’Luxury’ baby stuff worth the price tag?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Product Reviews
Forum Description: Cot or bassinette? Which pram is best for you? How about nappies? Check out our Product Reviews board to find out what other Mums and Dads think and share your thoughts!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36240
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Topic: ’Luxury’ baby stuff worth the price tag?
Posted By: weegee
Subject: ’Luxury’ baby stuff worth the price tag?
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 3:20pm
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Just pondering this yesterday as I flicked through my OHbaby! magazine (which I find filled with ridiculously expensive toys and clothes, but that's a whole other matter I don't want to get into!)... what stuff have you either bought or been gifted that would generally be classed as a luxury, but has been totally worth it?
eg a lot of people would class a baby hammock as a luxury but I know a lot of people who say they're worth every dollar. Mine is the http://www.solvejswings.com/baby-kea-swing.html - Solvej Baby Swing - we were given ours as a hand me down and when I found out how much they cost new I was gobsmacked, but it is truly awesome. We've gotten so much use out of it, JJ adores it still and it won't be long before Addie can use it, it's sitting outside on our tree being exposed to sun, wind, rain and hail, it lasted a friend's twins for a good 3 years before we got it, we've had it for a couple of years now and it still looks like new. ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Replies:
Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 4:02pm
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Depends on the cost per wear or use really.
I don't know how you define 'luxury' but my mountain buggy has been worth every cent, bought brand new for $700. It's a pleasure to use and I use it most days. I don't mind spending a bit more on stuff that we'll use a lot - such as the Touchwood cot and change table we bought. That'll see us through two kids and still have good resale on TradeMe afterward. Merino Go-Go bags are probably considered a luxury too but as ours get used everyday, therefore the cost per wear is a no-brainer really. (I agree with the OhBaby advertising comment. I'm the wrong target audience there, I'm afraid!) ------------- 
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Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 4:09pm
Me too. But I still like to look. That swing looks great, but yes, out of my price range. Oh yes, the Gogo bags. I lashed out and bought some when they were on sale and I LOVE them and they'll do for all the kids (when the next ones come along). Also for me I've got a few bits and pieces of expensive clothing; Bobux merino and Nature Baby cotton or merino. They always look great, I use them all the time and they don't lose their shape. I also think of our Mocka change table as a luxury (as we couldn't afford it - MIL got it for us after I had to have a c-section) but it's such a great bit of furniture I reckon it's totally worth it as well. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
JessDub wrote:Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 4:21pm
I agee on the go-go bags.we bought one new for Amy at about 4 months and then bought her a toddler bag at 20 months (so Sophie could have the small bag). Sophie used the little bag until she as 2 and is still in the toddler bag. They are still in great condition and would easily go though another child (if thee was ever a third  )
The other thing is out TripTrap chairs. My parents bought each girl one and they are great. They get used dozens of times a day (when eating, drawing, hanging out) and I live that they are ok for a grown up to sit on too so it doesn't mean that we have to move them out of the way if an adult needs to sit there for a bit. -------------   
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 4:50pm
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Hmmm... I agree on the advertising!
There is a woman in one of my groups, $2000 cot, $2000 pram... etc. Our luxuries are our P&T Sport, I do a LOT of walking so it's been worth every cent! I had a basic pram but it simply didn't cut it! So sold it and forked out a bit more for the P&T. Have a cheap carrier and tbh if I had spent a bit more time researching then I could have got a good one of those and wouldn't have needed the P&T! But the rocker/bouncer - spent $100, Lily hates it! Tbh I don't actually think we have that many luxury items for Lily. ETA: I lie, her toys are all luxuries BUT they were all either 50% or more off or 2nd hand, I never pay full price if I have to! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MuppetsMama
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 4:57pm
| Sorry I know my comment is a bit off topic, but just wanted to stick my nose in and say that I agree with the advertising - i've only bought a couple of OhBaby mags and was put off by the fact it seems to be aimed towards those with a lot of spare change...little treasures is more my type. The recipes in OhBaby use expensive ingredients, and all the kid's clothing spreads seem to be Trelise Cooper! just my two cents, sorry i'm hijacking here! |
Posted By: jessiesmum
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 8:42pm
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I love my P&T sport buggy. It's taken a hammering and it's still looking good. Also Touchwood luxus mattress, I splurged because I bought a cot second hand quite cheaply and DD is still using it on her toddler bed. Grobags - they are just fab and wash well. I prefer them to Gogo bags as they are easier to do up and wash/dry with a spilly bub. Nature Baby drawstring pants, they just fit my chubba bubba so well and not so expensive if you can pick them up in the sales, way cheaper and more comfy than PP.
