Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

I decided to write my own “Buy This Not That – Baby Edition” because of a shopping trip with my sister-in-law this past year. She was entering into motherhood for the first time, and she wanted me to go to Babies “R” Us with her to register for all things baby. I realized, once there, how many thoughts I had about baby gear that functioned really well for us when our kids were little. The industry is changing, I know, but I also know that there are some general principles that made life in those early years with a newborn, baby and toddler much easier. For more help for first-time moms, please see my 6 tips for new moms. 

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As always, I am offering up “works for me” solutions for our family. Not all families function the same way. Some people opt to do sleeping, feeding, potty training and parenting differently. I want to give my reasons for why we do what we do. That said, I’m also suggesting some of the finest looking baby products in the “not that” section. If someone decides that really do want that style of baby product, I have found the ones that I would buy if I went that route also.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – High Chair Space Saver

There are many reasons I would choose a space saving high chair rather than a proper standing high chair. I never wanted or owned standing high chair. Why do I like the strap to the chair version?

• It is compact, not taking up any extra floor space.
• It is easily cleaned, and many of the parts can be put directly into the dishwasher. Other parts are wiped down with no extra laundry involved.
• It is portable, and so it can be easily folded to take to a restaurant, a friend’s house or the grandparents home.
• It’s a less expensive option.
• The tray can be removed and pushed against the table to act as a booster as your child grows.

Not That – Standing High Chair

The biggest reason I didn’t want a standing high chair was the space it takes up. We are limited on space anyway. If you do like a standing high chair, I found an award winning one on Amazon. The Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair that looks multi-functional, sleek in design and has high ratings. It converts to accommodate all different ages within seconds and looks easy to clean.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Pack ‘n Play

I would absolutely recommend buying a pack ‘n play over any other co-sleeper/baby-in-room sleeping system. First of all, I want my newborn baby close, but we are not a co-sleeping family for these reasons. There are so many other reasons I love the pack ‘n play over any other early sleeping arrangement:

• Multi-Functioning – Rather than buying a number of different baby products, a pack ‘n play gives you a variety of uses all in one product. It has a shallow level for those early baby years. Older babies and toddlers can sleep on the lower level. It has a removable vibrating rocking seat that you can use to take baby throughout the house. Throw toys or balls in the bottom to make a play pen for your older baby or toddler. There is a diaper changing station. See how I set my station up in this post.
• It can easily be stored or taken to other locations. This option is easy to fold and use for travel or visits to a grandparents’ house.
• We always had ours right next to the bed so baby was still within reach.
• The pack ‘n play featured here costs almost $100 less than the simple sleeper bassinet I am featuring and has so much more function than a co-sleeper.

Not This – Co-Sleeper or Bassinet

The reason I wouldn’t go this route is because it’s one extra product you need to buy rather than the pack ‘n play that has so many uses. That said, I do like the compact, sleek design of the Swivel Sleeper Bassinet. I also like that it does swivel for easy exit from the bed.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Potty Seat for Toilet Training

I much prefer a potty seat vs. an entire potty for teaching kids to use the toilet. Here’s why:

• Sleek, low-profile design.
• Poop or pee goes directly into the toilet rather than a separate basin that needs to be cleaned.
• While some kids might be motivated by their own potty, I found mine – especially my son – more apt to want to learn on a regular potty like bigger kids or the parents are doing.
• It quickly comes on and off the seat and is easy to clean.
• Our bathroom had a child step stool for washing hands and brushing teeth anyway, so to have one less product on the floor was nice. We simply would transfer the step stool from the sink to the potty area when they needed to go.

Not That – Potty for Kids

The biggest reason I didn’t like having the potty for kids was the clean-up. However, if your child is motivated by fun designs and things that give rewards like flushing water sounds, music and lights, then you might light this Fisher Price Learn to Flush Potty.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Freemie Breast Pump

This recommendation comes from a friend, and it stuck with me. I struggled through breastfeeding. Read more about that here. Pumping was not a happy time for me. I did borrow a set that looked more like the one found in the right picture – “not that” item. My friend recently told me about her Freemie. What did she love?

