Baby Gear - Essentials for the Posh Minion

Before you plunge in, note that these recommendations are based on what has worked for us. Opinions may differ. Results may vary. If you or your baby are hurt, maimed or killed because of any recommendations, we are not liable. Read all instructions carefully.

Preparation

-          Washer/dryer - Yes you need them. Ours ran almost once a day in the first few months. The frequency diminished to every 2-3 days after a few months. On a related note, be skeptical of clothing that doesn't go in the dryer unless you use it rarely. We used the darwinian approach. If it didn't survive the dryer, tough.

-          Dietary Supplements - The most important thing is getting enough folic acid. Folic acid is critical for fetus development, protecting against a number of defects.

·         Prenatal is a good multivitamin for pregnant/nursing women and contains all the folic acid you need.

-          Maternity clothes - Unless you're going for the "bow on the big belly" look, BabyStyle has good stuff that looks like normal clothing and is comfortable.

-          Literature

·         Essential: Penelope Leach – Your Minion and Child – From Birth to Age Five.

·         Very funny and hits the mark. Tells you what to expect during pregnancy: Vicki Iovine – The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy.

·         Extra credit: Martha and William Sears – The Pregnancy Book.

Birth to 2 Months

-          Stroller Option 1 – Bugaboo Cameleon. 0-4 years. Bassinet, seat, rain cover and mosquito net are included. Comes in a variety of colors, as do the accessories. Faces you or outwards. There are lighter strollers that fold up smaller (like the MacLaren Techno XT) but they neither have full recline nor face you. Besides, the Cameleon has plenty of cool accessories.

o         Must have accessories:

§         Parasol.

§         Sunshade.

§         Car seat adapter. Comes in two varieties: For Graco car seats. For Peg Perego car seats.

§         Foot muff. Misleading name. It’s more like an integrated sleeping bag.

§         Breezy canopy.

§         Transport Bag for checking on the plane.

-          Stroller option 2 – If you are considering a second minion within two or three years, the Phil & Teds Sport (this evolved out of the the "e3") is a an option. Stroller. Doubles kit. It’s a twin with a very small footprint that stacks the minions on top of each other. It sounds a bit nuts and at first glance most people are dubious. But we love ours. It's the perfect double unless you have twins, in which case you need both children to have a full recline. It comes in a variety of colors. The following modes are supported (see also the picture).

o        Single minion bassinet.

o        Single minion seat.

o        Minion 1 seat & minion 2 bassinet

o        Minion 1 seat & minion 2 seat.

o         Must have accessories:

§         Double Storm Cover.

§         Coccoon. Comes in a variety of colors

§         Hangbag. Includes bottle holders.

§         Pannier Bags.

§         Travel Bag for checking on the plane.

§         Single Sun/Insect Mesh for one minion or Double Sun/Insect Mesh for two.

§         Travel System so you can drop your car seat in the E3. This only works with minion #1. You cannot have two minions with one in the car seat.

-          “Bundle Me”. Very useful for keeping minion warm and cozy. Can be mounted on the car seat with the belts going through it. Get the small size first. We had two, one mounted on the car seat, the other in the stroller.

-          Infant Car seat. We liked our Graco Snugride but honestly didn’t try other brands. Get one with a base so you can plug and play in the car. Base should have latches for "LATCH" attachment points. Look in your car manual for LATCH. Graco seats also fit in the Bugaboo with the Graco adapter. The Snugride comes in various colors.

-          Seat saver. Something to protect your car from the car seat.

-          Diaper Bag - There are about a zillion different styles. We like the backpack kind. Get one with an insulated compartment or insulated envelope for bottles and a foldable changing blanket (waterproof on one side, soft on the other).

-          Diapers. Pampers work for us but we haven’t tried anything else. You need 5-7 a day. Go with "Swaddlers" in size N, 1 and 2. After size 2, change to "Cruisers" for daytime and Huggies "Overnite" for night time. Toys 'r Us costs 30-40% less than the supermarket. They have the really big boxes. The Amazon minion store is basically a Toys ‘r Us franchise so you can get diapers. Don't be afraid of the big box. Just do the math ;).

-          Butt cream. After much experimentation and diaper rash, the doctor finally suggested Balmex. Stickier than honey and a real barrier cream. Wipe your fingers on the inside of the new diaper when you’re done. You will never get it off otherwise ;).  Balmex may be too thick for winter when it is not humid. In winter, A+D ointment works. A+D comes in standard and zinc varieties. For mild rash, a little Lotrimin can be applied to the affected area (yes, the stuff you use for athlete's foot). Find all at the drugstore.

