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

[cdt1101]

Tacori - thanks for the link...we have the city mini...boo on the recall! But I do LOVE our stroller.

Off to check if our model is part of the recall!

 

[atroop711]

Date: 9/3/2009 10:41:23 AM
Author: gingerB
hello ladies! reviving this thread because i''ve found it so useful already and now i can participate again. the stroller info here has been INVALUABLE! it''s prob going to be our biggest purchase since my family and friends are hankering on passing on their hand me down

anyway, i was hoping our resident stroller experts could help me with slightly more customized advice for our lifestyle

we live in a big city...defintely urban living, but more suburban as far as travel goes. we need a car to get almost anywhere. so walking long distances is not an issue. i''m not a jogger so that''s def not an issue either. we''re looking for something light, manueverable, able to navigate small aisle/spaces if needed. we''re def leaning towards a snap n'' go type system, but not sure of any other stroller needs. will the snapngo system take us all the way to umbrella stroller or wil we need something in between?

I''m in NYC and my son is 10mo..we still use the snap n go system since it''s so easy to pop into a taxi whenever I need to. When we are strolling and I know I will only need to walk...we have the JOOVY KOOPER. It''s the weight of the larger Maclaren and resembles a quinny. It''s great and so happy with it. Fully reclines, HUGE space for a growing child (can hold up to 55 lbs), HUGE canapy, easy to push, fits the small aisles and it''s less than $200

 

[Mandarine]

Question for you guys.

We recently both a lightly used swing from a friend (FP Rainforest swing)....we bought it for like $50 and it''s in great condition. The only thing is that it looks like the seat is crooked when it''s in one of the positions. I looked on the internet and it seems like some people had the same problem.

In any case, it was a good price and I could always swing them the other way...and it''s just slightly crooked, so I don''t think the boys would mind!.

Well, I also had a swing in the registry...Ocean''s wonder swing

Someone bought us teh ocean''s wonder one so now we have two swings...I know I might end up wanting two at some point...but not sure if I should keep the gift or return it?

Maybe instead of getting another big swing, I could get two portable/travel ones?

I also got the Ocean''s bouncer as part of a gift...

So...what do you guys recommend? Keep in mind I''ll have two boys to entertain

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Mandarine, we had one full-size and one travel (for a singleton) and I really liked it. My girl was a total swing baby so the travel one was really nice to have. My neighbor only had one swing with her twins. I don''t think you really *need* two of the big stuff. Maybe both boys won''t like the swing so better wait and see.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Date: 9/4/2009 8:27:10 AM
Author: Mandarine
Question for you guys.

We recently both a lightly used swing from a friend (FP Rainforest swing)....we bought it for like $50 and it''s in great condition. The only thing is that it looks like the seat is crooked when it''s in one of the positions. I looked on the internet and it seems like some people had the same problem.

In any case, it was a good price and I could always swing them the other way...and it''s just slightly crooked, so I don''t think the boys would mind!.

Well, I also had a swing in the registry...Ocean''s wonder swing

Someone bought us teh ocean''s wonder one so now we have two swings...I know I might end up wanting two at some point...but not sure if I should keep the gift or return it?

Maybe instead of getting another big swing, I could get two portable/travel ones?

I also got the Ocean''s bouncer as part of a gift...

So...what do you guys recommend? Keep in mind I''ll have two boys to entertain

M- i have the rainforest swing and another similar one (bc it was on sale) and that one also had a crooked seat..i thought dh just didnt put it in right but it never bothered us really..not even sure he fixed it or not..so i dont think it should be a problem...i ended up with 2 bc it is a big help to pop them in there and get a few chores or some rest. they even slept in them at like 2mos but now (at almost 5) they sit for a few mins lol. the rainforest one is great and for 50 its a steal.. i also have a bouncer that i dont use much bc it vibrates ..i thought it bounces w.o. manual help lol...i personally dont want my kid vibrating

but otherwise it worked for me with the toys for a few moments to get stuff done.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Date: 9/4/2009 6:33:45 AM
Author: atroop711

