Question about need vs. want vs. unnecessary (long)

amd1982 · August 2012

Hi ladies,

So a week from now will be our a/s, and at that point of (hopefully) finding out the genders of our twins, it's go time! i want to start on our registry asap since the shower is really only 5-6 weeks after Labor Day weekend. I'm wondering if you can help me in regards to some of the extras (not car seats or things like that) and let me know your experience with them. Did you use them? Were they a waste of money? What do you wish you had done differently? Do you wish you'd registered for only one, or did you end up going out to buy another? Thanks in advance! trying to use this board when I get overwhelmed...

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car.

2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure.

3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH)

4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters?

5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller?

6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower?

Sorry so long - I hope this isn't totally repetitive in terms of some of the other posts, but I'm really trying to decipher what's necessary vs. what is overload and wasted money.

Temp6313048411121614 · August 2012

amd1982:

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car.
     I had something similar and it was a life saver. Mine just went over the top of the carseat though (not under and over the baby). It had elastic around the edge to stay in place, and a zipper to get the baby in and out easily.

2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure.
     I had an Ergo with DS1 and LOVED it. I love BWing, but I didn't get much use out of it with my twins.

3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH)
     The seats will probably come with 1 adapter each. Do you think you'll be switching back and forth often? My twins have never ridden in DH's car, it's not been a problem yet. If you think that 1 will doing drop offs and the other picking up then I'd get 2, but if you don't think you'll ever use the other car with the kids then I'd skip (but I think I'm the odd man out on this).

4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters?
     I hate high chairs, they're huge, no matter how big your kitchen is, they're going to be in the way. We started out with Bumbo's, then moved to those boosters that hook onto the chairs. With DS1 we use a Phil & Ted's Me Too that hooked on our table, I LOVE that chair and still use it at times for the twins when we go out to eat.

5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller?

6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower?
     We didn't register for convertible steats or anything when I had my shower for DS1, there's so much that a baby "needs", I'd rather get all of the necessities now, and spend the other money over a longer period of time later, plus you might get something now and they have something better/newer/neater/cheaper later.

dulcinea03 · August 2012

amd1982:
Hi ladies,

So a week from now will be our a/s, and at that point of (hopefully) finding out the genders of our twins, it's go time! i want to start on our registry asap since the shower is really only 5-6 weeks after Labor Day weekend. I'm wondering if you can help me in regards to some of the extras (not car seats or things like that) and let me know your experience with them. Did you use them? Were they a waste of money? What do you wish you had done differently? Do you wish you'd registered for only one, or did you end up going out to buy another? Thanks in advance! trying to use this board when I get overwhelmed...

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car.
We did the carseat covers that go over the carseats like shower caps as they don't affect the harness security at all. It worked great for my girls, who were born in Feb in CO.

2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure.
Hands down, my Ergo was the best 'splurge' thing I bought. DH and I used it extensively around the house to be able to snuggle a baby and still have my hands free for the other. At 2.5, I still use it occasionally in stores that are too small for a double stroller, but I don't want my kids running free either. Loved the Ergo because it was easy to get on and off by myself and does either a front or back carry.

3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH)
I'm assuming you're talking carseat bases here. It was totally worth it to have them in both my car and DH's so we weren't having to mess with seatbelts every time.

4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters?
We did the Fisher Price Space Saver high chairs, and then moved to Ikea Junior chairs at their 2nd birthday, which they are still using.

5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller?
We have a umbrella SBS and a jogger. The umbrella lives in the car for store trips and errands. The jogger is used mostly for walks, but I'll take it out if I know we're going to be outside on uneven surfaces. It handles so much better than the umbrella when not on concrete.

6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower?
We waited until we were ready to actually use their convertible seats before buying them for 2 reasons- 1. They're really bulky to store until you're ready to use them and 2. Carseats are only good for 5 years, so if you get one that is good up to 60lbs, you may want to get all 5 years of use out of it, rather than 'wasting' a year when it is sitting in storage while you use your infant seats.

Sorry so long - I hope this isn't totally repetitive in terms of some of the other posts, but I'm really trying to decipher what's necessary vs. what is overload and wasted money.

denitab · August 2012

1~With my DS we dressed him in several layers & then used a heavy weight blanket to cover the carseat. I don't see the need to spend on a store bought cover. We will be doing the same thing for the twins.

2~Personally, the stroller for me was a God send. It was the easiest way to transport my DS without having to wake him up to transfer him to something else. The number one rule I've learned is if the baby's asleep keep the baby asleep! If you go with the carrier option just remember that when you transfer baby from the carseat there is a potential that you could awaken baby. Secondly, you may wish to post on the attachment parenting board for more information about "carrying".

3~Depending on the carseat you can strap them in without the carseat base. I would still put those on the registry.

4~We got an awesome high chair from Ikea with a removable tray. This worked best for us because by removing the tray we could pull the chair all the way up to the table. As our DS gets older we'll explore other options if necessary.

