[KLM99]

<p>Now that we're out of and done with the baby stage, I'm reflecting back on things that I wish I had just gone ahead and spent money on that would have made my life way easier.  Also, things I'm glad I didn't buy.  Here's my list so far.  Anyone else?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I WISH I'D BOUGHT FROM THE BEGINNING</p>
<p>* a really comfy nursing chair</p>
<p>* a top-of-the-line breast pump</p>
<p>* a more expensive carseat - easier to install, safer, etc.</p>
<p>* different kinds of baby carriers (I ended up with a mei tei and Ergo, but tried many along the way - glad I found ones that worked for me!)</p>
<p>* one of those carseat mirrors - ok, not expensive, but would have saved me tons of time worrying about whether rear-facing baby was ok</p>
<p>* a great stroller (as it was we got a Phil & Ted's from Craigslist eventually, but wish I'd had a really nice one from the beginning)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I'M GLAD I DIDN'T WASTE MY MONEY ON</p>
<p>* a high-end crib</p>
<p>* a swing</p>
<p>* a co-sleeper (borrowed one from a friend and then ended up not using it anyway)</p>
<p>* retail baby clothes (got so much second-hand)</p>
<p>* one of those Graco stroller "systems" - giant heavy stroller with matching carseat, etc.  Ugh.</p>

 

[WindyCityMom]

<p>Things i'm glad I bought:</p>
<p>Car seats.  We own two Radians and we love them dearly. </p>
<p>Baby carriers.  Use them everyday </p>
<p>Cloth Diapers, for obvious reasons.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Things I wish I'd bought:</p>
<p>A double jogging stroller.  A good one, with suspension and all that jazz.  I don't drive so I do a TON of walking long-distance in Chicago, mostly shopping (usually groceries) and it would have made my life so much easier.  I know a lot of people on this forum are soo anti-stroller but I can't physically wear one child, carry six bags of groceries, and hold my other child's hand while crossing a large six lane intersection at the same time.</p>
<p>Better breast pump.  Even though my DD never took bottles, I could have donated a ton of milk.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Things I'm happy I DIDN'T waste my money on:</p>
<p>-An expensive crib.  MIL got us one (probably like $500) and we used it with DD1 until she was a year old, and with DD2 we sidecarred it for six months but found it too space-wasting and just co-slept from then on.</p>
<p>-swings etc.</p>
<p>-high-end baby clothing</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Things I totally wasted money on..</p>
<p>-Two strollers.  One Kolcraft Contours stroller that was awesome but just not for me.  We sold it recently.  The other is a Joovy Caboose that I got with the money I sold the other stroller for.  I *do* like it but it's not my type of stroller- like I said, I need it for grocery shopping.  The basket is teeny.  *sigh*.</p>

 

[Peony]

<p>I am glad I bought nice jogging strollers, single and double. Good baby carriers and carseats, so much easier. I love our wooden highchairs that covert to a regular chair, we have used them for years. One thing that I just recently bought after having babies for 8 years is a video monitor, OMG I can't believe I didn't buy one earlier!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am glad that I never wasted money on a crib or any other sleeping gear. </p>

 

[Mama2mc]

<p>I'm so glad we bought: slings, baby carriers, nursing pillow and a good breastpump.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Happy I didn't spend on: crib, stroller, high chair, swing, baby walker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wish we had spent more on cloth diapers.</p>

 

[mamatoablessing]

