Baby Stuff

[dopeyfanatic]

I've had three kids. Are you having a baby shower? If you are, you might get many things there. I have to agree about some things. For one, most stroller that come as a set are not large enough for the baby after a year old. Get a seperate carseat/stroller. Also, if you get bottles, don't get too many. While my second two didn't care what kind it was, my first one did. We went through every bottle possible until finding one he liked. And from about 2-6 months it was the only one he'd use. Don't buy pacifiers unless you're baby seems very hard to console and it's a last choice. You don't want them being 3 years old and still trying to get them off it, so don't start it! I used my swing ALL the time with my three kids. They loved it. They used it until they were about 7 months old. I know someone who just went to Once Upon a Child and got one for $25. It's her 4th child and wasn't planned, so she needed to rebuy things! Make sure you have lots of onesies, but skip too many shoes at that age. Socks are best, maybe some crib shoes, but not hard soled shoes as they're usually too heavy and look funny on little babies. I wouldn't get a carrier/sling to begin with because she might not use it. Wait and see what she thinks before wasting the money. I do know people that used them a lot, but I also know most people had them but didn't really use them. It's a $30+ item that you can spare yourself and put the money towards something else. Don't be afraid to go generic on diapers/wipes/formula. Most of them are made by the same name brand people with a generic name on them. You might have to try out a few different one before you find one you like. I say start with generics first because if you like the, why bother going with the expensive ones! Try to find things at consignments shops as they'll be much cheaper, but carseats should be bought new. You never know if someone was in a car accident with it or not. Unless someone is lending you a cradle/bassinet, don't waste the money on it. The baby can sleep in the crib just fine. If you go a lot of places get a pack n play as it will be nice for having at a park, or an overnight trip some where. And while the baby is little you can use it in your bedroom. We never really used the high chair either. Not with three kids. We found it just as easy and more convenient to leave them sitting in the car seat, bouncy seat or swing. It would save room to not have one also. Most of all, relax! Try not to worry about buying too many things up front. Most things you can get as she gets older and save yourself the money for now. She won't need a high chair until 3-4 months, or most toys for that matter. Put off what you can unless it's a gift. If you want it and have the money, then go ahead and get it. If it makes life easier for you it's worth it. You never know what your baby will/won't like until you've tried it. Some babies love swings, some don't. Some love bouncy seats, some don't. We happened to use an exersaucer a lot, but my sister use to watch a baby that flat out refused to go in one. You really never know. If you can wait until it's closer to time to get those items and take your baby some where to try them out and see if they actually like them! Congrats on the new baby. You're going to have a blast!!!

 

[kathi29]

I got one of those car seat blankets (they sit in the car seat) for my 2nd child (he was born in Sept) & I loved it. I didn't need it with my oldest (May) & my youngest (March) I used it for a month. But I now have it in my stroller & it is a great blanket that does not fall off under the wheel since it is strapped in with her.

The blanket is between the baby and the seat? That's potentially very dangerous, and voids the manufacturer's warranty on the seat. With few exceptions, you should not use anything with a car seat that did not come with the seat. Any additions are not crash tested, and could contribute to your child being hurt in the event of an crash.

Those blankets in particular... nothing should be placed between the baby and the seat. Anything other than normal clothing could compress due to crash forces, causing the straps to have additional slack in them, and increasing the risk of the child being ejected from the seat. We reccomend using the covers that have the elastic band that go over the whole carrier, or using blankets to cover the baby.

 

[sonny]

You are getting lots of great tips from people. As the Nana to 3 wonderful grandchildren, I can advise on affording to spoil them. I buy clothes at the end of the season for the next year. For example I bought a $60 coat for my 2 1/2 year old grandson who will be 3 1/2 next winter for $7.50 at Belk's last week - 75% off plus an additional 50%. Watch for the sales, especially at big department stores at the end of the season, Belk's Dillard's, etc. They get rid of new expensive baby clothes for less than consignment shops. You just have to guess what their weight gain will be but as I am a sales-aholic I buy anything, assuming it will one day fit. (I bought some size 5 Columbia shorts for 98 cents. They will fit one day.) Also after Christmas, stores like CVS will get rid of their toys for 75% - 90% off. I have an attic full. Target also has great end of season sales and watch for their diaper sales. Sometimes when a brand is going to change the box design or decrease the number of diapers you get in the box (would they do that?), Target will sell the old boxes for 30-50% off. Best of luck

 

[aterriq]

When you determine what brand of an item your going to use like diapers, see if the company has a frequent user program. We used Huggies for my twin DDs. When we started potty training them, I realized that Huggies had a program where you could send in the proof of purchase and get a free toy or other items.

