What are essential/best baby items to have as a new parent? What’s junk? What’s invaluable? Hints? Tips?
(Sorry this is so long! Many thanks in advance to those who reply!)
We are at week 34 awaiting the arrival of our Babygirl. Gifts and hand-me-downs are starting to come in that we're marking off the "need to get" list (per Babies R Us).
We still have lots we need to get, so I wanted to ask for your opinions. For all those moms and dads out there, I have attached, below, the Babies R Us "Parents Checklist." What is necessary? What is not? What is invaluable? What did you get on a whim and are eternally grateful for having? What turned out to be nothing but junk? What brands are the best (i.e., I hear that Boudreaux's "Butt Paste" is the best there is)?
I'm starting to scout out Craigslist and eBay for deals (who the heck knew breast pumps were unbelievably expensive??? At least I can get new, in box items from eBay and save a few if I watch like a hawk!). If any of you have insights that you would share, we would be very grateful. Thanks!
THE LIST
Infant Care
Safety
Wow that is one long list lol.
Ok well for safety all you need to beginning with is baby monitors the rest are for when they start crawling wwhich wont be until they are 6-8 months so you don't need to purchase them just now unless you want to be super prepared.
Nursing/Feeding:
Breastpump – not essential unless you want to exprees easier just to put baby on the boob though. if you are going to get one I would recommend an electric one so much quicker and easier to use.
Breast Pads – Stock up on these
Breast Cream – Definitely need this
Breastmilk Storage – again on essential if you are going to express.
Containers or Bags – I got a bag that holds two bottles but my changing bag alreayd had one integrated into it so check to make sure yours doesn't before you waste any money.
Breastfeeding Shawl – Upto you really if you want something to sort of cover yourself when feeding get one.
Nursing Pillow – I can't stand mine it is so awkward and makes it hard to hold the baby I wanted recommend these unless you are formula feeding.
Burping Cloths – get plenty of these are muslin squeares at least 10
6-12 Cloth Diapers – not necessary if you are using disposable
6 Lap Pads – not essential
6-8 Bottles for Formula – I would recommend 2x 125ml and 6x 260ml
Juice and Water:
Bottle Warmer – I never use mine I just stick it hot water to warm it up less hassle.
Bottle Sterilizer definite essential
Bottle Drying Rack – can just stick them on the draining board this isn't essential.
Bottle Brush – this will probably just come with your sterliser
Dishwasher Caddy – don't need this when you still sterlising your bottles.
Insulated Tote – either this or a bottle bag you don't need both.
Feeder for Strained Foods – you wont need this until 4-6 months
8-12 Bibs: Can never have too many
Pacifiers: Thats personal prefernce whether you want to give your baby one.
Baby Mittens: At least 4 pairs
Rattles: Optional could get one or two normally don't bother with these until they are about 3 months anyway.
Teethers: Don't need this right away again at a couple of months
Books for Parents-To-Be: Don't need these at all you can learn from other people amd familyor YA! lol
Baby Care
Nail Clippers – essential or some people bite them off
Brush and Comb – I ve not used mine yet my daughter hardly has any hair
Digital Thermometer – Always handy to have when you have a young child
Ear Thermometer – Only need one Thermometer.
First Aid Kit – Not essential you'll probably have stuff ike this already anyway
Humidifier/Vaporizer – Not necessary or essential
Diaper Pail good to have to stor your diapers in for the day before you trhow them in the trash so you don't have to be in and out the house all day.
Diaper Pail Refills – These are diaper sacks
Bath
Baby Bathtub – not essential can use sink or bath support or take baby in the bath but I find mine useful for when she is really tiny
Baby Bath Sponge – Essential
4 Hooded Bath Towels – Not essential could use a normal towel and swaddle her in it
12 Washcloths – don't need that many
Bath Toys – don't need these to start with and or optional not essential
Toiletries
All toiletries are essential except alcohol swab some people don't use shampoo to start with either as it can cause cradle cap. I just used water to start with for the first few weeks
Diapers/Formula
Need all this stuff apart from a wipe warmer not necessary.
