probably need new singlets, true the others have shrunk over the years.
Oh and last baby I bought cloth fitted nappies, love them!! Mmm we may have discussed which brand here sometime..
Sarah recently posted on twin essentials and I did think a nursing pillow and swing sounded nice, though I probably won't bother, still..
I guess I need to start preparing baby is due in 6 weeks, just can't get my head into the space, enjoying relaxing.
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SuzanneG
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Jodie~if you have time, would you link something similar to the "cape-thing" that you're talking about. It's colder here than in Seattle, and I got rid of all my "pregnant/nursing/big coats" before we moved. I'm probably going to have to look for "something" but not sure what yet.
Can anyone link me to "rattle socks"?
Have a friend's Maya-ring-sling / wrap that I'm using for the first time, since all my slings were pretty thread-bare. Excited to use it!
I got a Car Seat Bundle Me thingie last time around and just LOVED IT!!!! We'll get use out of that this time around too...winter babies!
A bouncy seat is one thing that we haven't found from borrowing things. May look into that one, Lindsay...it looks great.
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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Erin~
I had a bobby pillow (nursing pillow) for all my other kids. And, for the last two, I had a boppy pillow AND the "My Breast Friend" pillow, like Sarah linked in her post. I LOVE them! You should put one of those on your "list." They are so useful and helpful for my back and shoulders the first couple of months.
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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So, those Aden & Anais swaddle blankets are at Target in the baby section??
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Suzanne in ID
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MelissaClaire
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| These are the ones I got. I have the size small/one size in the unbleached. The birdseye makes them nice and thick and absorbent, but it is a much tighter weave and heavier fabric than the Gerber birdseye--and of course, square I've only been using them for 3 months, but I am completely satisfied so far. |
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Thank you!
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CrunchyMom
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SuzanneG wrote:
| So, those Aden & Anais swaddle blankets are at Target in the baby section?? |
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I think so. I don't frequent there.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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knowloveserve
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Yes, Target sells them.
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Pilgrim
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Crib sheets are always appreciated here. We seem to go through them, and the older ones, the elastic just doesn't hold  . I find it very frustrating when a crib sheet doesn't stay on the mattress!
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SuzanneG
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Crib sheets are a good idea....a couple made the move-cut, but they are still pretty ratty.
I found a coupon for a "free carseat canopy"...just pay $12.00 shipping.
And, need to decide what I'm going to do about diapers....thanks for the reminder.
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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Thanks for all the great ideas, ladies! Having fun making a wish list!
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Suzanne in ID
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Erin
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Thought of another item for my list, might be applicable for you. I need a new change table, threw out my other one as it fell apart. Perhaps you have other furniture items you need to replace?
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Erin
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: New Baby Items
