Hockey Puck, Rattlesnake, Monkey Monkey Underpants

Thursday, August 25, 2011

So.Many.Options.

So I thought I was going to blog about how my first trimester went, but I can sum it up pretty quickly - I was tired and nauseous. That's about it. Moving on.

Something about leaving the first trimester and entering the second has caused a clock to start ticking in my head. At first, I felt like it would be forever before we had the baby, and now I know how quickly that time is going to pass and I've gotten into a frenzy to figure everything out. Well, not everything - but some things. I've started researching baby products and holy cow it's overwhelming.

I could spend weeks just trying to figure out what kind of stroller I'm going get. There are safety features and size limits and cost to factor in. Not to mention, what pattern to get.

Did you know that there are different types of car seats? I knew there were different brands, but not different types. Like, they serve different purposes. Maybe I should reiterate that I know nothing about babies. I've never changed a diaper, and I've only held 2 actual infants in my whole life and both of those have been in the past 2 years. They're small and fragile and that's scary. I know I'll be fine with my own baby, but I haven't had a lot of practice with other people's so everything is completely new to me. So no, I was not aware that there were different types of car seats. First I have to figure out if I want an infant seat, or convertible seat. What's the difference? After days of research I've found out. Infant seats are rear facing only and usually are made for children between 4-25 lbs. Once your kid is bigger than that you have to get an entirely different car seat. Or you can get a convertible seat, which is rear facing up to around 22 lbs or so, then you turn it forward until your child is about 45 lbs. Well at first it seems that convertible is the best option right? Only one car seat serves two purposes. But then you start reading about car seat safety and you find out that while your child is only required to ride rear facing until they are 1 year old and 20 lbs, but it's much safer for them to ride rear facing until they are at least 30 lbs. Also, you can't carry a child in a convertible car seat, so if you think you're going to be one of those people who wants to use their car seat as a carrier in restaurants or grandma's house the store or where ever, forget about it. Not an option. Well how the heck am I supposed to know if I want to do that or not?! I've never tried it. Inexperienced expecting mother here people. Maybe Babies R Us will let me put 10 lbs worth of stuff in an infant seat and try it out...

My brain hurts from looking at stuff. And that's before I get to the price tag. I have 177 more days to figure this crap out. This week I've spent 3 to car seats. If any of you would like to donate knowledge or research feel free to. :)

1 comment:

  1. i babysit all the time and had no idea there was a difference. but, i do know they passed a law 2 months or so ago that kids have to stay facing the rear until their 2 now. just don't want you to go getting pulled over and fussed at by the po-po. :)

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