5~We purchased a tandem stroller. Stroller choice is really about what you think will work best for your lifestyle.

6~Register for what you will absolutely need first & then as those items are purchased you can add some of your wants to the list.

Ultimately the most important purchase will be the carseats because most (if not all) hospitals will not allow you to leave without it. Secondly, you'll need to feed & diaper the babies. Thirdly, the babies will need somewhere to sleep. From there, everything else on the list are technically nonessential items IMO.

Slight disclaimer: since we already have a DS a lot of the essential things we already have on hand. We're asking for diapers, wipes, formula, etc.

Soon2beMrs.Sivert · August 2012

amd1982:
Hi ladies,

So a week from now will be our a/s, and at that point of (hopefully) finding out the genders of our twins, it's go time! i want to start on our registry asap since the shower is really only 5-6 weeks after Labor Day weekend. I'm wondering if you can help me in regards to some of the extras (not car seats or things like that) and let me know your experience with them. Did you use them? Were they a waste of money? What do you wish you had done differently? Do you wish you'd registered for only one, or did you end up going out to buy another? Thanks in advance! trying to use this board when I get overwhelmed...

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car.
I had summer babies but I have heard you shouldn't use them with your carseat something with safety.

2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure.
LOVED our ergo. We didn't use it as much as we could have but that thing rocks.

3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH)
I don't think you really need 4 but that's up to you. We did fine without it.

4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters?
We used the boosters that connected to the chairs for the longest time and then when the girls wanted to be up high we used the IKEA highchairs to push them up to the table. They were only $20.

5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller?
We bought one double and the ladies hated it. It still gets used by my MIL when she has the girls. But we never do. We spent the money to buy two Foray strollers. I love those things. Amazing strollers. Our girls never complain even now in them. Also, we never bought umbrellas.

6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower?
We had three very large showers and between all the basics you need for infants and the clothes people wanted to buy there wasn't much of the toddler/child stuff that were bought from people. As nice as that would have been I think people like buying the baby stuff.

Sorry so long - I hope this isn't totally repetitive in terms of some of the other posts, but I'm really trying to decipher what's necessary vs. what is overload and wasted money.

hayleydeee · August 2012

amd1982:

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - We never had anything like this, and mine were born in December, but.... we also live in California. If it was cold we just tucked blankets over them once they were buckled in.

2. Ergo or other carriers. Yes, I haven't used them with the twins because I have back problems. But with DD we used the Bjorn, Moby and Ergo a lot.

3. Adapters for car seats - I'm not familiar with what that is, for the stroller maybe? We never had that because we used convertible car seats from the beginning.

4. High chairs/boosters - We have one high chair right now, and I'm really wishing we had two. They take up a lot of space though.
5. Stroller - we just have a City Select Double Jogger, and it's always been enough.

6. I didn't have a shower for my boys. I felt too weird about it since we'd had such a big one for DD.
With her I registered for everything right away. Don't bother with clothes though. You'll get more than you can use even if you don't have any on your regestry, especially if you know the sex of the babies.

nghithy · August 2012

1) I like the jj cole bundle. I was trying to save money initially and didn't get one. I wish I had gotten it earlier. Much easier than constantly picking up blankets and bundling baby.

2) I got an ERgo b/c my husband wanted one. We used it like 3 times.

3) Adapter car seats are convenient. Especially if you have to pick up and drop off the kids at day care.

4) I would register for diapers

Temp123197812503460 · August 2012

For me the ergo is a need, I use it a lot, but even just for getting the babies to the car by myself it justifies itself . I put one in the ergo and one on my hip, I have no idea how I would do it without the ergo (plus I'm paranoid about being stuck somewhere and needing to carry them both fom the car in an emergency so I like having it in there for that reason too)Hghchairs we went with the ikea ones, so easy to clean!

amd1982 · August 2012

Thanks ladies for all of your responses!!!

I'm sorry I wrote "car seat adapters." I meant car seat bases (meaning keeping two bases in my car and then two in DH's car, depending on what vehicle we decide to drive). Sorry for any confusion...

Jen0204 · August 2012

1. We had them (we live in CT and had the girls in January) and really liked them, but I've also heard they're not really safe to use. A blanket would work just as well.

2. We have 2 carriers and rarely use them, but it's a personal choice. Some people can't live without them, others never use them.

3. Most car seats come with a base. We had the two that came with our car seats for my car, 2 for H's car, and 2 for my mom's car since she watched the girls when we went back to work. Being able to use any car, any time was awesome.

4. We got the FP Space Savers that just strap to a chair because our place is small.

5. If you get the CS stroller you might want to consider registering for the adapters that turn your stroller into a snap n go.

6. We registered for convertible car seats but if you do make sure you do a lot of research on size if you have a smaller car. There is no way that the ones we got would fit into H's car (but we got him some cheaper ones a few weeks ago). I would register for the big stuff but avoid toys, plates, etc. I'd much rather get gift cards or diapers then small stuff to be used later. Also, if you register at BRU keep in mind that they have a twins discount where if anyone buys 2 big ticket items (ie - 2 car seats) they get an additional 10% off. Between coupons and the discount my grandmother got 30% off of the convertible car seats so she just bough us both.

