Baby Product Advice #2 (CJ)

You could go either way with the stroller. I ended up NOT going with the travel system, only because a friend gave us some gear & we didn't need the whole system. Snap N Go is nice, but you're going to eventually need a regular stroller. Long story short, you should probably just go with the travel system. You'll use it while baby is in the infant carrier & then you'll use it when he's big enough to sit in the stroller like a big boy. And that day will come FAST! :)

If you plan on doing any outside walking on anything other than a sidewalk, I would strongly suggest a jogger as well. You could prob pick one up on craigslist, though. I recommend getting one with a front wheel that pivots.

Also, other than the jogger, I would probably stick with a brand new travel system. Strollers and car seats can get pretty funky & I think you would be happier with one that's nice & clean.

Pack N Plays are really all the same. You will only use the bells & whistles "infant" set up for a short time. They are all pretty much identical in how they're made, so just pick a style you like. I would suggest the nice fuzzy velour type sheet for it & also consider the extra mattress (about 2 inches thick) if you think he’ll be sleeping in it on a fairly regular basis as he gets older (like if he’ll be sleeping in it at the beach, etc). The mattress that comes with it is pretty hard.

We didn’t use our swing much at all with Riley, but we used it a ton with Mason...I think just because he was #2 and I couldn’t hold him all day. You might want to consider getting a swing from craigslist since you may not use it much. Plus, it takes up a lot of space for something that I think is used more for subsequent kids. However, you should definitely register for one of those vibrating bouncy seats. We used that thing like crazy for both kids. It’s nice even with kid #1 because you can put the baby in the bouncer and stare at him while you eat, etc.

MUST MUST MUST get a playmat with the toys & lights & sound. You will use that thing like crazy! Get one new…lots of kids spit up on them. I would also recommend a bumbo seat. I know they are getting a bad wrap right now, but only because some moms are dumb & leave their kid in a bumbo on the kitchen counter & walk away. It’s great on the floor & you can get a tray so they can snack. Very cute & you could get it on craigslist….they wipe clean.

We had a diaper champ only because the diaper genie requires you buy the diaper genie bags. Diaper champ you can use a regular plastic shopping bag. Either way, it’s kinda gross. Good luck with that.