I’m a hater, for real- May 24, 2011
I told Greyson the other day I was planning to write posts about all the “baby stuff” I loved in the first 6 months, and all the stuff I hated. I asked him what he hated. He replied with gusto, “I’m gonna punch Dr. Brown in the face!” I said, “Yeah Grey, we established our annoyance with Dr. Brown.”
I could really only think of 3 things I absolutely hate. I’ll mention 2 of them here as one item was a gift from a family member I didn’t register for and I don’t want more family drama to hurt the giver’s feelings. If you want to know what it is, leave me a comment or send me an email and I’ll tell you. It totally blows and no one should buy it, ever.
Baby stuff I hate:
- The washPod– Basically, I got duped into buying a $25 bucket. I bought it on recommendation because another mom said her kid loved it and it made bath time this spiritual family bonding experience. The labels on the outside promise a soothing “womb-like” experience that will magically transport your child back a few months to the better days of being a fetus. It’s a “European inspired design”. This cracks me up. We Americans are such suckers for anything “European”. I found it to be awkward for Charlotte to sit in, so mostly she stands in it with Greyson’s support. The cushy “seat” for the bottom of the bucket pops up all the time. Water has gotten trapped in the rim edges and smells mildewy. Now that Charlotte is sitting up better, we’re gonna start putting her in the tub.
- Battery powered nail file– It is a terrifying thing to file a newborn’s nails. But, those little things are sharp! In Charlotte’s first weeks I tried to use this to file her nails. It did absolutely nothing. The vibration is mild and the actual file surface is not very rough. Obviously that is so it won’t hurt the baby, but it also means it doesn’t work. You also have to hold the button down. My thumb was very sore by the time I got to her second finger. I just got clippers. Greyson won’t do it since he knicked her a little once. Clipping nails is now officially a “Mama-only job.” He’s terrified of the clippers and winces everytime I trim her nails. I assured him it happens and to let it go.
So did anyone have successes with these items? Any suggestions for other bathtubs or files? What “baby stuff” do you hate?
Tomorrow I’ll post the list of stuff I love. It’s a lot longer.
Spread it around:
after that little teaser you must tell me what you hated so much! you can comment on my blog or tell me on FB. please?!
OK. I must admit that I'm intrigued to know the other item that you got that you hated but b/c it was from family didn't mention it. I totally understand why though
The tub thing, that just looks and sounds weird. Maybe if I saw it in person I might understand it more, but looks like something that would make more of a mess than it would help lol 
Honestly? Mommy wishes she'd never registered for our travel system. We can coins on both hands the number of times I've *ever* usedthe stroller – we would have done better going with a convertible car seat from the beginning and an inexpensive umbrella stroller. I *much* prefer to be worn, and Mommy finds it more convenient than the stroller.
I really want to know the mystery 3rd item (I'm nosy) – can you email us? mrsludwig {at} gmail {dot} com
First, I love the new blog design!
Thanks for the warnings on those prodcuts. My husband thought the nail file sounded good at the store but I didn't add it to the registry. I'll tell him it's a dud. Would you please tell me the third item? A) I'm curious. B) Have to make sure it's not on my registry.
Hey Amy! Love the new blog design – i read updtes through my google reader, so I haven't actually visited your blog page. It's great!
I totally want to know what the 3rd item is.
Hope all is well!
Well, I must say I have never heard of either of those items so I guess we lucked out! I am also the nail clipper in the house; the baby nail files that came in the kits were so rough they shredded his nails and so I tried to use my big nail file but it was as said too big. I have resorted to the clippers too and it works the best.
I have to know what the mystery product is. HAVE TO.
I didn't really have any products I hated, but I had a ton that I didn't really use:
– bibs (clothes get dirt, put them in the wash)
– baby wash clothes & towels (used what we had – gave away the special baby ones that were gifted to me)
– bottle brush (just put them in the dishwasher)
– dishwasher cage for bottle nipples (really now. Just throw them in there!)
– bumbo chair (butts kept getting stuck)
– high chair (Sebastian hated it, he just sat on our laps until he could sit in a real chair)
There's probably more, but that's what I think of off the top of my head.
AND, I'm really pissed off that I listened to the people who said, "They don't need bath toys, just give them cups!" Well, Sebastian took those cups and poured water all over my bathroom floor which caused damage that's visible from the kitchen (right below the bathroom). I immediately went out and bought him bath toys after seeing that.
Ugh!
Oh, haha, I have another one. THE CRIB! Sebastian cried until he puked every time he was in the crib so that converted us to co-sleepers and the crib became a laundry hamper. But Genevieve has no trouble sleeping in the crib.
Gosh…it seems like everything I had for my daughter during the first few months was a waste of space and money! All she really needed was diapers, boobs, and a place to sleep! Everything else was not necessary…
Tell me the third item… Sure hope it wasn't something I bought but prepared to hear it If it is…
I hated my stroller system – waste of money and it turned out to be an overhyped, expensive piece of junk (can you tell I'm bitter!). I got the UppaBaby and after 2 years the wheels were squeaky and the stroller was falling apart. And I wasn't using it heavily – basically walks on city sidewalks or in the mall. The other thing I hated about it was that it had practically no shocks so C felt every bump. Ugh. I should have gotten a jogging stroller. My friends love their BOB strollers and the Bumbleride looks pretty great too. I also wish I hadn't gotten a giant baby tub. It was huge and cumbersome and we had trouble storing it. That's pretty much it! Could you email me the 3rd item – can't help being curious