all 40 comments

[–]mrskimchi 10 points11 points  (2 children)


I really loved my snot sucker (Nosefrida on amazon). My baby has allergies and always has major boogage up in there and the ones from the hospital just didn't work and he would scream when we used them. I also recommend some swaddling blankets!!

[–]AnthrosaurusAsher 11/12/12 1 point2 points  (0 children)


I second the snot sucker. That thing is amazing. One of our best purchases was a white noise machine. It's certainly not a necessity, but it really helps calm my little man when nothing else will. (I also use this website:

[–]beckolynSabina (2/2012) 0 points1 point  (0 children)


We liked ours too for when our daughter's nostrils were a too small for the blue one. However, now that she is 10.5 months old, we use the blue one as it ended up being a better suction for us.

[–]beckolynSabina (2/2012) 5 points6 points  (15 children)


  • DO: Buy a crib.
  • DO: Buy a Graco-style play pen/sleeper (great for traveling)
  • DO: Purchase at least 6-8 bottles (I pumped so I stored the milk in the bottles themselves, but if you formula feed you probably only need 4, I only ever washed by hand so no need to wait for the dishwasher to finish)
  • DO: Buy an AWESOME (see: one step less than hospital grade) breast pump if you plan on breastfeeding. (In my case, my insurance covered 80% of the cost so you might look into getting a prescription for one).
  • DO: Buy (or make) a Boppy-style pillow. (Not only is it great to prevent arm fatigue and allow longer baby cuddling, it also doubles as a sit support for baby when baby is older)
  • DO: Buy several extra mattress covers & sheet sets.
  • DO: Buy a snuggabunny device (we used ours for 6 months, it was incredible)
  • DO: Buy/make at least a dozen burp rags. (We bought the Gerber cloth diapers, like 10 or so come in a pack, our daughter RARELY spit up so we didn't need many but if your baby spits up many times a day you might go through all 10 in a day!)
  • DO: SwaddleMe type swaddle wraps (Makes keeping them in the swaddle much easier, there is also a "Wombie"(sp?) that apparently works well but I never used it. We thought our daughter didn't like to be swaddled and she would even protest for a few minutes when putting her in it but then she would sleep ALL night for 10-12 hours even as a 6 week old).
  • DO: Keep the formula samples you get in case something happens and you cannot breastfeed. (I started to be unable to keep up with my baby's demands as I strictly pumped my milk and fed it to her in a bottle but we brought formula with us on one trip that we'd gotten as a sample and without that formula to supplement, we would not have had enough milk for her)
  • DO: Buy an infant car seat NOT an all-in-one until small child size. Infant car seats are proven to protect infants better (0-6 months) and are easier to maneuver.
  • DO: Buy a few 0-6 month pacifiers. Avoid using them in strictly breastfed babies in the first two weeks though. I was a parent who wanted to avoid them at all costs but my daughter used one from about month 1 to about month 4? I think, but not all the time, really just to fall asleep while swaddled. She weaned herself off of them and it wasn't a problem but you'll still want to make sure that baby doesn't get reliant- still a lifesaver though if you are at a restaurant or baby needs a little extra help to sleep as they don't always want to feed but the sucking is soothing.
  • DO: Buy an activity center/gym so baby can interact with things while on his/her back. Although you can start putting baby on one as early as two weeks or so, do not be surprised if baby does not interact with it much until closer to 2 months when they have better motor control.
  • DO: Buy or make receiving blankets. Make sure that they will be big enough to grow with her until at least about 3-4 months old. They can also double as burp rags. We used our daughter's to swaddle her as well as tuck her in when using the Snuggabunny and in the car as well as the emergency burp rag.

  • MAYBE: Changing table. We bought one that doubled as a dresser but I've used it maybe 20 times and my daughter is 10.5 months old. My sister-in-law uses theirs all the time. Since it is just my husband and I, we just use a changing mat on our couch in the living for 95%+ of all diaper changes. More convenient for us. Just depends on your needs and lifestyle.

  • MAYBE: Baby backpack/carrier like Ergo or Baby Bjorn. For the very active person, they may want to carry their baby around all the time (which most packs require baby be AT LEAST 8lbs but even then, you might wait until baby has better neck/head control). I've used our Ergo carrier probably 3 times. My daughter was born early so she didn't even hit 8lbs until about 2 months old and even then her neck/head control was behind so we just got used to hauling the infant carseat carrier everywhere instead.

  • DON'T: Buy shoes. Babies don't need shoes until they start to get interested in standing. If you are worried about cold feet in winter, just double up the socks.

  • DON'T: Bottle or diaper wipe warmers. Honestly, my daughter drank cold milk and was fine. If your baby won't drink cold milk, use warm water to make the formula bottle or zap it for a minimal time in the microwave. As for the dreaded hot spots, those are dissipated when you swoosh it around and shake it some after doing that, just like when you mix up microwaved food, etc.

  • DON'T: Buy a high chair (just yet). Wait until your little one is about 4 or 5 months old and ready to start eating solids. If your little one cannot sit up with at least some support from you, probably shouldn't be sat up in a high chair.

  • DON'T: Likewise, the Bumbo chair is AWESOME, really, BUT it's only awesome once your child is able to sit up with some support (around 3 months?). Too many parents put babies in it who are not ready and have not mastered head control and studies have shown that it can be detrimental to their development/spine to use it too early (mostly because many parents were leaving their babies in it for more than just a handful of minutes).

  • DON'T: Too many toys. Until your child is about 6 months old, they don't really need a whole lot to play with. Stick with the activity centers (a good one though, like a $50 one), rattles and toys that crinkle.

Well that is more writing than I thought that I would be doing. If I think of more I'll edit this.