Date: 9/3/2009 10:41:23 AM
Author: gingerB
hello ladies! reviving this thread because i''ve found it so useful already and now i can participate again. the stroller info here has been INVALUABLE! it''s prob going to be our biggest purchase since my family and friends are hankering on passing on their hand me down

anyway, i was hoping our resident stroller experts could help me with slightly more customized advice for our lifestyle

we live in a big city...defintely urban living, but more suburban as far as travel goes. we need a car to get almost anywhere. so walking long distances is not an issue. i''m not a jogger so that''s def not an issue either. we''re looking for something light, manueverable, able to navigate small aisle/spaces if needed. we''re def leaning towards a snap n'' go type system, but not sure of any other stroller needs. will the snapngo system take us all the way to umbrella stroller or wil we need something in between?

I''m in NYC and my son is 10mo..we still use the snap n go system since it''s so easy to pop into a taxi whenever I need to. When we are strolling and I know I will only need to walk...we have the JOOVY KOOPER. It''s the weight of the larger Maclaren and resembles a quinny. It''s great and so happy with it. Fully reclines, HUGE space for a growing child (can hold up to 55 lbs), HUGE canapy, easy to push, fits the small aisles and it''s less than $200

so ? about snap n go..my twins are almost 5 months (but on the small side bc premies) i dont know up to when they can be used? they are only used with the infant car seats right? and arent those only good til a certain age etc?? confused...my cousin is having a baby in nov and i figured by then we wont need the infant car seat and can give it to them but if i can use it still then with the sng then i wont give it away.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

nyc, I kept my DD in her infant car seat until her first birthday. I stopped taking it out of the car however (it got HEAVY to carry) around 9 or 10 months I think.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 8/18/2009 1:55:42 PM
Author: natalina
Posted in Preggo thread too, but thought it might be better here:

Any tips on baby bathtubs? I am so interested in these new ''bucket-style'' tubs like the Tummy tub. Anyone have one? Is it practical right from first bath, or do you have to wait til they can sit up a bit on their own? Is it hard to get at their bums?

I have the Tummy Tub and Daisy loves it. I used it from when she was newborn - it''s a bit tricky the first time until you get the hang of which bit to hold (hand under chin is best) and holding as well as washing.

To wash their hair, I wrap her in a towel and wash her hair first and then I put her in the Tummy Tub to wash the rest. Very easy to get to their bottom! Also supposedly great for colic, wind etc - D doesn''t get colic, but it has been good when she''s had a bit of wind.

The minus for me is that they do outgrow it quite fast - and we tend to just have a bath together now and once my ''water sling'' arrives then we''ll just use the shower. However the Tummy Tub is a very useful bucket/laundry thing once they''ve grown out of it.

 

[Pandora II]

Gingerb - I''m in London and so needed a stroller that would be narrow enough for public transport and aisles in shops and lightweight to push. We went with the Stokke Xplory and I cannot praise it enough - it turns on a six-pence and I can push it with one finger.

It works as a snap n'' go with a number of carseats, is very easy to assemble/disassemble once you get the hang of it, should do Daisy until she is about 4, the shopping basket expands to take an enormous amount (7 bags from the supermarket) it is much higher up than any other stroller so they are well away from car exhaust fumes, slobbery dogs etc and can see what is going on and communicate with you easily. It''s both forward and backward facing and has a lie-flat option for newborns (although D screamed her head off if she was flat and so we raised her up.

Of the accessories, we bought the footmuff for the winter, the parasol for the summer and the diaper bag (great if you are breastfeeding, probably too small if you are bottle feeding) - I didn''t get the bassinet and it was a good thing as Daisy would have hated it.

It is expensive, but as far as DH and I are concerned it was worth every penny - and you can get great discounts on line.

