So, ARE you ready to be a dad? 

Take a look at our checklist of broader questions to help you assess your mental readiness and your lifestyle. Then, you can the Am I Ready to be a Dad quiz, which has been recently updated to ask you knowledge-based questions like should your baby have water? Or, what’s a wake window? If you take the quiz, there’s an opportunity to include your email at the end, so we can send you some free resources (you can also, of course, choose not to tell us your email… we get it).

Ready to dive in? Here are the five checklist items at a glance.

• Am I responsible?
• Am I financially stable?
• Am I ready for a change?
• Am I selfless?
• Am I supported?

Just here for the free quiz and info? That’s here, near the bottom of this article.

Am I responsible?

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest (or the biggest) responsibilities a guy can have. You are responsible for raising your child to become a functioning member of society. You have to equip them with the tools to succeed in life. You are the primary male role model in their life. Your role in your child’s development can not be understated. For example, according to a study by the American Association of Pediatrics, a father’s “involvement in play with preschoolers predicted decreased externalizing and internalizing behavior problems and enhanced social competence.” Basically, when fathers were involved in their kid’s lives, the kids were more successful in life. You make a huge difference in the life of your child. 

Are you ready for that responsibility?

Probably not. No one is ready for that big of a responsibility all at one time. But you can work to become more responsible until your child is born. Here are a few ways you can help yourself get ready to be a father:

Be disciplined in something

Wake up at the same time every day, exercise consistently, eat right, read every day, etc. Pick something and force yourself to do it every day. Being disciplined is a great skill that you can grow, and it will come in handy when you are a new dad.

Get a pet

Having a pet that requires you for everything is a great way to force you to be more responsible. Much like a baby, your pet needs you for food, potty time, play time, etc. A pet forces you to think outside of yourself and focus some of your attention on it.

Stop procrastinating

This is a big one. With a baby, things need to be done/prepped on time. Imagine you are at home alone with your child. You get a text that you need to meet your partner at the store. This used to be so simple. But now… Do you have the car seat ready to go? Do you have the diaper bag? Does the diaper bag actually have diapers in it? A change of clothes just in case? Does the baby need to be changed before you leave? Did you empty the diaper genie earlier, or are you going to have to put the dirty diaper somewhere else? Did you let your car get down to “2 miles to empty” because you thought the next time you got in you’d be going straight to the gas station? This list of questions could spell disaster if you procrastinate on your responsibilities. 

• Woah, that’s a lot of stuff. Need help with preparing for a baby? We’ve got you with this essentials checklist.

Being a parent is an immense responsibility. Make sure you’re ready!

Am I financially stable?

Part of being a responsible father is being able to provide for your child. Your household (however it looks—single dad, both parents work, stay-at-home parent) needs to be able to put a roof over the head and food in the belly of your child. 

Obviously, financial stability looks different to everyone. Do you need to be making 6-figures and have a million dollars in a 401k in order to be ready for a baby? Of course not. But, having stable income, being financially responsible, and prioritizing your child is crucial. I’ll just be honest here—having a baby is expensive. Check out our article on how to budget for a baby if you’d like to see how expensive a newborn can be. Here are some considerations about being financially responsible:

• Job/Career: Do you have a job that pays irregularly? Can you see your job/position being eliminated in a moment’s notice? Do you travel erratically for your job? These are all things that might have been perfectly fine when you were single or without a child, but these don’t spell s-t-a-b-l-e. 
• Spending: Do you spend more than you make? Do you buy whatever you want, whenever you want because you own a credit card(s)? Things might need to change. Take time to reflect on how you spend your money, and what monthly expenses come with a newborn (again, check out this article).
• Saving: Have you viewed saving money as something you’ll do when you’re older? Well, if a baby is on the way, that time is now. Being able to shell out some cash for an unexpected expense with your child is something you need to prioritize. Want your child to go to college? That process of saving can start from the time your little one is born.

Being financially stable is a big part in taking that next step toward being the best father you can be. Shouldering the responsibility of providing for your child is not only necessary, but honorable. It’s why you see all of the dad memes about dads being cheap or thrifty. A great father prioritizes their family’s well being. 

Am I ready for a change?

Are you ready for the lifestyle change becoming a parent brings?

Because there’s no way around it—your life as a dad will look different from your life now. How drastic of a change depends on the person. 

When we told people that a baby was on the way, nearly all of the feedback went something like this: 

“Congratulations!”

“That’s so exciting!”

“I’m so happy for you guys!”

Followed by:

“Get ready for a lot of long nights!”

“Say goodbye to your social life!”

“I hope you can function on no sleep!”

“Everything is about to change!…Everything”

“I hope you don’t mind lots of crying!”

Notice a trend? We did. After the excitement of the news of a baby, the following responses were almost all negative. How sad is that!? The only thing people could think to say was how miserable having a baby was? What did we get ourselves into??

So, does your life change? Absolutely it does! But….what does that really mean? Here are a few examples of lifestyle choices that might need to be adjusted when the little one comes around:

• Leaving at 4pm for happy hour at the bar with your friends to “catch up”…until 2am
• Heading straight from work to the gym to workout…for 3 hours…every single day…
• Spur of the moment road trip 4 states away to visit that one friend from college
• Realizing your true calling to be a drummer and practicing through all hours of the night
• Finding a briefcase, driving across the country to Aspen to return it, finding out it’s full of cash, spending all of it, realizing it was actually ransom money, replacing the cash with IOU’s and somehow making it out alive…So you’re telling me there’s a chance!?

Aside from some of the more drastic examples, you are the one that can determine how much your life changes. For example, my wife and I love going camping (some might call it ‘glamping’). Set up the camper, spend the weekend relaxing, hiking, swimming, cornhole, etc. Did we decide to put that on hold until our baby was ‘old enough’ to go? Nope! My son Micah made his first camping trip when he was 5 weeks old. You know yourself, your baby and your situation better than anyone. You decide how much things change when the little one comes around.

Am I selfless?

Humans are selfish. Even the most selfless person you know is selfish—they are just better at getting over that trait. Becoming a father doesn’t mean you can never have selfish moments (it’s important to take care of yourself!), but it’s not all about YOU anymore.

You learn this lesson on a different scale when you get married. You don’t just think about YOU anymore; there is someone else in the picture. Maybe you used to spend a Saturday sleeping in, playing video games, watching football then ending the night out with your buds. With a spouse in the picture, that Saturday looks different. But, you still find a way to carve out some YOU time.

When a baby comes along, you have to be willing to potentially sacrifice more of that YOU time. Baby goes down for a nap, so you start a project. Oops! The baby woke up early—you’re back on dad duty. You sit down to eat those freshly grilled steaks (perfect when they’re nice and hot). Oops! Baby just spit up all over the place, and while you’re cleaning them up they have a blowout. 20 minutes later, those perfect steaks are no longer hot-off-the-grill. It’s the 4th quarter, your team is on a 2-minute drive, trailing by 4, needs a touchdown to win, just got into the redzone, and…baby woke themselves up crying, and they need dad to help them go back down.

Ask yourself: Am I ready to be the father my kids need me to be? Note: this isn’t to say that you never have any time to yourself again. Kids are different —some have perfect sleep schedules and you get tons of time to do your own thing. BUT, it’s important to know that you need to be prepared to sacrifice some YOU time to be “on” for your child.

Am I supported?

Having support when raising a child is crucial to that child’s development. What does that look like? It’s not just about the parents. It’s about close family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc. that interact with your child. 

Check out this study from the National Institutes of Health, which looks into parental roles in childhood development. “We conclude that while children do better, on average, living with two biological married parents, the advantages of two-parent families are not shared equally by all.” What does this mean? Well, a child that has mom and dad at home generally has a better chance at life (better in school, less likely to struggle with substance abuse, etc.). BUT—what if mom and dad are always fighting? What if mom and dad have a terrible relationship? Is that child better off than a single mom/dad?

A rocky, shaky, more bad days than good type of relationship doesn’t magically get fixed when a baby comes around. Sleep deprivation and stress don’t exactly make a struggling relationship better. Working to have a strong relationship before the baby comes is critical! Your child needs to see a healthy relationship as they grow up. This sets the stage for them to succeed in life.

Do you have family, friends or neighbors that can give you support? Having a trusted group of people that can help you out on a moment’s notice makes a world of difference. What is your plan when you get held up at work and someone needs to pick up Baby from the sitter? Baby is sick and needs to stay home, but your boss needs you to come in? You want to go on a “date” (what’s that, again?) and need someone to babysit? Having a system of support makes life so much easier when the baby comes. 

When it comes to friends, it’s said that if you say ‘no’ enough times, the invitations stop coming. Your friends will understand that your life is changing when the baby comes. But make sure you still have time to get out (take your baby!) and do things with your friends. Saying ‘no’ to every single invite will eventually land you with zero invites. Make it a priority to continue putting yourself out there and spending time with friends and family.

Take our “Am I ready to be a dad” quiz!

