Baby Items Review ... (Big Item Edition) (updated)

Much like a wedding registry, a baby registry can seem overwhelming. However unlike a wedding registry, it's hard to get a grip on what you'll use if you're like me and know nothing about babies before you have one. I know that when we did our wedding registry we absolutely ignored at least 1/2 of the recommended items. Partly because we weren't having a huge wedding, partly because we didn't expect friends to pay the prices for some things the list was suggesting, and partly because we had a lot of stuff that we didn't need to get new versions of. We assumed the suggested baby list had a lot of padding too so we didn't know where to start.

I did some googling for must haves and must ignores but mostly I crowdsourced my list. My main go-to people were my coworkers. We have similar schedules, similar incomes, and similar needs as far as daycare and the fact that the babies don't spend all day every day in our homes once they reach a certain age. I also work with a lot of practical people that I thought had a reasonable thought process behind the baby gear they use and buy.

I do not follow the purchasing opinions of very many blogs, because I feel like it's a competition for who can have the coolest stuff sometimes. HOWEVER, some (in particular Baby Cheapskate) is great for figuring out the best prices to spend and when to jump on a sale if you know what you want. I often get new things for almost consignment store prices.

So here's my thoughts on what we registered for, received, were handed down, and bought (new/used) as of now, at 10.5 months.

CAR SEATS:

Infant Car Seat - Chicco Keyfit 30 - We asked for the 30 rather than the 22 so we'd have 8 more pounds until he grew out of it. Turns out he hit 30 inches way before he hit 30 pounds, but that's not true for all babies. I miss this car seat EVERY DAY. Bonus - all 3 times he puked all over it, we were able to easily take off the cover, machine wash, and drip dry. The straps weren't that easy, but it was nice that the cover was that easy. (Status: Would not consider a used one. Received as gift. Would have paid full price ourselves if we hadn't. Worth it.)

Car Seat Base - We spent the money on an extra car seat base. While it did not get used daily like the other one, it was great to have one in both cars and not have to deal with buckling the seat in every time. Especially since our 2nd car is only 2 doors. Ease is important! (Status: Would not consider a used one. Purchased at full Amazon price. Worth it.)

Convertible Car Seats - We did not buy these until he was 9 months old. Car seats have expiration dates (who knew?) and so we figured there was no point in wasting a years worth of time while they sat in a closet. We got two Britax seats (A Roundabout 50 and Marathon which will hold him until he's 70 pounds) which surprised us in the long run. All car seats have to pass the same safety tests, so you really just pay for size, comfort, and doo-dads like cup holders. We bought seats at the end of the model year around Black Friday and saved $60 on one and $100 on the other. So while I would recommend waiting a little while to buy them in general, the expiration dates are pretty far out, so if you know what you want and you see a good sale, jump on it. The real reason we went with these was for size, because we both have cars instead of SUVs. (Status: Would not consider a used one. Purchased on sale. Would not have paid full price due to cheaper reasonable alternatives.)

STROLLERS:

At times during our buying period, there were deals to get the Chicco stroller with the carseat and a base or some other great package deal. That's a stroller that turns into a useful stroller after the infant carseat days were done. I have friends who have purchased it and like it. However, almost everyone at school recommended not getting the 'system' stroller. Most of them said they wound up buying other strollers to fit their needs (an umbrella for space, a double one when the 2nd kid came, a jogging one for fun, etc.) and didn't use the system one for very long. That's the route we went and have been happy with our decision but I understand why others are happy with the other one, especially people that have space for it.

First Stroller - Chicco Keyfit Caddy - This is only useful while you have the infant car seat, but it was a lifesaver. During the months of my recovery where lifting physically hurt, I could (reliatively) easily pop the car seat from car to this thing and be on my way. We took it to California and it was super easy for that too. I needed something light, and this fit the bill. Some people think this is a waste of money because it can't be a stroller on its own, but even though this was a gift I would have spent my own money on it for ease of use. Not having to get a baby in and out of a car seat to put in a stroller is worth a lot to me. Also not having to deal with a big stroller since I have a car rather than an SUV was helpful. This could live in the trunk and other stuff could go in there too. (Status: Was a gift. If we were buying ourselves, we would have looked for one on sale or used. The time of year we needed it was not good yard sale time, but I did see some. When we heard a set of grandparents was going to buy it, we checked a couple consignment stores and it was only $10 less than new. That made it worth it to get new, to us. Worth the price for the convenience and would have purchased it new.)

