If you are in the process of planning your baby registry, you may want to take note that BabyCenter has released its list of the top fifteen baby products of 2012, as chosen by moms. Who better to offer real life feedback on what works (and doesn’t work) for babies and their parents, and, perhaps more importantly, why. Since parenting is such an individual thing, it only makes sense that there are many products out there to address the needs of different parents with different lifestyles. Of course, it makes it a little harder to pinpoint which products will work for you, but on the plus side, choosing baby gear helps you to get started on thinking about how you will parent your little one once he or she arrives.
As a mother of two boys whose current ages are three years and eight months, I am familiar with most of the products on the list. Some of them are even things that I have been fortunate enough to use myself. For example, the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat beat out Britax and Graco for the title of top infant car seat, and I wholeheartedly agree that it rocks. Mine has seen me through both of my boys, and the only reason that I will soon stop using it is that Blake is getting too big for it. Not only is it easy to use, it is stylish and super safe.
Anyone who has read this blog before has probably heard me wax poetic about the Ergo baby carrier, and with good reason. I was skeptical about the price tag, but it has more than paid for itself as far as keeping Blake happy and safe while I am free to attend to domestic duties, social outings, and life with a very active toddler. Oh, don’t forget that it gives you superheroine – like powers by enabling you to breastfeed discreetly anywhere thanks to the attached hood. Medela breast pumps are the best there are, so I certainly agree with including that on the list. A good pump can make the difference between breastfeeding ease or frustration, especially for working moms. We also have the Baby Bjorn potty, and it takes up little space in the bathroom, Dylan finds it comfortable to use, and it is very easy to clean.
The products that I do not have experience with are things that I do not use either because they are out of my price range (the Britax convertible car seat and the BOB jogging stroller) or do not fit in with how we parent our boys or how we furnish our home. For example, there is a nice looking crib on the list but we co – sleep and do not use cribs. Also, there is a changing table on the list but we decided that the bath mat on the bathroom floor keeps our little (and not so little) wigglers at a safe height. Also, we don’t have a pack – n – play. When he’s not in the Ergo, Blake roams freely about on the floor. Like I said, choosing baby gear for your registry will get you thinking about parenting, and that’s a good thing.