Babies: The Billion Dollar Business

This has been a long awaited and much needed blog, especially for my friends out there who are expecting or just had a baby.  I collected products from friends and also from my experiences with two pregnancies and babies.  By no means am I an expert or is my opinion the final word.  I gathered the same type of intel when I was pregnant for the first time and found that I didn't use all of the recommendations give to me either.  Just as babies do not come with an instruction manual, baby gear is trial by fire.

I will try to keep this post as organized as possible.

Trends I saw with friends and their musts:

Convertible car seat/adapter for travel system:
This is to make your life easier the first many months your baby is born.  You will lug that thing around and click it into your car seat base, stroller etc etc.  Along with this car seat, you may want to consider buying a second base for your spouse/partner's car so you aren't switching all of the time.  Along with having this infant/convertible car seat, I highly recommend getting in touch with your local police/fire department and have them do an inspection to make sure you have properly installed it.  

Breast Pump:  
This is a personal preference but many people commented on it and I agree.  Whether you pump, breast feed or supplement with formula, a high quality pump will pay for itself within two months.  I did the math...trust me.  I used my pump with both babies and it has held up.  I recommend a Medela brand pump which is a little more spend.  We bought ours around early Sept. at Target...which I would recommend buying from them because they have sales at certain times of the year on them and then if you you open a target card you get an additional 5% off.  Doesn't sound like much...but it adds up.  Make sure that when you leave the hospital you also take the tubes, and accessories from the hospital grade pump.  One thing to think about it is if your insurance company will pay or help with the cost of one.  WORTH LOOKING INTO!!!!

Sleep-sack or Swaddle blankets:
Many people suggested sleep-sacks that velcro shut or the muslin gauze swaddle blankets.  Both of these items have an initial stickers shock for what they appear to be...but they are worth every penny and you don't need to buy many.  I bought a velcro sleep sack at my favorite local resale shop and then went to Buy Buy Baby with a 25% coupon on the pack of 4 Aiden & Anais swaddle blankets.  It is recommended that babies are swaddled the first 3 months at least (until they break out of them) to help them adjust into the "outer world."

Pack-N-Play or Bassinet:
Jazz up that nursery for when the baby comes, but keep an open mind to having the baby sleep in your room for a month or two.  I know everyone's experiences are different...but you also want to keep your sanity. In any event...pack-n-plays especially hold their weight in gold.  We had Hallie and Hayes both in pack-n-play type bassinets for the first 3 months because they slept bedside as newborns.  Also, when we have traveled to relatives or friends homes, we have taken our pack-n-play with us.  

Pacifiers:
I ate a lot of crow on this topic.  I read a lot of discouraging things about allowing pacifiers, but at the end of the day...you do what you need to do to survive and keep your baby quiet.  Enter...the pacifier.  BEST INVENTION EVER!!!!  My favorite pacifiers are the ones the hospital gives you...I sucked up to the nurses and had them hook me up with like 5 or 6 as those little suckers have a tendency to disappear.  Along with pacifier's, I recommend the paci tethers, and those adorable animals that are attached to the pacifiers (same kind as hospital grade.)  I think they are called Wubbanub.  

Baby Carriers:
I am luke warm on these.  I know that people swear by them and I have seen the magic.  Ergo and Bjorn are popular.  People also do the across the body slings as well.  I bought a Manduca brand in Germany that has three different positions (hmmm maybe I should brush the dust off and give Hayes a ride.)  In any event...it is a popular item and seems to be a good bonding experience for parents and children.  

Baby Wipes:
You might as well buy stock in wipes as you will go through millions by the time you leave this earth.        Ryan and I get cases of them at Costco and are lucky are kids aren't super sensitive to their store brand.  We keep them at the dinner table for kid-clean-up, in our car for various purposes, at a diaper changing area in the living room, in the kids rooms and in the diaper bag.  You get the idea.  Have them on hand (literally) as you will need them.

Zip-up Pajama footies:
I had an overabundance of clothes for Hallie to wear from my baby shower.  Poor girl lived in pajamas the first 3 months of life.  I could have changed her into adorable tutu's and such...but when it comes to practicality...homegirl was a couch potato in pjs.  No harm no foul.  Regardless...get a nice little stock of them...especially in 3 month, 6 month as it is amazing how fast newborn clothes do not fit.  Cisco Brand from Target as ones where the zipper hooks under the  neck and goes down.  we love this as it limits the chance to zip a baby chin (yeah...it happens) and also keeps their upper body warm while you change a diaper at 3am.  Snaps become your first nightmare at 3am...trust my husband.  It is amazing what I have seen when I get the kids in the morning.

Activity Mat:
We registered for one that was a Bright Stars brand and it has worked for both kids.  You can disconnect the arch like thing and through the mat in the wash when necessary.  It travels well...not to mention buys you arms-free time with baby.  I would check mom-to-mom sales and or resale shops for these.

First Aid Kit:
Nose sucker bulb or a Nose Frida (google it...genius)
Thermometer (we are still looking for one that works.  Like the temporal scanners, but our kids won't sit still long enough)
Baby nail clippers...it is amazing how fast their nails grow and how sharp those suckers are.  Have the most composed parent clip the nails...I am not allowed.  Ryan does it.
Neosporin ointment...we use that or vaseline for everything.  Sometimes it makes better diaper rash cream then Butt-Paste or Desitin.
Infant Tylenol or Ibuprofen/Motrin.  Always seek doctor's recommendations for dosage.  

Burp/spit-up cloths/changing pads:
To save yourself some money...go to ta local fabric store and get some super absorbent fabric that is also semi-soft and buy it by the yard and cut in rectangles to go over your should.  It is much most cost-effective and then you can customize your colors and or prints.  