Jogging Stroller - Bob Revolution - Do we need this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It was our splurge. I got it for 50% off list price (people were actually looking for more on Craigslist when I got it on sale from Amazon) and used some Amazon gift cards people gave us. It was Mike's father's day present because he's a runner. We have used it in just as a regular stroller and it's a little bulky for that, but I would definitely bring it on a day trip instead of just an umbrella stroller. The 3 wheels make it pretty maneuverable. I researched jogging strollers for a long time before deciding to pull the trigger. One thing that was sold me was the fact that you can easily switch whether the front wheel can pivot (for regular stroller use) or not (for jogging). It's big, it would take up most of the trunk if it lived in there, and it's heavy, but we're happy with it. It will last until he's super heavy, too. (Status: purchased ourselves. Would not have paid full price. Was not willing to pay 50% list for used when I knew there were 2 sales a year that good online. Never saw a used one on sale for less than 50%.)

Umbrella Stroller - I got one at a yard sale for $10. It's simple, but has a mini canopy. Nothing exciting, but easy to keep in the car now that he's in the convertible seat. It shocks me how much stores charge for umbrella strollers. (Status: purchased ourselves. Would not have paid full price. Always planned on buying one at a yard sale.)

FURNITURE:

Crib - I had a nice one on the registry to start. But then I realized after spending $350 on the crib, we'd have to spend more money on the kit to convert it to all the things it does. That seemed silly. Cribs are another federally mandated safety thing, so I had no guilt in switching to a Graco one that was under $200 for the whole thing. It has served him well so far. (Status: received as gift. Would have purchased ourselves if not. Did not consider a used one.)

Mattress - We got one at BRU that was flippable - firm for infant, more give for toddler. Then we came home and read the reviews and they weren't good. I did more research and settled on this one. http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Heavenly-Dreams-Mattress/dp/B004044LD4 I'm fascinated by it. It has held up great so far, and the best part is it's weight. I can lift it with one hand. AND IT IS SO AFFORDABLE! Baby things are like wedding things - expensive because they can be. I would recommend this to everyone. (Status: received as gift. Would have purchased ourselves if not. Did not consider a used one.)

Changing table - Ours is from the 80's. It's a dresser with space for a changing pad on top. It has been my extra dresser since I was a kid. I like the height. I like that it was free. :) (Status: Hand me down. If we had to buy one, we would have gotten an Ikea or similar dresser and cheap changing table with shelves.)

Pack n Play - These were hard to price compare. It seems like most baby items make different patterns for different stores. The patterns have also changed twice since I had the baby. I had to make sure to look at features rather than official names. We registered for one that has no bells and whistles. People told me that the changer and newborn napper didn't work for very long so we decided not to bother. He actually has only slept in this a few times, at a friends house and when we had a full house here and he was in our room. Also we used this as the bassinet in our room for the first couple weeks of his life. It's been in our family room since he was about a month old and we used it as the downstairs changing table. I eventually got tired of bending because it was an awkward height. He's been mobile for a day now, so it's possible we will drop the mattress and turn it into a playpen to contain him if we have to leave the room. (Status: received as gift. Would have purchased if didn't. Have not seen one in good shape at a yard sale for a reasonable price, but if we ever do we'll get one for the grandparents house. Consignment stores want more than I am willing to spend used.)

Gilder - We got a simple one with an ottoman from Walmart. I couldn't decide if I wanted one because this was on a lot of people's "eh" list. I am very very glad we bought it. It was only about $100 on sale last January/February (lots of baby sales then!) which is why we did it. Some of the BRU ones are over $400! I didn't want to spend on a nursery item what we could spend on a nice Lazyboy for the family room. We don't use the ottoman much now, but I did when I was nursing. This is another item that has almost the same version in many stores. The BRU one of the same brand is 3 inches wider and $300 more. Bizarre. (Status: Purchased ourselves. Considered used, but with my nose I have a hard time with upholstered things that come from elsewhere. They soak up too many scents.)


My brain hurts and morning nap time is almost over, so I'll do other items another day.