Preggo stuff, Baby Stuff, Toddler Stuff...post your best finds here!!

[Kay]

A is about to outgrow her infant car seat, so we bought a Britex Boulevard on closeout sale (discontinued fabric). It is supposed to be a great car seat, but it is a monster size-wise. We plan on taking 3 short trips this year, so we need a smaller, lighter car seat to use in airplanes and rental cars. I don''t want to spend a lot on a second seat. I would appreciate any recommendations.

 

[Kay]

Also, do you have any recommendations for a good brand of sippy cup that doesn''t leak? A has just started using one for water, and I only have one (received as a gift), but it doesn''t close well and leaks.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 5/25/2009 8:17:43 AM
Author: Kay
Also, do you have any recommendations for a good brand of sippy cup that doesn''t leak? A has just started using one for water, and I only have one (received as a gift), but it doesn''t close well and leaks.

I like Nuby.

 

[Burk]

I also use Nuby but I have a few Gerber that I like as well.

 

[nycbkgirl]

any suggestions on play gyms and swings???

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 5/27/2009 10:04:17 PM
Author: nycbkgirl
any suggestions on play gyms and swings???

I like swings that go both ways since babies do sometimes prefer one over the other. Mine is FP. I think some company makes a plug in version which is cool since we went through SOOO many batteries. I have a Tiny Love play mat (is that what you mean by a play gym?) My exerscaucer is from evenflo (the second most expensive one). Get one with LOTS of toys!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/27/2009 10:06:50 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 5/27/2009 10:04:17 PM

Author: nycbkgirl

any suggestions on play gyms and swings???

I like swings that go both ways since babies do sometimes prefer one over the other. Mine is FP. I think some company makes a plug in version which is cool since we went through SOOO many batteries. I have a Tiny Love play mat (is that what you mean by a play gym?) My exerscaucer is from evenflo (the second most expensive one). Get one with LOTS of toys!

The FP rainforest model swings both ways and has a plug...I don''t know if their other models do.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Date: 5/27/2009 10:06:50 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 5/27/2009 10:04:17 PM
Author: nycbkgirl
any suggestions on play gyms and swings???

I like swings that go both ways since babies do sometimes prefer one over the other. Mine is FP. I think some company makes a plug in version which is cool since we went through SOOO many batteries. I have a Tiny Love play mat (is that what you mean by a play gym?) My exerscaucer is from evenflo (the second most expensive one). Get one with LOTS of toys!

thanks Tac and Neat! i was leaning towards the tiny love. when did u start using the gyms>? is 2 months too early? u will check out the exersaucer,
i like the fp rainforest swing and the ocean wonders,...neat do u have 2 or just 1? i figured id get 2 different ones to switch up.?

 

[Kay]

We have the Tiny Love Gymini deluxe with lights and music. A started using it at 6 weeks, although she couldn''t do much more than stare and bat at the hanging toys. As her aim and strength have improved, she enjoys it even more and is still using it at 7 months.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Thanks kay! My 2 are 6 wks today and I think they are getting more and more alert and they stare at things and respond well to music... so I also think it would be a good idea to start using the gym and swing now.

 

[neatfreak]

NYC: 2 months isn''t too young at all for the gyms-they will just stare at the toys. BUT you need to remember that b/c your kiddos were born early for things that have an "appropriate age" you need to count from their due date not their actual birthdate. So if they are 2 months old AGE-wise they are really newborns DEVELOPMENTALLY (they were 2 mos early right?) so just something to consider when you are buying toys. And something to know when looking for milestones b/c your kids likely will hit them counting from their due date not their birth date.

 

[Sabine]

I''m sure this has been discussed on here before, but what kind of slings would you recommend? I''m thinking about getting a hotsling or peanut shell, and am hoping to find them on craigslist or ebay since we do have a backpack style carrier already. If you have either of these, did you like them? Did they fit true to the online sizing?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

nyc, my neighbor has twins and only had one swing. I imagine life gets pretty expensive if you buy two of everything so I am sure one gym, one swing, etc...would be okay. I know she used her two bumbos (craig''s list) SOOO much. She also had two exerscaucers. But with toys she just has one of stuff.