Think you’re ready to become a father? Test your knowledge with our quiz and stay tuned for some resources to help you prepare to be the best parent you can be.

So, are you ready to be a parent?

Having a baby is the best thing ever! If you feel like you aren’t ready, that’s totally normal. Like I mentioned, people probably only tell you about how hard having a newborn is. And, it can be a trying time. But it’s totally worth it. It’s hard to be ‘ready’ to be a dad until you are actually holding your child in your arms. Can you ever be completely ‘ready’ for something you’ve never experienced? No! But you can start to practice some of the tenets of what it takes to become a great dad before the baby comes.

In this Stokke review, I’ll go over:

• What makes the Stokke unique
• Assembly
• Size and features
• Pricing and where to buy
• Is the Stokke worth it?
• FAQs

I’m Matt, by the way. I’m a high school band teacher based in Ohio, a dad of two, and a self-appointed high chair tester. Before writing this review, I tested the Stokke Tripp Trapp for two months with my youngest kid, who was six months old when we began testing. Keep reading and you’ll also hear about my three-year-old, who was very helpful (wink) when assembling the chair.

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more about our disclosures and how we approach these reviews in our policies.

What makes the Stokke high chair unique?  

You’ll find there are about as many high chairs as there are presidential candidates before the primaries (and as much variety!)

• Wondering what else you need to feed your baby? We’ve got a new baby checklist for that.

From huge, cumbersome high chairs that could hold up in a zombie apocalypse to portable seats that might make you question your child’s safety (like when you load something into the back of your truck, give it a shake, and say “eh, that’s probably not going anywhere”), the options are endless. If you’re here, you likely know this. And you know finding the high chair that’s right for your family and living space is important. So, without further ado… What is it about a Tripp Trapp that’s so different? 

The Tripp Trapp connection

Stokke (the company that makes the Tripp Trapp) is a Norwegian brand whose mission is to “support parents and caregivers as they support their children to grow up confidently.” They’re known for making high chairs and strollers that support physical development and connection, featuring designs that bring the child closer to their parents (in the literal, “this seat is physically closer to my face” kind of way).

So, one of the first things you’ll likely notice about the Tripp Trapp is that it doesn’t look like your typical high chair. It was designed by Peter Opsvik, credited as “the designer who set a new standard for sitting.” We’ll get into this later, but its design makes it a lot easier to bring your child closer to the table. 

The Stokke cool factor 

In addition to being kind of fun to say, the Stokke Tripp Trapp is pretty freaking cool and — dare we say — fancy. If you’re looking for sophistication points, you should know this chair is on display in a permanent exhibit in the MOMA. I told you: It’s fancy. 

… Which also means it’s sort of a big-ticket item, especially for a high chair, coming in at $319. So, how does the functionality, safety features, and general fanciness of the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair stack up against its price? Let’s find out. 

Assembling the Tripp Trapp high chair

Spoiler Alert: I like the Tripp Trapp, but assembly is one of my first knocks on this high chair. The instructions have precisely 0 words  — just pictures (which are fairly vague).  I believe most people can figure these out, but if I didn’t have experience putting together various baby-related things, I might be lost and looking for a YouTube video tutorial.  

To make things more complicated, my 3-year-old now wants to help me assemble everything, which is awesome. Unless, of course, there are 12 bolts and washers and various other small pieces that can easily be misplaced. While I love the help, the constant worry that I’d lose something was unnerving. I didn’t expect there to be so many pieces for a high chair.

We’ll get to this part later, but, like I said, I really do like this chair. It’s sturdy and reliable. But the downside is that the assembly takes some time and focus. In fact, while putting this chair together I inadvertently skipped a step — something I didn’t realize until the end, and the chair wouldn’t fit together correctly. This was very annoying because I had to deconstruct the chair back to the step I missed. I’m not blaming anyone, but a certain 3 year old might have distracted me with his cuteness.

Stokke high chair size and features

A version of the Tripp Trapp high chair has been around since 1972, and its design was inspired by Opsvik’s growing child, who outgrew a high chair but wasn’t big enough to use an adult chair. The Tripp Trapp is designed not only to grow with your child but also to help them find an “ideal” sitting position, which — as noted by Stokke — means they’re able to shift and move using the adjustable footplate. 

So, what does this mean for size and features? 

Size

We loved the size and stature of the Tripp Trapp. Practically, the Stokke high chair does a great job of finding the middle ground between a bulky high chair and a tiny portable one. Our previous high chair was like a throne that took up more room than a small car. This one only stands 32.5 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The floor space is 18 x 22.4 in. This becomes important because, as we’ll discuss, the chair pushes right up to your dining room table. 

Features

One of the most notable features of the Stokke high chair is its lack of a tray. You read that right — this high chair is intended to be pushed right up to your table. Stokke sells a tray separately, but we just set our baby in the chair and put his food on our dinner table. 

According to Stokke, this is to help foster a sense of connection. But we liked this feature because, when the chair is not in use, we can leave it at the table without worrying about tripping over it. It’s nice to be able to leave the high chair out whenever we need it.

The Tripp Trapp also features an adjustable seat height and footplate height. These two components work independently, which allows babies/kids of all heights to be comfortable in the chair. By itself, Stokke is designed the chair to accommodate children from 6 months to 3 years (they even claim the chair can safely hold an adult weighing up to 242 lbs!). But you can also add a Tripp Trapp newborn attachment and cover to safely cradle your newborn at the table or a Tripp Trapp baby set which provides extra support for a young infant learning to sit.

Honestly, for our 6-month-old, we decided to just leave the footplate off entirely. His little legs barely reach over the seat anyway, so I decided to neglect that step. If I had an older child sitting in this high chair (18 months or so), I’d probably put the footplate back on for them.

Colors and More Tripp Trapp Customizations

The Tripp Trapp chair comes in 17 different colors/wood stains, and you can customize it online with different colors and accessories, like storage bins and cushions (!). The material used is Beech Wood, and it does a great job of cleaning up after messy meals. The high chair also features a 5-point harness to keep the little ones safe.

Pricing, where to buy, and extras 

You can get the Tripp Trapp directly from the Stokke website, which gives you the advantage of customizing the chair, or you can purchase it on Amazon. 

Pricing for the Tripp Trapp on Stokke’s website currently looks like this:

• Tripp Trapp high chair + baby set with a five-point harness: $319
  • Includes the Tripp Trapp high chair and a seat with a five-point harness so that your child can start using the chair at 6 months
• Tripp Trapp high chair + newborn set:
  • Includes the Tripp Trapp chair and a newborn attachment which cradles your infant until they begin to sit independently 
• Tripp Trapp chair
  • Just the Tripp Trapp chair, with no baby seat 

If you purchase directly from Stokke, you have the option to customize your chair. This could be a good option if you want a custom color or if you’d like to include both the baby seat and the newborn set. 

You can also purchase on Amazon:

• Tripp Trapp high chair + baby seat with high point harness

If you have Amazon Prime, purchasing on Amazon might get you faster shipping. 

Stokke Extras

If you customize your chair on Stokke’s site, you might notice a variety of optional add-ons like storage and cushions. At the time of writing, you can purchase the following accessories in a variety of colors:

• Seat cushion
• Tray
• Baby cushion
• Glider set
• Storage bin
• Newborn seat cover

Oh, and if you’re a Disney family? Stokke just released a Disney collection including Mickey-themed cushions for the Tripp Trapp. 

Is the Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair Worth It? 

We’ve used this high chair for over 2 months now.  Compared to the only other high chair we’ve had, I like this one much better!  It is very convenient in a few different ways.  First, it matches our table and other chairs pretty well (obviously something that I [my wife] care a great deal about).  It actually almost looks like it came with our kitchen table/chair set. 

Second, its size is great for our kitchen space.  It can scoot up very close to the table which is great for the baby when eating, but also for our 3-year-old when he wants to run around and around. He doesn’t have to worry about dodging the high chair.  

Third, and most importantly: Our baby loves it.  It’s supportive, comfortable enough that he likes sitting in it, and it’s safe.  We’ve had zero “close call” moments with the chair almost tipping or him almost falling out.  

This chair is also lightweight enough that, if we had to (we haven’t yet) transport it to another house we could do so easily.  The weight also makes it super easy to move around when not in use, and the floor needs to be cleaned up from all of the food splatter.

The Awesome

Style: Of course, there’s the cool factor. How often can you say that your baby’ furniture is featured in the MOMA? Not all that often, I’d bet. 

Safety: The Tripp Trapp is sturdy and well-made. I felt safe with our son in it, especially with the baby set attachment. If you need extra support, they also sell gliders to make the chair more stable. 

Size/Weight: Sure, the chair is cool, but the size and weight of this chair are what really stood out to me. I really liked that the Tripp Trapp was big enough to feel sturdy but small and light enough to fit well in our kitchen. It moves easily (but only when we want it to move). This makes clean-up a lot easier. 

