What are/were your best baby buys - need some ideas!

[raininginbaltimore]

DD is dc2, so we have quite a bit of stuff already. People want to know what to buy us, some have given money which we have put in an account from her. But some want to actually buy something.

We already have playmat, swing, clothes, cot, door bouncer.

I was thinking of something for her cot- like a mobile or toy of some kind?

What were your best buys/recommendations?

We had a blow up ring with a material cover so it was all nice and soft that DS could 'sit in' sort of propped up until he could sit naturally, after which time he liked to perch in it like a bird in a nest . We got ours from ebay, can't remember what it was called but I can have a look for you if it sounds like something you'd like.

We used to fill ours with toys and we could prop books up against one side of it whe he was too small to hold things. There isn't much 'point' to them, and he and I both preferred his being on the play mat because he needed constant attention in the 'ring', plus it does take up quite a bit of space, but it was nice.

That blow up ring thingy is the Galt Play Nest. It's great!

I'd also recommend a good sling or baby carrier. I had a v cheap Tomy baby carrier for DS and only carried him for 5 months. Got a much more expensive, better designed one for DD and am still carrying her at 10 months, even though she is heavier than DS was at the same age.

Car seat base for the newborn car seat - never again will I be swearing tring to get that strapped in to a hatch back!

Ooh will look at the ring. Sorry, also have isofix base for car seat and two slings (close carrier and moby)

I / DD is nearly 1 and still loves her tinylove cot mobile (with remote control)

I paid £12 for it at NCT nearly new sale (not RRP of £50)

she has also spent at least an hour a day (often a lot more) every day since Christmas in her jumperoo, so although this was nearly £100 (Xmas present from granparents), given it has been used daily for 8 months i feel this was very good value

Sophie the giraffe is another favourite (ours was 10p from my local charity shop!)

We had a rain cover for the car seat - brilliant for getting to the house or to the shop in the rain without draping your coat over the baby (think ours was about £10 from Mothercare)
We also had a little toy mirror thing that attached to the headrest in the car - it gave the baby something to look at while rear facing and has small loops along the bottom that you can attach toys to. This has been great for when we're out in the car, she's always got toys for the journey. (this was from Asda, not sure how much)

I have a play ring for dd and she lazes in it like she's going round the lazy river at the water park...she looks hilarious in it.

A nice blanket, new for a new baby

A copy of their favourite childhood storybook (something both your dc can enjoy)

I never used cot mobile or similar - used to be too stimulating and keep dd awake.

Doorway bouncer?

I second the Jumperoo. Lots on eBay and usually in vgc as not used for a long time.

Oh yes, Jumperoo. We are lucky enough to have borrowed one.

Stokke-type high chair? Depending on age gap you might need two.

A medicine syringe from boots that is a dummy! It has saved my sanity.

Baby sleeping bags

Fisher price rocker chair