Baby Gear [open]

[BananaCake]

Hello

I wanted to start a thread about baby gear: Car seats, strollers, dressers, changing tables, cribs, etc., what you all have and what you recommend.

We're trying to get as little stuff as possible, so we're looking at changing table/dresser combos. Since the baby won't have a room of his/her own, we want a portable bassinet or something like that that we can put in our room. I'm also thinking of getting a car seat/stroller combination.

Suggestions? Thoughts?

 

[Singin4Him]

If you want a travel system I highly recommend the Chicco Key Fit! The car seat is so light and easy to move from the car to the stroller, it snaps right into place on the car seat base or the stroller with a magnet system that locks in once you get it down onto the stroller or the base. The stroller is so easy to pop open and it's lightweight as well. We love ours!!

Here's a link: http://www.chiccousa.net/home.php?cat=1

 

[chillybean]

We had a bassinet but it was only useful for three months and then they outgrew it. I won't be buying another. I use the crib from day 1.

I have a change table and I thought maybe I should have bought the dresser combo. But at least I've been using it for 6 years with at least 3 years to go, so I guess I'm not toooo upset about it (I'm pg with #4).

We bought an organizer for the closet and all the clothes go in there. The shirts hang on the bar, and under that there's a wire basket drawer system that everything else goes into (socks, undies, pants, pjs, etc etc), so we don't need a chest of drawers at all.

I like the car seat/stroller combo too. I have a double stroller one thats indispensible to me. We keep it in our van at all times.

My babies never liked swings, but I couldn't live without the vibrating cloth chair (that is so portable and enabled me to take showers) and the exersaucer for when they are a few months old. Its sooo good to have a place to put baby down and keep them amused, otherwise you get nothing done and your arms fall off from holding them ALL the time. lol. At least mine seemed to! And when they get bored of one, you switch to the other.

We thought of getting a folding high chair but we use it so much we never put it away. Can't wait till its out of my kitchen though and I can open the fridge door freely (you know, besides the kids attached to my arm, hip, calf, etc)!

I think thats ALL the baby gear we ever needed. Oh, and a playpen. When they get old enough to stand (too big for the exersaucer) , it keeps them corralled so I can go potty and/or make lunch!

chillybean

 

[BananaCake]

This is all very helpful. I do have one question.

We had a bassinet but it was only useful for three months and then they outgrew it. I won't be buying another. I use the crib from day 1.

I don't think we have room for a crib in our bedroom, so that's why I was thinking bassinet at least until the baby is old enough to sleep through a good portion of the night. Are there any bassinets that you know of that can last until a baby is 6 months or beyond? At that point, the baby will be right outside our room in the office/family room. We don't have any other bedrooms on the floor where our bedroom is.

 

[BananaCake]

If you want a travel system I highly recommend the Chicco Key Fit! The car seat is so light and easy to move from the car to the stroller, it snaps right into place on the car seat base or the stroller with a magnet system that locks in once you get it down onto the stroller or the base. The stroller is so easy to pop open and it's lightweight as well. We love ours!!

Here's a link: http://www.chiccousa.net/home.php?cat=1

I was just looking at this on Babies R Us. Is the stroller pretty easy to collapse? We don't have a very big car and will need to fit it and other baby needs in the trunk for travelling.

 

[KillerV]

I do want to reccomend Arm's Reach co-sleeper bassinet. its really a wonderful thing! it attaches to your bed....best idea ever!haha.

 

[Singin4Him]

I was just looking at this on Babies R Us. Is the stroller pretty easy to collapse? We don't have a very big car and will need to fit it and other baby needs in the trunk for travelling.

Yeah the stroller will collapse very easily! It's such a simple stroller to open and collapse, you just press a button and pull up and it will collapse and to open you do the same but shake it down and it opens easily.

I agree with the above post, the co-sleeper is awesome too! I was going to get one but my parents bought us a beautiful cradle that we will most likely become something we will keep in the family. Had they not bought that though I would have most certainly bought the co-sleeper. If you plan to breastfeed keeping baby in your room for the first few months makes life much easier!

 

[RoseofLima]

Yeah the stroller will collapse very easily! It's such a simple stroller to open and collapse, you just press a button and pull up and it will collapse and to open you do the same but shake it down and it opens easily.

I agree with the above post, the co-sleeper is awesome too! I was going to get one but my parents bought us a beautiful cradle that we will most likely become something we will keep in the family. Had they not bought that though I would have most certainly bought the co-sleeper. If you plan to breastfeed keeping baby in your room for the first few months makes life much easier!

We have a co-sleeper- but it is my 2 year old's bed...so we bought a pack n'play with bassinet insert - and changing area attatched to it. It is also right next to the bed- and I will not have to get up to reach the baby to pull him into my bed to nurse. I also will not have to get out of bed to change him in the midle of the night- because the chnaging area is right there, too. It also has this great light attatched that has a timer on it- which I KNOW I will use- I always need a little light at first when I am nursing in the middle of the night, and it is great that it's on a timer, so it will shut off on its own.

I think it was about$90 at Wal-mart- my folks bought it.

We don't do travel systems- I refuse to lug a car seat around--it's too heavy for me and messes up my insides (making them want to be outsides)...so I recommend my dearest and nearest friend--the adjustable pouch from www.kangarookorner.com. That's the one piece of baby gear I personally couldn't do without.

We also have a swing...and that has been something most of my babies have enjoyed as well. It's one where you can change the speeds and how reclined the swing is-- and so it can go nice and slow and gentle for a newborn.

