Who has kids?

[GTOJOE]

Congrats mate. we have 2 kids. My son 4 and my daughter is 9 weeks old. We just use standard audio monitors but don't cheap out on them. You get what you pay for. The other thing we invested in is a sleep/breathing monitor. It's a pad that sits under the mattress and has very sensitive sensors that detect the child's breathing. The idea is that if the child stops breathing the device detects it and sets off a very loud alarm so you go running and check on them. It helped my wife a lot as she was paranoid about SIDS. The one I have is by Oricom and it's called the BabySense2.

When my son was born we hired a capsule (similar idea to what 95gto posted above) that had a cradle that was strapped into the car. Then you just lift out the capsule and carry them inside. Was awesome when the child is asleep and you don't want to wake them. Sometimes we found he slept better in it an his cot. Also buy a bassinet. Sometimes the cot is just too big and they feel overwhelmed. The bassinet is nice and small and they feel more secure. We just made sure the bassinet we bought had a solid base for the babysense2 monitor.

Good luck.

Joe

[DocWalt]

Congrats, Lou! Best wishes!

[Echo419]

when people ask if I have kids I say, "I sleep at night and have disposable income. So no. ".

[stealthee]

when people ask if I have kids I say, "I sleep at night and have disposable income. So no. ".

When I have run into people I went to school with and gotten asked the question, and gave my response, I am asked the follow up, "I don't know why you never got married and had kids." To which I respond, "Because I am sane." LOL

[donniekak]

There are many lessons in life. One of the lessons children teach their parents (hopefully) is how to transition from the self centeredness of teens/early 20's, to being capable of putting another persons interests ahead of your own agenda.

The marriage relationship is a similar lesson. Each person gets more out of the relationship than they put in. However being a nation of mostly petulant adult children, it's hard to find people capable of commitment to anything other than their own petty wants.

[Echo419]

to be clear I am perfectly capable of thinking of others than myself. I just don't like kids or anything that comes with them.

[stealthee]

to be clear I am perfectly capable of thinking of others than myself. I just don't like kids or anything that comes with them.

Along that note, I don't necessarily mind children. I love my niece and nephew will all my heart and more, however I have zero desire to have any kids of my own. I also have almost no desire to even be in any kind of committed relationship. It has nothing to do with petulance, it has to do with who I am and how I am. I'd rather be alone and miserable, than in a relationship and miserable because of it.

[KZNSKY14]

1) One car seat with multiple bases

2) Strollers have different attachment bars that allow most car seats to fit in most strollers. Don't buy a travel system. Generally one of the pieces is lower quality than the others and will break before the second kid. Get a good car seat, and a separate good stroller with the proper attachment.

3) Have a conversation about if and when you plan on having more kids. This can affect stroller choice. Uppababy, City, babyjogger, and others have single strollers that can be easily converted into a double or triple. If you plan on having more invest the money here now, instead of spending it later.

4) You do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, need a bassinet. Resist this urge. The pack and play or swing will work just fine until the baby is old enough to be in the crib, about ~3-4 months. After that the bassinet is useless.

5) They go through clothes FAST! I mean FAST, until 18-24 months. Don't spend a bunch of money on clothes for kids under 18 months. We've got a bunch that were never worn, or only worn waste. At $20 a shot that adds up quick. Garage sales, goodwill, hand me downs, and what you'll get from the showers will be enough.

6) Shoes and socks are useless until they can walk. Get pants and onesies with feet.

7) Buy a unisex diaper bag. You'll end up carrying more often than not. If it looks like purse you'll regret it.

8) You have time to baby proof the house. Not really necessary until they are independently mobile, like month 6 or so.

9) Everyone will get you toys. Keep the highly rated, and educational ones. Return the cheap ones and put the money in a college fund. The kid will never miss them. Don't be afraid to do this, the clutter will add up fast if you don't.

10) Learn to swaddle.

[Unlogic]

That's some really good advise from KZNSKY14, having two kids myself (2 and 7 years old) I agree with every word.