Level of Baby Enjoyment: The most important question for me: Does my son enjoy it? And he does!

Lifespan: The adjustable height and footplates, along with the different attachments, means this chair can grow with your child during all of their younger years. This is a plus for me, considering its price tag. 

The Wish-It-Were-Different

Assembly: Ease of assembly was on par with convincing a toddler that broccoli is delicious (that’s… not easy). Some words in the instruction manual would be helpful.  

Price: There are ultimately much cheaper high chairs out there. You have to decide how much you value what Stokke brings to the table (pun intended). 

Final Verdict

After reviewing the Stokke, would I buy it again?  I would say absolutely! I was pretty stoked on Stokke. It has been a great addition to our dinner table. It’s compact, safe, and my son loves sitting in it and joining in on the mealtime fun.

Stokke High Chair FAQs: 

Is the Stokke Chair Montessori-friendly?

We don’t claim to be Montessori experts at Fathercraft, but the short answer is yes. Because of the way the Tripp Trapp fosters connection at the dinner table and enables independence as the child grows, the chair tops a variety of “best montessori” chair lists. 

Curious about other Montessori-inspired products? Check out our Lovevery play kit review. 

Can a baby sleep in the Stokke Chair?

According to Stokke’s website, no. A baby should sleep on their back in a bassinet or crib. 

Where is the Stokke Tripp Trapp made? 

The Tripp Trapp is made in Europe, using wood found in Central Europe. (and according to this Reddit board, it’s quite popular there). 

How long can my child use the Tripp Trapp? 

Your child can use the Tripp Trapp from 6 months until 3 years old.

Want to see other Fathercraft reviews?

Thanks for checking out our review!

And, if you made it this far, chances are you’ll like some of our other stuff. Learn more about Fathercraft here, or check out our recommendations for essential gear for babies here.

If you’re like we were, you might think babies sleep in their crib. You spent an hour (if you’re lucky) assembling a crib, you painted the nursery, you hung pictures and decorations, and you carefully picked out the best bedtime stories. This is where the baby will sleep… right?

Well, yes (hopefully), but it might take a few months…

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for the first year of life, but at least for the first 6 months.” 

What is a “separate surface designed for infants?” 

In theory, it absolutely could be that crib you just assembled — they are considered a safe “sleep surface” option for infants. However, you’re more likely to use something called a bassinet, which WebMD (aka the #1 destination for panicked 3am doom scrolls) defines as a “tall, small bed for your baby,” during the first few months. 

So, how does the Newton Baby Bassinet stack up against all the other tall and small sleep surfaces on the market  in terms of the important stuff like safety, size, portability, and price? We enlisted the help of my newborn – who frankly didn’t have a choice in the matter — to find out.

In this review, we cover:

• How the Newton Bassinet Stands Out
• Size, Dimensions, and Materials
• Portability
• Safety Features
• Price
• FAQs

Heads up: We received the Newton Baby Bassinet for free from the manufacturer. We didn’t promise a good review, so what you’ll read below really is honest our opinion. Also, Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. You can read more about our disclosures and how we go about these reviews in our policies.

How Does the Newton Baby Bassinet Stand Out?

Before we got the Newton Baby Bassinet, we were using an old wooden bassinet that weighed 40lbs and had been passed down through a few generations. You might think, “Oh, that’s so cool and sentimental.” Well, kind of. We got it from my wife’s aunt’s neighbor, and the only reason it was given to us is because literally no one else wanted it. So, we used that bassinet for our first son. But when baby #2 came around, we felt that we needed to join the 21st century.

And we have to say… a 21st century bassinet like this one truly does stand out. 

Some things to consider include size, portability, safety and price. If you live in a smaller house/apartment, then getting a bassinet that takes up a bunch of room isn’t always feasible. If you travel or have some sort of arrangement where the bassinet needs to be transported from room to room or house to house, the ease of transport is important as well. In terms of safety, obviously choosing something that will keep your baby safe is of utmost importance. And lastly, price could play a role in which bassinet you choose.

For us, the Newton Baby Bassinet and Bedside Sleeper checked a lot of important boxes. In the next few sections, we’ll discuss exactly how the Newton Baby Bassinet stood out to us – and where it left something to be desired. 

Now, let’s get into the specifics – just how tall and small is this baby bed? 

Bassinet Size, Dimensions, and Materials

Newton Baby says that this bassinet has the ‘largest in-class sleeping surface’. The dimensions of the mattress are 35.25″ x 18.625″, creating a ‘sleeping surface’ of 41.5’’ x 22’’. Honestly, this truly is a huge surface area for a baby to sleep in. The average 6 month old is roughly 26 inches tall, so there is still plenty of room for that baby to not feel cramped in. Our 2 month old scoots around in his sleep, and he has plenty of room to do so.

Note: It’s recommended to transition a baby out of their bassinet once they’re able to push up and roll over, usually around 4-5 months. 

When it comes to the height of the bassinet, there is a handy feature that allows you to adjust the height to 8 different positions, so that it matches the height of your bed (as long as your bed is between 19.5” and 25” from the floor to the top). This is a solid feature if you or your partner are recovering from childbirth and would like to avoid bending over to lift your baby as much as possible. 

The materials of this bassinet are a huge selling point. From an aesthetic point of view, it looks very modern and cool (a “cool” bassinet is something I never thought I’d say before I had kids). The solid Birch frame allows the bassinet to feel sturdy, but not too heavy. Additionally, the mesh/netting material that surrounds the baby is 100% breathable and machine washable. Compared to our old bassinet, this thing is night and day different. We love how it looks in our room, and we aren’t worried about our 2 year old knocking it over.

A Word About the Newton Mattress’s Materials

I’ve never seen a mattress like this one. According to Newton Baby, this mattress uses a Wovenaire core, which is  “90% air, 10% food-grade polymer [and] provides just the right amount of firmness, comfort and support for your littlest one.” As we’ll discuss a bit later, the mattress’s materials provide a “100% breathable” sleeping surface, which gives some parents a peace of mind (and seriously – it is pretty breathable; we know, because we smashed our faces into the crib-sized version of the Newton mattress a while back). Plus, even if you choose to swaddle your baby, they’ll stay comfy and cool throughout the night for what we can only hope will provide better quality sleep. 

Portability

This bassinet comes with a travel bag so you could take it apart, stuff it in the bag, and take it to go. They market the bag as also being good for storage. 
However, by no means is this a ‘travel bassinet’. It is gonna take some time and a tool to disassemble and reassemble this thing. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being impossible to transport and 10 being super easy; I’d give this one a 5. Yes, in a pinch, you can take it apart and bring it with you. But I won’t be bringing it on any weekend getaways anytime soon. We have a travel trailer and take weekend camping trips throughout the summer. I thought this bassinet could be good for setting up inside the camper, but after assembling it… well, I’ve changed my mind.

Safety Features

Now for the information we know you’re all waiting for – safety. At Fathercraft, we don’t play around with sleep safety, and Newton Baby emphasizes that this is a safer-than-average bassinet. What makes it safer than a standard bassinet? Well, it seems that there are 3 things that make it stand out:

1. Sleeping Surface: As mentioned before, there is a lot of space in this bassinet for your baby to sleep. Our 2 month old finds a way to scoot around in the bassinet even when in his swaddle. We don’t have to worry about him moving his little body over to a corner and getting in trouble where he can’t breathe; this brings us to point number 2…
2. Breathable Side Walls: If your little one does manage to get their face pushed up against the side of the bassinet, the material is 100% breathable. There is no concern with them getting trapped and having a breathing concern.
3. One More Time for the Mattress: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – the mattress is also advertised as “100% breathable.” The fact that this mattress is “90% air” (so are trees, and yet my golf balls seem to always find them…) means that it’ll keep your little one nice and cool throughout the night, while you sleep easier with more peace of mind.

Price and Purchasing

A quick search on amazon shows that a somewhat comparable bassinet ranges from $150-$200. This one retails on Newton Baby’s website for $299; alternatively, you can purchase the Newton bassinet on Amazon for $299 and (if you have Prime) fast shipping. So, what’s the difference between cheaper bassinets and this one?

Where the Newton Bassinet Blends In…

• Adjustable heights
• Side rail can lower 
• Attach to adult bed
• Lightweight

Where the Newton Bassinet Stands Out…

• Mattress design, quality, and features
• 100% breathable side walls
• Large sleep surface area
• Look/aesthetic

These are the main similarities and differences that I’ve observed in comparing this bassinet to some of the best sellers on amazon. Obviously as the parent, you get to decide if these ‘stand-out’ qualities are substantial enough to pay the extra ~$100 compared to the others. 

FAQ

Still have questions? We have (some) answers:

What about the Bassinet’s Sheets? 

Newton sends a 100% breathable, organic cotton muslin sheet that fits tightly to the bassinet mattress pad – so what we’re saying is your baby will have a better sheet than you do. If you want more than one of these sheets, you’ll have to buy a separate pack. 