I quite like the advertising in OhBaby. It's nice to see what's out there even if I wouldn't buy it. Like window shopping from the comfort of your own couch. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
DD 2007, Angel Baby 2009, DS 2010 |
Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 15 October 2010 at 10:05pm
I had a hammock, but borrowed it from my cousin and it was awesome, so worth every cent she paid
I've got a P&T stroller and I'm really glad I got that even if DS doesn't like being in it half the time... he prefers slings. Totally agree about the advertising too. So different to the feel of our little forum community isn't it? I guess they wanted it to be different from Treasures and the other aussie mags on the market? But yeah, I figure it's more for the wealthier mums. I like to look, but then makes me want what I can't have but am more at the opposite end. I just made Babe's vinegar and water spray and wipe tonight - that's more the kind of ideas I'm after ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 16 October 2010 at 4:23pm
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Our bugaboo pram - ordered it from overseas late 2007 and it cost around $1400 (retail in NZ was about $1800 at the time) but has been worth every cent, onto second baby and still going strong. I love everything about it. functionality, flexibility, looks. It was a luxury in that we could have just bought a cheaper pram, but at the time I got a promotion at work so used that as an excuse to splurge! I'm not too worried about what we paid for it, will be able to sell it on Trade Me for $1000 when we're done with it.
I don't mind aspirational advertising, and if I see something I really like you can usually get it on sale somewhere anyway so no need to pay full price. ------------- Two little girls under 2! 
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Posted By: Carnelian
Date Posted: 16 October 2010 at 10:04pm
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Clothes wise I've loved my nurtured by nature stuff over the winter. My sister let me borrow her little choc merino jacket and two all-in-ones and they still look great after her little boy and mine. I also bought two pairs of merino pants/tops off trademe and they still look great too and are so warm.
I also don't have alot of "luxury" items but we have ALOT of toys - and we didn't buy them, they're all gifts. We only generally spend about $50 max at christmas time per child. I have friends spending $350 on trampolines at christmas and $200 on little kids ride on electric motorbikes for bdays etc and I just don't think kids need all that..... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 17 October 2010 at 8:32pm
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I guess most of our stuff could be classed as "luxury" items. As in - they aren't a NEED. When you think about it - babies need very few things!
We usually like to buy quality things over the cheaper gear - in the hope that it will last a bit longer (it may be false hope but hey ). Of course, some things it's better to buy cheaper but for items that we hope will be around a long time we fork out the extra dollars for. For example, the first and only toy we have ever bought Jude (all others have been given to him by other people) was a metal sandpit grader for his birthday. It was around $60, however - it should last him.....forever. Both DP and I had replicas of the exactly the same grader in our families and both are still going strong today.
Our three baby carriers - a Moby, an Ergo and a Kozy (We really don't need THREE baby carriers but we feel we have got our moneys worth from all three) and our merino Go Go Bag (given to us) are some other luxury items. Our Graco capsule and Sunshine Kids Radian carseat were also on the expensive "luxury" side of things rather than being the most basic and cheapest. I'm glad we bought our Mountain Buggy Urban Elite + extras off TradeMe rather than new as we hardly ever use it. Our Touchwood cot was a super bargain off TradeMe (and was real Rimu too not just stained pine  ) and so we felt we could justify spending a little extra on a good quality Sleepyhead mattress for it.
