Poor Design meaning Looks - that is what you mean, correct?
Wow. that is one gorgeous highchair! I really would hate to clean it. :) I can't believe I am saying that, usually drives me nuts when people post that.

For DS1 - I had a hideous highchair that got ruined. I shouldn't say hideous, it was just big and cushy and lots of nooks and crannies.

For DS2 I got a baby bjorn highchair. Some things are plastic for a reason. I liked the looks though compared to the rest of them out there. I will say that on thanksgiving poor DS2 had a butt explosion and vomit fest at the same time while in the highchair. I can not even stress enough how easily the baby bjorn cleaned up.

I am sure you already know this, but a lot of times you buy these things and the baby doesn't even like them. Neither of my kids liked the swing. Maybe if they had one like that they would have liked it, but I don't know.

Baby Bjorn does have a cradle that looks a bit different too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Baby Bjorn

As with all things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

DGS is 18 months old and DD2 was able to bring in the things he needed and not worry about the look she had achieved (a lot of this goes out the window once baby is home anyway!) by selecting things in her color range.

As far as the high chair, baby won't need for months, so no need to buy one now. She could change her mind between now and then anyway.

The Hushamok is quite modern in appearance, yet the Nicole Reid is quite traditional. What style is her home?

Has she considered the floor space the hammock will occupy? It looks like a tripping hazard too.

fwiw, several parents I know (including DS with his 8 month old DD) have found the Rock 'n Play Soothers best for promoting sleep the first 6 months. DD2 already had a swing, so DGS slept in it during that time but several of her friends had them and raved. My cousin and his wife recently bought one for their fussy baby and he's slept like an angel since.

Congratulations on the new grandbaby.

Here is a link that might be useful: rock n play soother - example

Allison--great minds think alike :-) I bought this one for my new grandson and it saved our butt. He is 4 mos old and still loves it. It plugs in and does not depend on batteries.

I have it's twin at my house for visits and future grandchildren.

Peegee--that high chair is gorgeous. I would assume that it can be easily cleaned. Most baby stuff is meant to be functional and will not all be beautiful like that high chair.

Lots of beautiful cribs!

Here is a link that might be useful: Swing

Red Lover, that is the one DD2 purchased. DS is now using. :)

The Tripp Trapp chair is a reasonably priced high chair that grows with the baby. It's wood. It's easy to clean. It has clean, simple lines. It works until the child is around three years old, depending on how fast the child grows.

And it can take a beating. My brother has had three kids use the same chair and it is now on loan to a cousin of theirs and is still going strong, even though it is over 13 years old. They have purchased a new baby seat insert thingy for it, but the chair itself is still sturdy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tripp Trapp chair

We have really liked Trip Trap high chairs. They are decent looking, easy to clean and adjustable in height so useful for a much longer period than most high chairs. I also like that they pull up to the table so the baby can eat with everyone else.

The swing and bouncy and such are very short lived--less than a year. And that first year is often a blur of sleep deprivation and diaper changes anyway. My strategy was to buy used on CL and get rid of the stuff as soon as we were done with it.

If she plans on multiple kids in relatively short order, it might make more sense to pay more for the nicer looking stuff and store it in between kids.

I highly recommend the Baby Bargains Book and associated forum for baby gear advice.

We used (still use) Svan high chairs. A little goofy-looking but nice quality, very adjustable, and a very small footprint. We didn't have room for the bulky high chairs. Now the kids use them as chairs at the dining table although the children are just about big enough to use real chairs. Svan chairs do hold adults which is always amusing.

My granddaughter is using the Tripp trapp highchair also.
She is now 2 so does not need the baby seat attachment anymore.
My daughter says that of all her baby gear that was the best buy. She loves it.

(Oh and I would NOT assume that just because something is meant for a baby it is easy to clean. High chairs, even plastic ones, are notorious for being difficult to clean.)

Well, I have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 2 mo old and I, too, did not want a lot of plastic stuff around and I wanted everything to be compact. Here is what I ended up with:

1. Tripp Trapp highchair. Still used by the 2 1/2 yr old. Started using around 7 months old when we began solids. Had no use for the baby set that is sold separately since he was old enough to sit. We did buy the aftermarket play tray to use until he was ready to sit in the TT at the table. Good investment and would do it again.

2. Crib - we bought a mini crib for the eldest b/c we were in a small apt. Now we are getting the Jenny Lind from DaVinci/Million Dollar Baby. It is beautiful, sturdy and inexpensive to boot. Love the traditional spindles.