• It’s a hand-free pump that can be used discreetly with your clothes on. She said she could sit at her desk and pump. She wouldn’t do it when she had people walking in, but they could look through the window and no one would know that she was pumping.
• Each cup holds 8 oz of milk, so you can get 16 full ounces before needing to empty it.
• My friend had a great experience and raves about her Freemie.

Not That – Traditional Breast Pump

I used a traditional breast pump like this Medela Pump and Style. I didn’t have great success, but I think I had a supply problem. Pumping out in the open was uncomfortable to me. I also felt like it was a bit pinchy, but I suppose that’s to be expected. The advantage to the Medela is that it gets better ratings on Amazon. It’s been around longer so is a more trusted brand. The Freemie probably hasn’t been through as much refinement, and it gets mixed reviews.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Either a Dresser with a Changing Mat on Top or a Changing Table that Converts

One of my biggest tips, in general, when shopping for baby gear is to ask yourself, “Is there something I can buy that I can actually use again after the baby stage?” To have a cute, functioning dresser – something you already have or want to purchase – where you can attach a changing pad on top makes the product last beyond the baby years. Another option is to buy a changing table with removable changing station that outlive that baby season. Tove from Mama in the Now says forget the changing table all together and throw a blanket on the floor or bed. Not bad advice…except for those mega blowouts you might want disposable changing pads rather than just a blanket.

Not This – Changing Table

I recommend not buying a changing table that doesn’t convert. I suppose it could cost less money, but it doesn’t serve a long-term purpose.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – 3-in-1 All Stages Carseat

As previously stated, I want to buy less items when shopping for baby. I don’t want them to out-grow own product and then need to buy another expensive item. I love baby products that convert to different stages. Kids grow so quick. If you buy a 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat it transitions your child all the way through the booster seat stage. Here is my review of this kind of car seat and tips to making car rides easier.

Not This – A Carseat and Separate Booster Seat

I don’t think there is any purpose to buy a carseat that doesn’t transition, but let me know if you think of something. We do have blow-up booster seats (Bubblebums) for my husbands car, to keep so they fit. We can fit three across with this product.

This tip was provided by both myself and Rachel from Adventures in Wunderland.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Catch Bibs

These catch bibs (I like Baby Bjorn brand) are so much better at catching food than traditional bibs. I actually like the cloth bibs for newborns who might spit up. They absorb well and are easy to throw in the laundry. When a child starts eating solid foods, however, you want a bib that has the structure to catch the food rather than allowing it to hit the clothing underneath. These are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Not This – Flat Bibs

Without the wider pocket, I feel like flat bibs allow a lot of food to fall on the floor or on the child. That said, you may like the velcro closure.

This tip was agreed upon by me based on personal experience but brought to you by my friend Meghan at Playground Parkbench.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Velcro Swaddle Blanket

Whether a child likes to be swaddled is very much determined by the child. I had one who would push his arms out and another who wouldn’t calm until she was swaddled at bed. I love a velcro swaddle blanket because I find it so much easier and faster than learning a traditional swaddle. My friend at Playground Parkbench, however, prefers a muslin swaddling blanket for her babies.

Not That – Receiving Blankets

If there is something I received a lot of at baby showers, it was blankets. Receiving blankets are often on a standard “what to buy” list, but I found little purpose in these thin and small covers. Perhaps they are better for warmer climates, but I’m not sure.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – A Regular Garbage Can

I did not find one diaper pail that kept odors at bay, and I tried a few. Diaper pails often require you to buy a specific kind of bag and refill cartridges, which can get expensive. I have talked to many moms who feel the same way, including Rachel at Adventures in Wunderland. Rather than having an expensive diaper pail, I bought a regular garbage can that I set outside the back door. I would simply take the diaper with me when I left the room and throw it in the bin outside the back door. Easy enough, and the smell dissipated when out in the open air.

Not That – Diaper Pail

With all that I said about the smell of the diaper pail, brands are always trying to re-create this product to really work. The Tommee Tippee Diaper Pail actually gets pretty decent reviews. It’s been a while, so maybe the newer product is improved upon since I had babies.

