It is a whole new world in baby products since I last went shopping in 2000 and 2003. Now there is all this stuff about plastic and microwaving and everything is fancier with more bells, whistles, etc.
I'm finding it intimidating and have for the most part, avoided Babies R Us because i feel clueless as to what I need or want or must have :)
We are starting fresh. We need stroller, car seats, bottles (I breastfed both K and Chloe so i'm especially confused about bottles), bottle warmers, bouncy seats, swing, etc etc etc. Yikes.
So, what do you have on your must have list? And what are your thoughts on some of these products I am contemplating "needing".
Shake & Go Bottle for traveling in Vietnam
Do I need one of these Bumbo Seats... they weren't around when K & C were babes
We don't know babies age yet... but she will likely be between the ages of 4mo - 1 yr old ... do we need a Hotsling or Babybjorn or what? Will these both be unbearably hot while in Vietnam?
Glass bottles (I'm clumsy) or Regular plastic (what brand) or Bisphenol-A free plastic bottles ... or this other option (safe plastic also) - they have the sippy cups too
I am going to TRY and make my own babyfood. The key word is try. I bought it all with K & C and I'd like to try making it this time round'. I guess I'll need a food processor? or would a blender work better?
I am thinking this space-saver high chair is the way to go for us - it changes to a booster seat later.
I would like to find a stroller where the baby can be facing out or in. Also that an infant car seat fits into nicely... and perhaps the kickstand on the back for my wandering 4 yr old daughter to stand on. Any suggestions? Oh ya, and I don't want to spend a fortune. This will be my 3rd stroller we've purchased in 7 yrs. I don't want the Mercedes... just one with a few nice features and that folds up without needing instructions to figure it out :) Something between $200-$250 would be ideal.
Diaper Genies??? Is there anything simpler out there. I don't Shaune and I ever figured out the last one we owned, it continually came unravelled and we never remembered each time how to install the refills. Any suggestions?
Co-sleeping. I've had several years now to get used to not sharing my bed with more than my hubby. I like my space and we only have a queen size bed. I worry about co-sleeping and rolling on baby, but mostly just not being able to sleep b/c i don' t have the room I'm used to getting. This is pricey - I'm wondering if it is worth it and does it really offer the attachment benefits that sleeping in bed with your baby up next to you does? Here is another option, in the bed with us.
ok. enough questions from me for now. If you have an opinion or advice or feedback, please share.
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12 comments:
Some purchases will depend on the age of the baby. I have the 'space saver high chair', i LOVE it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I make Owen's baby food. Because of his age most things i can just mash up with a fork. he likes texture to his food. I was using a blender, but wished i had a food processor.
The bumbo seats are very cool for the younger ones, but since she might already be sitting by the time she comes home with you I'd wait and see.
We had that very high chair and hated it (tossed it out). It got very grubby very easily, and the seat cover isn't machine washable. Little food crumbs and liquid were always seeping into the strap/middle support holes and it was gross, gross, gross. We traded "up" to this super cheapo model and love it much more--all plastic, so it is easy to clean and never gets gross: http://www.target.com/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Care-Booster/dp/B000WU3DVG/sr=1-5/qid=1205692749/ref=sr_1_5/601-4096137-7796933?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038590&rh=k%3Ahigh%20chair%2Cp%5F3%3A%240-%2424&page=1
I loved my food processor for making baby food. These freezer container/organizers were also AWESOME: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534472&cmSource=Search (we had the original smaller ones--these are new but look even cooler)
Will and I never really found the hotsling love--he definitely preferred Mei Tais, which would be good for you because they are great for older babies (versus the bjorns which are more for younger ones): http://www.babyhawk.com/
Kozys are also beloved Mei Tais: http://kozycarrier.homestead.com/
(I find Kozys more comfy, but BabyHawks are cuter)--both are very easy to wear well past the first birthday. A great way for you guys to spend time snuggling, too. They also say that wearing baby in toward you (facing you as opposed to away) can be great for babys because they won't get overwhelmed--they can look to the sides if they want, but they can also just look straight at you (seems like that would be a good option for an adoption).
You might also want to check out ergo carriers. They are a little more structured looking, so the men like them more: http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
(I have found the ergo to be the warmest of the carriers. We wore Will in DC in the heat of the summer, and it was doable, but we were sweaty! It isn't as comfy or as easy to squish in a bag as a traditional mei tai, but I do love the little "hood" that it comes with that you can use to support a sleeping baby head.)
I hope some of that helps!
I have to respectfully disagree with the last poster. :) We have the space saver high chair and absolutely love it!! We also have an ergo baby carrier and it is awesome. We started out wearing him in front and now wear him on our backs. We move him to our hip if it is too warm! I make my own baby food too and posted about it on my blog if you want to check it out. I don't like the step ahead organizers as well, but rather prefer the ice trays with a lid made by XOXO for freezing baby food! Everyone has their tastes and you will find out what you love and hate soon enough too! Good luck with it all!!
Disclaimer... I do not have children and all information I pass on is from my well yet somewhat overbearing family over the past 17 months. So here goes...
High Chair vs. Chair Chair.... consider how many people you already have sitting at the table... now invite over 2 guests... if your child is in the portable chair on the floor, then it's not worth it... get the high chair.
The Bumbo was recently taken off the shelves for a little bit until the manufacturer could put on a warning label to tell parents not to leave their children in one on top of the kitchen table as the kiddos can kick themselves out of them. That said, they do have benefit in helping adopted children with their underdeveloped stomach muscles. But I would suggest getting the matching tray that hooks on to it (or getting the Bebe Pod which is even cuter and comes with the tray.)
