What do grandparents need??

My mother has a portacot and that is about it, other than some basic clothes and toys. And she has the grandkids round fairly often, or over for the day at least.

Actaually, thinking more about it, if they got a stroller of some sort that would probably be quite handy - just so you don't have to lug one up each time (especially if you fly, probably not a problem if you drive). The same would be true with a car seat - useful for them to have if they are picking you up from the airport.

My sis lives in akl so my parents in wgtn just hire car seats,portacots and things when they come down. Although I think they bought a high chair.
Now they're saying they should have bought the stuff because they've used it so much (especially as they've got two more grandkids on the way).

My mum and dad have a carseat, portacot and highchair at their house and in the car. Mum had the portacot from when my sister was a baby (coming up 20 years ago) and has kept it from there and its still in really good condition just old (not that you can tell, the only way you can tell is it doesn't fold up like the new ones do to a very small packet). Careseat mum got from someone at her school that didn't need it anymore and the highchair came from one of dad's friends that didn't need it anymore at their place. I find having the highchair was the best at their place. Both our parents live in town (well my parents more or less do) so we go to both for dinner quite often and I found it a pain having to take our highchair to PIL's place everytime we went their for dinner. Carseat is a bonus as mum has Andrew often in the school holidays (bonus working at a school) and I don't have to worry about taking ours in and out of the car.

The in-laws have a booster and portacot. I really don't want Andrew in the booster seat at the moment and I have voiced my concerns with it (yes he is tall but doesn't have the mental mind yet to understand the seatbelt thing) but they haven't gotten through so he won't be going with them in their car without our seat.

Both had nappies (they brought them) from when Andrew was in the Toddler and Walker size, and they both had a few bags of wipes. Now they have some undies at their place. Mum also had a few cans of baby food when Andrew was a baby. In-laws brought a whole heap of toys, my parents just got out our old toys and Andrew loves the duplo. When we know Andrew is staying the night we make sure that he takes a well packed bag with him.

You can hire carseats short-term from Plunket and if it's short-term it won't cost all that much. Some centres do short-term hire on bond only (or did in 2004).

Toys can be helpful but not necessary since you'll probably some with you for the journey itself. Portacots are great! Strollers - well you could just get a cheapie little buggy and while bubba is little, use a front pack. Highchairs are good too, you can get portable ones if the grandparents don't want to be storing one of those.

Things like nappies, clothes, etc, change sizes really quickly. It's easier to pack for the journey and buy what you need from time to time at a local supermarket.

A lot of it comes down to how often you'll be visiting. May also be easier to not buy anything yet, just play it by ear for the first visit etc.

My mum has portacot, pram, clothes,toys and carseat at her house. Most of it is from my girls when they were bubs (pram, portacot). My girls have their own rooms at nanas so All my kids have lots of stuff there. I havent been brave enough for Alize to stay over yet, but when I am he'll have enough stuff there!!

My inlaws have a proper cot that was borrowed off family and I think sourcing a high chair will be next on the list...might keep some bed linen down there also. Good idea about keeping bibs there as well!

My SIL has a high chair at her place that is borrowed off other family also.

the only time Jake has stayed at his grandparents away from me, I was in hospital with Taine both times!

My parents picked up a really cheap cot, and a few toys etc for both kids. Mum also brought a high chair booster seat which has come in handy.

Really they NEED nothing but things that would be handy to know you don't have to cram in your suitcase is some form of highchair for when baby is older. There are the cloth over the back of dining chair styles/booster types or cheap ones from Baby Factory with the trays but remember the rest of the time you are not there all these things will need to be stored out of the way.

Portacots are handy but also can be hired and for the length of time you really need one I would weigh up the costs. We prefered a Nature's Sway hammock that packed down into a bag and we took it with us on holidays so DS slept in it both at home and away so we knew he was happy in it. When he got to about 6 months old he just slept in the bunk beds with the top bed taken off and put as a single bed with the rail left on and the open side hard up against the wall.

Car seats can be hired and if you don't plan on travelling once you arrive at your parents I can also highly recommend Corporate Cabs in Auckland who for $25 picked me up with a very nice clean car seat and transfered me and babe to our hotel and even better carried all my bags

If you do plan to buy a carseat to leave at grandparents I would look at one that will last from birth through. They are more expensive but not as expensive as separate capsules, toddler seats and then boosters. If you are buying your own capsule and will be travelling with that then there are boosters on the market that can be used from 8kg forward facing with a harness.

MOST IMPORTANTLY...make sure you parents have anchor points in their car. No point in having any type of car seat if it can't be secured into their car. Also locking clips etc. which at the price of them it is worth buying and leaving in their glovebox to save you having to remember yours.