Good products to pick up in the US - can American mums advise?

[kookiegoddess]

My mother is going out to the States next month and also in September. Just wonder if there is anything super cheap or really useful that mums would recommend picking up over there. I'm due in early October so I know it's kind of early to be thinking about shopping but I am not working so have a bit too much time on my hands...

Just stuff like best brands for baby bags (for carrying diapers etc - I know Americans are good at that kind of thing...), toys, mobiles, clothes, Fisher Price stuff etc. or handy things like good items for travelling with a baby. I like to be organised...does it show??

Grateful for any thoughts/advice.

xK

mountain buggy---so much cheaper there

Aveeno baby lotions/ bath stuff.

I love the baby clothes in the States. The last time I went I picked up loads of Carter baby clothes from Kohls. They have a much better choice, lots of lovely colours and designs and are cheaper. I like the babygros with the zips, as you don't have to faff about with buttons.
Really love Gymboree clothes, but these are more expensive.
Also second the Aveeno baby lotions.
They have really good sales, so toys can be bought for real bargains.
I bought a Cooshie booster seat, but that is more for a one year rather than a baby, love it though.
If I went again I would probably pick up a Bugaboo Bee, as it is cheaper there.
Go on the Amazon.com site and browse through their baby section, you can see the kinds of things they have and compare the prices to the UK.

spray cheese?

baby cold medicine. seriously.
Tylenol cold for babies. it's awesome.

If you've got little ones who are still teething - Baby Orajel. it is seriously good stuff! If your kids are a bit older, chewable tylenol (calpol) - it's great to carry around for emergencies. And plasters - I know it sounds silly but they have all kinds of fab plasters, we used to come back with 3 or 4 boxes at a time! Lord knows what a customs officer would have thought if we'd ever had our bags checked.

And definitely kid's clothes, such good value. Osh Kosh are good and Carters. Tell your mum to go to Target it's not posh but they have absolutely everything and anything you can think of and it's all dead cheap. The Children's Place is good too.

And for you - I highly recommend Aveda tourmeline charged eye cream. Not that I'm suggesting you need it, but I adore the stuff. It feels like putting silk on your face and I always buy some when I'm over there.

You will be out of luck with the baby cold medicine, it's all been recalled

All the basics from Carters: vests, tshirts, trousers etc, and the best thing ever, baby nightgowns. Can't seem to get them here for less than £9 each, Carters come 3 in a pack for $12 or so.

Nuby bottles, cups etc. nicer and cheaper than Avent imo, and they don't have that dangerous chemical in them, can't remember what it's called.

Fisher price Papasan bouncy chair, I'm having my mom bring one over when she comes in July, they look so comfy.

Skip Hop Diaper bags, Target does a cheap version.

Definitely have a look at the Bugaboo Bee, I wish I'd bought one when we were there in Dec!

Where is your mum going? She can get the above at Babies R Us, Kohls, Buy Buy Baby, Target, and Carters outlets.

Lucky you! I've been trying to figure out how we can get over to the US for a shopping trip before I get to pregnant but it doesn't look like it will happen!

Thanks so much girls, this is brilliant!

Just the kind of advice I'm looking for. I'll definitely have a look on Amazon at the items you've mentioned and make myself a little list.

Will let you know how I get on.

Oh, and re: the spray cheese - on the food front, i'll be requesting squeezy grape jelly, cocoa puffs, and grits. Not altogether tho...

thanks again

Kx

wow I just looked, mountain buggies are half the price!

Most of the strollers are cheaper in the US - you can even knock £100 or so off a Bugaboo! But difficult to get back (although I might make my parents try when they come to visit anyway! ).

I second (or third) Osh Kosh and Carters baby clothes. Really good quality and hard-wearing. As someone mentioned Kohls does them cheaply, especially when they have a good sale on. Where in the States is your mom going?

Don't have any advice on diaper bags at the moment, sorry.

Good luck!

Those little nasal bulbs -- for sucking snot out of noses. Couldnt face it myself, but friends swear by it.

OneHanded can you not get those in the UK? It's one of those things that never really occurred to me that might be different (I'm American) but was totally horrified when BIL took out a plastic tube to suck nephew's boogers out the other day!!! I was so worried he might swallow it! and I thought Why doesn't he have one of the aspirators?

you can get the snot things in the UK

No No No! Do Not Attempt to get snot suckers in the UK! Those tube ones are so gross and I haven't seen any good bulb ones here. If you can, stock up on the First Years one, it has an opening at the back so you can clean it (the apparatus) out completely (as opposed to the hospital ones where you just have to squeeze and hope for the best.) First Years also do a great baby nail clipper, very comfortable to use and has a magnifying glass on it.

I don't have a baby but my friend does and she had a bulb snot thing which she bought here. didn't seem great but the baby was pretty small then. Think she got it in boots.

I live in fear of nail clipping so thanks for heads up re: first years clippers.

Instead of baby nail clippers, have a look for La Cross baby scissors - they have very delicate blades, with rounded ends, but are really strong and sturdy. Ours are 26 years old and still going strong, for everybody's nails.

Also I agree that US snot-suckers are the best!

Look out for discount stores with last year's Osh-Kosh - they are relatively expensive (though cheaper than here) in department sotres but dead cheap in discount stores.

I recommend Old Navy also for babies clothes, so nice and cheap!

Look for second-hand stores that sell 'gently used' or sometimes never used baby stuff. One store is called "Once Upon a Child" but there are many others. It's especially nice to go them them in upscale neighborhoods...the best ones are great...I bought a "Baby Dior" sweater for DD..it was great and so cheap