(Yep, I'm starting to feel like a bit of a snob name dropping all these brands - oh well, I'll get over it, but I'll stop there )
We also spent $50 on some old painted drawers on TradeMe - sanded them back to the beautiful Rimu underneath, oiled them and put new handles on them and walah - "luxury" rimu dresser for Jude. Hehe Carnelian - have to disagree with you on the trampoline, $350 is definitely not enough to spend on a trampoline! That wouldn't cut the mustard with us When Jude and his siblings are a little older we will definitely be splurging on a really good quality trampoline - at this stage it looks as if it will be one of the fancy springfree ones. (Of course it won't be a present for an individual child, rather a present for the whole family). A tramp is pretty important for us though!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:40am
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I just thought of another luxury we have... A Portable highchair, it cost $120 but we have it at the ILs and it's great... She can sit up at the table with us to eat and loves to sit in it on the ground and play with her toys on the tray or while she snacks so she doesn't get her clothes dirty and she can still play with her little cousins etc. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 11:04am
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Baby isn't here yet so havn't had a chance to use my P&T Dash but I love it and its our most expensive purchase to date, more expensive than my genesis cot which has just gone up and I adore it makes the babies room feel more real.
I feel the P&T is an investment and its something that will get well used, I went with P&T for if/when we have #2 upgrading to the doubles kit won't be so expensive, than having to go thru the hassle of selling a cheaper buggy and buying P&T anyways. I went with the Dash as I struggled with the foot brake on the sport. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 2:17pm
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I love our P&T dash. Well worth the cost. Got a good special on it though. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 4:34pm
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My 'luxury' item was a 2nd hand bassinette. We were living in a small 3 bdrm cottage with FIL (so 3 adults, a school-aged kid and a NB) and the bassinette was a godsend as it meant she could room in with us for the first few months, made night feeds much easier without having to worry that FIL would hear her wake up before we did! MIL paid $60 for it (was the last thing she bought for baby before she passed away), looked like it was virtually new condition, and we'll use it again for this one, even though we have the house to ourselves, and the bigger bedroom. ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 10:58am
ooh - good topic weegee!! Mine has been my moby wrap...though some people wouldn't call it luxury I guess, but before baby arrived I worried I was spending $70 odd dollars on something I wouldn't use. It gets used HEAPS. I love it.
TOTALLY agree with this!! And...DH's comment from the last issue...."it's a pity that they didn't actually have a picture of some people with a cleft palate to accompany their article on cleft palate" - totally agree....the cosmetic aspect of cleft palate is a biggy for some people. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 2:26pm
I agree with your DH too! I thought the same thing! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 3:51pm
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Interesting on the tramp thing. It was one of our best purchases and I got it for $350 which included postage from AK on trademe. Love love love our tramp.
Oh and mum got us a bouncer/rocker and I love that too so far. I don't use it for that, just for putting Alex in when I wanna shower or am in the kitchen so I have my hands free. I had someone tell me use a baby carrier but ummm no, I'm not going to cook and lean over a stove top with him in my front so its well worth it for us. |
Posted By: KatzWtgn
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 10:47pm
LOL - I got two merino go-go bags from my sister. They were used for her two, and now are used for DS every night, and still look like new! Very impressed with them -- and the cost per wear for me is great! ------------- [IMG]http://lb3f.lilypie.com/rGG7p13.png] |
Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 11:52pm
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The bouncer, it was an absolutely wonderful lifesaver when DD got refluxy and wouldn't lie down. And grobags. They are great, especially when DD wakes up and cries when she gets cold and won't lie under blankets ------------- 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 20 October 2010 at 10:04am
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I can't think of anything that would come under that "luxury" catergory that I had with my kids (bearing in mind it has been almost 4 years since I had a newborn). Althou my mum said something the things I had were luxury to her when she had me. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 2:55pm
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Silly Billyz snuggleguard bibs. I thought $10 per bib was ridiculous (considering I have about 30 bibs in circulation at any one time), but someone gave me one, and now I have a fair few. They are awesome!
