In this edition of the Swarm, the Bees share some of their biggest baby gear regrets!
Definitely our pack and play. We used it for the first few months as a downstairs changing station, and pretty much never again after that. We do travel a lot, but I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t want to use the pack and play as a travel crib — too heavy, too bulky, and too cumbersome to put together. On the road, we used our Rock N Play, and after that, the Baby Bjorn travel crib. (The latter is pricey but so worth it if you do a lot of traveling.)
Secondly, the Bumbo. Baby Y’s fat legs made this pretty useless by the time he was old enough to use it. He just looked uncomfortable and confused about why he was in such a contraption. It was good for a couple of cute photos, but that’s it.
Lately, I’ve been wishing our BOB had a swivel wheel (like the Revolution). Ours is a fixed-wheel jogger (Ironman) and while it’s great, I never run with it and my husband only runs with it sporadically. The fixed wheel means I have to pick it up slightly to turn corners.
We have a few items that we were gifted that were awesome in theory, but never worked out.
– MamaRoo: My nana went on a manhunt for this item and was so, so, so excited to give it to us. Chloe hated it from Day 1 and we didn’t get more than 10 minutes of use out of it. She’s 14 months old and still scared of the MamaRoo.
– Swaddlers/Swaddling Blankets: Chloe broke free from her swaddle the day she was born. She absolutely had to have her hands by her face at all times. We have an entire bin full of swaddling blankets and wraps that we never even used.
I’m so glad we didn’t register for a pack and play. Luckily, our friends gave us theirs (they had an extra), but after using it, it was SO bulky (not ideal for a travel crib at all) and there seemed to be so many parts to assemble. I ended up giving it away, and we bought a Baby Bjorn Travel Crib instead. It’s a bit pricey, but totally worth it in my opinion since it comes in ONE piece (no assembly required) and is so light to carry.
One of my biggest gear regrets is purchasing the Maclaren Quest over the Uppababy G-Luxe. The brake for the Quest is located on the back of the stroller, and gets in the way of taking it up and down stairs. This is a big problem when you’re a city dweller like us, and you have front steps and take the subway. The sunshade is also virtually useless because it’s so small, and though we purchased a separate Protect-a-bub sunshade, it was a hassle to carry one more thing so we never used it. Another huge plus to the Uppababy is that it stands up when folded — that makes storage a lot easier. We still use the Quest to this day and it is a great, solidly built umbrella stroller, but for the aforementioned reasons, the G-Luxe would have worked much better for our lifestyle.
My second regret is the Beaba Babycook. I bought it used and sold it so I didn’t lose much money, but I wish I’d purchased a food processor instead since I didn’t have one at the time. The Beaba was too small to make food in the portions I wanted, so I ended up steaming everything in a pot anyway, and then pureeing in 2-3 batches in the Beaba. I held onto the Beaba after Charlie was through with purees, but we ended up doing baby-led weaning with Olive so we didn’t even need it anyway.
Slings/Wraps. I bought 4 different kinds – the Moby Wrap, the Maya Ring Sling, a Kangaroo Korner pouch (no longer made), and a Serena & Lily Market Sling before I realized… I just wasn’t a sling person.
My mother in law will hate me for saying this (because she wanted to get one for us!) but I wish we had gotten a cosleeper instead of a pack n play. At the time I was worried that it would be a pain to set up while traveling and I wanted the p n p so that he would always have something familiar to sleep in when we were gone to visit family. But he has no problem sleeping basically anywhere, whereas I have lots of trouble getting him in and out of the p n p now that he is so heavy! I also wish I had registered for a nicer single pump instead of a less nice dual one. As a SAHM I never pump both sides at once so that was a waste for me!
I do a lot of returning, exchanging, and reselling so it’s hard for me to come up with gear regrets. We also got many items handed down to us (such as our jumperoo, bumbo, high chair), so I don’t really regret them, since they didn’t cost us anything. Plus we have plenty of space in our house so we just stow things everywhere.
I do wish we had started with Woombies from the beginning (instead of miracle blankets) because they’re so much easier to use!! I hated unswaddling and reswaddling since the miracle blanket was so complex, and we had to teach the grandmas and babysitters how to use them, which was tough. The Woombie just zips up and it’s so easy to use and even more difficult to escape than the miracle blanket.
