Top 5 Best Fitness Trackers | 2017 Reviews

Obesity is one of the greatest conditions that about 35% of Americans fight against. That is why fitness training is incredibly one of the fastest growing hobbies. As a response to gaining back your right and fit body but not just that, there are plenty of people who just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, there are also two sides in fitness training. There is a good side of fitness training and a bad side of it too. You may end up doing the bad way of staying fit. You need to keep track of all your activities, monitor your health, eat the right food and keep a good rhythm in keeping yourself fit and healthy.

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Quick Comparison Table

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband

Garmin 010-01225-00 Vivofit Fitness Band

Garmin vívoactive HR GPS Smart Watch

Teslasz Sport Activity Tracker

Withings Activité Pop

And in order to keep track of your fitness training and your health, you'd need a fitness tracker. Fitness trackers nowadays are more than just a cheap plastic. They are now stylish armbands that keep track of your health while you do your activities while jogging, running, hiking or just simply taking an extended walk around the block.

There are different fitness trackers out there and choosing one depends on how full your daily planner is with activities. It also depends on your lifestyle and your tracking needs. Some fitness trackers just check on your heart rate, your activities and such and if you need an all-around tracker, you can have that too.

We have chosen different fitness trackers that fit different lifestyles and we are sure that the right activity tracker is just right there for you.

Quick Comparison Table

Fitbit Charge 2 Fitness Wristband	Garmin 010-01225-00 Vivofit Fitness Band	Garmin vívoactive HR GPS Smart Watch	Teslasz Fitness Sport Activity Tracker	Withings Activité Pop - Activity Tracking Watch
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
1.3 ounces	.96 ounces	1.6 ounces	1 ounce	1.3 ounces
9.9 x 0.9 x 0.5 in	.42 x .42 x .83 in	2.2 x 1.2 x 0.5 in	2.2 x 1.5 x 0.5 in	7.9 x 1.3 x 1 in

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband

In using a tiny armband that completely keeps track of your heart's health, you need a fitness tracker that does constant and accurate measurements throughout the day. And that's one reason why we love the Fitbit Fitness Wristband. One of the best reasons why we love this item is because it literally maximizes your workouts by using simplified heart rate zones namely, fat burn, cardio, and peak.

Most Fitbit reviews label the Fitbit as number one in the field of making heart rate monitors and this fitness watch reviews is one of them and all for great reasons. This is the best all-around fitness bracelet because it makes it easier for you to understand the concept of fitness training. It provides you a measurement chart of your improvement over time and it provides you with a personalized Cardio Fitness Score in order for you to understand if you are on a good path or maybe you are facing a decline in your workout.

What we love about this small item is that it is a compact phone display. You can sync your Fitbit bracelet to your phone and it immediately acts as a second screen displaying if you have a text message, an incoming or missed call, and even a calendar activity. This small fitness armband has a screen wide enough for you to see whatever needs to be done.

You will also love that this activity tracker comes with features essential to your fitness training such as: the PurePulse Rate, Multi-Sport Tracking with an all-day activity tracking, cardio fitness level, a 'reminder to move' feature to prevent you from staying too idle, smart tracking with guided breathing sessions, auto sleep tracking, great fitness level and an incredibly long battery life. This fitness band is also stylish because you can switch your wristband into other stylish designs. You can discover the all-around awesome use of this great best fitness watch and compare it to Fitbit competitors and realize that this is simply an awesome item to carry around all the time! And oh, it can run up to five days straight without charging.

Now, that's awesome right? That's why we love this fitness watch so much so we made this our top pick for the best fitness trackers.

Details of the Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
Dimensions	9.9 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches
Weight	1.3 ounces
Colors	Black, Blue, Plum, Teal, Gunmetal, Lavender Rose Gold
Special Features	PurePulse Rate, Multi-Sport Tracking, All-day activity tracking, Cardio fitness level, 'reminder to move' feature, Smart tracking, Guided breathing sessions, Auto sleep tracking, 5-day long battery life, call-&-text, and calendar phone alerts

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Garmin 010-01225-00 Vivofit Fitness Band

This is the first Garmin Fitness Tracker in our list. There are plenty of reasons to love this fitness bracelet and one of them is the price. You really get a great deal with this awesome activity tracker. This may not have many extra features but it sure does the job of actually tracking your movement and your activities. What we love about this is the MOVE Bar. The screen displays a red move bar every hour you spend idling. It also has a feature segment that lights up for every 15 minutes of inactivity. Once you walk around a bit, it immediately resets.

