@jrm_14, for me, I just used a generic over-the-shoulder bag that I think I found at TJ Maxx. I used it to carry two or three cloth diapers, cloth wipes, a few toys, and a change of clothes. I took a very minimalist approach to diaper bags. You definitely don't need to buy a huge bag and take everything with you, but you can if you want to! Whatever works for you!
@jrm_14 I never used the very expensive diaper bag I got. Instead my go-to was a diapering clutch that I could throw in my purse or my husband was happy carrying around. It was way better for travel, and I always found that there wasn’t actually much I needed out and about - diapers, wet-wipes, and an extra onesie will do it for me.
@jrm_14 I have an Obersee backpack diaper bag. It's been going strong through 4 years and a lot of mishaps, like DD throwing yogurt on it, lol. I got it like half off on like kids woot or something when i was pregnant, but even then full price was like $60 so i would have bought it anyways. It's honestly still in terrific shape and we use it to lug a spare set of clothes, bathing suit, snacks and her water bottle back and forth to my parents several times a week. I was never short on space for all the baby needs and it comes with a changing pad and a detachable front cooler pack. We never really used the cooler pack since she was formula feed and would take it at any temp but it's a neat feature. I have gone through 3 or 4 purses in the same amount of time and honestly my current one is about done, i wish they stood up to as much of a beating as my diaper bag.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
like kangstadt, I take a minimalist approach: I want a few spare diapers, wipes, a wet bag (if using cloth), a snack, a bottle, space for my wallet, and maybe the specifics for the activity at hand. I rarely use a changing pad, I am generally okay with my kid living with a strawberry stain on the shirt til we get home.
Pros: durable so far, cute pattern, the interior mesh pockets are flexible/wide enough for cloth diapers and comotomo bottles.
Cons: keys and similar things get lost at the bottom of the bag, especially when the mesh pockets are full. Add a water bottle or two and the over the shoulder strap digs in. It’s too much space for most days. The bottom doesn’t collapse well to smoothly get under my stroller. And, when we do need the cargo capacity for say, overnight trips, it only fits like 2/3 of what we need.
@professormama I have the same clutch! It is so handy to grab and take anywhere!
Though I actually prefer to have the clutch in a larger diaper bag, so I just take the clutch to the bathroom, but leave the rest of the bag behind. In the rest of the bag, I'll put my wallet, a couple toys, a book, snacks, anything and everything! It stays in my car all the time, we just pull it out as required and add additional diapers to it periodically. We just use a pretty normal messenger type bag, which works well for either of us to carry.
This time I'm lusting after a pump bag, I wish I'd gotten one from Prime Day, but I didn't want to jump the gun...
@irshdancr5500 I just felt like the diaper bag ended up being such a waste, when all I used was the clutch! All the stuff you mentioned just ended up in my purse or the backseat of the car (or backpack if traveling).
@professormama Ah, yeah I don't carry a purse most of the time, just my wallet, so it's easy to toss in a diaper bag. We have the same number of bags, yours is probably just nicer than mine, lol!
I absolutely love my Lillebaby carrier. I second the recommendations for muslin swaddles/blankets. I’m planning to get a Haakaa pump this time around; I don’t actually do much pumping but I think this will help me build a stash with minimal work.
I’ve had three diaper bags with my two girls and want something new for this baby so I’m following recommendations for those.
I felt like a diaper bag was a huge waste of money for me! My purse is huge anyway so I usually just throw whatever I need in there. With babies you really don't need too much. Diaper, wipes, bottle/formula (if you're not breast feeding), and a new onsie in case of pooplosion.
Definitely couldn't live without the swaddles we bought though. Both girls could unswaddle themselves from blankets in seconds. Get the velcro/zipper ones. So worth the money!
Has anyone had any experience with the high chairs that attach to the side of a counter or table? Or smaller/space-saving high chairs in general? We have a very small kitchen and I'm hoping to save as much space as possible when it comes to baby gear.
@kangstadt we had one of those clamp on to the table high chairs that we used at restaurants sometimes. One major safety note is not to put a chair or anything under it. The chair relies on tension so If the child can push up on something with their feet, then the high chair will come off the table. In the end we didn’t love it. It just didn’t feel safe. We have a trip trap chair at home. It starts as a high chair then converts in to a regular chair, allowing the height of the seat to be adjusted. Loooooove it.
