crazying spending

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I just bought a baby bjorn for $9 on ebay and I think it's good. I was going to borrow for free but I didn't want to return it.

One thing doesn't strollers also depend on how it fits the people? I mean taller/shorter? Same with carseats?

Anyone here drive a corolla 90s? What car seats did you use?

[geojen]

I totally agree--get the infant car seat. We got a stroller-car seat set and love it. It is nice to be able to take the baby for a walk and put the car seat right in the stoller and be able to cover him completely from the sun, wind, whatever. Totally convienent. There will be things that you will want to purchase after the baby comes home to make your life easier. It is easy to scoff at certain products now, but at 3 am a bottle warmer beside your bed may sound like heaven. Or a infant swing. Who knows what you will find that will make your life easier. Every baby is different.

One thing that we splurged on, and that I absolutely loved was a moses basket. It served as a bassinet and was totally movable to any part of the house. Our son slept in it for months.

[FrugalFish]

We had a stroller/car seat combo we bought at Target for $150 (I think it's evenflo). It was really great, but I was surprised at how little we actually ended up using the stroller. She's a tall 3.5 year old now and still fits the stroller fine- in case we want to go to a theme park or some such, so I guess it's a good option to still have around. When she got big enough though, we switched to one of those little folding strollers for trips to the mall or the park, they are so much smaller and more maneuverable.

One of the problems we ran up against was having a small old Honda and finding a good car seat that would fit reasonably well in it. I heard the same complaints from people who have larger SUVs too. Our front seat had to be all the way forward until we were able to turn her seat around- it was only for a year or so.

But not to ramble too much, yes it is nuts what people will spend when expecting a baby. We have a number of things that we used well and I still question if they were good purchases just because the time frame of use was so short.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

A new car? I've heard that a lot. Buying a new car when expecting. I'm terrified since we have older cars. I am tempted to look at a newer car, but a new car with a baby on the way is scary.

The 2 dr focus we do want to get rid of but not enough to pay for it yet.

[PrincessPerky]

I used a laundry basket instead of a moses basket..worked great for several kids (and holds lots of laundry when not holding a kid)

We had a rather smallish car with the first, we used a baby carrier car seat with no base, it fit nice and snug, with room upfront for my 6ft tall self. but I never would be able to get one of those convertible from infant to boosters to fit backwards in that car. Nor a car seat with a base (the base makes them bigger)

As to if I find the smaller ones worth it when you have to get a bigger one after a year, as a mother of 4 who never had any one kid in any seat for long before needing it for the next kid..umm yeah multiple worth it, I have one baby seat, one 'middle' seat, and three boosters. (baby one is only used for about a year, middle size next 2-3years, boosters thereafter) So I get my money out of them, but not sure a parent of less kids would? I do know that taking your tiny 7-11 lb baby home in a giant car seat that will one day fit your 40lb toddler is prolly a bit scary...

If you know anyone with car seats, spares or moving up, or the day they vacuum if the car seat is out, you could try them out on your car. and you would be surprised what you can do when you want, I had a small car with three seats crammed across the back for awhile.

Yes height matters with strollers, and in a way car seats, my babies legs are always way scrunched by the time a year is hit (they hit 20lb long before the year) some car seats fit rear facing have different leg room than others, though all within an inch or two.

Strollers are a royal PIA for a 6ft tall person, they are too low, I have heard of extenders for the handles, but I don't like them regardless (how often have you seen daddy carrying kid while mommy pushes baby less stroller? Not to mention how often you see empty stroller in your way as you squeeze around racks of junk or tables in a mall. Not to mention the number of 3 year olds who cannot see over the handles pushing them into you and whatever else is around)

Anyway, those carriers are anything but easy to carry..they do however hold sleeping infants in a variety of places...though so does a blanket, or sling....

Side note, from my own personal close observation of 6 babies (plus my own 4) the 4 that were in carriers all the time till they outgrew them walked WELL past a year, the 2 who were mostly only in car seats in cars walked at about a year. (then there are my 4 kids all walked by a year, all rarely in car seats)

This does not mean carriers are automatically cause for concern, just that the habit of leaving a kid in a car seat longer than necessary might not be for the best. Or maybe kids who are contented enough to remain are contented enough not to walk (only my last kid counts as contented)

[Radiance]

I got a baby carrier and I never used my stroller. I have a car seat that only a car seat, I think it is evenflo and gets up to 50lbs. I have been removong inserts as he grows up.

As a small baby I used the moby wrap. I got hands free and a content baby carried around. When he was about 4 months I bought an ergo carrier I still use today at 16 months. I am only 100lb and carry a 25lb baby on that thing and I can hardly feel the weight, he is very content on it and even takes his naps on it. I can carry him in front or on my back. And the models are very cute.

I never used that pesky, bulky, heavy stroller that don't fit anywhere!
But that is just me.
Well, not really, I see mom carrying their babies and toddlers on bare arms while pushing an empty stroller. what is wrong with that picture?

I don't push an empty stroller around and my kid is next to me at all times, I get free hands. I am still thinking what to do with the stroller I have. My ex uses an umbrella stoller in ocassion because he will not wear a baby carrier. Ergo are the best!

[FrugalFish]

As a small baby I used the moby wrap. I got hands free and a content baby carried around. When he was about 4 months I bought an ergo carrier I still use today at 16 months. I am only 100lb and carry a 25lb baby on that thing and I can hardly feel the weight, he is very content on it and even takes his naps on it. I can carry him in front or on my back. And the models are very cute.

Come to think of it, I used a Snuggli to carry my DD EVERYWHERE when she was little. It was so convenient. I know a lot of people don't like the quality of the Snuggli as much as they like other carriers, but I found it just fine. DH use to make fun of how I walked with her strapped to my front, apparently one waddles a little, but it is a great way to tote a youngun around. I never could get the knack of carrying her on my arm like some mothers do, so having her secured in a pack was great.

[zetta]

I tried a sling and an Eddie Bauer front pack, and hated both, so it all comes down to personal preference. My son spent tons of time in the carrier until he outgrew it at 5 months, and he walked at 9.5 months.

Probably a mom's forum would be the best place to take a poll if you're undecided.

[Thriftina]

Does your area have one of these stores? They carry gently used...everything for babies!
Gently Used Children's and Baby Clothes, Furniture, Equipment and More – Once Upon a Child

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I wish! I heard about it from california.