What's the most useful baby gift you've received?

[leurMaman]

I was reading over the posts about registries (this is my second, so I'm not really planning one). I thought it would be fun to compare ideas from BTDT moms about gifts and baby stuff. What is the most useful gift or baby item you got from your baby showers and presents?

My best gift is the nursing pillows. I got one Boppy and one "My Brest Friend". They are both different and both helpful (I kept one upstairs and one downstairs). I really appreciated them during night-long feedings when my arms were too tired to do much holding. What about you?

[~Shanna~]

I'm one of the ladies that cried for help on what to register for in another thread. But I do remember that my little nephew LOVED his Johnny Jumper. That kid would cackle like a madman while in it, and would bounce nearly to the attic. It's definately on my shortlist - my sister said it was the only time she got a shower.

[BCmamaof6]

A sling :)

[peilover010202]

crashing your ddc...

Mine was breastmilk storage bags, a PIS pump, and breast pads (I was a leaker, the cry of ANY baby sent my milk ducts into overdrive :blush )

These weren't gifts, I guess, but they were far more useful than any gift I received. Well, except the jogger stroller that MIL bought us :love

[lizabird]

We didn't have a baby shower with DS, but the best gift was my mom bought us a carseat. Thanks, mom!

[deliarose]

I got an easy diner- it was a portable chair that could hang off almost any table. It was great for going out since I think most restaurant high chairs are not safe for children under the age of 2. We also use it when we visit friends and family and they don't have a high chair for our DD. It looks like this...
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1140703117/ref=sr_2_1/601-1882663-3385714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0000A1O7P

[jule924]

I'd have to say jogger stroller - that thing can go anywhere!! It's just a little bulky to load in the car, but we usually walk close to home. (Front carrier would be on my list, too, except I borrowed it from my sister so it wasn't a gift.)

[lotusdebi]

The advice: "Follow your instincts."

I also really like the journal my mom gave me, that I've used to write letters to my son about who he is and what he's doing at various ages and stages.

And the website my friend made for us to put up family photos. It makes sharing what's going on with us so much easier!

[brewgirl]

jumping in from Sept...

our daughter was VERY colicky and figuring out how to properly swaddle her made a huge difference. The "Miracle Blanket" made it super easy for anyone to swaddle her and kept her snug and happy. I think we used it until about five months old or so.
http://www.miracleblanket.com/viewpoint.htm

the sling was another great gift.

[Tori Gollihugh]

Probably the diaper bag we registered for. A friend gave us a car seat, too, but it wasn't part of the baby shower... it was more useful than the bag, though! :)

[Media Mama]

A sling :)

Me too. But I think I'll buy another one this time around. The one we got was really, really beautiful, but it was a little small (or Sophie was a little big! :lol ). So now I'm looking for a super styley one with more material.

[Earthy~Mama]

Is it considered a gift if ya buy it for yourself?!?! LOL My I swear besides my breasts the only thing I ever "needed" for any of my babes was my gypsymama wrap. I NEVER leave home with out it.

[Hayes]

Food and help. People who brought dinner for us were angels. Everything tasted delicious and everything was appreciated.

And people who stopped by to fold laundry, or brought my odlest DD to school, angels again.

[APMomof3]

I will have to agree with a sling too. When I had my 3rd son the sling was my life saver to getting things done for my older children. I remember making cup cakes for my oldest son's birthday when the baby was just 7 days old. He was happy in the sling the whole time.

[littleteapot]

A sling. I think I'd be insulted if anyone got me babysitters like Jumpers and Exercaucers. It just smacks of, "Here, I've bought you this so you don't have to spend time with your baby."
Although with my daughter, my in-laws bought me a complete disposible Playtex bottle system. She's 2.5 now, guess what's never been used? Actually, I've juiced beets and greens and stored them in the bottle bags in the freezer... but I still have the original box, 3/4 full.

And my midwife teaching me how to swaddle babies "like they do in the arctic".
It saved me!