<p>THINGS I WISH I'D BOUGHT FROM THE BEGINNING</p>
<p>* cloth diapers</p>
<p>* a better carseat/stroller (we lived in a very urban area so a stroller was necessary) </p>
<p>* waterproof baby carrier for the pool (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBody-Glove-Baby-Carrier-Black%2Fdp%2FB000813EQ8" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">like this</a>) </p>
<p>* better sling (I had two but I couldn't nurse in either; I have since upgraded)</p>
<p>* Amby baby bed (never bought one but always thought they would be a good alternative in the bedroom when baby wasn't sleeping with me)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I'M GLAD I DIDN'T WASTE MY MONEY ON</p>
<p>* diaper pail</p>
<p>* diaper warmer</p>
<p>* wipe warmer</p>
<p>* bathtub that goes inside the regular bathtub</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I DID HAVE BUT NEVER USED</p>
<p>* tons of baby dresses/outfits (both my kids wore jammies or cotton onsies practically until they were one)</p>
<p>* bottle sterilizer</p>
<p>* plastic bottles</p>
<p>* highchair</p>
<p>* Baby Einstein videos</p>

 

[peainthepod]

<b>Glad I bought:</b><br><br>
-<a class="bbcode_url" href="http://www.humanityorganics.com/humanity-family-sleeper.html" target="_blank">Humanity Family Bed</a> co-sleeping cushion. That thing has been worth its weight in gold.<br><br>
-An Ergo. Not super expensive but pricier than a Moby or ring sling. I used it more than any other carrier with my first and expect to use it a lot with subsequent babes. And it's the only carrier that DH will even consider now that I convinced him to toss the Bjorn. <img alt="eyesroll.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/eyesroll.gif"><br><br>
-A dresser to store baby clothes and diapers that currently doubles as the changing table. When our babies are out of diapers, we can still use the dresser for storing their clothes. I don't get the concept of a dedicated changing table that has no other purpose. <img alt="headscratch.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/headscratch.gif"><br><br>
-A bouncer chair. Has saved our sanity through two babies now. I love mine and don't care that it's ugly and requires batteries to vibrate. It's awesome.<br><br>
-A Pack n' Play. This has made traveling with a baby about a thousand times easier and again, I don't care that it's plastic and ugly because it works to keep us all happy and sane.<br><br>
-A diaper sprayer. Cloth diapering would be a lot harder without it and it comes in handy when I'm cleaning the tub!<br><br>
-A crib that converts to a toddler bed. We use it to confine DS when he needs to nap and can't be allowed to run around the bedroom. When he was really little we used it as a safe place to keep him when we were doing deep cleaning or moving things around. Now that he's bigger and has been expressing interest in sleeping alone, we'll convert it to a toddler bed so he can have his own space if/when he wants it. And it's a beautiful piece of furniture.<br><br>
-Cloth diapers and extra inserts, and cloth diaper wipes. It was an initial investment that has paid-off handsomely over the years.<br><br><b>Wish I'd bought at the beginning:</b><br><br>
-A wipes warmer. My friend told me how much she loved hers but I thought it was frivolous and unnecessary. I was totally wrong and wish I'd had it since Day One. It works so well with cloth wipes and homemade solution! Sorry, DS. <img alt="redface.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/redface.gif"><br><br>
-An <a class="bbcode_url" href="http://www.themcoat.com/" target="_blank">M coat</a>. This ingenious thing is an all-in-one maternity, babywearing, and regular winter coat. A removable panel in front can be zipped in in two ways (big on top for babywearing, big on bottom for maternity) or removed entirely for regular wear. It's well-made, very warm, and comes in cute colors. I got one at the end of my last pregnancy but wish I'd bought it years ago. Awesome!<br><br><b>Wasted money on:</b><br><br>
-A swing. Everyone said we'd be glad to have it but they were wrong. It was bulky and huge and loud and ugly and DS hated it anyway. We gave it to friends whose baby also hated it. They sold it almost immediately. <img alt="greensad.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/greensad.gif"><br><br>
-A breast pump. It was a cheapie manual Medela but still. The bottles were a total waste also. I hate pumping, only did it once or twice, and the baby wouldn't take the bottle anyway. I should have just hand-expressed into a cup and expected it to be spoon-fed to the baby in case of an emergency.<br><br>
-A Boppy. I hated mine and found it bulky and annoying and the baby was never positioned properly on it anyway. Now it's a glorified lumbar cushion when I sit in bed.<br><br>
-A dedicated diaper bag or two. How silly, when a handbag with a few interior pockets and a portable rollup changing pad would have been totally fine!<br><br>
-Baby bathtub. Why bother when I can just bathe with the baby or hold her in the shower?<br><br><b>Glad I didn't buy:</b><br><br>
-A stroller. I wore DS exclusively until he was nearly 2yo and got too big for me to carry in the third trimester. Then we went with a relatively inexpensive Keekaroo stroller which has been as good as it needs to be for hardly ever being used. <img alt="thumb.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif"><br><br>
-An expensive high chair. The cheap $25 plastic Ikea high chair worked beautifully, was totally collapsible for travel and storage, and has held up very well--so well that I expect we'll use it for all of our next babies.<br><br>
-"Baby food maker". We don't do purees anyway but even if we did, a small food processor and some ice cube trays are just fine.

