[QuixoticNotions]

So, what did you need to purchase to get ready for your first baby? Everything out there says buybuybuy and I want to be reasonable about the whole thing.<br><br>
Any brand suggestions also appreciated.<br><br>
Asking here, because I'm interested in what an active mom might need. (ie, jogging stroller, that thing on the back of a bike)<br><br>
I'm trying to think...<br><br>
Car seat<br>
Milk pump<br>
jogging stroller<br>
regular stroller<br>
crib<br>
baby clothes (how much?)<br>
cloth diapers<br><br>
Figure it's time to start doing some comparison shopping to get ready for purchases -- I'm over half way there!

 

[Martin]

You want to purchase a baby??

 

[QuixoticNotions]

Ya, think they sell them on Ebay? <img alt="razz.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif">

 

["Roberto"]

Have this book yet?<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWhat-Expect-Youre-Expecting-Third%2Fdp%2F0761121323" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Yo.../dp/0761121323</a><br><br>
If so, then you could get the next one, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWhat-Expect-First-Arlene-Eisenberg%2Fdp%2F0894805770" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Fi.../dp/0894805770</a><br><br>
Both were considered the Bible in my house.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

I have both those books and they are drudgery to read!!!

 

[jacqibay]

Oh man! We are so on the same page! I was going to post a thread today about baby recommendations! There was so much stuff that the day I walked into Babys R Us to register, I walked back out. I was overwhelmed.<br><br>
Things I have used like crazy:<br><br>
Eddie Bauer Travel Bed-it's great, we use it in the living room, the bedroom and even in the crib. The crib is so huge to the baby, but in the travel bed, it feels "just right". BEST GIFT EVER!<br><br>
Sling-my friend made the one I use (see image here: <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com...p://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[altoids]

Small light receiving blankets are super-handy, for covering the baby, for laying down for a clean changing surface, for tossing over your shoulder for a burp cloth (cloth diapers work for that too) and for a quick cover up for public nursing.<br><br>
You need a LOT less than what they indicate. You shouldn't need the pump unless you are planning on working?

 

[jacqibay]

<br>
The second book has been WONDERFUL!!!! The first one, not as much, but I refer to the second one nearly daily.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

I was planning on the pump because I'm going to be breast feeding for a while (year and a half), and as I get back into shape I'll be going on long workouts on the weekend and leaving Angeline with DH to watch.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

Thanks jacquibay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mrtambalynman]

We spent on our car seat and stroller. We bought a mountain buggy urban so it doubled for city use and jogging. Car seat clipped into it. Wasn't great in the malls though so we got an umbrella stroller when she was old enough.<br><br>
A rocking chair for nursing is nice to have. We invested in a glide rocker. The number of nights I slept in that thing I'd invest in a reclining one if I had it to do again.<br><br>
Father in law built our changing table - it just attaches to a desk so when we don't need it anymore we have a desk for the kids.<br><br>
Crib. We got a nice storkcraft two years old used. Saved lots of $. With the twins someone gave us a nearly new base storkcraft. <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><br><br>
The things we found you need to invest a bit more in were sleepers, diaper shirts and receiving blankets. They get dirty so quickly that its nice to have a lot so you don't have to do laundry every two days.<br><br>
things that are nice are portable playpens but they're a dime a dozen on Craig's list/used same with an exersaucer and the bouncy infant chairs.

 

[luckylily]

Car seat--consider skipping the "infant seat/carrier" and going straight to a convertible seat. Many convertible seats can be used by newborns, and I sure wish I'd known that before buying two snugrides, which they will certainly outgrow this first year.<br><br>
Milk pump--rent from the hospital first to make sure you won't have any problems. After returning the hospital pump, i bought a lansinoh double electric. Its exactly the same as the ameda purely yours, but purple. And less expensive.<br><br>
jogging stroller--not necessary until your baby has enough head control to ride in it safely.<br><br>
regular stroller--something lightweight. Go to BRU and pick them up and feel them. I've heard great things about the metrolite by graco.<br><br>
crib--check out IKEA. THe cribs are very inexpensive. Skip the IKEA mattress and buy the colgate classica instead. I'll look up where I bought our mattresses--they had a free shipping thing and great prices.<br><br>
baby clothes (how much?) you'll probably get more than you need as gifts, and if you deliver at northside you will leave with about 8 thousand hats, pairs of socks, and white t shirts as well as mittens, etc. Avoid buying newborn sized clothes. Even my tiny twinkies outgrew them within a matter of weeks<br><br>
cloth diapers--go to kellyscloset.com free shipping over $99 and you can make your own trial packs. Best selection I've found on the web. Baby Kangas one size are my favorite diapers, but lots of people love the Bumgenius--I like Bumgenius, but Kangas are better in my opinion. Don't bother with Haute Pockets. They leak.<br><br><br>
Buy a pack and play/travel crib/playard. We have two and I could not have lived without them.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

at the risk of sounding like a complete moron...... can someone explain how the whole cloth diaper thing works to me? It seems very very messy

 

[refinnej10]

Stroller - make sure it reclines enough so that the newbie can lay. That way you can be outside walking whenever you feel ready (I was going a little nuts within days).<br><br>
Changing table - you don't really need one. You can use the floor. Or BRU has a foam mat that's contoured that you can attach to any flat surface.<br><br>
Boppi - I loved mine. I acutally had two and strategically placed them through the house to make things easier.<br><br>
If you're going to pump, then you'll need bottles.<br><br>
Some of my friends bought me the baby bath tub thing. I liked it quite a bit, although I didn't (and still don't) think it's strictly necessary.

 

[luckylily]

<img alt="" src="http://www.cottonbabies.com/images/bumgenius/3.0/bumGenius-3.0-open-annotated-400.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
No messier than a disposable, but you wash it instead of throwing it away. Breastfed baby poop is runny, like mucous, so they can go straight into the wash without rinsing.<br><br>
Once a baby starts eating solids, the poop should be shaken off into the toilet.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

so there is some sort of plastic or something to keep the wetness from leaking thru? right? That is fascinating.... i kinda like this option. My bro and SIL spend a TON of money on diapers!!! I wonder what a daycare service would do with them... would they allow them? I love to think I would never need daycare, but....

 

[luckylily]

yep, the outside fabric is polyurethane laminate (PUL) and the inside of it is waterproof, the outside is soft to the touch.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

and the whole thing is washable? or is any part of it disposed of?

 

[Lintu]

Here is another dumb question on CDing (sorry Heather for derailing)<br><br>
Is there any problem having poop running around in the washer? Sanitary-wise.

 

[bikegirl72]

I've had a little poop in my washer but nothing terrible.<br>
I've CD'd 3 kiddos and I love it. But I'm old school now with the snappi,CPF, and a cover.<br><br>
QN- are you having a shower? That will help me help you. I promise to not scare you. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">