3. Crib bedding - lots of nice stuff out there but I ended up doing custom for both kids.

4. Loved the Rock N Play Sleeper that is mentioned above. The little one still sleeps in it in our room. Not the prettiest but definitely a life saver!

5. Bouncer - we bought the Maclaren bouncer b/c it was plain - no cartoon characters! Bjorn also makes a nice one.

6. We never bought a swing but did end up with the Fisher Price Jumperoo. Big and bulky but it does fold up and my son enjoyed it. Hopefully my daughter will too!

7. Changing table - use it daily, although lots of people don't. I didn't want to get on the floor for each change. I used a old console table and had it repainted. Love it and it can go back to being a console table when the little ones grow up.

8. In an effort to minimize gifts of things I didn't want (including clothing with cartoons!!), I had a book shower. Love, love, love! We have a great children's library now. It was also great b/c people didn't have to spend a lot of money. My MIL and SIL created a gift list of over 100 books on Amazon and people purchased from there.

I think that is the gist of it. If I think of anything else, I will report back!

Maggie

DD2 did something similar for a changing table - purchased an already painted dresser at a local antique store. I believe all changing pads now come with velcro strips to hold them in place. I padded and lined the drawers, per DD2s request. The dresser will grow with him, move to guest room or be used for next baby.

I will say she purchased an inexpensive bed from JC Penny. It's already been replaced with a Babyletto Hudson convertible crib (not using side rail yet). I also purchased a Babyletto Modo convertible crib. Both are very well made and beautiful in our homes.

Here is a link that might be useful: more nursery pictures

Allison- love how your link makes the point of the baby's space "...decorated to be in harmony with the rest of the house". That's exactly DD's desire, to integrate baby items that will maintain the harmony of her home. She also plans to use a dresser, one that she already has, for a changing table. Your daughter's baby room seems very calming.
Mamorella - Great idea on a book shower! The research for putting together a list seems daunting, but DD might be interested as she also is determined to minimize the influx of the unwanted - LOL about "clothing with cartoons" - exactly!!!!! Will check out some of the other items you mention.
CRI, Redlover and Boopadapoo (Butt explosion LOL) - I'm hoping someone who has used the chair can comment on cleanability - great point! And yes, thank you, I did mean by poor design to mean hideous looking! Now obviously that becomes very subjective, but I go back to Allison's link re: maintaining harmony, and for DD, that would not include brightly colored plastic, anything....etc. Oh and Allison, you are right about the traditional high chair and contemporary Hushamok ; she is mainly traditional but likes the clean, simple lines of the Hushamok over any alternatives she has yet come across.
Please keep thoughts, ideas and suggestions coming. I know there must be many who have struggled through this! I will check out all mentioned items! Thanks everyone!

Thanks, Peegee. That was a concern.

I don't think DD2 even did a baby registry. Most relatives asked what she needed or sent Visa cards. She has a small shower with work friends (many from HS) and what she didn't want to keep was easy enough to return. 1st birthday party, same thing.

It probably helps that DD2 does like bright colors and has them in her home. But she still did not/does not want an onslaught of brightly colored plastic things in every corner.

I have two kids 21 months apart. When they were both small, our dining room did not have enough space for two high chairs, one even. We used booster seats that attach to your existing chairs. My kids never had a problem sitting in them, even when they were very little. The trays detach and the chair slides up close to the table. When we had people over, we'd just unhook the booster and store it in a closet and had no bulky high chair to deal with. And it was easy to take the booster into the shower with me to clean.

Thought of a few more things. Most of what I purchased was collapsible and easy to store. Hence, the Rock and Play mentioned above. It folds flat and can be shoved in a closet. The jumperoo is a bit bigger but does fold up and could be stored as well. We also had an activity mat that was great. Infantino brand. Folds up into a stick. Loved it! Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002DWALTI/ref=mw_dp_sim_ss3?pi=SX125

I also bought attractive storage bins for toys, some from Etsy and some from Serena & Lily (check their website-beautiful stuff). We avoided all big and bulky toys. Still do! In addition, friends and family know that we don't like a lot of "stuff" so they usually consult us before buying anything major.

As for clothing, what we do get that we don't like goes to either Goodwill, family or a prenatal program for the homeless. Of course I send a thank you first then donate. : ) It might sound callous but I am pretty particular about how my children are dressed and I know the clothing is going to be used. My SIL's love getting boxes from me!

