Sunday, June 7, 2009

Motherly Advice?

Hi Moms out there...I've began to hit the "Yikes, I'm halfway there and need to start getting some stuff..." mode, and am seeking some advice from those that have done this motherhood thing as I am clearly new to this!

*Bottles....Avent? Dr. Brown's? Others?

*Car seats...been looking at Consumer Reports, as safety is of course the the top priority...also heard that the padding is better on nicer ones (as in, the same brand from wal-mart is different from the same brand at a higher end baby specialty store...)

*Diapers...heard Pampers (or is it Luvs?) Swaddlers are best at first, then Costco is best for the money....?

*Pumps...any suggestions? I think I'll need a good one since I'll need to head back to work.

*I can't decide if I should register....feedback?

OK...apparently my "nesting" is setting in early! My classroom got a serious deep clean last week, we got some painting at home done, and am now consumed with baby stuff for this little guy!

Suggestions, advice, opinions please!

19 comments:

  1. Avent bottles.

    Britax car seat.

    Huggies diapers.

    Quit nursing when you go back to work.

    Register.

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  2. Avent bottles.

    You get a couple with the Avent pump which is a MUST. I went through five or so trying to find one that worked/didn't hurt.

    LOVE the Avent manual pump, it works better than all the powered ones I tried.

    Always register.

    *Bonus*-Get a humidifier. One with a huge tank so you don't have to spend your day refilling it.--Trust me.

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  3. Ok, not a mom, but things I know about.
    Register! For those of us who have no clue what you need, registering helps a lot. Plus it keeps your non-baby having friends from buying you a 1,000 onesies.
    Pump so the hubby can help feed the baby, but stop when you go back to work. The science is behind that kind of decision and this way you don't accidently lactate during class. But that is just my reccomendation based in no way on actual "having a baby" experience!

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  4. Saw your plea from Natalie so since I'm in a similar boat I thought I'd share my findings...
    Bottles - I choose the platex drop ins to make cleaning easier on me (not to mention I'll be breastfeeding and they have a kit to make the drop-ins very useful!)
    Car Seats - Chicco Key Fit is the #1 rated car seat by consumer report. It is on the pricier side but I love the travel system that we got. Very user friendly and of course, the whole being rated #1 makes me happy!
    Diapers - I've been told to buy a few of each to start out with and don't stock up on one brand since your baby or you may not like a particular kind. The hospitals typically use Pampers but I've heard of babies that have been allergic to them. Also, go to Diapers.com who offer free shipping and avoid Costco. Costco is overpriced on diapers (I've verified this!).
    Pumps - I got the Medela but I've heard good things about the avent too. As for the lactating during class if you continue to pump... the make pads for that and is a crappy reason to stop pumping!
    And last, REGISTER! First, you get free gifts from the stores including lots of coupons (yea!) and it will help people know what you need so you don't end up with all clothes. Also, you get completion discounts at the end to help get those last items cheaper.

    Good luck with everything! Its an exciting time, that's for sure!

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  5. Okay! *rubs hands together briskly*

    The bottles- ugh, Charlie still isn't convinced about ANY bottle! Start early with the bottle- the window is small!

    We have the Graco Sport travel system and we love it- one bonus is that the sun shade will rotate all the way from front to back (on both the stroller and carseat) which is great!

    I have the Lansinoh pump and I love it.

    We really love Pampers- the Huggies are okay. I second using Diapers.com! It's great! Fast shipping (free on orders over $49) and they have everything you could ever want or need! I usually buy diapers from them and wipes at Costco.

    You should definitely register! (You can do it online!)

    I also recommend Kiddapatomus Swaddle Me swaddlers and Aden + Anais blankets (they are muslin, big, thin and great for swaddling!)

    Hmm, what else.

    Boudreax's Butt Paste- best diaper ointment.

    Lansinoh Lanolin nipple cream- helps you get through the first few weeks when nursing is hard.

    My favorite brand of nursing pads is Johnson & Johnson.

    I have a whole list that I made for Chelsea- email me if you want it!

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  6. Bottles: I liked the Medela bottles that came with my pump. Speaking of...

