Exersaucer vs. Jumperoo?

To tell you the truth, I had a headache when doing research on this. Henry was almost 4.5 months and I thought there were not enough toys at home to keep him interested since he wanted me to hold him and walk around almost all the time when he was awake. Viewing a Fisher-Price catalogue, I was so excited to see a jumperoo. “Our son needs a jumperoo! Jumperoo, jumperoo, jumperoo!,” I kept singing the word to my husband, who smiled and said: “Ok, but please do research as you have always done before buying things for our baby.” So yes, I did. A lot of parents posted this question online: “An exersaucer or a jumperoo?” Oh man, another new word, “exersaucer”, and what is that?

Ok, to keep it short and simple:

1. What is an exersaucer and what is a jumperoo?

An exersaucer looks like this:

Evenflo Splash Mega Exersaucer: Baby ASIN: B002VUCBC2

while a jumperoo looks like this:

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo: Baby ASIN: B000I2UJ0Q

You get an exersaucer if your baby wants more toys.
You get a jumperoo if your baby loves jumping.

2. Which one to buy?

Considering that Henry is a boy who loves strong and adventurous activities and that a jumperoo is supposed to help babies enhance large motor skills, I finally decided to get him a jumperoo: Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo, the most popular according to customer reviews on Amazon and Diapers.com, and the one most parents could buy for their 3-month-old babies. The product has good ratings and its price is competitive too. When I want more toys for Henry, I can always buy separate toys for him later.

3. Where to buy Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo?

You can definitely buy it from Amazon via the link provided above. Its current price is $99.99 + free shipping. However, seeing the seller was Diapers.com, I checked out Diapers.com’s website and found the product quoted at the same price there. Yet the thing is, if you are a new customer, you are offered a 20% off discount, which means $20 off. Therefore, I took the deal and got the jumperoo for Henry for only $80. Yay! :) If you are not yet a Diapers.com’s customer, this is a great way to save. The product arrived two days after I made the order.

Note: Where NOT to buy Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo?

Don’t buy it from Babies"R"Us’s website (they do not have it in store) because their current price is $109.99 (which is $10 more expensive than that on Amazon.com and Diapers.com.) However, some people prefer buying from Babies"R"Us at higher prices to avoid buying fake things for their babies. It's all up to you.

4. Review on Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo: It works!

- Quality: 5/5

- Petite-friendly: 4/5

Henry is enjoying his jumperoo when I am writing this post. It is definitely a time-buyer for moms and a wonderful entertainment center for babies. I am also amazed to see how Henry got used to the jumping activity and knew how to play with the attached toys so quickly. So yes, I like this product and would like to recommend it to moms whose babies are now able to hold up their heads stably.

Tip: Put a firm pillow under the jumperoo if your baby’s feet cannot touch the floor yet.

Take care,

Must-haves for new moms

Before becoming a mom, I heard of many products that could help moms take care of her babies. Yet they made a super long list and I could not afford buying them all. Besides, there are so many brands out there in the market that could give you a headache when you decide that you want a swing for example. After four months of being a new mom, I find these products must-have for a new mom besides the must-must-have ones such as car seats, strollers, diapers, wipes, etc. Before buying these, I did substantial research online and read almost all customer reviews that I could find on Amazon, BabyCenter, BabiesRUs, Diapers.com, etc. So yes, please rest assured that they do work!

1. My Brest Friend Deluxe Pillow

My Brest Friend Deluxe Pillow, Light Green: Baby ASIN: B000HZI1R2

As I breastfeed my baby exclusively, this pillow has become something I cannot do without. I use it all the time, day or night. It helps me feel so comfortable when nursing my boy and saves me from backache. If you give your baby formula, I believe this pillow could help, too. Wearing this pillow and resting your baby on it help bringing you two close to each other, and that helps with bonding.

2. Medela Breast Pump

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote: Baby ASIN: B004HWXCJS

A few days after child birth, most moms suffer from breast engorgement. I had a horrible time with it myself! While I needed to get the milk out of my breast to reduce the pain, it was hard for my baby to latch on the engorged swollen breast. This breast pump could have been a life saver. I did not have it at the time because I had not known that I would need it that soon. Now I use it before going out so that my boy can always have mommy’s milk whenever he wants. This Medela Pump can be easily moved from room to room and is convenient for travel.

