A friend of mine, who is expecting her first baby in the early part of next year, has been asking me about all the Baby Stuff (and there's a LOT of stuff when it comes to babies) that's out there. I remember when I was pregnant and trolling through Amazon.com, Target.com, & Giggle.com (who actually goes to stores these days??) trying to figure out what to buy, register for, and add to wishlists. It was definitely overwhelming. To start, I'd like to present the Top 10 baby-related furniture, gear, and accessories I have found indispensable during these first 6 months of Baby's life. I've tried to break it down, explaining what I was looking for in each item and how they met or exceeded my expectations.
Top 10 Baby Gear
(in no particular order; prices are MSRP)
"Robin" crib, by Oeuf, in white, $590.
What I Was Looking For: Solid construction, can convert to toddler bed, built to last (if you plan on having more than one kid), attractiveness
What I Was Avoiding: Drop-side, parts made of particle board (off-gasses)
Why I Chose This One: Yes, this is an extremely expensive crib. But I fell in LOVE with it the instant I saw it on Giggle's website. I had seen Oeuf cribs on AllModernBaby.com and knew they were way out of my price range. But after a hand-me-down crib fell through, I ended up having to look for one. And since my mom said she'd pay for it and to "buy a good one" (very dangerous words to say to me, by the way) - I decided to take advantage and ordered this one right away.
Why I LOVE it: Let's face it, once you get to a certain price point or level of quality in an item, you just go with what looks good to you. I love the minimal design (of all Oeuf cribs really). I love the white. I love that Oeuf is a European brand that uses all solid wood parts. I also love how unisex it is. Even the toddler conversion kit looks good!
What I Was Looking For: Solid construction, good-quality drawer extension hardware, had to match the rest of the furniture in our office-turned-nursery
What I Was Avoiding: Too big (I had a very specific spot for it)Why I Chose This One: I had been pining for this online, but thought it was out of my price range. Imagine my pleasure when I saw it at a Million Dollar Baby warehouse sale in Montebello - for, get this, only $80! What a steal!! My mother-in-law was with me on this trip and wanted to buy something for the baby, so it worked out perfectly! It also matches the rest of our furniture in the room since half the stuff is this dark brown and the other half white. Although a lot of the parts in this piece are probably particle board or MDF, at least it's not something my baby sleeps on/in and none of those surfaces are exposed (all the pieces are painted on all sides, even the ones you don't see).
Why I Like It: Other than loving the fact that I got it for such a bargain, my favorite features on the dresser is the top-quality drawer hardware and soft close.
KeyFit 30 infant car seat, by Chicco, in "Adventure", $190.
What I Was Looking For: Reliable, easy to install/use, lightweight but sturdy, LATCH system
What I Was Avoiding: History of recalls, unnecessary bulk/weight, lesser known brand that may be hard to find compatible strollers/frames for
Why I Chose This One: Since my first choice for an infant car seat (based more on aesthetics than anything else) turned out to have a history of recalls (thanks M!), I started anew. Two names kept coming up in all my online research: the Graco Snugride and the Chicco KeyFit. I saw & "tested" out both car seats at my local Target store and just felt like the KeyFit was a bit sturdier and the padding a bit more comfy. Plus, it had the LATCH system and levels in the base to help with installation.Why I Like It: Although I've gotten to the point where I curse under my breath whenever I have to pick it up (with my baby in it) these days - this is more due to the fact that my baby is so heavy than any fault of the car seat itself. I have been VERY satisfied with the ease of use and I feel very confident in its ability to keep my baby safe in case the unimaginable occurs (knock on wood!). Looking back, though, the Snugride did have something else going for it - the fact that Graco makes their own snap-in frame compatible with all its infant car seats. But more about that later...
"Swing" single electric breast pump, by Medela, $150.
What I Was Looking For: Dependable brand name, electric, portability
What I Was Avoiding: Too high a price point, bulky, noisy, too many parts (to wash)
Why I Chose This One: I debated for months whether to go with Medela (which has the most brand visibility out there) or another brand (Ameda, Playtex, Phillips, Lansinoh, et al.), but after reading countless online reviews I decided to just go with the flow (no pun intended). I decided I only needed a single electric (rather than a double) because I probably wasn't going back to work right away therefore my pumping needs didn't warrant the extra $50-$100 a double pump would cost. The icing on the cake was that the Swing can run on AA batteries when on the go!Why I Like It: It's small, it's portable, it gets the job done. I have had a couple issues - a little nonessential piece of the pump broke off and I've already had to toss one tubing & valve because of milk getting to where it shouldn't. I heard that if I had called Medela I probably could have gotten new ones (maybe even a new pump) for free, but I'm too lazy.
"Sport" baby carrier, by ERGObaby, in black, $115.