Sabine, I can''t remember what sling I had but DD HATED it. She didn''t like having her vision blocked. My girl has ALWAYS been bossy!

 

[mela lu]

Does anyone own the Joovy Kooper Stroller? I''d love a PS review

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 6/5/2009 9:36:50 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
nyc, my neighbor has twins and only had one swing. I imagine life gets pretty expensive if you buy two of everything so I am sure one gym, one swing, etc...would be okay. I know she used her two bumbos (craig''s list) SOOO much. She also had two exerscaucers. But with toys she just has one of stuff.

Sabine, I can''t remember what sling I had but DD HATED it. She didn''t like having her vision blocked. My girl has ALWAYS been bossy!

Ditto... I bought the Tricotti sling and Daisy was having none of it.

We also have the Baby Bjorn Active carrier which she loves - although she likes to look out rather than face me, so I turn her round if she''s asleep so her head is controlled better and then face out when she''s awake.

 

[atroop711]

Date: 6/26/2009 3:28:04 PM
Author: mela lu
Does anyone own the Joovy Kooper Stroller? I''d love a PS review

Yes I do in Red and I love it. It reclines all the way...has lots of space for a baby to a toddler. It pushes easily and it folds easy too. I live in NYC and do lots of walking..my 7mo old is very comfy in it. It is a little heavy but it''s the same weight as the most $$ Maclaren (but has more cushion for comfort)

 

[Loves2Laugh]

This past week we took our little guy swimming for the first time and I bought this Spring Float. It was wonderful! Parker is only 5 1/2 months old so of course we had to stabilize him in there some but with the canopy to keep him out the the sun it was a blessing. He was a riot! I really didn''t think at this age he''d really care to be in the water but with the pool being heated I think he thought it was just a really big bath!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2316443

 

[Tacori E-ring]

L2L, we have the SAME float and used it for T last year. It is a nice one.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/5/2009 7:26:13 PM
Author: Sabine
I''m sure this has been discussed on here before, but what kind of slings would you recommend? I''m thinking about getting a hotsling or peanut shell, and am hoping to find them on craigslist or ebay since we do have a backpack style carrier already. If you have either of these, did you like them? Did they fit true to the online sizing?

If you are still looking, I have a soft carrier that you can use to carry your child in about 6 different ways, and Hunter loved it as a newborn and how that he is older I use it everyday with him in the outward or inward facing positions.

Here is the link: It is like the Mody Wrap but somes in 3 pieces which makes it easier to use I think.

http://www.babybuddha.ca/

 

[mela lu]

Date: 6/28/2009 5:14:56 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 6/5/2009 7:26:13 PM

Author: Sabine

I''m sure this has been discussed on here before, but what kind of slings would you recommend? I''m thinking about getting a hotsling or peanut shell, and am hoping to find them on craigslist or ebay since we do have a backpack style carrier already. If you have either of these, did you like them? Did they fit true to the online sizing?

If you are still looking, I have a soft carrier that you can use to carry your child in about 6 different ways, and Hunter loved it as a newborn and how that he is older I use it everyday with him in the outward or inward facing positions.
Here is the link: It is like the Mody Wrap but somes in 3 pieces which makes it easier to use I think.
http://www.babybuddha.ca/

''Sabine - I want to echo DD''s reco on this style of carrier. I bought the same concept but different brand (Blue Celery) and DS loves it!
I don''t love the hotsling/peanut shell style because they are not stretchy and I personally found it hard to get the baby in and out of it. That was just me though.

atroop - thanks for the Review on the Joovy Kooper stroller. I''m looking at getting an umbrella stroller for my Mom, and the reclining feature really appeals to me.

 

[lover in athens]

just wanted to add, along the carrier line...
i'm CRAZY about my angelpack lx and my beco butterfly II.

coby LOVES being "worn" and sometimes if he is fussy, it allows me to get stuff done around the house. i also love it for going to the store or target. SO much easier than bringing in the heavy infant car seat.

LOVE IT!!!

i like the beco for wearing the baby on my back and the angelpack for front-carries, although they both work for either way. the beco comes with an infant insert so it can be used with very little babies.