@chelseay416 in terms of double strollers first you have to decide if you want front back or side by side (I have both) I really like my front back Joovy Caboose... it can have a bench for older kid but also a seat insert if they want a more traditional rear seat... it is the smallest and I dont feel like I'm pushing a limo lol
@dapoint23 thanks! I'll take a look at that one. I'm thinking I'm going to see if I can get a good deal on black friday or something so I need all my research done before then!
@kangstadt make sure if you get one that clips onto a table that your table doesn't have wide lip underneath. I ordered one and we couldn't get it to attach to our table because of the beams that run around the bottom of the table so I had to send it back. If its something flat like a countertop or something though, I think theyre great. I think the one we ordered was a chicco? I would have loved it if it had fit.
If you can't find one of those that works, we had a baby bjorn high chair that folds up and is super easy to store without taking up hardly any space.
Omg @chelseay416 thank you for reminding me that we are going to be pregnant over Black Friday. Yay shopping deals!! I need a new car seat for this one and a bunch of other stuff since all our stuff got wrecked in storage.
Also is it bad I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner?
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
To add to the diaper bag discussion, I have a Jujube BFF diaper bag. I loved it when my DD was small and in diapers. It fits A LOT of stuff and we still use it for long day trips and overnight trips. I don't use it anymore for quick trips since DD is potty trained. I pretty much exclusively use it as a back pack instead of the messenger bag feature.
@kangstadt we have the fisher price space-saver and we really like it. The current design is a little different than what we have but it fits in a chair so you don't have to worry about floor space. My MIL has a fisher price healthy care and I think it's a little easier to clean.
@thatbaintforbetty not bad to be excited for thanksgiving at all. It is literally the best day of the year to be able to justifiably wear maternity pants. I was barely pregnant for thanksgiving with DS and i still wore maternity pants and now i wish i could do that every thanksgiving.
@thatbaintforbetty not bad to be excited for thanksgiving at all. It is literally the best day of the year to be able to justifiably wear maternity pants. I was barely pregnant for thanksgiving with DS and i still wore maternity pants and now i wish i could do that every thanksgiving.
I tried to put most of the specific product recommendations into a spreadsheet to keep it all straight in my head. Some mentioned they'd like to see the spreadsheet as well. @cabearit@sheknows6 I apologize for any omissions or misrepresentation that may have resulted from my shorthand. I didn't want to make an anonymous Google account to share, so you all will only be able to comment, not edit. Also, I didn't finish it, but there's a chance I will. There's also a chance that I will occasionally update the sheet as this conversation continues.
@chermammabear What lillebaby style do you have? Is there really a big difference between the essentials vs complete in terms of comfort for the adult?
@kangstadt I have a Fisher Price space saver high chair that attaches to a dining room chair. That has worked great and it is easy to clean. You can remove the fabric part and throw it in the wash.
As for diaper bags, my hubby was awesome and surprised me with a Kate Spade diaper bag. It has worked great through two kids and is indestructible. I love that is is a bit stylish since I rarely take a purse when I have a diaper bag.
Me (35) & DH (35)
Married: August 2009 DD #1 born 6/12/14 DD #2 born 10/31/16
For those who dont mind a little splurge on a carseat... Cybex is totally worth it for the carrier.. it is so light.... for my convertible carseats and booster seats I like Chicco
For those who dont mind a little splurge on a carseat... Cybex is totally worth it for the carrier.. it is so light.... for my convertible carseats and booster seats I like Chicco
I loved my Nextfit, but had to replace after a car accident and decided to get something slimmer.
@MRDCle that brings up another good question.... does anyone have 3 carseats in a row? DS is in a Chicco booster and DD is in a Chicco Nextfit... I may switch DS to a Cybex booster but regardless I'm wondering how this three kid thing works lol
@jrm_14 I have the complete and can’t compare it to the other style but I love it. I like that it doesn’t need an infant insert, and I can carry on my front, back or hip. I find it really comfortable and I’ve worn it for hours at a time, but I’m sure it sits differently on everyone.
@dapoint23 I think Clek has seats that are slimmer on purpose so you can put 3 across. They are a pricier but have really good safety ratings. Not sure if they have an infant seat though.