Also, my manduca and before that, my wrap. My pram on the other hand, a complete waste of money! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: babybrain
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 9:16pm
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I use my Mountain Buggy (bought new) everyday and love it.. its so light and easy to maneuver...
and my baby Bjorn front pack- bought off TM.. use it everyday. rented a natures seing hammock and she really doesnt like it much! stays in it for 5-10mins then screams.. even if i bounce it for ages.. and she seems to get really hot in it?!! and its hard to get her out of. I have been looking at a FP rainforest swing- but they are about $400 new?!! what the?!! unreal! so still haven tbought one as few on TM. I like looking at the pics of Treslie cooper clothes etc.. but would never buy them .. I just htink its crazy to buy expensive clothes for babies and kids. You can find second hand things on trade me. The only "expensive" items i have bought (and second hand from TM) have been merino sleep gowns- I wouldnt go wihtout them- they are fantastic. Merino is perfect for winter.. but wouldnt pay full retail. Even in farmers some tops etc are $100?!! Thats just insane! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 12:35pm
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We got a quinny buzz pram with the bassinet, capsule and big pram attachment and while it was expensive it has been great.
We have a few outfits from places like nature baby, dimples etc and they do keep their shape and still look like new. I wouldnt buy all DS's clothing from there but a few bits and pieces are OK
Carseat - im thinking of getting a radian which is pretty expensive, but I would rather spend the extra $$ on safety so I dont really class that as luxury. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: BayGirl
Date Posted: 01 November 2010 at 3:20pm
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Two things. P&T Vibe stroller wanted the dash but left it too late and they were sold out and DP like Vibe better anyway so went with it. So expensive but worth it. Use it everyday and it's great easy to manover and we feel very trendy walking it down the road. Aurora loves it too.
But best buy was a beautiful sheep skin that Rory plays on all day. It on floor with a light blanket on it and she kicks away on it, tummy time, rolls, drolls and even naps on it. So comfy and warm for floor time. NZ made too. -------------   
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Posted By: Flossie
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 6:45pm
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Mountain Buggy would have to be our most expensive baby item but we really love it as easy to manover and great on any type of terrain (grass, gravel etc) I think we have already got our moneys worth as we do alot of walking and DD just loves it (most of the time!). We also spent money on our cot (was actually gifted to us) I still love going in and looking at the cot (how weird am I?) but I just love how it looks! I wanted to spend money on cot and buggy as they will do all our children and I wanted good quality items. Plus when your both working its not that big a deal as compared to being on one income! Rest of the stuff I never pay full price for or is gifted or handed down! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: pencils
Date Posted: 27 November 2010 at 8:24pm
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Hmmm...this is an interesting one. I believe you get what you pay for.
I had a baby nearly 8 weeks ago and so far.... 1) Mountain Buggy. Bought it second-hand off TradeMe. Also bought the carrycot that fits it. It's been awesome. Baby sleeps in carrycot and I'm out walking three or four times a week with buggy so MB definitely worth it. 2) Nauture's Sway hammock. Again it was second-hand but my baby loved it. It was great for settling her. 3) Nature Baby organic cotton nightie. This was lent to me by a friend but my baby looks so cute and comfortable it in. 4) I bought a Safe-T-sleep thing but after the bad press it was given lately, i'm not sure that I'll use it. It cost me around $100. |
Posted By: Whateversville
Date Posted: 27 November 2010 at 9:01pm
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Oh oh oh..Awesome thread!!
I buy 'luxury' items 2nd hand 
My MB love love love it $110 TM Moby was new $75 but I totally got my moneys worth plus some. Ring sling same story, BUT i got a meitai then a manduca days later so have hardly used the meitai coz I LOOOOOOOVE my manduca. GOGO bags $20ea (I have 4) TM but DS hates them so very glad I didn't splash out. I bought a Hammock off TM for $180 total freakin waste of money he hated it however a friend is gettin great use outta it Most of DSs clothes are from TWH, PP, JK or farmers And TM etc. He has ONE nature baby item 4 Mokopuna items (x3 are second hand and 1 no longer fits) The most moolah I spend on one particular thing is nappies. Have prob spent upwards of $400. I got IttiBittis 2nd hand and they didn't work out for us so sold them on. Can you tell I  trademe.
