Help!!!!
Where do we go from here? We are just about to start our registry, and I am so confused. There are way too many choices out there on everything. Feel free to chime in and give some advice to us and maybe some other new moms that don't have a clue....
What is a durable, good stroller choice?
Your choice for a car seat?
Bottles?
Bouncer?
Baby musts....
Waste of money....
This stuff is mind boggling. Thanks for your input...you rock!
Hey Kelly!! Here we go: Carseats - You probably want to get an infant seat that's part of a travel system with a stroller (Chicco, Graco, Peg Perego all have these). There are some strollers out there that start with one seat and you can add another for a subsequent child (i.e. Baby Jogger City Select - pricey) If you end up with a stroller like that. Your infant seat can really be any brand because they make adapter kits for the strollers. You may want to consider putting a larger carseat on your registry too, as baby won't be in the infant seat past a year. Britax makes great ones (Marathon, Boulevard, Roundabout). The bouncer is a MUST for when you're in the shower and baby is in the bathroom with you. A swing that a lot of people seem to like now is called the Mamaroo. We had both a full size swing and a travel swing that folds easily. The travel swing was nice to keep in the nursery while the larger swing was kept downstairs. The Pack n Play (with bassinet changing station) is wonderful to have. We kept that set up downstairs so we didn't have to run up and down the steps for changing the baby or laying the baby down for a quick nap. Hard bath tubs to bathe the baby in are useless and uncomfortable. We had a simple seat from Babies' R Us made by summer infant with ducks on it; cheap, comfortable, and folds easily to travel with. Aden and Anais muslin swaddlers are amazing. They're breathable, lightweight, and make for a nice light blanket or nursing cover too. If you're nursing get a good double electric pump by Medela (check out the Care Connection - very helpful). I also had these flannel pads called multi use pads. They make them in smaller sizes for lining things like the bassinet or changing pad on your changing table. They also have a larger size which I used two of on top of the crib mattress protector but before I put the sheet on to protect against leaks. Definitely a nursing pillow like the boppy. I had one for upstairs in the nursery and one for downstairs because you nurse EVERYWHERE! And a good baby monitor is a must. We have a Summer Infant color touch screen monitor that was worth EVERY PENNY! Just remember, all babies are different. My Elise loved the swing but Lucy didn't. Elise loved Dr. Brown's bottles and Lucy loves Tippee Tommee. I'm sure there is more that I'm not thinking of so I'll send you a message if I think of anything else :) Have fun with all the shopping!
ReplyDeleteAlayne...you are amazing! Thank you so much for all this great advice! You are a wealth of knowledge! I am using every bit of it!
ReplyDeleteFisher price rock and play sleeper is a must!!! Aden and anais swaddlers are excellent. Get lots of those. If you're nursing wait until after you have the baby to get your pump and when you get one get it from Care connection. Babies R Us and everywhere else have the same ones for a lot more money! Also have your doc write you a prescription for your pump because (only at care connection) you will save the sales tax. Get a simple pack and play! We got one with a changer and napper and ended using neither of the top parts! That's all I can chime in as of yet because I've only been at this parenting for a short time! Hope it helps!!
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle!
DeleteWow! Thank you so much for all of your advice! I am so happy for you and Andy and love all the pics on Facebook! It is so great to see you so happy being a new mom! I put all of those things on my registry, and I already signed up for taking classes and plan on renting from the Care Connection. I think you said you were using reusable cloth diapers if I'm not mistaken...how is that going? I have not done anything with diapers yet because I want to do some research. Charlotte is absolutely adorable. Keep those pics coming on Facebook!! Thanks again!
I am just now seeing this as I stalk your blog on a Saturday night while you are prego and partying it up at ZBB! That's how I was in the Dominican haha! Enjoying the time out while I could, so I am glad you are too! I have to chime in on some other things I have found to be great/not useful! Don't get a bottle warmer. Waste of time and money! We borrowed one to see how it worked and I am glad we didn't buy it. A mug of hot water or crockpot will do for when Jeff wants to warm up a bottle and let you get some sleep! You also don't need a microwave sterilizer. In fact, in my excessive research (because you know I am online way too much!) I found that it can be more harmful to sterilize plastic bottles in the microwave! Washing well with soap and water and air drying on a good drying rack will suffice! Or sterilizing in the dishwasher if you have one, which I don't :) On that note get a drying rack made specifically for bottles/bottle parts. That has been nice so that the bottle and pump parts don't get thrown in with all the other dishes in the drying rack. Get a milkie milk saver!!! Best thing I ever got! You put it on the side you are not nursing on to cacth the milk that is leaking (yes, this happens!) and I have collected at least 12 bags of milk just from doing that! Milk is liquid gold so you want to catch every drop! They have these at the care connection also! Avent pacifiers are great and they even have little cases to keep the binky in when not in use so it's not thrown into the diaper bag and getting all gross. I will keep you posted as I learn more and more about what we like and don't like!
DeleteI am so glad you are enjoying the Charlotte updates! I am loving every minute as you know, and can't wait to meet your little one and see if it's a boy or girl!!!
As for cloth diapering, yes we are really loving it. I am SO happy we made the decision and think you would be too if you decided on that route! If you want to come by one of these days you are more than welcome, and I can show you the basics and show you my stash! It's really not scary or daunting at all once you sit down and see what it's all about. I was so overwhelmed by all the options when I started but now I think I am slowly becoming more of a pro at it! Honestly, I am so glad we made the decision because we are saving so much money and will continue to do so for each kid. Not to mention the health benefits, potty training benefits, and environmental impact! So let me know if you want to come and have a one on one CD class and I can even show you on Charlotte! What's better than practice on a real baby?
Ok I am done with my spiel! So loving your blog and hope to see you soon!!!
Great tips...I think I have read them over five times now! I think I might take you up on your advice for a training session if the offer is still out there! You have such great advice...thank you soooooooo much!
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