What I Was Looking For: Ease of use, versatility, good weight distribution, quality construction
What I Was Avoiding: Complicated wraps
Why I Chose This One: I had already heard great things about the Ergo and decided to register for it since it had more positions to hold the baby (front carry, back carry, & side/hip carry - always facing the adult) than the Baby Bjorn, which really only has one (front carry). Then, at my baby shower, a friend of the family RAVED about the Ergo and it's weight distribution versus the Baby Bjorn, which she claimed made her back hurt once the baby got bigger. That cemented it for me.
Why I Like It: The weight distribution IS awesome. I've used it in the front & back carry positions so far, and both me and my baby have been satisfied with either. Added bonus: It's my last resort when I can't get the baby to fall asleep. Without fail, after 5-10 minutes in it (especially with the aptly named "sleeping hood" on and some walking, or bouncing, about) he is out like a light! At times, I will admit, I've wished I had the Bjorn so that H could face out, especially on walks or at the store when I want him to stay awake. If I had to do it all over again, I would get both - even though I'd probably only use the $80 Bjorn for 3-4 months.
Infant to Toddler Rocker, by Fisher-Price, $43.
What I Was Avoiding: Not much...
Why I Chose This One: Extended usability (Baby can use it from birth to 40 pounds), Fisher-Price is a known & trusted name brand, good online reviews.
Why I Like It: Removable activity bar, can be a rocker or a stationary seat (with a nifty kickstand).
Candela "Tooli", by OXO, in yellow, $25.
What I Was Avoiding: A tiny bulb in a socket.
Why I Chose This One: It's fun! It's cute! It has easy on/off function! The baby can use it when he's older! And OXO is a long-trusted name brand in this household...
Why I Love It: It's so small, compact, and useful - I even travel with it. I love how it just sits in it's cradle (off), then when you need it you simply pick it up and it's on - and you can take it anywhere. It's just the perfect amount of light for diaper changes, to make sure your baby's breathing, to tiptoe through the room to turn off the computer, etc.
The Miracle Blanket, by Miracle Blanket, in green (pictured in beige), $30.
What I Was Avoiding: An actual straightjacket
Why I Chose This One: It was a gift! (Thanks again, M!)
Why I Love It: Even though H technically outgrew it about a week after we got it (supposedly its only for babies up to 14 weeks old. Pshaw.), I still swaddle him in for every nap and bedtime. He manages to get his right arm out almost instantly, but he needs it to self soothe anyway (big thumb-sucker). This may not be the wisest option, but it keeps my baby asleep. End of story.
Itzbeen baby care timer, by Coast Innovations, in blue, $25.
What I Was Avoiding: Carving notches on a stick, tying strings around my finger, or writing on my hand.
Why I Chose This One: It was exactly what I was looking for!
Why I Love It: The Itzbeen has, at times, been a godsend. In those first 6-8 weeks when day blurs into night and you have no idea what day of the week it is, let alone which way is up or down - the itzbeen is here to bring rhyme and reason to taking care of your baby. Just push the appropriate button when you perform the action and rest assured. TRUST THE ITZBEEN. It even has a little switch so you know which boob you last fed the baby with (that is, if you're awake enough at the time to remember to use it!). It's especially fun to take pictures of it as your baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night. I still have photos from our first 8 hour, then 10 hour, and - more recently - 12.5 hour stretches. Yeah, baby!
Assorted bibs 10-pack, by Koala Baby & Babies R Us, in "Safari" and "Boy Brights", $12.99
What I Was Looking For: A good-quality absorbent bib, affordability, quantity
What I Was Avoiding: Clever quips written on the bibs, cheap materials
Why I Chose These Ones: Bang for your buck, thick absorbent terry
Why I Like Them: They've stood up after many many washes & dries, they do shrink a bit but not too much, perfect for drool, spit-up, snot, and rice cereal... if one gets stained beyond repair I won't mind tossing it (but that hasn't happened yet!). You may think it odd that I have bibs on this list, considering most of the other stuff have been big-ticket items. But you will also find it odd that it's virtually impossible to find a good freaking bib out there. Oh, there are pretty bibs, big bibs, small bibs, lacy bibs, bibs with all sorts of stuff embroidered on them, snarky bibs, bibs for when they start solid foods (the plastic-y ones with pouches in the front), etc... But I looked far and wide before finally finding these bargain multi-packs at Babies R Us one day, and I haven't looked back since.
There's a ton of other stuff that I couldn't have done without and am so glad I bought or received. All said and done, my husband and I have very generous friends and family, who showered us with an enormous amount of gifts - for ALL of which we are VERY thankful. But lists work best in groups of 10!
Stay tuned for my next post on the Top 10 Baby Toys!