Buy This Not That – Baby Edition

Buy This – Baby Calendar

This is a a new idea that was introduced to me by Susie at Busy Toddler, but I think it’s so amazing! A baby calendar. What an easy way to keep track of all of your baby’s milestones and outings. The calendar I linked to even comes with stickers to help you remember which milestones to document. Brilliant.

Not That – A Baby Book

Quite honestly, I can’t tell you to not buy a baby book, but I can tell you that I fell behind on mine – especially with my third child. Typical! They can be a bit daunting, so it’s nice to know about the calendar alternative.

I have some notes from my blogging friends that I’ll end with:

From Meghan at Playground Parkbench:

• a pint glass instead of a bottle warmer – and Laura from Sunny Day Family chimed in that she used a mini crockpot.
• Baby K’Tan vs. Baby Bjorn (Note from Jodi: I loved my Bjorn but never tried the other)
• a baby body sponge for the regular tub vs a baby bath

From Rachael at Adventures in Wunderland:

• trifold cloth diapers instead of burp rags
• convertible stroller that grows with the child rather than one for each stage
• Forget the boppy pillow and buy a snoogle instead – it works as a preganancy positioning pillow and a nursing pillow
• Instead of the head supports roll up a receiving blanket for the car seat

From Menucha Citron at Moms and Crafters:

• a baby carrier instead of a double stroller (Note from Jodi: I did love my double stroller BOB. Menucha admits this isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely what she preferred)

From Jodie at Growing Book by Book:

• potty pail for rinsing cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers

From Tove at Mama in Now:

• Skip the nursing tops – wear a loose camisole under your tshirts (Note from Jodi: That only worked for me when I was lounging around the house. Larger chested women might feel more comfortable with more support.
• Instead of disposable breast pads, buy the cloth breast pads – save money and the environment
• Instead of fancy ovulation kits – buy the cheap dip sticks on Amazon
• Instead of a fancy baby book – write things down on a napkin and hope you don’t lose it…. oops – that’s for baby # 4 – (Note from Jodi: Bwahahaha)

From Susie at Busy Toddler:

• Buy baby footie pajamas instead of pajamas that need socks
• Buy anything instead of baby shoes – those things are a joke. I like baby moccasins instead. They are the only things that stay on.

More Baby Gear Products to Love

In my buy this not that – baby edition section I wanted to suggest function vs. function as opposed to brand vs. brand. That said, I do have some baby products to recommend based on the quality of the brand. My sister-in-law, a new mom, helped me with this section.

Recommended Nursing Tank – Finding a functional, supportive and comfortable nursing tank isn’t always the easiest pursuit. My sister-in-law is in love with the Medela® Women’s Slimming Nursing Cami with Removable Pads. Here are her words:

“I’ve been looking for a good nursing tank and this one fits the bill. The material is quality and after purchasing it I saw it was made by Bravado designs which is known as one of the best companies for nursing bras and tanks, but much more expensive. The tank also has Bravado designs clips. The removable pads provide support and coverage that most other nursing tanks and bras don’t provide. The tank is meant to be tighter for slimming, but I sized up since I don’t love tanks too tight. Definitely the best fitting and functioning tank I’ve tried!”

Angelcare Bath Support – This is another recommendation from my sister-in-law. Ironically It’s what I bought her for her baby shower, but I don’t think that’s why she loves it. Here is what she says:

“We also love the tub that we use. We’ve used it since he was about a month old. I love that you you don’t have a separate contraption that you have to fill with water but you just use it right in the bath. It’s also easy to rinse off soap and shampoo since it doesn’t stay contained but washes right through.”

The Motherhood Collection are soft and sturdy. Don’t waste your money on the dinky ones. These are the best!

The anti-spill Gyrobowl is one clever invention. We have loved having it. The inner bowl has 360 degree rotation, so no matter how your child holds and carries it, it doesn’t spill.

Menucha from Moms and Crafters recommends are care seat cover like this one from JJ Cole.