Blogging Baby Size Six: Gear for two under two
When I had my daughter, I remember thinking how I didn't need all that baby "stuff." Why would I want a swing? I planned on holding my baby all day long so she knew just how much I loved her! Well, considering my two are 18 months apart, we needed some "gear" to get through having two under two. Here are the six things that have saved my life.1. The Bumbo baby seat. My boy is four months old and is getting to the point where he just wants to sit up all the time. Since I can't always hold him, the Bumbo works nicely.
2. My baby slings. I actually have two slings now since I'm always managing to lose one. My first one is from Frog Prince and is purple. My second is The Peanut Shell and is green. I can't tell you how much these slings have saved me. I've been able to wear my baby while holding my daughter's hand or, even better, chasing her down in public.
3. A double stroller. My daughter is at that "it is funny to run away from Mom in public" stage. Having a side-by-side stroller has kept them contained when we're out in public. The only drawback is its size: The thing is HUGE.
4. A really cool diaper bag. Nowadays, I'm toting around diapers and wipes for two, a blanket, two changes of clothes, books, toys, snacks and a changing pad. At least I'm carrying something that is somewhat stylish.
5. An under the highchair mat. Sometimes, my toddler decides it is time to throw food if I can't get to her as quickly as she'd like. At least with the plastic mat, I'm not cleaning the carpet.
6. "Bear in the Big Blue House" DVDs. Sometimes, when my son is sleepy and wants to be fed in quiet, I'll pop in this DVD so my daughter isn't trying to hit him over the head with everything in arms reach. We have the "Potty Time With Bear" DVD and it has saved my life. Personally, I'm partial to Treelo. The songs are contagious and are something I don't mind hearing more than once.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Amanda 6-11-2006 @ 4:18PM
Mine are 22 months apart so I ditto that list. But I would also like to add:
#7. Zoloft
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thordora 6-11-2006 @ 4:48PM
I have a sling and my second loves it (thank freaking god)
Good list-although I'd like to warn any potential double stroller buyers to be VERY careful if buying an Evenflo Take Me Two. It is a piece of junk, and the wheels have BOTH fallen off. I'm so irritated with that product. Any recommends for a cheaper double (either type)-we're almost to the end of needing it, but I want to replace it with something before we actually do fall out IN traffic, not just near it)
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Wendy 6-11-2006 @ 5:04PM
I have a 4 yr old and a 4.5 mos old and I still find my baby equipment a big help. It seems my 4 yr old always wants to eat or get something for her when I am about to feed the baby.
We have the Bumbo seat, which has come in very handy. Have you tried it at a restaurant or anywhere else? It was great to have at my daugther's school fun day. Sam was able to sit up and watching the activity. I plan to use it at a resturant the next time we go out. It might actually make it an enjoyable experience.
I like my sling. It has enabled me to nurse while walking through a store. That is great, because we can still get things done and I dont have to make my 4 yr old sit somewhere bored.
I have a stylish diaper bag, because this is probably my last child and I wanted something nice. I love the Skip Hop. I dont have enough stuff for all the pockets.
I concern my swing is a must, because it is the only place my son will sleep. It is the only thing that will calm him down when he is over tired.
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Jenny 6-11-2006 @ 5:14PM
Mine are 19 months apart. My kids never took to the sling, so we love the Bjorn. Both had a lot of reflux and wanted to be upright before they could sit up, and I never mastered how to do that with a sling. We love our side-by-side double stroller, which is an Inglesina Swift. The best feature is the middle handle, which enables me to hold a child yet still push the stroller.
Another important item for us in the first few months was a swing which is up off the floor (NOT the portable close to the floor one). We had been loaned a portable swing and we had a buzzy chair, but it was WAY too easy for our toddler to poke at /crawl on top of the baby in those. The big swing gave me a place to put the baby where the toddler could not actually try to crawl in too.
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Wallaby 6-11-2006 @ 6:20PM
I like our Joovy Caboose stroller for a baby/toddler and an older child together: http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_caboose.php
I am another sling lover. I only had one (a fleece pouch sling) for the first 6 months of my second baby's life, but then got two more recently (a snazzy new pouch sling, and a traditional adjustable sling with a tail). I think they are what has kept the shred of sanity I have left in tact. Seriously.
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thordora 6-11-2006 @ 7:07PM
Thanks WAllaby! I've been thinking of that type for awhile, since my oldest is usually not tired, just tired of walking. I might just do that.
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jenn_mama 6-11-2006 @ 9:25PM
Ahhh, the Bjorn. Mine were almost 3 years apart, but we got some gooood use out of the Bjorn. It was way easier than trying to drag out that humongous stroller system we got with the first one (before we knew better). My youngest is 21 months now, and we still use the backpack carrier or hip carrier with regularity, as it is just easier to manuever around crowded places. Of course, the umbrella stroller is always in the trunk just in case....
When we have our third, I am seriously considering the Joovy for the 2nd and 3rd kids. The first one was always a good walker and no complaints (even at 3) about walking somewhere to shop, etc. But the second one, well, the jury is still out....he's much more devilish and apt to run away :)
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