u/HotHuckleberry7583

edit: sorry if I struck a nerve! When in doubt, go second hand. everyone is different. The point of this post is just not break the bank not to insult your parenting. these are things I didn’t buy and have no regrets not buying. If you want a comprehensive review of these items… well this isn’t that post
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Before you say “AcTuALy x worked for me”. Awesome. This is about things we didn’t need to help FTMs to not feel bad for breaking the bank.

I have a 5month old. Things we never got and didn’t need but people insisted we did. Obviously this is lifestyle dependent.

1. Infant car seat - we got a graco 4-in-1. I’ve never once felt compelled to take the car seat out of the car and into a place. I just pop him in a carrier or in the stroller. Saved me about $500
2. fancy stroller travel systems (see above) - a stroller that accommodated an infant works fine.
3. infant insert for a highchair - your baby doesn’t need to eat with you at the table . If he’s awake we put him in a bouncer 
4. Infant swing - everyone told me I needed one. bouncer or lounger worked fine. He’s pretty mid on the bouncer as is.
5. fancy rocking Bassinet - we used a Moses basket and stand. The Moses basket weighs like 2lbs, so we could move it around easily 
6. The trendy post partum ikea cart - the only thing you need at your bedside is a boob and burp rag. My PP supplies just lived in my bathroom 
7. Coterie/dyper diaps - I wanted all natural fibers so I went with cloth diapers. We used Kirkland when we need a disposable 
8. Love every play gym - a second hand play gym with a mish mash of bobbles hanging from it works great!
9. Tummy time pillow - breast feeding pillow works great 
10. Seat - if we sit him up I just put him in my breast feeding pillow
11. fancy pump - ended up using my hand pump for $16. I love it so much more. electric pumps were too stimulating
12. owlet sock - why?

Deinfluence us! What didn’t you need?! 

MJ Sushi is Sausalito has been closed due to staffing for about 2 months now.

I loved MJ sushi. Was it great? No. Did it hit the spot on a budget? yes.

We could get a full meal for 2 plus drinks for $75. I miss it.

Any other suggestions for a mid sushi spot that wont break the bank?

Posting Incase anyone experiences contractions like me. 

Everyone told me contractions were a full abdominal experience that start from the top of the abdomen or back. “You’ll know when you have one!”

My contractions felt like a terrible period cramp in my lower uterus and occasionally my upper thighs/hips. It was absolutely awful but it wasn’t a full abdominal pain like I was told. It never left my lower abdomen

They were getting rhythmic and closer together. However, when I called the hospital at 5 minutes apart, I described my contractions as just  “a very severe period cramp in my lower abdomen ”. They said this is probably just early labor or maybe even Braxton Hicks because of how I described them. I was told to “rest” and was described what an “actual” contraction feels like.

90 minutes later they were 3 minutes apart, and I was screaming.  Even then my husband wasn’t sure if these were “real contractions” because they were only in my lower abdomen and hips. 

Finally my mom agreed with me and we went to the hospital at 3am. By now they were 2-3 minutes apart and I was 6cm dilated 😂

Point is - not all contractions present the same! Trust your gut! 

I don’t even know what to do.

I have Thirsties and Kinder pockets. we were doing fitteds and a cover, but decided to just do pockets as he was getting bigger.

We bought a bunch of Kinders. I wasnt having leaks from 9-11 lbs and now that he is 13lbs I’m having leaks and blowouts constantly.

Leaks come from the pocket fabric coming out the back no matter how much we make sure it’s not showing.

He is still EBF, so his poops are runny. However, I feel like if I don’t get everything absolutely perfect he will blow out the legs. Even when I do everything perfect I’m getting a blowout.

We scoured the Kinder website to figure out how to get the best fit/etc. I’ve done all the tricks. I’ve adjusted his fit and keep trouble shooting.

He 13 lbs. Someone tell me it gets better/is just a size issue with Kinder. Our thirsties have no problems!

I got pockets for the ease, and now it’s just a pain.