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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

1063.0. "American Baby Products ?" by SMAUG::DESMOND () Sun Aug 04 1991 20:20

    Does anyone have any experience with a company called American Baby
    Products located in Shrewsbury, MA.  They are also known as Babyhood
    Manufacturing, Inc. and they make a line of convertible baby equipment. 
    That means that you buy a set of equipment which performs multiple
    functions.  The highchair seat comes off and attaches to a set of
    wheels and becomes a stroller.  Attach a bassinet to the wheels and you
    have a carriage.  The equipment seems pretty sturdy and they emphasize
    the safety of it.  It's just that they have a hard sell and that makes
    me a bit suspicious.  Comments welcome and appreciated.
    
    						John
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1063.1Prefer single-purpose equipment myselfTNPUBS::STEINHARTPixillatedMon Aug 05 1991 12:3835
    I don't know this company or their products, but I do have a bit of
    advice, FWIW.
    
    My experience with baby equipment is that I prefer single-purpose
    stuff because I have my hands full with a wiggly baby who may be
    crying, without trying to do manipulations on equipment.  When she's
    hungry and I'm rushing around trying to get dinner on the table for her
    and everyone else, I'm happy just to plop her in her highchair with all
    the adjustments still set from last time.
    
    The equipment I get the most use out of is the following:
    
      - Highchair
      - Crib
      - Infant carseat (with removable seat on a handle for carrying)
      - Toddler carseat
      - Stroller (this one benefits from multiple settings, eg lying down
        to sitting up)
      - When she was very young, I used a babyseat on the kitchen table
      - When she was very young, she loved her playgym
      - Gates for doors and top of stairs
    
    I get some use (not a lot) out of the following:
    
      - Walker
      - Swing (mainly for babies 1-3 months old)
      - Playpen
      - Travel high chair for visiting grandparents (Daisy brand I believe)
    
    I don't use a changing table at all.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Laura  
         
1063.2WondaChair lives!!ASABET::HABERkudos to working mothersMon Aug 05 1991 13:1227
    Aha -- the WondaChair company still lives!!
    
    We went to a show about this when I was pregnant with my first, almost
    8 years ago.  My husband signed with them -- over my wishes -- all we
    needed was the car seat, I had a playpen, high chair, crib, etc already
    being handed down.  We managed to break the full contract, but had to
    buy the car seat -- it cost us $80! The stuff is excellent quality, and
    if you have no one to pass things on to you or borrow, it might make
    sense.  Friends of our did buy the whole thing, and have used it for
    both of their girls, and it's still in half-way decent shape after 8
    years.  It's nice to be able to take the car seat out, plop it on the
    wheels and off you go, in  a nice sturdy stroller.  Especially if the
    kid tends to fall asleep in the car seat....and the seat was good from
    newborn to 40 pounds, easily adjustable 
    
    -- as a matter of fact, if you need a seat, mine's for sale later this 
    month [I have to see if my daughter still fits into it, if she does I 
    need it for our vacation (so she can sleep better in the car, she's old 
    enough for a booster for daily trips)]
    
    But if you need a carriage/stroller/car seat[do they still give 2
    seats?]/table-and-chair mixture, and you have to room for everything, it's 
    a great deal -- I think I may have put a note into this notes file back
    in 1984 about this, and heard from people whose parents had used the
    WondaChair, so that says something about them.
    
    Sandy
1063.3All or nothingFSOA::EFINIZIOMon Aug 05 1991 16:3124
    
    	I also received a card announcing a seminar-type show that they
    	gave, at I think it's the Sheraton on Lincoln St.  My husband
    	and I went (I was about 7 months pregnant - last year).  It
    	was a real hard sell....too hard sell for me.  Made you wonder --	
    	if you buy now it's a lot less cheap than if you come to our
    	store.  VERY EXPENSIVE equipment.....The idea was there...but
    	who uses all the accessories that it comes with?  At that time
    	I think it was about $700.00 for everything (highchair, carseat,
    	stroller...).  I can't remember everything it came with.
    
    	But when you come right down to it, it's much cheaper going out
    	on your own and buying everything.  Of course...they'll even let you
    	finance!  
    
    	I don't know anyone who owns the equipment, so I really
    	can't talk about the quality.
    
    	Plus, I had more fun going out, picking and choosing what I
    	specifically wanted.  Oh yeah...they wouldn't let you buy the
    	pieces seperately at the show.  All or nothing...
    
    	Ellen  
                                                                     
1063.4I love mineASABET::TRUMPOLTLiz Trumpolt - ML05-4 - 223-7153Wed Aug 07 1991 18:3218
    My husband and I went to one of these shows and purchased the "wonder
    chair" and have gotten alot of use out of it.  The carseat we didn't
    use when Alex was and infant (we brought an infant car seat) but know
    we use the car seat all the time.  the carraige part came in handy
    since Alex was born in the winter time.  I just attached the rocking
    part to the carraige and used it for him down stairs to sleep in and
    know my sister-in-law is using it for her new baby.  The stroller is
    great when you go to like the zoo or a fair that has rocky paths to
    walk down cause the wheel suspension is great.  We take it to the Big E
    when we go and when Alex gets tired we just put the back down and he
    naps.  He loves the high chair and table bit, and I love it cause we
    have two chairs and a table for him and one of his friends to sit at
    and color.
    
    It was kinda expensive but I think its well worth it.
    
    
    Liz