We bought the Arm’s Reach Cosleeper and it was sorely regretted. I wish we had stuck with a cheaper pnp or bassinet. The Cosleeper’s “mattress” was really hard and not a mattress at all; it was crinkly plastic and every time we laid DS to sleep in it, he would immediately wake up and cry. I really believe that he found it uncomfortable! I wish I had known about the Rock and Play before having DS. That might have solved our sleep and cosleeper issues.
My mom got us the itzbeen timer and neither DH (who is tech-savvy) or I could figure out how it worked. Such a waste. We ended up using the WTE baby tracker app on my iPod instead and it was much easier and more efficient!
I wish we never bought a BOB stroller. In fact, I wish I waited to buy ANY strollers because I pretty much used the Ergo for most of Noelle’s 1st year. Noelle hated being in strollers for long periods of time, so after one bad experience with the BOB (try holding a screaming baby in one hand, and maneuvering a big stroller in the other when you’re a mile from home) I never used it again. Thank goodness it has a great resell value!
I regret getting an expensive highchair. We ended up returning it and getting the Fisher Price Healthy Start booster seat, which was perfect for BLW and doesn’t take up any space. I loved the expensive highchair, but it wasn’t worth the money or space it took.
I also regret buying any gear new. We got our jumperoo, exersaucer, gates, bumbo, etc. used. Thankfully I kept tags on everything we hadn’t used yet and was able to do a lot of returning!
Don’t take tags off or throw away packaging until you’re for-absolute-sure that you’re going to get a lot of use out of an item!
I was so excited for our stroller because it has a bassinet option, but it isn’t really practical. We used the bassinet a handful of times and since it can’t fold up when the seat is attached (which was fine when he would be happy in the car seat attached to the stroller base, but that ended around 4 or 5 months), we now only use it at home and just have an umbrella stroller in the car for when we’re out and about.
Boppy – Never used it. It just wasn’t for me.
Beaba food processor – Little did we know we would do BLW and not use the food processor at all!
Not sure if this counts as baby gear, but we hate this potty seat. Its design has since been modified a bit, but we were always so annoyed and grossed out with it because the splash guard never stayed on properly and the cushion seat was never really secure, so pee got in between the cushion and the base. SO gross. I’d recommend this one instead. It’s cheaper, one piece, more secure and easier to clean.
I regret purchasing a stupid expensive Ekornes Stressless recliner rather than something that rocks or glides for nursing. It’s a comfortable chair, but it’s leather and always uncomfortably cold at night. The chair is in the nursery, and I never sit in there to nurse anyway.
With Toddler Girl we started with a pouch sling, then went to a peapod wrap, then the Ergo. The Ergo was so much easier on my back and had way less of a learning curve, I wish I had just used a soft structured carrier from the start. I did the second time around!
Our super big swing. We held out until about 4 or 5 weeks and then had a swing overnight shipped to us! I decided we needed it ASAP. Looking back, yes, it did help us when we needed her to take a really good, long nap and nothing else would work, but we used it for such a short amount of time (1-2 months). After a certain point the swing wasn’t a magic cure-all to get her to nap and then we were stuck with this big swing taking up space. (Now we’ve loaned the swing out to friends and I’m hoping to continue passing it around to people as we have nowhere to store it!)
I also have a slight regret over our stroller. We have a Baby Jogger City Mini stroller. I have no complaints about it functionally as a stroller: it’s great for walks, she is comfortable in it, it’s (fairly) easy to get in and out of the house. But after seeing a friend’s Uppa Baby Vista and how versatile it is, I have major stroller envy and wish I’d pushed Mr. H toward the Uppa Baby!
The swing is the only thing that neither girl really took to. I should get rid of that thing — it’s just taking up room in the nursery!
I wish I would have just waited to try out the various swings with LJ to see if she liked any of them. Only thing that girl liked was being held or being baby-worn. Thank god for baby-wearing!
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What were some of your biggest baby gear regrets?
grapefruit / 4669 posts
This is so good to know! I’m glad I haven’t spent any money on most of the regrets that are listed–HB is such a great resource!
squash / 13199 posts
Love the concept of the swarm!
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
I think our biggest regrets were things that came from our baby showers – things that weren’t on our list to begin with! I know my mother-in-law and sister-in-law swear by them but the Moby wrap was one of ours, as was the Baby Bjorn carrier. And the swaddling blankets? Awful waste. I’m glad my mother crocheted and sewed us a few bigger blankets. Much more practical and a year later, still getting a lot of use!
