nomi@hou2a.UUCP (N.GUTENMACHER) (11/06/84)
Nobody told me that EXPECTING a baby would be a full-time job!
Between visits to the obstetrician, Lamaze classes (plus supplemental
reading), abdominal exercises, breathing exercises, and drinking all
that milk -- who has time to choose a pediatrician and also investigate
baby furniture? I need help!
Specifically, we are now looking into strollers. Any opinions
from satisfied and dissatisfied owners of various strollers would be
appreciated. How about carriages? Car seats? Cribs?
Nomidave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (11/08/84)
We are very happy with the Perego Voila Grande stroller, which
folds down into a mini-carriage and has a number of nice features,
including a skylight so you can see the baby as you push her.
We previously had a Silvercrest (Canadian model, probably not available
in the U.S.), which is similar, plus has a reversible handle, but the
Silvercrest falls apart. Perego will be coming out with a reversible-handle
version of the Voila Grande in the spring, and is probably worth waiting
for. Reversible handle is very useful, since you can watch your baby while
pushing her. Also, we travel on the subway a lot with our baby, and
it makes it easier on the escalators to be able to flip the handle around.
The Perego (and the Silvercrest and many others) folds up easily to go
into the car trunk.
Car seat: we are very happy with the Dyno-Mite, which is good up
to 20 pounds. You can leave the baby in it and carry her around,
using it as a feeding chair, keep-her-out-of-trouble chair, etc.,
then toss it into the car and drive off. NOTE: even if you aren't
in a state which requires car seats for babies, GET ONE AND USE IT.
You're toying with your child's life to drive without a car seat.
Holding the baby on a strapped-in mother's lap is NOT sufficient.
Crib: it's mostly a matter of aesthetics, and what look you want.
But get a good firm mattress with a reasonably high number of coils.
Carriage: we bought a large carriage (Silver Cross), and returned it
without ever using it. A small fold-down stroller is enough, even
if you take lots of walks, and much cheaper.
Dave Sherman
Toronto
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{ allegra cornell decvax ihnp4 linus utzoo }!utcsrgv!davesusan@vaxwaller.UUCP (Susan Finkelman) (11/08/84)
I have an Aprica Escort stroller and a Cosco Peterson car seat, both of which are serving me well for my 4 month old. (I was lucky, I bought both at a store that was going out of the baby carrier business- shopping for bargins being another thing pregnant people don't have much time for) As far as cribs, I haven't got one yet, but do plan to get one before she crawls actively.
joepwro@ihopa.UUCP (Joe Wroblewski) (11/09/84)
We have found the Aprica LaBelle stroller to be well worth the money (approx. $175). It is very light-weight, the handle is reversible so that you can face your baby while walking, and it converts into a buggy. Good luck with your baby, and remember "Kids are Great!" Joe Wroblewski
tron@fluke.UUCP (Peter Barbee) (11/12/84)
$175 for a stroller?? Does it have an engine?? Does it
have an autofeed device?? Does it have status??
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Peter Barbeessr@foxvax1.UUCP (S.S. Reust ) (11/15/84)
There's no need to go out and buy completely new everything for the babe. Infants things generally take very little abuse, especially these days, as people have fewer kids. My daughter is the fifth baby to use our crib! And it's in perfect shape (only needed a little paint). Also, we got an UNBELIEVABLE amount of baby stuff (some new, some not) from family and friends. In fact, the only new thing we bought was her dresser, (on sale). Despite what you read, having a baby doesn't have to be expensive. Besides, babies are priceless.
jfs@ih1ap.UUCP (Jesse Fred Shumway) (11/26/84)
My wife, our daughter Nora, and I have been most satisfied with our Aprica model K-202. On he plus side: it's lightweight (lot's of plastic) so it and baby are easily carried up stairs; it has double wheels (two on each of the four axles) so it only get's stuck in the very biggest of side walk cracks; and it collapses into a nice bundle that is only a little bigger that two bumbershoots. On the down side: it was expensive (~$135) , and it's made in Japan (unemployed stroller craftsman, and funny lit - "For comfort of world's babies"). But, the most valuable piece of baby furniture you'll accquire is a baby swing! No kidding. Jesse Fred Shumway AT&T Technologies IH 8b-108 Naperville, IL 60566 (312) 979-5815 , 8-367-5815 ihnp4!ih1ap!jfs