When I was 20ish weeks along with Julia I became completely fixated on finding and assembling a crib for her royal highness. The nesting bugs smiled upon one overzealous Grace and a just-go-with-it Simon and we lucked out by finding one in immaculate condition at a garage sale down the street. Simon put it together with relative ease and impressively few curses and then you know how many times she slept in that bad boy before we took it down to move nine months later? Zero.
She was the only child that had the distinct pleasure of joining her parents in their palatial queen-sized bed (we've since upgraded to a double/glorified twin because that's all that fits up the attic stairs and Simon reminds me of his diagonal-sleeping sacrifice every single morning) until she eventually moved to the portacrib right next to our bed when she was four months old. Once we moved she settled nicely into her garage sale cage until (very) recently so the crib wasn't a total waste of nesting zeal and lettuce, thankfully. And how were we supposed to know this was how it would go down? We couldn't ... and I'm sure I wouldn't have listened to the bevy of veterans telling me that a traditional crib wasn't an absolute necessity just like you shouldn't listen to me and my gear diatribes because everyone has different preferences and different babies with different temperaments.
So for what it's worth ... here's what we're still loving and housing after three babies-turned-toddlers ...
1. Kiddy City N Move Stroller - I actually won this in a blog giveaway (thanks Darlene!!) and to be honest I didn't have crazy expectations because aren't all umbrella-type strollers created equal? Nope. We took it down to New Orleans when we had just Theo in tow and were really impressed with it. It folds up easily, takes to bumpy sidewalks like a champ, reclines (he was only three months old so this was great for napping on the go), is tall enough for Simon to push without crouching (he's 6'1 ... not a giant or anything) and is shockingly sturdy. We keep it in the trunk of the van now and I use it almost every time I visit Simon at work and highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a single umbrella stroller ... plus it comes in a ton of fun colors which is really the most important feature ... as we all know.
2. 4moms Breeze - At the highest tier of any baby gear must-have list would be a portable crib. We have three (I know - a grip needs to be gotten over here) and I wish I had just gotten over the aesthetic hangup, bypassed the regular crib route and gone with a portable version. 4moms sent the Breeze a few months ago (not expecting a thing in return ... truly!) and this thing is phenomenal in all the ways a portacrib can shine. It's a little bit bigger than ye old traditional portable crib (which is nice because Sebastian sleeps in it now), it folds up with the literal push of a button (SO appreciated on that fateful night that our furnace went out) and is virtually indestructible. Sebastian pushes that thing to the four corner of the earth/his room and climbs in and out and in and out and in and out the good Lord knows HOW many times before he finally settles into sleep and the Breeze takes it like a champ. I have to admit my favorite feature is that it came with a waterproof sheet (that can be ordered separately, of course!) and has saved me many a mornings from having to baking soda the bleep out of the mattress to get the odor out. Longest novel short: I love it and also highly recommend it to YOU.
3. ExerSaucer - any exersaucer will do. We borrowed one for Julia and Bash and finally bit the thrifted bullet and bought one at a secondhand store for Theo and it was worth every penny. All three babies have loved them despite their wildly different personalities. Theo is almost 14 months old (and not walking but still .... he old) and he still loves a little stint in the saucer when I attempt a workout or try to speed fold some laundry.
4. 4moms rockaRoo - technically we haven't used this yet because 4moms sent this just a little too late for Theo to reap the reclining benefits (through no fault of their own!) but enough of my friends have raved about this (see Anna's take here) and the Mamaroo that I'm pretty confident baby #4 will be a lover of the roo. About 4 second after we brought Julia home from the hospital we realized we needed some sort of reclining seat for her and grabbed this one from Target. Both boys have loved it as well and I'm fairly certain the Rockaroo will be will our happy replacement for our old standard AND the swing we've been borrowing from generous friends for a few years ... in May. I'll be sure to let you know all of my thoughts in a few months. You know how I do.