    Pumps: I had the Medela Pump in Style and absolutely LOVED it! It was so fast and I could get a full bottle in about 5-10 minutes. I continued to pump when I went back to work and it wasn't bad. We saved a lot of money on formula but it's definitely a personal choice on when to stop nursing.

    Car Seat: We have the Graco SnugRide infant seat which is nice because you can buy the base to leave in the car.

    Diapers: I found Pampers Swaddlers to be the best with a newborn. Inevitably you will have blow-outs but I thought these prevented leaks the most.

    And yes, I think you should register. But don't be fooled by the lists the stores give you. You really don't NEED all the things they tell you you do.

    GOOD LUCK! If you need more info always feel free to ask.

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  7. Bottles: I liked Avent and for the binkies too.

    Car Seats: I'm not brand particular but definitely get a traveling sysytem.

    Diapers: I used whatever I got as gifts and after trying all of them I picked my favorite which is Huggies. I think diapers are something you need to try out to find what is best for you and baby.

    Pumps: My sister-in-law loved her Avent manual pump and gave it to me to use but I had trouble pumping and soon gave it up. I think maybe you should try a cheaper version at first before investing in an expensive one but I heard that Madela is a really great investment. Also, if you have any questions on pumping, breastfeeding, etc and want professional advice you should contact your lactation nurse at your hospital. They were a huge help to me.

    A lot of things are trial and error and what might have been great for someone you won't like at all.

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  8. Oh, I was also going to tell you our insurance actually covered 90% of the cost of our breast pump. This was SO helpful since the nice ones cost about $200. Make sure you check with your insurance company before you buy one.

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  9. everyone seems to be saying avent bottles, which we used when he got older, but Dr. Brown were awesome for helping him not suck in air bubbles. I think all babies are different, so you will just have to figure out what diapers fit best. And I think you should register...although hardly anyone buys anything off the registry!

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  10. I don't have a particular bottle, my baby used anything. I got the graco snugride carseat, it was at the top of consumer reports when I got it, but that was two years ago, it was quite affordable and I like it. My insurance bought my pump for me, and a lot of insurance's will, but don't tell you that. If you are going to be pumping a lot, you definitely need a hospital grade pump, mine is the medela, and it was a life-saver (my daughter was 7 weeks early and didn't learn how to breast feed until she was three months old, I pumped 8 times a day for three months, and LOVED this pump). I love huggies, but I have heard that boys leak out of huggies early on and pampers are better for boys, so I don't really know since I have a girl. I did not register and I did not regret it, because a lot of people who had experience gave me some great things that I wouldn't have registered for. I also didn't buy a travel system for my carseat, stroller, because I wanted a jogger, but my carseat ended up snapping into my jogger anyway, which was great. If you get a front pack, don't go cheap, they kill your back, after four other tries, the bjorn was heaven sent. Sorry this is so long.

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  11. Also, if you get a hospital grade pump, it will be super easy to pump at work (like 8 minutes) so you could easily do it during recess and lunch. But that is up to you

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  12. I'm a friend of Natalie's and a mother of a 3 1/2 month old...

    Bottles - We use Dr Browns but baby will take anything (he loves food :))

    Car seats - I have a Graco Snugride and will transition to a Britax (roundabout or marathon) once he outgrows the Graco. Gracos are much more portable for the infant stage.

    Diapers - To throw a wrench in things... I cloth diaper and LOVE it...

    Pumps - Love my Medela Pump In Style. I actually didn't buy it but got it from my sister in law. Works great and I bought all new parts so for under $40 I have a hospital grade pump that works great on breaks (I pump at work and couldn't imagine not pumping for my baby)

    Oh, and definitely register. And try things out too. Be the person who goes into Babies R Us and pushes around the strollers everywhere. Really get a feel for the items you're registering for. Have fun with it!!

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  13. Found you from Natalie - congrats on the babe! I'm all about baby deals, if you want to save some money - my (too wordy) recommendations:

    *Bottles: We use Avent, Playtex Ventair and the cheap Gerber kind - my 8-month-old prefers the Gerber. One thing I've learned: babies totally have a bottle preference. I wouldn't invest a ton into one brand, just in case your baby hates it.