One thing I’m glad we did splurge after LO was born was the glider with foot stool. I think after two months of doing without, it practically saved my sleep life afterwards!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
I love these posts! I really like my Uppa Baby G-Luxe stroller!
guest
This is great and so true! I’ve found you have a lot of gear regret as a new parent. I’ve been looking for a high chair alternative and happy to found a suggestion on this! Thanks!
My regrets so far: swing-big, expensive and she’ll only be content in it a handful of time.
guest
This is a great list! For us, it was the backpack for hiking with baby/toddler. Both boys were too afraid to even think about going in it, or if we could somehow bribe them into the backpack, they would last for about 4 minutes. It sits unused in our garage. The other item, which I know is very useful, and I think parents should look at buying but was utterly useless for us, was a breast pump. I BF both boys well into their second years, but I could not produce for the pump. It just didn’t work for me!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
I know I’m biased, but I really love the swarm posts!
pomelo / 5178 posts
Like @Mrs. Jacks, our only regret has been the swing. Luckily it was gifted to us because neither of my kids liked it. I also mever ended up using the Boppy I bought; I ended up giving that away to a friend almost brand new!
pomegranate / 3414 posts
For us it was the swing: it was gifted so we didn’t pay for it but it is HUGE. We don’t have the room for it and neither LO really liked it. It is currently on loan as we do not have room to store it.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@Honeybee: @purrpletulips: People should be more up-front about how this is such a plus minus item depending on the child. But now with 2 kids that hated the swing, I’m starting to think that it’s not as popular with babies as it could be. Just an expensive not so useful big ticket item.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
@MrsJacks: I agree. The person who is borrowing ours right now sold theirs because their first daughter hated it; however they are finding their second is the exact opposite. They have my Moby Wrap for the same reason. DS likes the swing at the sitters (had seat like infant carrier) but hated the one we had (soft multiple reclining seat) so style may be a factor as well.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I love posts like this! This saves me a lot of headache researching some products!
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: so true, TG was indifferent to the swing but it was the only place Wonder Baby would sleep apart from our arms for two months.
clementine / 943 posts
I have to say- I LOVE our big, giant swing. When LO was first born, it was the only thing he would nap in. He still takes naps in it when we can’t get him down in his crib. I know I’m in a small camp, but wanted to put it out there, since I know people take to these posts for advice. Yes, we could have purchased a RnP, but that thing doesn’t rock on its own, unlike my giant swing that plugs in and keeps my baby asleep for hours.
My regret is letting a family friend ship us a bassinet right after LO was born- I wish we had just used the one that came with our UppaBaby vista, since we only used the bassinet with the stroller maybe twice.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
Our swing was a lifesaver in this house, it’s so true, every kiddo is different. She was in her bouncy seat about 4 or 5 times and never took to it. We’re holding on to it for any future babies just in case.
squash / 13764 posts
I regret buying more newborn clothes…he fit into them perfectly the first few days so I ended up buying more, and then they only lasted 4 weeks. I wish I had just put him in too big 0-3 stuff for those few weeks. I also bought LO a bumbo and am already regretting it–he cries every time he sits in it and his legs are already getting too chubby for it.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
Very helpful! Thanks to everyone.
nectarine / 2163 posts
The swing is pretty useless in my house too, but that’s possibly because I bought a suuuper cheap travel one, and the angle of the seat just looks so uncomfortable for LO. He hates it. But, since it was a cheap-o travel one, it doesn’t take up much room and currently lives under our bed.
The mamaroo sounds like something LO would have LOVED for the first few months. I’m a little jealous of it now! It’s not even available here, from what I can see!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@Pink Champagne: I am so glad they work well for some folks!
pomegranate / 3053 posts
Hmm… probably the pack n play since both of my boys hardly slept in it except for the first few weeks and then after that it was a glorified changing table. Still is. So I guess it’s semi-useful but for the price I could have gotten just a small changing table that might match our decor a little better.
I was surprised that the swing was a popular regret b/c both of my boys swing napped SO well on them so we used it for at least a half a year for each boy. But every baby is different and they are probably in the minority when it came with the effectiveness of the swing.
pomegranate / 3225 posts
The most useless thing i got was a bottle warmer. I’m breastfeeding, and when dh has to give her a bottle, its just a hassle to use. I got it at a shower and wish I had returned it.
My LO LOVES her big swing!
cherry / 205 posts
First biggest regret was registering for onesies because people gave us a ridiculous amount of newborn & 3 month old onesies. She was a huge baby born in may that had a ton of summer clothes so by the time it was cold enough for onesies, she had outgrown them.