I think there is another but I might be remembering the name wrong. Diono? I used to sell car seats but that was like 10+ years ago.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@thatbaintforbetty yep Diono. We replaced our Nextfit with a Diono RXT. Not as easy to install as the Nextfit but it's so slim and my son really likes how easy it is to climb in and out of compared to his old seat.
@thatbaintforbetty@MRDCle oooh good to know. At some point DD will grow out of her Britax BSafe (love it) and need a FF/convertible seat, and since we often have three adults in the car (me in the back), it’s important that the gear doesn’t completely squish me!
Also if we have a third kid, we’re looking at a new car
@lyse01 we're looking for a new one for me right now. I currently drive a subcompact, which is barely enough room for two adults and a toddler, let alone a bulky baby carrier.
@MRDCle I drive a Terrain, hubby is trying to convince me to get an Acadia but I'm content with the Terrain. This will be our first baby and my biggest concern is how to get our two dogs not to slobber on the baby's head from the back if we take them somewhere, lol
@MRDCle I drive a Terrain, hubby is trying to convince me to get an Acadia but I'm content with the Terrain. This will be our first baby and my biggest concern is how to get our two dogs not to slobber on the baby's head from the back if we take them somewhere, lol
Ha! I want the Acadia but DH thinks it's too big for me. Glad to hear you like the Terrain though....it seemed really nice and its in our price range.
Re: New fangled baby gear
This is the one I had. Skip Hop Baby Pronto Portable Changing Station with Cushioned Changing Mat and Wipes Case, 3 Pockets, Chevron https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7XUVOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fOmEBb48AWMWE
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
for me, meh.
like kangstadt, I take a minimalist approach: I want a few spare diapers, wipes, a wet bag (if using cloth), a snack, a bottle, space for my wallet, and maybe the specifics for the activity at hand. I rarely use a changing pad, I am generally okay with my kid living with a strawberry stain on the shirt til we get home.
Pros: durable so far, cute pattern, the interior mesh pockets are flexible/wide enough for cloth diapers and comotomo bottles.
Cons: keys and similar things get lost at the bottom of the bag, especially when the mesh pockets are full. Add a water bottle or two and the over the shoulder strap digs in. It’s too much space for most days. The bottom doesn’t collapse well to smoothly get under my stroller. And, when we do need the cargo capacity for say, overnight trips, it only fits like 2/3 of what we need.
Though I actually prefer to have the clutch in a larger diaper bag, so I just take the clutch to the bathroom, but leave the rest of the bag behind. In the rest of the bag, I'll put my wallet, a couple toys, a book, snacks, anything and everything! It stays in my car all the time, we just pull it out as required and add additional diapers to it periodically. We just use a pretty normal messenger type bag, which works well for either of us to carry.
This time I'm lusting after a pump bag, I wish I'd gotten one from Prime Day, but I didn't want to jump the gun...
I’m planning to get a Haakaa pump this time around; I don’t actually do much pumping but I think this will help me build a stash with minimal work.
I’ve had three diaper bags with my two girls and want something new for this baby so I’m following recommendations for those.
Definitely couldn't live without the swaddles we bought though. Both girls could unswaddle themselves from blankets in seconds. Get the velcro/zipper ones. So worth the money!
In the end we didn’t love it. It just didn’t feel safe. We have a trip trap chair at home. It starts as a high chair then converts in to a regular chair, allowing the height of the seat to be adjusted. Loooooove it.
I really like my front back Joovy Caboose... it can have a bench for older kid but also a seat insert if they want a more traditional rear seat... it is the smallest and I dont feel like I'm pushing a limo lol
Also is it bad I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner?
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@kangstadt we have the fisher price space-saver and we really like it. The current design is a little different than what we have but it fits in a chair so you don't have to worry about floor space. My MIL has a fisher price healthy care and I think it's a little easier to clean.
THESE ARE MY THANKSGIVING PANTS!
DS-9/2012
DD-7/2015
DD born: 3/31/19
As for diaper bags, my hubby was awesome and surprised me with a Kate Spade diaper bag. It has worked great through two kids and is indestructible. I love that is is a bit stylish since I rarely take a purse when I have a diaper bag.
DD #1 born 6/12/14
DD #2 born 10/31/16
I think there is another but I might be remembering the name wrong. Diono? I used to sell car seats but that was like 10+ years ago.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Also if we have a third kid, we’re looking at a new car
On that note, anyone have a GMC Terrain?