This evening Devin and I went and did some serious baby window shopping. We went to look at baby stuff so we could start to get a ballpark of how much stuff costs and such. After some time in Target and Babies R Us I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the baby stuff and how much it all costs. We know that there are a few essential things, such as a car seat, but what else do you REALLY have to have? I've never done this baby thing before and I'm a little lost of what is essential and what is fluff. So I figured I'd throw a few questions out to all the experienced moms out there. HELP!!!! Please share your advice! Here are my top three burning questions at the moment. (Don't worry, I'll have more later.)
1. Car Seat-- What makes it good? What have you liked/not liked? Good brands?
2. Stroller-- I run, I'd like to get a jogging stroller. Do I get two separate strollers or just the jogger? Where do you even use a stroller? How often do you use a stroller? What makes a stroller good?
3. What are the absolute necessary things to buy? What could you not live without?
Any other baby advice is always welcome. I look forward to all the wisdom that will be shared.
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15 comments:
Car Seat - I haven't noticed a difference in brand. Just test the buckles and see if you can open them one-handed (you'll find a use for the other hand).
Strollers - I haven't used a jogging stroller. I have a double seater (front/back NOT side by side)and I use it A LOT even though my youngest two are 2 1/2 & 5. I use it for containment of child(ren) and their stuff. With 4 kids, we have a lot of stuff. One of the most important criteria for selecting a stroller is how easily it folds up. A good test would be to see if Devin can fold it up :)
Things I wouldn't want to do without - crib & dresser (no brainers). Also, I liked having a baby bathtub. Bathing her in the sink rather than the bathtub is easier on your back. You also need to assess the stinky diaper situation. I didn't get along with the Diaper Genie so I ended up putting the stinky diapers in a grocery bag, tying a knot and then putting them in a trash can with a lid.
Hold off buying some of these things (if you can) so your friends and family can have something to give you. Go have fun registering at different stores!
I am so excited for the two of you!
I ditto Kristen. Get a car seat that fits INTO a jogger stroller...they have those. And get the car seat with the ergonomic handle (Looks like a triangle or small handle running the length of the seat instead of the width) I splurged a bit on a crib because it's one of the converter kind and because it didn't have a movable rail. It's set low to the ground so you just lift baby in and out. AND because it was pretty. ( "
Definitely the baby bathtub that fits in the sink...wal-mart...the little grooming kit with clippers and stuff...the velcro snuggle blankets are to DIE FOR...a hooter hider(I know, funny name but they are invaluable)...howzabout that can be the present from the Bakers...we'll talk more about that. Johnson & Johnson disposable pre-soaped bath cloths (HELLO! WHY DIDN'T THEY THINK OF THIS SOONER!?!) Colorful mobile, good monitor, a million onesies, walmart diapers in the yellow box are the cheapest and best diapers...we've tried all the brands. Wow that's a good place to start.
I thought of some more essentials: the Boppy pillow (C=shaped thing that goes around the waist for holding and nursing SAVES YOUR BACK!), a good baby front pack carrier, the Boppy play gym with the little mat that the baby lays on under the arch with toys hanging down. My kids loved those things from day one.
Call me we'll talk!
Don't buy the little stuff. Let people give it at showers. I would suggest having an "essentials" shower so you get the bath tub, onesies, etc. as opposed to nothing but pink clothes.
I'm not a mom, but I think one essential thing is to make sure you know of a good dry cleaner.
Car seats-Safety is my top concern. The top three brands (ranked in order are): 1. Chicco 2. Peg Perego, and 3. Gracco. Which ever brand you choose make sure it works with the stroller you use. Most jogging strollers have some kind of adapter you can buy to attach a car seat. When shopping for our car seat I made sure it was easy to release the car seat from the base and that the shade stayed up while running or being tugged by a toddler.
Strollers- Getting a good jogger and paying through the nose go hand in hand. All my running friends love the BOB strollers. They are very sturdy and have tons of perks. I currently have a Phil & Teds. It was pricey, but it converts to a double stroller and back for a second child (which might just be cheaper than buying a second stroller when #2 comes along). Shop around, I found the best deal online. Check tinyride.com, they offer no tax or shipping and I got my stroller on sale.