So I guess yeah - some things really are worth the extra money.. I just take advantage of the 2nd half of things lives heh. Oh things I've bought new (usually on sale) are highchair, P&T metoo, carseat & capsule Oh and I got a looovely sheepskin from briscoes on 60% off when I was about 17wks pregnant
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 27 November 2010 at 9:36pm
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2 more things to add to my luxuries list,
1x Leo Green 5.2m Storchenwiege - $180 inc postage! My best buy ever! I love it for long walks because it's so comfy! I did look for 2nd hand but couldn't find one! 1x Baby Hawk Mei Tai, I couldn't decide between the 3 different types of Mei Tai I knew of so got the middle one $135 inc postage (others were $80 and $180) - Love it for back carrying but it's sort of a waste of money... I love my storchenwiege too much! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: snooze
Date Posted: 28 November 2010 at 8:18am
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My only luxury item was DS's Recaro Sport carseat. Safety is the only thing that I feel inclined to splash out on.
DS's Maclrean pram & stroller were both off TM. Cheap as chips, and I am very happy with both. I have got 2x gogo bags but both off TM again. His cot was pretty cheap but I bought a good mattress. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 28 November 2010 at 8:46am
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P&T Dash and Moby... cant live without them!
Next will be a ergo/manduca type carrier -------------   
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Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 14 December 2010 at 2:49pm
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Our P&T was the only real luxury thing I think we bought and we love it. DD has a couple of bits of expensive clothes from family friends which certainly look nice but she pukes on them just the same as the T&Tstuff.
I'm also always amazed with the stuff advertised in Oh baby magazine, certainly not the shops that I go to 
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Posted By: RicKer
Date Posted: 18 December 2010 at 9:43am
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Our mountain buggy was brought new (thanks nana!) and i love it!
Our radian carseat. I find it absolutely brilliant and it was worth every cent (i brought it for $350) Our mei tai. DD decided she didn't like the moby anymore but she loves the mei tai. Gogo bags. DD hates blankets so i found these a life saver! There are a few things that weren't worth the money (for us). DD hated her kicking coaster that mum brought her and never went in it. We brought her a swing and it was a lifesaver for about a month and hasn't been used since so is stored in the garage for baby #2. |
Posted By: babylove
Date Posted: 29 December 2010 at 4:59pm
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Im also one who would buy something of trademe rather than buy it new. with each child i had something different as a lux item as money circumstances changed with each one.
with our 1st we had very little money dh was on min wage which was under $10 back then and i was just out of school. out lux item was the new carseat that we managed to buy and change table that MIL bought us, everything else was hand me downs. with our 2nd dh had a new job and almost twice the $$. my lux item with him was feeding pillow, brand new cot(1st had been in a portacot). with our 3rd we ttc for a while so money was saved for a while for when i was preg, but since we had all the big items my lux items were his clothes and nursery set. but the item i loved was his MP3 player(playskool). with our 4th we were in our own home, we had all the big items and the money, so we got to buy those items that i couldnt with the others we did get a hammock which i had wanted to get with all of them but turns out it didnt get much use and i sold it by the time he was 8wks. ds4 got nice merino, bobux clothing, shoes etc. which were worth it as i hate putting so many layers on my babies. I bought sleeping bags but not gogo bags(way to expensive) I just bought them at farmers and baby city when 50% off. i bought a merino bag but he would sweat like crazy in it even if he just wore a bodysuit under it. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: snoop267880
Date Posted: 06 July 2021 at 3:02am
| Recently came across this luxury baby brand called Archers Bow. They have premium cashmere clothes' and I can definitely say it was worth every penny. Very good quality. https://www.archers-bow.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.archers-bow.com/ |