Pregnant again...need shopping advice..

[Mickey Fliers]

Okay, so I found out that we are expecting our fourth little joy. My youngest is currently 5 and I have NOTHING left from pregnancy or infancy. So, I obviously will be needing to purchase some items.

I would love a sling for this baby (used the Bjorn for the others) and have no idea where to start. Anyone have opinions on the best baby slings? Same thing for car seats. We went with travel systems last time, but I don't want to go that route again.

Thanks everyone for any and all advice.

 

[soontobewed07]

I went with a slingling just google that I love it.

Carseat advice I went with the safeseat although my little man was never really comfortable in it and so we went with the convertable carseat an evanflo triumph which he loves. I wish he liked the infant seat because it was easier to carry in the stores etc... I wish I had gone with a travel system due to the fact my mother bought a bertini carriage for him and it it heavy and to big we now own 2 strollers and the Bertini. I love Babystyle great store at our local mall if you have questions feel free to PM me

 

[Elmo888]

For baby wearing, check this web site...there are so many more baby carriers besides the Bjorn (I thought that I didn't like slings, etc., but I think that it was just the Bjorn)...

http://www.thebabywearer.com/

Check these out...

For an infant (sling carrier)...
http://www.hotslings.com/

Older baby (soft structured carrier)...
http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/
http://www.patapum.com/

Skip the travel system, and go with a infant car seat and frame stroller (like the Snap N Go). The frame strollers are soooooo much easier/lighter/compact. And then you can pick your stroller independent of the infant car seat and get what you really want in a stroller.

Congratulations!

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

Hi there!

I have a version of the Hotsling and love it! Colin is so nice and cozy in ther and I've been using it since he was about 2 weeks old, and he's nearly 6 months old now! I've also tried on the MobyWrap and loved it too -- basically just a loooong piece of fabric that you kind of oragami around yourself.

We went with the Peg Perego seat and the Pliko P3 stroller. It's not a "travel system", per se, since we bought them separate, but the Pliko is nice because it folds up to about the size of a golf bag and doesn't take up as much room as the travel systems. The seat snaps into the base in the car, onto the stroller and even will lock onto the shopping carts. I love it! Unfortunately, as the little one grows, the weight gets to be a bit much! I'm almost to the point now where I'm going to start just leaving the seat in the car because he's getting heavy.

HTH!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We loved our Bjorn, but I know many moms, especially breast feeding moms who swear by the maya wrap.

As for carseats I highly recommend the Evenflo Triump too. It has adjustable reclining positions for rear-facing kiddos and it can be used with babies weighing as little as 5 lbs (max weight is 40 lbs).

I too would forgo the travel system. We did it once and will never do it again. We love our Maclaren stroller and still use it with our 4 yr old who loves to sit in it. It will be hard to ever convince me to use a different stroller. I know friends who also love the Chicco strollers.

Congrats on the new baby coming your way!

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Congrats on #4! Isn't it amazing all the new stuff they come out with in just a few years! I have tried so many different kinds of slings and baby carriers with my kids. I finally tried the Moby Wrap with my newest baby and I can't say enough great things about it. It is so simple to use (although it looks complicated) it holds the baby so snuggly close and it's very comfortable to wear. I also got a Hotsling with this baby, but I bought the wrong size so I can't really give a fair review of that one. As for strollers, I'd definitely look into a Snap and Go frame. They fold down so small and usually have a half-decent basket underneath.They're also pretty inexpensive. That will work for a few months and give you a chance to check out regular strollers with the baby rather than try to figure out which one is best for you before the baby arrives. Good Luck!

 

[Ariel8676]

First of all Congrats!!!!
OK i totally second the suggestion of checking out http://www.thebabywearer.com/ great website with a TON of info. I would suggest a pouch for a newborn ,like the hotslings or http://www.goo-ga.com// a Peanut shell..my favorite..but there a ton of pouches out there now. OR a ring sling ,my favorite is http://www.sleepingbaby.net/ or get a good Wrap. When the baby is older i would suggest a Mei Tei like a Babyhawk
http://www.babyhawk.com/ or a SSC like a Beco (just a suggestion..there are a ton of great SSC's now!) So definitely check out TBW and have fun..lol

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am looking at a Britax infant seat, but wow, on the cost. I also love my MacLaren stroller, but it is only suitable for older kids, so I will still need a new one for an infant. Keep the ideas coming.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

First of all Congrats!!!! That is wonderful news.

As for slings I would recommend the Babyhawk Mei Tei sling, I want one for our next baby. They are supposed to be wonderful and very versatile.

I have the Ellaroo Hip sling right now, but that is for when they are sitting upright.

As for Carseats, I have also been really happy with the Evenflo Triumph. And the new one can be used even longer. For an infant seat I have the Combi travel set and I loved it too.

My stroller is a Phil and Ted which can be used with 1 or 2 kids. I am really happy with it, but since you don't have 2 toddlers, it might not be worth it to get one.

 

[two-foxes]

I swear I bought every carrier recommended here (lots of money wasted, but I do like bits of all of them!)

I use the Hotsling...it was great with DS was tiny in the cradle hold, then there was an akward phase when he didn't care to be in the front carry. Now that he is big enough to be in the hip carry, it is great! It is so easy to fold and put in your diaper bag. Plus, it has cute, fashionable colors. They just came out with some cool funky patterns, too! You should find a boutique in your area that carries it and get the correct fit. I know our local baby boutique will fit you (even if pregnant) and let you exchange it if it is the incorrect size. The size makes all the difference.

The rest aren't slings, but front or hip/back carriers too.
Also have a Bjorn Active. We used it until DS was about 4 months, but after all the hubbub I have read, it has taken a backseat. It has been by far the best to use for walks when he had no head control though. It got us through some crying spells like a charm, too.

Babyhawk Mai Tai is next. I love it now, although since he seemed to be in pain in it until about 5 months in it (his little legs and my big belly don't get along well and they are supposed to wrap around your belly), it didn't get any use until recently. It takes a bit to tie snugly, but the colors are fun! Definitely not for newborns, IMO.

Belle Carrier. Yuck. Waste of $$. Get the Ergo. Just traded in my Belle for the Ergo and I LOVE IT!!!! If we are lucky enough for #2, I will get the newborn insert. With out it, they recommend 4 month + only (same carry concept as Babyhawk. Little baby legs around your belly. With the infant insert, it looks like they ride "side saddle.")

We use a Chicco travel system and love it, but if you are steering from that, I can't help. But, keep in mind, Chicco was rated a best buy by CR. They have the Keyfit 30 now which is a rear facing bucket seat that holds babies until 30 lbs. We also just bought a Britax Roundabout and will probably get a Recaro Young as well for when DS graduates out of his bucket.

 

[Elmo888]

I have a 7 year old Pliko stroller that I love, but if you love your Maclaren, why don't you "upgrade" to one that accommodates newborns? The Quest is suitable for 3 months +, and the Techno is suitable from birth+.

 

[hammie59]

I had a travel system then moved my son into the Britax Marathon after he grew out of it (sometime around 1yr old). I will tell you I did some very extensive research on carseats (boarderline obsessed) and chose it because it allowed for the longest amount of time for my son to be in it (he's almost 5 now). I think it goes from 5 up to 100lbs. It's made larger than most seats and is very comfortable. My husband almost had a heartattack when he found out how much it cost. But it all came down to safety for us and it's safer for kids to be in the 5 point harness as long as possible. You don't get that with the booster seats, and a lot of the carseats out there don't have the same weight limit which would require one to move their child into a booster sooner.

PS-The Marathon can be used forwad and rear facing.