 

[mum4vr]

<p>MUST haves, IME:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>*super good wool covers/ pull on pants, like Ruskovilla-- the BEST (these even make up for poor dipes)</p>
<p>*the cloth dipes YOU find best (varies a LOT from parent to parent)</p>
<p>*cotton quilts</p>
<p>*one VERY sturdy dipe bag w compartments (not pricey, just sturdy)</p>
<p>*a stash of well fitted non-stretchy nursing bras</p>
<p>*lanolin-- not expensive, but keep some on hand</p>
<p>*a stainless steel water bottle that doesn't sweat for nursing mamas (water in, milk out-- FLYlady store carries a good one)</p>
<p>*organic baby care products (make or buy-- nothing impure has ever touched newborn skin-- try to keep it that way as long as possible! If I didn't know how to make them, I'd def spring for the best ones, like Aubrey, etc)</p>
<p>*Eucalan for the wool covers and a natural detergent for dipes and baby clothes-- pricier, but worth it</p>
<p>*quality literature to read aloud c:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>total waste of money IME:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>*ANYTHING used to hold baby (other than slings/carriers and arms!) high dollar stroller/ carseats/ bouncies/ boppies/ swings/ bumbos/ walkers/ exersaucers, blah blah blah</p>
<p>*plastic/ noisy toys/ accessories-- anything plastic almost invariably ended up being a waste (except gallon ziplocks to carry very yucky dipes home when out)</p>
<p>"just in case" bottles and formula</p>
<p> </p>
<p>***always amazing how much *stuff* some advertisers tell us we *need* to raise a baby! ***</p>

 

[marinak1977]

<p>Totally worth it my medela freestyle - saved me a lot of pumping troubles. Cloth dipes (we use fuzzibunz). Baby carriers (we have several, with my favorite being a Kleinsmekker mei tai that is comfortable and gorgeous). A king size mattress to put on the floor for co-sleeping. A super yard for fencing in a room so that I don't have to chase DS all over the house when I'm tired (he is pretty free range but it gets exhausting if he keeps changing scenery every 15 minutes) Nice carseat (we have truefit) for safety.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A waste - a crib (we got it off craigslist but still it was $100 I didn't really need to spend), all of the newborn clothes except jammies and a few onesies (that's all DS spent his time in).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We inherited a lot of baby gear - an exersaucer, a swing off craigslist, a bouncy seat - used these enough to justify cheap prices but not paying full price.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ETA - a huge life saver for us is the video baby monitor. We set it up while DS naps on the family bed so that we can keep an eye on him while getting things done. Also breastflow bottles - we didn't have a single issue with nipple confusion or strikes.</p>

 

[rightkindofme]

