Does anyone have experience with double running strollers? If so, what are the ages of he children you use it with? I have a single BOB and we love it, but not sure if I can realistically expect to push a toddler and a baby (once he/she is old enough to safely ride in the jogging stroller)
I second @chelle087 's question about double strollers. I'm worried they'll be too heavy to push while running. I've creeped on a bunch of double BOBs on craigslist and I want to know if I should pounce on one
Right now I'm debating if we should buy DS a new bed and move the crib, or just buy a new crib. DS will be 20 months when this little nugget arrives. Our current crib converts to a toddler bed and then to a double/full so it could last forever. If I buy a second crib I would get another 3 in 1... decisions decisions...
For anyone thinking about wraps but feeling overwhelmed my yards of fabric, check out the k'tan wrap. Its kind of like a wrap for dummies. The crucial stuff is sewn togethet, and you adjust it based on the type of hold.
My biggest regret first time around was not thinking long term with our stroller. We bought the Graco modes travel system which is amazing and lightweight and otherwise awesome. But it can't convert to a double and I'm not a huge fan of the graco doubles. We're now planning to get the city select. I now wish we had just invested in the city select from the get go and savef myself the money I spent on the single.
With the pumps, I would really suggest looking at something other than Medela if you're footing the bill. And look for a closed system so its easier to clean. I got three pumps (2 double electric and 1 manual) for less than the comparable Medela. The Medela might be the one for you, just don't get sucked in on brand name alone. And get 2 pumping bras so you can actually was them once in a while (I used pumpease brand).
Milkies are awesome too. I would get an oz or so of extra milk every time I nursed.
@SDSwenson about the diaper plan, I had a huge stock pile before I had my guy last October. What I found is CVS has some good deals with their coupons and the brand coupons combined and shop the Target sales! I now only buy diapers and wipes at Target when they have their sales like they are having now (spend $100 get $25 gift card). I have also over the last 10 months found that Target brand are just as good as pampers (after newborn size) and much much cheaper. Also keep all of your receipts attached to the packages boxes so you can return for different size or brand if you need to!
With that said all we really need this time is diapers and furniture since our LO will only be 18 months we will buy another complete nursery set that they can grow with. If we have a girl we will need clothes too. I am actually buying some now on clearance but will keep receipts since Carters and Kohls have pretty good return policies.
@allybadry, can I ask what brand of pump you got? The reason I ask is that I originally bought the Avent and it did nothing for me!! Borrowed my sister's Medela the night my milk came in because the Avent wasn't getting anything out. The Medela worked beautifully. So I ended up buying one. And my health insurance covered it! So I don't recommend Avent based on my experience.
And we are in the same position as you. Have the Graco Modes. But I love that stroller. Still undecided about a double stroller. DS will be 23 months when this LO arrives. We are also having the crib debate. I think we are going to get a simple crib to move him into and then transition him into the single bed we already own. If you don't already have a single bed, then I would probably get the crib. It'll be hard with night wakings with a LO, you don't also need your toddler waking in the MOTN and climbing out of bed. Just my opinion though Sounds like we have a lot in common though!
Does anyone have any recommendations on baby monitors? I don't co-sleep, but I may do a little bassinet by my bed for the first month or two. After that, baby will be in the crib in the nursery. I didn't have the luxury of extra space with DS, so he was in a crib about 2 feet from my side of the bed. Didn't have a need for a baby monitor, but really want to get one this time. I plan on re-using a lot of the baby stuff we have from DS, so I wouldn't mind spending a somewhat decent chunk of change on a video monitor, but wanted to hear any opinions you all may have.
@STM2017 I have an Lansinoh Signature Pro and the Evenflo Advanced Double Electric. I love them both. I had to EP for about 4-5 months and they saved me.... I would easily pump 5-6 oz each time.
I think we settled the crib debate. We have to buy another bed regardless so we will get another convertible crib. I was told to keep DS in his crib as long as he will tolerate it.
I'm going with a video monitor this time around. For the first six months it will probably be useless but I so wish I had one when DS started getting mobile. It would've saved so many unnecessary door openings.
We are also skipping the infant car seat and going straight to the convertible. I cringe to think of the amount of money we've spent between those two items alone. DH is a total baby wearing dad and we both decided this time around, we'll just slep the kid in a carrier and save ourselves $150 bucks.
I love love love our video monitor. It's so nice to tell the difference between DD just moving around and re-settling or actually needing us. I know you learn to tell the difference through just an audio monitor, but I really love knowing exactly what's going on in there.
I love love love our video monitor. It's so nice to tell the difference between DD just moving around and re-settling or actually needing us. I know you learn to tell the difference through just an audio monitor, but I really love knowing exactly what's going on in there.
