Minimalist and small apartment/house moms!

[cjeanette]

me! Where are you registered?

[havarti]

You may not want suggestions (so I will make a suggestion anyway;), but we have a small house with a small bedroom and not much room for extras. The RNP has been perfect for keeping him next to the bed without having the larger footprint of a PNP or arms reach. It's also an easily transportable landing pad. We can rock him to sleep in the living room and then pick up the whole thing and transport him to the bedroom.

I think the hardest thing to figure out in a small space is a swing. We never did find a commercially available swing that really met our needs and didn't take up a ton of space. In the early days DH spent a lot of time swinging the car seat.

[Deleted]

I will.

[cjeanette]

Hopefully your baby spits up all over the KU burp cloth

I think you have done a good job keeping it basic. I will say I found the diaper genie to be a pain and a waste of space. Some people love them though.

What is the point of the wipe dispenser?

[havarti]

Mar 29, 2013 14:11:17 GMT -5 swizz said:

Mar 29, 2013 14:10:01 GMT -5 havarti said:

You may not want suggestions (so I will make a suggestion anyway;), but we have a small house with a small bedroom and not much room for extras. The RNP has been perfect for keeping him next to the bed without having the larger footprint of a PNP or arms reach. It's also an easily transportable landing pad. We can rock him to sleep in the living room and then pick up the whole thing and transport him to the bedroom.

I think the hardest thing to figure out in a small space is a swing. We never did find a commercially available swing that really met our needs and didn't take up a ton of space. In the early days DH spent a lot of time swinging the car seat.

Thankfully my SIL just had her second in January so I'm inheriting her swing, bouncer, and two bassinets. I'm sure it's totally overkill, but they have room to store it so if I decide I only want one or none, she'll take it back.

Oh, that's nice!  We have a small house, but a basement and garage for storage.  So I have stashing space, it's just how to find room once we use something on a daily basis that's tricky.

[UnderProtest]

I'll take a look at both, swizz and rikki

[rikki]

Mar 29, 2013 14:19:47 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

I'll take a look at both, swizz and rikki

For some reason I accidentally deleted my last post, but I will PM you now. Thanks!

[cjeanette]

Dying at the wipe dispenser reviews

"The first night home with our baby girl we tried to open up the Kirkland (Costco) wipes package with its built in door to pull out wipes and quickly were frustrated with how cheap and hard to open the packaging was. We then remembered we had purchased this OXO Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser, Green and I quickly cut the package open, dropped them into the dispenser and BAM!!! Our stress level dropped immediately. It has made grabbing wipes super easy ever since. I can even change a diaper in the dark because its so easy to open the container and the container makes no noise (very faint click) when opening."

I can't grasp something like wipes having an effect on my stress level...lol.

[h]

The person who wrote that wipes dispenser review is being sarcastic, right? Right?

[ssmjlm]

Mar 29, 2013 14:19:33 GMT -5 swizz said:

Mar 29, 2013 14:13:49 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Hopefully your baby spits up all over the KU burp cloth

What is the point of the wipe dispenser?

Then maybe I should get a KState one instead?

I don't know, everyone said they loved it one day. ::baaaa::

I bought one of the oxo ones too!  Apparently it is quite helpful per some of the moms here.

[cjeanette]

Oh I think if you want it then go for it. It isn't going to take up any more space than wipes do without it. I just had never heard of it and never thought of needing to get to wipes one handed.

[kangaroo11]

I do like the Prince Lionheart wipe warmer. Of course, it was useful for cold January evenings, so it might not be beneficial to you (if you're getting a dispenser, might as well have a warmer!) She doesn't mind cold wipes when we aren't home.

[Deleted]

I think it looks good. Do you already have a stroller? Also, I put the Tripp Trapp on my registry in case someone wanted to buy a larger item. It stayed in the box for a while, but now we use it all the time. I love it for an 1 1/2 + option instead of a high chair.

DD LOVED her Boppy Newborn lounger. I refused to get a swing, and that was our alternative. It was awesome and we just gave it away when we were done with it (and I'm borrowing one from a friend this time around).

[anna7602]

Just reading comments above and wanted to say we didn't have a diaper genie. We just took the trash from our apartment to the communal trash area in the basement daily.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 14:48:17 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Just reading comments above and wanted to say we didn't have a diaper genie. We just took the trash from our apartment to the communal trash area in the basement daily.

Knowing what I know about the trash situation in the area, I'd say a diaper genie is a must. 

[cjeanette]

Mar 29, 2013 14:53:54 GMT -5 swizz said:

Mar 29, 2013 14:49:20 GMT -5 BirdGirl said:

Knowing what I know about the trash situation in the area, I'd say a diaper genie is a must. 

Yeah, that was my thinking. Even though we have regular trash pick-up there's no where to put it between pick-ups.