<p>Well you ladies can dislike the swing as much as you want.  That swing has saved my sanity and ensured that neither of my kids have ended up with shaken baby syndrome. <span><img alt="thumb.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Things I am SUPER GLAD I bought:</span></p>
<p><span>swing</span></p>
<p><span>a variety of carriers because they all fill different functions in my life</span></p>
<p><span>the high end pockets and all-in-ones because I would have quit cloth diapers if I had a two step method</span></p>
<p><span>diaper sprayer</span></p>
<p><span>the super comfy chair was more important during pregnancy, but I'll list it here anyway</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Things I wasted money on:</span></p>
<p>stupid baby bath tub</p>
<p>a stroller with a baby pram conversion.  neither of my girls will sit in a stroller.  I will be attempting to sell this soon.</p>
<p>two part diapering systems.  hate them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Things I feel meh about:</span></p>
<p><span>high chair--we didn't use it much till our daughter was more like 15 months and a booster seat probably would have been fine, but we use it a lot when other people come over with their kids</span></p>
<p>I've been glad to have the changing table but I could have made due with padding on a dresser</p>
<p>high end pump.  it was kind of nice to have, but I'm a sahm so I have never really needed it.</p>
<p>bottles.  we tried them a few times but they've never been popular here.</p>
<p>those little mesh bags for eating frozen fruit.  they are kind of lame.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I totally skipped a crib or any other sleeping accoutrement.  They just sleep in bed with us.  The more recent kiddo even does so ON HER STOMACH.  I'm going to hell. <span><img alt="winky.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/winky.gif">  She won't stay asleep on her back but if I let her sleep on her stomach she sleeps 12-15 hours with only one or two wake ups.  It's great.</span></p>

 

[happysmileylady]

<p>We own or have owned just about every piece of baby equipment, from slings to cribs to whatever, and there's very little that I have not been happy to have at some point among the 3 of them.   There's also very little that I paid much for.  Some were gifts, some was free off FC or CL, some were garage sale finds etc.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[rachieface]

<p><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>happysmileylady</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285715/what-expensive-baby-gear-are-you-glad-you-went-ahead-and-spent-money-on-what-are-you-glad-you-didn-t-buy#post_16119477"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>We own or have owned just about every piece of baby equipment, from slings to cribs to whatever, and there's very little that I have not been happy to have at some point among the 3 of them.   There's also very little that I paid much for.  Some were gifts, some was free off FC or CL, some were garage sale finds etc.</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
I'm kinda with you, except I don't have several kids yet but hope to in the future.  We have actually payed for very little for our son, and we definitely have more baby stuff than I would have paid for.  I am grateful for it even if we have a few unessentials for this baby....you never know what might prove to be more important for the next babe!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Super Grateful For:</p>
<p>- Our crib.  I'll be the first one to say it.  It was a very kind gift because I was loathe to actually pay for a crib, and I am SO glad it was given to us.  Both baby and I sleep better in our own space.</p>
<p>- Jogging stroller.  Also a hand-me-down, and I love it!  We were going on sanity-saving runs as soon as J was able to hold his head up well (4 months-ish).  Now it is useful in the winter because I don't want to slip carrying babe over the ice, and the large wheels navigate the snow really well. </p>
<p>- Cloth dipes. </p>
<p>- Aden and Anais big muslin swaddle blankets.  These are ridiculously expensive, and I never would have bought them myself.  However, they were a great gift because we are still swaddling our 7.5 month old with them now!  I would totally recommend making your own for baby. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wasted Money On: </p>
<p>- Baby Bjorn-like carrier.  Not comfortable for me at all....he was causing me back pain in it by a month or so old.  I wish I had saved the money for an Ergo. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad I Didn't Buy:</p>
<p>- "Real" cloth wipes.  We were given an abundance of baby wash cloths, and I use those along with cut up flannel swaddle blankets. </p>
<p>- Baby food maker.  We're doing BLW, and even if we weren't I would just use our blender. </p>
<p>- Full price baby stuff.  That's very general, but since 98% of our baby gear was given/thrifted/craig listed/handed down, I know that used is generally just a good.  And such a money saver!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One thing that struck me is how different most of these lists are.  So, that's one more reason to buy used...you don't necessarily know what will work for your babe until you get there!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[BetsyS]