5. Phil and Ted's Vibe - (the Vibe is heavier than the Explorer - or so I've read ... any Phil and Ted's is awesome ... I'm assuming) I'm terrible at scoring cool old furniture on Craigslist but I've had decent luck finding used baby gear. Simon was on call one weekend when Sebastian was just a few months old and I still wasn't completely confident taking the kids out of the house Hans Solo and I was going really insane in the house for the trillionth day in a row. So I scoured the List and decided that between a few used BOBs and this .... this was the best deal in the greater St. Louis metro area. It was less than half the price of a new jogger and had been used fewer than half a dozen times. I've told many moms that I would've paid full price for this thing because I used it every single day for months and months and months and months before Theo arrived. We still take it on trips (and it's great in airports because it fits through doorways unlike a lot of double joggers) and it saves us because both big kids can still fit comfortably and happily in the back seat. Do you need a fancy jogger to take two kids on walk/runs? No ... but we had a cheaper jogger with just Julia and there's a huge difference when you break into a run with the wobble and turn factor. If you can borrow a nice one or find a used one ... jump on it, says I.
5. Ikea's ANTILOP Highchair - I wish we had this. It's only $25 in the store (well, $19.99 for the chair and $5.00 for the tray so .. yes that math is correct, $25) and St. Louis is slated to get an Ikea right before we move and you better believe I'm grabbing one on our way out of town. I like having a high chair with a tray because space at the table is limited and it's so nice to just dump the tray of leftovers, hose it down, and move on with your life rather than deal with mashed whatever all up on the table/placemat/etc. Anyway - the one we have isn't very easy to clean and this one looks so simple to clean ... or maybe I'm an idiot.
Honorable Mentions:
Baby Trend Infant Car Seat - this came as a set with our first jogger and I like it because it's small and light and the cover is really easy to remove and clean but I know (oh, I know!) there are so many better options on the market. Ours has taken a beating but it's still in safe and working order. I'm not a big advocate of having a car seat that clips into a stroller because I'm fine with either wearing the newborn or just toting the car seat into wherever I'm going/usually a shopping cart but I know a lot a of people really appreciate that feature.
Mountain Buggy Urban Triple Stroller - another Craigslist find. The family getting rid of the chariot had a set of triplets, a set of twins, and a singleton (!!!!) and I've never been so thrilled with a baby gear purchase. Unfortunately, they don't make these anymore (not a huge market? I'm not sure) but if you are a runner and have three stroller-sized kids and can find one of these puppies used ... I would. I so would. It's really easy to push, turns beautifully (yes, beautifully!!), and I can run with it on our not-so-smooth neighborhood streets with zero problem ... even with baby #4 in utero. No, I don't know what I'm going to do when the baby is born but I can at least wear him/her initially while speed wogging and get Julia in shape for her first round of Couch to 5k with super fun, super postpartum Mom.
Bumbo - I know people have mixed feelings on this but all three kids have been huge fans of the Bumbo - as documented by about 8 million photos sprinkled all over the blog. Make sure you get the one with the (now standard) seatbelt and watch them like hawks because depending on how strong your offspring is .... they can flail right on out of this when they put their little minds to it. Julia and Sebastian figured out how to twist his way out of the seat pretty quickly and Theo ... never even tried.
bath tub - Or maybe you can make do with the bathroom or kitchen sink. I've loved having a dedicated tub and am so glad my mom ran out and bought one when she visited after Julia was born because bathing her in the regular tub without one was .... awful.
Do you NEED all of this stuffstuffstuff? Absolutely not. It's just made life with really little kids and babies a lot easier and I won't part with any of it for a really long time. You'd be really surprised how much you can borrow from friends or find at a secondhand store or on Craigslist. Read all about Tess's great luck over here and Katrina's simplistic and enviable approach to gear right here.
Anything you love/hate ... wish you had? Wish you'd held off on getting because it's proved to be a dud? The comments on these posts are more helpful than the actual post so ... let a mother know .... please?
and somewhat related:
baby essentials to put on your registry
what to pack in your hospital bag
baby gear you (probably) don't really need
She was the only child that had the distinct pleasure of joining her parents in their palatial queen-sized bed (we've since upgraded to a double/glorified twin because that's all that fits up the attic stairs and Simon reminds me of his diagonal-sleeping sacrifice every single morning) until she eventually moved to the portacrib right next to our bed when she was four months old. Once we moved she settled nicely into her garage sale cage until (very) recently so the crib wasn't a total waste of nesting zeal and lettuce, thankfully. And how were we supposed to know this was how it would go down? We couldn't ... and I'm sure I wouldn't have listened to the bevy of veterans telling me that a traditional crib wasn't an absolute necessity just like you shouldn't listen to me and my gear diatribes because everyone has different preferences and different babies with different temperaments.
