Where did you buy your baby furniture?
I have looked at various websites for baby furniture but the prices are so high. I am hoping to get pregnant soon and so I want to start looking now. Some of the sites with expensive baby furniture do have reviews that are somewhat helpful, but I’m really looking for good deals.
Where does everyone here buy their baby furniture from? Specifically I’m talking about a changing table, crib, car seat, high chair, and other accessories. Is their any mistake you made or something you wish you had done differently or that you wish you had known ahead of time? Perhaps something you feel like you wasted money on and should not have bought.
I don’t want to spend a large amount of money on baby furniture that they will quickly outgrow. I’m looking for good quality, cheap price, and something that lasts.
Thanks!
I had a baby crib and changing table given to me by a friend. I wish I didn’t do that. Not only was the baby crib too shakey like the screws or bolts were all lose, but when I went online to see if I can order some parts for it I found out that a recall had been issued on the baby crib I was using! I phreaked out and my husband kept telling me that it was ok and don’t worry about it. I was like no way, and we got into a big argument. In the end, I won and made him go to Walmart and buy me a new crib. 
So that’s something I wish I would have done differently. I didn’t need all the stress and the panicky feel and I sure didn’t need to get into a fight with my loving hubby.
Walmart is pretty much the cheapest for everything. Even if it’s not THE cheapest at a particular moment in time, it’s very close. You know you are not going to get ripped off and pay like $100 too much for something if you shop at Walmart.
Walmart low price on AFG – Jeanie Crib, Cherry
Walmart low price on AFG – Jeanie Crib, White
For my changing table I bought the kind that is a dresser and that has drawers underneath with a mini-closet to hang clothes. When my baby gets older, it will become a very nice dresser piece for her room.
Probably the biggest mistake I made was not buy a changing table earlier. I tried the old fashion way of just putting my baby down on the floor, sofa, or bed depending on which ever one I was closer to. My husband is like a germ freak or something and he would gag whenever I changed the baby. He would freak out if I changed the baby on the bed where we sleep and he didn’t want me changing the baby on his side of the bed… LOL.. Men! Anyways the changing table fixed all that and it was easier on my back as the height of the changing table was perfect.
Walmart low price on South Shore – Changing Table, Pure White
But you can get even cheaper changing tables depending on the kind of furniture you want to convert it to once your baby gets older. The ones that convert into a child’s desk are probably the cheapest conversion changing tables you can find.
Walmart low price on Badger Basket – Changing Table with Desk Conversion, Cherry
Walmart low price on Badger Basket – Changing Table with Desk Conversion, White
When you buy a baby swing you want something that is easy to put together! That was a big mistake I made. Trying to put together a baby swing while the baby is crying is too much stress on the nerves. Your full attention is going to be on your baby for at least the first 6 months and so things have to be easy and quick that require your attention. I really never thought about this before until I had my baby.
Walmart has a cheap line of baby swings called Boppy’s that are easy to put together and fold away for storage. They are very soft and comfortable and my daughter loves it.
Walmart low price on Boppy – Rock in Comfort Travel Swing
Walmart low price on Boppy – Rock in Comfort Travel Swing, Pink
If you are just looking for the flat out cheapest baby swing you can buy check out this one (I can’t vouch for it though because I’ve never used it):
Bright Starts – Swing Anywhere Deluxe Portable Swing
Oh yeah, almost forgot again! Make sure you have plenty of crib sheets. I was surprised at how messy they get in a very short time. If you buy them in sets, you can get them cheaper than if you buy each one individually.
Walmart low price on Baby Connection 2-Pack White Crib Sheet
Baby Connection Crib Sheet in Pink, 2-Pack
Baby Connection Crib Sheet in Blue, 2-Pack
Baby Connection – Go Baby Go Boy Crib and Toddler Sheet
Baby Connection – Go Baby Go 4-Piece Bedding Set
Baby Connection – Lady Bug 4-piece Crib Bedding Set
Walmart
When I bought my baby crip I got the Storkcraft Aspen crib from Walmart.
Storkcraft – 3-Piece Aspen Collection, Cognac
This is the big 3 in 1 set of a crib, dresser, and changing table. They had the same sets at Target and Babies R Us but Walmart was selling it for less.
You can get good cheap baby furniture from your local Walmart or online. You need the crib with mattress and sheets. I didn’t use a changing table, I just layed down a changing pad where ever I was and changed my baby there. This is the cheapest way to go. Like you said, don’t invest a ton of money in fancy furniture with baby themes on it. They grow so fast. When they get 2 or 3, they will have their own likes and dislikes which may or may not match your own.
The biggest mistake I made in terms of wasting money was buying one of those diaper genie things. I found it a total waste of money. I really hated having to buy new bags for it when all I had to do was to walk the diaper outside to the trash.
I also bought my baby furniture at Walmart and it’s great! I bought the changing table that is also a dresser.
As for the crib I bought the 4 in 1 one at Walmart. The crib converts into 4 different mattress sizes and then actually into a child’s bed. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a crib and then only use it for 1 year. This crib converted into a bed that my daughter used until the age of 4.
Baby Mod – Cadence 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, Cherry
Ikea and Target. You really don't need a changing table. We just bought waterproof changing pads and changed our son on the bed or on the floor. Also, a diaper genie is something you will stop using after a month or two. We have really forgotten all about ours and just use the trashcan. Things you will love having are a swing and a rocking chair (or something that rocks). Also, my son would not sleep in a crib until almost 3 months and would only sleep in a bassinet so, have one of those, of course. We also bought some things at Babies R Us, but we basically shopped wherever ppl bought us gift cards. Be sure to add those to your baby registery or tell ppl you want them. They are very useful even after the baby comes.
Absolute nursery essentials?
Nothing. The only thing is a safe capsule to carry baby in the car and a car seat when they get bigger.
The only thing a baby wants is to be close to it's parents, especially the one with the built in milk, you really don't need any of the other stuff.
I bought my crib at a garage sale in an upper class neighborhood. Both dressers came from Ashley Furniture, they are pieces of an adult bedroom set which match our crib. I decided to buy adult dressers because I too didn't want to spend a ton of money and she can use these forever. I didn't buy a changing table since I didn't think it was necessary. Our bassinet was purchased by friends of mine from Baby's R Us.
I bought a toddler bed off of a co-worker of mine.
We purchased the 3 in 1 Madison crib, changing table and armoire from Babies R Us. It is made with real wood (not particle board). We love it! The changing table we used until our baby was about 6 months old but now she moves so much we just do it on the floor.
We actually saw the exact crib we bought on Craigslist in excellent condition for half the price so with the next baby we are probably going to shop around for used furniture.
I was lucky enough to have it given to me. My mom still had hers from me and my younger siblings, and she keeps all her stuff in exellent condition. She let me use the bassinet she had, as well as a crib and dresser/changing table she got with one of my younger siblings. All of the accessories (sheets, blankets, etc.) I got at Walmart.