Well, the Nicole Reid website explains how easy it is to clean by popping out the seat, so that's a help! Still hoping to hear about people's experience with Hushamok. Or nice quality alternatives ...Also any comments on Baby Bjorn bouncer? The Rock and Play some have mentioned has a recall regarding mold. Any quality wood playpens still being made without having to buy from the UK where they seem common? Any recommendations on changing pads for dressers with organic covers? Other ideas? Oh yes - her husbands a jogger, and they are very active - thoughts on the Chariot CX-1 or 2? (with the conversions) And a simple but nice small/umbrella? type stroller for quick stuff? Good Car seats? Geesh, there's so much stuff to think about!!! Thanks everyone!!

I wouldn't go to great lengths to find better looking baby gear. At the end of the day even the fancier brand stuff is still less than attractive, IMO. Additionally, most of it is put away by the time they are walking. Not the high chair, obviously, but the swing, bouncer, excersaucer, etc, are all done with after a few months. Also, I don't know what that hush hammock is but it sounds like a swing. Not all babies enjoy the same things. My daughter loved her swing, but my son couldn't stand it. My son didn't tolerate the bassinet either. Would have been a shame to spend more than we already had on some "designer" item and then have it go unused.

I would rather spend the money on high quality car seats and strollers.

If you are looking for baby gear advice I would head over to the Windsor peak- baby 411 forum. They have specific forums for strollers, carseats, gear, etc.

This post was edited by olivesmom on Sat, Feb 16, 13 at 21:41

I'd be worried about the safety of the Hushamok. The baby hammock cannot be used once the baby turns. Well, it's not unusual for babies to roll over before they are one month old or wiggle so much, that they could get "stuck" on one end, or worse, fall out. That's why babies are to be swaddled when they are in this hammock, namely, to reduce movement. Our first born hated being swaddled and would kick everything off within seconds, until I finally gave up. I'd just get a simple basket to sleep in as well as a bouncer. Agree with olivesmom to spend money on items that 'you'll you use longer, car seats and strollers.

the tripp trapp high chair is a perfect example of good design. the nicole reid is just plain silly looking. it looks pretentious. it's a high chair. for a baby!
i've had a couple of kids and although i love them, they are on occasion, filthy. they are prone to projectile vomiting when you least expect it, their diapers leak and food seldom stays neatly on a tray.
i also had a hammock shipped from australia. like nosoccermom, our baby disliked being swaddled and would squirm around so much he would end up pushed against the sides with his face directly against the fabric. frankly, the thing scared the daylights out of me and i placed the baby strapped into his bouncy seat to sleep. the next day i stored the hammock in the garage after reading several reviews citing safety concerns.
speaking of bouncy seats, my kids loved them. they had bright, plastic shapes dangling from above. i could wipe down the vinyl seat and plastic pieces easily and the vibration mode seemed to really soothe them. we had three of them for our home (one on every floor), plus two additional (one for each of the grandparents homes).
the best way to go is to buy things a baby will enjoy using.
i understand concern for ones decor. don't get me wrong, but there is no more perfect rule than Form Follows Function, especially where babies are concerned.

I do not think the mold problem is due to normal use. It's due to overflow from wet diapers, etc.

Most babies do not like to sleep flat. They've been cuddled inside the womb. Something that cradles them is usually the best option the first few months.

Kate--

Your post made me LOL. You always seem to add a touch of reality.

I am helping my dd for a few days since she's had the flu and her dh is out of town.

This is what her tiny city condo looks like when you are in survival mode. Real life. Now that's some ugly plastic.
{{!gwi}}

Best carseat IMO -- Britax! That's what I bought my grand baby.

The absolutely best thing we had, and which we had to import from Europe at the time, was a baby sleeping bag, kind of like the link below. Ours, however, had zippers that could be opened from the bottom. No worries about losing the blankets, pulling covers over the head, etc. Make sure to get at least two IDENTICAL ones. Our daughter carried her bag around until she was about 4, which led to many frantic retracings of Saturday errand spots to figure out in what shopping cart or restaurant she may have left it behind, not to mention trying to explain what it was (sort of a blanket but not really, kind of like a sleeping bag with a top attached with armholes...)
The other huge hits with our kids were:
1. a bouncer (like the Maclaren) with lots of garish plastic mobiles and other stuff;
2. a Jolly Jumper that you could hang from the ceiling or door opening, not with a stand. We put a thick cushion underneath, and they'd jump away.
http://www.jollyjumper.com/show/143; and
3. a wind-up swing, which WE liked because it put them to sleep immediately and gave us a chance to have dinner.
Oh, and neither of our kids like those snugglies or cloths because they couldn't see out and it restricted them. We had a backpack which they loved because they were high up and could look around.

