Any advice on 'must haves' for newborns? I'm stumped!! Too much to choose from....?

Answer 1

Oh it's so overwhelming! I have 3 kids and I remember trying to figure it all out with my first. These two lists have proven to be great (many of my friends have had babies in the past year and thought this was so helpful).

This list from Babies 'R Us tells u everything that you'll need in the first year, there are definitely things that are more useful than others :) I swear by the snap and go as a beginning stroller, it's incredible and so easy to use and store...if you're having trouble deciding what to get start with this!

http://www.toysrus.com/registry/truParentsCheckList.jsp

This list is helpful because it gives suggestions as to how many of each item you may want to have on hand, they are brand specific which may or may not be helpful to you:

http://www.rightstart.com/global/guides/default~guide~essential100.html


The following is a list of items that were a godsend for my babies (almost all of the items have made it through 3 babies and we plan on having more!) as well as things that are hyped up but are not necessary!

1) Diaper Genie (DON'T DO IT!) We had one with our first, given as a gift and it was terrible...we used a Diaper Champ for the next two and loved it. It takes regular trash bags and is much easier to use!
http://www.toysrus.com/sm-diaper-champ--pi-2373422.html

2) A second car seat (baby carrier) for when grandma and grandpa (or whomever) want to take the baby out for a while

3) Snap and Go Stroller (also wonderful to go with reason #2)

4) A baby swing--the new ones that have music and other attachments are wonderful!

5) Bouncy Seat

6) Burp Cloths and Blankets (you can never have too many!)

7) Have one pack of newborn diapers and one pack of the next size up...they grow out of the newborn ones so quickly!

8) Have a pacifier or 2 on hand, just in case! My first two daughters didn't want or need them really but it was a great help for the last baby.


One last thing :) It was so helpful for us to have a basket in the family room that was stocked with extra diapers, wipes, baby lotion, diaper creme, nail clippers and plastic bags so that we didn't have to run upstairs every time a diaper needed to be changed (and it was frequent!)

The swing and the bouncy seat were amazing especially when baby #'s 2 and 3 came along.

Good Luck and Congrats it's such an amazing time!

Answer 2

Diapers.
Crib/Bassinet (your choice)
A Swaddler (by Kiddopotomus or such). This soothed our daugher a LOT the first month. You'll probably only use it the first 4-6 weeks, but, it's worth it (10 bucks at Target).

Help. Whether from relatives, friends, etc. My husband had to go to training for a month 1000 miles away when she was 4 weeks old (he's military). I would never have survived without my friends and family with whom I spent some of the time with.

Car seat. Obvious.

I found binkies indispensible. Your baby may not, esp. if you exclusively breastfeed.

Onesies. Even now, January in Pittsburgh, Katie likes to be in only a onesie when inside.

Some sort of carrier, wrap, sling. Babies love to be close. AND, it will free you up to do stuff if you like while carrying baby around. My baby's been in a bjorn since day 1.

Really, a lot of it will depend on your baby's temperment and your philosophy of childrearing (my baby hated the swing, and tore off the mittens). Other than the obvious, definitely a sling/carrier/wrap of some sort.

Answer 3

Borrow a baby and see what you like to put them in. I had so much to chose from with my son but found that I loved onesies. and never used the bag clothes as they were to bulky. Also I loved the bouncy seats and cradle and never really neededt he crib until he was 6 months. Also don't forget that there is nothing you need as soon as the baby is born. The hospital will let you have the extra diapers, clothes and eerything in your room....you paid for it all make sure you take it!!!!

Answer 4

Most of the stuff you read in books just isn't necessary. All you need to leave the hospital is diapers, basic clothes (warm clothes if you are due in winter), your boob if you are breastfeeding (or formula if you aren't), and a carseat. There are some more items that are more convenience items, which is great, but there's certainly no need to go overboard. If you are registering, then go for the big stuff in case someone buys it for you, but otherwise I just waiting until my babies came to see what I thought would work the best for us. Good luck!

Answer 5

Newborn babies don't need very much. Sleepers, diapers, Diaper Champ, mom's milk, a car seat and a SLING. The rest will come as gifts, or you will figure out as you go.

Answer 6

I would definitely advise gowns. They're so much easier than messing with all the snaps on sleepers, and I think they're more comfy for the baby too, what with the umbilical stump and all. I think sleepers and onesies must press on it and that can't feel nice.

Answer 7

My mom got this for the kids:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265070&cp=&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2255957&origkw=fish&kw=fish&parentPage=search
(Yeah, I know, it's sortof a long link)
It's a plastic "aquarium" with some liquid and plastic fish inside. It
plays music and there are some types of them that you can record your own voice. It also shines a soft light. It's great for goint to sleep or for the child to play with in his crib when he's a little older.

Don't waste your money: Bumper pads. They make changing the
crib sheets a pain in the neck.

Answer 8

Mittens. Prevents face scratches from those sharp little nails.
Diaper genie.
Battery operated swing. Puts 'em right to sleep.
This little double-pillow roll thingy which kept my daughter from rolling over onto her stomach when she slept.
Baby monitor.
Lots of bibs and burp cloths.
Onesies.
Little tub for bathing.

Answer 9

Burping clothes, blankets, diapers, wipes, thermometer, place to sleep, car seat.
Don't worry about things like hand mits (my daughter hated them, and most people forget to use them).

Answer 10

bouncer chair w/ vibrator
soft lighting in babys room
10-12 onesies
6 one piece sleepers
bassinet
4 hats
10-12 pairs of socks
2-3 gowns
a few cotton pants and top sets
extra sheets for crib and bassinet