Saturday, November 13, 2010

Life Savers vs. Money Wasters

I was sitting here going over my finances and such and thinking about what I need to buy for Bear and what I've already bought and wanted to share my thoughts on a few products. Some have been life savers and some just didn't last as long as I'd hoped.

Foot Rattles ($4.99) They seemed like a really great idea and he loved them for about a day but his feet are so big they don't fit. I would just invest in the hand rattles put one around the arm and one around the ankle and look! Now you have a wrist rattle AND a foot rattle!

ArmsReach Co-Sleeper ($80.00) I admit when I first got it I LOVED it. But if I am being honest with myself it doesn't last very long. He's only 16lb and too big for it. He has an inch over his head and two inches under his toes. I think this is best for c-section mommies in he very beginning but for me Bear ended up just sleeping with me anyway.

Graco Pack N' Play ($90-130.00) Life saver! I actually scored one of these for only $30.00 very lightly used. The changing table is perfect height, the bed is nice and big and its portable (it's best feature) I should have got one of these instead of the arms-reach co sleeper. I can pull it close to the bed or wheel it into the nursery very easily. Also the bed drops down to make a netter play yard for when he's older.

Sassy MOD Pop Bouncer ($55.00) another life saver. He used to nap in it, it takes up almost no space, it's easy to bounce with your foot and he is 5 months and still fits in it! He also really loves the nature sounds it plays and the vibrating feature-seemed weird to me but he likes it! I've heard a lot of mom's say their babies grew out of their bouncers fairly quickly and most of them had those really crazy gizmo and gadget ones that swing and jump and do everything. This one will work fine.

Graco Tucson Changing Table ($100.00) I actually got this at Target for only $15.00!!! Someone returned it open box because the coloring in the stain was slightly off...who cares?! I have mutual feelings about this one. I rarely use it as a changing table but all of Bear's clothes are stored in colorful bins on the shelves below. So it makes a great dresser but I don't use it for what it is.

Bumbo ($29.00-59.00) I love this for feeding time! It get's him sitting up and I can either put it on a chair or right on the table. He is tall and thin and can almost push himself out which makes me upset since it's advertised as a chair babies cannot get out of on their own but with supervision it was good. I recommend finding a cheaper used one.

PlayMat ($20-60.00) all play mats are essentially the same I have two and he loves both. Good for tummy time or just quiet time where baby can entertain himself. I wouldn't buy a $60.00 one when the ones for $20.00 are equally as entertaining. I would get one that you can attach your own toys if you want though.

Cracker Barrel Rocking Chair ($80-110.00) GREAT BUY! I had trouble finding a rocking chir NOT a glider. And Cracker Barrel has good quality American made rocking chairs in all different stains. It's wide and low so you can fit you, baby and a nursing pillow while rocking without back issues.

Well those are most of the "big buys" and my opinion on them. I hope this helps a new mommy somewhere!

Love
PlusPeace

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