Don't assume you will only use one brand or product such as diapers or bottles. You will probably try a few till you find one thats works for your family.

This won't save money but more effort and time. We bought two sets of car seats(yes 4 car seats). We had one in each vehicle. Especially nice if you take your child to day care. Not much fun trying to get the car seat in place when its raining or snowing.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

How could I forget about cloth diapers? HA! We've only used cloth since DD was a newborn. We just use cheapo washcloths for wipes too. We use Fuzzi Bunz diapers, and they're awesome! They're easy to use, easy to wash, and really cute. You can resell them for close to what you paid for them when you're done with them too (on Babycenter, Diaperswappers, etc.).

Also, breastfeeding is healthiest and it saves a bundle as opposed to buying formula. I never found it painful, even in the very beginning.

 

[monorailsilver]

The blanket is between the baby and the seat? That's potentially very dangerous, and voids the manufacturer's warranty on the seat. With few exceptions, you should not use anything with a car seat that did not come with the seat. Any additions are not crash tested, and could contribute to your child being hurt in the event of an crash.

Those blankets in particular... nothing should be placed between the baby and the seat. Anything other than normal clothing could compress due to crash forces, causing the straps to have additional slack in them, and increasing the risk of the child being ejected from the seat. We reccomend using the covers that have the elastic band that go over the whole carrier, or using blankets to cover the baby.

I guess so but the blanket is thinner then the sweater my dd got when she was born. I dress my kids in cotton at that age & the blanket is nothing more then a sweatshirt thickness on the bottom. It is also the same thickness as that head holder in place thing.

JMO.

 

[MyZoeJane]

My biggest piece of advice would be to just buy a Pack 'N Play and/or an Arm's Reach Cosleeper and to skip buying a crib at first. You may end up with a baby who flat-out refuses to sleep in a crib (we did!), and then you have an expensive piece of furniture that just collects dust. Our DD is 14 months-old, and she would only sleep next to me in our bed. I hadn't planned on cosleeping, so I did buy a very expensive crib. What a waste of $$ that was

We did buy an Arm's Reach cosleeper, but she wasn't too crazy about that either. Hopefully our next baby will be more receptive to using it. I still think it was a worthwhile purchase. Check baby resale stores, and you may find one there for a lot less $$ than buying new. Our neighbors gave us their old Pack 'N Play, and that actually got a lot of use as a playpen when I needed to do something like put away groceries.

The Arm's Reach is AWESOME.... and I agree... for us, the crib was a GIANT waste of money. She napped in it a handful of times. I love having my baby (who is now 3) next to me when I am off in dreamland!

OP, try Ebay for local pickup for stuff that you'll use for less than a year. I wasted so much money on stuff new and it STILL looks new! If you're near the Chicago burbs...PM me!

 

[tinaluis]

Another poster who agrees that the crib was a big waste of $$$ for us. Our first DD never slept in it -- I was a nervous first-time mom so she ended up co-sleeping with us. It worked out great! Our other 2 DDs did the same. We got rid of our crib (and all of our other baby stuff) several years ago and found out that we're expecting Baby #4 this August. We won't be buying a crib this time. The baby will simply co-sleep with us.

Craigslist.org has been a great resource for us. We were able to get a co-sleeper, Medela Breast Pump, swing, bouncer, baby carrier, maternity clothes and several other things for a very small amount of $$. Most were new or almost new. The only thing we bought new was the carseat/stroller combo because I'm afraid to buy a used carseat.

We can't wait for garage sale season to start here in Chicago so we can start accumulating baby clothes because we just found out that we're having a boy !

If you're not opposed to used clothing, gear, etc., you can save a tremendous amount of $$$. Also, as others have mentioned, breastfeeding saves a ton of $$$$ and is better for the baby. Good luck. Being a parent is the best job in the world!

 

[kathi29]

I guess so but the blanket is thinner then the sweater my dd got when she was born. I dress my kids in cotton at that age & the blanket is nothing more then a sweatshirt thickness on the bottom. It is also the same thickness as that head holder in place thing.

JMO.

The "head holder in place thing" is also a no-no, unless it came with the seat. I'm just giving you the official stance as a Certified Child Passenger Safety Tech. Ultimately it is parental choice; we just try to ensure that it is an informed choice.

 

[karinbelle]

We just had our little Arabella on 2/23.

I found an electric/battery breast pump on clearance at TRU this week for $32. It is one of their better models.

TRU also has a good deal on diapers this month. There's a coupon for $5 off a giant box of Pampers or Huggies (and you can stack this with mfg coupons).

