Annoyingly it just depends on what you want to spend in my experience. Also if you're looking for a stroller that warps into a double! I dunno if it helps but here's the junk I've found indispensable: I got an umbrella stroller for Julian when he was 7 months old, it was just lighter and took up less space although I did have to wait until he could sit up on his own. I ended up going with the Aprica Presto which is super ricey (I got a discount code off the internet) but it's amazing because the seats nice and high up. I can't do without it now. Another thing I can't do without is this changing mat thing. I can't find it on the internet right now but it's a Pink Lining Travel Changing Mat. I'm sure there are similar things It's just really handy not to juggle wipes, nappies, AND a changing pad, they're all just rolled into one. Last thing, I don't have one but kinda want one (since I found out Julian's car seat from the UK is illegal here) is the Britax B Ready system. There's a special deal on amazon in September where you buy the stroller system and get a car seat free. It turns into a double system and is super versatile. This may be the most boring thing you've ever read, sorry, haha. OH also, it took me ages to figure this out, but the best baby carrier, if you do a ton of walking around, is the Ergo one. You can get them on craigslist sometimes. I stupidly got a baby bjorn style carrier and Julian got so fat so fast that he never fit in it. The ergo carries more weight and can go on your back, also fits husbands unlike the bjorn.
I love that dwell studio crib. Oeuf also has great cribs in at same price range. Or if you are cheap like me and don't feel too ghetto shopping at walmart.com here is a lot cheaper crib with clean lines. It's the only one I found that wasn't crazy expensive or chunky.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Mod-Modena-2-in-1-Crib-White/15529737 Henry doesn't like his crib but he loves this. And it's a good place to hang out during the day.
here's what i have found helpful: cribs that turn into toddler beds were useless for us since we had another boy and figured we better get bunk beds anyway. but, of course, i know people who use them and like them fine. stroller, i've always heard not to do the side by side because you won't be able to fit through some doors or isles in stores. i got a sit & stand front to back one and like it a lot but i wish the tires were a little bigger because sometimes it shakes when i go too fast downhill. it is also hard to squeeze into the trunk of our cars. umbrella strollers are really handy when you're not doing long distances or walking fast (like exercise type walking). ditto on what above friend said about travel changing pad. it really is pretty great. although i don't use mine much now that max is so big. car seat- if you have more than one car it might be convenient to buy the extra base to put in your husbands car so it's easy to transfer if you need to. i also heard from my pediatrician that you're now supposed to keep your baby in a rear facing car seat as long as possible (it used to be until they were one or 22 lbs). i think they encourage up to 2 yrs old. so, she recommended a convertible car seat because they can be used from newborn to like 70 lbs. also, swing was a must for us. both of my kids loved their swing. we got the kind that you can turn the seat so it will go side-to-side and front-to-back. good luck, hope this helps a little!
I recommend a jogging stroller. Babies (usually) love riding in a stroller and it is an easy way to get back in shape and get out after you have the baby. I am not going to tell you which one bc it all depends on how much you want to spend but read the reviews and I love craigslist bc it can save you hundreds. Congrats on the baby by the way. :)
Bob stroller with infant attachment--If you don't see yourself strolling around too much maybe it won't be worth it. I walked a TON after Will was born. It's also a jogger stroller...which you might not be into. With the infant attachment you can just snap in the car seat. I got mine on KSL.
Pampers Swaddler Diapers--Subscribe on Amazon and have them delivered. HEAVEN.
First Years Ignite Stroller for my umbrella stroller. Less bulky, good for when she is a little older.
I have the Graco 32 carseat and it's HUGE. I can use it longer but it was a huge pain when I was carting him around in it, just ask Michelle.
A lot of people like the "JJ Cole Bundle Me" for the car seat. I'm not how cold it gets where you are but that might be nice.
I got a video monitor which I loved but might not be a necessity.
I decided what I wanted, looked at the reviews on Amazon and really went from there. Sometimes it might be best to buy after you have the baby to see what would be more useful for you.