I admit: I have never been able to tell the difference. I swear my kid is a drama llama and it all sounds terrible.
I love love love our video monitor. It's a Levana Jena. I got it on a flash sale on woot.com I think. Even now I think they're only $70 or something. It has really good video quality and is extremely portable. We actually travel with it because it's nice to see what he's doing if he's in separate room. It shows temp of the room (something I never thought would be of importance but love the feature now), plays a few lullabies, and there is also a talk to baby feature. I like it because it's basic, didn't cost an arm and a leg, and we can add a second camera for baby #2. There are newer versions that are more expensive which are probably great, but this one had worked just fine for us.
@KirstinH88 we have a Motorola monitor and have loved it for the last 2 years. I will say when you buy one, definitely test it in the nursery (or wherever you'll use it most) at night. Before DS was born, we put a stuffed animal in his crib one night to see the night vision on the camera. It definitely put me at ease that the monitor works well enough that I can see him breathing at night (well when he was a baby I would look for these things) and that we can change the sound level, etc.
All in all - don't be afraid to try it and take it back to the store if you don't like it. We were also able to catch ours on clearance as they changed the design at BuyBuyBaby - saved us a quick $70! So if you're in the market for one and will be buying it yourself, you may want to keep a close eye close to Dec/Jan when a lot of them get clearanced out.
Yeah I'm super pumped that this preganacy falls over the holidays too! Give me all the sales
I really should change my SN to get rid of the & - but I'm wayyy too lazy to go through those hoops! Max is such a cute name (a top pick for me before marrying my DH) - I would love to name a little boy that but then he'd sadly be called Max Max. Oh the teasing that would happen at school/life.
@allybadry@STM2017 Same here with the crib and Modes stroller! DD will turn 2 six weeks before little one is due so we are on the fence about crib or toddler bed. No matter what we choose, we want to transition her to her new room a month or two before the due date so she adjusts which is only six-seven months away. I'm having a hard time picturing her sleeping in a toddler bed that soon!
As for strollers, we ADORE our Modes and I've been reading great reviews on the Modes double. We'll need to check it out in person but I'm leaning that way. We scored our current stroller at a great deal as a floor model so just maybe we'll get lucky again.
@belocin Modes double stroller?!?!?!?!?!? We don't have that up in Canada. There are really only a handful of double strollers up here... and the city select is the only one my modes click connect actually clicks in to.
@kirstinh88 we have the Motorola video monitor too and loved it. Not sure of the specific model but got it at Babies R Us with our first. It was actually the THIRD video monitor we tried: 1. Summer Infant brand had the worst battery life and was returned. 2. "Babies R Us" brand one actually just crapped out one night shortly after we bought and was also returned. 3. Success with the Motorola version!
I would also highly recommend that if you are getting it /registering for it at a big box store that you get the extended warranty. Made all of our random returns so much easier. Also, I drop things a lot, so it was piece of mind
I'm also curious about if I should get a double stroller. I have the BOB revolution single jogger (which I love) and a single chicco for out & about use, but DS will be 3 by the time LO is born. Trying to figure out if a double stroller will really be worth it at DS' age. Any third time moms have a cost/benefit perspective on it?
I also recommend a carrier. We bought a moby with DS but never really used it, I wish we had when he was smaller so he could get used to it. We have a Tula now and I love it. Definitely going to look into wraps for this next one as well.
I definitely recommend the Nose Frida. I thought it was weird and gross at first when people talked about it, but then DS was born super snotty and congested and the little bulb suckers didn't do anything. The nose frida was a freaking miracle, I wish I had bought it right away!!
@ashleym112 yes to the nose frida!! My husband claimed that it was so gross and that he would never ever use it.... fast forward to the bulb being useless and the nose frida being strangely satisfying and he LOVES it.
Things I loved: -Nose Frida! (Still use for my 7 month old) -Graco click connect travel system (Still use) -Baby Monitor that connects to phone (Still use) -In bed co-sleeper -Baby carrier
Things I never used: -Crib -Diaper Genie -Wipe warmer -Swing
Also, don't slack on maternity clothes! I pushed it off until I was over 30 weeks with DD and was so miserable. Your comfort is worth spending the extra money! This time, I plan to wear my maternity clothes as soon as I start showing.
@Caressa1 i agree with the maternity clothes. I started buying in 2nd semester once I started showing with DS. I was so much more comfy once I started wearing them--especially the pants! I've already started unpacking them a bit.
My friend just sent me a referral link through Schoola and I ended up getting $40 worth of (gently used) maternity clothes for free, so I don't know if that counts as buying, but I'm trying to avoid having to spend too much on a very temporary wardrobe.