The only negatives are that it absolutely is not all-terrain and you will be stopped everywhere by people wanting to ask questions about it.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Thanx Tac...will not be giving them away then!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 9/3/2009 3:35:45 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
DD and other Baby Jogger owners please look here!

Wow thanks Tacori! All we need is a new restraint latch, but we will get it asap. I can see how this is a concern, the latch can snap out if it isn''t really in well.

 

[atroop711]

Date: 9/4/2009 9:01:29 AM
Author: nycbkgirl

Date: 9/4/2009 6:33:45 AM

Author: atroop711

Date: 9/3/2009 10:41:23 AM

Author: gingerB

hello ladies! reviving this thread because i''ve found it so useful already and now i can participate again. the stroller info here has been INVALUABLE! it''s prob going to be our biggest purchase since my family and friends are hankering on passing on their hand me down

anyway, i was hoping our resident stroller experts could help me with slightly more customized advice for our lifestyle

we live in a big city...defintely urban living, but more suburban as far as travel goes. we need a car to get almost anywhere. so walking long distances is not an issue. i''m not a jogger so that''s def not an issue either. we''re looking for something light, manueverable, able to navigate small aisle/spaces if needed. we''re def leaning towards a snap n'' go type system, but not sure of any other stroller needs. will the snapngo system take us all the way to umbrella stroller or wil we need something in between?

I''m in NYC and my son is 10mo..we still use the snap n go system since it''s so easy to pop into a taxi whenever I need to. When we are strolling and I know I will only need to walk...we have the JOOVY KOOPER. It''s the weight of the larger Maclaren and resembles a quinny. It''s great and so happy with it. Fully reclines, HUGE space for a growing child (can hold up to 55 lbs), HUGE canapy, easy to push, fits the small aisles and it''s less than $200

so ? about snap n go..my twins are almost 5 months (but on the small side bc premies) i dont know up to when they can be used? they are only used with the infant car seats right? and arent those only good til a certain age etc?? confused...my cousin is having a baby in nov and i figured by then we wont need the infant car seat and can give it to them but if i can use it still then with the sng then i wont give it away.

depends on which infant car seat you have but majority of them are to be used until 1 year of age or 20 lbs. The new Graco snugride that is larger goes up to like 30 lbs...so you will be able to use it much longer. The snap n go can be used until you finish with the infant car seats.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Date: 9/4/2009 7:25:08 PM
Author: atroop711

Date: 9/4/2009 9:01:29 AM
Author: nycbkgirl

Date: 9/4/2009 6:33:45 AM

Author: atroop711

Date: 9/3/2009 10:41:23 AM

Author: gingerB

hello ladies! reviving this thread because i''ve found it so useful already and now i can participate again. the stroller info here has been INVALUABLE! it''s prob going to be our biggest purchase since my family and friends are hankering on passing on their hand me down

anyway, i was hoping our resident stroller experts could help me with slightly more customized advice for our lifestyle

we live in a big city...defintely urban living, but more suburban as far as travel goes. we need a car to get almost anywhere. so walking long distances is not an issue. i''m not a jogger so that''s def not an issue either. we''re looking for something light, manueverable, able to navigate small aisle/spaces if needed. we''re def leaning towards a snap n'' go type system, but not sure of any other stroller needs. will the snapngo system take us all the way to umbrella stroller or wil we need something in between?

