Of Coats and Carriers

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny shares some of her smarter purchases. Doesn't the M coat look wonderful? Wish they had those when I had my kids.

Confession time. I’m often guilty of the worst of shopping errors: buying items for fantasy, rather than reality. Essentially I sometimes buy things because I envision how they will change my life, make me a better more fashionable person etc. – then they don’t, of course.

But I’m pleased to report that two of my major baby-related purchases have actually turned fantasy into reality! When I bought the M coat I immediately had visions of my post-baby self squiring an adorable newborn around town in a front carrier, snugly zipped inside my fashionable and practical adjustable parka. However, I secretly feared that it wouldn’t work out and I would have invested heavily in an adjustable maternity coat for no good reason.

Well, this time the dream has actually come true. I’m so happy with both the M coat and my Ergo carrier that I wanted to post this update to recommend both items! I’ve enjoyed many walks on even the coldest days recently with baby snug and warmly nestled against my chest. I love that she’s zipped inside my own coat so that I can more easily sense her temperature and adjust her positioning; and the Ergo carrier nicely distributes her weight so that my back doesn’t suffer even after several hours of carrying her (admittedly though, she is only about 8 lbs).

So for all you moms-to-be expecting a bundle of joy to arrive this coming fall – I heartily recommend the M coat as being well worth the investment (particularly if next winter is as bitterly cold as this one turned out to be)! And for those seeking a baby carrier, I’m delighted to recommend the Ergo carrier just as enthusiastically.

What’s your best dream-come-true purchase?

Best buys of 2008 for moms of little ones

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny reflects on her best purchases in 2008...

In January, when others are making resolutions for the new year, I find myself doing the opposite – looking back and reflecting on the year gone past, including what small triumphs were found through purchases that turned out to be great deals or investments.

By far my best pregnancy-related purchase of the year was the M coat. Not only did I score 20% off, but every time I wear it in public I get multiple compliments and queries about where to find it.

Only time will tell if I get as much use out of the zip insert after the baby comes as I hope (the insert can be zipped in an “A” shape to cover a belly, or a “V” shape so baby can be worn in a front carrier and zipped snugly inside the coat) – but every time the thermometer dips below zero, I’m glad I have my cosy M coat to keep me warm on the long walk from the subway station to my OB’s office!

My best kid-related purchase of the year, aside from the various holiday gifts I’ve already written about (like the SweetPea3), are the ice skates we bought at Play It Again Sports. Only gently used, you can’t beat the $30 price tag; especially when you consider that our 4-year-old will likely only wear them a dozen times this winter. And, bonus: when she needs a larger size next year, Play it Again Sports will give us cash on the trade-in!

And best of all, having the skates gives my husband a reason to take our girl out to the local rink for one-on-one skating lessons – a lovely daddy-daughter activity that gives me plenty of “mommy time” to rest up at home for when the baby arrives!

What was your best purchase of 2008?

My Christmas Wish List

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny is asking for your advice...

Last week I wrote about my daughter’s Christmas wish and my despair that it would be unfulfillable. I was really impressed and encouraged by all the creative suggestions for alternatives that would satisfy her wish – so this week I’m hoping to draw on your expertise again!

My own fervent Christmas wish for myself is for a baby carrier. I’m due in January and I have fantasies of walking off my baby weight with my infant cuddled up close to me, zipped snugly inside my nearly-new M Coat.

The problem is, now that baby-carrying has become a popular option, there are so many different carriers available I have no idea which one to choose!

According to babycenter.com, the criteria I should look for are:
• Padded head support for baby
• Adjustable head and seat openings to allow baby to grow
• An easy-to-open bottom area
• Wide, padded, adjustable shoulder straps
• Quick-release buckles
• Padded back support

That last one is especially important to me as I’ve had a “bad back” ever since my first pregnancy.

A friend recommended the Ergo baby carrier, available from milkface.com (pictured), but it seems a bit pricey for this baby bargainista.

So I’m hoping you can help me out one more time – can anyone recommend a baby carrier they’ve used that’s versatile, offers back support, and is comfortable for both carrier and baby? Let me know in the comments!

Winter outerwear for mother and daughter

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny goes shopping for a winter maternity coat and outerwear for her big sister to-be...

Even though we’ve been enjoying unseasonably warm weather, this week I couldn’t ignore the long-range forecast or the fact that I am, very soon, going to be in need of winter coats. One for myself to cover the growing belly, as none of my current coats can button up over the bump anymore; and one for my 4-year-old because I know as soon as the snow flies she’ll want to be outside rolling around in it.

I’d heard about the M coat – a marvelous creation by Canadian Spirit Downwear that adapts to the 3 stages of maternity thanks to a zip-out A-line front panel. Worn with the panel zipped in an “A” shape, it snugly covers a bump; worn with the panel zipped in a “V”, you can squire your newborn around town in a baby bjorn and keep them snug. And of course, with the panel zipped out, it’s a lovely parka for when I’m (hopefully) back to pre-pregnancy shape.

Unfortunately the only place I’ve been able to find that is currently stocking the M Coat is Sporting Life – and it’s very expensive! At $480 I can’t help but wonder if I’m better off just buying two different coats, one A-line maternity number and a parka for afters. What’s making me lean towards splurging is the ability to zip my baby into the coat when in a front carrier and avoid having to push a stroller through the snow in order to enjoy the great outdoors.

I still haven’t decided whether to go for it – partly because I’m still waiting for my chosen size and color to come in stock at Sporting Life. Maybe the delay is a blessing – an opportunity to comparison shop. (If anyone has any hot tips, let me know in the Comments!)

I had much better luck finding a coat and snow pants for my little girl. After some comparison shopping at various stores (Sears, Zellers), I couldn’t find anything that was up to my standards, so I went straight to my old standby: Gap Kids. I know, it belies my “babyBargainista” title but I love their coat and snow pant combos and in 3 years of buying winter gear for my daughter I’ve yet to find anything comparable.

I like that Gap Kids offers a selection of separates in various colors that you can mix-and-match (brown, pink, white, and silver). Their sizing and fit is perfect for my extra-tall girl. And the construction is impeccable – inside cuffs on both coat and pants, inside layer snaps on the coat so it won’t ride up, detachable hood and detachable fur trim, fully height-adjustable snowpants (very important for growing kids), a side zipper on the pants for easy on-off – all these elements make the combo well worth the $120 (combined) price tag.

What’s your go-to for winter gear?