Bay-bay stuff...

Future Navy Wife

So I guess the cat is out of the bag...at least on here anyways. D and I are going to out first OB appt Wednesday and tonight I was just looking at some baby stuff online to kind of get a general idea of what we like/want for the critter growing in my belly.

I was wondering what some of your opinions were on brands of baby gear...stroller/car seat combos, high chairs (standing vs. clip on to table), baby carriers, pack-n-plays...etc.

We went to Babies-R-Us a few days ago and saw a travel system we like that is Chicco I believe...thoughts? I don't want anything to huge an bulky as far as stollers go and it was pretty compact as far as full size strollers are concerned.

So...advice please!

prettygirl06

No advice but I would like to congratulate you! H&H 9 months!

Steven&Jamie

Get the book Baby Bargains. It's basically consumer reports for everything baby related. I used that book to choose our crib mattress, crib, stroller, monitor, infant carseat/carrier, etc. It was very helpful for us!!

That being said, we went with the Graco Sarah crib (Graco is the brand I would recommend, any model), Graco infant car seat. and Summer slim & secure video monitor.

llizzyb

Congrats! I don't have any advice...pretty much in the same boat you are.

WendyToo

Congrats!! I was a big fan of the Chicco brand in general. I had a travel system, pack n play, and highchair by them and found all to be high quality. I loved that you could fold/unfold the stroller with one hand. It was nice that the stroller seat completely reclined and included storage / cup holder for the parent as well. I'm not positive about now, but at the time, the keyfit carseat was very highly rated. I also loved that they came in fairly gender neutral patterns (at the time I thought I'd be having another, but ended up passing most of that gear on to a friend who used it with her little girl as well). My only complaint for the whole brand was that the highchair was difficult to clean (lots of nooks and crannies for grossness to find) and the dishwasher safe trays (great idea btw) didn't actually fit in my dishwasher.

BlinkingLight1

Steven&Jamie:

Get the book Baby Bargains. It's basically consumer reports for everything baby related. I used that book to choose our crib mattress, crib, stroller, monitor, infant carseat/carrier, etc. It was very helpful for us!!

Agreed! I used this a lot when researching things to buy for C (um, #1. I guess I can't use just their initials anymore!). 

When got him a crib made my Baby Italia (from BRU) and I really like it. It's good quality furniture that he'll keep for a long time.

MamaStuckey

We got the Chicco travel system and really liked it! It was so easy to take the carrier in and out. It just snaps into the base that is strapped in place in the back seat. I also really liked the stroller...so easy to unfold with one hand and the carrier just snapped right into the stroller as well. We also really liked the colors they had as well.

We have a high chair that straps onto the chair. We really like it! Easy to clean and he's at the same level as we are. Can't think of the brand, but we got it from Target.

Pack n' Play is Graco and we really like it. Easy to take down and put back up for whatever reason.

SOOOO excited for you!!!!

 

OUKap

Car seat and stroller - people told me to get Chicco. From testing it out, I think it is much smoother than Graco. The car seat was also easy to properly install.

Highchair - if I did it again, I would get the one that attaches to a chair, by FP, I  think. We have one that detaches and can be used as a booster seat. Sweetpea at Target.

Pack n play - we got the base model by graco and saved a lot of money because we weren't going to use that extra things.

Monitors - Sony makes a great sound only one. It amazes me how sensitive it is.

Congrats. 

 

OUKap

We got our furniture at JCP. Quality wasn't bad.

jesseandbri

Congrats to you!!!!  I wish you a H&H 9 months!

I have a lot of Graco stuff; car seat, stroller, and pnp.  I like my car seat and stroller because of the patterns and height/ weight limits.  I got the Snugride 35.

Get a Bumbo!!!!  It is WONDERFUL, we take it with us everywhere and it works great as a booster/ highchair when we go out to dinner.  

I have the FP highchair that straps to the chair but we haven't pulled it out of the box yet.  We still use the Bumbo and the little tray.  That way change as B's legs are getting chunky.   

I have a Bonavita crib.  I love it and it was really easy to lower in the last month. We bought a dresser and nightstand meant for an adult set and I think I am much happier with it than I would be with any of the stuff meant to go with the cribs.  More drawers, bigger drawers and seemingly better construction.

I also say to wait to buy a bunch of bottles.  B will only use the Playtex nursers and nothing else...  to this day.   

OUKap

there are two thoughts about infant car seats. some say go for the largest lbs. others say you will need a bigger car seat with either option and you likely wont carry around a 30lb baby in an infant car seat, so go with the 25lb option and save the money.

Steven&Jamie

jesseandbri:

I have a lot of Graco stuff; car seat, stroller, and pnp.  I like my car seat and stroller because of the patterns and height/ weight limits.  I got the Snugride 35.

Same here--I love our Graco car seat and stroller.  We also have the Snugride 35. The PNP comes in handy when I need somewhere safe to put G when I leave the room (thanks again, Bri!).  

Get a Bumbo!!!!  It is WONDERFUL, we take it with us everywhere and it works great as a booster/ highchair when we go out to dinner.  

This is a great tip, I hadn't thought to use it as a booster seat!  I'll have to remember this when G starts using his Bumbo.

 

I also say to wait to buy a bunch of bottles.  B will only use the Playtex nursers and nothing else...  to this day.   

Same here. Bri recommended these to me and they're the only ones G will take!

amidavey06

Congrats!! 

A lot of our baby stuff was Graco brand (car seat, stroller, and PNP) One thing I would recommend is either get a jogging stroller or one of those lightweight frame strollers. After battling with the huge travel system stroller for a year it's not worth it IMO.