Reddit reviews Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym, Vintage Boy

The only thing I can think of are the 'activity mats' which have toys and stuff that hang above the baby. Not sure how a dog bed would be an equal replacement in that case though: http://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1410185422&sr=8-5&keywords=baby+mat

>Every source I read keeps saying to make sure you wash your hands before handling the baby. Do you have to use soap and water, or would an antibacterial gel be OK?

I don't do this, haha. It never even dawned on me to do this. If I just handled raw meat or something spicy or dirty... then yes, I'll obviously wash my hands before touching my baby. But otherwise, no. I keep sanitizer on me so I can clean my hands if I'm in public, though.

>If baby spits up or has a blow-out in their diaper, how are you supposed to pre-treat the laundry (onesie, sleeper, receiving blanket, etc)?

I use Clorox for Colors (or whatever it's called). I scrub it into the stain before washing.

>Do most hospitals expect you to bring clothes for the baby to wear during your stay?

My baby lived in a diaper and the hospital receiving blankets (swaddled in them) until the day we went home, in which I put her in her going home outfit. I have had friends who put their babies in onesies at the hospital, but I didn't see the need for it myself. This is 100% up to you and neither way is incorrect.

>At what age should regular "tummy time" begin?

Immediately. I did tummy time from day one, even though it was only for a minute or two at first. In fact, she hated tummy time until she was 3.5 months old! After only a minute or so, she'd start crying. When she started daycare, somehow they used magic and she started liking tummy time. Now she's 4 months old and can spend up to 15 minutes or so doing it. The earlier you start, the more acclimated they get to it.

>Regarding "tummy time", should I buy a baby mat or gym for my little guy?

I use a few things.

• an activity center - this is the one I have
  
• a play mat kinda thing - this is the one I have
  
• a carpeted floor with a blanket under the baby
  
• on my bed
  
• on the sofa
  
• on the changing table
  
• in her crib
  
• in her pack and play
  
• on my lap
  
• on my chest
  
  So, no, you don't need to buy anything special for tummy time. Just a pillow or blanket on a carpeted surface will suffice.

I'd say activity mat all the way! You can always buy a bouncer/exersaucer second hand. We loved our little mat, especially because it folded up when we weren't using it, creating more space in our apartment. It would even give us time to make coffee and breakfast while LO was busy playing.

Baby gyms are the shit, though, she's out of her mind and will regret it. I had this Infantino one and it was not unattractive. Skip Hop makes one that's a teepee that's pretty awesome looking.

Sure, I'd be happy to give some recommendations.

Now the first thing is, babies don't really care that much about stuff. They don't really do much or play with much for a long time. They'll get more joy out of you just playing peekaboo than any actual toy

That said, it's the thought that counts, so you can pick up a rattle or something. If they don't have one already, you can get a tummy time playmat like this or something similar, that comes with a bunch of toys with it. Alternately, honestly you can just walk down to the dollar store and see whatever cheap stuff they have, it doesn't really matter

On the other hand, you can do something more practical. Baby wipes are a sure thing, they will 100% absolutely be used. You could get similar stuff, like burp cloths or baby soap or whatever. But that stuff isn't really fun, though it's usually appreciated.

Then there's the last category, the one I'd personally go with: Stuff for the parents that makes parenting easier. This is actually a little for your cousin too, because it tends to be stuff that makes the baby more comfortable, which makes the parent more comfortable.

For instance, do they have a baby carrier? You could look into getting them one, or getting them another one (it doesn't hurt to have two), or-- a lot of people don't think about this-- one specially sized for your uncle, because I can practically guarantee unless someone specifically thought about it, any baby carrier they have is going to be sized for mom, not dad.

If you want to go a little more expensive, you can do things like a jumper which the little gal will probably be a little young for, but not by much

or a swing both of those were honestly absolute godsends for keeping my sanity, because i got to put my little guy down and they'd keep him actually quiet, and sometimes even put him to sleep! And for some reason no one ever thought to get us one as a gift.

So anyway, those are some ideas.

But like I said, clothes aren't the wrong choice, just keep in mind that really, any clothes you get the baby now are for you, because you think it'll be cute to dress them up. The baby doesn't care, and I'm sure the baby doesn't really need clothes right now (in a year or so? More likely)

Swaddle Blankets

Burp Cloths


Bottles. I've had a lot of friends that love the playtex drop-ins

If you're going to breastfeed pick some pads for yourself along with some nipple cream. I liked motherlove.

Swing, rock n play or bouncer so that you have a place to set baby down to accomplish dishes/shower.

activity gym/play mat


That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

At that age my daughter loved the little plush mirror that she looked at during tummy time and her play mat. She also liked those little mini crunchy books that make sound like crackling paper when you turn the pages...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GCH64CC?psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002J4U8M0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1497471878&sr=8-1&keywords=sassy+mirror+baby&dpPl=1&dpID=51R8Pgj9dDL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002DWALTI/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_107_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EDSMZQ3FK9M11G0W48FK&dpPl=1&dpID=91CItN2WZ9L

I have an Infantino Twist and Fold activity mat, and when I am done with it, I just fold it up so the cat and dog don't lay on it. It only takes a few seconds, and is definitely not complicated. It has been working pretty well so far.

I'd look at the recommendations on mamaot.com and candokiddo.com before buying anything. They have a lot of ideas for things you already have at home as well as ideas for purchases that will work for your baby through a few stages of development. At your baby's age we relied on our play mat for most of her entertainment (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI?th=1) with a few extra toys and plastic links hung on it. Once she could sit up she could play with the toys that way.

Stuff like jumpers and walkers aren't recommended for too much use but if you do want one, there are usually a ton of jumpers on short plastic stands for less than $20 on Craigslist and at Once Upon a Child. If you're just feeling generally spending on the baby (understandable :) ) but don't want to go crazy go to Once Upon a Child. They have lots of toys and should have some of your basic stacking and other simple toys that will work at this age and hopefully for longer too!

You mentioned wishing your baby could entertain herself. Our babies are the same age and I completely hear you. It's exhausting trying to entertain a baby, whenever they are awake. I've started putting my baby in his bouncer [This one - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVNEFCM/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474756338&sr=sr-1&keywords=Price+Bouncer] or on his play mat [This one - https://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1474756447&sr=1-4&keywords=Baby+Play+Mat]. He's been pretty good at hanging out there for a good while and focusing on trying to reach the dangling toys. So, something like this might help give you a few moments peace and let baby entertain themselves.