What baby things do I really need versus things that aren't as useful or necessary?

Question

I'm a first time mommy, and we don't want to end up with a house full of stuff that we don't really use. (Like a wipe warmer...!) We are especially interested in stroller and car seat recommendations. And we also want to know what kinds of things people bought or got as gifts that they couldn't live without, or never used!

Answer 1

For car seats and strollers I recommend:

Graco Safe Seat I-fits infants up to 30lbs and 32in. It works with almost all Graco strollers from a full size Quattro Tour to a lightweight Mosiac. It's also compatible with Zippy strollers, BOB jogging strollers, Joovy Caboose and Peg Perego Aria (my personal fave).

Chicco Key Fit 30-fits infants up to 30lbs not sure of the height. Is compatible with Chicco Cortina and Joovy strollers.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio-fits infants up to 22lbs and 30in. Compatible with most Peg Perego strollers, BOB jogging strollers, Joovy and Zooper strollers.

Also, Maclaren strollers are terrific but not compatible with infant seats unless you buy a snap n go version, but they can't be used once the child has outgrown an infant seat.

These are great sites for ordering car seats and strollers and most offer free shipping:

www.albeebaby.com
www.elitecarseats.com
www.tinyride.com

Answer 2

I couldn't live without: A baby swing, Bumbo Seat, My Off Roading Jeep Stroller (We are always outdoors and this stroller is a life saver), Boppy Pillow, Car Seat (of course), Lights and Sound Walker, Space Saver High Chair, On the go Bottle Warmer, Kolcraft Umbrella Stroller, Graco Pack n' play with changing table. Thats about it.

My daughter hates her bouncy seat, however, yours may be different.

Answer 3

My best luck with car seats are the ones that clip into both the base and a stroller. That way, the whole system works together quite easily.

We bought our son a ton of newborn toys, and all he did was stare at them! Also, don't worry about the brand of clothes you buy for your baby. Babies will throw up on an $80 shirt just like they will on a $5 shirt. And when I see a baby wearing a Tommy or Ralph Lauren outfit, I wonder if the parent is spending any money on things the baby really needs, like extra blankets, extra bottles, etc.

Answer 4

We bought a BabyTrend carseat/stroller combo & it is so awesome! Also, we tried to stay clear of anything plaid! Who ever started making baby things in plaid anyway? What a bad idea! Anyway, we got things like a diaper pail & baby monitor & we never used them. The diaper pail filled up too quickly with diapers & who wants to mess with reloading the special bags for it? The monitor just wasn't as good as I was to monitor the baby. I had to check on them everytime...so there wasn't any need for a monitor. Things I couldn't live without...the pacifier...even if the baby doesn't take it at first...give it three months...they will. The swing -definitely gave me a lot of brakes. I think one of those heartbeat bears would be neat but, I never really tried one. I really liked my baby frontpack carrier....I could have baby with me & still move around & get some basic things done. Craigslist is a great way to save money on big purchases like swings too! Babies hardly use them so they are like brand new - but, I wouldnt' buy anything like a carseat there because of safety recalls & stuff. Hope that helped a little...congrats!!!

Answer 5

interesting question and one I SHOULD have asked. Here are some items we never used:

1. YES a wipe warmer
2. womb sound bear
3. changing table
4.at first we never used bibs - he was breast fed and it just wasn't needed
5. I am sure there are lots of things we don't use but those were off the top of my head

The things we couldn't live without:
1. onesies
2. NOW...bibs haha
3. any interesting crib toys (we love the mirror and mobile which sadly enough will have to come down soon)
4. play yard
5. lots of socks because at first you may not lose them but as time passes you will
6. books
7. swing
8. boppy (we don't use it now but used while breast feeding when he was small and then to help him sit)
9. bumbo chair (although he didn't use it for long so get one second hand if you can)
10. LOTS of blankets
11. his "Lovie Bear" and make sure you get two when you buy it because I had to search for one off of ebay and I finally found one that wasn't a ridiculous amount!
12. and EXERSAUCER! oh he has loved it since he was 3 months old
13. AND last I will list but there is more I'm sure...don't forget you baby proofing items

Answer 6

Get a travel stroller with a car seat. I love my travellite in Delancy print (because I can use it again for a boy). You will also need a convertabile car seat for later on. You do not need a bassinet. Get a playpen with a changer and a bedside sleeper in one. Get a crib that can convert. Get a travel boucy chair. And possibly a swing if you can afford one.

Try craigslist (in the US) for stuff. There is usually a mass of baby stuff and all this stuff can be sanitized and washed. Your baby will be puking and pooing on things, so you don't need brand new things. Also, do not get light colors. They get stained and turn yellow from spitup.

Get plenty of cloth diapers (these can be used for everything ie. little messes) And a infant tub. They are slippery pickles and hard to wash otherwise. Pacifiers, bibs, onesies, jeans. (onsies with jeans make the easiet outfits) Breast pump

Don't get a diaper genie (waste). I use storage bags, near the freezer bags. they are like $1 for 50.