So for what it's worth ... here's what we're still loving and housing after three babies-turned-toddlers ...
1. Kiddy City N Move Stroller - I actually won this in a blog giveaway (thanks Darlene!!) and to be honest I didn't have crazy expectations because aren't all umbrella-type strollers created equal? Nope. We took it down to New Orleans when we had just Theo in tow and were really impressed with it. It folds up easily, takes to bumpy sidewalks like a champ, reclines (he was only three months old so this was great for napping on the go), is tall enough for Simon to push without crouching (he's 6'1 ... not a giant or anything) and is shockingly sturdy. We keep it in the trunk of the van now and I use it almost every time I visit Simon at work and highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a single umbrella stroller ... plus it comes in a ton of fun colors which is really the most important feature ... as we all know.
2. 4moms Breeze - At the highest tier of any baby gear must-have list would be a portable crib. We have three (I know - a grip needs to be gotten over here) and I wish I had just gotten over the aesthetic hangup, bypassed the regular crib route and gone with a portable version. 4moms sent the Breeze a few months ago (not expecting a thing in return ... truly!) and this thing is phenomenal in all the ways a portacrib can shine. It's a little bit bigger than ye old traditional portable crib (which is nice because Sebastian sleeps in it now), it folds up with the literal push of a button (SO appreciated on that fateful night that our furnace went out) and is virtually indestructible. Sebastian pushes that thing to the four corner of the earth/his room and climbs in and out and in and out and in and out the good Lord knows HOW many times before he finally settles into sleep and the Breeze takes it like a champ. I have to admit my favorite feature is that it came with a waterproof sheet (that can be ordered separately, of course!) and has saved me many a mornings from having to baking soda the bleep out of the mattress to get the odor out. Longest novel short: I love it and also highly recommend it to YOU.
3. ExerSaucer - any exersaucer will do. We borrowed one for Julia and Bash and finally bit the thrifted bullet and bought one at a secondhand store for Theo and it was worth every penny. All three babies have loved them despite their wildly different personalities. Theo is almost 14 months old (and not walking but still .... he old) and he still loves a little stint in the saucer when I attempt a workout or try to speed fold some laundry.
4. 4moms rockaRoo - technically we haven't used this yet because 4moms sent this just a little too late for Theo to reap the reclining benefits (through no fault of their own!) but enough of my friends have raved about this (see Anna's take here) and the Mamaroo that I'm pretty confident baby #4 will be a lover of the roo. About 4 second after we brought Julia home from the hospital we realized we needed some sort of reclining seat for her and grabbed this one from Target. Both boys have loved it as well and I'm fairly certain the Rockaroo will be will our happy replacement for our old standard AND the swing we've been borrowing from generous friends for a few years ... in May. I'll be sure to let you know all of my thoughts in a few months. You know how I do.
5. Phil and Ted's Vibe - (the Vibe is heavier than the Explorer - or so I've read ... any Phil and Ted's is awesome ... I'm assuming) I'm terrible at scoring cool old furniture on Craigslist but I've had decent luck finding used baby gear. Simon was on call one weekend when Sebastian was just a few months old and I still wasn't completely confident taking the kids out of the house Hans Solo and I was going really insane in the house for the trillionth day in a row. So I scoured the List and decided that between a few used BOBs and this .... this was the best deal in the greater St. Louis metro area. It was less than half the price of a new jogger and had been used fewer than half a dozen times. I've told many moms that I would've paid full price for this thing because I used it every single day for months and months and months and months before Theo arrived. We still take it on trips (and it's great in airports because it fits through doorways unlike a lot of double joggers) and it saves us because both big kids can still fit comfortably and happily in the back seat. Do you need a fancy jogger to take two kids on walk/runs? No ... but we had a cheaper jogger with just Julia and there's a huge difference when you break into a run with the wobble and turn factor. If you can borrow a nice one or find a used one ... jump on it, says I.