<p>With this baby (#3), I finally got a baby bathtub.  It's freaking awesome!!  All my friends told me what a waste it was, so I never had one for the first 2, and I showered with them or bathed them in the tub.  a PITA.  This time, that bathtub is awesome.  Of course, it was $4 at a yard sale, I'll donate it as soon as baby can sit up, and I'm not willing to store it, but for the 6-7 months you use it, it's great.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We downsized right before this baby, and we got rid of the swing, exersaucer, and all the places to put baby, save the crib, johnny jump up, high chair, and bouncy seat (still a lot).  I'm happy with all of those.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I really like my high chair.  It enables me to eat supper peacefully from birth.  I just put the baby next to me, talk to him, and I can eat supper with BOTH hands.  It's great.  Now, with baby #3 (and my olders are only 2 and 4), we are in a "sit at the table for every meal and snack to keep my house cleaner" routine, so having the baby in his own chair really has established him as a big part of the family early on, in my older two's minds.  I like that. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like my changing table.  Yes, it's one purpose, but it was also $25, so I don't have a problem with that.  It's just the right height, and I use it almost all the time.  It's nice for storage of diapers and wipes, too.  I have a diaper pail (where else would you put your dirty diapers???) that is useful, too. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My biggest splurge this time was an Aden and Anais swaddle blanket.  LOVE it.  Wish I had bought it with my first baby.  It has a hole in it, so I just ordered a replacement. It's great.</p>

 

[3xMama]

<p>Almost everything we have we got either as a hand me down or as a gift, so we've not put a huge amount of money out on baby things.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I LOVE:</p>
<p>-I love the swing. DS more or less refused to sleep anywhere except my arms or the swing, so when I needed a break/a little space, into the swing he'd go for a short nap. DD had problems falling asleep, and the swing saved my sanity many a time! (hand me down)</p>
<p>-I also love my changing table. It has a ton of room for storage so we keep all our cloth diapers there and all of our baby blankets, which we have a lot of. Plus its just the right height for me to change babies. I love having one place where everything is all together for diaper changes. (hand me down)</p>
<p>-Pacifiers. I seriously don't know what I'd do without those things!</p>
<p>-I don't *love* my crib, but I'm glad to have it. So far both kids have slept better in their own space from about 6 months on, so its been worth the money.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I WISH I HAD FROM DAY ONE:</p>
<p>-Cloth diapers. I love these things and so wish I had gone cloth when DD was born!</p>
<p>-Bucket car seat for DS. He was born in the middle of Nov and we found out pretty quickly that the convertible car seat we had been using wasn't going to fly. It was much easier and warmer for him to just stay in the seat with one of those fleecy winter cover things over the seat. He stayed toasty even when it was in the negatives! Something that would not have happened with a convertible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I WISH I DIDN"T HAVE:</p>
<p>-Travel system. Maybe its just the cheap hunk of junk my MIL bought us, but I hated that stupid stoller. It was bulky, heavy and didn't steer properly and the bucket seat that came with it was absolute garbage.</p>
<p>-Moby Wrap. I wish I had gotten a different kind of carrier.</p>
<p>-All these stupid plastic toys they use for such a short period. Teething keys, crinkly page cloth books, jingly stuffed animals etc. We've got a ton of them and I'm hesitant to get rid of them because they occassionally get played with, but for the most part its just been a waste. (mostly gifts)</p>
<p>-Johnny Jump Up. We've had it for both kids, both sat in it once and otherwise its wasted space. IDK why we still have it, actually. (hand me down)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>THINGS I"M GLAD I DIDN"T SPEND MONEY ON/RECEIVE:</p>
<p>-Diaper/wipes warmer</p>
<p>-Bobby</p>
<p>-Expensive breast pump</p>
<p>-Bottles</p>

 

[elus0814]