To much info??? Take it or leave it. :) Very exciting...oh, and scary too. HA!
you can borrow our swing if you'd like. it plugs in the wall so it doesn't go through huge amounts of batteries. The baby will probably outgrow it in 2 or 3 months anyways.
anything we got calvin that we thought he'd love he hates. (swing, bouncer, etc.) so i'm sure that's helpful. it's pretty fun (??) to research the stuff you want, anyway.
looks like i'm a little late on the congratulations! well done. and welcome to the world of pouring over baby gear reviews for hours. literally, i've spent so many hours. i'm not sure if i should be dispensing tips since my baby isn't actually here yet... but here are some things that we have. by the way, if that dwell crib is on your list i am really jealous. and let me know if you want that maternity dress pattern, i think it's pretty basic.
besides clothes this is pretty much all we bought for our baby:
- i've heard the best newborn diapers are pampers swaddlers but they are scented and give some babies rashes, so we have 7th generation chlorine free diapers (not free and clear which leak apparently). i used the chlorine free on the baby i nannied and liked them a lot. skip the newborn size though as they run small unless your baby is teeny. there are also some good ones called nature baby care that are bio-degradable if you're into that.
- also i researched every item i could on http://www.consumersearch.com/ which is essentially a free consumer reports. almost everything we ordered was from amazon. signing up for amazon mom is awesome. you can get all kinds of diapers for cheap and free shipping on almost everything you buy after - baby related or not. and they have really helpful reviews as well.
so, that was the longest comment of my life, hopefully it helps! i'm so excited for you.
wow, this is a great resource! you have awesome friends. i will definitely be checking on this blog in the next couple of months because the only thing we have right now for a baby is the Puj tub someone gave me. at least the baby will be clean.
The swing PLUS a swaddle me by summer (a velcro swaddle wrap thing) was 2 of the best purchases we made. We got the swing on Craigslist, but I would borrow your friends that plugs into the wall because we have spent close to $50 on batteries for our swing. But let me tell you for our baby it is money well spent. Xander still takes 2-3 hr. naps in his swaddle and swing. I love the book Happiest Baby on the Block.
I would get light color clothes, hides the spit up.
Don't love my stroller or car seat, my ergo is good. I think we'll LOVE it when he's older. I got a Moby wrap but didn't use it, Rob and Steph are borrowing it and really like it.
If you are nursing a got a Boppy and My Breast Friend. The BY I liked when he was new and small and we were trying to figure out. I used neither for awhile and most of the time now use the boppy pillow.
Watch the movie Babies, you will realize that babies survive eating dirt and sleeping on the floor. All this stuff we buy our babies are just shining and new and we WANT them but don't really NEED them.
You'll love being a mom. Xander is so awesome. I love that boy. Have fun. Good luck.
Almost everything I have for my kids I have gotten for FREE! You just need to know who to ask. Try he lady in your ward with four kids and he youngest is 4. He likelihood is she has a ton of stuff she would love to unload. Tell everyone you know you are in the market and I will start pouring in. You can't be as picky but then you will have extra cash to but the caraway you really want but is 50 bucks more than the reasonable ones. We should chat. We are onnumber four o Ed here so I am now an official pro :)
Annoyingly it just depends on what you want to spend in my experience. Also if you're looking for a stroller that warps into a double! I dunno if it helps but here's the junk I've found indispensable:
ReplyDeleteI got an umbrella stroller for Julian when he was 7 months old, it was just lighter and took up less space although I did have to wait until he could sit up on his own. I ended up going with the Aprica Presto which is super ricey (I got a discount code off the internet) but it's amazing because the seats nice and high up. I can't do without it now.
Another thing I can't do without is this changing mat thing. I can't find it on the internet right now but it's a Pink Lining Travel Changing Mat. I'm sure there are similar things It's just really handy not to juggle wipes, nappies, AND a changing pad, they're all just rolled into one.