5. Ikea's ANTILOP Highchair - I wish we had this. It's only $25 in the store (well, $19.99 for the chair and $5.00 for the tray so .. yes that math is correct, $25) and St. Louis is slated to get an Ikea right before we move and you better believe I'm grabbing one on our way out of town. I like having a high chair with a tray because space at the table is limited and it's so nice to just dump the tray of leftovers, hose it down, and move on with your life rather than deal with mashed whatever all up on the table/placemat/etc. Anyway - the one we have isn't very easy to clean and this one looks so simple to clean ... or maybe I'm an idiot.
Honorable Mentions:
Baby Trend Infant Car Seat - this came as a set with our first jogger and I like it because it's small and light and the cover is really easy to remove and clean but I know (oh, I know!) there are so many better options on the market. Ours has taken a beating but it's still in safe and working order. I'm not a big advocate of having a car seat that clips into a stroller because I'm fine with either wearing the newborn or just toting the car seat into wherever I'm going/usually a shopping cart but I know a lot a of people really appreciate that feature.
Mountain Buggy Urban Triple Stroller - another Craigslist find. The family getting rid of the chariot had a set of triplets, a set of twins, and a singleton (!!!!) and I've never been so thrilled with a baby gear purchase. Unfortunately, they don't make these anymore (not a huge market? I'm not sure) but if you are a runner and have three stroller-sized kids and can find one of these puppies used ... I would. I so would. It's really easy to push, turns beautifully (yes, beautifully!!), and I can run with it on our not-so-smooth neighborhood streets with zero problem ... even with baby #4 in utero. No, I don't know what I'm going to do when the baby is born but I can at least wear him/her initially while speed wogging and get Julia in shape for her first round of Couch to 5k with super fun, super postpartum Mom.
Bumbo - I know people have mixed feelings on this but all three kids have been huge fans of the Bumbo - as documented by about 8 million photos sprinkled all over the blog. Make sure you get the one with the (now standard) seatbelt and watch them like hawks because depending on how strong your offspring is .... they can flail right on out of this when they put their little minds to it. Julia and Sebastian figured out how to twist his way out of the seat pretty quickly and Theo ... never even tried.
bath tub - Or maybe you can make do with the bathroom or kitchen sink. I've loved having a dedicated tub and am so glad my mom ran out and bought one when she visited after Julia was born because bathing her in the regular tub without one was .... awful.
Do you NEED all of this stuffstuffstuff? Absolutely not. It's just made life with really little kids and babies a lot easier and I won't part with any of it for a really long time. You'd be really surprised how much you can borrow from friends or find at a secondhand store or on Craigslist. Read all about Tess's great luck over here and Katrina's simplistic and enviable approach to gear right here.
Anything you love/hate ... wish you had? Wish you'd held off on getting because it's proved to be a dud? The comments on these posts are more helpful than the actual post so ... let a mother know .... please?
and somewhat related:
baby essentials to put on your registry
what to pack in your hospital bag
baby gear you (probably) don't really need
There was a recall on some IKEA Antilop high chairs, although I think the new ones are fine. We have the Fisher Price Healthy Care booster ($25-30) that straps onto a chair, and we've been pretty happy with it. Solid plastic, folds up easily, and the tray has a little insert that pops off, which is lovely when your child is in the throwing food on the floor defiantly stage and you can just whip it away and say, "there goes your ammo, kid!" We never had a traditional high chair because...I'm cheap. :) Plastic is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI have that same booster, and we love it! Space saver and super easy to clean.
DeleteWe have the same booster a I was JUST thinking this morning that we have had it 5 years and still going strong. You can take it to other people's houses, on vacation, I used to even bring it out on our front porch with my first child and set it on the top step so we could watch the world going by. At our old home it even fit in the dishwasher. Alas, our current dishwasher isn't big enough. We are still using it with my 3 year old, although we've ditched the tray by this time and just pull it right up to the table. Absolute best baby gear purchase we ever made.