Also, at Amazon.com I found a 3 piece crib set for a girl (garden pattern) for only $20 *Had been $150. Anna Claire How Does Your Garden Grow 3pc Patchwork Crib Set. Oh, I just checked - they don't have any more at this price.

 

[kellia]

DON'T get a used car seat, unless it is from someone you know and trust. Also, check out reviews, some are really not good!

Don't buy too many clothes for when they are little, especially the 'cute' dresses and stuff. They won't get worn! That is why you can get them 'like new' used! They grow faster than you'd think. I also bought way too many sheets and blankets.

I also cloth diapered my twins (except when we went out) and it was much easier than I thought! When I used paper diapers, I just used the TRU brand and stocked up on the cases when they went on sale.

Bouncy seat- that is the best invention ever!!

Breastfeeding also saves tons of money. If your wife is going back to work, get a good breast pump, I had Medela Pump in Style, you will still save money! You can even rent them.

 

[marn913]

Our daughter will be 1yr old next week. Every baby is different. Ours hated the bouncy seat, but it came in handy when she started eating cereal & was too small to sit up in the high chair. We logged many many miles on the Fisher Price aquarium swing (I want to shake the hand of the preson that invented it!) I wouldn't spend too much on a complex stroller. Test some out at BRU and find a style that you like. Also consider what will fit in your car if you're planning on using it out a lot. Ours is a medium sized stroller, but is a bit difficult to get in the trunk. Other than that have a good supply of bibs, onesies, and things that mix and match well (I really like the Carters sets because if a shirt gets dirty there's another that matches the pants.) Our daughter hated to be swaddled, so blankets were useless other than as burp cloths - so don't go overboard. Also, wipes warmers and bottle warmers are not necessary (formula can be served room temp!) My mom gave me a Sam's club membership for mother's day has save us TONS of $$. We buy all of our diapers, wipes and formula from Sams. They have name brand and generics, so there is a good selection (and their diaper boxes contain more diapers than the largest boxes at Target/Walmart.) Play it by ear, get the basics to start and pick things up as you need them.

Marne

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

I haven't read all of the replies so sorry if I'm repeating any other posts.

My mom is a huge garage sale junkie!! Quite a few towns around us have community garage sales during the summer. She has gotten us some great finds on things that were hardly used. That's been our greatest cost saver. We've gotten our crib, high chair, exersaucer, outdoor ride on toys, books, videos, you name it. The only thing I'm really picky on is clothes - unless they are in really good shape.

 

[dhardawa]

I see another Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician has answered, but I wanted to give some advice.

1. Buy a new seat. Seats are one time use only and if you buy a used seat, you risk one that has been misused or crashed.

2. Buy an infant only seat for the first few months. These fit newborns better and, therefore, are safer. I highly recommend the Britax Companion, Chicco Key Fit, and the Graco Safe Seat.

3. When your baby moves to a convertible seat, I can't say enough good things about Britax. I would recommend a Marathon, Decathalon, or Boulevard. They have higher weight limits so they can be used much longer than most other convertible seats. My daughter just gave up her Marathon at 7 1/2.

4. Keep the baby rear facing to the limits on the seat. Rear facing is significantly safer than forward facing. The rear facing weight limit on convertible seats is anywhere from 30-35lbs.

If you want a travel system, there is no difference between the seats that come in those and the seats that are for sale separately. My biggest complaint about travel systems is that the strollers tend to be very bulky and after about six months you'll want something that isn't such a monster to use.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I want to buy my SIL something nice from her registry on Babies R Us but could really use a coupon or code. I've googled it, but I've only found coupons that can be used in-store. Does anyone have any codes or coupons I could use? TIA!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Sorry - I thought I was starting a new thread!

 

[kate0305]

If your wife is going to nurse and needs a pump, everyone talks about Medela and it is a good pump, don't get me wrong. However, if your wife is large breasted, Ameda makes adjustable pieces, so you can get a better fit for the milking contraption. Completely worth it, and they run about the same price as the Medela.

Do NOT get a used pump unless it is the kind that none of the air from the compressor can be contaminated with the milk. This can cause problems with some babies-something about an enzyme?, its been awhile so I don't remember. And since you don't know how your baby will react, it is not worth the risk. I know Ameda is ok to get used, and maybe Medela too.

My co-wokers threw a diaper shower, where everyone had to bring diapers in an array of sizes. What a money saver!

Best wishes! No matter what, your house will become overrun with stuff which seems to breed overnight- so just get what you need, and things you enjoy. It will take over your livingroom none the less.