What is “Wovenaire?” 

Wovenaire is a fancy term, patented by Newton, that refers to the mattress core’s composition. This is what makes the mattress 100% breathable. 

How Does the Newton Bassinet Compare to the Snoo? 

The most obvious difference is that the Snoo is “smart,” while the Newton Baby Bassinet won’t automatically rock your baby back to sleep. Everyone’s preferences and needs are different, and you can read our Snoo Review to help you decide. 

What is the Weight Limit for the Newton Bassinet? 

The bassinet safely supports up to 20lbs. Generally, babies are transitioned out of their bassinets around 4-5 months, before they are able to roll over. 

Will this Bassinet Solve All of My Baby’s Sleep Problems? 

Everyone knows the only way to solve all of your baby’s sleep problems is to do three cartwheels in the rain, at midnight, while singing the ABCs… backwards. 

In all seriousness, babies are babies, and they typically need time to figure out how to sleep well. The Newton Baby Bassinet can help them stay safe and cozy, but there’s no guarantee they’ll appreciate those conditions.

Final Thoughts

Newton Baby has done an outstanding job on this bassinet. The quality materials, the safety measures, the huge sleeping surface, and the overall look make it definitely worth considering when shopping for a bassinet.

If I could go back in time, knowing what I know after using this bassinet, would I buy the same one?

Yes! We have loved the Newton Baby Bassinet. I feel it is worth the price, and it offers some important features that other cheaper bassinets just don’t offer. Could it be better? I mean, everything could be better… but I don’t feel that there is a meaningful way this bassinet could improve. Like everything else, I wish it was cheaper! But when you buy this bassinet, know that you’d be getting a high quality product that you can use for multiple kids throughout the years.

Oh, and if you’ve made it this far, we take it you’re pretty heavy into baby research at the moment — so let us introduce ourselves. We’re Fathercraft. In addition to reviewing products, we create cool stuff for new parents, and have a YouTube channel full of parenting-related videos. Check them out, say hello, and let us know what you’d like us to review next!

Car seat review? Check.

Buying both in a package deal?!  Double Check.

Aaron Rogers? Discount Double Check.

I Need a Car Seat AND a Stroller!

Well you’re in luck!  The Graco FastAction Fold Sport Travel System is a great way to fill both of those needs.  In this review, we’re going to talk about the stroller – is it durable, easy to use, etc.

And the car seat – the things we like and dislike.

It can be challenging to find a stroller that fits your needs as a family.  Some are big and bulky and cost $5,000 (no, really).  Others seem too cheap to trust putting your child in and maneuver cracks in the sidewalk. Never fear! At Fathercraft, we go deep on strollers, so chancers are we have a stroller review for you.

Once you finally find a stroller that you like and think will work for your lifestyle, you now get to see if the carseat you planned on buying (or already have) is compatible with said stroller. Quick side note: why is it helpful to have a stroller and car seat that are compatible? Well, when your little one is real little, he may fall asleep in the car and you may really not want to wake him to transfer to the stroller. Hence: strollers that have car seat adapters. Simply unclick the car seat from its base in the car and click it into the stroller. Do all this with the super stealth transfer moves you’ll quickly develop as a parent and viola! Your baby continues to sleep peacefully.

But, what if you could buy a stroller that works for your family, is from a reliable brand, is easy to use and it includes a great car seat that is compatible?!  That’s exactly what we have here.  So, let’s get into it.

The Stroller

This Graco Stroller has been used and abused for over 2 and a half years in my house.  We bought it before our first son was born, and now use it with our second boy.  It has been folded and unfolded hundreds and hundreds of times.  It has seen puke, poop, food, water, juice, milk, dirt, mud, chalk…. you name it, this stroller has seen it.  It has been pushed around the neighborhood, the campground, the zoo, 5k’s, vacation  – just about anywhere and everywhere you can take a stroller.

So – before we get into the minutiae of “was it easy to assemble” and “how much does it weigh” and “would it survive the Dwight Schrute Stroller Test?”, I’ll go ahead and give my opinion on this stroller:

It’s Awesome. In fact, we’ve named it one of our top strollers of 2023.

Now, for the minutiae.

Specs 

• Stroller holds a child up to 50 pounds
• Stroller features a one-second fold
• Multi-position reclining seat to find the perfect position for baby’s comfort.
• Large storage basket with expandable rear pouch to hold all your travel essentials.
• Stroller weight: 21.38 lbs
• Child’s tray with cup holder pivots or removes for no-fuss stroller entry
• Convertible 3- or 5-point harness grows with your child
• *Meets Disney size requirements*

Lets go over some of these specs;

• One Second Fold: Yes, really!  There is a red strap right in the middle of the seat.  Pull up on the strap, and the stroller folds in half.  This is super convenient – you don’t have to click 20 little buttons to get the stroller to break down.  This part is awesome!
• Reclining Seat:  This is also a cool feature.  When your little one is in their car seat, the stroller needs to be fully reclined.  But when they can sit in the stroller on their own, you have the option to have them sit upright or recline to almost completely flat.
• Childs tray pivots or removes:  This is also a feature I like.  Sometimes it’s just easier to leave the tray off – it makes for easier transportation and it allows your little one to just hop in and out easily.

My Takeaways After 2.5 Years

I like…

• That this stroller is super easy to use.  I have had to fold and unfold this thing hundreds of times of the last few years.  The folding mechanism shows no signs of breaking down or getting worn out.  Like I mentioned, it really is a 1 second process.
• That this stroller is durable.  We have used this thing in all different types of environments – walks, camping trips, zoo visits, etc. and it has stood the test of time.  It has been loaded into the trunk of my car over and over. The wheels have gone through gravel and dirt.  The fabric has been abused with goldfish crumbs and juice. Yet, it still looks new and functions just the same.
• When I’m pushing the stroller, it feels big and solid but I can easily load it into the trunk of my small car. This isn’t a small, flimsy stroller that weighs 2lbs.  But at the same time, its not so bulky that its a bear to move around.  When I’m pushing my kid in it, there is a nice weight there so I feel confident that a small bump won’t knock us over.
• That this stroller came with a great carrier that just clips right in! We have been using the stroller for our 2yr old, but with the birth of our second son, we can just go back to clipping his carrier in for walks. It’s super easy and intuitive when attaching and removing the carrier.

I don’t like…

• My biggest complaint is about the wheels. This stroller isn’t marketed as an ‘off-road’ stroller – BUT… if those front wheels catch a rock the wrong way, they lock up and put the breaks on.  We’ve had a couple times where we were going at a good pace and hit a rock or large bump/crack in the sidewalk and the back wheels nearly lifted off the ground because we came to a sudden and abrupt stop.  I’m not asking for off-road jeep wheels and a 3 inch lift kit, but being able to walk down a sidewalk without flinging my kid out would be nice.
• The cupholders are not very deep. Yes, I know – first world problem times 10.  But if you have a drink in the cupholder like coffee or something with an open lid, bumps will be your enemy. We’ve even had taller water containers flip out of the cup holder because they are only an inch and a half-or-so deep.

Are the dislikes enough to outweigh the likes? Not in my mind. For the value – this stroller is perfect for our family.  It’s not too expensive, it comes with a carrier, it’s very easy to use and its good quality. It’s like a Camry or Accord. Are they the most luxurious? The fastest? Coolest looking? No.  But they’re not cheap, poor quality or impractical. That’s what you’re getting with this stroller.

The Car Seat

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 Infant Car Seat can be purchased on its own, but it is included in this package deal along with the stroller. This car seat on its own comes in at $143 on amazon.  

As far as car seats go – you can’t do much better than this one. Like I’ve said, we have used this one twice now in the last two years. To be honest – there’s nothing I don’t like about this carrier.  One thing I especially love about this system is that the car seat just snaps into the base (which stays in the car). Meaning, you don’t have to get the baby out of the car seat in order to leave the vehicle, you just pick them up in the car seat and move on.  

Lets go over some of the details:

Specs

• SnugLock Technology – A Hassle-Free 3-Step Installation; infant car seat helps protect rear-facing infants from 4 – 35 lbs and up to 32″
• Adjustable base with 4 recline positions lets you customize fit to your vehicle; easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork
• Click Connect technology provides one-step secure attachment of baby car seat to all Graco Click Connect strollers and bases; convenient compartment stores both the LATCH connectors and manual when not in use
• Rotating canopy provides shade and sun protection for your baby; removable newborn head and body support cushions baby; easy to use front adjust 5-point harness helps secure your child; lightweight infant car seat for easy carrying
• Side impact tested for occupant retention solely with the built-in 5-point harness system; engineered & rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213
• Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes; additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures

These are the main talking points from Graco. I want to go over a few of these in more detail:

• Click Connect technology: This is super cool. When you put the car seat into the base, you hear a loud click sound that tells you everything is good.  Same for when you put the carrier into the stroller – loud click telling you that it is properly latched.
• The canopy is really nice – super convenient for helping block out the sun.
• The fabric is durable and completely removable for washing.  As we found out on consecutive weekend camping trips, sometimes little kids get carsick…

The Car Seat/Stroller Combo

So we’ve covered each individual product, now let’s talk about using them in conjunction. Like I’ve mentioned, using them in combination is incredibly easy. To use the stroller with the car seat attached, all you have to do is recline the stroller seat and snap the car seat in (you’ll hear that magic *click* sound). To use the stroller as simply a stroller, you can adjust the recline of the back to your child’s liking.