<p> </p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">THINGS I WISH I'D BOUGHT FROM THE BEGINNING</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a really nice crib. we finally bought a pacific rim $800 one with our third out of four children and it's WONDERFUL, we went through two 'nice' $300-400 cribs before we finally bought a good one</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- carriers, I didn't really get into them until my second and third children and I could have gotten so much done if I'd had one with the first</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a nice stroller, my maclaren is great but I went through two children with a graco one</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a cosleeper, we didn't have one for our first and although they all slept in the bed with us it was nice to know they wouldn't fall to the floor if they were near the edge (which happened a couple times with the first once she was crawling)</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">THINGS I WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a swing, we had one for our first and through three kids it was used all of a dozen times</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a wipes warmer, it was good for our cloth wipes but we didn't use cloth wipes for long</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- expensive cloth diapers, I'm glad I had the inexpensive ones but I spent $1000 on nice diapers that were really cute but with four kids I just can't do cloth anymore, I have 20 loads of laundry each week as it is and I just can't add another 3 especially when those three take 5 hours each because of our front load washer and humid environment</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a changing table, it was almost never used but at least it turns into a twin headboard so it's not a total loss</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">THINGS I'M GLAD I DIDN'T WASTE MY MONEY ON</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a rocking chair, we were given a really nice one and it hasn't seen much use</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a breast pump, with my first I never once used one, with my second I only used it a bit (it's a manual avent one), with the third only once, and now with the fourth only once as well</p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-left:0px;">- a 'baby seat', I've never seen a need for one since I have several carriers</p>

 

[JudiAU]

<p>I think a key issue that FTM don't realize is that temperament and time of life make a difference. The sling that worked for baby #1 didn't work for baby #2. We needed a better bouncer chair for #2 BECAUSE we had #1. The cozy nursing setup for #2 because I never got to sit down! I needed the birth ball to bounce her to sleep because she couldn't nurse to sleep until 15m! I think we used it once with #1.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But for both kids, I loved having a fancy bassinet to the stroller when they were little. And I love love love having them face me. My MIL bought us an absurdly expensive bugaboo but you know honestly, those two features were awesome. Which is funny because we hardly ever use with our second and used our new double maclaren TWICE in 16 months.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But the things I don't regret skimping one: good quality toys (brands like plan toys last much better than M&D) that are open ended, a good quality crib mattress and cheapo ikea crib that was great when we needed it, a natural latex insert for the cosleeper so the #2 didn't hate it, a good sling (ergo), a good thermometer, nose-frida, the diapers that work for you, and natural baby soap/lotion and organic food, breastpump, best quality childcare and preschool and nothing else.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When we have our third kid I will seriously spend, maybe, $100.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[happysmileylady]

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<p>I think a key issue that FTM don't realize is that temperament and time of life make a difference. The sling that worked for baby #1 didn't work for baby #2. We needed a better bouncer chair for #2 BECAUSE we had #1. The cozy nursing setup for #2 because I never got to sit down! I needed the birth ball to bounce her to sleep because she couldn't nurse to sleep until 15m! I think we used it once with #1.</p>
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<p> Sometimes even second time moms lol.  My dd1 LOVED her bouncy seat.  She would have lived in that thing if I let her, and that was way back when ALL they did was bounce-they didn't vibrate or have lights or sounds or anything.  So when DD2 came around, I was all set to have that bouncer all over...in the kitchen while I was cooking, next to me while I ate, etc etc.  DD2 HATED the thing.  Hated it hated it hated it.  She wanted to be upright at all times and the incline of the bouncer was not cutting it.  I think I used it twice with her.  Thankfully DD3 seems to be ok with it, so it's been used occasionally with her. </p>

 

[Shannie77]

