Listening to my husband explain the use of each of our three strollers makes me so proud. It took him several months to experience situations where each one is necessary, but now he understands why I need all three.
In all seriousness though, I tend to be more of a minimalist, and I have actually gone without some baby items that might be considered necessities. (For example, we never purchased an ExerSaucer (although I am seriously considering buying one for the next child…just don’t tell Mr. Handsome). Before I buy something, I always make sure to ask myself if I need it. And if the answer is yes, I ask myself if I really need it. Then I consider the price and whether we have a place to store it. I rarely purchase something for Little Buddy that is more than $30, and more often than not, the price is under $5.
Hear our thoughts on baby items in the video below, and then feel free to respond in the comments section.
Johnna
Since people managed without so much stuff in decades past it just proves that most things are simply convenience items that are not necessary but make life easier. Also there are practical people and then there are those who are busy keeping up with the Joneses. It’s obvious you and your husband are very practical and most likely not knee need in debt!
OhioMama
I saved all of my baby stuff when I had my oldest cause I knew I wanted another one, and was able to pass down lots of items to my youngest including his car seat because it wasn’t pass the experation date, and i used it until got rear ended a few months ago and had to get new ones. All my baby stuff unless it was a gift was used except for some clothing. Where i use to live and my parents still live they have huge consignment sales a few times a year that focus on kid and baby stuff and I got a lot there. I rarely buy brand new clothes for my oldest because he grows out of them so quick, I shop at Once Upon a Child for clothing for him because it’s good cheap used clothing that no one can’t really tell unless they are told. I have people always ask me if I will take handy down for there boys and I say yes because I need clothes for them and we are not above them. Luckily I have two boys so I can pass down from my oldest to my youngest even some shoes that my oldest out grew before he could wear them out. Saying that my kids have used clothing and nothing else is not true I sometimes buy them brand new clothing and they get clothes as gifts but I also dont see buy a few hundred dollars of clothing for them that they are going to out grow in a blink of an eye. Pretty much short version is I like handy downs a lot, I take them for myself too
Ellie
I love stores like Once Upon a Child. We have a kids consignment store in the area, and they have a huge sale twice a year. The two times I visited, I just happened to hit the sale. (Praise God for that!) We also have a few consignment sales in Nashville, usually in spring and fall.
Ellie
Anonymous
What are handy downs? I’m sorry, but I’ve never heard that expression before?
Regina Shea
Who cares about baby items? Look at that adorable bear! Squirrel! Oh focus Regina! Readers who’ve seen “Up” would get the squirrel reference.
I bought used baby clothes from yard sales and thrift stores. I’ve bought really nice strollers from thrift stores but car seats I would use caution because you never know if it’s on the recall list. Also I would use caution when buying new items from “little hole in the wall” privately owned discount stores. Some of the children’s items may not be safe because they are poorly and cheaply made and may contain lead.
Back to the bear, back in the 80s I collected bears and bear related items. I still have two bear night shirts that has stood the test of time. I only have one left bear though because I gave them away.
Ellie
Lol Regina. 🙂 I completely agree about the car seats. Only new car seats or seats from close friends who can assure it has never been in any sort of crash and can provide the manual to check for recalls.
Sounds like a fun collection. How many bears did you have?
Ellie
Regina Shea
I had about 20+. It was fun to collect them but I was equally happy to give them away.
Amanda
My baby is an adult now, but the only baby equipment I bought were a stroller and car seat. I had her in my own, and she was 11 years old when I learned to drive, so it was like my station wagon. I usually carried her in a shawl I knotted into a sling, and pushed the stroller full of groceries, laundry, or whatever I had to haul. It sounds harder than it was.
I think most baby equipment is not necessary, but our consumerism is so ingrained in us that it’s easy to feel like we need a bunch of products in order to parent.
Anonymous
When I was having my first child someone offered to get me an umbrella stroller. When I learned what it was I said no, thank you anyway. I wanted to begin with a big comfy crib like, plus fold to an armchair, stroller. The one I got was great, almost a nursery on wheels. As far as children’s seconds consignment stores, buying might be something but it was a major disappointment to go there with garbage bags of clean good clothes and have them turn me completely down without getting one of my items. I thought it would be better for them to be a bit patronizing and never went there for anything either. But consider the unload …. People are looking to pass on their used items for not too much money so it might be smart to talk directly to people who have children to find out if they want to sell used items. But this could take some insight and skill or a person could wind up taking on all sorts of used stuff just cause they are not hard nosed business dealers who are well experienced and educated in the goods that they market and when to buy and when to not buy, or dissapoint lol!
