Baby gear - suggestions

my2monkeyboys wrote: I only have a few items I'll have to replace for Waylon, and one thing is a new swing. I'd love to get one of those travel swings, since they're much smaller and portable, but I don't know anyone personally who's had one. They could be junk for all I know. Are there any opinions on these?
Also I'll need a new bouncy seat. I've seen this one swing that actually converts to a bouncy seat (you remove the seat and flip out the legs on it) but, again, no one has one for me to really talk to about it. Otherwise I'll just get a simple bouncy seat.
The last thing we'll have to get is a baby monitor - Will's died after about 2 1/2 years. Any recommendation on that?
It's been so long since I've bought any of this stuff I'm just trying not to buy crap, you know?

Thanks for any help!

5littleladies replied: I have a travel swing and I like it but I don't think it lasts quite as long as the full size ones-meaning it can't handle the weight of a heavier child. That hasn't really been an issue for us since our kids are out of them before weight becomes an issue but for some that could be a problem. We don't have a full size anymore and I won't be buying one-the travel size should be just fine for this, our last peanut.

For baby monitors I always go simple and my favorite brand after 4 kids is Graco. We got our Graco monitor quite awhile and it still works great. I just need to find the darn thing.

A&A'smommy replied: I don't have any suggestions for a swing because we have the same one we used with lissa and Autumn hates it anyway. As for a bouncer we have the rainforest one and I LOVE it.. and Autumn sorta likes it lol (she does't like to be put down at all).
For a baby monitor we have one of those video ones its a lorex and it works GREAT.

ALSO I SUGGEST getting or making a sling they are WONDERFUL I ordered mine online and i LOVE it. Autumn likes to be held a LOT and she doesn't back down so I had to do something.

Crystalina replied: What a great thread! I have absolutely nothing. I haven't even strolled through the baby section yet (except once to price one of those Bumbo seats). It boggles my mind all the stuff there is. I plan on buying nothing but a pack-and-play and a swing. Those are all I really used. Oh, and stroller of course. Later I'll get the high chair.




I do want one of those slings to wear the baby. Anybody know where to get one or what their called.

Sorry, not trying to hijack.

stella6979 replied:
We skipped the high chair and got one of those booster seats instead. They are much cheaper and take up less space.

Crystalina replied:
Great idea! Thanks. I dreaded buying one d/t storing between meals. Where our table sits a high chair sticks out too much. I'll check out the boosters.

A&A'smommy replied:
this is the one I have me and Autumn LOVE it!!!!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2266782

Crystalina replied:
That looks like a lot of material! Is it bulky?

A&A'smommy replied:
you would think so but nope its not at all

btw when do you find out what your having?

Crystalina replied:
Next week!!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait.

A&A'smommy replied:
me either

my2monkeyboys replied: Oh, yeah, I forgot about a sling! I have a carrier thing, but I would love to have something to feed the baby and what-not in while I am also doing other things. The carrier I have is just for holding them, there isn't any variation - they either face frontwards or backwards.
I'll have to check out that wrap, though to be honest it looks like a little much to deal with. I like the look of the slings that just have the pocket for the baby, but yet again I know no one who has had any of these things. (Yeah, all my friends are losers! )
I may end up going in the stores with a baby doll and seeing what feels good.

As for feeding, I plan on using the bouncy seat until he can sit up, then move him into the booster seat we have. Highchairs are such a PIA for us.

Crystalina replied:
I know the ones your talking about (where they can sit front or back) those are good for walking around the park or flea markets but I'm always worried about leg circulation with those so I never used mine much.

A&A'smommy replied: I'm telling you the sling I got is the EASIEST thing in the world it even comes with a instructional dvd and booklet lol but its not hard at all and SO comfortable and Autumn seriously LOVED it she fell right to sleep and slept through me cleaning the house which REALLY shocked me

My2Beauties replied: I had a travel swing with Hanna and I liked it because it was so easy to lug around that we would take it when going to friend's houses, on picnics with DH's company, give it to grandma when she would stay the night. But she got a little too heavy for it pretty early on. I would get one though, I loved mine. We didn't have one for Aubrey, she hated the swing anyways. As far as bouncy seats, I am clueless. Both of my kids hated the bouncy seat I used the same highchair with both girls and it's holding up well, I'd also suggest a booster sear for the table too though because my dad has one of those and he used it when he had her and while we were down there visiting he put her in it and sat her at the table with us and she LOVED it. As far as monitors go, I believe mine is a Graco and it's really nice.

Boo&BugsMom replied: http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Rock-Comfort-T...g/dp/B000NUJM0G

We had this swing for Aiden and I LOVED IT!!! I have had horrible experiences with others travel swings, but this one I absolutely loved. I cried when Aiden wouldn't fit into it anymore. It has nature music and lights, is portable, lightweight, and the best part is that it reclines all the way back. He was so comfortable in it. It also folds up easily and stores really easily as well. Great especially if you travel a lot or need to maximize your space. I totally recommend it!!!

Boo&BugsMom replied: Monitor....I recommend the Sony BabyCall. It's really clear and has a pretty long range. It also has different settings and it picks up a pin drop. We had some garbage (Fisher Price I think) for Tanner, but we had this one for Aiden and still use it for when we are outside while he is sleeping.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NTM-910Y-Babyca...r/dp/B00006FWVN

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Which one do you have? We tried that method with Tanner when he was little but we couldn't find one that was small enough to fit on our dining room chairs. We love Aiden's highchair, esp. since it has wheels (easy moving him around if I have to) but I'd love to save some more space and start getting him up to the table with us.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I had this for Aiden and he hated it. I liked it though. It was easy to use and you can put it in so many different positions. And it's pretty comfy as well. Too bad Aiden didn't like it. My kids just don't like all that new cool stuff apparently. Problem is, I DO!!

stella6979 replied:
Ours is made by The First Years. It also reclines so you can use it even when they aren't able to sit up yet.

my2monkeyboys replied:
That looks awesome! It says it also locks so that you can use it to feed him, too, without it moving around. That would save me money on the bouncy seat, too, since that's mostly what I'd use the bouncy for.
Thanks for the link - I'll be checking that out for sure!