DeleteMy in-laws have that IKEA high chair. Somehow it is easier to put older kids in than it was to put babies in. Maybe my babies are just really chubby... like so chubby they don't bend at the waist. I don't know. It is really easy to clean but the tray seems semi-permanent. I have never actually managed to remove it. I don't have room for a full-on high chair in my dining room so my favourite for feedings is this booster: http://www.amazon.ca/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Deluxe-Booster-Green/dp/B0000DEW8N.
ReplyDeleteweird! because the tray is sold separately? hmmm
Deletethanks for letting me know :)
I was just about to comment about the chair! I actually love it - but yeah, that tray so does not come off. It's still easy to clean and I haven't had any issues with it because you can always just hose the whole damn thing off if you want. We can't use a booster because we have bench seating but this is cheap and not hideous so it works. Not the most user friendly but definitely my favorite high chair.
DeleteI have this high chair and the tray comes off. It is super easy to clean and we love it.
DeleteI can't get mine off either. Morris does yours have a lever or something?
DeleteHow do I get 4moms to send me gear?? Not pregnant (yet) but planning ahead, you know. We have a double BOB jogger and it's the stuff dreams are made of. It juuuuust clears most doorways (though not airport-tested yet) and that sucker pushes itself. Yes to the pack and play and exersaucer, and a resounding yes to borrowing/finding used because that stuff is expensive and annoying to store. We don't really have a normal bathtub (long story) but Ikea has $7 ones that are one step up from the infant ones. We use it for Sophie and still fits very tall for her age 3yo Grace.
ReplyDeletewe have that same excersaucer and my son loooved it, and of course we have the ikea high chair too and I agree with you the tray is the best and it's sooo easy to clean!
ReplyDeleteWith baby #2 coming in a few weeks, I'm in full fledged gear mode. We got so much handed down to us with the first, and now it's nice to keep using or upgrade what we like. So, while we haven't tried them out yet, we upgraded to an Uppababy Vista (you can add a toddler seat AND a scooter-type board to the back to carry a total of 3 kids, or any combo) which we found via C-list brand new for half the price. Also on the hunt for a good-condition mamaroo. I also am getting a solly wrap (like a moby, but cuter and lighter weight fabric), which I think will be way more useful with the second since I'll need extra hands this time. Otherwise, we'll be back with our old faves like the hand-me-down co-sleeper, various bouncers/swings/bumbo/exersaucer (I've heard it all just depends on the baby, but I like at least one small seat-thing that I can move around from kitchen to bathroom to dining room, etc.), bathtub, Maclaren umbrella stroller (still use for the 2-yr-old...so light and easy to use/carry)....etc. etc. etc. For any new moms out there, I think those registry lists that stores have are nutso. Get as LITTLE as you think you might need, then add on when you find the need. There is also so much good used stuff or hand me downs from friends that it's rare to NEED to buy new (though there are some things that I prefer new). I love the links and definitely agree with them! So much depends on the temperament of the kid and family, so I love getting suggestions and finding what EVERYONE finds useful...typically those end up working for us too!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! Super helpful to know what you're still using all the time after 3-almost-4 kids. I will most definitely be taking down these ideas for the baby registry!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for the shout-out! It's amazing how much stuff you can get used. We haven't bought any baby stuff yet but I feel just about ready for Baby to get here... all we need are diapers and some more clothing!
We had two of those Fisher Price high chair thingys that strap onto a regular chair. For those in smaller houses or apartments, they are awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love to read your recommended Mom lists. I feel the same way about buying a crib. I convinced myself we needed one for our first. We totally used the portacrib more. Also, like I said on the above comment, I love the Ikea high chair. Super easy to clean, sturdy, and comes apart easily.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the single most important piece of equipment was my breast pump. I EPd for a year, and used the Medela Freestyle & it's still going strong. I also love my ergo and white noise machine. I was a fan of the Moby, but it made me sweat like I was in the first circle of hell (in DECEMBER) so I don't think I'll use it again with the next one.