Federica
I have gotten so many clothes and other baby items from my sister in law, as my nephew is only a year older than my son. The first time I remember she asked me, “Will you be offended at hand-me-downs?” Are you kidding me??? Of course not! Who gets offended at hand-me-downs? (OK, maybe some people out there). We got the first car seats from very good friends whom we know and trust, and who had all the documentation, and we knew they had not been in accidents (I completely agree with you on this one, Ellie!). We also took advantage of credit card points that we redeemed, plus coupons, and bought our strollers heavily discounted that way – a big reason why we keep a personal credit card in the first place, which we use sparingly, and pay in full each month. Believe it or not, the only item we bought brand new and at its full price was an additional, lighter car seat for airplane travel, but also good for cars at our destination. It was around $50 at Walmart but we have and will use it a lot as we travel a lot by plane. Believe me, not lugging a heavy car seat around airports is a huge plus, and also, I feel safer knowing that my 2-year old is strapped into his car seat in his airplane seat, especially on long international flights.
Ellie
We also bought a lighter car seat for air travel. I agree–lugging the big one through the airport would be terrible. And I would be nervous about it getting damaged and having to pay a high price to replace it.
Ellie
Kristy
We have a 2.5 yr old, a 1yr old, and a baby due in March! We had a lot more stuff saved for the second baby, then when she came we realized we didn’t need so much.
The way things collect for “next baby” or when current babies will be older is insane! We learned with our second that she was just as content tinkering with her older sisters things as she was “baby toys” so we felt better about tossing some of those baby toys.
My absolute necessities are a stroller and a baby carrier, you can do SO MUCH MORE with a baby strapped to you rather than holding it in your arms.
I’d like to hear what you guys have planned for baby spacing or how many you dream of having!
You currently sound like me when I’m ready to have another baby, or am already expecting.
I always talk about the next baby a lot more haha. So it’ll be interesting to find out!
I hope y’all have a wonderful new year!
Ellie
Congratulations on your baby due in March Kristy! How are you feeling?
Ellie
Kristy
I’m feeling great, pregnancies have been easy for me so I’m able to enjoy it. Thanks for asking!
Ellie
I’m glad to hear that, Kristy! 🙂
Tiffany
Most of our baby stuff were either gifts from baby shower or we bought . We have bought a few things used. I also pass down most of my oldest clothes to my youngest son . It does seem like every pants they have get holes in the knees so I always have to get new pants.
It’s been 10 years since we have our first son and pretty much everything we got baby wise has broken and Just hasn’t lasted with our 3rd child . So if we have another one we need a lot more stuff.
Our car seat only was ok for my two boys and had I took it to babies r us to get a discount to buy a new one for my youngest . It expired the year before I had her.
And I second , don’t buy used car seats . Sometimes you might have a trusted friend that can pass one down if it isn’t expired and hasn’t been in accident .
But there are people who would sale a expired car seat or one in a accident . Since a car seat protects your child in accident it’s the one thing you want to always be carefully about.
I did have a question for you Ellie. I know your husband knows a lot about teeth since he is a doctor , what does he think about the Fluoride free toothpaste and if it does a good job preventing cavities ?
I know it’s ok for littles since they might swallow toothpaste but I know adults don’t normally swallow the paste . I have read that too much fluoride if you swallow it is toxic .
So I don’t know what to do. Most dentists would tell you to use fluoride . I am also really prone to cavities for some reason . I wish I wasn’t . Not sure if it’s because it’s genetic or from being pregnant or braces .
What toothpaste do y’all use?
Ellie
Hi Tiffany,
Great question about the toothpaste. Mr. Handsome is a big advocate of using toothpaste with fluoride (except for young children, as you mentioned). It’s really a great preventative step for keeping cavities at bay. The two things you need in a toothpaste are fluoride and “grit.” You’ll find that in all the toothpastes made by leading brands. The toothpaste industry tries to convince you that there are a bunch of different kinds that do different things, but when it all comes down to it, they are all the same. As long as you have those two things, you’re good. It’s funny because a acquaintance recently asked me the same question that you asked, and I gave her the same answer. She said those were the same words her dentist had used. I guess Mr. Handsome is teaching me well. LOL.
There are a number of reasons why some people are more prone to cavities. Genetics and pregnancy are some of them, so don’t feel bad. Just make sure to brush twice a day and floss once a day, and then also try to avoid sweetened drinks like soda and sweet tea.
Hope that was helpful. 🙂
Ellie
Anon
I’m not a advocate for fluoride. I developed thyroid disease from it and most people don’t understand it’s a poison to the body and different things can develop because of it. More states are finally catching on and there is whole states and cities banning it in their water. That should tell you something. Of course the medical community don’t understand it and will fight about it cause it’s a money racket. Not teachable in the least. Anyway I could go on and on but I won’t. Do your own research about it.
lisa thompson
Interesting. We only had a midrange stroller, never felt need for umbrella stroller. And no double stroller as boys were 2 years apart. Do think it’s great you are looking at cost but seems like there is a lot more stuff for kids than 30 years ago.