re: To Buy, or Not to buy...that is the question.

diaper genie, i only used it for 2 months, i hated it.........

travel system stroller, if you do alot of walking and have to walk everywhere, i would not advise it for a new born, unless the car seat goes flat, a baby laying in a semi postion its not good for its back if you are walking for a long time........ I got myself a mutsy urban rider with a 3 postion baby seat, and it just attach to the chassie http://www.mutsy.nl/products/urban_rider/options

I originally thought about the Diaper Genie, but then I realized how much the refill bags are. I personally think it is a waste of money for the refills, and I heard they don't hold much.

However, I did want something to dispose of the diapers in, and I read up on the Diaper Champ. It had great reviews, and you can use regular bags with it, so I put one on my registry with Wal-Mart. However, I didn't get it as a gift, but I recently found it at BIG LOTS for only $18.00! I couldn't believe how cheap it was, and it is a lot larger than what I had pictured it to be. I am going to buy a pack of those vanilla scented 8 gallon bags, which run a little over $3.00 at Wal-Mart. To me, if you want some kind of diaper disposable system, this is the way to go. It is much more practical and works just as well as the Genie.

As for the travel system, I chose this option. I had lamaze class the other night, and there was a local police officer there who said that the regular car seats can be more practical because they will hold the child longer. However, he said that a lot of parents want the convenience of being able to take the car seat off the base without waking the baby, and it is nice to lug the baby around in. Also, like another person posted, the stroller lasts forever! The officer said that the travel system car seats generally hold babies up to 30 pounds, so you can not use the seat as long. He did say that if you opt for the regular car seat to not be fooled by the higher-cost ones. They are not any better or safer. He suggested buying a Cosco, and they are less than $40 at Wal-Mart.

One more thought....sorry ladies. I just posted about the Diaper Champ. Like I said, I registered at Wal-Mart for one. At Wal-Mart, they run $29.94, but I got mine for $18.00 at BIG LOTS.

I forgot to mention that I also got my Graco travel system at BIG LOTS. I had also registered for one of these at Wal-Mart, and the price was $179.00. I got the exact same thing, just last year's pattern for $130.00 The colors were the same as the original one I wanted, just a slightly different pattern. BIG LOTS also had some really nice Graco High Chairs, but I had already received one as a gift. If you're on a budget, always look. It saved me nearly $68.00 on these two items combined.

CJ... they have vanilla (and other) scented garbage bags at the dollar store (for $1.00).

A note on the convertible seat, though, babies do not lay down in them. They sit up. My baby fell asleep in the car frequently. Once I converted, she could no longer sleep without having her head slumped forward. I tried those little neck pillows, but she wouldn't leave them in place. And some hospitals will not let you take a newborn in the convertibles. I would check with them before purchasing.

LL H- Good to know. I never even thought about looking there. Thank you for the info!

My son is almost 2 months old and has recently decided he hates tummy time. He won't do it on the floor or even on my lap/chest. I hear ladies talking about boppys all the time so I looked them up and saw they can be used for tummy time as well as sitting, nursing, etc... would you guys suggest getting one? Even if he doesn't like tummy time on it, did you get other use out of it? I probably wouldn't be buying one new, they are pretty cheap on craigslist...

I have a boppy. I used it maybe 4 times. It was a gift, so I will try to use it more for baby #2.

Quoting jesss375:“ Diaper Genie: I don't like at all! First off there is no room in them! The diapers sit in there for ever ... [snip!] ... liked the matching pattern and the brand and I read great reveiws one the one I choose. I guess this is a matter of preference!”

I agree they stunk up the room and I had to wait forever to change them I am not poor but cant afford expensive refill plus I think they are a waste of money when you can just but a diaper pail or garbage can.

I am gonna buy a seperate car seat and a umbrella stroller. My son was born in Jan so I never used my travel system when I had him.

Maybe if I had a summer baby I would have used his more. but since she is gonna also be born in the winter, i think it will be pointless. I hated pulling out his bulky stroller, I used it maybe twice. I dont know I feel if I need it I can always buy it later if I change my mind. those systems are so expensive and I am on a really tight budget right now. I am going shopping today for all my baby stuff so excited!!! I still havint found a stroller that I like but I am getting the car seat today, playpen and swing!

Omg I used my swing alot with my son!I had him in it asap and I also loved his walker I used that alot to feed him instead of the big high chair, even though I used his high chair alot too. so I still got one.

But the things I used alot with my son were the walker and swing and playpen.
he didnt really walk in it but he just played and ate treats in it alot!
when I was tired I would put him in his swing and we would sleep so I could take a nap or to chores. I loved the play pen for going to my moms so she could have him sleep in it.

hope this helps! thanks!

Quoting eapoosmama:“ diaper genies. we called them diaper sausages. a huge waste of plastic on top of a huge ... [snip!] ... baby continue to scream at 2:00 am for a diaper change while you wait for the warmer to get your wipes warm? So true.”

wow yeahI agree

btw I am signed up for freecycle in my area!! OMG what a livesaver!!! if you havent done it DO IT!!!! Moms really use this and need it!!
I got so much baby stuff for free really nice stuff. I got a bouncer great cond. just had to wash it just in case and clothes and all sorts of stuff.
I just picked up shirts for my son all in exc. cond. and he loved them!!

I also got rid of alot of my sons stuff that he outgrew. its nice when you know its going to someone that needs it and its free!! Karma at its finest! Babys grow out of stuff so quickly and others can use it that may not have the money to afford! Also gas is so worth it to pick something up for free! I costs me alot less.

SIGN UP for freecycle www.freecycle.org

just so you know I just got a changing table really nice one for free on freecycle! all it really needed was a new pad. its very sturdy and not wobbly at all kids grow out of stuff so quickly you can really get nice stuff and for free. no garage sales to sift through and paying more than you want for an item!

good luck finding good products moms out there!!

A tip from when I worked at babues r us... ALWAYS Leave the carrier arm up in the carry postion, on the infant carriers even when in the stroller. My friend bought a travel system which is discontinued now but her son was in it and it colapsed and the only thing that stopped him from hittinbg the ground was the carrier arm on the infant carrier.

Quoting Lace:“ A tip from when I worked at babues r us... ALWAYS Leave the carrier arm up in the carry postion, on the ... [snip!] ... in it and it colapsed and the only thing that stopped him from hittinbg the ground was the carrier arm on the infant carrier.”

Thanks for the advice! I didn't know that.

no one ever answered my ? about boppys a couple posts up