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

[Blenheim]

Oobiecoo - I don''t have experience with the Flip and Grobaby diapers personally, but I''ve seen the Grobaby ones in the store and they look like an interesting concept. I''d try them myself if I had extra money and wasn''t already swimming in diapers.

We use mostly Chinese prefolds and covers - a mix of Thirsties, Bummis, Proraps, and Imse Vimse. I really like prefolds as they''re cheap, absorbant, practically indestructible, and easy to wash and put away. With a newborn, you can just trifold a prefold and lay it in the cover, and then just velcro/snap the cover onto the baby. Once George get more mobile, we found that we needed to actually put the prefold on him with a snappi before putting the cover on, or it would kind of bunch up in the crotch area and start drooping. This is fine 90% of the time, but he''ll sometimes have a day or two when he will just not lay still for a diaper change. I use pockets when he''s in one of those moods, as they''re faster to put on and as I can put them on as he''s in the process of crawling away from me. I''d think that you could just use the Flip/Grobaby with the snap-in inserts when the baby''s wiggly (or with a babysitter), and a prefold when they''re willing to lie still. But if you''re already using a cover that''s made to go with a snap-in insert, in some ways it seems like it would be easier just to use that.

I have a hard time recommending specific types of diapers to people because it does depend on personal preference as well as the shape of the baby. We have leak problems with Happy Heinys because they''re made for babies with chunkier legs and George''s are very skinny, for example. I thought I would like velcro but really prefer snaps (easier to wash and they seem more durable, plus George can''t pull them off), while I know others who vastly prefer velcro (more adjustable and faster to put on).

I''d personally start with something like prefolds if you''re not intimidated by them, as they''re cheap, and then maybe get a GroBaby set, a Flip set, and some sized covers - I personally found that the "one-size" didn''t fit all that great until 15 lbs or so, and I''ve heard other people with similar opinions. Then once you are able to try them all out and see how they fit your baby, you can fill in gaps with things that you know work well for you. And if you do get something that doesn''t work out for you, you can often recoup a lot of your cost by reselling it on Craigslist or DiaperSwappers. We did this with most of our velcro pockets, and then used the money to buy ones with snaps.

George is waking up, so hopefully that made sense.

 

[Blenheim]

And just to illustrate what I mean about fit on newborns - this is a BumGenius 3.0 One-Size pocket on George at 6 days old, and probably 7.5 lbs or so. It''s snapped to the smallest possible setting. Flip''s made by the same company and so I''d imagine that the sizing would be similar.

 

[Mara]

blen what are those cute little green leggings he has on??

 

[Blenheim]

They are Baby Legs. If you scroll down a little bit, you can see another pair in action here. (I''m not sure if you''re going to want to go for that look yourself, though.

) G wears them quite a bit around the house as they make for easy diaper changes if I''m in a particularly lazy mood. They''re also good when I put him in a carrier, as they don''t ride up like pants do. Target sometimes carries them, and you can find them online. I know that Mela has bought a different brand of baby leg warmers off of Etsy, and she might be able to give you a link for those as well. I think she found some really cute argyle ones.

 

[fieryred33143]

Look at newborn George

 

[Mara]

thanks Blen those are so cute! i just bought some on Amazon hahaa. i have Prime so i love their 2 day free ship.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

re: babylegs, I''ve purchased from this site for all my mama friends http://babysnazz.com/ I saw that they have a contest going on where you can win 20 pairs!

It''s my go-to-gift for the "first visit", and they''ve all loved them.

I posted this on the preggo thread, but just thought i''d mention here that this week''s target circular has a couple of pages of baby stuff http://www.target.com/

 

[Mrs]

FYI: nursing mamas and soon to be nursing mamas, Target has brought back the "old style" more supportive nursing tanks (the ones that have two holes as opposed to just a shelf bra) and they are on sale this week. I've been wearing mine almost every day (the shelf bra kind) for 10 months and just got myself two more: link

re: sizing for new/soon to be mamas - I am usually a size medium on top (b or c cup) and size 8 pants but I was a d cup for a while after giving birth and I have been wearing a medium which fit my postpartum belly fine but now that my shape is (sort of) back to normal the mediums don't fit as well. They are kind of loose around the tummy and not as supportive. I don't know if this is because they stretched out or if it's because I'm smaller now but I just got my new ones in size small.

Hope this is helpful to some of you!

Mrs

 

[lovinsparkles]

Mrs - That is extremely helpful info re: the Target nursing tanks, thank you! One point of clarification: so is it the "Gilligan & O''Malley® Women’s Full Sling" version that you''re recommending (as opposed to the "side sling" version)? I want to make sure I order the right ones.

 

[Mrs]

Date: 2/4/2010 1:46:36 PM
Author: lovinsparkles
Mrs - That is extremely helpful info re: the Target nursing tanks, thank you! One point of clarification: so is it the ''Gilligan & O''Malley® Women’s Full Sling'' version that you''re recommending (as opposed to the ''side sling'' version)? I want to make sure I order the right ones.