It is basically a body monitor that keeps track of your activity level and even becomes a personalized fitness trainer that provides you with a personalized activity goal every morning. It also counts a number of calories you are burning each day and keeping it on the record. It also becomes an activity tracker that measures your metabolic rate. This helps you a lot in achieving your goal for a much healthier and fitter lifestyle. No matter how inactive your life is, you will surely enjoy having this cute and stylish watch wrapped around your wrist.

We also love the fact that this item is water resistant. You can go swimming with it without having to worry about forgetting that you have a watch on. It can still manage to measure your activity level and calories burned even while you are in the water. And a plus factor to remember is that it has a battery that lasts you a year without changing. Now that is absolutely compact!

It also comes with a beauty sleep tracker. It monitors the quality of your rest. It checks if you had enough sleep and if your sleep is good enough to provide your body with right energy level for the next day. The sleep monitoring also helps in the assigning of daily goals as well. For those awesome reasons, the Garmin VivoFit Fitness band is our second top pick for the best fitness trackers.

Details of the Garmin 010-01225-00 Vivofit Fitness Band
Dimensions	0.42 x 0.42 x 0.83 inches
Weight	.96 ounces
Colors	black, blue, purple, red, slate, teal
Special Features	sleep monitor, water resistant, calorie burned measurement, metabolism rate trackers, move bar

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Garmin vívoactive HR GPS Smart Watch

This may be the most expensive fitness tracker in our list but this is absolutely worth the price. With so much multifunction and uses for this fitness tracker, you will reap the money you have spent well in this fitness band wrapped around your wrist is. Most phones nowadays come with a basic fitness tracker but not as one like this fitness bracelet. This fitness band comes with a sports app that you can use as you run sweat move up and down while keeping your phone tucked away and safe from all those movements.

The reason why we think this is one of the best wearable fitness trackers is the fact that it can measure your level of activity with any sport. It has its own accelerometer and GPS tracking. This would also allow you to check what you've done, how fast have you done it, where you did it and more. We really do love this as a step tracker somehow because even if you're not an athlete or an all-around health freak, you can track your daily steps.

This is a rechargeable fitness tracker but you can use this tracker for eight days without charging it. And with a huge screen display in full color allows you to monitor your every activity anywhere and any go. One plus factor about this is that it has an anti-glare feature. So whether you are indoors or outdoors, the rays of the sun won't block your view from checking in on your fitness tracker.

It has a smart function that links your phone directly to your tracker and monitors you constant activity. This is actually the best fitness tracker band for athletes. With a built-in heart monitoring tracker, exercise keep your health in check with every movement or activity that you make. However, the heart rate monitoring will not function when you swim, though. It can measure your heart rate only on a dry skin. Nonetheless, you can still check in on your swimming activities with this fitness tracker watch. You can also link your phone in and it can display alerts and notifications if paired with a compatible smartphone. And those are the reasons why we chose this as our third favorite fitness tracker.

Details of the Garmin vívoactive HR GPS Smart Watch
Dimensions	2.2 x 1.2 x 0.5 inches
Weight	1.6 ounces
Colors	Black
Special Features	Smartphone compatibility, sports monitoring, water resistant, heart monitoring, sports manager

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Teslasz Fitness Sport Activity Tracker 

Fitness trackers don't have to be expensive. This is the best fitness tracker for those on a tight budget. You don't really need an expensive smart watch activity tracker with you. If you just want a step tracker or a fit bracelet to monitor your level of activity and to check in on you on your weight loss program, this is the one. So, what is the best fitness tracker for athletes? This is it! You will absolutely love that this item fits your less than 20-dollar budget and still get a great wearable fitness tracker.

We can vouch for this great fitness tracker watch because it has every feature that you need in your daily life. You may want to download the VeryFit 2.0 App on your phone to get the best use for this smart tracker. We absolutely love this item because it really does suit the average Joe phone on a weight loss program and clock function while still act as a phone companion too.