If you’re wondering, when should I use the car seat or just the stroller? Well, that depends on the age of your child.  

Use the car seat and stroller when…

Your child is unable to support their own head. Usually, sometime around the 3 month mark kids are able to support their head. Until then, you need to have your child in the car seat when using the stroller.

Use the car seat or stroller when…

Your child is able to support their own head, but maybe not old enough to be strong enough to sit in the stroller for a long period of time.  We found that if we were going on a short walk we would toss the baby in the stroller and get moving. But if we were going to be on the move for a while, we’d have him in the car seat just so he’d be more comfortable.

Use just the stroller when…

Your child has outgrown the car seat. We still use our stroller with our 2.5 year old – it’s still plenty big enough and comfortable for him.  

Wrapping Up

If I could wrap up this review with 2 takeaways, it would be this: Easy to use. Good quality.

That summarizes the stroller and the car seat. They are both super easy to use. This is so nice when you’re in a hurry, when you’re by yourself or you are in the parking lot and a downpour just started. Everything about this ‘travel system’ was created with ease of use in mind – and they did a great job. Quality – like I alluded to earlier, these items have been made with good quality materials and they last through a lot of use.

Here is the link to the travel system on the Graco website.

Here is the link to Amazon.

I distinctly remember being a kid and having the training wheels taken off my bike.  We were in the van on the way home from church and I spent the whole trip building up the courage to ask my dad, “Can I try riding my bike without the training wheels?”

There is a neighborhood kid in elementary school that made the decision to take off the training wheels this summer because some of the kids on the bus were picking on him.  He got the hang of it really quick – by the end of the week, he was a pro.

BUT – What if I told you we could completely skip the training wheels and still have our kids be a pro on the bike?

AND – what if this meant we could get our kids on their bike at an even earlier age than previously thought?

That is what the Strider bike – or balance bikes in general – offer to parents and kids.  The opportunity to put your 1-2 year old on a bike without training wheels and set them up for huge success down the road, without the dreaded training wheels. In this Strider Bike review, I explore the Strider Bike all the way from assembly to graduation.

About

Balance Bikes are becoming increasingly popular.  I’m sure you’ve seen a kid around the neighborhood, at a playground, park or campground cruising around on a bike without pedals.  They play a role in developing balance of a child on a bicycle – the most challenging part of removing the training wheels.

Studies show that kids who start on balance bikes end up learning how to ride a stand-alone bicycle earlier than kids who learn on training wheels (!!). 

When a kid rides a bike with training wheels, they don’t have to make any balancing effort at all.  Kids can cruise around on their bike and not have to worry about falling over unless they are taking a corner like they’re in Fast and Furious 72.  To mitigate this, training wheels have the ability to be raised off the ground by a few inches.  The idea is to slowly raise the training wheels higher and higher and before you know it: Boom! The kid isn’t even using them any more!  But, if you’re like me, you have seen a kid leaning into those training wheels that are 3 inches off the ground and riding their bike on a steep angle.

The Strider bike allows kids to find their balance immediately.  They essentially start by walking the bike.  As they grow more confident and want to go faster, they realize that they can push harder and pick their feet up the ground for longer.  This eventually leads to kids sprinting on their bike and then coasting all around with their feet up on the rests.  Now, all they have to do is learn how to pedal and they can ride their bike.

Strider does the balance bike better than anyone.  They make an incredibly durable, quick to assemble, easy to use bike that my son has had a blast with.  We’re going to go over the assembly, things I love, things I don’t love, and a final verdict. 

Lets get started!

Assembling the Strider Bike

This bike was incredibly easy to assemble.  It literally came in 4 pieces… thats it!  It came with everything you need to assemble, meaning; it came with the pieces, washers, bolt and tool to use in order to get the bike up and running.  Assembly took less than 10 minutes and my son couldn’t wait to ride it.  

The frame is made of painted steel, it has ultralight molded wheels with flat-free foam rubber 12” tires and an all-weather plastic seat.  The whole bike weighs 6.5 lbs, and can support up to 60lbs.  

Things I Love about Strider Bike

The things I love about this bike are…everything?  There is only one thing I don’t love (which we’ll get to in a sec), but the people at Strider did such a great job with this bike.  

It is very durable, so I don’t have to worry about it breaking down, getting flat tires, scratching up the handlebar grips, leaving it out in the rain and ruining the seat, etc.  It is built to last!  And when my son outgrows it, it’ll still be around for his little brother.

This bike is very lightweight without feeling cheap/fragile.  It’s light enough to allow an 18mo kid to be able to walk around with it.  It’s also lightweight enough that I can toss it in the back of the car without thinking twice.  Yet, despite being lightweight, the bike is very sturdy.  The steel frame makes it feel more like a real bike and less like a kids toy.

The adjustable seat is great because it can last a kid a few years until they are ready for a real bicycle.  They can start under 2yrs old, and make it until they get to 60lbs.  This also helps accommodate kids with long legs that are tall for their age.  They can still benefit from the Strider bike even though they have Giannis Antetokounmpo as a father.

Lastly, the overall look of the bike is just cool.  The bike comes in a wide assortment of colors and tons of accessories are available. Like I mentioned above, this doesn’t look like a childs toy.  It looks like a legit bike that your kid is going to love.

Things I Don’t Love

Again, there really is only one thing I don’t love – and that is; I wish the bike could get 1-3 inches lower.  My son started walking fairly early, and I felt that he was ready to try this bike.  But he was a little too short (despite being 60th percentile for height) to feel comfortable on the bike.  I know this is being really picky (since all we had to do was wait a few months), but it could be cool for the bike to be a tiny bit smaller.

Final Verdict

Fact: Balance bikes are awesome.

Fact: Strider makes an awesome balance bike:

Fact: Bears eat beets.

…..wait…never mind…

I have loved watching my son enjoy his strider bike.  I can’t wait to see him gain more and more confidence on this thing, and allow it to help him transition to a big boy bike.  It is so cool to ditch the training wheels from the jump, and I’m glad we have a Strider bike to help in that journey.

Pricing and where to buy Strider Bike

The Strider Bike retails for around $99 and is available from a number of online stores, including REI, Target, and Amazon.

What’s next?

Hello, we’re Fathercraft. We’d invite you to explore more— we review stuff for parents — everything from baby and newborn essentials to books and toys. And, we make stuff that makes parenting even more awesome, like a men’s diaper bag and an online course for expecting dads.

No, it’s a plane!!

No – it’s a wagon…stroller…thing… it’s the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Wagon!!

So, which is it? A stroller or a wagon? Technically a wagon. But you’ll likely find yourself using it like a stroller more often than not. How? We’ll get into that later. 

If you have the need for something bigger than just a single stroller, the Evenflo wagon is definitely something to check out. Whether you have 1 child and a bunch of stuff, or 2 kids, this wagon is up for the task. After using this wagon at the zoo, the beach, camping trips and simply walking around the neighborhood, I have a pretty good feel for what makes this wagon awesome, and maybe not-so awesome. We’re going to cover:

• some general information about the wagon,
• what the assembly was like,
• things I love and things I don’t love about the wagon.
• And lastly, my final verdict: is it worth the money? Why should I buy this and not another wagon/stroller?

Quick note: we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. More about our policies here.

Let’s get started!

About

Evenflo really markets 2 main features of this wagon: the easy switch from push to pull, and the all-terrain design. Those two features are plastered all over the website, description and graphics when checking out this thing. So let’s talk about those two features. 

Push/Pull

The handle bar is very sturdy. It feels super solid when pushing in stroller mode. It is also extremely easy to adjust the length of the handle to accommodate those with longer legs (no kicking the back of the wagon when trying to walk!). 

To switch from stroller mode (push) to wagon mode (pull) is also extremely easy. Two latches allow you to swing the handlebar over into wagon mode. I found that wagon mode is much better for going through grass, dirt, gravel or sand.

All-Terrain

So, is it really all-terrain? I’d say YES! We’ve taken this thing camping and gone through grass, dirt trails and gravel. We’ve also taken it to the beach and used it to haul a cooler, bag, beach chairs and umbrella through the sand with no issues. The wheels are big and sturdy enough to handle bumpy terrain. 

Cool Features

Storage is plentiful on this wagon. There is a removable tray that snaps right in the middle of the wagon for the kids to put cups and snacks. There are cup holders all around the wagon. There is also a movable/removable storage bin that can be placed in the front or back of the wagon (or taken off all together). 