Last thing, I don't have one but kinda want one (since I found out Julian's car seat from the UK is illegal here) is the Britax B Ready system. There's a special deal on amazon in September where you buy the stroller system and get a car seat free. It turns into a double system and is super versatile. This may be the most boring thing you've ever read, sorry, haha. OH also, it took me ages to figure this out, but the best baby carrier, if you do a ton of walking around, is the Ergo one. You can get them on craigslist sometimes. I stupidly got a baby bjorn style carrier and Julian got so fat so fast that he never fit in it. The ergo carries more weight and can go on your back, also fits husbands unlike the bjorn.
I love that dwell studio crib. Oeuf also has great cribs in at same price range. Or if you are cheap like me and don't feel too ghetto shopping at walmart.com here is a lot cheaper crib with clean lines. It's the only one I found that wasn't crazy expensive or chunky.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Mod-Modena-2-in-1-Crib-White/15529737
Also, this is my favorite baby thing ever.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Mod-Modena-2-in-1-Crib-White/15529737
Henry doesn't like his crib but he loves this. And it's a good place to hang out during the day.
Hope that helps. I
here's what i have found helpful: cribs that turn into toddler beds were useless for us since we had another boy and figured we better get bunk beds anyway. but, of course, i know people who use them and like them fine.
ReplyDeletestroller, i've always heard not to do the side by side because you won't be able to fit through some doors or isles in stores. i got a sit & stand front to back one and like it a lot but i wish the tires were a little bigger because sometimes it shakes when i go too fast downhill. it is also hard to squeeze into the trunk of our cars. umbrella strollers are really handy when you're not doing long distances or walking fast (like exercise type walking).
ditto on what above friend said about travel changing pad. it really is pretty great. although i don't use mine much now that max is so big.
car seat- if you have more than one car it might be convenient to buy the extra base to put in your husbands car so it's easy to transfer if you need to. i also heard from my pediatrician that you're now supposed to keep your baby in a rear facing car seat as long as possible (it used to be until they were one or 22 lbs). i think they encourage up to 2 yrs old. so, she recommended a convertible car seat because they can be used from newborn to like 70 lbs.
also, swing was a must for us. both of my kids loved their swing. we got the kind that you can turn the seat so it will go side-to-side and front-to-back.
good luck, hope this helps a little!
I recommend a jogging stroller. Babies (usually) love riding in a stroller and it is an easy way to get back in shape and get out after you have the baby. I am not going to tell you which one bc it all depends on how much you want to spend but read the reviews and I love craigslist bc it can save you hundreds.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the baby by the way. :)
Just wanted to tell you congratulations!!!! Hope the pregnancy goes great! Take care
ReplyDeleteHere's my list...
ReplyDeleteBob stroller with infant attachment--If you don't see yourself strolling around too much maybe it won't be worth it. I walked a TON after Will was born. It's also a jogger stroller...which you might not be into. With the infant attachment you can just snap in the car seat. I got mine on KSL.
Pampers Swaddler Diapers--Subscribe on Amazon and have them delivered. HEAVEN.
First Years Ignite Stroller for my umbrella stroller. Less bulky, good for when she is a little older.
I have the Graco 32 carseat and it's HUGE. I can use it longer but it was a huge pain when I was carting him around in it, just ask Michelle.
A lot of people like the "JJ Cole Bundle Me" for the car seat. I'm not how cold it gets where you are but that might be nice.
I got a video monitor which I loved but might not be a necessity.
I decided what I wanted, looked at the reviews on Amazon and really went from there. Sometimes it might be best to buy after you have the baby to see what would be more useful for you.
To much info??? Take it or leave it. :) Very exciting...oh, and scary too. HA!
you can borrow our swing if you'd like. it plugs in the wall so it doesn't go through huge amounts of batteries. The baby will probably outgrow it in 2 or 3 months anyways.
ReplyDeleteanything we got calvin that we thought he'd love he hates. (swing, bouncer, etc.) so i'm sure that's helpful. it's pretty fun (??) to research the stuff you want, anyway.