-          Minion powder/Talcum Powder - Don't use it. It has been shown to cause respiratory problems as minion inhales stray powder. And yet it is still sold in the minion aisle...

-          Umbilical cord wipes. The little stump needs to be cleaned 4-5 times a day (just clean it every time you change the diaper) until it falls off at around 4-8 weeks. Initially, we just soft of dabbed at it. The stump stubbornly stayed attached. Then the doctor told us to pull the stump aside and really get into the stump/minion interface. Gently but firmly is the way to go. You'll need these, amusingly listed under "Tools and Hardware".

-          Bathtub. In the first 6 weeks or so, we figured bathing was far too traumatic for us. We kept having images of the neck snapping and the head rolling away on the bathroom counter (hey, wait until you hold a minion with no neck muscles). So we went with the sponge bath and life was good. Eventually, we ordered the Eurobath (yes, corny name). It has a "recliner" side where you can place the minion in a stable fashion and a practical bottom plug so you can empty it without having to turn it over. Just put it on the bathroom counter so you can stand in a good visible position. Needless to say, never leave minion unattended. Minions can drown in 2 inches of water. This means have everything you need in arm's reach. If you forget something and are home alone, you'll have to take minion out of the tub and take her with you.

-          Diaper genie. To be fair, the really smelly poop doesn't descend upon the household until minion starts on solids. Before that it smells of warm milk. We don't have an actual diaper genie, but you need at least a wastebasket that seals more or less hermetically and allows hands-free operation. Go in style with a VIPP. Our nanny taught us a neat trick for diaper disposal. Instead of throwing the diaper in the basket "as is" put it in the sink while you are wiping off the butt. Then put the wipes you used in the diaper and roll it up, sealing the package with the diaper Velcro. This keeps the smell (mostly) inside and allow more efficient wastebasket usage. Another trick is to put the new diaper under her butt as soon as possible (when any poop has been wiped off but before you put the cream on). That way you have insurance if she pees at that exact moment.

-          Hand sanitizer. We’re not much into antibacterial soaps (too many scary potential side effects) but we do use hand sanitizer when we are out and about. Great for sanitizing hands when walking or generally without access to a bathroom. Find at the drugstore.

-          Nail clippers, thermometer, nasal aspirator - Minion nails grow crazy fast. Get a nail clipper with a rounded handle for safety. Thermometer should be of the rectal variety. In ear thermometers are tempting but the accurate ones are very expensive. A nasal aspirator is good to have around if minion chokes. Our daughter choked constantly the first two months (yes, this was stressful). The aspirator provides a fast easy way to unclog airways. Take the aspirator they use in the hospital. It will be thrown out when you leave anyway. A kit like this this contains everything you need.

-          Bottle. Our daughter had the whole special nipple thing going due to the cleft, but for normal use Dr. Brown’s “Natural Flow” minimizes burping.

o        The 1-2 month outfit: Double breasted shirt, cap, diaper, receiving blanket and nothing else works if you aren't going somewhere.

o        Scratch mittens. Useful at night so she doesn't scratch her face. Like little fingerless gloves. 

o        10 washcloths and 10 hand towels. You will need them. Get a cheap pack. They wear out.

o        Don’t forget little caps. Even for indoors first few months. Petit Bateau.

o        Receiving blankets. Learn to swaddle at the hospital.

o       Cute dresses seem like a great idea (you'll get a bunch as presents) but they're actually pretty useless until she can sit on her own (6 months). The exception is a professional photo shoot.

o        Burp cloths - Basically something to throw over your shoulder while you are burping the minion. She will often choose that moment to puke, preferably if you just changed into your best shirt. There are a profusion.

o        There’s a good list of initial needs in Dr. Spock’s book (see Literature).

-          Clothing stores:

-          Petit Bateau. Your main resource. Pajamas, sleeping bags, pants and basically everything. Petit Bateau has 5 stores in Tokyo and a Japanese online store.

-          Carter’s for good tops/bodies.

-          Baby Gap for Socks.

-          Petit Patapon. Similar to Petit Bateau.

-          Janie and Jack for those cutesy hats and dresses.

-          Jacadi for exclusive cute stuff.

-          H&M. Cheap and good quality:

-          Hanna Andersson for Swedish clothing for the US. . Great for winter clothing and those cute Swedish Moccasins.