I am clueless on the bottle front. I am from generations of plastic bottle raised children, but we are whacky so I really can't say that there were no ill effects. Never microwave, as it heats from the inside out, meaning the middle of the bottle could be piping hot and still feel cool to the touch, causing burning. Glass bottles are also cheap enough, gerber makes some, but they are really heavy.
I am attempting to make baby food... there are a million books out there, as well as online recipe's. They sell electric baby food processors, but if you have a good adult one, that's fine too. The trays are great because they have covers and can be frozen, but ice cube trays work well too.
I bought the hotsling because of the arthritis in my neck. The other carriers have to go on both shoulders. Everyone I know swears by the hotsling... hopefully I will be able to find out soon... so far I have practiced with a stuffed animal... seems easy enough.
I can't think of any strollers that allow you to change direction. My one suggestion is to go to the store and try them all out. You will find the one that meets your needs. And that really is the only way to see how easy one is over the other to turn, close... and don't forget to check the ease of reclining the seat.... very important with sleeping baby.
I would find a stroller that doesn't come with the infant seat, but has a matching one available for purchase... the fact of the matter is we don't know how long the I600 process will take.... no sense in buying the infant seat ahead of time if you end up with an 8 month old baby.
Lastly, I had looked at the cosleeper for a very long time. We decided against it because our bed is too high even with the extensions... but if yours isn't they are great to have. I would reccomend getting the original cosleeper vs. the mini. The mini doesn't convert to anything after the baby grows out of the bassinet. The original converts to a portacrib afterwards at least, so although expensive, the baby can use it for a couple years.
Sorry for the long reply, hope that helps.
Heather.
love the bumbo but they grow out of them fast.
loved making our own baby food.. get a little mini cuisinart, delish!
we cosleep without any of that stuff.. but the first link looks nice!
as far as diaper pails go...diaper champ is the best! very simple to use. and the best part...you just use regular trash bags (and there are so simple to change)! also, when you are throwing away the diaper, it is very easy to use one-handed while you are holding a baby...you just flip the handle!
wow! you have some great comments!
bottles...we use the nuby 7 oz and they are bpa free. we love them. and they also have silicone sippy spouts so they are now doubling as sippy cups ($ saver)!
look em up on babiesrus.
we have a bumbo and used it until about 6=7 months...when she figured out how to push herself out of it. however, at 10 months we can still take it to a restaurant and she will sit in it (on the booth seat as a booster b/c reg boosters don't have the middle crotch thingy).
Slings-I make my own (pouch style) so I cannot vouch for other brands...but I LOVE wearing. I have always been interested in the Mei Tai (but wondered about all of tying).
do you have craigslist in your area? that would be a great start for some used items in good/new condition!
Good luck!
I have lots of opinions and no practical experience so take it or leave it...
I have a heart to heart, Canadian made sling and a snugli. You can borrow if we are not using at the same time.
I've watched a 7 month old catapult face first out of a bumbo. I've also seen off the table face plants in a bouncy chair...Please note I wasn't in charge of or related to either incident...just an unknown observer at a social/school fuction. I'm guessing baby will be too old for a new bumbo but maybe a borrowed one???
I'm going glass bottle and part time cloth and homemade food once we are home but for travel I'm bringing bottles with bags so I can put the formula in, roll it up with an elastic and be on my way with bottled water and a hot thermos.
I love the space saver but I only have 4 chairs at the table and I agree that those chairs will be needed for adults (I expect to become more popular when baby is home...)
I'm registered at babies r us if you want to peek at what I chose. Please note I went overboard so I could get 35 items to enter a contest...I'll be deleting some.
I have big stroller opinions. I want, want, want the Bumbleride Flyer in red. It has the reversible handle feature you mention. There are no economy strollers on the market with this feature. I'm probably getting the newest Graco Travel system with the Safe Seat carseat good up to 30 pounds so the little guy can face me for a good long time on his return home (see my registry). Economy over beauty and love. Oh well. Perhaps if this adoption continues to take eons I will buy the bumbleride as a gift of perseverence...I will certainly deserve it. But then I will need the matching car seat...and then I will have to move to the beaches so that I fit in...
Bev
Ok, so I'm not sure my opinion counts as we aren't parents yet, but I did buy the space-saver "high" chair...I know I'm going to love it, because I love anything that saves me some room...
As far as the BPA free, I actually just went with the Playtex drop-ins because the liners are BPA free, and they are so convenient. Or at least that's what my girlfriends say...again, no experience, but that's what we went with. Good luck!
A couple of suggestions at well....
I used the plastic playtex bottles with my son (we had trouble with breastfeeding)and I found them awesome, the disposiable liners make washing easier and you have less worries about baby having gas since the liners collapse as they drink thus no air getting into their tummies. You can even push out the excess air before starting to feed.
I didn't make my own baby food but as an option if you have a day where you need a break, many of the organic babyfood sold in stores (president's choice) are now the same price as regular baby food.
this is the cheapest reversible stroller i've found... and it gets great reviews.
http://www.target.com/Kolcraft-Contours-Options-4-Wheeler-Stroller/dp/B000J27A66/qid=1205861723/ref=br_1_7/602-9296911-5107064?ie=UTF8&node=3674901&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1
also, the gerber "clearview" bottles are inexpensive and bpa free... i've seen them at target and babies r us.
I had these same questions!!! Im all about that space saving high chair..I think! Ok, since I don't have any good advice (sorry) Im gonna go read what everyone else said!
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