*Baby Corner*

[Nessa 23]

Jenn, I'd definitely buy a travel system. here's 2 situations: you go out for dinner, you won't eat with the baby in a wrap, unless u plan on eating in 10 min and leave. you go shopping, u want to try on clothes, it'll be hard if you have the baby in a wrap. graco snugride 32 is $150, the travel system is $260, the stroller in this case will cost 110, and it's an excellent stroller. if u change your mind in the future and decide to buy a stroller, u will pay way more for it. just my 0.02

[Nessa 23]

as for wrap/sling i have 2.

a sling, this style:

they're good for newborns. what i like about it is that it takes only a min to put the baby in it.

i also have a parents of invention the ultimate baby wrap. it's for babies newborn to 3 years old. you can carry in 5 different positions, and breastfeed in it is really easy. the 1 thing i dislike is that it takes forever for you to adjust. i guess it takes practice.

[Staashi 371]

We have an Evenflo Aura system...it was my sis' so I don't mind that I didn't have to throw down any money on it, but that stroller has been a life saver because Enzo HATED the Snugli. He'll now go into the Snugli on occasion, but he still doesn't like it too much.

[Jenn! 918]

If baby boy doesn't like the sling, that's seriously gonna cramp my style!!

But I do see the point of having the stroller. Nessa, I think you're right - it makes sense to just get the travel system. If I don't use the stroller that much, then great! But I'd rather have it and not use it than need it and have to buy it separately, especially since people seem to be so eager to buy things for the baby now!

[Nessa 23]

If baby boy doesn't like the sling, that's seriously gonna cramp my style!!

But I do see the point of having the stroller. Nessa, I think you're right - it makes sense to just get the travel system. If I don't use the stroller that much, then great! But I'd rather have it and not use it than need it and have to buy it separately, especially since people seem to be so eager to buy things for the baby now!

good. Now I can report back to Graco and tell them I need my commission

[tnh9479 1]

Jenn: I don't know where you live, but something to consider when trying to decide between the Graco Snugride vs Snugride 32. I know the Snugride32 goes to a higher weight limit. However, the car seats themselves are HEAVY. If you have to carry a 30 pound baby and the seat repeatedly up a flight of stairs because you live on the second floor or higher, you are going to end up with issues.

I would definitely say to get an infant seat. The infant seats are WONDERFUL when they are small because you don't have to disturb them when they are sleeping in the car. Buying additional bases is not too expensive if you have more than one car.

I have been doing some research into convertible seats because our two will likely need a change of seat by August or September because of their length. What an amount of money for us as we will need 4 (2 for my car and 2 for my husband's car as he drops off at the sitter and I pick them up)! I would love a Britax seat, but that would bankrupt us!

For me, the stroller has been a lifesaver! I use it ALL of the time. I hate trying to shop with one baby in their seat in the bottom of the shopping cart and the other up top. There is no place to put anything. If I take the stroller, I have some clips by the handle that I clip on one of the small hand held baskets or my reusable shopping bags. I put my items in there as I shop.

[Autumnchik 6]

I am thinking that I might try to orchestrate a trip to the zoo in Granby, Quebec this weekend for Father's Day. We haven't got Declan's passport yet, but I just spoke to border guards at both the Canada and US crossings and they said a birth certificate is sufficient for a land crossing for a child under 16. Yay!!!

[Yaads 0]

Interesting scenarios with the carseats/strollers vs. wrap. I will probably end up getting a travel system as well cause like others have said...it's cheaper to buy them together and you never know what the baby will prefer.

Nessa - The Ultimate Baby Wrap looks really nice. Does it take a while to figure out how to wrap it? How easy was it to learn?

A trip to the zoo sounds fun! Hope you get to do it

[Autumnchik 6]

Thanks Yaads! It is looking pretty definite for the trip. The only thing that would stop us is if we can't find a hotel.

All of the stress of the past year finally hit me today and I have really been feeling awful. I am looking forward to getting away so much and to one weekend of not stressing.

[chnst 6]

In Germany they sell carriers that look like a oversized bedsheet. You can get them online but they are pretty expensive. I'll check for some links.

Babyhawk is pretty good for a meitai brand. I have a cheapo MT from 'bundlewithlove.com' which I really like. It might not be as fancy like the other ones but it really worked for me with Adam. He spent hours in there sleeping.