This wearable fitness band comes with a feature that no other fitness tracker has, a device finder. We absolutely love it. It has an anti-lose phone finder. Once synced with your phone, you will never lose your phone ever again since this fitness tracker acts as a phone tracker as well. It's great. You can also scroll through your messages and key-in phone notifications. This can also serve as a remote camera shoot, position your phone to take a picture and use the fitness tracker's button to take a picture.

It comes with other functions like an automatic sleep monitoring, step tracker, vibrating alarm, calorie consumption reader, pedometer, clock display, text and call alerts, activity reminder in sedentary mode and it is water resistant! We tried it and loved it and even got more to give as a gift. You will also love that it has a comfy rubber grip on your hands and that it works so well for active athletes. You will also like that you can charge it using a power bank if you are on the go and you can also change the color of the armband depending on your taste. And for those great reasons and more, we place this as our fourth favorite activity tracker!

Details of the Teslasz Fitness Sport Activity Tracker
Dimensions	2.2 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches
Weight	1 ounce
Colors	black, green, light blue, mint green, pink, purple
Special Features	Time Clock, Distance Counter, Calories Counter, Alarm Alert, Sleep Monitor, Record daily activities, Call Reminder, Pedometer, and device finder

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Withings Activité Pop - Activity Tracking Watch

This is the most stylish fitness tracker we have on our list. It may look like an ordinary watch but this device is actually a fitness tracker. We love the way it looks, it is absolutely beautiful and fits your every need. If you're on a formal event, you can wear this to still keep track of your activities. You wouldn't dare wear a fitness tracker while you are in a fine dining restaurant, wedding or anything that calls for you to wear a full-on formal attire.

You can monitor your daily activities once you sync it in with your phone. You even have a daily goal to reach. Just glance at your fitness watch dial and check just how far you have gone into reaching for it. You can easily monitor how many steps you've taken with this cute step tracker while still recording your heart rate and your speed. Aside from that, it can also read how much calories you have burned in the process. All the information will immediately be recorded on your Health Mate App on your phone.

One other thing we love about this fitness tracker watch is that you can go as deep as 50 meters and this watch won't bust due to water pressure. It's like an awesome item to own when you go for a swim, go snorkeling and enjoy the water works. You will also love it because it is also very durable. Aside from the water resistance, it also has a sleep monitoring feature. It can monitor your sleep cycle and record your light and deep sleep and also takes note of how long these lasted. It even comes with a silent alarm. Link your phone's alarm with your watch and it can wake you up with a gentle vibrate.

Although you'd have to sync it to your smartphone in order for you to get the reports on your daily activities, you will love the app itself. It has a real-time coach and you can even update your friends on your routine. This goes well with a weight loss program or a going fit and healthy change of lifestyle. It works best for any non-athlete and perfect for those who want to lose weight the healthy way. And for those reasons, this has officially closed our list for the best fitness trackers making it our fifth pick for the best!

Details of the Withings Activité Pop - Activity Tracking Watch
Dimensions	7.9 x 1.3 x 1 inches
Weight	1.3 ounces
Colors	Azure, Pink, Sand, Shark Grey
Special Features	heart monitoring, pedometer, distance tracker, sleep tracker, silent alarm

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Fitness trackers have evolved from a simple pedometer to smartphone functions and now a wearable fitness tracker. Fitness trackers are used by so many people, you don't have to be on a weight-loss program to get one or you don't have to be a fitness nut to have the need for one. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is preserving the longevity of your life and also investing in a disease-free future. You only have to get yourself a decent best fitness band to track your activities so you're aware if you are doing it in a healthy way. That is why we made this list for you, no matter what your lifestyle is from a professional athlete to an average Joe or Jane, there is always the best fitness tracker for you.

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Top 5 Best Kitchen Playsets | 2018 Reviews

Top 5 Best Kitchen Playsets

Whenever we go to a family diner or restaurant, we often see kids with their heads buried in their tablets and smartphones. Who could blame their parents? Having phone apps and games at your fingertips has become practical for many reasons. For one, it’s space-saving. You don’t need to clean up after them, no toys to put away, and no need to worry about missing toy parts. It’s a great setup that benefits both you and your child. Furthermore, with the rate at which new apps and games are being developed these days, your kids are guaranteed to have loads of fun trying out new ones each week.

