I need opinions from moms who have done this before. Because, I'm pretty much a newbie at this baby stuff and have no clue. I'm nervous that I'm going to make a wrong choice and be totally disappointed. So, I'm seeking advice of the pros.
What's the best car seat? (Infant and when they are older?) Can it fit into a smaller car? I've read so many reviews in the last few days that I'm just going crazy. I don't know who to believe.
Who is a good pediatrician? (Who has privileges at Mercy...)
What is your favorite item that you've received/bought that you just can't imagine doing without?
Is there anything else I need to know when buying/registering?
14 comments:
I am glad you have announced her name, because that will open the door for personalized gifts and things, such as burp cloths, which are totally fun. Also, I can't remember if you were getting a changing table or not, but if not.... my favorite advice is to keep a cute basket of diapers and wipes in every (lived in) room. I keep them in each living room, the nursery, and in my room when they were younger. It was super convenient.
We picked our car seat based on what came with what stroller we wanted, we had a baby trend and we liked it just fine. It fit nicely in my mom's car, so you should be fine. I love love my slingling, the one that I mow with, and I wish I would've had it when he was born, slingling.com, it'll last you forever. I can ask my mom about a ped, I don't know any, cause Cooper just sees Barry Mitchell, but I think Jeff Floyd is a ped, he'd probably be good.
We have a Graco CarSeat and base that we are going to sell this weekend in a garage sale. Bought new with Hayden because our old one was in car wreck. If you are interested let me know!
Just FYI... If you can find an old car seat you can take it to Babies R Us from now through Sept. 20 and you will get 20% off a new car seat.
I want to know if those carrier car seats are really necessary or if people wish they would have just gone with one that transitions from birth to like 50 pounds.
I found carrier seats to be totally necesarry.... so many times you don't want to take the baby out of the seat when she's sleeping... like at church, or restaruants, or when you get home.
I think you can't go wrong with a Graco travel system. And you don't have to register for the most expensive one, i registered for the cheapest one at Wal Mart and it has been great for both of my girls.
I actually did not get an infant carseat and NEVER regretted it. I have a jacked up back and can't carry an empty carseat, let alone one with a baby! I did have a sling and loved that (the backpack ones are kinda a hassle). I have a convertible carseat that we've had since Avery's birth and is still used today. When the baby was asleep and we picked them up for church or wherever, they would just go right back to sleep in my arms! I never remember darn it...they woke up! It was never an issue at all. However, the restaurant thing was an in issue a couple times. I remember thinking it would be handy there but we just kept lots of blankies and made the little highchairs work (or we held them) or had my sister keep them while we went out! Seriously, I know I am probably the only person that even tried living without an infant carseat...but I do not regret it and still can't imagine ever using an infant carseat.
I will say a baby swing was amazing for us, but I know some babies don't like them. Swing and then later on when they were crawling the exersaucer is what kept my sanity! It gave me time to bathe, clean, scrapbook, etc!
Oh and as for highchairs. We just got one that is a small chair that buckles onto a normal dining chair and that has been amazing. It takes up no room, easy to throw in your trunk and it makes a good booster seat for toddler when older. So totally love and still use that purchase as well and I think it was like $20-30!? hmmm I could go on...but will stop!
Ok here's my advice for what it's worth...
We had a Graco travel system when Ethan was little (using it for Owen now)and it was handy. We are on the go alot and it was nice to be able to keep the baby sleeping while we shopped or ate. You can just take them out of the car and snap them into the stroller. Super nice. We did, however, upgrade when Ethan turned 6 months. I researched convertable car seats and we got the Britax Marathon. I LOVE Britax. They are safe and last...definately worth the extra $$$.
With Ethan, I didn't have a sling when he was little. I did get a Hip Hammock when he was old enough to carry on the hip and LOVED it! With Owen, I got a Hotsling for a gift and LOVE it. I'll probably still use the Hip Hammock too.
One thing that I wished someone would've told me about is the swaddle blankets. I found out about these after reading a book and they are amazing. Both boys sleep in them (well Ethan slept in them when he was little) and they were life savers. So definately register for those.
I could go on and on about products that I've used that are helpful but won't. If you ever want to just come hang out, come on over and I'll show you some tricks that I've learned from friends.