-          Bedding. No, she can’t have any. SIDS rules say no bedding until 12 months so minion doesn’t get smothered. Sleeping bags are a great solution. Get two. Here is one:   (but the best ones are from Petit Bateau because they are 100% cotton and cute!). Sleeping gear initially is shirt, cap, diaper, sleeping bag and socks.

-          Baby Björn Baby Sitter. Very useful as a place to stash minion. In theory, you could use the Cameleon seat as a minion seat, but the Baby  Sitter is easier to handle around the home (very lightweight), has rubber pads so it doesn't slip (we put it on the kitchen table until our daughter became large enough to move it on her own), and can be washed (and tumble dried of course) without ten minutes of disassembly. It is a good way to put her in a safe place while you are doing something else.  It also rocks gently with her movement to send minion off to sleep.

-          Moses Basket - Excellent to start with, but you will need a crib by about 8 weeks or she won’t get used to it.

-          Crib - Get one where the side can be lowered to spare your back. The bottom should be adjustable in height. High up to start with, and further down when she starts to stand. Don't forget a bumper pad.

-          Minion Monitor. We tried various "traditional" non-digital monitors. Apart from the hiss most of them produce, you are likely to receive taxi radios and other fun stuff. We finally had enough and bought a digital one. Sure, it costs five times more, but it's clear and never gets interference. We have two (one per child) and they don't even interfere with each other. This Philips is great and comes with two receivers.

-          Remote thermometer. Our minion's room can vary in temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59-77 F) on a winter day. For those taking notes, 20-25 C (68--77 F) is a good range. Oregon Scientific has several excellent and geek friendly solutions. We have the BAR338P Wireless Self-Setting Projection Clock. It projects the temperature from a remote sensor in the minion's room onto our bedroom ceiling. We also have the Cable-Free Thermometer for mobile temperature monitoring. The latter has a temperature alarm, so you can be woken up if the temperature does not conform to the programmed range. They can both feed off the same sensor. Use the spare sensor (if you bought both devices) for outdoor monitoring. A tip: Unless you want to hear a click every minute from the minion monitor, place the temperature sensor at least a few feet away from the monitor. Extra sensors, for example for monitoring server room conditions, can be found here.

-          Humidifier - If winter is very dry in your area you may want to get a humidifier to cut down on coughing. There is a profusion of models. Three criteria to narrow your choices. 1) Some type of antimicrobial system (UV, ultrasonic, etc) is essential. 2) A large tank (or tanks) with a total capacity of at least 2 gallons so you don't have to refill it in the middle of the night. 3) Some type of demineralization system for particulates in the water. Most use a cartridge or little sponges. Remember to change these before dried gunk starts building up. It's not dangerous, just annoying. Since water hardness is very location specific, it's a trial and error process to begin with. We replaced our sponges every month.

-          Toys from “Lamaze” have been much appreciated by our minion.

-          Changing table - We don’t technically have one, or at least a freestanding unit, but both our bathrooms have big benches. So Grandpa dad rigged up locks for big wood boards. We set them on the bench and lock into place. So we are spared the extra furniture.  we got the inflatable mattress in nylon/plastic from IKEA for $9 to go on top of the boards. IKEA has great little toys too.

-          Mobile - Get something with plush animals or the like since she will eventually start grabbing it. Babies love staring at moving stuff. Jacadi has great ones.

-          Minion gym - We got ours at Jacadi (very posh) but anything like this will do.

-          Nursing Stool - We thought this looked pretty silly but ordered it anyway. Highly recommended. Lifts your knees so that you can relax your legs while feeding/nursing the minion. Also comes in white.

o        Shoes. It's better for minion's feet not to use shoes if possible when learning to walk. Indoors she can go barefoot, in socks or with Swedish Moccasins. Outdoors it depends on the surface and climate.

-          Plates and spoons - Baby Björn makes good ones. The come in various colors for the feeding spoons and plate and spoon kit. Encourage her to eat by herself even if it's messy. It's good for development. 

-          Bib for eating - This one is great. Dishwasher safe.

-          Minion food - “Solids” are started somewhere 6-12 months  (in the US they recommend to start at 4 months, Sweden 6 mths) . Solids at this stage means mush. We make our own mostly but there are organic fruit and veggy pots with nice ingredient lists (organic fruit, water). Sweet potato and peach are favorites. Around 8 months, we started with boiled and whipped chicken and beef. Around 10 months, we started with oven baked fish. NO SALT!

-          Vitamins - At around 4 months, start with Trivisol. At 9-10 months, switch to Polyvisol. Drugstore or grocery store.