ReplyDeleteThis soon-to-be first time Mom is so thankful for yet another list from you. My husband and I study them and it really helps us to think. One question, We live in a smaller apartment and have wondered about the crib vs pack-n-play option for bedding. Do you think that the Breeze has enough support to be a full-time bed for a child? Do they need the support of a mattress? I would love your feedback/experience! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAmy
We used a pack n play for my oldest until he was a year old. Babies don't weigh very much, seemed like enough support to us.
Deleteyay! congrats!!
Deleteand maybe other moms will weigh in here but Sebastian has been in a portacrib for ... all of his life and he is 2.5. If you've ever felt a standard crib mattress they are pretty firm .... and portacrib mattresses are slightly (slightly) padded so I don't think there's much of a difference! But .. some people might feel differently :) Sebastian has yet to complain but he is just speaking in phrases so maybe one of these days he'll request a cushy bed .... we'll see :)
With my first, we spent three months living in another state for my husband's job and I insisted he disassemble and pack her crib because I was horrified at the thought of her having to sleep every night in the pack n play at her age (then 3 months). With my second, he spent his first nine months sleeping in the pack n play until his sister was ready to give up her crib. Funny how things change. :)
DeleteWe lived in a 1 bedroom apartment when my son was born and he slept in his pack and play for 7 months with no problems at all. Probably couldn't have gone longer, although by about 18 months he was just too tall for it (he slept in it at my parents house once we upgraded him to a crib).
DeleteI agree with Grace—crib mattresses aren't super cushy, and babies are relatively light. Our Safety First Pack and Play had a padded board (maybe an inch or 2 of padding) and it seemed fine. Probably even better for their little backs!
Not sure if our pack n play was especially hard but our son stopped sleeping well in it around 6 or 8 months - this seemed to really help and extend the life of our pac n play
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K38FNM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We had to stop using sooner than I would have liked bc he was so tall that we were afraid of him escaping it in places where really the only point was to keep him contained.
Ladies,
DeleteThank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it.
Grace, Thank you for your lists. They are amazing and are something of a "New Mom's Bible." I am finally getting around to registering (I'm super late with this because I have been over whelmed at the idea of choosing.) I am reading through your lists of dos and don't. They are invaluable. Thank you!
Thank you for this list. I have NO CLUE on what to get versus what I need versus what is efficient. I'm picky I admit it. That high chair is the only one I like...and I know I won't need one until at least for another 7-8 months, so hopefully I do not have to take the trip to Chicago and wait until St. Louis gets theirs before I need it!! Going to be looking into these other things of the list!
ReplyDeleteJess
www.stmurrie.blogspot.com
I'm expecting #7. When #6 was born someone told us about the Rock N Play Sleeper made by Fisher Price. Hands down best baby purchase we've ever made. He slept so well in it until he outgrew it (about 6 mos...how I wish it would have lasted longer, but once they can sit up in becomes a litttttle too dangerous so into the crib they go). It folds flat so fits easily in the van for travel. Also lightweight to move from room to room....
ReplyDeleteI second the easy to clean high chair! The one we have (the Chicco Polly) is so difficult to clean and I was just complaining to my husband that trying to keep that thing even remotely clean is a full-time job! If I was in the market for a high chair again, I would make sure it has an easy to clean tray, removable straps that can be thrown in the laundry, and an easy to wipe down seat with NO CREVICES!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a high chair, but it took up so much space. For the younger two, we got the fisher price seat that straps to a regular chair, AND has a tray. So you can scoot them up to the table when they are bigger, or you can use it like a high chair with the tray. Folds and stores really easily, and I still have it for my nieces and nephews and my friend's babies. I'm putting in a plug for the exersaucer. Hands down, but favorite baby play item. All of mine loved that thing.
ReplyDeleteYay you glad you love the kiddy! I do too! My brother and his wife are expecting their first and at first I thought I'd be generous and give them ours since we have like four stroller...but I decided I couldn't part with it so I'm buying them their own! And I totally have three of those ikea high chairs, one for the kitchen one for the dining room and one for the outdoor patio furniture, though all that does is show you how lazy i am and don't want to carry things since it weighs like half a pound
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on the pack-in-play and phil & ted. Paid almost full price for that spendy stroller but it was worth every penny!
