If you had a 100 bucks that you had to spend on baby gear right now...

[texmati]

What would you buy?

My uncles have asked me to pick a gift-- I know they want it to be something big, something useful, and hopefully something they can see in action.

The only thing that I can come up with is a high chair? We don't have much, but we are finding that we don't really need all that much either.

[lisalu100]

Ergo carrier. Or a learning tower, but you wont need that for a while. Carseat? I love my Graco Contempo highchair, but it doesn't quite fit under my dining table. I love that it folds and stores so well though, and three trays are very handy when you aren't so good at doing the washing up...

[Plarka]

How old is your baby?

[Alisse]

I second the ergo carrier if you don't already have a favourite carrier.

[texmati]

Shoot! when did I get rid of my siggy! he's 6 months old. We already have a wrap carrier... The ergo might be a bit expensive (aren't they like 200 dollars?)

[texaspeach]

I'd get a woven wrap but that isn't what my relatives would consider 'gear' not sure about yours.

we got an exersaucer type thing off craigs list that ds seems to enjoy, they are in the 100$ range new. I was opposed to it at first but he has a good time while I cook dinner.

[mrsfrenchy]

I'd buy a mei tei baby carrier. Or if I hadn't just bought new carseats, I would buy a car seat that will last a long time RF (both height and weight limits).

If you guys bike and your LO is close to one, then a bike trailer is something you might be able to use soon. (but the nice ones are way over $100.

A jogging stoller if you like to run?

Honestly, if I was splurging on something, I would get a baby-wearing device of some sort that I woudln't normally spend money on....but I have 2 under 2, so baby wearing has become invaluable to me.
We found the high chair annoying and preferred to use one of those cheap booster seats that attaches to your regular chair (some come with a tray to use as well)

[Katwoman]

Of course age of your babe has a lot to do with it. But here are things we've loved:

carrier of some sort - sling, ergo, mai tai (I loved my sling, but am drooling over the mai tai's now. )

We have a jogging stroller. The kids start out walking and when they're done, they can go in the stroller and we can keep going.

Regular stroller - not an umbrella one. I found it helpful, I would carry my baby/toddler and put the stuff that accompanies a baby - ie diaper bag, blankie, piggie, etc. in the stroller and push it. (Kind of like a luggage cart from the airport.)

I'm trying to think of things, but I agree with you babies don't need much except love........

[mrsfrenchy]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

I'd get a woven wrap but that isn't what my relatives would consider 'gear' not sure about yours.

I would have this problem as well

we got an exersaucer type thing off craigs list that ds seems to enjoy, they are in the 100$ range new. I was opposed to it at first but he has a good time while I cook dinner.

Excersaucers (especially the ones that bounce) would be a good idea, especially if your family is more mainstream. And your DC is right at a good age for them. Some people are opposed to stuff like that, but as long as you use it appropriately (not for excessive amounts of time, get your DC out when he doesn't want to be in there anymore, etc), I don't think there's an issue with it.
My DD looooooved the ones that bounce.

[hildare]

a fancy high chair! (but i already have an ergo- if you don't have one then get that, for sure!)

[Friendlee]

We have the fisher price farm themed exersaucer. 6 m old dd loves it! However, I agree that they really shouldn't be in those things for more than 15 minutes, maybe? She LOVES to bounce in it and slap the toys. Like a pp said, it's great entertainment if you have some quick chore like making dinner, or what I like to do is vacuum while she's in it because I can't seem to do a really good vacuum job with the edge tool and everything when I am wearing her.

If an exersaucer wasn't an option, though, I would go crazy with Plan Toys. I love their stuff, but it's pricey. They have sets of things that you could buy a little at a time to build up a collection....like their food toys or their treehouse toys.

OOoo, I'd also love to buy neat looking nightlight type things from IKEA to hang in the baby's room. They have fun and whimsical looking stuff for pretty cheap. You could do come cool stuff with that.

[texmati]

I'm kind of worried about the excersaucer/walker/jumperoo type things-- arent they supposed to be bad? Until how old can they be used-- ds is already 16 pounds.

Are you able to put your LO in a high chair while you cook (semi unattended?) we need something like that now that he's outgrowing the papasan chair.

[texmati]

*sigh* I have such a hard time splurging... I really, really can't deal with luxuries of any kind-- I feel so guilty everytime I use expensive bath soaps ect.

*friendlee* Plan toys soudn amazing! We do have place that sells them near by.

[Novus]

If I was going to splurge, I'd pick some kind of baby carrier too...in fact, I just bought a Boba and already love it.

Or I'd buy toys...but that's because DS is getting closer to 1 and can use some of the more interesting toys. Plus, it seems like "good" toys (ie- things that don't require batteries!) are super expensive, so I'd definitely consider those a splurge.

[lalemma]

I would buy cool wooden toys!

[Friendlee]

I understand the fear about the exersaucer/jumper things. Ours was a splurge (purchased by Santa Claus) otherwise we'd never have gotten one - totally NOT essential. But fun! I just try to be super careful about the length of time she's in there. I think that the harm can happen to their developing spine when they are in there for longer than 15 minutes. Once they learn to push and bounce, it helps take the pressure off the sit bones. Just hanging there in that saddle position is no good. My dd is 18lbs and just recently grew long enough legs to really use it (for pushing and bouncing) on the lowest setting. I'm pretty sure she'll enjoy it and grow into it until she's walking.

My dd sometimes sits in the high chair while I'm cooking. She enjoys watching me whiz around and clank stuff together. We bought the cheap $30 booster seat that attaches to one of our extra dining room chairs and I pull it in and out of the dining room. I didn't want a huge high chair that couldn't move through the doorway of the dining room/kitchen. However, I'm looking for a cheap chair from a flea market or something that has wheels on it so I can attach the booster seat to it, instead. Our dining room chairs are really heavy and it's awful trying to lug her into the kitchen. That fold up high chair mentioned by a pp sounds great!

[Mama Khi]

If I didn't already have a Baby Hawk mei tai (which I love) that is what I would get. Right now I am considering getting an Ergo so I would get an Ergo or some other nice carrier. The Ergos start at $105.

[mama2myloves]

A Beco or a cool highchair.

[4Blessings]

Lots of cloth diapers (prefolds and/or fitteds) and cute covers.

[firewoman]

Babyhawk Oh Snap, although they are $140.00. I would contribute forty of my own dollars.