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

[fieryred33143]

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!

We got the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go and use our Chicco car seat. It's a personal choice whether to go with a travel system or not. For me, travel systems are too bulky. I like the SNG because it fits anywhere and I can get it in/out of my car with no problem. It's about $70 at BRU but you can get it on sale.

We haven't picked out an infant stroller yet. She's almost 7 months and fits in her infant seat well so we're not in a rush.

PNP: We have the Graco Safari PNP. We opted out of the one with the bassinett since we were given a bassinett as a gift from a friend. I love our PNP. Sophia sleeps in it at MIL's house and we use it when we are traveling or when I want her to sleep in our room since she has outgrown her bassinett.

 

[TravelingGal]

HH, IIRC, no pricescope mother has used a travel system to any satisfaction. There are lots of choices that PS moms have made, but usually a T.S. isn''t one of them.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Interesting. The reviews I read were all good.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/20/2010 12:11:03 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Interesting. The reviews I read were all good.

HH, to clarify, are you talking about those bulky graco or chicco things where there is a real stroller+carseat?

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/20/2010 12:11:03 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Interesting. The reviews I read were all good.

You should really go to a store and look/feel all of them in person, and decide what is best for you.

FWIW, since I never noticed before, but now that I am actually looking, almost every person I see pushing a stroller, is actually pushing a snap'n'go with a car seat attached. They are really catching on, and being that they are so inexpensie, it doesn't hurt either.

 

[neatfreak]

HH-I would really reconsider the travel system. Every mom I know IRL thinks it was a waste of $.

 

[MustangGal]

HH - I originally had a Baby Trend travel system with a jogging stroller for a base. Worst purchase ever! The stroller is big, and pretty heavy once you stick the car seat on the top, and that one had inflatable tires that were always going flat. At 3 months we bougth a nice umbrella stroller and have used it a ton, then a couple months back I sold the whole travel system and bought a full-size stroller for walks and stuff. The umbrella stroller stay in the car, and the big stroller stay in the house. I wish I''d done the snap n'' go from the begining.

My SIL also had one of the Graco travel system with baby #1. She''s preggo again, and looking for something else this time around. I just bought her this stroller http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Childrens-Products-Simmons-Stroller/dp/B001888PU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1264010802&sr=8-1 so she can use her Graco Snugride from her old travel system and have a smaller stroller that will fit better in the car, and be easier to lift on her own. It hasn''t arrived yet, but I''m hoping it''s worth it!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

It''s a stroller that the infant seat sits on top of. It''s almost cradled in the stroller seat. I think we''re talking about the same product TG. With the Graco recall today we''re going to do a little more research. Luckily we won''t need anything for another 8 months.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I really do like the idea of the snap and go strollers. What do you do when the kid is out of the baby carrier though? I have to imagine a large toddler seat is a beyotch to take in and out of the car to put onto the stroller...

 

[qtiekiki]

HH
By the time the baby is out of the infant seat, you just need an umbrella stroller. You don''t take the carseat in and out of the car and onto the SNG or any stroller.

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/20/2010 3:52:45 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I really do like the idea of the snap and go strollers. What do you do when the kid is out of the baby carrier though? I have to imagine a large toddler seat is a beyotch to take in and out of the car to put onto the stroller...

You don''t use a portable seat once they are out of the carrier. You swtich to a toddler stroller and a bigger car seat. Toddler stroller''s are most likely a regular umbrella stroller (These are smiliar to what you see little girls pushing their dolls in.)

Like I said earlier, we have decided that the UPPA will work as our "exercise" stroller from infant thru toddler, and we will purchase a small umbrella stroller as well, to replace the snap n'' go for traveling and quick trips to the store/mall/etc.

 

[Mara]

I looked at those Travel Systems, they weren''t for us. You should def go see them in person. But some people love them.

We will prob start with SNG and car seat. But I plan to get a ''full'' lightweight stroller at some point, just have to finalize which. The ones we are looking at have adapters where you can use an infant car seat with them anyway. So in effect LIKE a travel system but not with the big bulky stroller part. I really want a full size lightweight stroller that can take an infant car seat...and there are plenty of them out there.