ReplyDeleteI obviously have zero kids right now but I have 9 nieces and nephews from much, much, much older siblings. In fact, I am closer in age to some of them than my own sisters. Anyway, I say all that to say that I am weirdly obsessed with baby things like cribs and strollers. My sister started out with this horribly cheap one and now has like the Lexus of strollers and I beg her to let me push it because it's just so frigging cool.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is your random comment of the day.
I'm actually not the biggest fan of that Ikea highchair. I think it's good for toddlers, but basically has no padding or recline and is not the easiest to use for babies. We have been using the Graco Simple Switch highchair and liking it a lot. It has an easy to clean tray, easily removable and washable cover and you can actually remove the legs and its turns into a highchair that you can strap to any old chair (like the Fisher Price Healthy Care booster). It's not crazy expensive either.
ReplyDeleteMy baby turns 20 tomorrow so my baby gear knowledge is from the Stone Age... however there are two things that stick out in my memory: the Johnny Jumper - you would hang this bungie seat from the doorway and the kid bounced and this device that gave the same noise as supposedly what the baby heard in the womb. I wouldn't have survived without these but I'm sure there are much better things available for "modern Moms".
ReplyDeleteI need to order number 1! We have been on the hunt for a great umbrella type stroller that works for both of us (Josh's main complaint is that he has to slouch! And he's Simon sized) and is easier to load up than the Bob stroller we have.
ReplyDeleteEaston slept GREAT in a pack and play until this last year (hello threenager), Hudson sleeps ok in one but much prefers his spacious crib!
This may be the answer to your 4 kids + triple Mountain Buggy issue:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lascal.net/products/buggyboard
I have a 6 year old, 4 year old twins and a 1 year old (giant, giant one year old) and I've used one of these on our double MB with different combinations of the above. I'm not sure how it would fare for running/wogging, but it's pretty good for a fast walk, even with 45kg of children on board the chariot. Might be worth checking out?
Yes. I have different versions/brands of most of these things, but yes to all of them. My favorite stroller for 3 is the Graco stand and ride (or something like that, it's here: http://www.amazon.com/Graco-RoomFor2-Classic-Stroller-Metropolis/dp/B005VM62QS/ref=sr_1_9?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1393623961&sr=1-9&keywords=graco+stroller) Technically it's for two, but I can have my youngest in the front seat, and the two older girls take turns either sitting with feet in the basket under the seat or standing on the platform. It's been awesome for airports, Disney World, State fair, the zoo, anywhere that involves too much fast walking for preschoolers. Not a jogger though. Because I don't jog. Though I may start up again and be in need of one of those bad boys you have...
ReplyDeleteI love that you are such a Craigslist hound! Ted's entire room is from CL and most of his clothes/toys from consignment stores! This is a great list! One thing that I loved was this Fisher Price rock'n gym...the only thing I bought brand new only because I couldn't find it anywhere used! Ted loved it for tummy time and I still catch him rocking out to the piano at 10 months :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Kick-Play-Piano-Discover/dp/B00CWN3FNM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393627107&sr=8-3&keywords=fisher+price+piano
A few other favorite new baby items..http://ladysoper.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-newborn-favorites.html
Don't want to be the Debbie Downer here, but when we took my son to physical therapy for torticollis before he was a year old, the physical therapists gave Exersaucers and Johnny Jump Up type things two thumbs down…apparently it is not good for baby's hip and spine development. So we gave our (borrowed one) back.
ReplyDeleteThat said, there have obviously been a few generations who seem to have made it through babyhood unscathed by Exersaucers, but just wanted to put it out there.
And 100% with you on the pack n play as permanent crib. It is the best!
Oooohhh! Love my Antilop chair. It is naerly 8 years old (gulp! my first baby is nearly 8!) and still going strong. The tray comes off easily, wipes up easily, and even being white and many a spaghetti dinner - no stains in the plastic. I love it and if it ever breaks, I will just buy a new one that same day because IKEA is like 15 min away. (Grace, if you want one shipped, I could totally work that out).