I''m in NYC and my son is 10mo..we still use the snap n go system since it''s so easy to pop into a taxi whenever I need to. When we are strolling and I know I will only need to walk...we have the JOOVY KOOPER. It''s the weight of the larger Maclaren and resembles a quinny. It''s great and so happy with it. Fully reclines, HUGE space for a growing child (can hold up to 55 lbs), HUGE canapy, easy to push, fits the small aisles and it''s less than $200

so ? about snap n go..my twins are almost 5 months (but on the small side bc premies) i dont know up to when they can be used? they are only used with the infant car seats right? and arent those only good til a certain age etc?? confused...my cousin is having a baby in nov and i figured by then we wont need the infant car seat and can give it to them but if i can use it still then with the sng then i wont give it away.

depends on which infant car seat you have but majority of them are to be used until 1 year of age or 20 lbs. The new Graco snugride that is larger goes up to like 30 lbs...so you will be able to use it much longer. The snap n go can be used until you finish with the infant car seats.

thanks! yeh i think i will buy cuz a car seat as my gift and just keep my infant ones till max bc i cant live without the sng...i do have the graco snugrides

 

[nycbkgirl]

? for gripewater users...do u keep it refrigerated? i never did and then read the label recently and says refrigerate after opening

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 9/4/2009 8:27:10 AM
Author: Mandarine
Question for you guys.


We recently both a lightly used swing from a friend (FP Rainforest swing)....we bought it for like $50 and it''s in great condition. The only thing is that it looks like the seat is crooked when it''s in one of the positions. I looked on the internet and it seems like some people had the same problem.


In any case, it was a good price and I could always swing them the other way...and it''s just slightly crooked, so I don''t think the boys would mind!.


Well, I also had a swing in the registry...Ocean''s wonder swing


Someone bought us teh ocean''s wonder one so now we have two swings...I know I might end up wanting two at some point...but not sure if I should keep the gift or return it?


Maybe instead of getting another big swing, I could get two portable/travel ones?


I also got the Ocean''s bouncer as part of a gift...


So...what do you guys recommend? Keep in mind I''ll have two boys to entertain

We had one swing and sold it because neither boy took to it! So I would either return the gift one and wait to see if you need another one (then go buy one) or keep it but don''t assemble until you know if you''ll need it. Option 2 might not work if the store has a strict return policy so you might be better off re-buying if you need one.

We had 2 bouncies and that was plenty.

 

[Mandarine]

Thanks!!

I''m not sure what the return policy is...it''s from BRU, I have to check but I think they may be a little strict.

 

[gingerB]

thanks for all the advice on the strollers. we visited our friends who have an 8 month old and they have a bee and a BOB. hubby loves the BOB and is trying to convince me to get one. he jogs, occ, but i never do. not sure if it''s worth getting for our lifestyle. i briefly used the bee. i loved the manueverablilty, but really didn''t get to play with it for too long, but worth a second look though. the price tag is def intimidating, but may be worth it if it fits our needs.

question: so we live in a pretty big city with most major stores. where is the best place to go try out strollers? i''ve gotten babies''r us, right start, nordies, and neiman''s? an other suggestions?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Ginger I LOVE our BOB but it is a BIG stroller. It is a pain in tight stores/aisles. Not sure I would use it as much as an errand stroller ( I use a Mac Volo). For long walks it is awesome. I think, as it pains me to say, there might be a better option for you.

 

[gailrmv]

GingerB, congrats!!
We live in a suburban city, and here is what we did for strollers. My son is about 6 months now.

Snap n go: Would have been ideal if my son liked being in his carseat. Most newborns do great in this system. It did not work well for us though. Instead, we LOOOOVE our Ergo carrier. I carry him everywhere! I used a basic sling (eddie bauer from Target) when he was a newborn and that worked great too.
MacLaren Volo: We started using it about 4 months for going into stores. It's light, great to keep in the car, easy to fold, and easy to maneuver. We thought about the fancier MacLarens but my son doesn't really like to recline so it was not worth it.
Bob Revolution: Love it. I run a lot and we also go on lots of walks. I used this starting when my son was just a few weeks old for walks. We added head support (Velboa Snuzzler - works perfectly in the BOB). I started light jogging with him when he was maybe 3 months old?? He had great head and neck control. I adore this stroller, and found it was worth the $ (I got it 20% off). It folds very easily, but can be a slight pain for getting in and out of the car only because of its weight. It's also very long, so can be tough to take it into crowded stores and restaurants. My favorite thing about it is that it's so easy to push, has nice padded handles, is easy to adjust in many ways, and most importantly my son seems happy in it.