Add-ons sold separately include a “toddler seat or car seat with adapter for flexible seating arrangements”. You can find these configurations on the company’s site + on Amazon.

Assembly

Assembling the wagon was very easy. It only needed a hex wrench (included), but that was only needed for one of the steps.  Everything else snapped into place with ease.  The instructions were very clear, and piecing things together was super intuitive. It took less than 10 minutes to fully assemble, and that was with my 2 year old “helping” out.  Even though this wagon is larger than our single stroller, the assembly was quicker and easier.

Things I Love

Durable

This stroller feels super durable.  It feels like it can take a beating – loading it in/out of vehicles, weighing it down with kids and gear, pushing over dirt, gravel or rocky terrain, etc.  I have never worried about the wheels breaking.  I haven’t worried about the weight capacity.  The wagon is solid and there don’t seem to be any weak points.

Wagon-Stroller Switch

It is so easy to switch from wagon to stroller.  I’ve had times when I’m pushing on concrete and need to go off into grass or gravel, and I can switch in literally 3 seconds.  It is really convenient to not have limitations on where I can go with this wagon.

Smooth Ride

Pushing this thing on concrete or blacktop is nice and smooth.  While it is a big, heavy stroller, it is very easy to push.  The big wheels help with this; once you get rolling, you don’t have to work too hard.  My wife has no issue pushing kids around the zoo in this stroller.

Breakdown/Setup

Folding the wagon up for storage/transportation is really easy and intuitive.  There are simply two buttons, one on each side, that you push and allow the entire wagon to collapse in half.  The handlebar can easily fold in as well, taking up less room.  To open up, just push those two buttons and the wagon swings back out to its full form.  I can prep the wagon for transport in less than 5 seconds.

Things I Don’t Love

The Weight

This stroller is big, and because it is so sturdy; it is kind of heavy.  It weighs nearly 35 pounds.  Lifting it into the back of a truck, minivan or SUV isn’t light work, and depending on how tall the person is vs how high off the ground the vehicle is, it could be a bit cumbersome for loading/unloading.  It isn’t ridiculous, and I’m not sure they could make it lighter without sacrificing the durability….but, it is what it is.

Bulkiness

Like almost any wagon that can fit 2 kids, this thing doesn’t exactly collapse down into a small box.  It folds in half, but still takes up a decent amount of room.  I drive a Mazda3, and it will not fit in my trunk.  So, before you buy this (or any large wagon/stroller), just know that you need a vehicle that can provide the room needed to transport this thing around.

“Removable” Fabric

This is probably my biggest complaint. The fabric covering the seats/inside lining of the wagon looks removable.  And, technically, it is removable.  BUT, in order to do so, you have to unzip all the way around the wagon (I thought that’s all you had to do at first) and remove several screws that not only hold the fabric in place, but also different plastic parts.  There are probably 8-10 screws that would need to be removed in order to take the liner out.  So, if your little one spills their cookies (literally or figuratively) and you want to toss the liner in the washing machine…it might be a process.

No Snoozing

Another main drawback from this specific wagon that others don’t seem to have is that there is no way for your kid to lay down.  The area where your little ones put their feet makes it awkward for them to do anything other than sit straight up.  Some people on the internet have measured that space and purchased a container to fill the void, creating a flat surface across the bottom of the wagon.  But, obviously, this would be less than ideal if you want to create a good spot for a little nap while on the go.

Final Verdict

Is it Worth the Money?

Yes.  This wagon feels like it will last forever, I can see our family using it in several types of situations where it would be better than a double stroller and it just simply looks cool.  I enjoy pushing/pulling it around, and the versatility makes it extremely useful. Ready for it? Here’s a link to the Xplore on Amazon.

Why This and not That?

Compared to other wagons out there, the selling point for me is the versatility mentioned above.  I’m not worried about it having a hard time going over rocks/gravel.  Dirt trails, sand, grass; no issues at all.  I’m not worried about it getting banged up or damaged.  Once again, the only reason I’d buy a different wagon would be if having my kid take naps in the wagon was a big priority.  For our family – my son takes naps in a dark room.  When he’s in the wagon, its party time.  BUT, if being able to sleep on the go is important to your family – I’d take that into consideration.

Compared to a double stroller, again, the ability to take this wagon anywhere is a big plus for me.  The only thing that a double stroller might do better is allow both kids to face forward.

If you’re wondering how the Evenflo Pivot Xplore (Amazon) compares to other wagon-strollers, you might check out our Wonderfold W2 review right over here. Or you can browse our full collection of stroller reviews.

Pricing and where to buy

The Evenflo Pivot Xplore is available on Amazon with Prime shipping. As of publish date, the list price was $399 with Amazon offering discounts from time to time.

The Pivot Xplore is also available from the company’s website, BuyBuyBaby, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

So, what’s next?

As long as you’re here, allow us to introduce ourselves. We’re Fathercraft, a company built by dads, for dads. We review baby and kid gear, create online courses for new parents, and make stuff that makes parenting (even) more fun, like our diaper bag for dads. You can learn more about Fathercraft here.

So, who’s right? 

Well, it may not be as simple as right and wrong. It really breaks down into a prime example of Causation vs Correlation.

In this article, we are going to cover;

• Signs & Symptoms of Teething
• When to Expect Teeth
• Teething Remedies 
• Most Interesting/Craziest Teething Remedies

There is a lot of information out there from a wide range of sources. Every child responds to developmental leaps differently. This leads to the large variety of teething symptoms as well as how to treat painful teething. 

So let’s jump in!

Debunking Teething Symptoms

First, we need to ask the question: What is teething?

It might seem self-explanatory, but teething is the process of teeth popping through the gums. Your child was born with their teeth below the surface of the gum, and teething is the fun experience of those teeth pushing up through the gum.

Teething is often blamed for anything out of the ordinary that a child experiences between the ages of 6 months – 3 years. Baby isn’t sleeping? Teething. Baby has a runny nose? Teething. Baby have diarrhea? Teething. Fever? Teething. Baby has no food, no job, and their pet’s heads are falling off? That’s a different issue.

What symptoms are completely unrelated to teething, which ones are proven to be related, and which ones are in the middle?

Fever

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, teething does not cause high fever. This would be described as anything above 100.4 degrees. Teething can slightly increase your child’s temperature, but if your child has a true fever, it’s time to call the Doc.

Diarrhea 

Once again, diarrhea is a teething symptom that you might hear is extremely common among teething babies. However, there is no evidence that suggests teething can directly cause diarrhea. Colgate has great info on this. Your child’s immune system is weaker at 6 months than when they are newborns. This means they are more likely to get an infection that can cause symptoms like fever, diarrhea and vomiting at the same time they could start teething. Correlation vs Causation.

Diaper Rash

Rashes that occur anywhere other than the path of drool (chin, neck, chest) are also not attributed to teething. Meaning, teething doesn’t directly cause diaper rash. According to a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics, diaper rash was “not significantly associated with tooth emergence”. 

Evidence-Backed Symptoms (from the AAP study):

• Drooling
• Increased biting, gum rubbing, sucking
• Irritability
• Wakefulness
• Ear rubbing
• Facial rash (from drool)
• Decreased appetite from solid foods
• Mild temperature elevation (again, not a fever)

Back to the Causation vs Correlation talk. Your mom swears that every time you cut a tooth, you had a diaper rash. Your grandma swears that her kids had a fever and diarrhea when they were teething. Is this possible? Absolutely! But there is a difference between two events occurring at the same time and one event causing another. 

When my son gets a diaper rash, my first thought is “he must be getting ready to cut a tooth”. And, he may be getting ready to cut a tooth. But the process of teething isn’t causing his diaper rash (even though the timing is strangely coincidental). Personally, I was surprised to find no evidence that teething causes diaper rash.

When to Expect Teeth

Most babies start teething around the 6 month mark. If your child hits their 6 month ‘birthday’ and there are no teeth – no worries! According to the NHS, some children do not begin teething until 1 year. On the other side of the spectrum, NHS also says that some children are born with teeth….!!!

Most children finish teething before they turn 3. 

Order of Teeth

During my last dentist appointment, I asked the hygienist about what order my son’s teeth would come in. She told me that there is a general order, but sometimes it’s totally random. After doing some research, this really is the case!

Orajel Kids has a pretty cool interactive chart that shows the general order of teeth for babies. Likely, your child will get their teeth in this order:

• Bottom Central Incisor (bottom front two teeth)
• Top Central Incisor 
• Top Lateral Incisor (next to front teeth)
• Bottom Lateral Incisor
• Top 1st Molar
• Bottom 1st Molar
• Top K9
• Bottom K9
• Bottom 2nd Molar
• Top 2nd Molar

Debunking Teething Remedies

Just like there are a plethora of teething symptoms, there are an equal amount of remedies to help your baby get through the process with less fuss. Let’s talk through some of the most common ones:

Gum Massage

This is a great way to help ease the discomfort of your little one. Simply wash your hands and rub your finger on the gum where the tooth is trying to break through. 2 minutes or so should do the trick. As far as remedies go, this one is at the top of the list for a reason.