I found strollers actually one of the most complicated research and decision for us. Prob the most actually. Because it''s iffy if your kid even LIKES being in the car seat, I was confused as to how babies could go in toddler seats like almost right away, so do you even NEED an infant car seat (not really but most people have them since babies are so tiny). And then some moms didn''t like big stroller and wanted to just go from SNG to umbrella. Other moms have like 2-3 strollers. We just wanted one. It''s so hard to know what you really will need I think until the kid is here.

If you can BORROW a SNG from someone I would totally recommend it. Then you don''t have to keep it/store it and you can make a decision on a stroller when the kid is here, you know things like how big they are, how fast they are growing (some of the small strollers I liked prob wouldn''t take a fast growing child for very long aka Bee), and what they like or don''t like. And strollers ain''t cheap so I would like to just do it once.

 

[gingerB]

anyone with experience with the graco contempo high chairs? they got pretty good reviews on consumersearch, consumer reports, amazon, bru, and target but i always like to run things by the ps mamas!

 

[Loves2Laugh]

Hi ginger! I have one and love it! It folds up nicely and it's lightweight. Cleaning it is easy and the tray fits into the dishwasher for really messy meals. I know most mom's love the FP spacesaver one that fits onto a chair but if you're looking for an actual HC I recommend the Contempo.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I have a travel system (chicco) and pushing the stroller is like pushing a shopping cart. I probably would have been satisfied if I hadn''t tried out my friend''s BOB and saw how smooth a nice stroller can move/steer. Ignorance is bliss. I am a TOTAL s''ng fan (as evidenced on here). I am weak so it was great having just the stroller frame. SO light. I used that and then she went right into my Volo umbrella. I bought a BOB last spring/summer (can''t remember now) for walks and when I need/want a full size. I am thinking of selling my travel system. Too bad you don''t live in NC

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

LOL, what''s a BOB

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
LOL, what's a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/22/2010 10:47:43 AM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
LOL, what''s a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

BOB is IT. Trust me. I''ve been crowing the virtues of the BOB forever on PS. If you want to do anything outdoors, it''s just a great stroller, and I hate pushing anything else.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I nannied for a long time and already have our stroller choices nailed down (even though we aren''t pregnant yet--we''re working on it

)


We''ll get the BOB with infant seat adapter and then get a volo when the kiddo is over 6 months and can sit up.

We may borrow an SNG for the first few months, but since we live in an elevator building I don''t think it will matter that the BOB is heavier...


If finaces are a major issue and we can only get one stroller, it would be the baby jogger citimini or citiclassic.

Also, I''m planning on babywearing whenever possible.

HH you really should go to a store and try things out. Some things I thought I''d love from seeing them online I hated (like the Phil and Teds-- the handlebar is the wrong height for me and my feet hit the back wheel chassis

)...

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:23:48 AM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:47:43 AM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
LOL, what''s a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

BOB is IT. Trust me. I''ve been crowing the virtues of the BOB forever on PS. If you want to do anything outdoors, it''s just a great stroller, and I hate pushing anything else.

You know, the ONLY thing I don''t like about the BOB, is the 3 wheels. They are great for jogging, but I don''t jog.

I was also looking for something that had a pram option for walking outside with the newborn. Which is why we went with the UPPA. Has my 4 semi-large wheels for walking outdoors, pram option, carseat option, toddler options, AND great handling

.

 

[jcrow]

if anyone is looking for a deal on the uppababy vista stroller, baby earth has it for $579.99 which is $90 off.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:32:51 AM
Author: Bella_mezzo
I nannied for a long time and already have our stroller choices nailed down (even though we aren''t pregnant yet--we''re working on it

)


We''ll get the BOB with infant seat adapter and then get a volo when the kiddo is over 6 months and can sit up.

We may borrow an SNG for the first few months, but since we live in an elevator building I don''t think it will matter that the BOB is heavier...


If finaces are a major issue and we can only get one stroller, it would be the baby jogger citimini or citiclassic.

