What are essential items?

Question

I have seen so many friends have babies and buy tons of stuff, but never use most of it. What are the must-have items when planning a baby? (eg. Car seat, etc).

Answer 1

I never needed or used a high chair or a "walker/exer-saucer." I didn't need the swing either; it was used twice. The bouncy chair that hung from the doorway was used for about 2 months. I never used the bottle sanitizer or rack for the dishwasher after the 1st time because it didn't do anything for us but make things difficult. I threw out the diaper wipe warmer - that dried out the wipes. The diaper genie was nice for about 3 months and then there was no cleaning it enough (it was always cleaned and sanitized on Mondays) to get that smell out... it's made of plastic, so it slowly absorbed the faint diaper smell... just throw the little butt-muffins out in a plastic grocery bag and take the trash out of the house! I used almost zero "baby proofing" products - I watched my kid. Depending on your house size/lifestyle, you probably don't need a monitor either. At night the bedroom doors are open so I can hear her, but if she's napping and I want to garden, I set up the monitor while I'm outside. I never used a pacifier - I never thought that it was necessary because they only pacify the parents, not the baby... and then it becomes a habit.

I did use the mittens - made of t-shirt material - so she didn't scratch herself. She never sucked her thumb/fingers either, maybe because of the mittens. I used almost everything in those little kits of baby things like the nose squeezy, thermometer, nail clippers... Never used powder or baby oil, but I did use baby lotion and diaper cream (for what they're each intended for, of course! lol). She didn't want socks, let alone shoes on her feet until about 1, so I never had to buy shoes until then. I did buy Dreft, the baby laundry soap. I never bought a gate; again, I watched my kid!

You can never have enough onsies and easy outfits. Fluffy dresses and suits are more of a pain than they are cute. Soft towels, washcloths and all-in-one bathwash/shampoo are never going to be thrown out. Socks, hats, boxes of diapers, and wipes will always be welcomed. Carseat/stroller combo was a huge time-saver. Having 3 sets of sheets for the crib was the perfect amount. I had about 9 burp cloths and 3 bibs at any given time; again, fancy ones aren't useful. I didn't need a changing table. I didn't use a diaper bag, I got a bigger pocket book.

Ask if she'll be breastfeeding, if not, formula is a huge help too.

Answer 2

Definitely don't go buy everything now and then plan a baby fro a few more years. Car seats expire and things get recalled so fast in the baby area. But when you do become pregnant the essentials are:
Carrier car seat
stroller that you can comfortably push
swing
bouncy seat
a stationary walker
crib
high chair for when they are a little bigger


BEsides the know things of tons of diapers, bottles, clothes, wipes, and toys but these are the cheaper things that people pick up for your shower gifts.

Answer 3

Most people go wayyy too out in my opinion,first of all car seats do not need to cost 200-300 dollars alone *those britax things*,people buy wayyy too many clothes and toys that there baby never uses or needs as well...With my other 2 children i always bought the same things usually....

*car seat
*stroller (if u dont have a car)
*crib
*highchair (only after 6 months or so)
*onesies arer always needed,u can never have too many
*side snap t shirts or under shirts for baby,can never have too many...
*infant clothing (comfy clothes such as cotton pants,one pieces etc..
*baby socks or booties (babies dont need shoes until they start walking,babies are told by many docs that wearing no shoes help them walk sooner,my daughter walked at 11 months with no help and my son at 10 months wearing no shoes.dont get a walker either,they only take your baby longer to walk and causes there feet to be temporarily bowlegged...
*bibs and burp cloth's
*a diaper genie is always good handy
*if your not using a stroller then get a sling to hold baby,they are soo much help
*everyone knows the essentials,diaper wipes,diapers,butt cream,powder,baby wash,washcloth's,hooded towels,fingernail clippers etc.
*diaper bag
*baby swing is a good good thing to have,they are wonderful,if u get one though u dont need a bouncy seat..
*hats....all of these things will do well for you..when buying baby clothes and onesies never get the size your baby is at the time,if your baby is 3 months get 6 months and if your baby is newborn get 3 months etc...they will last u longer..normally though stock up on onesies,bodysuits,sleepers,and one pieces,u dont need the other clothing people buy usually,baby will most of the time be around the house anyways =)

good luck!!

Answer 4

The essentials for me were:

Carseat
Crib
Bassinet
Swing
Bedding set
Diaperbag
Bottles
Pacifiers
Socks
Onesies
Clothes
Blankets
Burp cloths
Lotion
Dreft laundry soap
Mittens(so the baby didn't scratch herself)
nail clippers
Diapers
Wipes
Bouncy seat(worked wonders)
Exersaucer(as she got older)


that's all I can think of for now! GOODLUCK AND CONGRATS if you are expecting!!

Answer 5

Whatever you think you will need but dont put the cart before the horse.meaning Dont buy junk

Answer 6

if you go to babiesrus.com they have a checklist for new parents. I'm sure you wont NEED everything on the list but it will give you an idea.