ReplyDeletelooks like i'm a little late on the congratulations! well done. and welcome to the world of pouring over baby gear reviews for hours. literally, i've spent so many hours. i'm not sure if i should be dispensing tips since my baby isn't actually here yet... but here are some things that we have. by the way, if that dwell crib is on your list i am really jealous. and let me know if you want that maternity dress pattern, i think it's pretty basic.
ReplyDeletebesides clothes this is pretty much all we bought for our baby:
- a chicco car seat
http://www.chiccousa.com/gear/car-seats/keyfit-30-fuego.aspx
- we're getting this stroller for cheap:
http://www.uppababy.com/products/product.php?id=119
- but we almost got this stroller, which i've used and love:
http://www.babyjogger.com/city_mini_sngl_dtl.aspx
- this is a good review of a ton of stroller types
http://www.babble.com/products/baby-products/best-stroller-baby-jogger-pram-lightweight-jogging/
- she'll probably get an ikea crib after she grows out of her co-sleeper:
http://www.armsreach.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_18_6&products_id=35
- an ergo carrier
http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/
- i got this to throw in my purse instead of carrying an entire diaper bag, there are definitely fancier (and more expensive ones) out there:
http://www.target.com/Munchkin-Travel-Diaper-Changing-Kit/dp/B000O1VMXE
- i've heard the best newborn diapers are pampers swaddlers but they are scented and give some babies rashes, so we have 7th generation chlorine free diapers (not free and clear which leak apparently). i used the chlorine free on the baby i nannied and liked them a lot. skip the newborn size though as they run small unless your baby is teeny. there are also some good ones called nature baby care that are bio-degradable if you're into that.
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Generation-Chlorine-Diapers-Stage/dp/B0014XVXVM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1311275616&sr=8-7
- and a few swaddler baby straight jackets (i read the organic ones work the best? no idea why)
http://www.summerinfant.com/Products/Nursery/Swaddle-Me---Speciality-Blankets/SwaddleMe%C2%AE/100--Organic-Cotton/SwaddleMe%C2%AE-Organic.aspx
- also i researched every item i could on http://www.consumersearch.com/ which is essentially a free consumer reports. almost everything we ordered was from amazon. signing up for amazon mom is awesome. you can get all kinds of diapers for cheap and free shipping on almost everything you buy after - baby related or not. and they have really helpful reviews as well.
so, that was the longest comment of my life, hopefully it helps! i'm so excited for you.
wow, this is a great resource! you have awesome friends. i will definitely be checking on this blog in the next couple of months because the only thing we have right now for a baby is the Puj tub someone gave me. at least the baby will be clean.
ReplyDeleteThe swing PLUS a swaddle me by summer (a velcro swaddle wrap thing) was 2 of the best purchases we made. We got the swing on Craigslist, but I would borrow your friends that plugs into the wall because we have spent close to $50 on batteries for our swing. But let me tell you for our baby it is money well spent. Xander still takes 2-3 hr. naps in his swaddle and swing. I love the book Happiest Baby on the Block.
ReplyDeleteI would get light color clothes, hides the spit up.
Don't love my stroller or car seat, my ergo is good. I think we'll LOVE it when he's older. I got a Moby wrap but didn't use it, Rob and Steph are borrowing it and really like it.
If you are nursing a got a Boppy and My Breast Friend. The BY I liked when he was new and small and we were trying to figure out. I used neither for awhile and most of the time now use the boppy pillow.
Watch the movie Babies, you will realize that babies survive eating dirt and sleeping on the floor. All this stuff we buy our babies are just shining and new and we WANT them but don't really NEED them.
You'll love being a mom. Xander is so awesome. I love that boy. Have fun. Good luck.
Almost everything I have for my kids I have gotten for FREE! You just need to know who to ask. Try he lady in your ward with four kids and he youngest is 4. He likelihood is she has a ton of stuff she would love to unload. Tell everyone you know you are in the market and I will start pouring in. You can't be as picky but then you will have extra cash to but the caraway you really want but is 50 bucks more than the reasonable ones. We should chat. We are onnumber four o Ed here so I am now an official pro :)
ReplyDeleteThanks people. You've been most helpful!
ReplyDelete