Here is a link that might be useful: baby sleeping bag

I agree that baby items are not very attractive (to adults) but they are meant to be attractive or soothing to babies. I could not have lived sanely without a vibrating sling bouncy thing (not the technical name), red and yellow plastic exersaucer and a swing. We did not use a high-chair we used a chair that attached to the table shown in link below. We also used the Baby Bjorn front carrier and a Kelty baby back pack a lot. As soon as anything was no longer used I donated it.

I also did not like cartoon clothing but when the kids got older they wanted the ugly cartoon clothing so I would let them have it on PJs.

Here is a link that might be useful: baby chair

The Fisher-Price swings are the absolute ultimate wonderful helper. I've yet to meet a baby who didn't sleep soundly when swinging side-to-side with the white noise turned on. As for the fact that they are unattractive, I would say that's a minor issue as the baby will only use it until they weigh 20 pounds or so. As others have said, the utility far outweighs the look.

Hi everyone - thanks so much! I guess you might say we are exploring options that may combine function AND form! Nosoccermom - had no idea that you had to swaddle to use a hammock or that it couldn't be used after a baby can turn; I imagine that will end that option - thank you!!! Still hoping to hear from someone who has used the swing. I don't care for the Nicole Reid medalion back high chair - to me that one does look too much, but the sleigh back is a simpler design, i'm surprised to hear it called pretentious and silly. Given that it can be used for years, supposedly, I wouldn't think it THAT crazy. Anyway, thanks for the responses - will read all further when I get back! Thanks!

Well, anything that can't be used after the baby can roll over may have a very short lifespan. My daughter rolled over at 4 weeks, 4 days.

One of my strategies was just to do without a bunch of baby gear. I never had a changing table of any kind. My kids have been the kind to flop and flail from an early age so the floor seemed safer to me anyway. I never had an exersaucer or a jumper. The bouncy and the swing were both gone by the year mark. We never used a pack n play at our house and I borrowed one on the rare occasion I needed it for overnights elsewhere.

As to strollers, I highly recommend the stroller forum at the Baby Bargains Board and/or Strollerqueen's reviews. For true running, it is hard to beat a fixed wheel Bob. But you absolutely should not run with a baby before six months to a year--think shaken baby syndrome. You also cannot use a Bob, even walking, with a newborn because they don't recline completely flat. You can use an infant carseat adapter, but it is not good to leave a baby in an infant seat for long stretches, both because of flat spot concerns and because the infant seats restrict breathing. Bobs are also heavy, don't fold very small and can't do parent facing (again except when using an infant car seat). So there are trade offs. This is a great example of function totally trumping any aesthetic concerns when it comes to baby gear. Now course, the stroller doesn't have to live in the house for most people as it can be stored in the garage or car.

As far as cleaning,I would look for reviews or inspect an item in person to ascertain that rather than relying on product promotional materials. There are some YouTube videos for baby gear--baby gizmo I think?

Almost $ 900.00 for a high chair!

Oh My!

ML

It states on the Hushamok hammock web site that babies should be swaddled to limit movement and also that you shouldn't use it once they roll over.
We had a wonderful changing table, which we never used (because our kids did not hold still enough). We also had to drill more holes into the crib to lower it basically to the floor because our son climbed over it, and then got rid of the crib relatively early on because even that didn't keep him in. Same with a playpen, although we later used it for the dog.

I still think that highchair is gorgeous. :) But I do like my baby bjorn highchair, It is soooo easy to move around and clean up. I too bought a beautiful crib, for my first DS. I used it twice for about 15 min each time. Live and learn for me I guess. DS1 started walking freely at 6 months, but could not climb out of the playpen for awhile so that was great. DS2 is not walking and is 10 months old. WHile I know DS1 was very early, this seems so strange to me! For him the playpen does not work, he screams his head off. I am keeping it around in case I need it when he can walk.

This was great for when the baby was smaller as a new mom. I did nto use one with DS2. Although I had bought another one with more structured sides. I just didn't find I needed it the second time around. the first time I was more nervous about co-sleeping.