Baby Gear:
Carseat and base if it is ISOFIX. Head support but most car seats come with this and carseat toy keeps them entertained on longer journeys and shaded to keep them protected from the sun on warmer days.
Stroller:
You can get 3 in 1 travel systems that have a carrycot, fit a carseat and seat unit for when they are older. Most will come with all the essentail like rain cover etc and you can get a toy if you want.
Entertainments/ swings:
I would recommend the fisher price cradle swing my daughter loves hers. A bouncer and play mat or gym is all you need for the first few months they sleep the majority of the time
High Chairs:
You will need a high chair when she is 6mnths +
Nursery
Cradles/Bassinets:
Cradle, Bassinet or Portable Crib
Cradle, Bassinet or Portable Crib Bedding Set
2-3 Cradle, Bassinet or Portable Crib Sheets
Bassinet Netting – you will only need this if you have it outside
Nursery Furniture
Crib
Changing Table – I never used mine but handy to have to store things on really
Dresser/Chest – optional
Glider or Upholstered Rocker – handy to have for night feeds
Mattresses:
Crib Mattress
Cradle/Bassinet Mattress
3 Crib Mattress Pads
Vinyl Mattress Cover – Need all this
Bedding/Room
Décor (separates)
Out of this the essentials you'll need are:
Crib Bedding Set (including bumper)
4-6 Fitted Crib Sheets
4-6 Blankets
4-6 Receiving Blankets
4-6 Waterproof Pads
Crib
Alright so this is what i really needed for my 1st things i couldn't live without;
Breast pump Manual
Swing
Crib
Crib sheets (like 5)
Body suits (footy pjs, as many as you can get)
Body suits (regular, like 20)
socks
plenty of socks, washcloths and bibs
Monitor
Plenty of diapers!!!!
mobile or music box
Avent bottles
Mylicon
any butt paste
blankets as many as you can get
baby oil and brush for scalp
glider and boppy for those endless nights
baby bathtub and nail clippers
high chair
bouncer
playpen
Good luck!
Dont need:
baby oil – too greasy
alcohol swabs
wipes warmer – you wont bother with it in 2 months
and fancy outfits
– there are so many that arent necessary too!, I'd say just really buy your basics now and see what you get for gifts & such. Then later you can buy things as you need them, or else so many things will be forgotten about!
NEED:
undershirts
socks
sleepers – lots! they go through at least 5 a day for the first while!
receiving blankets
Baby Ovol – for gassy tummies, works FANTASTIC
Infants dye free Tylenol
Also, the fisher price Rainforest bouncy chair vibrates and my baby really loved these products, they are at Babies R Us.
Just get the basics now and then when your LO arrives you will see from there what you need and will use. Some junk items for some will be life savers for others. My daughter hated the swing while others couldn't live without theirs. My daughter also loves her changing table while other people don't even use theirs.
One thing I know you can def. do without from your list is an "additional infant" LOL. (From the car seats list) I am just kidding by the way.
I'd get one stroller, probably a travel system with car seat to start and skip all the extra car seats, accessories and strollers at least in the beginning. It's hard to know for sure how you're actually going to be dealing until you're in the thick of it. You may love using a carrier. You may buy a jogging stroller and love that. Things change.
I would also skip most of the "places to put the baby down" list except for the pack and play and like, one other thing. Don't buy an expensive swing right off, get a cheap one. Some babies hate them and then you'll be the one putting it up on craigslist.
You can also wait on the high chair and booster seat. My son is almost 9 months old and his high chair is currently used to store extra rolls of paper towels. We will be using it, but we haven't yet.
The one "feeding device" I didn't see, but found really useful for both breast and bottle feeding was a nursing stool. They're cheap and you can also use something you have around if it's the right height. Someone bought us one and it made things a lot easier.