(i started off with a bjorn, but as soon as coby was >10lbs or so, it started to hurt my back. these carriers are SO much more comfy because they really distribute the weight)

 

[lover in athens]

here is coby in the angelpack...

 

[lover in athens]

and in the beco...

(ps...if you''re interested in any of these types of carriers, i would HIGHLY recommend going to the FSOT forum of the babywearer website. they''re expensive but you can get great deals on used ones in excellent condition on there)

 

[atroop711]

this is FYI: we got our son the Fisher Price Jumperoo and it''s fabulous. It''s a combination of an exersaucer and a jumper toy...this particular one folds down a bit and is great for smaller places (like our apt). My son loves this so much that he will spend 45 min (sometimes) just playing and jumping. He even fell asleep once in it..made the cutest picture. I guess he wore himself out

here is the link

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2508003

I don''t know how to make it clickable sorry

 

[Burk]

Date: 6/29/2009 10:29:54 AM
Author: atroop711
this is FYI: we got our son the Fisher Price Jumperoo and it''s fabulous. It''s a combination of an exersaucer and a jumper toy...this particular one folds down a bit and is great for smaller places (like our apt). My son loves this so much that he will spend 45 min (sometimes) just playing and jumping. He even fell asleep once in it..made the cutest picture. I guess he wore himself out


here is the link


http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2508003


I don''t know how to make it clickable sorry

We have that too, and it was a big hit. Link here

 

[TravelingGal]

Another vote for the rainforest jumperoo (talk about a lifesaver.) I also got the floaty thing, so can give a thumbs up to that too.

Carriers, I have the ERGO which I like a lot, but I hear the Beco is wonderful too and better for petite ladies. I don''t carry all that often (didn''t do it much at all when she was little, even though I was supposed to with her torticolis) but at the beach where strollers are tough, it''s wonderful. Of course, you''d think my girl would be walking by now!

 

[Pandora II]

Okay...desperation calls...

Daisy is just not going to sleep during the day, and I am getting bored with bouncing her up and down on my knee for hours on end, so the time has come for me to ''wear'' this child so I can get things done during the day around the house...

The Bjorn is fine for outside, but it''s a front carrier and so no good at home.

I''m looking for a very lightweight back carrier that is also secure for a small baby. It needs to be comfortable to wear and not too hard on my back so good back support is useful.

The beco looks really good - and I can get it in the UK, but just wondering if there are any others that I should consider!

 

[pavelover]

hi pandora, i wanted to tell you i have the ergo and i love it! the only thing i am not sure of is what age you can put the little one on your back. i did not buy the infant insert as tyler was about 14 lbs when i got it. a friend mentioned to me that even though she likes her beco, she wished that she could feel the baby skin to skin or clothes to clothe i guess, without a liner. she said the beco liner does not come out.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Why can''t you wear her on your front around the house? I do all the time and it is much more comfy, you just get used to the extra person. I am fairly certain you can''t put a baby on your back until they are much older... 6 months?? I think you would really like the soft carriers that Mel and I recommended. I find they distribute the weight really well accross the whole upper body.

 

[Blenheim]

Another one here who just uses front carries around the house - I don''t think you''re supposed to use back carries until they have pretty developed neck muscles like starting at 4-6 months, or somewhere in there.

We have both a woven wrap and a Moby wrap. Both can do back carries later on. I prefer the woven wrap, as it feels more supportive to me and it''s cooler in the summer. And it''s prettier. The one that DD/Mela posted looks awesome though - same sort of support, only probably less of a learning curve.

I also have an Ergo, which I mostly love, only it''s been chaffing the back of my right arm if I use it on longer walks - anyone else have this problem and know what to do about it? The belt helps to distribute weight around the hips, which is easier on the back, and the carrier splays the baby''s legs which is better for hip development than having the legs dangle. If I remember correctly, Pandora, you''re taller than average, and I think that the Ergo is supposed to be good for people with longer frames and for people with back problems - perfect for both of us.

Someone earlier asked about slings - George has never been able to stand the cradle position, and I found it hard to do tummy-to-tummy in a hotsling style sling. I like my ring sling more, but now that George is big enough and has good enough neck control to use him in the Ergo without the insert, I just pop him in that if I need something that''s quick to put on.