<p><strong>Things I love:</strong></p>
<p>Tripp Trapp chair - I LOVE it.  I love how it looks and how it let DD sit at the table comfortably</p>
<p>Mei Tei - I have used it for my 3 year old and my newborn</p>
<p>Exercaucer - it is really handy when we are eating dinner and need a place to put DD2, or when I am having a shower etc.</p>
<p>Jogging Stroller - nice for long walks or for when DH and I run</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Thing I could do without:</strong></p>
<p>Our first highchair</p>
<p>Bouncy Chair - both DDs didn't take to it</p>
<p>Change table - had one briefly but sold it</p>
<p>Graco travel system - we bought it second hand but that stroller is horrible, we ended up freecycling it</p>
<p>Ring sling - I find it uncomfortable and hard to put on</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Wish I had:</strong></p>
<p>A Maclaren - not that i am a big stroller user but for when I need one it would be nice to have one</p>
<p>Baby swing (I think my girls would of liked it and napped in it)</p>
<p>Britax carseats - wish I didn't cheap out</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[KLM99]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>rachieface</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285715/what-expensive-baby-gear-are-you-glad-you-went-ahead-and-spent-money-on-what-are-you-glad-you-didn-t-buy#post_16119576"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>happysmileylady</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285715/what-expensive-baby-gear-are-you-glad-you-went-ahead-and-spent-money-on-what-are-you-glad-you-didn-t-buy#post_16119477"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>We own or have owned just about every piece of baby equipment, from slings to cribs to whatever, and there's very little that I have not been happy to have at some point among the 3 of them.   There's also very little that I paid much for.  Some were gifts, some was free off FC or CL, some were garage sale finds etc.</p>
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<p><br>
I'm kinda with you, except I don't have several kids yet but hope to in the future.  We have actually payed for very little for our son, and we definitely have more baby stuff than I would have paid for.  I am grateful for it even if we have a few unessentials for this baby....you never know what might prove to be more important for the next babe!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Super Grateful For:</p>
<p>- Our crib.  I'll be the first one to say it.  It was a very kind gift because I was loathe to actually pay for a crib, and I am SO glad it was given to us.  Both baby and I sleep better in our own space.</p>
<p>- Jogging stroller.  Also a hand-me-down, and I love it!  We were going on sanity-saving runs as soon as J was able to hold his head up well (4 months-ish).  Now it is useful in the winter because I don't want to slip carrying babe over the ice, and the large wheels navigate the snow really well. </p>
<p>- Cloth dipes. </p>
<p>- Aden and Anais big muslin swaddle blankets.  These are ridiculously expensive, and I never would have bought them myself.  However, they were a great gift because we are still swaddling our 7.5 month old with them now!  I would totally recommend making your own for baby. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wasted Money On: </p>
<p>- Baby Bjorn-like carrier.  Not comfortable for me at all....he was causing me back pain in it by a month or so old.  I wish I had saved the money for an Ergo. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad I Didn't Buy:</p>
<p>- "Real" cloth wipes.  We were given an abundance of baby wash cloths, and I use those along with cut up flannel swaddle blankets. </p>
<p>- Baby food maker.  We're doing BLW, and even if we weren't I would just use our blender. </p>
<p>- Full price baby stuff.  That's very general, but since 98% of our baby gear was given/thrifted/craig listed/handed down, I know that used is generally just a good.  And such a money saver!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One thing that struck me is how different most of these lists are.  So, that's one more reason to buy used...you don't necessarily know what will work for your babe until you get there!</p>
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[Birdie B.]

<p>Hmmm....I'm really glad we got a nice stroller (a BOB). I got it used on Craigslist, but it still cost $200! It's so worth it though; I can do a lot of shopping with it, and we walk all over town using it, and Meadow is always comfy. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wish I had invested in better cloth diapers - I spent a lot of money on Fuzzi Bunz which have all become delaminated and are worthless now.   We're using sposies now, just because I can't face buying more diapers that will fail me.</p>

 

[MJB]

<p>LOVE:</p>
<p>*My Yamo (soft structured carrier) got with baby #2 and am loving it again with baby #3</p>
<p>*Good carseats</p>
<p>*Maclaren stroller (I didn't actually buy it, I'm borrowing it from a friend, but so wish I'd just bought one with my first... I was anti-stroller and went through 3 cheap strollers for occasional use with #1 and #2, this time the stroller is saving my back and the baby loves it!) </p>
<p>*nice cloth diapers (we used prefolds the first time but got cooler ones with the others)</p>