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Quick Comparison Table

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set

Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen

We’re not going to tell you that good ol’ games and sports are better than these electronic games. We believe that they are also an essential tool in the holistic growth of your child and a great way to introduce them to technology. However, we all know there are still dangers to it. For instance, staring at a screen for a prolonged period of time can be harmful to your child’s eyes. Not to mention, kids benefit from physical activities like, say, playing basketball outside. It keeps them energized all day. Also, playing games with other children face-to-face will help build their social skills early on.

A classic toy like play kitchen sets are great for doing just that. Your kids can move around while playing it with their friends. Hosting playdates is easier if you already have a toy that’s great for sharing. You can also help teach them discipline and independence by allowing them to put their toys away after use. It’s a win-win. This is why we came up with our very own list of the top 5 best kitchen playsets that your tiny tots are sure to enjoy.

Quick Comparison Table

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen	Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set	Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set	KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set	Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
3 years and up	3 - 8 years old	3 - 10 years old	3 - 8 years old	2 - 5 years old
40 pounds	65 pounds	73 pounds	59 pounds	10 pounds
33 x 11.7 x 35.7 inches	42.5 x 19.5 x 8.5 inches	40.5 x 16.8 x 41 inches	32.7 x 42.4 x 36.5 inches	17 x 22 x 30 inches

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

The top spot goes to none other than KidKraft. This vintage-style toy is the best play kitchen your kid will ever have. There’s a lot that we love about it but we’ll try to just cover the basics – what you need to know. Let’s start with the color. Our personal pick is the vintage blue color. It looks like something out of a 50s kitchen catalogue and it’s absolutely gorgeous. If you’re not feeling it though, you can choose from black, red, pink, and white. Options, options…

This is a strikingly beautiful KidKraft play kitchen that’ll make you want to have a life-sized version of. Honestly, it’s just too cute. The pieces are made out of wood, so they’re sturdy and durable. Playful kids won’t easily topple this over and ruin their playtime. A fair warning, though: this package only includes the play kitchen set, not the accessories. You’ll have to buy those separately. Fret not, KidKraft also sells accessories that go perfectly well with this play set. Alternatively, you can use pretty much any other brands of kitchen accessories to go along with this toy. Otherwise, your kids might already have kitchen toys lying around inside their toy storage boxes which will do just fine.

For the assembly, of course, the adults are the ones responsible for it. There are bolts and screws, after all. Brace yourself because if this is your first time assembling a play kitchen set, then you’re in for a 2 or 3-hour session. It doesn’t help that the instruction manual that’s included doesn’t have any words on it so you’ll have to make do with pictures.

We love how the doors on this thing snaps close, perfect for a young child’s strength. If you don’t want to set it up on the floor, there’s the option of anchoring it to your wall. We think it’s also the perfect height. It’s a little bit too high for 2 and 3-year-olds but that just means they can use it for a couple of years more and they will not outgrow it that quickly.

It’s an amazing thing to watch our kids have lots of fun with this KidKraft play kitchen set. To top it off, it’s not even really that expensive, as compared to other brands.

Details of KidKraft Vintage Kitchen
Dimensions	33 x 11.7 x 35.7 inches
Weight	40 pounds
Recommended Age	3 years and up

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Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set

At second place is the Chef’s Kitchen from Melissa & Doug, probably one of the best wooden play kitchen sets that you’ll find. It comes in black and pink. The charcoal color gives a more sophisticated feel to it, which actually makes it look like a miniature version of an actual kitchen.

It looks simple yet much more realistic. The thing you have to worry about here is the lack of color. It could get boring to look at sometimes, especially when your kids’ other toys are a combination of bright color schemes.

Aside from the color, though, there’s pretty much nothing to complain about when it comes to the Chef’s Kitchen. It has all the best features of play kitchen sets. It has an oven, a microwave, a stove, and a sink that are all built in. The refrigerator also comes with a working ‘ice dispenser’. You can choose to buy just the Melissa & Doug play kitchen set or you can buy the bundle package with all the accessories.