Also, I''m planning on babywearing whenever possible.

HH you really should go to a store and try things out. Some things I thought I''d love from seeing them online I hated (like the Phil and Teds-- the handlebar is the wrong height for me and my feet hit the back wheel chassis

)...

You don''t need the infant seat adapter IMHO. I would use a SNG when you want to pop the carseat in and out. The BOB reclines enough to put the baby in from birth...I should know, since I used it since birth. However, I do think you need a snuzzler in it to keep the baby''s head from rocking around.

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/22/2010 12:00:57 PM
Author: jcrow
if anyone is looking for a deal on the uppababy vista stroller, baby earth has it for $579.99 which is $90 off.

So does BuyBuyBaby! (same price)

 

[oobiecoo]

Here''s an alternative to the UppaBaby for anyone interested!

Baby Jogger City Select

It can be a snap n go, single, double or you can add the bassinet option. It''s also $200 less than the 2010 UppaBaby! We''re going to check it out this weekend.

The seat looks really short in the picture but the canopy adjusts so it gives up to 24 inches of headroom.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

thanks TGal-that''s my plan. I have a bunch friends with the SNG so if I change my mind I''m sure I can borrow it.

The literature on the Bob I saw said you shouldn''t put them in until 8 weeks...did you use it earlier? We live in NYC so I''d love to keep the baby crap to a minimum

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/22/2010 12:32:34 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
thanks TGal-that''s my plan. I have a bunch friends with the SNG so if I change my mind I''m sure I can borrow it.

The literature on the Bob I saw said you shouldn''t put them in until 8 weeks...did you use it earlier? We live in NYC so I''d love to keep the baby crap to a minimum

I never read that. I know you''re not supposed to jog with it for months, but it honestly worked out fine for us. I went to my 2 week post-op appointment with her in the stroller, since I walked to the appointment. So she was 2 weeks old then, obviously.

This is only for the ones that recline to the 70 degree angle. That would be models 2007 and later. Anything before then would be correct in saying you could not use it for a newborn, so if the lit you saw was for one of them, that would make sense.

Also should specify that when we all talk about BOB, we are talking about the BOB revolution. The BOB SUS, Ironman and other models is not as mom friendly without the swivel front wheel.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:32:52 AM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 11:23:48 AM

Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:47:43 AM

Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

LOL, what''s a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

BOB is IT. Trust me. I''ve been crowing the virtues of the BOB forever on PS. If you want to do anything outdoors, it''s just a great stroller, and I hate pushing anything else.

You know, the ONLY thing I don''t like about the BOB, is the 3 wheels. They are great for jogging, but I don''t jog.


I was also looking for something that had a pram option for walking outside with the newborn. Which is why we went with the UPPA. Has my 4 semi-large wheels for walking outdoors, pram option, carseat option, toddler options, AND great handling

.

I don''t jog/run either unless someone is chasing me and I have to save myself

but the 3 wheels are AWESOME. The stroller turns on a dime which is actually really helpful in Target''s tight aisles. A big deal for me was REAL tires for my big stroller. I was deciding between the BOB revolution and Baby Jogger City (Elite). I think I may have had a thread way back when with my reviews.

 

[meresal]

Date: 1/22/2010 2:28:08 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 1/22/2010 11:32:52 AM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 11:23:48 AM

Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:47:43 AM

Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

LOL, what''s a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

BOB is IT. Trust me. I''ve been crowing the virtues of the BOB forever on PS. If you want to do anything outdoors, it''s just a great stroller, and I hate pushing anything else.

You know, the ONLY thing I don''t like about the BOB, is the 3 wheels. They are great for jogging, but I don''t jog.


I was also looking for something that had a pram option for walking outside with the newborn. Which is why we went with the UPPA. Has my 4 semi-large wheels for walking outdoors, pram option, carseat option, toddler options, AND great handling

.

