Pregnant and not realizing how much baby furniture cost

[WDWorBUST]

Although I have really good intentions with this baby as far as he/she sleeping in a crib (so I'm glad I have it) it was the biggest waste of money (not to mention space) for DD. The first two months she slept in a cradle my dad made for my nephew 15+ years ago (that I checked and triple checked for safety) then I went back to work and could not keep up with the geting up in the middle of the night nursing schedule while working 40+ hours a week and she ended up sleeping with us. Now co-sleeping isn't for everyone....but you really don't need a crib right of way anyway.....if I knew what I know now I would wait before buying a crib and start with a bassinet or co-sleeper bed thingy.

Also....you don't need near the amount of baby goodies that the stores will make you think you need. My most valued possession with DD was the boppy

 

[flying_babyb]

boppys are blissful. I know a child who never had a crib. He started off sleeping in a basinette, then progressed to ONLY sleeping when he was in his swing... dont spend to much.

 

[msce2]

We bought our crib from Toys R Us (9yrs ago) for $130. It lasted through 3 kids. And being taken up and down at least 7 times. (We moved an awful lot). Our youngest slept in the Pack N Play for 6 months since DD was still in the crib. He slept just fine. DS (2.5) only slept in crib until he was 18months old and started throwing himself out headfirst. We then got him his "Cars" bed for $40 at Toys R Us again. He loves it. I would NOT spend mucho dinero on something that they are only going to use for a couple of years and then it will collect dust in your garage or attic.

 

[zoemurr]

a little off topic but i thought i would share..
last week i had my husband drag all my sons old stuff out of storage.
the carseat is about 6.5 years old.
looking at it to make sure it was safe.. we found an expiration date!!!
i laughed and told my husband it must be for liability purposes. cant sue the manfacturer after that time..
researching this i found the expire date is stated for the safety of the child the materials start to degrade over time.

expire 6 years after the manufacture date. (There are a few that are 10 years, but not many.)

 

[mom of 3G's]

What???? Babies sleep in cribs???? Save your money on a crib and buy a cheap one. You don't use it right away and then they start climbing out of it early. Make sure to buy a great bouncy seat for the baby to sleep in for the first few months. Before I had kids I couldn't understand how parents could let their babies sleep in car seats/bouncy seats, etc. -- because that's what a crib is for -- right?!?!?! Aahhh -- the bouncy seat is the best invention ever made!

There are so many gadgets out there that you will think you need. Be sure to ask us before you buy anything. But here are my top picks (other than needing a crib) 1: Bouncy seat. 2: Mobile with a remote. 3: Boppy.
If someone asks you about getting a specific gift, go for the Bumbo. It's nice to have, but a little pricey to use for a short period of time.

Oh, and by the way -- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Isn't it exciting to be pregnant with your first child? No others will compare to the first.

 

[Piecey]

Hey!

Just wanted to let you know there is a Newest "Moms to Be" thread on the Community Board and we'd love for you to join us!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1998111&page=181


That said, I've been buying a lot when I catch it on clearance. Seems all the patterns/styles are switching out right now.

 

[scrapquitler]

you "CAN" spend tons of money on baby furniture, but there is absolutely no reason to do so if you don't want to/can't afford it.

You can easily buy a decent crib for about $100. There is no 'need' for a 'baby dresser', heck, you don't even need a changing table....you can lay the baby on a towel on a bed or on the floor to change him.

Don't get trapped in the idea that you have to spend tons of money on all the equipment and parapanalia that the baby magazines and babies r us are going to make you think you need.

Really you need : a crib (second hand is okay as long as the rails are not too far apart), carseat (this IS a place where it is worth spending more money and definitely don't buy a used one), stroller very handy but not mandatory depending on your lifestyle, some diapers (cloth or disposable, your choice) a few outfits, some burp cloths and you'll be set for the beginning.

 

[Shmily1]

I'm looking at a 4-in-1 convertible bed at Target for DD's little one that will be here in July. Also, JCPenney has some great ones!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

For my daughter's room we got:

Simple white crib - 3 in one (on sale at Kmart - $99.00)
White Glider Chair with pink cushion (on sale at KMart - $89.00)
Designer crib set (regular $595, on sale on internet for clearance $75.00, came with everything, curtain, wallpaper border, wall decorations)
Painted son's dresser/changing table with some Kilz (sp?) and white paint.($20)
Painted walls pink 2 gallons (38.00)
Shabby chic rug from target (20.00 on sale)
Floral rose decorations and wall decorations (45.00)

Total: $386.00 for a room that looks like something people tell me looks like a designer did it. I love her room it is my favorite room in the whole house.

Just do some looking it doesn't have to be expensive to look expensive.

 

[HelenePA]

Kmart has some REALLY nice ones and dont forget they have layaway!

 

[Lisa_M]

For my daughter's crib, we got it from a family friend. It was only 3 years old and I looked it up to make sure it hadn't been recalled. She has used it, but not that often. If I would have dropped the $750+ for the crib with matching dresser that the original owners did, it would have been such a waste. If you buy second hand make sure it's not recalled. Which brings me to my main point...

You MUST sign up for email notification of recalled stuff www.cpsc.gov You will an email for each recall and they have pictures of the products. It definitely a must have for all moms and it's free...can't beat that!

 

[pooh4evr]

We got our crib, (just a regular on not convertible because then you have to get a new one for every kid! ) changing table, and a small dresser for DD from JCPeneys - it has been through 3 kids and is still in almost perfect condition - I will be very sad to finally take it down in the next couple of weeks - but they seem to have a good selection of things of many price ranges and styles. My tip is even if you know what ypu are having go neutral because if you have another you want to be able to reuse! Good Luck and have fun- take your time and enjoy it I wish I could go abck and do it all again!

