A little help from my friends
I love the conversational aspect of blogging and consider my readers, even if I haven't met you in person, to be my friends. In that spirit, I'm asking for some advice today (I'm sure I've done this before).
First of all, I'm trying to decide if I should by an ERGO baby carrier. They're pricey, but I've heard from a lot of people that they are worth the money; I could probably find the money to buy one, but worry that it would be another baby item that just sits around without getting a lot of use. With each of my two babies I've been earnestly trying to give babywearing a try. I loathe carrying around the carseat (and really physically can't for the first two months or so), and babies are too little to sit up in a shopping cart or stroller for several months at least. I've tried two different slings and have pretty much relegated them to Mr. Fob. I'm pretty short and have a short torso, but with Little Dude we had a Snugli-type carrier that was reasonably comfortable. It looks like the ERGO would fit in a similar way, but be more comfortable and last longer. I guess I'm trying to talk myself into it; if anyone wants to help convince me and/or give me tips on how to snag a cheaper used one, please do.
Along those lines, are there any fabulous baby products that have come about in the last few years that I really should know about? I feel like such a novice right now; it's been almost four years since I had a baby and it feels like a lifetime ago. We have clothes, a pack-n-play, carseat, some bottles, burp rags, and a few other things. I'm still talking myself into buying a new crib. Am I missing something?
My third issue that I'm trying to figure out is how to let my kids do art without ruining my kitchen table. They are careful, but markers and crayons don't always make it fully onto the paper. Our last table acquired a few marks that I was unable to get off. Any ideas on how I can protect my table and still let them draw and color?
First of all, I'm trying to decide if I should by an ERGO baby carrier. They're pricey, but I've heard from a lot of people that they are worth the money; I could probably find the money to buy one, but worry that it would be another baby item that just sits around without getting a lot of use. With each of my two babies I've been earnestly trying to give babywearing a try. I loathe carrying around the carseat (and really physically can't for the first two months or so), and babies are too little to sit up in a shopping cart or stroller for several months at least. I've tried two different slings and have pretty much relegated them to Mr. Fob. I'm pretty short and have a short torso, but with Little Dude we had a Snugli-type carrier that was reasonably comfortable. It looks like the ERGO would fit in a similar way, but be more comfortable and last longer. I guess I'm trying to talk myself into it; if anyone wants to help convince me and/or give me tips on how to snag a cheaper used one, please do.
Along those lines, are there any fabulous baby products that have come about in the last few years that I really should know about? I feel like such a novice right now; it's been almost four years since I had a baby and it feels like a lifetime ago. We have clothes, a pack-n-play, carseat, some bottles, burp rags, and a few other things. I'm still talking myself into buying a new crib. Am I missing something?
My third issue that I'm trying to figure out is how to let my kids do art without ruining my kitchen table. They are careful, but markers and crayons don't always make it fully onto the paper. Our last table acquired a few marks that I was unable to get off. Any ideas on how I can protect my table and still let them draw and color?
Comments
About the table - we just got a kid's IKEA table (the red rectangular one) and have them do their crafts/coloring on that so it doesn't matter so much if something gets on that table (and it's a bit easier to clean).
I am absolutely no help on baby products, unfortunately!
That said, though, for it to be worth the money (at least in my opinion), you'd have to use it a lot. I've milked mine for ever penny it's worth -- and then some -- but I've noticed that when we're on vacation and using a car, I don't get nearly as much use out of it. If you're planning to make a concerted effort to carry your baby around, rather than use a stroller or carseat, it's probably worth the money. Because it really is a wonderful carrier.
Another baby item I had was a bouncer, and I couldn't have lived without it. Bria wouldn't sleep in her crib or bassinet for a long time-- she would only sleep in the bouncer, so it was a lifesaver. I had the one made by Boppy, and it was perfect because it was pretty big and it reclined, so she fit in it from just two days old all the way until she started sitting up and didn't need it anymore.
A vinyl table cloth would work or find a cheap little table at DI or something and make that be their art/craft table.