Here is what I think of some of my friends' strollers:

Micralite Toro: Seems to work really well. Has the pram, which is nice for a newborn. When you have the regular seat on it, you don't have to take it all apart to get in and out of the car, which is a real advantage over the Bugaboo IMO. Also it is less $.
Bugaboo Chameleon: A beautiful stroller, but it would not have been a great choice for me. Real pain to get in and out of the car, and almost as big as the BOB to take around stores and restaurants. Plus, can't jog with it.
Maxi Cosi stroller: Looks great, works well for my friend, much cheaper than the Bug, but the sun shade is really lacking.
Jeep jogging stroller: This gets pretty lousy reviews, but my friend is quite happy with hers. She uses it only for jogging and has something else for everyday. If you are only going to jog once in a while it might be worth getting this instead of the BOB. For serious jogging I would get the BOB though.


Other strollers I'd check out if I were you:

Joovy Kooper, Baby Jogger City Mini

Honestly, I'd just do the snap-n-go to start. It will get you through the first few months. By the time you need a regular stroller, you'll know what your life is like with baby at that point and can choose one best to suit your needs.

 

[natalina]

Date: 9/4/2009 1:19:02 PM
Author: Pandora II

Date: 8/18/2009 1:55:42 PM
Author: natalina
Posted in Preggo thread too, but thought it might be better here:

Any tips on baby bathtubs? I am so interested in these new ''bucket-style'' tubs like the Tummy tub. Anyone have one? Is it practical right from first bath, or do you have to wait til they can sit up a bit on their own? Is it hard to get at their bums?

I have the Tummy Tub and Daisy loves it. I used it from when she was newborn - it''s a bit tricky the first time until you get the hang of which bit to hold (hand under chin is best) and holding as well as washing.

To wash their hair, I wrap her in a towel and wash her hair first and then I put her in the Tummy Tub to wash the rest. Very easy to get to their bottom! Also supposedly great for colic, wind etc - D doesn''t get colic, but it has been good when she''s had a bit of wind.

The minus for me is that they do outgrow it quite fast - and we tend to just have a bath together now and once my ''water sling'' arrives then we''ll just use the shower. However the Tummy Tub is a very useful bucket/laundry thing once they''ve grown out of it.

Pandora- Thanks for the review! I was hoping you might have one, since they are so big in Europe. I think I will go ahead and order it. I really like the idea of the baby being submerged to mid belly/chest in the water b/c it seems so much more cozy.

 

[janinegirly]

hi all, looking for a bit of info on a few baby gear items:

Maclaren (Quest) - love this stroller but there is no handle bar/snack tray. Any suggestions on where to buy an add-on? I bought it online from an official supplier, so not sure if the discount meant pared down version or if all Macs come without these.

Car Seat Transition: I ended up purchasing the Britax Roundabout 50. My question is how do you handle a sleeping baby with these larger seats? With the infant seat, we''d just bring the whole seat wherever we were going (restaurant/store) but I imagine that''s not happening with these bigger versions. Just curious what others do...

 

[neatfreak]

Janine I''ve never seen a Maclaren with a snack tray or bar. I''m sure there is some kind of aftermarket add on-but I don''t think Maclaren makes them. Could be wrong though.

As for the bigger seats-unfortunately there''s nothing you can do except take the baby out. It sucks.

 

[MustangGal]

Ginger - We also found a large stroller selection at Burlington. I have the Graco IPO. It''s about the size of the small MaClarens, but much less expensive and more features. We were able to use it from about 3 months, since it has shoulder straps and can recline.

Janine - we just transitioned to the larger car seat, and for a sleeping baby, you just have to pull them out and hope they keep sleeping

. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn''t. We try to get everything ready before unstrapping (door unlocked or stroller out and reclined), so that he can be put back down right away. I have noticed that he doesn''t sleep as much in the car as he gets older though, so it may not be too much of a problem for you soon.