Must haves-For breast feeding I suggest a My Brest Friend pillow, it's like a boppy, but buckles around your waist. I've found it's much easier to use and has a pocket for a burp cloth, cream, etc. I also highly recommend the following books: On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo M.A. and Robert Bucknam M.D. and The Happiest Baby On the Block by Harvey Carp M.D. Babywise teaches you how to acclimate parents and baby into an easy happy family life and Happiest Baby teaches you how to calm a fussy baby. These books absolutely saved my sanity as a first time mom. One last must have, a giant exercise ball. My oldest Jack, was an extremely fussy baby and we found the only sure fire way to quiet his cries was to bounce with him on the exercise ball. Nothing fancy needed, just a 12 dollar ball from Walmart.
Remember these are just suggested items what have really worked for me. Like others have said, hold off on fluff, friends and family will be super generous and you will find by the end of your pregnancy that Anna's closet is over flowing with clothes and all the essential are ready and waiting.
There is A LOT out there. I was flabbergasted when I was shopping for car seats last year.
What I still use/suggest after four.
In the car - car seat - they've changed infant seats a bit since I bought one. I liked the graco brand just fine before. I still like to use a carrier seat until they can sit up themselves (like in a grocery cart) after that, then I would suggest a convertible that will seat 5-30 lbs.forward and rear facing(britax is a top brand. Fisher Price sells a less expensive version I've heard is made by the same company.)
Out and about - strollers etc. - I'm the same with joggers. I've liked to use a front carrier (like snuggly or baby bjorn) until they can sit. Then I move to using a jogger and an umbrella stroller (less space with 4 kids worth of stuff) Joggers weren't configured for infants when I bought mine, they might be nowadays.
Now - Boppy (or other type), baby bjorn, convertible crib, bouncy seat.
A good monitor that can reach to the neighbor's house (hint) will allow you to get the mail and some nights out when you need them. And play outside with Anna when #2 is napping (later on in life.)
at 3-4 months - bumbo, exersaucer, floor gym. (this and the baby bjorn will let you cook dinner!)
I don't use a high chair anymore or a diaper pail (they smell just as bad as a regular garbage can). If you want to use a bassinet, find a simple one - she'll only use it for a few months then you'll have to store it for a few years (repeat with each child!).
Less is more. Stuff you buy is just stuff you'll have to store, pack, move, unpack, set up, etc.. You really don't need to have everything they tell you. I have many items I may be able to send your way.
If you don't mind used stuff, kid to kid is a good place to look (if you REALLY want a diaper genie, they have plenty!)
HOLY COW - I think everyone has pretty much covered everything.
I think I thought I needed EVERYTHING before the baby was born (I must have thought Walmart and Target were going to shut down for good or something the day I had my baby) and tried to get everything. Definitely not necessary.
Basically, a carseat, some onesies, and a trillion boxes of newborn diapers. As far as the rest goes...don't freak out. When you need something - you (or someone else) can go and get it for you.
I've learned that what works for one mom doesn't always work for another (for example I was told the boppy was a must have - while others have loved it I never really ever ended up using it - maybe with the next one so I can get my moneys worth!)
Wait till you have a shower and then grab some of the other essentials you didn't get like a bathtub, soap, pacifier, grooming kit, etc. Keep receipts and whatever you end up not needing or using - return.
After having one baby there are two things I definitely know I HAVE to have with the next one. 1 - A front carrier that opens up all the way. We had one that the baby kind of slides into but I could never get Brooklyn in there without help. 2 - A hooter hider. If you are planning on nursing it's a must have if you don't want to go exposing your baby to the world.
Enjoy all the fun bits of advice! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to here your opinion on what works and doesn't. :)
Congratulations on the girl!
