Yesterday in a bad-mood-induced-by-nothing I flopped in front of the couch and, finding nothing on normal TV, flipped through the OnDemand selections. I of course wandered over to the AlphaMom channel. I was a little bit disappointed by their shows, honestly. The “Selecting Baby Gear” episode was only on Graco products. Which is great, when you want to compare one Graco stroller to another, but what about all the other brands? I also was a little bit annoyed by the fact that the shows were centered around the Graco specialist showing off their stuff. What about user reviews? Moms talking about what they got? A little lacking, IMO.

But nonetheless, here are some notes.

Baby Gear

• invest in a digital monitor. analog have an annoying habit of picking up other things.
• most Graco strollers will take either model of infant seats Graco sells
• Lovin Hug swing – has music, nature sounds, 6 speeds, toys, and a mobile (jeez, spoil the kids huh? ;) )
• Contempo highchair – has the slimmest fold on the market (7″ ), a dishwasher-safe tray insert, and adjustable height. (I believe it also has multiple recline positions.)
• Graco iMonitor – digital, so there’s no static, no weird pick-ups. 2000 ft range. Rechargeable batteries.

Graco Strollers

• Mosaic – weighs 18lbs, holds a child up to 40lbs. Has no cup holders or anything. Very lightweight, good for urban living.
• Vienna – Weighs 24lbs, holds a child up to 40lbs. Has an large basket, cup holders and tray for your stuff. Also has height-adjustable handles.
• Quattro Tour – Weighs 24lbs, holds a child up to 40lbs. Has an extra large storage basket, the drop-and-load style. Has cup holders and multiple compartments for your stuff. Known as the “SUV” of strollers.

Childbirth Preperation Classes

• There has been a shift in the past 10 years. Where once mothers would come into the class asking, “How can I achieve a natural childbirth?” now they are saying, “How can I avoid a c-section?” (Which personally I believe is because of the increase in c-sections.)
• Your partner/husband knows you the best. So when you’re in labor, he’s the one in a position to help you out the most. It’s helpful for him to understand the physical and emotional signposts of labor to help you get through it.
• What to look for in a childbirth class:
  • The teacher has gone through a rigorous certification and training.
  • The class should focus on all your choices during labor, not how to achieve birth with a specific method. (Because in labor anything can happen, and the more prepared you are, the better a position you will be in to be in control and to be able to make informed decisions.
  • What is the class size? Smaller is better.
  • What’s the timeframe? The more time, the more information you’re going to be able to get.
  • Is there a snack break? (Pregnant women need snack breaks.)
  • Where are the classes, in a hospital type setting, or in a home?
  • When should you start the classes? Ideally aim for taking the classes in your 7th and 8th month. During your 9th month you don’t want to have to worry about classes, but too early in your pregnancy and you’re not as receptive to the information. (The speaker stated it kind of like this: “In your first and second trimesters being pregnant is still fun, and labor is still just a concept for the future. By the third trimester you you are so ready to hear how to get the baby out.”)
• Lamaze = focussed breathing and other coping methods
• Bradley = husband-coached childbirth and relaxation
• ICEA = national certification, is not a “method” but goes over various choices

For strollers I’m actually considering getting one of the snap-and-go frames with all the stuff I want, they are a lot lighter than a full stroller with infant seat. However, then I stop and think, what will I do after the baby outgrows the infant carrier? What kind of stroller will I want? Hmmm. Must think more on this idea.