I don''t jog/run either unless someone is chasing me and I have to save myself

but the 3 wheels are AWESOME. The stroller turns on a dime which is actually really helpful in Target''s tight aisles. A big deal for me was REAL tires for my big stroller. I was deciding between the BOB revolution and Baby Jogger City (Elite). I think I may have had a thread way back when with my reviews.

Man, you women and your BOB''s!

I''m sold on the UPPA. I want a pram option for walking with our little one, and the BOB really doesn''t have that. (I know, I know, it goes to 70 degrees, but it''s just not the same to me). The Prma is also removable without collapsing, so I can take it off and set it anywhere in case little Chris falls asleep while in it. The 4 wheels on the UPPA have a full 360 degree radius, so it turns in a complete circle.

Also, and I''m not sure if the BOB allows for this, but you can flip the toddler seat to face you, or to face away. I like that option as well.

 

[Mara]

i seriously considered the bob since everyone just loves it, but def check your size constraints if you dont have a huge car or an SUV and plan to use it as your 'main' stroller. the bob would not fit with wheels in the back of our audi a3 without potentially a fair amt of maneuvering, something i didn't want to deal with on a daily basis. if it's just for home or walking/jogging then that wouldn't matter.

for us the main stroller for car had to be lightweight and easy to fold. we're down to the city jogger mini or the valco latitude for 'full size' options but xtremely small footprint (17 and 18lbs). but we'll start with SNG.

the bobs i have seen locally in-use with infants in them have the car seat adapters.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/22/2010 2:53:52 PM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 2:28:08 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 1/22/2010 11:32:52 AM
Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 11:23:48 AM

Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:47:43 AM

Author: meresal

Date: 1/22/2010 10:41:18 AM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

LOL, what''s a BOB

A 3-wheeled exercise stroller. You REALLY need to get to a baby store so that you can look at all the different options.

ETA: I finally did this last week, and it was so much better than trying to view and decide online.

BOB is IT. Trust me. I''ve been crowing the virtues of the BOB forever on PS. If you want to do anything outdoors, it''s just a great stroller, and I hate pushing anything else.

You know, the ONLY thing I don''t like about the BOB, is the 3 wheels. They are great for jogging, but I don''t jog.


I was also looking for something that had a pram option for walking outside with the newborn. Which is why we went with the UPPA. Has my 4 semi-large wheels for walking outdoors, pram option, carseat option, toddler options, AND great handling

.

I don''t jog/run either unless someone is chasing me and I have to save myself

but the 3 wheels are AWESOME. The stroller turns on a dime which is actually really helpful in Target''s tight aisles. A big deal for me was REAL tires for my big stroller. I was deciding between the BOB revolution and Baby Jogger City (Elite). I think I may have had a thread way back when with my reviews.

Man, you women and your BOB''s!

I''m sold on the UPPA. I want a pram option for walking with our little one, and the BOB really doesn''t have that. (I know, I know, it goes to 70 degrees, but it''s just not the same to me). The Prma is also removable without collapsing, so I can take it off and set it anywhere in case little Chris falls asleep while in it. The 4 wheels on the UPPA have a full 360 degree radius, so it turns in a complete circle.

Also, and I''m not sure if the BOB allows for this, but you can flip the toddler seat to face you, or to face away. I like that option as well.

meresal, I used the SNG along with the BOB for the first several months. I should note that I am a surburban mom.

The SNG filled the issue to have the baby face me. The BOB, she was flat on her back and didn''t seem to care. When she got to be a few months older, she liked facing OUT, so I never had an issue where she wanted to face me once in the BOB. You can''t changing the seat direction on the BOB.

The UPPA looks like a great stroller. I just didn''t want something that big to be my everything stroller. I used the Mac Quest once she grew out of the SNG. When she started walking at 16 months, I trained her not to take off like crazy puppy and stopped using the stroller altogether. My Maclaren has been collecting dust, although my mom still uses the BOB to take her out and she still enjoys it. I haven''t used that for ages either. We just walk everywhere.

btw, my friend got the Bug because she thought it was cute. She pushed my BOB a few times and bought a BOB shortly after, and the bug was hardly ever used after that. Also some ladies here are late BOB converts and love it.