Something else savvy...buy tablecloth fabric (vinyl) or pull fabric (cloth diaper outer layer) and cut in rectangles for washable, roll-able and travel-easy changing pad cloths.  My mom made some for me for the house and then the extra fabric I just roll or fold and use in my diaper bag.  If you need help with this one...let me know and I will send your pictures.  

Bottles:
Once again...personal preference and trial by fire.  My favorites...Medela and Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature.  Target always as these brands on sale.  I tried Dr. Brown's and there were too many parents to clean, they didn't help spit-up and made going from ta-ta to bottle more tricky.  You will need to see how your baby handles bottles and make the best choice.

Disposable nursing pads:
Lanisoh all day long.  I have tried other brands...they are my favorite.

Stroller:
I hate this topic.  Between going from one baby to two, I think we have gone through 5 strollers that we find to fit our needs.  People swear by B.O.B brand which offers a jogging option.  I have heard good things...and they last which makes it easier to spend the $$$ on it.  I have two strollers I love.  When it is Hallie and I when Hayes is with Ryan...I use a cheap umbrella stroller for easy in and out lightweight function.  Now that I have both kids with me most of the time though, I swear by the Baby Jogger City Mini.  Many people commented on this stroller along with the B.O.B..  Although the price tag was high...it has been worth every penny.  It folds up easily, it fairly lightweight, durable and easy to use.  The accessories are expensive...I would recommend registering for it, try craigslist, Facebook or a resale shop and buy a gently used one.  

I think that is it for the needs...below are splurges and steals...

Baby Swing- Baby dependent

Munchie Mug-  (amazon.com) this is the coolest thing for one your toddler starts to snack.

Car seat pouch and or canopy-  protect from wind, weather and psycho people who want to touch your sleeping baby.  Carseatcanopy.com usually has promo codes in hospital gift bags and online.

Night-time diapers-  When your child starts really saturating their diapers

Bumbo Seat:  This has been helpful in transitioning into a highchair.  Hallie loved hers and Hayes is not to afraid either.  Buy the tray as well!

IKEA Kladd Prickar art and craft bib- great for when your babies become toddlers.

Super soft cozy blanket-  Worth a splurge if you find one for a little bit more money. 

Seraphine Madison Bamboo Nursing shawl-  I bought this when we lived in Europe.  I wear it even when I am not pregnant as a pashmina.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!  It isn't as cheesy as a normal nursing shawl.

Sophie the Giraffe-  Yes...expensive.   Yes...worth it.  I bought a case of them when I lived in Germany as they were way cheaper there.  

Linky C chain things-  Raimbow colored c clamp like plastic things.  I think Bright Stars makes them.  Regardless they are great toys to put in your purse or diaper bag..they also click on strollers for shopping bags etc.  Cheap and awesome.

Britax Stroller Console-  I bought this to go with the Baby Jogger City Mini Double stroller.  Worth the $30...check amazon for deals.  It was the must sturdy one I could find that wouldn't spill my drinks when I would walk with the kids.

Diaper Bags-  It has been 7 bags and counting.  Biggest advice...find one that doesn't slip off of your shoulders.  Such a pain in the butt.  I use a Vera Bradley backpack and also a long strap tote bag.

Robeez crib shoes-  They are beautiful leather slippers that I swear by.  Hallie and Hayes can never keep socks on and they slip, so the best solution were these gems.  They are expensive.  I find them on amazon on sale, Zulily and or the local resale shop.  I can usually get them for $7 there instead of $25 or $35.

Babyganics Lotion-  My kids have skin issues.  They break out in rashes all the time.  Ryan has allergies so I am sure it has to do with that.  In any event, Babyganicf has this great unscented and dye free lotion that they do not react to.

Crinkle Toys-  The sound will keep the attention of babies so you can have quiet time on the toilet.  You will miss this...trust me.

White noise app, Twilight Turtle and lullaby music-  
Twilight Turtle is the bomb.  My friend go it for Hallie for her Birthday.  We love it and it cascades the most beautiful colors on her ceiling and wall.  Also...it you have an iPad or cd players...download some white noise, earthy music or lullabies for the babies room.  It eliminates you having to tip-toe everywhere.

Soap Box:
A few things to think about.  Companies will have you thinking you need to get all sorts of things...you will learn very quickly what is essential and what is fluff.  Keep your receipts and start with basics and work your way up.  Also, get to know local mom-2-mom sales in your area.  Google the main site and they will post scheduled events in your area.  It is amazing what people get rid of for next to nothing.  Craigslist is good, but be careful when you do a face-to-face transaction...especially with having small children.  I love resale shopping.  Ann Arbor has a great store that sells gentle used, high quality clothing that I scoop up all the time.  They have brand like Kickee Pants, Matilda Jane, Gap, Tea etc.  Don't be afraid to buy used as babies grow so fast.

Lastly...this is a personal announcement.  If you or a friend is registering, rethink about doing it at Babies R' Us.  I had a terrible experience with them when I registered with Hallie.  I had to do it while we were living in Germany while we were stationed there.  Their company claims to be military family friendly and they were anything buy.  I needed to exchange quite a few things and they wouldn't allow me or do it at 70% less of the value.  I go to Buy Buy Baby which is connected to Bed, Bath and Beyond.  You can use coupons from Bed, Bath and Beyond as well as Buy Buy Baby and they really work with you there in getting your the best deal.  Let's face it, you are going to want to deal hunt as a parent, because a child today is worth a $350,00 house.  Jut sayin'.

I hope you found this helpful.  I know that people have personal preferences which is fine.  You will learn what you or your child likes or dislikes and what works or not.