Over Spring Break I was able to fly home for a few days and surprise my mom and brothers! Thanks dad!! He is great with surprises! Well, what else were my mom and I going to do with our few days together but-Baby Register! Sheesh!! Registering is an overwhelming process! I found wedding registering way less intimidating. Maybe because with wedding registering I knew what I wanted and with all the baby gear I don't know which model and make are best. Like, do I go with the travel system? A jogger stroller vs. a standard one? Which pacifier do I go with? There are like 10 options! Am I a bad mom-to-be in that I haven't read all the consumer reports about what baby items are "the best bang for your buck" or must haves?!? My mom and I were just the blind leading the blind in guessing what would be best. I guess that with the majority of baby things it really doesn't matter in the end what brand I go with but are there a few things moms out there would highly recommend and others that are simply not worth buying??
PS- Baby stuff is EXPENSIVE!!!!
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I'm jealous that you're registering! I never got to, or maybe I just didn't think of it? I would definitely get a travel system, and a jogging stroller too if you ever want to exercise outside with baby James. Regular strollers are too annoying to push outside for very long, even if you're just walking. Pacifier brands are all different shapes so you just have to see which shape your baby will take, although he may not be picky. I really liked having a front carrier for Kate when she was little (like a Baby Bjorn) because she would always stay asleep the longest that way and I could have my hands free to do stuff. I think that for a lot of things brands don't matter that much.
You can count on me to leave a long comment when someone asks for advice! :)
It depends on how paraniod you are....the more you read into stuff the more rules they had. I went with the rule, is it cute, do I like it? haha.
For big baby needs, if you can I would start doing some garage sales to save money. Im going to sell my car seat/stroller system if you are interested (its a sage green and tan plaid graco). But you also might have VERY generous people back home that will give you awesome stuff, all I ever got at showers was LOTS of clothes. But between furniture and swings and seats,it can rack up in price!
Oh and there are some things that you will want to wait to buy, I NEVER used a front/ back pack carrier, I borrowed one once and Callie and I hated it, so borrow and try before BUY. And we borrowed a swing for 6 months from a friend so you might find that too!
I have a list of "must-haves" if you are interested, plus EVERY mom out there has her advice and preference. Some of it is live and learn Some peoples favorites are my least favorites (that is why they all stay in business.) I would say Dr. Browns bottles are THE BEST. and pacifiers . . .doesn't matter, I LOVE my jogging stroller that has the carrier attach because I could go running when the baby was 3 month old (but I am a big runner). I bought a monitor and NEVER use it because our house is so small. I DID need baby detergent, but have never used diaper rash cream or spit up rags, so every baby is different. . . good luck. Let me know if you want my list. jamie.ahlstrom@gmail.com
I agree with borrowing. WE used a bath tub, bassinet and swing for only 3 months. The bouncer was only 4 months. He now has a jumperoo, used for 5 months and counting. The nice thing about borrowing is that you just give it back and NO STORAGE. Plus you can see if baby likes it first. Oh yeah, I love my travel changing pad and my front pack. I can do dishes and still have my baby.
I second Jen's advice for a Baby Bjorn. Ryder and I both LOVED that thing. I know a lot of people that prefer a sling. But it was nice to be able to make bread, vacuum, etc. with Ryder attached to me! I am definitely getting a swing this time around (hopefully at a yard sale). Your journey is only beginning...how exciting??!!!
I would get a jogger stroller. They manuever so much better than a regular stroller. When I get a double stroller it will definitely be a jogger...even though I don't run. Oh and I LOVE the baby bjorn... it is so much better than the other brands and it is so nice to have. Oh and I loved my baby trend car seat, it has a triangle handle and I loved it. I really think it is whatever you like because I would try and research stuff and all I pretty much got out of it was that different people (and babies) like different things.
Congrats on expecting your little guy! Being a mom is a whole new world and adventure. One thing I've learned about baby stuff is it's a huge industry. They will try to sell you stuff at an outrageous price (i.e. "baby" furniture). There's a lot of cute stuff that you don't have to pay full price for. Check out clearance racks and garage sales. You can get really, really great stuff for a quarter of the price. I understand there are somethings you aren't supposed to buy second hand though (like car seats and cribs??). But you can find that stuff out. Good luck! Have fun shopping!!
It is overwhelming!! I'm right with you. I didn't do TOO much research with consumer reports, but we found everything we wanted. We went with a travel system, which I loved while he was little. And then we ended up getting a jogging stroller once he was like 6 months old. Having 2 strollers in a small place has kind of been a pain, but they serve different purposes!
You have to get the jogger travel system stroller they are great. Baby Trend makes them. And it is hardly your choice which binky to buy. The little guy will make that choice for you. Or he may be like Henry and never take a binky. I pretty much agree with Jen on everything. The baby bjorn is great for the first six months. And I don't think the type of bottle makes much difference. As long as you are feeding him, he probably won't care. Good luck.
well I might as well add my piece of advice. I agree with Jen (Swendsen) a travel system is a MUST and I too am planning on buying a jogging stroller when the weather gets nice (yes it's April and there's still a ton of snow here...brutal!)
The stroller I have is a combi and I love it! It comes in really sporty non gender specific colors. I got it because I live on the third floor of an apartment and I wanted something really like weight and also something that can easily be taken on the bus, go to the mall, maneuver in a small doctor's office etc. I just plan on using the jogging stroller for more difficult terrain.
I spent a lot of time on Kijiji and eventually found beautiful white baby furniture that I LOVE. You don't need to spend an arm and a leg, that's ridiculous.
Well that should be enough advice eh? Dave and I are so happy for you! By the way are you naming the baby James? That's the name Dave and I were going to use if we had a boy! Great name! We miss you guys!
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