Teething Gels

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, most teething gels have Benzocaine in them. Benzocaine is not FDA approved – check out this press release from 2018. Benzocaine can cause choking, bluish skin and allergic reactions. Additionally, teething gels only give a short relief since they end up washing away from the gum. Basically – use another remedy for your child.

Teethers

Teething toys, cold wash cloth, cold solid foods (that don’t pose a choking hazard) can be a great way for babies to help soothe their gums. It is recommended to cool down the toys in the refrigerator, not the freezer. These things just need to be cool, not arctic frozen. This is another great remedy for your baby.

Pain Medication

Typically, teething doesn’t cause enough pain to require pain medication. If your normally super happy and easy-going baby is suddenly crying uncontrollably, exhaust other reasons before landing on teething. If you seem to have determined that teething is the reason they are experiencing discomfort, here are a couple of potential options:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil) – If over 6 months

Before giving your child any medication, check with the pediatrician first. If the Dr. has given the green light, and you feel like your child needs it, pain medication can be an option. They shouldn’t need more than a few doses, and it is not recommended to be administered for more than a few days in a row.

Wait…Could That Actually Work?!

Okay. We’ve all heard insane ideas about how to help a baby going through teething. But some of them might actually have some merit…

Whiskey on Gums

No. Just no. 

Frozen Socks

The idea here is that frozen socks can serve as a teether. There are so many better options listed above that, there is no reason this should ever be considered.

Egg in a Sock

This method involves putting an egg into a sock and hanging it from the doorway or closet door. How does this connect to teething? The idea is that an egg shell can absorb up to 7 times it’s weight in carbon dioxide. Allegedly, this reduction of carbon dioxide can help ease teething pain. Is there any scientific evidence to back this up? No. Can you find a bunch of search results on google? Yes.

Breastmilk Popsicle

Ding Ding Ding! This one is actually a good idea! Check this out from Amazon – it allows you to create your own popsicles for your child without them having to actually touch the frozen material. The silicone shell allows some of the liquid to be released as it melts without making a huge mess on your baby.

Final Thoughts

Does teething cause every single ailment your baby could experience? No. But, being aware of the symptoms of teething can help you soothe the discomfort they could experience. Don’t be afraid to call your pediatrician with any questions you have. You know your baby better than anyone, and you can help them through this process.

One more thing … we’re guessing you’re a parent of a baby or toddler. If we guessed right, you might enjoy some more of our website. Hi, we’re Fathercraft. We make stuff that makes this whole parenting thing even more fun. Learn more about us here, or check out our new community for dads here.

For some people, the thought of having a baby is so financially daunting that they push it off until they’re ‘ready’.  Others jump right in to having kids without even considering the financial aspect.  No matter where you are on that spectrum, there are some things to consider.  If you and your partner have had questions like, “How do I start a baby budget?” or “How much does it cost to raise a child?”, you’ve come to the right place.  

Let’s talk money.

Before Child (or, B.C.)

When we start to dive into a ‘Baby Budget’, two main categories emerge.  Things we need to buy once and things we need to buy monthly.  Luckily, we can (and should) take care of a lot of the ‘one time purchases’ before our baby gets here.  Things like strollers, car seats, clothes, diap….

WAIT!

Before you start scrolling amazon for strollers with flames on the side and a neon light kit….

Do you have a plan for the BIGGEST EXPENSE?

According to a Michigan Medicine study, average out-of-pocket spending for the delivery and newborn hospitalizations was $3,068. And for 1 in 6 families, out-of-pocket spending exceeded $5,000.  These numbers are after health insurance pays their portion. Yikes. We’ll tell you from personal experience hospital costs can vary wildly—on of Fathercraft’s founders, Paul, changed jobs between kid 1 and kid 2 and was dismayed to learn that hospital costs for kid 2 were $3,000 higher out of pocket. This has not influenced his favorite kid choice, he swears.

If you are ‘planning’ to have a child soon, or are currently expecting, medical expenses need to be a priority in financial discussions.  There will also be trips to the OBGYN where multiple tests and ultrasounds will be thrown into the mix.  If you don’t know your co-pay amount, it’s time to learn!

While we’re talking about things to consider B.C., we also need to think about where your child will be spending their time once/if you need to get back to work.  Will one parent stay home? Can you afford this? What daycares are in your area? When searching for daycare facilities in my area, I found prices ranging from $500 all the way up to $1,300 for one child.  We will circle back to daycare later on when discussing monthly costs to budget for.

Now, back to those strollers…

Let’s talk about those ‘one time’ expenses that we can buy before the baby comes.

Stroller – $120-$500+

There are so many stroller options out there. Fortunately, Fathercraft has you covered with stroller reviews and top picks, here.  Some have the ability to snap a carrier into, which is great for newborns.  Having a stroller that’s compatible with your carrier is a huge headache saver and make things easier if one parent is with the child alone.  Here is one I would recommend, the Graco FastAction Fold (Amazon) .

If you’re really watching your budget, this stroller (Amazon) doesn’t have the ability to attach a carrier, but is much cheaper and has excellent reviews, all for about $120.

When it comes to strollers, try to envision the types of circumstances you will be pushing your child around.  For my family, this included going on walks, pushing around stores, around the zoo, etc.  I’m not a runner, and we don’t plan on taking our stroller offroading.  When/where will you use your stroller? The answer to this question will help you find the right one—full-sized, compact, jogging, … the list goes on. We’ve also got a whole playlist of our stroller reviews over on YouTube. (Pssst if you head over there, consider subscribing. We’d appreciate it and it’s an awesome channel, if we do say so.)

Bassinet/Crib – $150-$1,600+

A bassinet is a great option for those who want to have their baby sleep in their room. They are smaller than cribs, and more portable. Some are robotic. What? Yeah, seriously. Check out our review of the Snoo smart bassinet.

Cribs these days can range from just a simple crib all the way up to Optimus Prime level transformer.  The convertible cribs are a great choice because you can transform the crib as your child grows.  Most cribs are “4 in 1” which means they can go from crib to toddler bed, day bed and then full size bed with headboard.  Check this one out from Amazon.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s safe! Much more on crib and bassinet safety over here.

Car Seat – $160-$300+

There is a difference between a car seat and a carrier.  A car seat would look like this option from Graco (Amazon). 

This stays in your car – which means you carry your baby in your arms out to the car, strap them in, drive, unstrap them and carry them in your arms to your destination.

A carrier (you might hear this called a pumpkin seat) looks like this option from Graco (Amazon).

This comes with a ‘base’ that stays in your car.  You strap your baby into the carrier, carry them out to the car, click the carrier into the base and go.  If you line up your stroller purchase with your carrier purchase, you can click the carrier into the stroller as well.

So, price range? Each of these items retails for around $160.  That buys you *one* car seat or *one* carrier/base.  If you want something in each car, you’d need either a car seat in each car ($300 now) or if you go the carrier option, you can buy a second base which costs about $80.

Personally, we started with the carrier and a base in each car.  This was ideal for about the first year.  After a year or so, we switched to the car seat. Carrier options are also great because it means you can get your baby into the seat in the comfort of your home, then just click them into the base in the car, so you don’t have to become a contortionist in your back seat.

Monitor – $70-$400+

There are a couple of things to consider about monitors. Nowadays, wifi monitors allow you to use your phone/tablet as the screen. This is a great concept because now you don’t have to worry about losing your monitor.  Here’s our review of our top pick for wifi monitors, the Nanit Pro.

The alternative is the camera+monitor option.  These are cheaper, ranging from $70-$200.  Here is an example of a good quality cheap option (Amazon).

So, should you buy the $400 monitor or the $70 monitor?  It really depends on what kind of person you are, what kind of parent you find yourself becoming, the needs of your child, etc.  Everyone finds something different that works for them.  

In my experience, being able to see your child clearly and hear the noises they make is key.  If you want to be able to count their eyelashes from your iphone 37pro, great. If you want to simply be able to tell if they are laying down or standing up, great. Make the choice that you feel most comfortable with, and don’t stress too much—remember, kids survived for millennia before the advent of baby monitors.

But, if you really want to nerd out, much, much more, including our picks for best baby monitor in a number of categories, over here.

Clothing $100

Buying clothes before the baby comes seems incredibly simple – but there are a few things to consider:  

• Keep track of the clothing sizes you buy/recieve as gifts. You don’t want all of the clothes you receive to be size ‘newborn’, then suddenly your newborn has Shaq’s genetics and they outgrow all of their clothes by week 2.  
• Try to match your clothing sizes to the seasons. This is something your wife will intuitively do, but here’s your scenario: you run to the store to grab something. You walk past the baby isle and see all of the cute clothes. You want to demonstrate your dad abilities and decide to buy a baby outfit. However, the outfit you bought is a 3-6mo tank top and shorts. Your baby’s due date is November 12th. See the problem here?
• Would your baby look super cute in a little Nike hoodie with Nike joggers and baby Air Jordans? For sure! (Amazon) And $80 later, this could be your baby! Now unless you plan on becoming the next Duggar family and having your next 14 kids wear this outfit, buying an $80 newborn outfit that will be worn approx. 8 times then stuffed in a box or donated is a financial decision that some people wouldn’t be comfortable with. Your baby will look cute no matter what they wear; name brand or not.