I also have a nosey dog that gets into stuff, and it seems like a better solution in the off-chance that she goes wandering by herself, lol.

So your trash has to stay in your apt until trash day? In that case I think the diaper champ might be better. It seemed to hold more and keep the smell better. Though this was 4 years ago so the diaper genie could have stepped up their game.

[UnderProtest]

Eff me. Swizz, I just wrote a huge post and GBCN ate it.

[UnderProtest]

Pacifiers- too many.  

Changing pad-  will need cover and mats.

Sheets- will need 2-3 and waterproof cover and pad.

Boon grass- will need the flower or the tree, much more useful with it (and please note, it comes in lawn size now too).

Washcloths- the A&A muslin ones look very scratchy.

SwaddleMe- will want more.

Bouncy seat- not sure if you are inheriting one, but its a must.

Burp cloths- no comment on the college, but you will want a bunch of plain white ones (I think I have carters and I love them)

Mobile, sleep sheep, sound projector- too many, pick one.

Bottles- not enough, will want 8 ounce size and different level nipples.  And may I steer you away from Dr. Browns?  They are a pain in the ass to clean all the parts.

Car seat- you will want a mirror to see the kid.

Dishes & Sippy cups- register for some.....better to get the ones you want versus people buying random ones.  I like the OXO plates and utensils and the Take and Toss sippy cups (and Tupperware sippy cups, although I don't know if you can link those).

Stroller- Don't see one listed.

Not sure if you are going to co-sleep, but you definitely won't need two bassinets.  Our master bedroom and family room are so close to the nursery that we never used bassinets or pack n plays.  i will say the pack n plays are awesome for traveling.

Boppy- I would get either the My Brest Friend pillow or the nursing boopy.  The nursing boopy can double as a newborn lounger.

You will also want an activity mat.  They fold up well.

Bathtub- we had a Puj tub and we loved it.  It fit in our bathroom sink and then we hung it on the wall with a Command hook to store/dry.

Healthcare kit- you will want one (has comb, brush, clippers, etc)

If I think of more, I'll post.  I want to get this one posted so I don't lose it again.

[UnderProtest]

Oh, yeah, another one.

Hangers and closet tags- great for organizing future clothes.  We also had a temporary double bar (Container Store) and a hanging shoe thing that helped organize sheets and blankets.

[UnderProtest]

rikki

Boon grass- if you have the space, you might want the "lawn"

Plates & utensils- might want to register for these so you get the ones you want.  I liked our OXO ones, including the spoons.

Car mirror- Brica has one that has a light and sounds (via remote).  The only reason I mention this is because of the sunroof in my car and the light placement, I can't see my kids at night.  If we stay around, I'm getting that one.

Swing- I would get a bouncy seat and a mamaroo.  The bouncy seat was a great place to sit the kids (fairly safe) and the mamaroo was great because it plugged in (vs. battery powered).

Activity mat- LOVED mine.  I know you can put them on a blanket, but they liked the music and hanging toys.

Bumbo seat- LOVED mine.  Get the play tray too.

Not sure if you will travel a lot, but I received the Eddie Bauer pop up travel chair and I LOVE it.  Great for taking on vacation or to relatives houses.

Changing pad- will need one and the covers.  Will probably want a couple mats for on top for when he pees all over in the beginning.  They dried a LOT faster than the full covers.

Towels and washcloths- will want more (at least 2-3 towels and 6-8 washcloths).

Sheets- you will probably get these to match your bedding, but you will also want a mattress protector and probably a crib mat.

Hangers & Hang tags- great for organizing future clothes.
 
Will probably want to register for lotion/baby wash so that if people want to buy it, they will get what you like.  I like picking themes for gifts, so I could see buying towels, washcloths and baby wash/lotion.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[cjeanette]

Different nipples allow the milk to flow slower or faster. You don't want to give a newborn a level 3 or vice versa.

[UnderProtest]

swizz

Sheets- you will still need to register for a mattress cover and pad.

Nipples- yeah, there are different flows to the nipples (newborn has a slower flow than one for a 9 month old).  Most are labeled level one, level two, etc.

Dresser/closet situation- we have issues with storage space too.  Good luck with that.    I bought some of the drawer organizers from Ikea to separate the space in the dresser (we have the same one).  It helped keep it a little less of a mess.

Sleep sheep- Not familiar with this one, but we have the turtle that projects waves too.  I like it because it has music and something for them to look at.  Most new pack n plays have music now too.

If you will be traveling a bunch, get the Eddie Bauer Pop-Up booster seat.  I received it as a gift (didn't register for it) and it has been awesome for vacations and for going to peoples houses.

[rikki]

Thanks UnderProtest. Great suggestions! Looking at revisions now

[UnderProtest]

I'm bored today, can you tell???

