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

[Mara]

Date: 1/11/2010 6:07:15 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 1/11/2010 6:00:24 PM
Author: Mara

Just patch the holes, touch up the paint and call it a day

lol greg is pretty anal about stuff like that so he would spend all this time trying to fix it and make sure it looked good. sometimes it's easier to leave the shelf!!!

this thread just reminded me also i need to buy a pillow. haha.

 

[qtiekiki]

When I was on maternity leave, all I wore was the Target nursing tank. I don''t remember the elastic band digging into my ribcage. I didn''t get actual nursing bras until I went back to work and wanted more supports. I have Bravado Designs nursing bras, and they were comfy and give good support (well for my D cup anyways).

 

[NovemberBride]

I live in bravado nursing tanks. They are the only ones that provided enough support for me to leave the house in them. I am a 34 F/g right now (pre preggo was 34 D). I tried the target brand and the motherhood brand and they didn''t work for me at all. The bravado are kind of pricey but so worth it. They come in actual band and cup sizes which is great for me since I need a L or XL to fit my boobs but then they are too big everywhere else.

 

[Mara]

thanks for the info ladies on the nursing tanks. i will check out the diff target brands this week and also gap mat.

just an FYI for anyone looking to do some bargain shopping. i made a quick stop at Target on my way home to return an extra car seat base and they are having a big ''clearance'' sale on a fair amt of baby/toddler clothes, and lot of Dwell Studio and Just One Year branded stuff. a few things we didn''t get from our registry were 75% off so i picked them up. it seemed kind of like ''end of season'' sale since they also had a bunch of ''spring'' stuff that was new.

 

[Burk]

I also liked the Target nursing tanks but liked my tanks from here most. I liked the long ones because no one wants to show mid drift right after having a baby!

 

[lovinsparkles]

Another crib thread mentioning that babies tend to chew on their cribs inspired me and I went looking for non-toxic baby furniture. Wow -- easier said than done! Has anyone else researched the safest (from a toxin standpoint) brands of baby furntiure?

It seems there are a few very high end brands (Pacific Rim, Romina, Q Collection Junior). Also maybe Pali and maybe Davinci? This blog has a lot of info for anyone interested in this issue: http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=1512 [For example, this was the customer service response on the Davinci cribs (aka Million Dollar Baby cribs): "We are very happy to inform you that Million Dollar Baby products have little to no formaldehyde emissions. Our products have met strict Japanese and European standards on formaldehyde emissions. The United States has yet to establish a federal standard. All of our furniture is made of solid pine wood. All of our cribs and changers are formaldehyde free. Our dressers do have some MDF boards, so it would have very little formaldehyde, but again all of our furniture has met strict Japanese and European standards. All of our furniture has a non-toxic finish."] This is the website for Pali that makes its claims about toxicity: http://pali-design.com/index.php?path=company&template=enviro&section=company&subsection=enviro&page=enviro

On a related note, am I correct that stationary cribs (as opposed to drop sides) are now the preferred from a safety viewpoint?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Blenheim]

Just to update - we ended up going with the Sony audio monitor, as I got the impression that the video one was more than my FIL wanted to spend. We chose it over some others because of the feature where it only makes noise if there''s a new noise, and because it''s rechargeable. We''re happy with it so far!

The Target nursing tanks fit is wonky on me now that I''ve lost a lot of my baby belly. The belly''s too big proportionate to the chest area. I don''t have any that I love, to be honest.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/11/2010 10:49:15 PM
Author: Blenheim
Just to update - we ended up going with the Sony audio monitor, as I got the impression that the video one was more than my FIL wanted to spend. We chose it over some others because of the feature where it only makes noise if there''s a new noise, and because it''s rechargeable. We''re happy with it so far!

The Target nursing tanks fit is wonky on me now that I''ve lost a lot of my baby belly. The belly''s too big proportionate to the chest area. I don''t have any that I love, to be honest.

Key features in my book. We''ve had ours for nearly two years and it''s a great monitor. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it as one of the best audio monitors out there (or it was at the time when I was looking.)