ReplyDeleteBefore anyone points out that mine is totally on the recall list, I did sew a new seat belt for it. This trouble is fixed on any that you would buy now, but on ours the seat belt was so useless that I just removed it for kids one and two. They never tried to escape. Kid 3... well, he took it as a challenge to see if he could climb out and on to the countertop... at 9 months. New belt, check.
Oh, and Grace I still stand by my notion that you may have to switch from running to cycling for a while. http://bakfiets.nl/eng/modellen/cargotrike/large/ is calling your name.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I'm liking this time around with baby #5 is the Fisher Price Rock and Play. It rocks but is reclined like a bouncer, but it's really tall and can even sit next to the bed. It's nice not having to squat down to the floor to get them in and out! I also have the Ikea high chair and like it, but my tray does not come off easily and the belt has never worked. Maybe I need to try a newer model.
ReplyDeleteI've been seriously coveting your double jogging stroller since I saw it in your zoo post. We have a double jogger that's a side-by-side and it takes over the world. There are a few places we never go just because the stroller won't fit through the doors. Now that I know the name of yours, I might start scouring the internet for a used one!
ReplyDeletethis grandmother bought a exersaucer at full price because I was desperate!! This is a must have for any grandmother who will be babysitting an under 1 year old and over a few month old grandbaby for any length of time. It gives your arms a break and keeps baby out of the way of your baby (an 80lb dog who wants to know who this new creature is in the house)
ReplyDeleteWe just used that P&T stroller at my in-laws', and it was great. Craigslisting starts now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! My simplistic approach made me pay when we traveled last week, but I'm still here alive and kicking.
The Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper (http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Reach-Mini-Co-Sleeper-Bassinet/dp/B000HKY1GM). We use the mini version but there is a larger version as well, akin to a pack n play. It attaches to your mattress and has a side that comes down halfway so that it is like a sidecar for your bed. Your child is right next to you but in his/her own space, which is HEAVEN if you are breastfeeding at night but don't want to co-sleep. It's also portable (but a bit of a pain to set up and take down until you get used to it). I was skeptical at first but now it's a necessity for me - my son outgrew the mini version at 5 months (he is a very tall child) but most kids would last longer and would probably fit in the regular size version longer. It can also be used as a play yard depending on your version. Also a big fan of the exersaucer - good choice for the list!
ReplyDeleteMy very favorite thing is the Fisher Price Rock'n'Play - my son was in that the most (until he started sitting up) and it's super portable! I also like the Summer Infant SuperSeat. Keeps babies entertained with the toy tray and now we use it as a booster seat for our toddler.
ReplyDeleteMy third is almost 3 months and has spent 90% of her life in my Nuroo- it's like a Moby in shirt form. Love baby wearing with it- so easy and comfy. http://nuroobaby.com/product/nuroo-pocket/
ReplyDeleteOur best friends were in town last week with their two babies and we got to see Phil and Ted's in action. They got it for $125 on Craigslist and raved about it. Their (giganto 37lb) 2 year old still loves sitting in the back seat!
ReplyDeleteI have the IKEA highchair and I LOVE it. Out is much easier to clean than any other highchair I've used (I've used a bunch). The one thing I don't like is that the tray it's difficult to remove. The recall on the antilop, as I understand it, was due to the straps getting loose with use so the kid can climb out. Mine does that. It's irritating but I just make sure to tighten them regularly.
ReplyDeleteSomeone mentioned the Fisher price (healthy something or other name) seat that buckles onto a chair. I have that as well and it's my second favorite seat I've used but it's a little more work to clean and isn't free standing. I do recommend it, though, if you don't get the antilop.
A few people mentioned the Moby wrap. Something similar but way better, IMO, than the Moby is the Baby K'tan. I don't see it mentioned like ever when people post about baby carriers but it's great. Once on, it functions like the Moby but it's a couple of loops instead of one long strip so it's much easier/faster to put on. Unfortunately, it's sized (s, m, l as opposed one size fits all) but I still prefer it over the Moby for infants. My babies use the Ergo (my favorite pack ever) when they're big enough but they hated the infant insert so we haven't used it for any of our kids until they're a few months old.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog! It's fantastic! The name is really interesting and beautiful and the contain is great! Congratulations :D (i don't speak english very well, hope that everything i wrote is correct baby stroller
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