Correct! The Gillian & O''Malley full sling version is the one that most people seem to prefer (over the side sling). I am wearing one right now and it is very comfy. The other ones that I have are the side sling and I have been fine with those as well though I do think the full swing is probably a better design for support. glad to help, lovinsparkles!

 

[lovinsparkles]

FYI, Amazon is running a Presidents'' Day Sale on clothing (including baby clothes!) -- $10 off $50 orders, or $25 off $100 orders. That combined with free shipping and no tax could be a good deal for stocking up on Layette stuff!! It runs through Monday.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Date: 2/11/2010 10:49:54 PM
Author: lovinsparkles
FYI, Amazon is running a Presidents'' Day Sale on clothing (including baby clothes!) -- $10 off $50 orders, or $25 off $100 orders. That combined with free shipping and no tax could be a good deal for stocking up on Layette stuff!! It runs through Monday.

Eh, strike that. Seems like discount not going through for baby stuff, though is for some maternity and kids clothes. Bummer.

 

[Mara]

just a quick note to add on re: the Gilligan OMalley tanks at target, i got one of the regular sling (two holes) ones this week and really like it so far. they didnt have the side slings at the store I went to, just the regular front unsnap but it is pretty comfy. i am apparently something like a 36DD now and i got a large and it fits great.

 

[Blenheim]

I have the side sling ones and really don''t like them... I only really wear them if everything else is in the laundry. Do the full sling ones basically fit the same way? I need to get more tank tops of some sort, and I''m wondering if I should try out the full sling ones or go with something else.

 

[sunkist]

I have both full sling and side sling GO''M tank tops and I think they both fit the same everywhere except that one has two holes for your boobs and one is just like a shelf bra. I am not so big though. But I like them both just fine. I do see how the full sling gives you a little more coverage when you''re feeding, but lots of times I wear a regular pull over t-shirt over my tanks, so when I pull it up before unlatching the tank, the t-shirt gives me all the coverage I need up top.

But anyways, the body fits the same on each style.

 

[Blenheim]

Thanks Sunkist - that''s exactly what I was wondering.

The proportions of the body area don''t really work that well with me, and so I think I''ll go with something else.

 

[Mara]

oh i didnt know side sling was a shelf bra. that is totally more my style than the two holes. but surprisingly the two holes is not uncomfy, i wasn''t sure what to expect. i will have to see if another store carries the shelf bra/side sling so i can try it also.

i also got one of the GOM non underwire bras and it''s surprisingly comfy as well and i HATE wearing bras. but yeah not sexy haha, the boob area is monstrous and comes up very high, no low cut tops on with that puppy!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 2/12/2010 10:32:41 PM
Author: Mara
oh i didnt know side sling was a shelf bra. that is totally more my style than the two holes. but surprisingly the two holes is not uncomfy, i wasn''t sure what to expect. i will have to see if another store carries the shelf bra/side sling so i can try it also.


i also got one of the GOM non underwire bras and it''s surprisingly comfy as well and i HATE wearing bras. but yeah not sexy haha, the boob area is monstrous and comes up very high, no low cut tops on with that puppy!

Mara, I really like the Bravado nursing tanks. They are more expensive, but give me a lot more support. I also like their original nursing bra which fits like a sports bra and is really comfy. Suprisingly, I also really like Target''s nursing bra. I don''t find that the Target side sling gives me enough support, but I like it for around the house or to sleep in.

 

[fieryred33143]

Question about convertible car seat:

Here''s our issue: we have two cars. I drop off Sophia in the morning, FI picks her up in the evening. This is our normal routine. On Thursdays I''ll pick her up in the evening if FI has a business meeting that evening. Sometimes he''ll drop her off in the morning if I''m running late to work or have an early meeting. On the weekends, we are only in FI''s car.

So my question is what to do with the car seat? Should we buy two? Is it realistic to remove the car seat every day and switch? Should we get a cheaper seat for my car (thinking Cosco Scenera) since she''s only in my car for our morning commute? We are leaning towards either Britax, Sunshine Kids, or 1st year true fit.

Also, what should we do about MIL''s car? She takes care of Sophia and hardly ever takes her anywhere but I want her to have the option and don''t want her to pay for a seat herself. Does it make more sense to get her the Scenera or on the rare occassion she wants to go out, just put my car seat in her car?

Thanks

Too bad she can''t stay in the infant seat forever

 

[MustangGal]

fiery - we have 3 convertable car seats, one of the fancy ones in my car, a Cosco Scenera in DH''s truck, and we also bought one for the baby sitter. We''re in a pretty similar situation, I drop Kyle off at the sitter in the morning, DH picks him up, and occasionally the sitter will take the kids out. It can be a pain to get the seat installed correctly, so taking it out everyday seemed like too much of a hassle. I got a pink Scenera on Overstock for like $30 a few months back (just don''t tell Kyle when he''s older that I made him use a pink car seat

).

