Wow, there are so many options for baby items! Paul and I started our registry this week, and some of the options are overwhelming!
I tend to be a minimalist in my decorating, so I am having a hard time coping with the idea of my house being cluttered with high chairs, swings, etc. Especially those ugly plastic things with no design principles. However, I am learning towards a big plastic high chair because they fold up, and the chic Eddie Bauer wooden high chair does not (and doesn’t match my kitchen).
I think I am having some yuppy issues here, but there you have it.
We’re also trying to decide what to do about the car seat and stroller. We like the idea of the car seat/stroller/carrier combo, but those things are huge! I think I would have a hard time folding the stroller and stuffing it in our hatch. We may go with a car seat/carrier that fits into a metal frame to become a carriage, and then get a lighter stroller for when the baby is older.
I’ve gotten some great advice from friends on Twitter and in real life, but I welcome any of your tips, if you would like to share them. Bottles, blankets, cribs, etc. — feel free to share your thoughts. Oh, and bassinets. Not sure what to do with that, either.
I’ve always thought that the big strollers were too massive to be functional, but the other day I was parked next to a lady that came out of Hobby Lobby with her baby in a car seat/stroller thing, took the kid out, and folded up the stroller and had it in the trunk all in about 30 seconds. It looked a lot easier than I thought it would be.
I don’t know what’s called a bassinet these days (and I have no idea what pack and plays are – aren’t they just playpens?), but I know when our time comes we’ll be looking at co-sleepers. I’ve known a lot of people that use it for nighttime nursing at the beginning anyway, and I think most of them fold up and can be used as a bassinet or travel bed.
I know that for us, a baby bathtub was a waste. We never had a changing table (just used a concave changing pad on the dresser top) or diaper pail. Honestly, what one person swears by, another could live without and vice versa. You know me, I’m always happy to share with you my opinion on anything!
Ohhhhh, i have lots of opinions to share on this topic! You’d never have guessed that though huh? But no time now. Will come back and comment later!
We still haven’t got a high chair yet so you don’t have to get in a hurry on that one.
1. Not to the highchair stage yet, but we did receive a portable booster seat deal that ought to work if you have an extra chair at your table for the wee one.
2. Our stroller/carseat combo is the Graco Metrolite – a little smaller than the popular Quattro. They aren’t sold as a set, but they Snugfit carseat (in the matching grey and blue gender neutral) snaps right in, and the stroller folds up with one hand. I’m happy with it.
3. I’d skip the bassinet and invest in a good Graco pack ‘n play with a bassinet. Lots of itty babies sleep in their carseats until they are ready for their crib, anyway. The pack ‘n play will be handy as baby grows, while the bassinet has only one function. And I’m loving the changing table on our pack ‘n play. As for co-sleepers: we’re not in a typical situation (setting alarms to wake the baby, for example – ugh), but I’ve already learned that I cannot sleep in the same room as Becca b/c every little grunt, snort, or sneeze wakes me up and gets me out of bed “just to check”. I actually can’t even sleep with the monitor on. I’m a really light sleeper, and our bedroom is right next to hers, so I know I’ll wake up when she actually cries. I don’t need to hear every noise she makes.
4. We love the Diaper Champ, and it takes regular garbage bags (no special refills). For us, it’s definitely worth it! (Especially since John has a super-smeller.)
5. I’m with Mel on the changing table – wherever you can best use the changing pad ought to work – just make sure the surface is a comfortable height so you aren’t straining your back (any more than necessary, that is).
Obviously, I have many thoughts on the subject. This is kind of my world these days. Let’s talk sometime.