 

[Mara]

lovinsparkles... yeah from what i read stationary side is more preferred from a safety standpoint. also i read most drop side, even higher end ones rattled even if you didn''t use the side much.

re: non toxic, i am trying to remember who i read had those finishes. i want to say Babi Italia maybe? Or maybe it was Bonavita.

 

[puffy]

Date: 1/11/2010 9:06:23 PM
Author: Burk
I also liked the Target nursing tanks but liked my tanks from here most. I liked the long ones because no one wants to show mid drift right after having a baby!

i love their tops...didn''t get their tanks, but i have a bunch of their tops and LOVE them!!

 

[MustangGal]

Date: 1/11/2010 10:25:41 PM
Author: lovinsparkles

Another crib thread mentioning that babies tend to chew on their cribs inspired me and I went looking for non-toxic baby furniture. Wow -- easier said than done! Has anyone else researched the safest (from a toxin standpoint) brands of baby furntiure?

It seems there are a few very high end brands (Pacific Rim, Romina, Q Collection Junior). Also maybe Pali and maybe Davinci? This blog has a lot of info for anyone interested in this issue: http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=1512 [For example, this was the customer service response on the Davinci cribs (aka Million Dollar Baby cribs): ''We are very happy to inform you that Million Dollar Baby products have little to no formaldehyde emissions. Our products have met strict Japanese and European standards on formaldehyde emissions. The United States has yet to establish a federal standard. All of our furniture is made of solid pine wood. All of our cribs and changers are formaldehyde free. Our dressers do have some MDF boards, so it would have very little formaldehyde, but again all of our furniture has met strict Japanese and European standards. All of our furniture has a non-toxic finish.''] This is the website for Pali that makes its claims about toxicity: http://pali-design.com/index.php?path=company&template=enviro&section=company&subsection=enviro&page=enviro

On a related note, am I correct that stationary cribs (as opposed to drop sides) are now the preferred from a safety viewpoint?

Thanks for any thoughts!

I had one of the drop side cribs that was recently recalled. They sent me 2 little plastic brackets that stop the drop side from working (i was expecting better track pieces or something along those lines), and that brand no longer sells drop sides. To be honest, I hadn''t even used the drop side feature yet, and Kyle''s 11 moths old, so I probably didn''t need one anyway. I think there''s a movement to ban drop sides from being sold, so you''re probably better off staying away from them.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Pediped fans! They are having a sale!

 

[MustangGal]

So Kyle''s going to be 1 next month, and I have 2 ideas on what to get him as gifts, but could use a few suggestions. I want to get a potty, not that I plan on starting potty training, but I want to get it set up and be a familiar object so that when we do start he isn''t feaked out by the crazy thing in the bathroom. Any potty suggestions? I was also looking into one of the smaller Little Tikes or Step2 slide/climbing things. I think I have it down to this one http://www.walmart.com/Step2-All-Star-Sports-Climber/ip/8224274 this one http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13017780 or this castle http://www.littletikes.com/toys/climb-slide-castle.aspx. Do any of you have experience with any of them?

Thank you!

 

[gingerB]

nursing tank wise, does anyone know the difference between a full sling and a side sling? i was looking at the target nursing anks and couldn''t figure out why i would shoose one over the other.

 

[jcrow]

has anyone used this tub? i registered for another one but then i came across this one and thought it maybe a better way to go? thoughts??

 

[Burk]

Date: 1/18/2010 10:57:52 AM
Author: gingerB
nursing tank wise, does anyone know the difference between a full sling and a side sling? i was looking at the target nursing anks and couldn''t figure out why i would shoose one over the other.

If you look at the pics on Target website you''ll see the difference. Full sling goes all the way around breast, side doesn''t basically.

 

[Mara]

i''ve never seen that tub before, where is it at, jcrow?

we just went with a bath sponge to start, someone here on PS told me about it and i loved the idea, cheap and easy to store plus it can be used in any sink. we won''t go to tub for a while prob, until he''s too big for sponge!

now that the kid is about to pop out, i am trying to determine if i should just bite the bullet and get a stroller (city mini or valco latitude) or just use our neighbor''s SNG. i am lazy, so i think SNG will start us off. guess i should email my neighbor hehe.