 

[LovelyHearts]

I hope I''m posting this in the right thread.

www.diapers.com is having a sale for $199 on Britax Marathon (Emma) that usually retails for $299. There is also a code 10PERCENT to get 10% off, no sales tax and no shipping fee. I ordered mine on Friday and it''s scheduled to be delivered tomorrow (pretty darn fast!). I think this is a hell of a deal for this car seat (although the colors are for a baby girl and is a bit bright).

 

[so cal girl]

Fiery, I was kind of wondering the same thing. We are kind of in a different sitiation, though, as DS doesn''t have to carted to daycare everyday. He either stays home with my mom or MIL or gets walked to the neighbor''s 3 doors down. But DH and I drive him an equal amount, and I don''t know how easy it is to move the seat from one car to another.

For your situation, I would probably get two seats. I doubt I would get your MIL a separate sear, since she doesn''t really plan to use it everyday. If she decides she wants to take Sophia somewhere, she could just tell you ahead of time, and you could give her one of your seats.

My plan as of right now is to get at least one Britax and see how we do with that. If we need another, I think we will get a cheaper brand for the second seat. Has anyone had any experience with the Graco MyRide? They have it in Deco on sale for $130 at BRU, and then you can use your additional 15% off coupon. Gracos are usually good carseats, but I haven''t heard anything IRL about the MyRide.

 

[TravelingGal]

Fiery, get two seats. Moving them around all the time is a recipe for a poorly installed seat.

For your MIL, get a cost effective seat like the scenera. Unless you or your DH really understand how to install a carseat properly and can do the switch when needed. FWIW, it takes my 200 lb husband using his bodyweight (he puts a knee it throws his weight into it) to get the seat secure.

 

[swimmer]

TG and other experts, is this true of just seats or also bases? I''m new to this carseat thing, but was given a graco snugride infant with 2 bases, we have two cars so this is perfect (I''m thinking?)... Am just wondering if I should register for the next carseat and what we would need? is it still fine to just get an extra base with say a britax (yes, it seems like you all prefer that one right?)

 

[MustangGal]

It might be a good idea to have a spare one for your MIL though, just thinking if there was an emergency or something and she had to go somewhere, it''d be a good idea for her to have one for Sophia. That''s one of the reasons we got one for our sitter. The Scerena is actually a very well rated seat, and while it''s pretty bare-bones, it works just fine and is great for short trips. This is the crazy colored one Kyle''s sitter has. I think you can find a few coupons out there for it. DH has the same one in black/grey in his truck. We''ve been using them now for about 6 months.

 

[fieryred33143]

Thanks ladies for your thoughts. Sounds like at the very minimum we''ll need 2.

Does anyone have reviews on the Sunshine Kids Radian? It says it can go rearfacing up to 45lbs and is priced the same as Britax. Feels like it may be too good to be true. Need to Google...

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/16/2010 2:43:23 PM
Author: swimmer
TG and other experts, is this true of just seats or also bases? I''m new to this carseat thing, but was given a graco snugride infant with 2 bases, we have two cars so this is perfect (I''m thinking?)... Am just wondering if I should register for the next carseat and what we would need? is it still fine to just get an extra base with say a britax (yes, it seems like you all prefer that one right?)

The convertible seats as far as I know must be bought in its entirety. No clicking in and out of bases...the entire seat is one big piece.

The infant carseat system is great because you really only need one seat and as many bases as you have cars.

 

[NovemberBride]

Swimmer, for the infant carseats, one seat with multiple bases is fine. The base is all that you install and the seat itself pops right on top of the base, but I would have a base for each car. For the convertible seats like the Britax, there is no base, the seat is all one piece (once they start using that seat, you won''t be taking it in and out of the car with them.) I''d recommend getting a convertible seat for each car LO rides in regularly. For example, we have the Graco Snugride and DH and I each have a base in oru car. But when LO is too big for the infant seat, we have 2 Britaxes, one for each car. Hope this helps.

 

[swimmer]

Thanks TG and Nov, that makes total sense. Not sure what a mobile kid would be doing in a carseat outside of the car anyway... Perhaps we will figure out which car we actually will have the kid in...we really should walk more.

 

[Blenheim]

Another vote here for one convertible carseat per car that the kid is regularly in. It takes me 5-10 minutes plus all of my bodyweight to get a proper install, and I would not want to be doing that every day.

Fiery, we have a Sunshine Kids Radian65 and a Britax Roundabout. I like the weight limits on the Radian, but much prefer using the Roundabout. The Radian is very tall and I don''t think it fits well into a smaller backseat rear-facing. The straps don''t have velcro to keep them to the side as you put the baby in, as the Roundabout''s do, and so they get in the way more. And (most annoyingly) the strap length isn''t terribly easy to adjust. The system to do it kind of ratchets a little bit at a time, whereas you can pull the strap once on the Roundabout and it''s done. (Does that make sense?) We keep the Radian in my in-laws car as we use that much less frequently - only when we need a 7-passenger vehicle versus our 5 passenger ones.