ColleenS629 · August 2012

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car. These aren't safe to use with car seats. Nothing is supposed to go between the baby and the seat. JJ Cole makes a car seat cover that goes on top that is great. I'd highly recommend that.2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure. I LOVE our Ergos. I definitely don't think they're a waste.3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH) The car seats come with them so you'd only need 2 extra. We didn't use extras, we just always took my car, but I SAH. If we had to split pick up/ drop off duty, an extra set would have been helpful but not necessary (you don't need the bases to use the car seats, it just makes it easier). 4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters? I got huge ones and really wish I had gotten Space Savers so those are my recommendations.5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller?6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower? I didn't register for our convertible car seats but FIL wanted to buy them ahead of time anyway. At the time, I was planning on going back to work. We had to switch to these seats at 8m because of their length but now we have 2 extra seats sitting in our dining room because we don't use DH's car for the boys.

leebi07 · August 2012

1. JJ Cole Bundle Me - I read some reviews that said it's great, others that say they are difficult to use with the carseats. We expect the babies in Dec/Jan so I'm not too sure (with New England weather) how often we'll be walking outside or bringing them in the car.- I bought the one that went over the car seat and had zippers to get the baby out and I used them the entire winter. So much easier than trying having to deal with coats.

2. Ergo or other carriers. My mom told me that she thinks they are a waste, but then I think about always having to put them in a stroller or carry them. I thought carriers would be a good option, but they're very expensive so I want to be sure. We registered and got two and I only used them once. Most of the time if we were out they were in their stroller.

3. Adapters for car seats - I was planning on registering for 4 (two for my car, two for DH) We got 4. My DH usually dropped off at daycare and I picked up so we used them every day.

4. High chairs/boosters - I'm guessing two of these, but did you get the convertible ones that can be used at both high chairs and boosters? We got two but ours are just high chairs. My twins are now 2 and they still use them at mealtime.

5. Stroller - a family member is getting me the City Select Double Jogger, then I was planning on getting 2 of the umbrella strollers for when DH and I walk together and don't want a big bulky stroller down at the beach. Any other suggestions for a supplemental stroller? We had the DSNG for the first 8 months then got the City Mini. Someone had given us single strollers but we never used them.

6. Lastly, I know a lot of people register for the carseats for when the babies get older (along with other things they won't use for a while, like toys and plates, silverware, etc). Did you find (because you needed to register for more than singletons) that you skipped a lot of that to focus on necessities for the shower? I focused more on what I would need immediately mostly because that was overwhelmingon it's own and I couldn't think of what I would need down the road. I'm glad I did it that way because I don't think I would have picked the same things before they were here.

caden · August 2012

1. I got the shower cap style car seat covers for winter and LOVED them. Much better than putting a bulky jack on a baby and then having to remove it if you go inside where it's warm.

2. I have one Ergo, I barely used it. But the few times I did I was glad I had it (mostly for carrying around a crabby infant who wouldn't stop crying). If you don't think it will suit your lifestyle much then try buying a used one. I don't think it hurts to have one.

3. Are you going to be sharing responsibility with your DH for dropping kids off at daycare? I ask b/c I am a SAHM so we just used my one car whenever we needed to take the babies anywhere. We didn't ever need extra bases.

4. Yes I got the convertible ones.

5. Personally I'd rather have a good SBS than the City Select. I have the Select & a City Mini Double. The SBS is obviously wider, but much shorter and easier to push. My kids are huge and at 2 yrs old, they don't fit comfortably in the Select. I never use it anymore. Now if you're using the City Select as a snap-n-go, that's different. I used the DSNG so in hindsight, I could have done without the select.

6. Yes I skipped most of the older toddler-related stuff. I felt like there was already enough expensive gear on my registry without the convertible car seats. Plus I didn't want to store things for years (like potties) and wanted to wait and see what new innovations might come out in the meantime. But I've seen it both ways. Either decision is fine IMO.

mysteriousmommy · August 2012

1. Didn't use since my babies were born in summer. I'd just skip them though and go with blankets. I'm not a big fan of too much fussiness in the car seat.

2. Carriers are CRUCIAL!!! We would not have survived the first 8 weeks without a Moby wrap. Period.

3. Assuming you mean bases. I'd get 4. We only have 2 for our 2 cars and it's a total PITA.

4. We got the ones that convert. They are the space savers that strap to the chairs. We got 2.

5. I really don't know that you'd need a "supplemental" stroller, but a DSNG frame is nice and lightweight and inexpensive.

6. I registered for all of it because only things on the registry can be purchased with the completion coupon.

You can't have enough blankets, bibs, burp cloths and sleepers. The sleepers that cover hands and feet are a must. The A+A muslin blankets are the bomb. They are expensive but 100% worth it. Good luck!

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