[havarti]

Mar 29, 2013 15:17:58 GMT -5 swizz said:

Mar 29, 2013 15:09:16 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Mobile, sleep sheep, sound projector- too many, pick one. I thought this, I guess the sleep sheep is probably best since it's portable?

Bottles- not enough, will want 8 ounce size and different level nipples.  And may I steer you away from Dr. Browns?  They are a pain in the ass to clean all the parts. There are different level nippes? LoL

Bathtub- we had a Puj tub and we loved it.  It fit in our bathroom sink and then we hung it on the wall with a Command hook to store/dry. I think I'll switch to this. I put that other one on there thinking in terms of our last bathroom but this one is TINY, so I'm not sure other than in the tub, where I'd store a regular sized one.


Sorry, I know I'm being nosy without actually having looked at your registry, but I'm waiting for somebody to get back to me at work so I'm kinda bored...ANYWAY...sleep sheep and sound/light projector are kind of two different things. DS likes looking at the lights projected on the ceiling and it's the perfect amount of light for me to use at night for nursing without turning on too much light. We don't use the sleep sheep now, but maybe it will come in handy for daycare? Dunno.

Bottles -- do you know if you are planning to FF or BF? If BF you probably won't need anything beyond the entry level nipples (or at least not for a while). I suggest you go to the store you will most often be shopping at for baby stuff and find out what they carry there. I bought some Tommee Tippees on a vacation only to find out my local store did not carry that brand, so if I wanted to just pick up a couple of new nipples I had to go out of my way to get them. Fortunately (sort of) DS ended up rejecting TT. Dr Brown's is the bottle he's settled on. They are a pain in the ass to clean, but they also have the softest nipples of any brand I've tried and that's what he likes, so we deal with it (and they do control bubbles/gas really well).

Loved our Puj tub when he was super tiny. We do the exact same thing with the Command hook. I was kind of stressing over what to get him as he grew bigger, but DH has started showering with him and that's working well for now -- so no bulky baby tubs in our little bathroom.

[UnderProtest]

Mar 29, 2013 15:43:08 GMT -5 swizz said:

I'm planning to BF, but we have both sets of grandparents nearby that like to/want to baby-sit so I'd theoretically still like to have bottles and be able to go that route with pumped milk.

I'll probably most often use Amazon since we have Prime and it's easiest, so I imagine most options are available to me.

Maybe I'll just do the sleep sheep so we'd have something to take to grandparents' etc. I wanted the sound machine for white noise, but realize I have my iPhone4 that I could put a white noise app on and leave in the nursery.

Don't do that unless you NEVER use your phone.    My kids really didn't use a sound machine (they just got the turtle for this Christmas and the mobiles for their first Christmas).  You might see what works for your kid.  He/She might not need anything.  I'm hesitant to get them hooked on something so that they can't sleep without it.

[havarti]

Sorry, I'm being nosy without actually having looked at your registry, but I'm waiting on someone to get back to me and I'm bored


Sleep sheep, sound projector: We get way more use out of our sound/light projector. He likes to look at the lights on the ceiling and it's the perfect amount of light for me to see to nurse by. We may use the Sleep Sheep more when he goes to daycare, dunno.

Bottles- not enough, will want 8 ounce size and different level nipples.  And may I steer you away from Dr. Browns?  They are a pain in the ass to clean all the parts. If you are breastfeeding you may not need anything beyond the newborn nipples, if you're formula feeding they have faster flowing nipples for older babies. For bottles I would suggest visiting the brick and mortar store you will run to most often for random baby stuff and looking at what brands they carry there. I bought some Tommee Tippees while on vacation only to find out our local store didn't carry them so if I wanted to pick up another bottle or two or needed a new nipple I had to go out of my way. Fortunately (sort of) DS rejected them. Dr. Brown's are a pain to clean, but of all the bottles I've tried they have the softest nipple which is what DS likes, so we deal. They do control gas/bubbles really well and it's not been that big of a deal.


Bathtub- we had a Puj tub and we loved it.  It fit in our bathroom sink and then we hung it on the wall with a Command hook to store/dry.

Loved our Puj tub for the tiny stage and we did the same thing with the command hook. I was kind of stressing over what we'd put him in as he got bigger, but DH has started showering with him so no bulky baby tubs in our bathroom!


[/quote]

[havarti]

FFS!!!!!!!! I got an error message and thought GBCN ate my post!!!! Some days you're the bird, some days your the statue.

[havarti]

So the nipples and the breastfeeding -- even if you feed pumped bottles, you want to stick to the slower flow nipples so baby doesn't get used to a faster flow from the bottle and then reject your breast.

[catbus]

I'm one who loves the OXO wipes dispenser. And I'm a gear minimalist.

Also, the Aden & Anais wash cloths are so not scratchy. They're very big and soft. Love.