And even if you DO get items from a hospital, AS a parent of three children items NEVER seem to be where they are supposed to be at the exact moment you need them. And tearing nails is NOT the way my doctor recommended...she says tearing could cause hangnails, yes hangnails on a newborn. The best way is the blunt end scissors. But even regular nail clippers come in handy a few months down the road.

As for digital thermometers...love them. Ear thermometers are useless if your child has an ear infection (the cause of most baby illnesses) and your pediatrician most likely does a rectal temp on your newborn. As for a digital not lasting...My 6 year old has hers from infancy, my 5 year old has his own also from infancy, and now my newborn has his own. In my experience, they do last.

This kit is the perfect kit, for a first time parent, an experienced parent, or to keep at grandma and grandpa's house. There ARE less desirable kits out there, those that are filled with sample soaps, lotions, etc. But this one has your basics, and for the price (lets not forget this a great gift item under [$$$]!!) you get MORE than you pay for.

169 of 172 found the following review helpful:

All in One Essentials  Nov 10, 2002
By Angie "nycpickymom"
This is definitely the set to get. It includes everything you'll need for baby well care in a convenient storage pouch. I tend to leave things all over my house but with this kit I never have to search for tiny items. All of the pieces I've tried so far work very well also. The clippers are my favorite since they are very easy to handle. The scissors work for nails as well. The brush is excellent....very soft bristles for my daughter who doesn't have much hair yet. Nail files and alcohol swabs are nice extras. The bulb syringe works better than the one from Gerber that I have and the thermometer was a cinch to use as well. I have yet to use the medicine dropper or water temp taker but I doubt there is anything wrong with those items. I also have to wait for my daughter's teeth before I test the toothbrush but it's nice that I have everything handy already. I love this set and keep it clipped on my nursery cart. It also comes with a useful book on taking care of your baby. Definitely the best kit with the most baby essentials.

566 of 633 found the following review helpful:

Waste of money!  Mar 27, 2003
By Ana Hotaling "saotomeranchan"
I suppose first-time parents think that this is the best collection of baby necessities available! But, what first-time parents don't realize is that you'll get the most important of these things from your hospital when you leave after having baby! I've volunteered and had children at several hospitals in several states, and the going-home kit always included a nasal aspirator, a little brush and comb set, a bunch of alcohol wipes to care for the umbilical stub, a shampoo scrub brush (not included in this set, but fabulous, especially for cradle-cap babies), and a little baby nail clipper. What's included that is unnecessary:

emery boards/scissors: baby's nails stay soft for most of the first year, to the point that you can just peel off the overgrown part of the nail easily, without having to contend with a wriggling baby in one arm and a sharp implement in the other hand

medicine dropper/spoon: should your baby require liquid antibiotics, the medicine will come with a syringe-type applicator, which you place into baby's mouth and then press the plunger to dispense. Use a spoon? Baby will swat it out of your hand and you'll have pink and white stains everywhere. Use a medicine dropper? Very slow and you have to keep refilling the bulb. Your baby's meds will come with the dispenser, so these are unnecessary.

temperature tester: very very inaccurate, especially since babies are still not quite self-regulating when it comes to body temperature.

digital thermometer: do yourself a favor and register for an ear thermometer. It will last much longer -- years! -- and can be used for an older child as well as a wriggly, sick baby. Believe me, baby will not quietly say AH and put the thermometer in his mouth when he feels awful... and just try putting it in the other way!

toothbrush: bristles are NOT recommended for children under 2. Instead, toothbrushes that have rubber tips/points are recommended, to massage teething gums and be gentle on new baby teeth.

Don't waste your money buying this kit. Get what you can as a gift fro your hospital, invest in a good ear thermometer, and get one of the sets of grow-up-with-baby toothbrushes that "at a baby store"

49 of 50 found the following review helpful:

excellent health care set  Mar 04, 2003

This is a very useful set in a handy carrying pouch. Although I haven't used all the items on my newborn baby yet, it's good to know that I'll have the tools available when I need them. The nail clippers and nail files have been the most useful so far (my baby is 2 1/2 months old). And I also use the hair brush frequently. The set also includes alcohol packets (for the baby's belly button) but I had plenty from the hospital so I never used them. My only complaint is the nail aspirator. The length of the tube is very short (compared to one I received at the hospital) and the bulb is difficult to compress, so I find it difficult to get a good suction when I need to clear her nose. Otherwise, I highly recommend this item - its a handy set for the price!

48 of 52 found the following review helpful:

Great Product  Apr 18, 2002
By Stacie Thorpe
My sister bought this for my cousin's baby shower and she says that it works great!! She really loves the fact that there are handles on the clippers and scissors so it will prevent from slipping out of the mother's hands. She also loves the bathtub thermometer. I would love to have this as a baby shower gift!

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