 

[jcrow]

mara - it''s called the puj tub and it can be purchased directly from their site or from amazon or a few other places. i just thought it looked liked a great idea, but i''ve got no experience with baby washing and what would work best.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Hi ladies,

Do you mind if I ask you newbie question? I''m trying to figure out what kind of sleeping equipment I will need for the first few months. I''ve heard a bassinet for my bedroom will work until she''s old enough to go in her crib in her room. Would something like the bassinet that comes with a Graco Pack N Play do the trick? This is the one I''m looking at (for some reason, no pic of the bassinet is shown). http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-Playard-Bassinet-Kensly/dp/B001GQ2PLE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1263856926&sr=1-2 I think the bassinet can then sit on top of the Pack N Play so that it''s elevated w/o needing a separate stand.

Appreciate any feedback - thanks!!

 

[jcrow]

just got back from target and they have some crazy good stuff on clearance. the itzbeen is $12.88. the graco sweatpeace newborn soothing center swing is $144. aden and anais muslin wraps for something like $14. lots of other goodies too.

 

[NovemberBride]

Lovinsparkles,
The pack n'' play with bassinet is great if you want baby to start out in your room. My 2 month old is sleeping in one in our room. Justso you know, that pic actually shows the bassinet. On a pack n'' play the bassinet feature just means that the bottom is elevated. When baby gets bigger you drop it down to the bottom. The bassinet feature can be used up to 15 lbs, whch is probably 2-4 months depending on the baby. We love having DD in our room and will probably keep her in it till she reaches the weight limit.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Date: 1/18/2010 10:47:58 PM
Author: NovemberBride
Lovinsparkles,
The pack n'' play with bassinet is great if you want baby to start out in your room. My 2 month old is sleeping in one in our room. Justso you know, that pic actually shows the bassinet. On a pack n'' play the bassinet feature just means that the bottom is elevated. When baby gets bigger you drop it down to the bottom. The bassinet feature can be used up to 15 lbs, whch is probably 2-4 months depending on the baby. We love having DD in our room and will probably keep her in it till she reaches the weight limit.

Wow - Thanks for the explanation, NovemberBride! I''m sure I would have been very confused if it arrived without the traditional bassinet. Do you think there''s any advantage to getting one, like the Graco PnP with Newborn Napper, with a more traditional bassinet? http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Newborn-Napper-Broadstreet/dp/B001PIJEJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1263873478&sr=8-1 One of the reviewers said the traditional bassinet with this set (i.e. the newborn napper) wasn''t actually firm enough to be a full-time bed, so maybe the PnP version is better afterall...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hip Carrier review

So I like to baby wear whenever I can, so I now own three rather expensive carriers

I had a lovely soft carrier that worked very well when Hunter was under 3 months old. Then I had the ErgoBaby Carrier which I really loved because it keeps the weight on the hips and off the neck/shoulders. I can carry Hunter in that thing for hours.

Now that Hunter is 11 months old I am finding that he does not like to be in the Ergo because it keeps him facing my chest and he wants to look around more. Also, I find the Ergo somewhat annoying to put on and off quickly, so it was not great in situations where I wanted to pick him up and put him down frequently.

So I went looking for a hip carrier. I tried ones like the Pea Pod that are simple soft cloths that go over the shoulder, and I tried some like the wraps and like the slings, but with all of them I found that too much of his 20lb weight was on my shoulder and it was not comfortable to get on and off. Too much futzing with fabric. Then Blenheim recommended the Scoota Baby Carrier. I ordered it and I love it!

It is easy to put on and off, as comfortable as the Ergo, and Hunter really enjoys being in it. I have worn him around the house doing housework, on long walks, and even at work and he is happy and engaged in everything around him. We can also chat and have face to face time often, which we both enjoy. It is *very* well made, had high quality fabrics and lots of designer choices, and has a waist band that will fit *anyone*.

So if you are looking for a carrier that is good for an older baby, I highly recommend the Scoota baby carrier.

