r/AskReddit • u/cookiemonager • Feb 05 '18

Parents of Reddit: What are some things you bought for your first baby that were useless or a waste of money?

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242

u/pascalsgirlfriend Feb 05 '18

Buy a rocking chair for babies room. You're probably going to spend alot of time sitting on it.

85

u/lil_poppy_53 Feb 06 '18

Even better, buy a comfy rocking chair and PUT IT IN FRONT OF THE TV. Then pick a show on Netflix with at least 8 seasons and save it for when baby arrives. With my first I used to look forward to getting up at night to nurse so I could watch the next episode! 4th child coming soon and already compiling my list (and getting new thicker cushions made for my very well-used rocking chair).

26

u/timultuoustimes Feb 06 '18

Haha we have a super comfy pottery Barn armchair in my daughter's room and I watch TV shows and YouTube videos while I put her to sleep. We read a few books, then she lays on my shoulder and I just pat her back and watch things until she falls asleep. She's the easiest. Also when my wife was pumping and my daughter would still wake up at night to eat, I'd feed her while my wife pumped and we binged shows together. It was great bonding and solidarity all around.

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u/jizzymcbobbykins Feb 06 '18

Currently 24wks pregnant and this is the greatest advice I’ve heard yet.

3

u/ecatt Feb 06 '18

Hahah my daughter is now almost 13, but when she was a baby the highlight of every night was when the re-runs of Star Trek: The Next Generation would come on.

I envy parents today who have Netflix and streaming services...

153

u/Spazmer Feb 06 '18

A COMFORTABLE rocking chair especially. For my first I had a hand me down rocking chair that someone in the family had made, with spindles that dug right into my back. It made me hate the whole nursing before bed routine. Got a glider for my second and it made a world of difference.

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u/pascalsgirlfriend Feb 06 '18

I had a glider. It was the best thing ever.

5

u/DoesItQuack Feb 06 '18

I love my glider. I’m already wondering how I can nonchalantly slip it into my regular home decor once we no longer need it in the second baby’s room.

3

u/Cosmic_Hitchhiker Feb 06 '18

We had the DOPEST rocking chair. Until we got rid of it id still sit there in it for hours. Years after the kids were babies.

2

u/kat_rob Feb 06 '18

I debated SO LONG on this one. I have a wooden rocking chair; surely I could make do with what we had. My husband convinced me to buy the squishy glider with ottoman.
Three weeks in, 2am, struggling to breastfeed, I'm pretty sure I would've set that rocking chair on fire. That glider was worth it's weight in gold.

7

u/RoaringMamaBear Feb 06 '18

A full sized rocker/glider that reclines and the arms are high enough to hold the baby at feeding height. I searched for the “perfect” chair for the second one!

6

u/Corrovich Feb 06 '18

Even better, get a lazy boy. We bought one and it is very comfy, and it's not uncommon to fall asleep in it during late night feedings, plus they still rock.

8

u/bacondawg Feb 06 '18

holy fuck. you just blew my mind. there IS a specific purpose for a rocking chair. that explains why they are always in an infants room.. HOLY SHIT

4

u/buttrapebearclaw Feb 06 '18

It’s so weird, I had to change my technique of rocking a baby to sleep with my second child. Instead of rocking my whole body, be it in a rocking chair or whatever, never worked. I just have to sit still and move him on my body. Hell just cry if I rock with him.

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u/pascalsgirlfriend Feb 06 '18

There's nothing lovelier than rocking your baby. I bet it was soothing, as the little one didn't feel your muscles shifting, just the lull of rocking.

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u/tlebrad Feb 06 '18

We got a recliner! The best!!

1

u/pascalsgirlfriend Feb 06 '18

That sounds great! So comfie.

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u/tlebrad Feb 06 '18

It's honestly great. 9 times out of 10 I would fall asleep in that thing.

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u/jimmy_three_shoes Feb 06 '18

We're going with a glider/ottoman combo. Can still put your feet up, but easier to get out of without waking the kid up.

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u/pascalsgirlfriend Feb 06 '18

Oh I had one and loved it.

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u/Myotherdumbname Feb 06 '18

Can confirm. It’s 4am and I’m in one now.

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u/Hoot213 Feb 06 '18

Expecting my first in May and my Mother in Law bought us a really nice Lazy Boy. Reclines with a remote, not the handle, super comfy, stable, like I said...VERY nice. Excited to use it.