I am super excited though because I told same friend about the pregnancy this weekend and she offered to loan me her very expensive swiveling infant stroller for as long as I can use it once the baby is born. We have a very walkable neighborhood and I can see myself getting out often with it.
Re: Things To Buy/Things You've Bought
For anyone thinking about wraps but feeling overwhelmed my yards of fabric, check out the k'tan wrap. Its kind of like a wrap for dummies. The crucial stuff is sewn togethet, and you adjust it based on the type of hold.
My biggest regret first time around was not thinking long term with our stroller. We bought the Graco modes travel system which is amazing and lightweight and otherwise awesome. But it can't convert to a double and I'm not a huge fan of the graco doubles. We're now planning to get the city select. I now wish we had just invested in the city select from the get go and savef myself the money I spent on the single.
With the pumps, I would really suggest looking at something other than Medela if you're footing the bill. And look for a closed system so its easier to clean. I got three pumps (2 double electric and 1 manual) for less than the comparable Medela. The Medela might be the one for you, just don't get sucked in on brand name alone. And get 2 pumping bras so you can actually was them once in a while (I used pumpease brand).
Milkies are awesome too. I would get an oz or so of extra milk every time I nursed.
With that said all we really need this time is diapers and furniture since our LO will only be 18 months we will buy another complete nursery set that they can grow with. If we have a girl we will need clothes too. I am actually buying some now on clearance but will keep receipts since Carters and Kohls have pretty good return policies.
And we are in the same position as you. Have the Graco Modes. But I love that stroller. Still undecided about a double stroller. DS will be 23 months when this LO arrives. We are also having the crib debate. I think we are going to get a simple crib to move him into and then transition him into the single bed we already own. If you don't already have a single bed, then I would probably get the crib. It'll be hard with night wakings with a LO, you don't also need your toddler waking in the MOTN and climbing out of bed. Just my opinion though
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
I think we settled the crib debate. We have to buy another bed regardless so we will get another convertible crib. I was told to keep DS in his crib as long as he will tolerate it.
We are also skipping the infant car seat and going straight to the convertible. I cringe to think of the amount of money we've spent between those two items alone. DH is a total baby wearing dad and we both decided this time around, we'll just slep the kid in a carrier and save ourselves $150 bucks.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
DS: 10-9-14
MC: 9-4-16
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
All in all - don't be afraid to try it and take it back to the store if you don't like it. We were also able to catch ours on clearance as they changed the design at BuyBuyBaby - saved us a quick $70! So if you're in the market for one and will be buying it yourself, you may want to keep a close eye close to Dec/Jan when a lot of them get clearanced out.
Also, I love your SN. DS name is Max.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
I really should change my SN to get rid of the & - but I'm wayyy too lazy to go through those hoops! Max is such a cute name (a top pick for me before marrying my DH) - I would love to name a little boy that but then he'd sadly be called Max Max. Oh the teasing that would happen at school/life.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
As for strollers, we ADORE our Modes and I've been reading great reviews on the Modes double. We'll need to check it out in person but I'm leaning that way. We scored our current stroller at a great deal as a floor model so just maybe we'll get lucky again.
Baby #2 due April 2017
My neighbors got a City Select to prepare for a second. It's really nice!
ETA: autocorrect fail
Baby #2 due April 2017
I would also highly recommend that if you are getting it /registering for it at a big box store that you get the extended warranty. Made all of our random returns so much easier. Also, I drop things a lot, so it was piece of mind
I'm also curious about if I should get a double stroller. I have the BOB revolution single jogger (which I love) and a single chicco for out & about use, but DS will be 3 by the time LO is born. Trying to figure out if a double stroller will really be worth it at DS' age. Any third time moms have a cost/benefit perspective on it?
I definitely recommend the Nose Frida. I thought it was weird and gross at first when people talked about it, but then DS was born super snotty and congested and the little bulb suckers didn't do anything. The nose frida was a freaking miracle, I wish I had bought it right away!!
DS--N14
Baby #2 EDD--4/16/17
Things I loved:
-Nose Frida! (Still use for my 7 month old)
-Graco click connect travel system (Still use)
-Baby Monitor that connects to phone (Still use)
-In bed co-sleeper
-Baby carrier
Things I never used:
-Crib
-Diaper Genie
-Wipe warmer
-Swing
Also, don't slack on maternity clothes! I pushed it off until I was over 30 weeks with DD and was so miserable. Your comfort is worth spending the extra money! This time, I plan to wear my maternity clothes as soon as I start showing.
ETA: Posted before I finished
DS--N14
Baby #2 EDD--4/16/17
I am super excited though because I told same friend about the pregnancy this weekend and she offered to loan me her very expensive swiveling infant stroller for as long as I can use it once the baby is born. We have a very walkable neighborhood and I can see myself getting out often with it.