 

[NovemberBride]

LS,
we actually have one that came with the newborn napper. I am torn on whether to recommend it since it adds a lot to the price. We did use it and dd slept very well in it. I think it made her feel cozy since we didn''t swaddle her ( she couldn''t stand to have her arms in a swaddle). However, our dd was very small and even then she outgrew it by 6 weeks ( it is very tiny, much smaller than a traditional bassinet). I think if you were to swaddle your baby and then place him or her in the bassinet it would have the same effect for a lot less money. If you have a longer baby at birth they may never be comfortable in the newborn napper.

 

[Mara]

thanks for posting on the Target sale Jcrow, I think I did last week too but the one near my work did not have the Itzbeen! i just went to one near my house and I got one for a friend yay!

Also FYI-- Target has 10 packs of baby hangers for $1.00 whereas BRU has them for 10 packs for $2.50. The Target ones are thinner and they have little indents for things like straps which IMO are better than the BRU ones which are solid...and because the Target ones are thinner I can fit more in the closet...which is turning out to be good cuz umm this kid has a crapload of clothes.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I just read the first 4 pages of this thread and my mind is reeling, I''m so overwhelmed! We were looking at the travel stroller/carrier systems and they seem like such a logically good idea, but they''re not? With those travel frame systems, what do you do when your child is out of an infant seat? Is there a toddler size seat that fits it? SO CONFUSED!!! I just want someone to pick something out for me for around (under) $200!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 1/20/2010 12:27:25 AM
Author: Mara
thanks for posting on the Target sale Jcrow, I think I did last week too but the one near my work did not have the Itzbeen! i just went to one near my house and I got one for a friend yay!


Also FYI-- Target has 10 packs of baby hangers for $1.00 whereas BRU has them for 10 packs for $2.50. The Target ones are thinner and they have little indents for things like straps which IMO are better than the BRU ones which are solid...and because the Target ones are thinner I can fit more in the closet...which is turning out to be good cuz umm this kid has a crapload of clothes.

no problem. i thought it had been posted before, but for some reason i thought it was a sale on baby/kid toys, which i don''t need yet. so when i stopped in at target and noticed baby stuff also on clearance, i thought i''d share :]

and yep about the hangers. target is where we bought ours. can''t beat a $1!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 1/20/2010 8:55:46 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I just read the first 4 pages of this thread and my mind is reeling, I''m so overwhelmed! We were looking at the travel stroller/carrier systems and they seem like such a logically good idea, but they''re not? With those travel frame systems, what do you do when your child is out of an infant seat? Is there a toddler size seat that fits it? SO CONFUSED!!! I just want someone to pick something out for me for around (under) $200!

to me, the travel systems are usually bulky + cumbersome. but some people love them. the idea with the travel frame [snap n go] is that you use your existing infant car seat. and because it''s just a frame, it''s lightweight. once the baby gets too big for the infant seat, you''ll need a new stroller.

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/18/2010 6:29:51 PM
Author: lovinsparkles
Hi ladies,

Do you mind if I ask you newbie question? I''m trying to figure out what kind of sleeping equipment I will need for the first few months. I''ve heard a bassinet for my bedroom will work until she''s old enough to go in her crib in her room. Would something like the bassinet that comes with a Graco Pack N Play do the trick? This is the one I''m looking at (for some reason, no pic of the bassinet is shown). http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-Playard-Bassinet-Kensly/dp/B001GQ2PLE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1263856926&sr=1-2 I think the bassinet can then sit on top of the Pack N Play so that it''s elevated w/o needing a separate stand.

Appreciate any feedback - thanks!!

Sparkles, my sister just got this at our shower this weekend, and it is awesome!! My mom has 4 other grandkids, and she said this is the nicest and best size PNP that she has EVER seen!! She literally gushed over it everytime she walked past.

We even put it together in about 5 minutes, and it is really stable. I am going to be registering for this one.

 

[meresal]

Hudson- We decided NOT to do the travel system. We are just going to use the Maclaren Easy Traveler Snap N'' Go. They are only $80, and our $150 Graco Snugride fits perfectly.

We also registered for the UPPAbaby stroller. It has a pram (lays flat, looks like bassinet) that can be used during infant stage, the seat is for toddler stage (can be facing you or can be turned away so that baby can look out into the world), and you can buy an adapter that allows you to clasp your baby carrier in as well.