The microwave plate spins, the doors open, and the knobs turn and click in place just like real ones, so your kids should be able to have loads of fun playing with their kitchen play set. This will surely bring out the tiny chef in them and you can join in on the fun.

Another thing that we love about the Chef’s Kitchen play set is that it’s quite easy to assemble and it’s big enough for playdates or for homes with 2-4 kids. You can also just as easily buy kitchen toys to add to this play set to mix things up a bit. Overall, it’s a beautiful, classic wooden toy from Melissa & Doug that’s guaranteed to be sturdy and will bring joy to your kids for years.

Details of Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set
Dimensions	42.5 x 19.5 x 8.5 inches
Weight	65 pounds
Recommended Age	3 - 8 years old

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Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

Naomi Home is at third place. One look at this play kitchen set and you’ll understand why. It’s gorgeous and this is something that we definitely want for our own real-life kitchens. It only comes in one color but you can choose to have the countertop in either cream or black granite.

Same as the other play kitchen sets on this list, the parts are movable so it feels authentic. The dishwasher has a sliding rack and the sink is removable, too. The knobs turn and click as well for the four stove burners. The oven below the stove can be opened and it also has a sliding rack. The faucet handle can be turned as well. The refrigerator has a mini notes chalkboard but it doesn’t have an ice dispenser nor a spinning microwave plate like the Melissa & Doug entry on this list but that’s the only downside to this play kitchen set.

We love the details on this toy, particularly the spice shelf under the microwave oven. It looks compact and well put together. It really will make your kids feel like they are working with an actual kitchen. It provides a lot of opportunities for the children to interact and have fun with it. If you’re planning on a playdate soon, you can also count on this to keep the kids busy for hours.

Note that it is also quite heavy at a little over 70 pounds. It’s sturdy enough that your kids won’t easily knock it over by accident. It’s perfect for smaller children who still tend to hold on to things for support when standing. Our verdict for the Naomi Home play kitchen set is that it’s beautiful and sturdy enough that we are seriously considering getting a life-size version of it for our own kitchen.

Details of Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set
Dimensions	40.5 x 16.8 x 41 inches
Weight	73 pounds
Recommended Age	3 - 10 years old

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KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that KidKraft has taken two spots on this list. Look at their selection and you’ll find the best play kitchen sets available. This one, while more expensive than the rest on this list, is definitely called the ‘ultimate’ play kitchen set for very good reasons. You might want to skip this, though, if you’re working with a smaller budget.

First off, it comes in white and brown, both variants look absolutely lovely. The white one gives off a more chic feel while the brown one has a cooler theme with its turquoise accents. Both look vintage and the whole set is big enough for up to four kids to play with. It has four sections: the fridge, stove, sink, and clothes washer.

The burners and the ice dispenser on the fridge make sounds when in use. There are pegs above the stove that are perfect for hanging pots and pans. The knobs, of course, can be turned and will click in place. We love the shelves under the sink, the kids can put the bowls, cups, and plates.

We also love the design of this play kitchen set although we find it a bit odd that there’s a clothes washer. The two small windows are a great addition, too! The cupboards provide ample space for storage, too. It may appear to be bulky but it’s surprisingly compact and doesn’t really take up too much space.

Assembly is also a breeze. In fact, you can safely let your kids handle it on their own, except for when attaching the doors. It can be time-consuming but a fun bit that you and your child can bond over. If parents here at ParentsNeed HQ are happy about this lovely, albeit expensive, play kitchen set, then we don’t see any reason why you can’t be, too!

Details of KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set
Dimensions	32.7 x 42.4 x 36.5 inches
Weight	59 pounds
Recommended Age	3 - 8 years old

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Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen

Alright, so far we’ve listed amazing kitchen play sets for you but now it’s time to wrap it up with our fifth-placer. The rest of the entries on this list all look like something straight out of an interior design catalog. At number five, we have something a little more “child friendly,” appearance-wise.

Little Tikes’ Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen is the best play kitchen set if you’re looking for something that really does look like a child’s toy. With its vibrant colors and accessories, there's no mistaking that this play kitchen set will not fail to grab your child’s attention.

