So I am trying to decide on several larger items that we need to purchase and/or register for soon. I am trying to decide a lot now because I am hoping to strike quite a few deals with Christmas sales this season, especially black Friday. I am also signed up for Amazon Moms which gives you free 2 day shipping and I have heard there are lots of good deals the whole month of November. Anyways, initially I signed up for a consumer report subscription but have come to realize it was not as helpful as I thought it would be...
So, I am hoping some of you out there who are experts in the kid product buying and using department might be of some help:) I want to know everything! What brands you have liked/seem most reliable and have been recalled the least, what features are a must versus just a perk, etc.
So here is a list of things I have had my mind on deciding on soon...but if you have other products you want to tell me about or that I am forgetting to consider please do so! I have only listed the big expenses I can think of...
1) Crib
2) Carseat, Stroller, or Travel System? What kinds/packages have you guys liked the most?
3) Breast Pump
4) Swing- I know there are lots of different kinds, I have been recommended a side-to-side cradle one but I am also interested in what people thing of the travel size ones or I have even seen ones that turn into a high chair?? For those that have the travel, how often did you actually take it somewhere?
5) Pack N Play- are these really necessary?
Thanks for anyone with advice to help me know which direction I want to go!
8 comments:
Crib - Ours is mine and we have it refinished.
Car Seats- I'm a fan of travel systems because then the car seat clips right into the stroller and is a piece of cake. We had one, toill we bought our sit n stand and now the car seat clips into that. I liked ours and it is Graco. But so many are good. Go to Babies R Us and get a car seat down, carry it through the isle for a few mins and see how ya like it. Push the stroller and see what ya think. We did that.
Swing - LOVE our small travel swing. Folds up and can be taken apart for storage.
Pack N Play - Only time we use ours is camping or traveling. Never use it at home.
Oh ... Breast Pump - I liked my Part Time Madela. Only one pump and it worked great for me.
That's a perk of the swing we have also, the two legs just unhook and it fits right in our trunk. I've taken it to my moms often, don't know about the zen one though.
love love love swings! Both of my kids were sooo happy in swings!
Car seats - I was not a huge fan of travel systems. As soon as they got big enough (6 months ish) we switched for a more compact stroller. Anytime we went somewhere they were in a sling anyways. (which I would also totally recommend - so comfy and my kiddos loved them!Moby was my fave! just a thought) MI always thought they were so bulky!
Pack N Plays are not really essential unless you plan on traveling a lot (even still as a newborn they don't really need one!:) We didn't use it until they were bigger. OR if your house is 2 levels and you want a place for her on the other level. I used it mostly for this.
Sorry this is long! So excited for you two!
I have used and used my pack n play. And I still have it for company. Loved the travel swing with the last baby...I would start with a regular swing and see if you would use a travel one before buying...one does the kid like it and two are you traveling that much when they are under 6 months to use it.
crib for sure just read reviews and look at a few to find the style you like paired with quality.
often a carseat alone is almost as expensive as a travel system so I went with that and we use our stroller often the strollers are bigger but we use it pretty much everywhere. they make ones with jogging strollers now which is awesome and I would recommend because then you have the option to jog.
breast pump i have this one and love it! best thing i bought even if you dont work just to pump a bottle for a baby sitter its wonderful! http://www.target.com/p/Medela-Pump-In-Style-Advanced-On-The-Go-Tote-Breastpump/-/A-10762141
I never had a swing with flint we didn't get one for a shower and i used gift cards for other things...I bought a travel one for hinkley and its been great because i can move it around my levels to where i want it.
we didn't have a pack n play until we were wondering how to have him sleep camping and once we got it we used it for plenty of other stuff. I used it when I was in the front gardening and he was crawling so I wouldn't loose him we take it to baby sitters for naps or even when we go to friends for a late night. also if you get fancier ones people use them as bassinets for when she'll be in your room.
but my favorite thing that i would say is a must have is a bumbo chair!!! Best thing ever and as far as high chair we got the space saver when he needed it and its nice to just have it on a kitchen chair.
1) Crib: I spent way too much time deciding on this one. I shook every one in Babies R Us b/c I wanted a strong one that would last through who knows how many kids. I chose one of the more expensive ones and so far it's been fabulous and #3 is currently in it. I don't think a changing table is necessary (not that you asked, but it goes along with the crib). We bought one but I use it more for storing clutter than anything else. Have I ever even changed a baby on it?
2) Carseat, Stroller, or Travel System: I'm with Sam on this one- go to BRUS and get them down, move them around, etc. I would go for a travel system, for sure. My sis got some sort of Chico and I love it- even though that's not what I have.
3) Breast Pump: Medela Pump N Style.
4) Swing: We have the cradle one that sways side to side or front to back. It's AWESOME! All of my children have LOVEd it (Toa would only sleep in it for the first 5 weeks of his life). It takes up a lot of room, but for us it's worth it.
5) Pack N Play: We use ours quite a bit. It's nice when traveling, but also really nice when you're outside to keep the little one from crawling in dirt, sand, grass, leaves, etc.
Good luck!
Hey Sierra, I know we haven't talked since High School but I found your blog today, and I thought I'd just mention about my pump. I had my doctor write a perscription for it and I went to a Medical supply store, and I got a double electic pump for about $50. I'd ask your insurance if they cover that...
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