[mamamau]

Our daughter is due in November and we would like to seek some advice re: the combination of stroller/car seat/bjorn to buy or not buy.

First there's the stroller.
My situation: I'm a stay-at-home mum with a parttime cleaning lady. I plan to drive to grocery-shop perhaps twice a week starting month#2 postpartum. I might not be able to lift a heavy stroller into the car trunk due to my size (100-pound pre-pregnant.) Fortunately (?) the baby seems to be quite petite as well - I've gained only 11 pounds at 27 weeks.

We'e looked at some stroller models and found the sturdy ones (10kg) probably too heavy for me to lift into the car trunk daily... But the Graco and Combi ones (4kg) look rather frail to me... Are they safe enough? If I plan to go out with baby by myself only twice a week - with some groceries in hand, would I still be able to get by with just a baby bjorn for the first couple of months? (Hm... maybe I'll use a grocery bag with wheels!?) Actually how many months would I be able to survive with a bjorn? :) (Husband will take a month off.)

Also, since I won't be taking public transport, can you think of other scenarios where I might need a stroller that can be folded single-handedly?

==> So do you think we could actually get a heavier stroller to use only on the weekends while my husband is around?

And if we do get a heavier stroller which I might have to skip using some of the time, do you think it's feasible for me to use an infant car-seat as a place for baby to sleep in while I go out to, say, eat with a friend in a restaurant?

How do people like their infant car-seats? Since it will only last for maybe 9 months, is it worthwhile to get one instead of the convertible ones just because you can pick up the whole thing withouth waking up baby?

And, how much in advance do people buy their strollers, car seats and cribs? Shopping is giving me a headache... :P

Thanks a bunch!