I recommend Dr. Kelly Stephens to anyone who asks. He's friendly, but doesn't sugar-coat things; he's a fellow Christian; and he's not just interested in the medical care of your kiddo, but also in helping you become a better parent. I'm really glad we chose him.
One thing that I just can't do without is baby powder. I know, I know... there's that whole thing about the baby breathing it in... But there's ways to avoid exposing their nose to the powder. From my experience, nothing clears up diaper rash faster than baby powder. And it smells nice, too.
Here's something that you won't find in any baby books: Take a shower and wash your hair right before you go to the hospital (unless, of course, you have to rush in; but so many of us are induced or scheduled for c-section these days, a last minute shower isn't unheard of). You probably won't be able to or feel like cleaning up, and you'll likely get visitors and have photos made... Trust me-- you don't want nappy hair.
And finally, my best piece of advice: stop freaking out and enjoy this. I'm a freaker-outer, myself. With my first child, I was so freaked out that I didn't enjoy the miracle that was going on around and inside me. This is a precious time for you. God has blessed you with this pregnancy. Sit back and relish it. You'll be glad you did.
~Stefanie Anderson, MRCC member
(I don't have a blog, but I happened to come across yours through Gena's.)
We used Graco for Caison's carrier carseat/stroller combo and our convertible one we have now is also Graco...I really like it. The only thing with the combo is that the stroller was kindof big for going to the mall (fitting in the tiny isles) but I have noticed that even Graco has smaller ones now. I loved the sling, it was easier to take that into a store when he was little versus the carrier.
Caison goes to Dr. Krous off of Covell and Kelly...Village Center Pediactrics, I don't know if he goes through mercy or not, but if you want his number I can give it to you and you can see...I love him!!
My top sanity savers and faves:
-sling
-swing
-bouncy seat...this one was a must for us!! Target has a cheap one that vibrates. That was the only way I could get a shower when she was little.
-pack n' play...this is how I get a shower now! I just keep it in our bedroom, stocked with toys.
-humidifier or some type of noise machine
-paci clips
-duck bath tub (for when she's older)
-shopping cart/high chair cover (Especially if you have a tiny baby, like M. I've found that she is better supported and doesn't try to turn around in the chair as much with this...not to mention the germs:))
As far as car seats go, the thought of having a convertible car seat was appealing, but, with a carrier, you can get your child in/out of the car easily if it's raining, snowing, etc., it's much easier to grocery shop, since the carrier can go in the cart, the baby doesn't get touched quite as much, and they typically recline better for baby. There are lots of other reasons, too, but those are just my opinions!
hit up Chris and Andrea Moyer.
We have a Graco infant carseat carrier and got the corresponding frame stroller (that way we didn't have to store a bulky travel system). We also have a jogging stroller, tho, which serves as our main stroller. The BOB accommodates an infant carseat as well, by the way.
When Coralie graduated to the next carseat, I did a ton of research and decided to go with the Britax Marathon. I don't regret one dime of the cost-- in fact I bought a second one when it was on sale.
I would definitely recommend having an infant carrier...it is so nice to be able to just snap them into the stroller and when they are little they sleep so much, that was just a lifesaver. Also at church (esp. during the winter months) it is nice to be able to just carry them in, in the car seat where they can stay bundled up and warm.
You asked about a pediatrician...you will find that a LOT of us from MRCC all go to Dr. Kelly Stephens at Mercy Edmond (right there on the corner of Memorial and Boulevard). He is so great...great sense of humor, super easy to talk to and is genuinely interested in giving you good advice...not just telling you what you want to hear. Also, one of my favorite things about him is he is very easy to contact and will comminucate directly with you through email! I've never known a Dr. who will do this, but this is so convienient! He encourages you to email him with questions/concerns and will look at pics through email to help determine what the rash is from, etc. This just helps cut down on unnessary visits to the office, if he can just give you advice on what to do through email. I have used this so many times and I love it!
Well hope that helps...one other bit of info that we've done in trying to find the best carseat/item to buy is look at the consumer reports. You can go to the library and look them up for free.
Hope you get everything figured out! Just don't stress about it...it will all work out!
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