And the vinyl table cloth is the way to go! Also colorwonder products.
Re: the Boppy Pillow. It was amazing for nursing and can be used for so many other things But the kicker is- Ty still uses it as her regular sleeping pillow at the age of 5!
Re: New stuff- I know a few people who are loving the Bumbo Seat...
I used a cheap vinyl table cloth, the kind with the fuzzy back, that was also crazy hideous for the longest time. It was great cuz the pattern was so wild and colorful that you couldn't tell if was ever stained. Now they have a hand me down little tykes plastic table and chairs.
I LOVE an Ergo for back carrying (which I feel comfortable with starting around 4 months or so), but I find it terribly uncomfortable in the front. Although I also hated the Baby Bjorn/Snugli, so maybe if you like a Bjorn or Snugli, an Ergo would be fine for you in a front carry. I think a Beco (very similar to the Ergo) is better for front carrying. For a very young infant, you can get an infant insert for either carrier, or you can swaddle your baby in a receiving blanket and use the carrier without an insert (I have heard).
For young babies, though, I love something like the Moby Wrap. It's stretchy so I don't like it for bigger babies (anything over about 15 pounds sags, I think), but for newborns it's great. It looks complicated but since it's stretchy you can tie it on and then put the baby in and it is really easy, once you learn how to do it.
I'm not sure where you are, but I know in Utah (where I am) it's really hard to find used Becos/Ergos second-hand. Check out www.thebabywearer.com. You will be suprised (and overwhelmed) by how many baby-carrying options there are, but that website has forums where you can buy used carriers for a lot cheaper than new.
Okay. End novel. :)
We have an Ergo and love it. Because my baby was small, I wasn't able to use it until she was around 9 months. You can get an infant insert for the Ergo, but it's pricey and looks to me like it would be awkward to use. I second the Moby recommendation. It will be a custom fit for you and the baby every time you put it on, with the weight well distributed. You can get an Ergo, or something similar, later. I bought our Ergo used through the For Sale or Trade forum on thebabywearer.com. Even used it wasn't cheap, but we use it all the time, so it has been worth it.
THere's a used ergo going for $61 on ebay right now, but it ends in like 35 min. from when I'm posting this comment. I honestly would rather pay the $35 more, though and get a new one.
For crafts I have an ikea kids' table that I cover and tape with freezer paper. I let him color directly on the freezer paper or on something on top of it. I think the vinyl table cloth is a fabulous idea, though, especially if you can get one with elastic that will stay in place.
I am going to keep considering the baby carrier thing some more--I've heard good things about the Moby wrap and maybe will look into getting one of those instead. I've done some looking around and Utah really isn't the best place for buying used Ergos--but I'll keep looking online. Getting advice is great! Thanks
I found that, when running errands in the car, it was kind of a pain to try to use the carrier. It was often just easier to just haul the carseat around, since she could stay asleep in it and it snapped into my stroller.
I've been wondering what to do about not getting crayon everywhere myself. Thanks for asking!
One of my favorite baby items was a Bundle Me, which kept Kate nice and warm in her carseat as we schlepped her around. I also liked setting the Bumbo seat on the counter (which it specifically says NOT to do, by the way) while I made dinner so I could keep her company.
I have to say, the hour that I used it today, it was fabulous for my heavy 6 mo. old. Way better than anything else I tried.
The one thing I thought you might want to know is I'm not sure how soon after a c-section you'd be able to use it. The lower band that wraps around your waist/hips sits pretty close to the incision, so depending on how sore/where your incision is exactly, it might be uncomfortable for awhile. Not sure, though, since I got it 6 months after my c-section.
I did like my kangaroo korner pouch for a brand new baby to about 14 lbs. It's more fitted than a hotsling. In the very beginning my back got tired within about a half hour. After a few weeks when my abs and back started recovering from the surgery I could go for about an hour, but I liked it better than the bjorn for a new baby. Plus he fell asleep way quicker in it than the bjorn or moby wrap. Moby wrap is super hot since there's so much fabric.
Have you decided on a carrier?