splurge advice.... - Page 3

[jennybear]

We got a great deal on our travel system (Quinny Buzz & Maxi Cosi seat) and I really, really like it. It's very easy to use and I love that baby faces me when in the stroller. I know a lot of people on here recommend carriers over strollers, but we use both (even now at just 7 weeks old). She likes her infant seat, so luckily we haven't had any issues there (in fact, she tends to fight the Moby wrap, which seems to be universally loved by all other babies ). Anyway, if you're looking at high-end strollers, I'd give the Quinny a look. It's pricey, but at least everything you need is included (comes with stroller seat when babe outgrows infant seat) and it's much less expensive than the Orbit. FWIW, I have known two people with the Orbit and one loves it and one finds it a huge waste of money.

Another splurge we've really enjoyed is our Arm's Reach co-sleeper. While we are bed sharing right now, we use it in the living room for her naps and it's a great size and very portable.

I just ordered a Beco carrier and have heard great things, so hope to add that to the list of good purchases. :-)

[Xavismom]

My biggest splurge was getting proffesional newborn photos and announcements. I had to do some major cajoling with DH for this, but in the end, not only do I LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos and announcements, but so does DH, and he actually ended up pushing us over the budget he set for it by picking out extras. IMO, it was so worth it, I'll treasure these photos my entire life, they are just amazing.

I do plan on 'splurging' a bit with our tax refund, I'm getting DS a Babyhawk Mei-Tai. He is a chunky heavy little guy, and the stretchy wrap we have is just not working as great. We have never used the stroller, we wear him everywhere, its so easy.

[matey]

I thought of my splurge! My diaper pail. i spent $50 on it, and I love it. It is metal, with a plastic bucket inserted. It seal great and really controls smell. It has a foot pedal, but once my son could open it, I put a safety latch on it. I love my diaper pail.

[abharrington]

Originally Posted by Rowansmama

My big splurge was on a Phil & Ted's stroller. I absolutely love that thing! I used it almost daily with DD1, and now that DD2 is almost here, we can convert it to a double stroller (which is why I bought it in the first place).

this was our splurg for ds. (#2) i found one in like-new condition at our consignment store for $300, including the doubles kit, rain cover and a couple of bags (sold all the accessories on ebay...so was an awesome deal!!) love love love this stroller. (and we didnt' use a stroller at all for dd!)

Originally Posted by tzs

same here! ...
and you can roll it anywhere...up stairs, down hills, on the beach. it's great

yes yes yes

Originally Posted by bender

One big splurge was a used Maclaren umbrella stroller. i had vision of having it fully reclined and strolling with my newborn baby, enjoying the weather. Didn't work. He hated the stroller. He hated the bucket seat with the snap and go. He liked being on me, so the stroller didn't get used until he was about 6 months old. Get the essentials, and then splurge after the baby comes. You'll know better what you actually need.

yup...i agonized over a stroller with dd (my 1st) and went with the big maclaren with teh full recline. didn't use it until she was at least 6 months...sold it soon after. i did eventually get a quest for my car. love that one as well. and, my bucket seat (a combi something) fits right in it for the few times i wanted to bring ds's bucket seat inside with me.

for this baby...not sure what the splurge will be. maybe a mei tai....oh and i know i want some swaddling blankets...the big organic muslin ones and maybe a miracle blanket.

i personally would never go with the orbit. i would go with an awesome stroller with reversible handle...bugaboo bee, uppababy vista...something nice. plus a nice convertable carseat. i do wish i had a stroller where baby could face me but NOT be sitting in the carseat. maybe i'll hunt for such a thing for my splurge for baby #3

[evjolin]

okay ladies....was in boston this past weekend (we have ZERO good baby stores where i live) and dragged DH all around town looking at strollers.

the biggest drawback to the orbit, besides the giant cost, is no second child option. which, lord willing, we would like to have

sooooo, we narrowed it down to the teutonia or the uppababy vista. the teutonia has much easier fold, but the uppababy is cheaper. 90% sure we will go with the uppababy.

thanks for all the help

[MamaKickyPants]

I have a good friend who has the new uppababy vista and she LOVES it. She did have the babyjogger cityelite and hated it. She sold it and got this one. She uses it with her 3 y.o. and her 8 m.o. and it seems really good.

I'm glad you decided against the orbit. It really seems like too much $$ for what you get.

My splurges are all baby carriers (my woven wraps and custom MTs probably count most as 'splurges').

[LaughingHyena]

I think ours would have to be the tripp trapp chair. At the time it seemed a lot of money for a high chair when we could have got something much cheaper.

5 years later it is still in daily use. We've also got a knock off one since I couldn't quite justify a second one for DS. I really wish I had the as the knock off is just not the same quality and is currently waiting to be glued back together. I'm still tempted to buy a second one.

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by LaughingHyena

I think ours would have to be the tripp trapp chair. At the time it seemed a lot of money for a high chair when we could have got something much cheaper.

OMG, yes. I love our Tripp Trapp. Definitely getting another for baby #2.

[MsVyky]

I splurge on carriers. They get the most use out of any baby item.
It started with the mei tai that I bought used here on MDC, then a Maya Wrap, and a Moby Wrap. Now DD is getting hevy so I bought a *new* woven wrap, and am lusting for more.


MOAR.

[catters]

Our big splurge with DS was a bugaboo and a Peg Perego car seat. LOVED the Bugaboo. I still use it if I am just going around with one child and cannot use the Ergo.

When DD came along, we bought a Phil and Ted's Vibe. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I probably should have just bought one of those when DS was born because it would have saved some mega $$$ when the second baby came along (20 months apart, so DS still uses the stroller from time to time). The P&T is fantastic for two babies.

[marsupial-mom]

I like the idea someone suggested earlier of getting a big stack of high quality cloth diapers.