That's really all the newborn baby gear I have- I have stuff for older babies....but the swing, the sling, and the bed.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

We have a pack 'n play that has a bassent and a changing table. It is by Graco.

 

[jessesgirl]

Typically once they roll over, you can't really use the bassinet anymore. Like I said though, that is typically...we have just a Kolcraft bassinet that actually is on wheels so I can push it from room to room. It also vibrates so it is more soothing for baby. It has been nice because we can also detach the bed from the base and throw it in the car and take it with us when we go stay the night somewhere. We have gone on two "trips" so far and it went with us on both of them...VERY handy!

 

[ChildByGrace]

i can't recommend anything myself as i don't know what i am going to use yet.

One thing that i will say is to really look into the travel system. Babies should not be in a car seat longer than is really necessary. It is recommend that a baby lies flats as it helps the spine to form properly. Being in a car seat doesn't allow this to happen - especailly if they are in it for an extended amount of time (for me it will be no good as i'll be out and about with my pram alot.)
You can buy classic 3 in 1 sets for a simliar price as the travel systems.

 

[BananaCake]

That's really all the newborn baby gear I have- I have stuff for older babies....but the swing, the sling, and the bed.

You don't have a car seat for the baby?

 

[RoseofLima]

Oh- yes--and a car seat It just never comes out of the car- so I forget about it....we just kind of roatate the kds through the differnt stages of car seats

 

[BananaCake]

I wanted to resurrect this thread, especially with all the new people.

I was going to get one of the latch car seats, but it appears I can't because our car is a bit old, I guess. Anyone have issues with fitting a car seat in their older model car?

 

[RedTulipMom]

This is all very helpful. I do have one question.



I don't think we have room for a crib in our bedroom, so that's why I was thinking bassinet at least until the baby is old enough to sleep through a good portion of the night. Are there any bassinets that you know of that can last until a baby is 6 months or beyond? At that point, the baby will be right outside our room in the office/family room. We don't have any other bedrooms on the floor where our bedroom is.

instead of a bassinet..try the jenny lind cradle..the baby can sleep in it till they are a good 6 mos old. Its longer and bigger than a bassinet but alot smaller than a crib..here is a pic of it..the nice thing is that you can have it right next to your bed and you can put your arm out and rock the baby in it. There is also a latch/lock on it so you can make it stay still when they get past newborn and you dont want them to roll and move the cradle while rolling.

 

[Leanna]

Hello

I wanted to start a thread about baby gear: Car seats, strollers, dressers, changing tables, crobs, etc., what you all have and what you recommend.

We're trying to get as little stuff as possible, so we're looking at changing table/dresser combos. Since the baby won't have a room of his/her own, we want a portable bassinet or something like that that we can put in our room. I'm also thinking of getting a car seat/stroller combination.

Suggestions? Thoughts?

Since you're sharing a room I would say the arms reach cosleeper too!

You could really do *without* the changing table if you want..... I really liked mine but lots of people find it just as easy to change on the floor or bed with just a little changing pad like what you find in nice baby bags

If you want a travel system I highly recommend the Chicco Key Fit! The car seat is so light and easy to move from the car to the stroller, it snaps right into place on the car seat base or the stroller with a magnet system that locks in once you get it down onto the stroller or the base. The stroller is so easy to pop open and it's lightweight as well. We love ours!!

Here's a link: http://www.chiccousa.net/home.php?cat=1

that DOES sound nice..... *drool* I think we have similar taste in parenting items

Really you don't have the metal latch thingeys!?!?

 

[Leanna]

Oh i recommend a bouncy chair..... great place to put baby while eating, cooking, showering.... they can see you, you can see them...

 

[teishpriest]

I absolutely LOVE Graco car seats. I don't get anything else anymore! I found my travel system to be way too big for my taste, but some people don't mind the size. It really depends on what you like. If you can try them out at the store it sometimes helps you decided what is right for you. I have an espresso stroller by inglesina that I got for CHEAP because it was on clearance. I prefer it because it folds pretty small and is light. The downside is that they are EXPENSIVE if you don't find a great deal like I did. If you are looking for a front carrier, I really recommend the Baby Bjorn. It is pricey, but I got a cheap one for my DD and couldn't stand the thing. I bought the Bjorn for my DS, and it is SO much more comfortable. It doesn't even look worn and I use it almost every day. I will definately be using it again for our coming little one! So, I figure if I am using it for multiple babies, then it wasn't too bad a price to pay.

My DS likes bouncy seats, and my DD liked swings, go figure!

If you want a breast pump, I love my Avent! Also, the lansinoh breast pads, disposable or washable, are my favorite!

 

[teishpriest]

Almost forgot... We own all of our vehicles, so they are not new! I've never had trouble getting a car seat in our SUV or car. Just make SURE to follow the instructions and use a locking clip on the belt if needed. Even my Dad's '99 Explorer doesn't have LATCH, so I'm not sure when they started with that. LATCH is convenient, but not necessary if you are careful to follow the safety guidelines in the car seat manual.

Practice installing the car seat BEFORE the baby is born. It took my sister and I almost an hour to figure it out the first time we took my DD anywhere, LOL!

 

[ChildByGrace]

I just bought my front pack over the weekend.

Here's a link to it. I know that they work well as my sister and sil had one each - my sister used her's most day until the littleist was around 1.

www.wilkinet.co.uk


ps - i bought mine in the aubergine