Here's a link to Didymos..they make slings but it's hard to put them on...you'll definitely need some help from a partner at first. In Germany they actually have classes on how you tie them up.

http://www.didymos.de/english/index.php

ETA: it also explains why not to carry baby forward facing unless it's on your back.

yeah we used these slings at the NICU to carry newborns/preemies who had morphine/cocaine withdrawals and were screaming in pain all day- until you put them in the wraps and they immediately relaxed. Poor little babies. I never saw them over here, I remember the fabric was made so they don't stretch out.

I wish I had carried Ben a little more. I'd say I used the stroller/carrier 50:50. I definitely carried him more when he was younger. We have a Baby Bjoern and I liked it. We got it for the shower and I didn't know about the crotch. I always felt that the weight is more on his butt then on the crotch, but I guess every baby is different. Since he outgrew the Bjoern we tried a few other slings and the Portamee but they are terrible on my back. I used to have a wrap which I loved but I lost it somewhere. I am considering to get an Ergo now because I really want to carry him more.

@Jenn: carrying , or wearing a baby has so many advantages, they learn faster, sleep better and are more attached and in tune with their caregiver (according to Dr. Sears). It seems that in our culture we need just soooo much equippment for such a tiny little baby. I will definitely carry my next baby more than Ben. It just takes very long to find the right carrier. As someone said, it's hard to find the good ones at a store, you will probably have to look online.

A travel system is handy, but remember that you will use the stroller for a longer time than the carseat-stroller combination. I am personally not a fan of the Graco travel system, they are kind of ugly when you just use them as a stroller, although they come in nicer colors now.

We have a Maclaren travel system and now that we don't use the infant seat anymore it is a very lightweight yet still comfy stroller that reclines all the way.

[Autumnchik 6]

I am definitely hoping that my next baby will allow me to baby wear

Ya know, I wonder if some of Declan's problems with that was due to his diaphragm/chest issue. On that note, I got a call from his surgeon this morning. She reviewed his recent follow up x ray and said his diaphragm looks fine! Yay!!!

[Anna C. 4]

I carried and still carry Jona a lot in the Babyhawk MeiTai. He is fine with it. I also have a ring sling, but I cannot figure it out... Btw Jona gained weight quickly and weighs over 25 pounds now, wearing him is my workout. We have a Teutonia stroller which he likes. I take him out in it to see everything and look around, but his limit is like an hour before he has enough. We never had a travel system and it would not have been worth it for us. Jona outgrew the baby bucket (Maxi Cosi Mico, really safe) by the time before he was even 3 months old. We now have the Britax Boulevard. We will reuse the seats for future kids, the Mico doesn't expire til 2012.

[chnst 6]

I am definitely hoping that my next baby will allow me to baby wear

Ya know, I wonder if some of Declan's problems with that was due to his diaphragm/chest issue. On that note, I got a call from his surgeon this morning. She reviewed his recent follow up x ray and said his diaphragm looks fine! Yay!!!

that's awesome!! I bet he was just uncomfortable in the carrier due to his issues. poor little man. but then some babies just don't like to be carried i guess. Have fun in Canada, you deserve the vacation!!!

@vi: fingers crossed your mom will due her magic with the hubby. He must know his baby and wifey are in good hands in Peru. Hey I would vouch for your Mom and Dad. They are so sweet.

We took Ben on his first long distance flight when he was 6 months old and he was fine. If her shots are up-to-date and the pedi gives you the thumbs up maybe he'll reconsider??! Why doesn't he want you to go?

[Nessa 23]

Nessa - The Ultimate Baby Wrap looks really nice. Does it take a while to figure out how to wrap it? How easy was it to learn?

the first time it probably took 20 min, no kidding. they give you an instructional video, but still, it's kinda tricky. the next 2 times it took me quite some time, but then it gets easier. it still takes more time than I'd like to and for now, I don't see myself going anywhere with it. I prefer to wear the sling or have Ben in his car seat or his stroller. I can't imagine getting out of the car and trying to put that wrap on. But when Ben outgrows the sling, and I want to use the wrap to go grocery shopping for example, I'll probably leave the house with it and just put the baby on when i get to the place.

[tnh9479 1]

I am thinking that I might try to orchestrate a trip to the zoo in Granby, Quebec this weekend for Father's Day. We haven't got Declan's passport yet, but I just spoke to border guards at both the Canada and US crossings and they said a birth certificate is sufficient for a land crossing for a child under 16. Yay!!!

I grew up in Vermont and went to the Granby Zoo twice. I love zoos!