 

[summerrluvv]

I bought my crib w/ storage drawer at Target for $50, reg. $200. I also bought my changing table there for $22, reg. $88. I also bought a lot of gear there and my bedding at 75% off. I was stalking that stuff for a month since I was on a very very tight budget! Kmart has some nice cribs also at reasonable prices and you CAN find a nice crib at Babies R Us for less than $200. You just have to walk past all that expensive stuff

 

[richmond282]

Our local consignment sales usually have a pretty good selection of baby items. Not just cribs, but swings, strollers, bouncy seats, bathtubs, high chairs, exersaucers, and even clothing and bedding. You could check your area to see if there are any sales coming up. Most of ours are starting this weekend and continuing through the end of March.

 

[badblackpug]

IKEA! I was shocked at how inexpesive their baby furniture is....if I had known I certainly would have gone that route rather than the $$$ spent on a crib that DS didn't even sleep in 3 times! (basinet in our room was easier)

I absolutely agree! Ikea is the way to go. Save your $$ for "real" bedroom furniuire. A nice set that they can keep into adulthood.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Obviously, this is just my opinion, BUT, all children are different. All parents are different. What works for one child/family will/may not work for another.

My daughter slept in her crib in her own room from the day she came home from the hospital. We got (MIL bought it for us for our shower, luckily) our crib at Babies R Us for less than $300. It is the convertible crib, so when DD was ready, we converted it into a toddler bed. She used it for 3 years and change. Then, we put her in a twin bed.

Along came baby #2, and for him we bought the Delta Porta-crib since he would be sleeping in our room for a while w/the hopes he & DD would share a room when the time comes. (We have a 4 bedroom home, but 2 bedrooms are converted into an apartment...so only 2 use-able bedrooms.) This crib is WONDERFUL!! It is a little smaller than a real crib, but IS a real crib. Not a pack-n-play. Our big crib is in the basement!

Now, about the changing table...for DD we bought a small inexpensive changing table...when we stopped using it, we tossed it. Inexpensive here meant crappy. :-(

When my DSis got prego, she got the changing table/dresser combo. EXPENSIVE!! When I got prego again, I bought a regular dresser at a garage sale, about changing table height, bought a nice changing table pad, and attached it to the dresser! Instant changing table. The changing pads have straps & screws that come with it for this purpose. Now, when DS outgrows the changing table, it is a normal dresser.

Hope this helps somehow. I also agree that you should borrow anything (except the carseat unless you KNOW it's history without a doubt and it has never been in an accident & is not past it's expiration.) Especially borrow an infant seat if you can...you can drop a couple hundred bucks on an infant seat and your baby could outgrow it like mine did 5 months. LOL But the convertible seat you get next you'll use for years, so go new with that.

Congrats on your baby!!! And good luck! It's SO exciting!!

 

[michael's mom]

In our case, my parents, DH's parents, and our siblings all offered to purchase something for the babies room as a gift. But, DH and I also didn't want them to go into hock. We got the bedroom set at BabiesRUs and the crib was $250 I think.

My biggest piece of advice...DON'T GET A CONVERTABLE CRIB...unless this will be your only child. They are cute. But, I don't think they are the best made furniture for growing children (wear and tear of a young child). Besides, it is much cheaper (well, not necessarily much) but cheaper to purchase your child a mattress set and metal bedframe than to buy a whole new cribset for a second child. Besides, when you're done, you certainly don't need 2 or 3 cribs taking up storage space.

We got a basic drop rail crib for DS that could be either gender (we didn't know boy/girl yet anyway). Right after Thanksgiving (DS was almost 2 1/2) we bought him a mattress set, took the crib apart, and put all the baby room furniture in the basement until we get pregnant again. Now, DS has a bed that he will be in until he moves out (well, or until we get him new mattresses) and if/when baby #2 comes, we don't have to buy new baby furniture.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I thought of a possibly inexpensive way to get an infant car seat. The hospital I work at will give you an infant car seat if you sign up and take one of their infant safety courses. The course is $20 and you get the free car seat. Check with the hospital you are going to deliver at and see if they offer this. I think now many hospitals ofer some type of program like this.

My cousin told me about car seats having an "expiration date" and I laughed at her. I bought a really nice infant seat/stroller combo when we were TTC, and then she told me this, hope it really isn't true, because if we are ever successful, I don't want to get rid of it.

Suzanne

 

[neatokimmo]

Your kiddo could be like mine and toss and turn in a crib until you finally get so tired of the bangs and cries and thwaps in the middle of the night that you stick her cute little hiney in a big huge queen bed on her 2nd birthday! <twitch twitch>

I am very glad I only paid $99 for my crib. It converts too, into a double head board but it didn't come with side rails for a double or a frame so I don't feel like it is a real "bed" in a double. It was the heritage one from Kmart, it is on clearance at some stores now if you want a white one.

 

[shoney]

My boys are 7 and 9...we made beautiful rooms for both of them and spent over $2k on each. Now, if I had to do it over....
1. Never used a changing table...changed them downstairs where it was easier
2. Convertible cribs..nice, but...bought the boyz cute train toddler beds, so the were never used.
3. Now doing the "big boy" rooms and furniture is not the style we want.

So, If I had to do it over...I would buy cheap baby furniture knowing I wouldn't use it "for life" like I thought I would 7 and 9 years ago.

I just gave away all of my son's furniture to a family member. Oh well! Live and learn! Good luck! Having a baby is an exciting time, Enjoy!