Baby advice (Stroller, Car seat, etc...)

[PHXLavaVibe]

This goes out to all you experienced parents out there...What equipment have you found to be the best/worst. As a soon to be Father I want to provide my child with the best possible things...but let's be real here. Even the most expensive stuff can be poor in quality! What did you use...and would you recomend it?Has anyone used one of those Pack & Play thingys? (Crib/Play pen with changing table and all that jazz) I have seen a few at different stores and it seems to be a great idea to me. It's everything all in one, and would save a lot of space in the nursery...Not to mention they're protable.

[drunkenmaxx]

get a leash, you can't go wrong.

[Altus]

Oh you funny drunken I've got 2 kids with a 3rd on the way -- yes, I know I'm insane - thank you.Anyway, my advice -- the portable crib/playpen things are wonderful - we've owned two so far, one from Graco, the other .... don't remember who from - think it was Evenflo. They've both been great! However - they don't replace a crib at home - they're great as a temporary crib, but I wouldn't want the baby sleeping in it full-time. Travelling, they're amazing - like you said - crib, playpen, and change table all in one.Strollers/Infant Carseats -- buy new, don't buy used. Buy one of the system packages from the names - Graco, Evenflo, etc. We've got the stroller/carseat/base combo from Graco and it's marvelous. Great quality, has been great for utility -- though the stroller does pretty much eat up the storage in the Vibe Any other questions you can IM me if you want....

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »get a leash, you can't go wrong. Once they're walking, couldn't agree more! My kid din't play with 90% of the crap we bought for more than 2 monutes. Don't waste your money. Get a nice big stroller and a small one for the times you don't want to lug around a huge one. Elmo will become your best friend, get to know him soon and you will have a happy life. Lots of pacifiers as they seem to disappear like crazy.

[PHXLavaVibe]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »get a leash, you can't go wrong. I hope you are talking about the kind that you put around their wrist so they don't run off and get into trouble.Otherwise you are a sick...sick man. I like it!

[PHXLavaVibe]

Quote, originally posted by Altus »We've got the stroller/carseat/base combo from Graco and it's marvelous.Could you be a little more specific on the model. I have seen a few that have this type of set up and I love the idea. I have a TON of baby shopping to do durring the next nine months

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by PHXLavaVibe »I hope you are talking about the kind that you put around their wrist so they don't run off and get into trouble.Otherwise you are a sick...sick man. I like it!Nope, I just got one for my kid from Wal-Mart. It is a stuffed Monkey backpack that straps around their chest and stomach with a tail leash. It works great as even if they start to fall you can pull up on the leash and keep them from hitting the ground! i highly suggest it when they start walking so they can do just that and you can keep them out of trouble!

[damronjr]

Those are definitely a great buy! We bought one liuke that, and while we can't use the carrier anymore, we still use the stroller 18mo later!

[micheles_bad_vibe]

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[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by micheles_bad_vibe »when you buy a diaper bag, buy a big one for overnight stays, but also make sure you buy a small one where you can just throw in a couple diapers and bottles. i learned with my first one that you don't need to carry everything they own with you if you're just making a trip to the grocery store.We also bought a little turtle back-pack that is just big enough for a few diapers, a bottle, pacifier, and the little portable wipes container so he can carry his own diaper-bag! He loves it to, I guess he feels cool walking around with it on.

[micheles_bad_vibe]

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[PHXLavaVibe]

[QUOTE=silverawd26]Bam! This is what me and the "mrs" bought for my niece 18 months ago[:QUOTE]I like it! I have looked at this exact one at Babies R Us and was curious to see how other people liked it.

[PHXLavaVibe]

Thank you Michele You have been most helpful with all this information.I really appreciate your input on this matter.And also...Congradulations to you as well.

[micheles_bad_vibe]

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[Altus]

Ours is like the one Silver showed - but we got the QuatroTour set -- love it! It's about 2 years old now, but still use the stroller.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...=babyBest featrue on this one has to be the one-handed collapse and fold. And it's really sturdy too. We've got the Diaper Genie - never had a problem with it, refills are easy to find, and works like a charm. YMMV.

[kostby]

Wait until the first trimester is over before you start making MAJOR baby purchases. Not trying to put a downer on your pregnancy, but nature often spontaneously aborts during the first trimester if there's a problem with the fetus.Folic acid supplements supports development of the brain and spinal cord, from what I've been told by a family doctor.

[PHXLavaVibe]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »nature often spontaneously aborts during the first trimester if there's a problem with the fetus.Been There, Done That, and burned the T-Shirt. It has taken my wife a little over a year to even consider trying again.

[Lancer]

Wow, Mechelle just about covered everything! All I can add is to keep things as simple and minimal as possible. It gets to be such a pain when you start to pack for every little thing that could happen and end up with 3 bags and a bunch of gear just for an over night trip. My mother got us a cool leather backback so I could still look cool carrying the diapers. And always have some infant motrin and tylenol, Lamisil (for diaper rash) and Mylicon drops for gas packed in the diaper bag.Also, my kids were addicted to Barney and The Wiggles (my fav!). And like someone aready said, you don't have to get many toys for the first 2 months or so. They don't have a clue that thier hands and fingers are even attached to them let alone using them.

[micheles_bad_vibe]

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[PHXLavaVibe]

Thanks guys...I'm not too aweful concerned about baby toys at this point in time. My main concerns right now are the Stroller/travel system, Crib, and a bunch of childproofing stuff. It's amazing what kind of stuff they make these days. If babys are anything like cats then it won't matter much at a young age what kind of toys they have. They always seem to go for the free stuff anyway...Boxes, bags, Straws, Hair ties, etc...

[micheles_bad_vibe]

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[PHXLavaVibe]

So far everything is going great. My wife is feeling a bit unconfortable, not to mention the morning sickness...but all is well. Thanks for asking!

[damronjr]

My wife never got sick for the first 3 months (the whole time you are supposed to have it), and then for the last 6 months she threw up 6-7 times a day! Hopefully it will only be in the beginning for her!

[scott_h]

If there was one thing I was going to recommend, it would be the "travel systems". You won't regret being able to just pick them up and carry them. I can't tell you how many times our son would fall asleep shopping (for example) in the carrier, and you just take it off the stroller and plop it in the car. You get home, and just carry them inside, and let them sleep right in it if you want. We used to carry him sleeping into restaurants a lot too. Never have to "disturb" them.A baby monitor is a must have, unless maybe you have a pretty small house with only one level. Even then, they're nice to carry outside, etc.We never had a swing. I'm not saying we wouldn't have used it, but we decided to spend the money elsewhere, and never really missed it.The Diaper Genie's are nice to cut down on the household smells - I'm sure they've improved them even since we had one.There were a lot of things that we registered for that we thought we had to have, never got, and never missed.Oh - lots of "onesies"! (sp?)