The Celebrity Baby post is linked here. We were bummed that our product suggestions weren't included (again, totally our fault), but since we've already written up the list with some of our fave products, we thought we'd share it here at home.
Read it, tweet it, add to it, etc.!
1) Our number one recommendation is get a good double stroller. It's hard to name one brand since people use strollers for different purposes (urban Baby Buncher vs. suburban one) But a Double Stroller is a must have. Our readers have recommended many, but the Phil and Ted, Bob's Double and CityMini Double seem to be the most popular. Please check out our full double stroller guide (and feel free to comment)
2) Sling/Baby Bjorn/Some other kind of carrier The Baby Bjorn is great, but we've been hearing more and more about the Ergo because it lets you switch from front to back and then covers enough where baby can nurse while you're doing other things. Slings can save a Baby Buncher in the beginning because she can do so many things--including entertain her toddler--while wearing the baby. We recommend moms try out a few slings that work for them.
3) Second baby monitor (This is a maybe, but it's worth researching.)
4) Second crib (Almost definitely a yes. Get one. Borrow one. Beg for one.
5) High Chair ( Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster seat, the Ikea Antilop high chair, and Graco's 4 in 1 Blossom). Moms will need two high chairs at one time.
6) Scoop Bibs (Kiddopotamus Bibbity is great - soft and flexible and dishwasher safe).
8) Car seat--Sunshine Radian seems to be a big fav!
9) Take and Toss sippies - it's hard enough to keep track of both babies in public, you don't need to be worried about keeping track of fancy, expensive sippy cups.
10) Mabel's Labels can be used to label everything for each child - even clothing that is so close in size that Dad sometimes puts it on the wrong kid.
11) Munchkin food grinder. No need to make separate meals for babies and toddlers at different stages of eating - this easy to use, battery-free, dishwasher-safe grinder will puree most items for baby.
12) Electric breast pump for sure, no matter how awesome your supply was the first time around. The Medela Pump In Style is an old favorite for many, now Medela makes the hands-free Freestyle (which we haven't tried at Baby Bunching, but wish it had been out when we needed it!)
As always this list changes as new products come on the market, so please let us know your new favs.
I did get an inexpensive manual pump with number 2, but since I'm tandem nursing whenever I have a plugged duct or am concerned about mastitis due to engorgement I just give my toddler that side.
I refuse to get a double stroller. Those things are a pain- they would take up the entire trunk of my car, are heavy, difficult to maneuver, and would allow one child to pinch/hairpull/fill in the blank the other. When I do use my Combi stroller, which is nice and light and not much bigger than an umbrella stroller when folded down, I have the baby on me in our ring sling (Maya wrap style), Moby wrap, or mei tai.
I buy inexpensive sippy cups so I don't stress if they go missing, but I wouldn't buy disposable sippy cups. I try to avoid using disposable products since they cause so much unneeded waste.
Posted by: Natalie @ Naddy's Blog | 11/09/2009 at 01:11 PM
My little ones are 18 months and 3 weeks old.
I'm trying to put off a double stroller, even though we travel only by public transportation in Europe (okay, that's the primary reason why I don't want a double stroller!). I have an Ergo Baby Carrier...and absolutely LOVE it! The baby is with me there, and our older son is in the normal buggy.
We have a baby monitor, but really don't use it...we don't need to living in a small apartment!
Posted by: melissa | 11/09/2009 at 01:37 PM
My Baby Bjorn, double stroller (I have the Combi you guys recommend and love it!), and Medela Breast pump are my saviors! Would recommend them to any buncher in a heart beat!
Posted by: Susan | 11/09/2009 at 01:56 PM
The Ergo & Hotsling were our top picks for carriers as well (Bjorn killed my back). We used our hotsling with our 3.5 year old in Disney in a pinch when she was tired in the back carry position and she fell asleep!
After going through a multitude of strollers, the one that worked the best for us AFTER getting out of the infant seat is our Peg Perego Pliko3. It has the jumper board on the back for our older one when she's too tired to walk (or mom is in a rush!). It's light, folds up well like an umbrella stroller and was fantastic for air travel.
Posted by: Andrea | 11/10/2009 at 04:18 PM
ERGO ERGO ERGO ! But also this great new product - the tagalong:
www.tagalongkids.com
Posted by: Stephanie Arnold | 11/11/2009 at 10:36 AM
WOW! Thats an awesome find. We might have to look into that here! Thanks!
Posted by: Linda Kerr | 11/11/2009 at 01:18 PM
My two are 26 months and 7 months. I babywear my younger one to avoid a double stroller (I cannot even steer single strollers as I constantly bump things). I also have never used my pump since my younger son was born--no time. I don't have a car seat tray either as both boys are still rear-facing and the toddler just stores all his toys at his feet against the seat.
Posted by: Michelle | 11/11/2009 at 04:41 PM
Cool! Thanks for including us at Graco :)
Posted by: Kelly | 11/16/2009 at 01:53 PM
We love the stick on Mabel's Labels. We just stick to labeling with our last name since the items are getting handed down so quickly.
I also love the ERGO. By far the second best thing I've purchased. WHat is the first you ask? The hands free pumping bra by Easy Expressions. By far the best $35 I've ever spent. I can pump, eat breakfast, answer emails and catch up on my TV time at 5AM while the rest of the house is still sleeping (on a good day)
Posted by: Vanessa | 11/17/2009 at 09:45 AM