Answer 7

I loved my wipe warmer...thought it was silly at first but when your newborns startles and screams as soon as you put a cold wipe on its butt, you'll feel better about having one...lol. I didn't find anything that I don't find useful at some point. At first it was the swing...my newborn was too focused and got frustrated that she couldn't stay focused on anything while moving. But as she got older she started to like it more. The vibrating chair was heaven for me, first few days it was the only way to get her to sleep. She loves her bouncy seat that we hang in the door way. Thought I didn't want a changing table....use mine religiously...just easier for me. The only thing I found was to buy from yard sales and church sales, especially the early stuff, because they grow out of everything so fast...so don't pay full price. If you can buy it cheap and clean it to look brand new, why not?...it was the way to go for me. I just kept in mind the items that I wanted and hadn't been recalled...except for the car seat...I bought that new. Graco is one of the only ones that passed all inspections in January. As for the bassinet, LOVED MINE, after the first few days my daughter finally went to sleep in that, once I made it smaller and cozier for her and she was right there. She stayed in hers until 3 months. It was nice to be able to hear her breathe, and since I was a single mom, breastfeeding I didn't have the luxury of someone getting up to fetch her when she'd wake up hungry. I had one picked out, and in my registry, found the exact same one at a local flea market for a 1/3 of the price...took it home, washed everything, or wiped it down with clorox wipes that couldn't be washed otherwise....sucker looked brand new.

Answer 8

A boppy was great for nursing, a swing (but that can be a gamble--some babies love their swing, others don't) I suggest looking for a swing that swings back and forth and front to back so you have options.....a bassinet makes it easier to have the baby sleep in your room (before they go to the crib if you aren't ready to have a newborn in another room) you can also look into those "mini" beds you put into your bed if you are interested in co-sleeping and don't want to roll over on the baby....something for tummy time, there are so many items out there just find one you like, one of those bouncer baby chairs...they were great to put them in while you jumped in the shower...a high chair, but it isn't a neccessity right away...the link down below is the one I have and it is SO easy to clean....

i found a playpen to be a waste of time, it was too low to the ground and difficult to place a sleeping child in and when they are stuck on their back it serves no purpose and when they can crawl they don't want to be in it...there are travel beds you can buy if you need something like that but I just never found the playpen to be useful

They have new car seats out that go up to 30 lbs. instead of 22lbs. Try to shop for items that have higher weight limits, you'll get to use them longer. I have a graco combo pack: car seat, car base and stroller...it's bulky but I love it.

shop around, you'll find target has the same items as babys r us but cheaper...

good luck and enjoy the new little one

Answer 9

babies are different so it's hard to answer, some parents couldn't survive without a swing, some babies don't like them.

Strollers, are you a jogger? I never used my huge stroller, I always used the umbrella stroller..

Baby Bed, people spend $300+ and never use, the baby sleeps with the parents.

So think carefully about those kinds of things if you are wanting to keep it compact and simple.

Answer 10

GREAT QUESTION!!!!

I provide training for a monthly Daddy Bootcamp session. I get to answer that all the time. Though I am a long way from knowing everything I will at least give you a starting point.

Things to remember:

- Go ahead and buy size 1, 2, and 3 diapers. If you live in the states they will provide Newborn diapers in the hospital. If not then buy just one small box of newborns. You will be surprised how fast they go from size to size and if you buy now you will save an awful lot of repeat trips to the store at a time when you shouldn't be making as many trips.

- Go to www.afullcup.com and look for the Target Coupon generator. Currently this will give you $1.00 off on ALL Gerber baby food products (buying two at a time). You can use as many of them as you want. Recently, I purchased 125 jars of baby food (all stages) and paid less than $20. I even had to go to 2 stores because I cleaned out the inventory.

- You will need a crib. Baby consignement shops are the cheapest. Babies R Us have the most knowledgeable sales associates. Ask them questions, buy where you please.

- You will need a carseat. In the states you cant leave the hosptital without one. I highly recommend getting a stroller/carseat combo as it will save you money in the long run. Again, baby consignment shops are the greatest deal. Beat up the Babies R Us rep to get your information, buy where you please.

- You will need bottles. Don't buy 10 (thanks above!) as you will find that your baby will make the choice on nipples and air consumption, not you. We use the playtex disposables "Drops ins" to great effect. It keeps most of the air out and is easy to change to whatever nipple type the little one desires. Don't skip this even if you breast feed as you will find that you will be pumping ahead.

- You will need clothes. Socks are a must. Sleepers are a must. My best investment was in those sleepers that have the little fold out hand covers to keep the kid from scratching himself. Hats will be a necessity in the short term also as well as baby blankets. Err on conservation. Dont buy too many as a baby shower could provide most of what your little one doesn't immediately grow out of.

That is the end of the "required list", frankly you could do without a crib if you want. There will be many moms out there that disagree with me. Hopefully they will take the chance to educate me on requirements and not just flame.

Meanwhile, thoughts on other items:

Diaper Bag - very useful, we bought two and frankly we use the one the hospital gave us the most ($45 bucks down the drain)
Blankets - I made one by hand that the baby likes better than any of the storebought ones. I actually intended it as a joke. He loves it.
Name brand clothing - What a waste! What doesnt fit gets upchucked on. Lets face it babies are messy.
Boppy pillows- My kid prefers to be held. I prefer holding. Sometimes we have to compromise and he used the little pillow that would hold him on his side. He could roll over almost from the moment he was born (I have proof) and a boppy could have gotten him in trouble.
Pack n Play - no strong feeling one way or the other. It really helped when we first got started as it allowed him to sleep in the same room (like a bassinet) but gives us the ability to move it around later on.
Toys - Frankly those can wait a few months as your kid wont really get much from them in the short run.

I could go on and on, but frankly I am boring myself here. Feel free to email me if I have been or could be of assistance. I am more comfortable speaking with expectant fathers, but I am not afraid to give it a whirl here.

Feel free to correct me or add thoughts as I will use these responses in my class.

Thanks