Equipped with its mobile and tablet app that can be accessible via Bluetooth, this play kitchen set makes your child’s playtime more interactive. The app recognizes the accessories that your children are holding and will provide with instructions or sound effects that will make your children feel like they’re in a cooking show. They’ll hear chopping sound effects as they are chopping their vegetables in their pretend kitchen. They’ll also be able to play additional games using the mobile application and it really is an engaging experience for them, overall.

Assembly is such a breeze because the instructional manual is straightforward and easy to understand and can only take around half an hour to forty-five minutes. It’s not as big as the other entries on this list and it’s not as heavy, so it won’t take up too much space in your kid’s room.

The good thing about this app is that it’s compatible with a lot of the popular mobile devices. It has Toddler and Preschool modes that will make the children’s playtime become educational as well. The app also incorporates teaching basic stuff like numbers, the alphabet, colors, and some interesting trivia about food. It could even be a great way to teach your kids to do small household chores or keep them interested in helping out around the house. There’s a reason they call in the Smart Kitchen, after all.

Details of Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen
Dimensions	17 x 22 x 30 inches
Weight	10 pounds
Recommended Age	2 - 5 years old

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There you have it, fellow parents! We understand it can be difficult choosing among these great play kitchen sets for your kids because they’re all great. It’s important that you also let your kids be part of the choosing process when you’re buying toys – whether you’re picking out board games, outdoor games, or whatnot – because they are the ones who will be using it. Try to figure out what features your kids will enjoy and benefit from the most and you shouldn’t go wrong with that.

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Baby Registry Checklist

Baby Registry Checklist

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Everyone knows that pregnancy can feel overwhelming. But, until you do it, most moms don’t realize how overwhelming it can be to just create your baby registry! How can one baby need so much stuff? After your first pregnancy, you’ll likely look back at your registry and realize that you didn’t need half the items you bought! If you want to avoid wasting all that time and money, use this baby registry checklist It can help you focus on the essentials and will likely save you some money in the process..

Car Seats

A car seat is one of the biggest and most important purchases that you make for your baby. Car seat shopping can feel confusing because there are so many choices. The right car seat will fit your lifestyle, your car, and your budget.

You have two options when it comes to picking a car seat. First is the infant seat, also known as the bucket, and second is the convertible seat. Both of these seats are rear facing, which is essential for a new baby. The difference between them is that the convertible seat will convert to forward facing seat when your child enters toddlerhood. Convertible seats are heavier and are more of a long-term investment. When choosing one make sure it is suitable for a new born and not just for a toddler. You will also have to purchase different convertible car seats for each vehicle, and they do not fit into stroller frames.

A bucket seat is more lightweight, but as your child grows you will need to change it. You also have the benefit of bucket seats being portable, which can make things much easier for transportation of your baby. Often, buckets will fit onto some stroller frames. This is perfect if your baby has fallen asleep in the car, because you can you transfer the seat with the baby in it, rather than waking the baby to remove her from the car. This alone makes it the preferred choice for most new parents. A bucket seat can also be switched from vehicle to vehicle, with parents buying only new bases for the bucket seats versus buying multiple seats.

The main thing to remember and decide is this. A convertible seat stays put in the car. Yes, it will last you a longer time. But you may have to purchase extra seats if your baby spends time with others. An infant seat will need to be replaced as your baby gets bigger. But it can offer the flexibility of using it with your stroller chassis and sharing it with loved ones who spend time with your baby.

Strollers

For the first six months, if you bought an infant car seat, you will most likely use it along with the frame of your stroller, comprising a travel stroller system. Stroller frames tend to be lightweight and easy to use, which is great for tired new moms who are recovering from childbirth. You won’t even realize how heavy a stroller can be until you have tried to put it in the trunk of your car several times a day. Stroller frames fold away very simply and take up minimal space. They may not be the most beautiful thing to grace the sidewalk, but what they may lack in looks they make up for in practicality.

Babywearing

Baby-wearing may seem like a new parenting craze, but in reality, it hasbeen around for centuries. A few generations ago, doctors counselled against “spoiling” babies with too much touch and attention, so babywearing fell out of favor. But nowadays, parents love the hands-free flexibility of babywearing. It can also soothe baby as he is so close to your skin, and they love the smell of mommy or daddy.

When you have a newborn, babywearing may feel like the only way you can get things done, likegrocery shopping and running errands.