    *Car seats: Go to albeebaby.com for cheap car seats and strollers.

    *Diapers: We use cloth...and I wouldn't recommend it. We keep doing it for the price. We use disposables at night and just buy the Wal-Mart Parent's Choice brand or the Target Up and Up brand. Both work great and are really, really cheap.

    *Pumps: Medela Pump in Style. If you're going back to work, get an electric. I found drugstore.com had the best deals.

    *Register. It helps for people that have no idea what to get you (folks with no kids), people that want to get you bigger items or go in on a group gift (register for big stuff too) and (ie) Babies R Us will give you discounts for things you registered for that you never got.

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  14. everyone mom knows it all so here is my 2 cents

    pump...um..use a wet nurse

    forget opinions on car seats, everyone thinks theirs is best right??

    Diapers, a rip off so get used it. You get what you pay for lets just leave it at that. I had 3 babes in them at a time, believe me I know.

    register...only for the indulgent stuff! no need for a swing or exersaucer though. :)

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  15. 3 babes in diapers at the same time I meant to communicate.....

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  16. well, I'll break it to ya gently: I'm not a mom yet. (gasp!) SO I have no advice about that sort of thing BUT I do need advice about your blog! How in the world did you get your picture inside your header/banner at the top?! It's a mystery that took me 2 hours yesterday to NOT figure out! :) ha ha let me know!

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  17. Bottles...no preference. I tried to nurse as long as I could, and for all that I could tell after 3 months of nursing my babies didn't care what kind of bottles I used as long as it wasn't me!! There is one type of bottle that I think is made by Gerber and it is tilted and has a vent system in the bottom to prevent air creeping in, and it's cheaper than avent!

    Car Seats, I swear by Graco, they tighten and release very well, they are extremely stable in the car, they are affordable!! But don't by them from walmart, pay a little more and go to Babies R Us, or stork landing!! We have converted many people from Britax over to Graco!!

    Diapers, Huggies all the way!! Both of my boys leaked through Pampers all the time! I don't know if they have less absorption where a boy goes vs. a girl but we leaked! Also they don't have any stretch. I will say that they smell really good...who knows

    Pumps. I pumped with Coop for 3 months, and for 6 months with Payton and it is an experience that I loathe!! But alas, I have tried a few different pumps...and I really like the Medela Pump in Style Traveler Breast pump. It is encased in a backpack and has a power source for your car. Which I used more than I'd like to admit. It's amazing how much milk you can pump from here to SLC!! It was really convenient to have it all enclosed in a backpack, especially since you will be hauling it everywhere. I would like to agree with one of the other comments though...don't pump!! It is incredibly draining and time consuming. My advice is breast feed as long as you can and then make the switch!!

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  18. Bottles:
    -Dr. Browns at first but they are a beast to clean... especially if you don't have a dishwasher.
    -Ruby still LOVES the Soothie binki and bottles (Walmart or Target) -Advent alwasy leak for us?

    Diapers:
    -Yes swaddlers at first. They seem to work for everyone. And then it is really trial and error. My sister and her three kids love LUVS, but they are not so great for Ruby, so see what fits your babe best:) **Costco Kirkland Wipes

    Car Seat: Maxi Cosi. So cute AND safe.

    Pumps: Medela Pump In Style.

    Sure register... but only for things you really want. And don't even look at the list of things that Babies'R'Us says you need.

    Tips: Baby Bjorn=wonderful. See if you can borrow or get a used one though. They are kinda pricey and you really only use it for like 6 months.

    Stroller... BOB, love it.

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  19. wow... you got a lot of advice. i dont have much to add. i do have to say though we have lots of experience with bottles. with ella i used avent (they leaked a lot) with charlie i used dr. browns. when claire was in the hospital just barely the speech pathologist (however it is spelled) told me that nursing babies going back and forth from boob to bottle do best with the WIDE playtex vent aire bottle. it has worked really well with claire. oh and i love my medela pump! worth the money for sure!

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