Second regret was getting the wrong bouncer. At 2 months we discovered she loved the mamaroo (after several test drives at BRU). We didn’t get it because I couldn’t justify cost since she would only use it for 2-3 months
persimmon / 1161 posts
Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper Bassinet. My baby was so loud while sleeping that I could not get any sleep with him next to me. He’s been in his crib since he was two weeks old. Baby is now 10 weeks old and we have yet to open/assemble the pack n play.
pear / 1672 posts
Love these kinds of posts with all of the bloggers. This one was informative! Thanks!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
This is good to know!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I have to respectfully disagree on the negative reviews of the swing. She may have only used it for 4 months but, she uuuused it for 4 months. Greatest. Invention. Ever. I’m still thankful we got it as a gift, though!
I think the only regret I have is buying the little 2.5oz pump bottles instead of spending a little more to buy a few more 6oz bottles. I bought a lot of stuff used and am SO GLAD, especially when it came to 0-3mo clothes!
grapefruit / 4441 posts
I actually can’t think of anything that I regret so far (LO is 5 weeks). I got most of our gear second hand, so that probably has something to so with it. I paid $25 for a Fischer Price rainforest swing and my daughter LOVES it. It has saved us so many times. So far I love our Britax carseat and stroller, video monitor, movement monitor (Snuza Halo), swaddle blankets, etc. The only thing I don’t love is the Moby wrap, but I got it for half price and have had days where it really came in handy.
bananas / 9973 posts
Love these Swarm posts! The interesting thing about this post and other board posts show similar issues, is that EVERY SINGLE BABY is different! And that means what works as a lifesaver for one person (i.e. swing) can be a total waste and regret for another! It will be interesting to see what happens for us, as we already have been gifted 4 swings (1 new, 3 used).
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Gahhh, you ladies are killing me! Someone already bought the Pack N Play off our registry and it sounds like it’s going to be a hassle for us to use! Boooo!
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
@Adira: I will be the rarity and say I LOVED our Pack and Play. In fact, we have 2. Our LO slept in the newborn napper for the first 2 months of his life. We also love the changer it has and still use the PNP for that when we are home and we use the Pack and Play for travel, ours folds up nicely and is super simple to assemble.
coffee bean / 48 posts
I regret not reading the manual for our Graco swing when I put it together. The seat was able to incline and rotate, and I didn’t discover this till six weeks in. (our baby preferred the higher incline and symmetrical swinging motion).
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@littlek: Thank you!!! That’s so helpful! I’m hoping that ours will be easy to assemble – I was planning on using it mostly for travel since the grandparents don’t have anywhere for a baby to sleep. Hopefully I’ll like ours as much as you love yours!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
@Adira: I loved our Pack n Play! LO refused to sleep in the cute bassinet that we borrowed from a friend but she loved the bassinet of the PNP and slept in it for 4.5 months.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@autumnlove: Phew! I’m starting to feel better!! Thanks!
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
DS hated the Arms Reach Co-sleeper, swing, and being swaddled (luckily we bought the co-sleeper used and didn’t pay much for it and the swing and swaddle blankets were all gifted). I bought the Itzbeen timer and only used it for like 3 days.
guest
@ Mrs. Jump rope, can you give more about the mama roo. i’m in Pittsburgh as well and maybe it is just the area, but people seem to be nuts over this item. My sister really wants to buy it, but I am not so sold on it. Did you use something instead of it?
apricot / 275 posts
Mine is the Rock & Play. Granted, we used it for months and it worked great – but I really wish we had just put her in her crib from Day 1. I think her sleep would be so much better now!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
1) Bobby- have used it maybe 5 times total in 3 months
2) Our stroller – I wish I would have gotten something that moves a little better, ours is very bulky.
3) receiving blankets, way too many of them.
cherry / 161 posts
I really wish we hadn’t purchased our exersaucer. DH insisted on buying it, and that DS1 would just adore it. In reality, he hated it and only played with it once he learned to walk and it was set-up in stage 3. Now it’s sitting in our garage and parts if it are in DS2’s closet. What a huge waste of money.
I also HATED our travel system stroller. We went on walks multiple times a day to take the dogs out, and pushing that thing along uneven surfaces one-handed while being pulled by dogs in my other hand was a true nightmare. I would’ve gotten a convertible car seat and the baby jogger city mini (which we ended up buying off Craigslist, and selling the other POS).