What is your favorite baby item? Least favorite?

My favorite baby item is the baby swing. My least favorite was the bouncer, neither of my boys stayed like it.

Our brands are of course different to yours there, but I loved my stroller that could face backwards or forwards. Only problem was that is was so huge for my small car so I sold it and now have a smaller one. I never used a swing, jumper or walking ring with my son. When I was training for my teaching degree we were taught how important it is for the babies to develop naturally without those things because of muscle growth and development of coordination. I'm not against them and I am not knocking them. It was just my choice. I loved having a sleep wedge in his cot too that elavated the upper half of his body slightly. I'm interested to hear what other moms have to say about there favourite things!

I am also a FTM so i am slowly making a list and that would be useful.
Except for furniture, clothes and a stroller there is not a lot i cannot do without it seems. I will have to check this post later on, and be prepare to buy stuff as we go.

Agreed - some feedback would be nice. FTM here and or shopping list right now is - washer/dryer, crib, stroller, car seat, one pkg of newborn diapers, otherwise - not planning on much. Looking forward to ideas.

Washer and Dryer !!! Ahhhh if only i could! Damn you small appartement!

I used a bouncy seat all the time when my first baby was born. I needed a safe place to set her while I did stuff like make dinner or I'd bring it in the bathroom with me if I needed to shower or get ready so I could keep an eye on her. I would also say a good baby carrier is a nice thing to have, we have an ergo which was a bit pricey but a good investment.

I love my Moby wrap - I was able to move around the house and keep her close to me. I also would have died without my bouncer. With that, I was able to safetly secure her somewhere while I went to shower, or when I was not able to carry her in the wrap.

My favorite item is definitely the bouncy seat. It was a life saver without a doubt. It kicked the swing's a@#! I gave all my stuff away but will definitely be buying another one of those. Swaddling blankets are also a must have.

A lot of people love wraps, and I really like mine, but my twins hated it. They did not want to be smooshed against me all the time, but they like the Baby Bjorn when they were older because they could see while we were out and about.

I found activity mats to be worthless. They would just as much like to lay on a plain old blanket. We bought a wedge for our daughter and it was dangerous. Even as a tiny little bug she rolled out of it and we found her upside down crying from it so we will not use one again and I think now they are not recommended anymore.

I couldn't have lived with out my baby bjorn, my DS had colic for the first 6 months and I would put him in there and get my chores done (laundry, dishes, etc.) plus DH loved using it whenever we were out. : )
Another must have for me is/was my peg perego travel system stroller. The handle flips from side to side so it can be forward or rear facing. It's light, has a great size basket to hold tons of things and it's very very well made, we travelled to Europe at least once a year and it held up just fine where other strollers would break. If you get a stroller with 4 small/thin wheels it will be easier to maneuver around. My sister got a three-wheeled one and it was almost impossible to steer (the front wheel usualy doesn't swivel on those.) Also, try finding a couple of "mommy hooks" they're hooks you attach to your stroller handle to hold your purse/baby bag/shopping/etc.
Also, get a fan in the room the baby sleeps in, to circulate the air and even though it's going to be winter (for most of us) when our babies are born, make sure the temperature is nice and cool for them.

I would have to say my saving grace was the BUMBO. My daughter loved that thing, as soon as the can hold their head up good they can be placed in this to help them develop muscles to sit up. My DD2 loved it because she loved watching her brother and sister play and she would sit in it while she played with toys. I also loved the bouncy seat she slept in this for naps and if we stayed the night somewhere it was so much easier to take verses the pack and play. My daughter still loves her jumperoo too she liked it from about 4 months and she still enjoys it now at 10 months I think it is a good buy and you can find them used all the time. Oh jeez and I soooo want a Moby Wrap this time it is the first thing on my list. For breast pumps I would recommend a Medela pump by far the best.
Something I never used was the play mats, they are a waste of money and I never used the smaller receiving blankets but that might just be me.
Since we will be bring our babies home in the mid of winter I would recommend a car seat cover had one for all three kids and it kept them from the cold air very well.

My boys are the odd duck out they didn't like the bouncer at all, I would put them in it and they would start crying or pushing themselves out. Especially when I turned on the music/ vibration. They also liked the floor time toys.

I loved my bouncer seat for dd. It was a lifesaver to getting things done. Dd hated the Bjorn or being swaddled so we didn't use those at all. She also hated the back and forth type swings but loved the side to side because it was super cushy. I think we will just have to wait and see what this baby likes.

Thank you for the feedback everyone, this was very helpful!

Sarah