Diapers & Wipes Stockpile – $150+

When you tell people that you are expecting a baby, be ready to receive all types of advice and gifts.  When we told our family, my mom and mother in law came home from every shopping trip with clothes, diapers and wipes.

My wife…I mean, WE wanted to use all natural products (or all natural when we could).  This mainly pertained to wipes, soaps, cream and lotion.  

There is definitely a weird line between letting people know that you have diaper/wipe preferences, and coming across as telling people what type of gift they should buy you before they even ask how they can help…

With that said, if you want all natural wipes, you don’t want to continue receiving the ‘wrong’ kind of wipes over and over again.  So, this is something to consider.

Just like with buying clothes, you need to keep an inventory of what you have in stock.  Your baby will only be in certain sizes for so long – you don’t want to have 20 boxes of newborn diapers and suddenly your baby could be playing left tackle straight out of the womb.  Newborn diapers generally go up to a 9lb limit, which the average baby outgrows by the end of the first month.

Your newborn will go through between 8-12 (or more) diapers per day.  So that giant box of 140 diapers you just bought will last you about 2 weeks.  As far as wipes go, I personally have found that we used 1 wipe for number 1, 2-3 wipes for number 2 (there are obvious exceptions to the latter; i.e. the word “blowout”).  Using these numbers, you’ll go through a pack of wipes (60-70 count pack) about every week.

If you buy a couple of large boxes of Pampers for example, you’d be looking at about $150. If you’re looking to go the natural route (like *cough* my wife or Fathercraft co-founder Paul), check out our review of Abby & Finn.

Baby Bath Time – $50+

There are all types of baby bathtubs out there.  Sure, you could try to bathe your child in the sink or the big tub, but a wet newborn is slippery.  There really is no reason to not buy a baby bathtub considering they range from $25-$50. Plus they have fun names like The Summer Splish ‘n Splash … awwww (Amazon) . You can also stock up on soap — this is a place we definitely recommend one with natural ingredients, like Honest Company Soap (Amazon).  If you want to go ahead and stock up on lotions and diaper rash cream, here are a few recommendations — Honest Company Lotion (Amazon) and Honest Diaper Rash Cream (Amazon). 

Bottles – $20-$40

Whether or not you plan on breastfeeding/formula feeding your child, having bottles is a good idea.  Our top recommendation is Doctor Brown’s (Amazon)

If you hate doing dishes and want to be able to go a whole week without having to wash any bottles, then pay $200 and buy a bunch of bottles. But then you better buy a sanitizer too, because, gross. Realistically, you can spend $20, buy a 4-pack and make it work.

You can find much more on what we found to be true baby essentials in our list of the same name.

After Child (or, A.D.)

You’ve made the one-time purchases.  You took a picture of your dog sleeping in the crib.  You discovered what feedback on the baby monitor sounds like.  You made a dad joke about the stroller having 4-wheel drive.  

Now let’s talk about those expenses that will occur monthly, or at least more than a one-time purchase.

Monthly Baby Budget

To help us figure out what we need to include in our monthly budget, lets walk through a day in the life of a newborn.  

They sleep. They eat. They poop. Repeat.  

This cycle continues for the first month or so. Their wake-windows increase as time goes on, but this pretty much sums up their existence for the first couple months.

So what do we need?

Child Care – $500-1,500

Child care prices are high enough that many parents have one person leave the workforce just because their entire paycheck was going to child care.  If that isn’t a possibility for you, do your research on babysitters, day cares, etc. that are available in your area.  If you are super lucky, maybe even a family member or two can take turns watching the little one.

Diapers ~$60/mo

We’ve already talked about diapers, but it’s important to consider what brand of diapers you’ll be buying and how much you already have stocked up.  As with anything, there are really cheap diapers out there and really expensive (relatively) diapers. When can you tell the difference between a cheap diaper and expensive diaper? Usually, on a day to day experience the cheapest diaper and most expensive diaper will function exactly the same. It’s on those more rare occasions that you can tell the difference.  Such as:

• You’re at dinner and you didn’t immediately change your baby’s diaper as soon as they went number 1.  Now a second number 1 comes along, and they soak through their diaper, onesie and pants.
• Your typical number 2 (not a blowout) happens to spill out because of the way they were sitting/laying.
• I personally have had issues with the velcro strap ripping when trying to fasten really cheap diapers (my wife tells me I can be aggressive sometimes…).

So, lets shoot for the average.  You need 10 diapers a day.  Let’s say an average of $.20 per diaper, multiply all of that by 30 days and there’s $60 a month.

But wait, there’s more!

If you’ve found the diaper brand you like, check to see if there is a rewards program.  Pampers and Huggies offer the ability to scan your diapers in order to receive money back. It takes 30 seconds to scan in, and you can save some cash.

Wipes ~$15/mo

Like we’ve already said, you’re going to use between 1-4 wipes per diaper change.  It really makes a lot of sense to buy in bulk when you can, because it will be years before your child outgrows wipes. Plus, wipes (at least good ones, read the label) are safe on faces for snot, good for cleaning up spills, blowing your nose (yeah, sounds gross, get used to gross) Buying in bulk saves you money in the long run. You can also get rewards from Pampers wipes. 

Buying in bulk can net you around $.025 per wipe.  We can plan on roughly 20 wipes per day. Multiply by 30 days and there’s $15 a month.

Food ~ $150

Budgeting for feeding a newborn is basically broken down into breastfeeding vs formula.  If breastfeeding:

• Check with your health insurance to see if you qualify for a free breast pump — here’s a good article from Forbes.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods for 1 year or longer.  
• This means a breastfeed baby will be free to feed for at least 6 months.  

That may be the AAP’s recommendation, but we recognize that’s just not possible for every family. So, formula feeding:

• Most infant formula-fed newborns will eat 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.  Newborns eat about 2 to 3 ounces of formula every 3 to 4 hours.  By the end of the first month, they eat at least 4 ounces about every 4 hours.  
• Research the best option for you and your baby and consult with the Pediatrician.  Monthly cost of formula on average (considering an average amount consumed, and the average cost) will be about $150 a month.

Related: check out our review of Bobbie Baby Formula.

Soaps, Lotions & Creams ~$15

We discussed some of these options earlier, but how often will you actually use soap, lotion and cream for your baby?

It is recommended to bathe your child once every 3 days or so.  Your newborn doesn’t need to take a bath every day – this will dry out their skin and they aren’t outside playing in the mud and getting sweaty.  

If you bathe your child 10-12 times a month and lotion them up after their bath, a bottle of soap and lotion should last you the whole month if not longer.

Diaper rash cream can be used sporadically.  Occasionally your baby will need it for every single diaper change for 2 days in a row, then you’ll hit a 2 week stretch when you never touch it.  You can plan on one bottle of cream getting you through a month and a half/two months, but don’t be surprised if you use a good amount of it when your baby is sick or teething.

Math Time!

If you take the average price of the B.C.  items listed above, we are looking at:

• ~$3000 hospital bills (this obviously can vary)

• $300 stroller
• $500 crib
• $200 car seat
• $250 monitor
• $100 clothes
• $150 diapers/wipes
• $50 bath time
• $30 bottles

Taking out the hospital bills, you’re left with a grand total of $1,580 to prepare for your baby!  If you try to find the absolute cheapest option in each category, you’re looking at roughly $800 before the baby comes.

We’ll note your mileage (cost) may vary dramatically. It’s possible to spend WAY more than this. It’s also possible to save on some big-ticket items if you’re lucky enough to have a baby shower, friends who’ve had babies and can lend you clothes, or parents or in-laws who want to chip in.

Monthly, you could safely plan on spending between $250 (no child care) and $1500 (with child care) a month on your baby.  

Speaking of in-laws, you know that lecture your (well-intentioned, of course) father-in-law gave you about budgeting an extra 20-30% of the cost of your mortgage for home repairs and unexpected expenses? Yeah, babies are like that too — expect the unexpected, save for a rainy day, all that good stuff.

Final Thoughts

So, can you afford a baby? Hopefully after reading through this article you can answer that question for yourself.  Obviously, this list doesn’t include every single thing you will ever buy for your newborn.  But, if you were like me and had zero clue what the costs of having a baby were, maybe now you have a better idea.  

Also, if you’ve got babies on the brain, hi! We’re Fathercraft. We’re all about helping new and expecting parents prepare, get educated, have more fun, and a lot more. Learn more right over here.