3. Fisher-Price Bouncer

Fisher-Price Newborn-to-Toddler Portable Rocker: Baby ASIN: B002OOWAB2

I received a similar Fisher-Price bouncer/rocker (which I cannot find on Amazon) as a gift for my baby. The bouncer buys my hubby and me time for dinner. And I do not know why my boy usually makes his poo-poo when he sits on the bouncer. Though sometimes it means meal interruption, I am happy that my boy has a stable poo-poo schedule. :-D

4. Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition

Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing: Baby ASIN: B0085425Y2

Oh, I must say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this swing! It is a new swing and currently the most expensive one made by Fisher-Price. I chose it over others because I saw the light above and my boy loves lights. And I was right! When put in a dark room, the swing creates moons and stars flying across the walls, making the bedroom a paradise. My baby just loves being in this swing. He loves looking at the three white sheep and he talks to them all the time. There is also music or nature sound to soothe him. The swing is good for not only his day naps but also his night sleep at the beginning of the night. After he falls asleep, my hubby gently gets him out of the swing and puts him in his crib.

5. Carter’s onesies

Precious Firsts by Carter's Newborn 4-Pack Short-Sleeve Bodysuit - Brown (9 Months): Clothing ASIN: B007PV8HDO

Why Carter’s onesies? Because they fit so well! I love how they could stretch when my baby grows bigger and that they are made long so that there is enough room for his diaper. Many onesies I have are wide and short. I do not like to see my boy’s diaper tightened up as I think it would not be comfortable for him.

6. Tiny Love Play Mat

Tiny Love Super Deluxe Lights and Music Gymini Activity Gym: Toys & Games ASIN: B000067K0L

Another time-buyer for moms and dads! After doing research online, I had the assumption that Tiny Love play mat is better padded than Fisher-Price’s; so I bought this Tiny Love play mat. It works! My boy spends 20 minutes each time in this play mat and about two times per day. When he was two months old, he could only punch and kick the animals hung above. But now he is four months old; he can grab two animals with his two hands while kicking others with his legs. He also loves talking to himself in the mirror at the corner. Sometimes, I see him playing with the elephant’s ear which creates sound. The mat can be machine-washed and it dries fast.

7. Tiny Love Super Mat

Tiny Love Super Mat: Baby ASIN: B0034G61DC

I put this mat beside the play mat so that I can join my baby’s playing. Sometimes, I let him lay on this mat and have a nap. The colors of the mat are so vibrant. It is ideal for my boy to do his tummy time.

8. Baby Carrier

Action Baby Front and Back Carrier (Standard, Black Solid with Silver): Baby ASIN: B00872DWYE

ERGObaby Original Baby Carrier, Camel: Baby ASIN: B0010XVH08

When my baby needs to held but my arms are tired, I put him in Action Baby Carrier sling, which fits my petite frame so well. However, my hubby prefers his ErgoBaby carrier. I think both of them are great. They also help when my boy is sleepy but tries to resist the sleep.

9. Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail, White: Baby ASIN: B002V92XAS

Soiled diapers caused bad bad bad smell in our bedroom, but the problem was solved the moment we bought this diaper pail. Its smart design which tightens the bag’s opening helps prevent the smell from coming up everything time we open the pail to put a soiled diaper in. Love this!

10. Fisher-Price Bath Tub

Fisher-Price Calming Waters Vibration Bathing Tub: Baby ASIN: B005IWM7V0

This is a nice tub and fits my large kitchen sink well. It also has vibration function to soothe your baby in case he is upset. However, do research before buying a bath tub to make sure that it fits your sink or your tub.

11. Monitor

Summer Infant Complete Coverage Color Video Monitor Set with 7" LCD Screen and 1.8" Handheld Unit: Baby ASIN: B001N44UVW

This is being used 24/7. The large monitor is placed in our family room where I spend most of my time. The hand-held is put in our home office where my hubby works at night. Hubby can move from room to room carrying this handheld with him so that he can watch the baby.

In this post, I quote the products from Amazon’s website where I often buy stuff with my Prime Membership which provides free two-day shipping. Since I do not have time to go to stores, I love buying things online, especially from Amazon. Nevertheless, I did not buy all the above things on Amazon. Some of them were bought from other websites which I will tell you in coming posts.

I hope that you will find the above products useful and share with me your favorite products too!

Take care,