Well I'm almost 33 weeks and feeling great but realizing there is so much to do and not much time left to do it! I have printed out all the checklists from baby websites: what to pack in your hospital bag, must-have items for the nursery, baby's medicine cabinet, baby changing supplies, baby clothes, baby layette, baby's feeding supplies, baby gear, etc etc. There are so many checklists and I feel like I have barely made a dent!I would love any advice on any of these checklists: what I really need and what is best. The bigger purchases are even harder... what is the best chair for nursing/rocking? I think I want a big cushy, preferably leather :), rocking recliner but I'm still figuring out the best type and where to get the best price. There is a place we're going to go to that supposedly has great prices on furniture so I think that's where we'll get the other baby furniture we still need.
For the car seat and stroller I was thinking of getting a car seat and a separate universal stroller frame that any car seat can snap into because I heard that the stroller frame collapses much more compact than the big travel system. I also don't know which baby monitor or baby swing are the best to get. Any advice would be great!
-Amy
13 comments:
Definite yes on your stroller plans! I loved our collapsible car seat holder. The compactness meant I could keep it in my trunk all the time and still fit a huge load of groceries. 2 issues though:
1. They don't work well outside. It's a great mall stroller, and if you have awesome sidewalks in your area, it might work out, but I found that it was really difficult to push mine outside. Solution: blow the money you saved on that stroller on a jogging stroller (I got a Jeep one with speakers), which will power over anything with ease, including large banks of snow, gravel pits, and mud puddles. Plus great for running off that baby weight! I think the jogging stroller/carseat stroller combination was just perfect for us.
2. I know this is a long time ahead, but realize that if your baby outgrows the carseat before 1 year old, you're gonna need a new stroller. I recommend replacing with a simple umbrella stroller once the carseat is gone. Just as compact.
Baby monitor: unless you have a huge house, not necessary. You will develop mommy sleeping habits that wake you up at the slightest sound.
Baby swing: My baby wasn't a huge fan. Though I liked ours because you could take the chair part off and use it as a baby seat. I would sit him in it while I cooked all the time.
My advice would be just to wait- especially on things like baby monitor and swing- accessories like that. Every baby is different- a baby may or may not like the swing. I don't know how big your apartment is, but we found that there was absolutely no need for a baby monitor. I found that a lot of things on the list are completely unnecessary and just take up space.
Of course there are some things that are essential- diapers, clothes, bottles, strollers, carseat...
My advice for a rocking chair would just test it out by sitting in it. Some are really uncomfortable, and some are amazing. Also, look for arm support. For the first little while, holding up that baby while nursing gets really tiresome.
As for the stroller, I always coveted those convenient little frames to snap a carseat into, but once the baby hits 20 lbs (Jack did this within 9 months), you have to change carseats. Then you'll have to buy another stroller too.
Is that enough? JK... sorry I wrote a book.
P.S. You look so great for being 33 weeks along.
I agree on your stroller idea. I don't think you really need that huge stroller from a travel system. They are so huge and bulky, and by the time your baby can ride in a stroller seat (and not in their car seat snapped into the stroller) you could just get a separate, lighter stroller.
I had a vibrating bouncy seat that I LOVED. It was seriously a lifesaver because Bria wouldn't sleep in her bassinet during the day, only in her bouncer. We had the Boppy brand one-- it's the #1 thing I recommend to all moms.
For burp cloths, you should buy some cloth diapers. You can get them in like a 10 pack from Target or walmart. They are super absorbent and they work really, really well. They're good to use at home, when you don't really care what they look like.
The one thing I don't have that I'm thinking about getting is a rocking chair..so I think that's a great idea. I don't know much about the stroller; I really enjoyed going on walks/jogs and stuff though, so I would personally rather have a jogger travel system or something, but it's true that it takes up more space.
Another thing I am definitely doing this time around that I didn't realize was that important with Joseph is getting a really awesome nursing bra.
P.S. Now I don't really know what to do about a stroller because I may need a double...so it may be better to get a more economical stroller depending on when you want kids. Who knows? I'm still learning.
You're getting so close! I'm so excited for you! And you have the cutest maternity clothes!
What is "a really awesome nursing bra"? Let me know :). That's a really good point about getting a stroller for walking/jogging because I'll definitely want to do that. Thanks for the advice!
I agree on the bra. I felt like a new woman when I went and tried on a million bras and finally found one that was supportive and comfortable enough. I started out with target/walmart, but those got uncomfy fast.
I haven't discovered "a really awesome nursing bra" yet because with Joseph I just had $15 Target bras, and I haven't started looking this time around. If you hear/discover anything let me know...I'm thinking about trying Elle Macpherson for Nordstrom???? I don't have anything to suggest based off of personal experience.
My Sis in law says the motherhood nursing bras are her favorite... They're like a sports bra, that kind of wrap in front so you can just pull a side down. And she said they aren't too expensive... Motherhood isn't the cheapest store :) But I think I'm going to go there and look. On that note - she said having a good/comfy zip up hoodie was pretty much all she wore for the first little while, especially in the hospital (unless you just wear the hospital gown).
Hi Despains, I found you again. Congrats on expecting that is so awesome! It sounds like things are going really well for you. We are here until July when we head East (NY). Tim took his offer with American Express. We miss you as neighbors. Talk soon.
Hey Amy- I have the BabyTrend frame stroller and I love it- super lightweight and small in the trunk! I use it all the time! I'm so excited for you! Good luck with everything.
Woah Amy! According to the "How big is baby" calendar, you're 37 weeks along! Let me know if you need anything here. Seriously, I'm just a call away!
Post a Comment