Oh my gosh-over load on the advice!!! I am sure your head is spinning-mine sure was after reading some of the advice. My simple suggestion-go with your gut feeling-and all will work out:) Having a kid is not as complicated as it appears. Relax and enjoy each moment of being pregnant-and then relax and enjoy each moment of your baby:)
Car Seats- I love the infant carrier until they can sit up then I convert. Do look for one that is light weight and easy to snap in and out. Just practice in the store. They also snap into the shopping carts!
Strollers- We have a big one that takes up half the trunk. It is nice to snap the car seat into, and for carrying all our crap when we go out. However, it is so big I really only use it at the mall, zoo, and the fair. It does help contain Kaitlyn though. If you like to jog I would buy a jogger, you can always take those to the zoo. Kyle likes the ones with the front shocks and pivoting wheels, it makes driving so much easier.
I could not live without my bouncer. It gets me a shower everyday and it is portable. I love the boppy for feeding, mine is a knock off and has pockets- I love. Each baby was different and with Kami it is the front carrier. The snugli from Target. For Kaitlyn it was the swing, she lived in it. It really depends on the baby. A rocking chair is a must. Also, a mobile or something they can see and hear at bedtime. For the most part I would say wait on a lot of it and buy it when you know what kind of baby you have.
as far as a mobil goes, get one that is battery opperated, that way you don't have to turn the crank all the time.
Car seat - it is so nice to have one that fits into the base in the car and can be transfered into your stroller. You don't want to wake up the baby. Just go to the store and carry around the display ones for a while. Some are definately heavier than others and then add the baby weight especially as they grow older. The ergonomic handles are fabulous. Also, make sure it have a 5-point harness buckle. I agree you need to be able to do it one handed.
Stroller - For baby #3 I broke down and bought an all in one system with the stroller and car seat - hadn't had that before. I use it all the time - but that is because of where I live. In Utah I didn't need a stroller that much because I don't go to the mall that much. You can fit your car seat in most shopping carts. However, they are very convenient. If you are going to run with one than definately get a running stroller. The one thing about strollers is that some are really big. It isn't a big deal when the car seat is in there, but when they are just sitting in it and then you are trying to get in and out of isles in the stores it is a pain. If you ever buy a two seater I recommend one that is not side-by-side. I had one of those and hated it - it can barely fit through doors let alone through the clothes racks at the store. Seriously here I use my stroller almost on a daily basis - and I want to downsize to an umbrella stroller but they are so expensive here.
Must haves - I would have to say that this really depends on you. Some people swear by a bouncy seat - my kids didn't really like them, but loved the swing. However, most of these things you don't need for very long so you have to decide if you really need it or not.
A changing table is nice (didn't have one with baby #1) and of course you will need a crib. You have to decide if your baby will ever sleep in your room or not. Mine always sleep in their own crib from day one so I never bought a bassinet.
A good rocking chair if you don't already have one is fabulous.
For you two outdoor enthusiasts you will want a good baby backpack. I never used the little one for infants, but you will want a nice one later on that you can stick an infant and toddler in when you want to go hiking.
If your baby is a spitter like all of mine were you will need lots of blankets - but you will probablly get lots of those or you can make them yourself with some fun flannel from the store. Just make it a two large squares (about a yard and a half each) and stitch around the edge. Also lots of burp cloths. You can make these too - I have never done it but have seen people do it with cloth diapers and some cute flannel material (they say they soak up everything)
I agree with everyone save off on buying the little things because people will give you lots of that kind-of stuff. If you are going to buy clothes don't buy anything for the first six months of her life. Everyone will buy that for you because little girl outfits are so cute!
I just thought of something else. YARD SALES!!! Now you definately don't want to buy a car seat there - saftey first - but all those other extras are being sold constantly at yard sales. They aren't needed for long so people want to get rid of the clutter - start checking those out especially in Utah county. Also look on EBAY. Save you some $$$
Graco is a great brand on strollers and carseats. you don't need a changing table, the floor works fine. I had one and never used it. I would get 2 strollers since you can't put a baby in a jogger until 6mos. you'll do great.
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