James + Reece + Lola + Jessica

James + Reece + Lola + Jessica

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Help Wanted...

Baby Ivins needs a crib.

Baby Ivins needs a carseat.

Baby Ivins needs a changing table.

Baby Ivins needs a stroller.

Mama Ivins needs ideas.

Where do I start? Which brands are best? How much do I spend? Which stores carry this stuff?

Please take pity on the clueless, and throw out some suggestions.

7 comments:

Jessica said...

So glad I'm not the only one! I'm actually getting my crib today though, so I'm feeling much less panicky.

I've pretty much just gone online and found products I liked, then read ratings and reviews to figure out what's best/safest. I also went to the American Academy of Pediatrics site to check out safety info, and consumer reports has a great website.

Kimba said...

I've been putting together a post about this, it was going to be more for me than anyone else, but I'll do it soon!

Here's my quick advice though - decide what you are going to want to use with each kid, and buy accordingly. Gender neutral on those items you want to use again, all girl all the time on the items you don't care to use again. Some carseats for instance, are only good for a couple of years before they recommend buying again, for safety sake. There are a ton of things you don't need at first (high chair, ecersaucer) and a lot of things you'll get from people that you won't need to buy. Toys? Fuhgettaboutit. Most clothes? You'll be up to your ears in clothes.

Ooh! It's so fun! :) I'm so excited for you!

elowe said...

Hey Jessica,
You could probably find some great stuff on Craigslist- changing table, crib & stroller. I'm all about getting used stuff these days especially if it's in great condition :-) I've also learned that there are a lot of things that aren't a necessity and they just take up a lot of room. I've got a stroller and carseat and that's pretty much it for our little one- oh & a playpen for the bed!!!

Jennifer said...

Can't help you on this one girl, but good luck!!

Oh wait... I have heard that it's fun to find one you like then look up reviews about it. IE: If you find something you like on Craigslist, research to make sure it wasn't recalled or whatever.

That's all I've heard so far, if I hear something else soon I'll let you know! Good luck though!

Set for success said...

well even though i'm still new at this whole mommy thing, i have found there are some things i dont/didnt really need. FOr example a changing table. i dont have one but if i did i wouldnt have used it. for the first three months he slept in a bassenet next to our bed or in our bed. and in the middle of the night youre not going to get up and go into her room to change her. i always changed him on our bed that way we could go right back to bed. (you'll quickly learn how to do it with your eyes closed and in the dark) i also am just now getting a crib at almost 4 months. we got a $80 Pack and Play which came with a bassenet on top. we're still using that. And you'll be temped to buy lots of cute newborn clothes because eveything will look so big on her, but dont invest too much because by week 4 or so it wont fit. i'll stop there cuz i know how it feels to get advice from EVERYONE

Candace said...

holy smokes! you have to buy so many goods. i would be as lost as you. downeast has cute baby furniture for cheap.

Emily said...

Sounds like you already got a crib for a good deal. Awesome.

Carseat. We have a Chicco- The newer ones that hold up to 30 pounds instead of just 22. It's worth it if you have an extra chunky baby to have the Key 30 Chicco carseat.

We have a travel system stroller- came in a set with our Chicco car seat. I loved being able to move her from the car seat base, to her stroller without waking her up-

My only issue is with how big those travel system strollers are. Mine takes up my whole trunk. So maybe a different option would be to get a unviersal carseat stroller: (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3398419)

And then later on you could invest in a nice umbrella stroller that you'd be using most of the time after she's around 6-8 months. That's what someone told me to do after the fact, and that's what I wish I had done at least :)