There are many babywearing options to consider, but they fall into two main categories: soft wraps, and structured carriers. Each has its benefits

Baby bouncers and swings

At first, you may want to just and cuddle your little one all the time, but of course there will soon be a time where they will need to sit somewhere else and get a bit of stimulation. This is where baby bouncers and swings come in. They don’t need to be fancy; there are swings and bouncers for all different budgets. A bouncer is a little seat that bounces back and forth, providing a bit of motion that can be comforting. These seats tend only to get used in the first six months, so try not to spend too much money on them.

You may want to consider a baby swing as well, if you have the space for both.. A swing can provide great stimulation and also help soothe a baby to sleep. Swings are often the only place a baby will nap. They are not portable, though, whereas you can bring a bouncer to different rooms or even different houses.

Bouncers and swings are perfect for when you just need to get dressed in a morning or eat your breakfast. Remember that you will need to take moments for yourself where you can find them!

Bath time

During those first few months, bath time can be lots of fun or else a low point of your day, based on whether or not your baby likes the water. Try to set yourself up for success with a newborn bathtub that supports the baby safely in the tub or even the sink. newborn bathtub will only work for the first few months, but you can also purchase tubs that work till baby is a year old.

A baby towel isn’t essential, but most parents like them as they have a hood as well as longer sides to wrap around the baby. This ensures that baby is warm.

An inexpensive baby wash/shampoo is fine. Don’t forget baby lotion, for massaging baby and for keeping her skin moist. There are also baby care kits that include nail clippers and nasal aspirators (or snot suckers). A baby thermometer is also essential; many parents prefer forehead thermometers.

Bedtime and sleep

Many parents opt to have their baby in their bedroom during the first few months. This can make feeding and nursing easier. Options include portable bassinets and and co-sleepers. Bassinets are portable and can be used during the day for naptime as well. Many also have music and mobile. A co-sleeper is like a crib that hooks up to the side of the bed. There is no wall between you and the baby, which means. you can nurse or feed your baby without having to get up.

You will also need sheets for the baby’s bassinet or co-sleeper, as well as a sleep sack for baby, as blankets are not advised in the early months.

Once baby is in a crib, and not in your room anymore, you will likely want a baby monitor. While it can be very cute to see the baby in the monitor, an audio-only monitor is fine and less expensive.

Diapers

I don’t think any parent realises how many diapers you will go through. You have two options you can either go with a cloth diaper, where you wash the inserts or a disposable diaper. Both of which have their benefits.

The main factors to consider would be cost, the environment (if that is important to you), how sensitive on the skin and also whether you have a boy or a girl. Boy’s tend to wet their diapers more frequently than girls.

Feeding

Breastfeeding comes with its own supplies. You only need to start with one box of breast pads, as some women don’t leak at all and don’t need them. One tube of nipple cream is ample as well, as many moms don’t need it. A good nursing bra is an excellent investment, and a backup as well. If you’re pumping, you’ll need a high quality pump and bottles to pump into. A nursing pillow or Boppy can be helpful but it’s not essential.

Formula feeding requires you to have bottles, a sterilizing kit, and a bottle brush. Most brands offer starter kits which include everything you would need.

Clothing

Most parents to be will love going shopping to buy little outfits. But fancy clothes generally are only magnets for spit-up. To get more bang for your buck, purchase some inexpensive cotton onesies, long- and short-sleeved, as well as pants and socks. Mittens are a personal preference; some parents choose them but many doctors recommend that babies’ hands be left free to explore their environment and self-soothe.

Playtime

During the early days, your baby won’t play with toys. But as they get a bit older, they will need some form of stimulation. This can be done with a playmat, stroller toys and stuffed animals. Older babies may really enjoy a jumperoo, which are excellent for wearing a baby out and using up all that energy.

You don’t need to go overboard with toys, though.. Babies will take pleasure in pretty much anything, from a wooden spoon to your car keys.

The forgotten bits

Lastly, you will need a diaper bag to put all your baby's things in. These can be as costly or as reasonably priced as you want, but they are necessary for changing baby when you’re out and about. Pacifiers are a personal preference, but most doctors recommend that baby be given them as a way to self-soothe

I hope this checklist helps you become more ready for when the baby arrives.​

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