NYC - I think I lot of infant seats also have length limits to go with the weight limits. I think mine ios 26" max, and at 7 months my guy has technically out grown it. We still use it occasionally, and your twinks will probably be ale to fit in their for a long time.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Anyone know where to get infant belts? My fave thing 2 dress jon in is a white tee with jeans and jeans are always fallin off his booty (dh hates that and says I dress him like a "thug" :-/
Jackie has a belt..its just a white lace thread but can''t find one for boys. thanks.

 

[janinegirly]

nycbk: sorry, don''t know of any infant belts. They usually just make pants for them with elastic to keep ''em up! You could do a makeshift piece of cloth--but I know with my LO she''d never stay still for me to put on anything complicated!

mustang & nf: thanks! Guess I''ll have to wake the baby in those cases...urgh. I''ll have to do research on aftermarket Maclaren add ons too..a bar / snack tray would be a help since she gets bored in there and then wants to turn around/get out!

 

[Pandora II]

Janine, try eBay - there''s a company that makes them to fit various models that advertises there over here.

A non-recommendation (what is the real word?) coming up...

BUMBO - Having read a gazillion great reviews and hearing how wonderful they were from lots of friends, we bought Daisy a Bumbo when she was 10 weeks old in the hope that it would help her learn to sit up and be another way of keeping her in one place and amused...

Well, no such luck - she has learnt to try and throw herself backwards out of the thing - the Bumbo itself is fairly light and isn''t weighted at all so they could easily tip the whole thing over if they want to.

It''s not as if she is the most athletic of children nor has she spent much time in it - maybe 30 minutes a day max over 4 weeks (we were away for 2 of the 6 weeks we have had it). We have hardwood flooring so she could give herself quite a nasty bump if she tips it right over.

Anyway just wanted to flag it up...

 

[sunkist]

Date: 9/9/2009 9:24:25 AM
Author: nycbkgirl
Anyone know where to get infant belts? My fave thing 2 dress jon in is a white tee with jeans and jeans are always fallin off his booty (dh hates that and says I dress him like a ''thug'' :-/

Jackie has a belt..its just a white lace thread but can''t find one for boys. thanks.

NYCB I think it would be easier to find infant suspenders rather than a belt! A lot of stuff shows up online, here''s one link http://www.beltoutlet.com/socoelinsuby.html

 

[Mara]

For you gals who got the Walmart Baby Mod dark/white wood collection furniture, did you feel like the quality was pretty decent? The pics that everyone posts looks pretty good... but I havent seen them in the store yet (not sure if they carry the one I want in a store actually).

 

[Mandarine]

Date: 9/9/2009 5:51:56 PM
Author: Mara
For you gals who got the Walmart Baby Mod dark/white wood collection furniture, did you feel like the quality was pretty decent? The pics that everyone posts looks pretty good... but I havent seen them in the store yet (not sure if they carry the one I want in a store actually).

which one in particular Mara?

I got the Olivia cribs (I think that was the name). The quality was "decent"...I mean it will last the few years I want it to last and probably be destroyed by then. The wood itself is not very "dense" so it does damage easily. We had to return one of the cribs because it was pretty damaged when it arrived here. The good news is that walmart was OUTSTANDING in getting the return picked up and sending out the new crib...the process was a breeze. The two cribs we did keep had a few scratches, but nothing too bad. We called and they gave us 20% off each crib to account for the minor damage (which you can''t really see now that the cribs are all put together).

The cribs are definitely sturdy and overall I''m really happy we went with them...I love the modern look and you can''t beat the price. I couldn''t phantom spending over $800 on a crib...let alone in two cribs!...so I ddefinitely do recommend them...here is a pic, not the best but just so you see the model we got..

 

[Mandarine]

here is a close-up ....minus the skirt and mattress