[–]morelove2 girl made of trouble 3 points4 points  (0 children)


don't buy a fancy highchair. if you have the space around the table. buy one that sits on a chair. they feel more like they are part of the family for dinner times and encourages them to eat better.

[–]knottymommy 3 points4 points  (4 children)


I have to disagree with the infant car seat being proven safer than a convertible seat.

There are some seats that do not fit newborns well but there are plenty of good convertible seats that fit even tiny babies from birth. The infant seats are more convenient and tend to be easier to install, but again, that depends on the seat.

I've had a difficult time installing infant seats as well as convertibles depending on the seat/ vehicle combination.

Source: I'm a CRST

[–]beckolynSabina (2/2012) 0 points1 point  (3 children)


I based my opinion on this: Consumer Reports: Convertible car seats

[–]knottymommy 0 points1 point  (2 children)


The link isn't working on my phone, but regardless...

There are some convertible seats that are less likely to fit a newborn and some that are more likely to fit a newborn. Most are now rated from 5+ lbs, so if you're bringing home a 4lb preemie you would need to get one of the few seats on the market rated from 4lbs up or one with no minimum weight.

If the harness straps are at or below the shoulders, then your baby fits the seat. Regardless of infant only or convertible, if the straps are above the shoulders, the seat does not fit your baby and is not safe.

For example....most of the Britax infant only seats have a lowest harness height of 6.5". The Costco Scenera convertible has a lowest harness height of 6.75". Graco MyRide and Size4Me are both 7". The Maxi Cosi Prima with tiny fit is 5" this one would actually fit a very tiny baby better than some of the infant only seats. Peg Perego primo Viaggio Convertible has 6.5" as a minimum.

Many other convertibles are 7.5-9" which is usually fine for average newborns. It really depends on seated shoulder height. Some, like the Alpha Omega start at 10" and are less likely to fit a newborn properly.

So...if someone wants to skip the infant only seat, it isn't unsafe, but I would recommend getting one with the lowest harness height to make it much less likely that it won't fit at birth.

[–]beckolynSabina (2/2012) 0 points1 point  (1 child)


It's not that they don't fit, it's just that according to Consumer Reports, the infant seat fits the infant better while the infant is smaller. It is more snug, etc.

"A rear-facing infant seat is the first stage. A built-in harness secures the infant, reclined at an angle typically between 30 and 45 degrees, to provide optimum protection in a crash without interfering with breathing. Infant seats can accommodate most children from birth up to about 22 lbs. or more....Though convertible seats can be used for a newborn, they will likely fit better in an infant seat. Convertible seats are best for when a baby's weight reaches the infant seat's limit, which may be as early as 6 to 9 months old. "

[–]knottymommy 0 points1 point  (0 children)


What you have quoted is pretty well a rewording of what I wrote. Not all convertible seats accommodate all newborns well. If you do your research and buy one with lower harness slot heights, they will be equally safe and snug. If you'd rather save yourself the research and start with an infant seat, then do that.

I started with an infant seat because I wanted to get a Radian convertible and didn't want to risk my newborn not fitting in a seat with 9" lowest harness slots.

[–]snowellechan77 2 points3 points  (2 children)


I understand different mom's need are very different, but I happily skipped almost everything on the list, including the crib. To figure out your needs, I think you need to first evaluate your intended parenting style and then plan accordingly. To the op, my best advice is if you are in doubt, wait till you think you actually need it. The stores will still be open after the munchkins has arrived. Even better, get amazon prime and your stuff will be at your door step before you would get around to leaving your house.

[–]Poofait 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Me too. A lot of those things look expensive! Maybe it's because I'm not in North America.

[–]montosaurus 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Amazon Prime is a LIFE SAVER!!! A friend of mine signed me up on her account, so I get free two day shipping on nearly everything. So great!

[–]_Smashley_ 2 points3 points  (2 children)


I'm gonna have to disagree with the formula thing. Having it in the house and trying to breastfeed is risky because it tempts you to use it at 4am when you've had baby to the breast since 7pm. Super detrimental when trying to build your supply. You can always send someone out to get it in case of REAL emergency. But good list!

[–]beckolynSabina (2/2012) 1 point2 points  (1 child)


I never had the luxury of physically breastfeeding. I pumped for 6 months straight (I have my own tales of woe regarding that). I kept the free samples in our pantry. I never really thought of using it because it wasn't in my plan. However, near month 5, I was starting to go through my back up supplies as I wasn't producing enough to keep up with her growth (mind you, my supply was not going down, just not going up). We went on a trip where for the first time, we had to give my daughter formula. Formula is expensive and when you need to feed, so to speak, you need to feed and may not have that luxury to run to the store depending on where you live and what time it is. Besides, what if something catastrophic happens? Never hurts to be prepared :)

[–]felix728 1 point2 points  (0 children)


I'd have to agree. I breastfeed exclusively until my son weaned himself, but I always had a back up just in case I was injured or something horrible happened that would prevent me from feeding my child. It provided peace of mind.

[–]Sburd 1 point2 points  (2 children)


I'm going to have to second the snugabunny newborn sleeper, it the best place to stash a baby during the day ever. My son LOVED this thing, and it was the only thing he would sleep in for the first 3 months. They sit at a slight incline, which is great for them to see things while they're awake, and also great for babies with reflux. Its light, so you can move it from room to room and the baby can watch you cook or whatever.

[–]LadyGrizabellaIAMA mom to an Aspie AMA! 0 points1 point  (1 child)


I don't know what a snugabunny is, but we used a plain ol moses basket a friend of ours gave us at our baby shower with a padded cushion in it to make it more comfortable.

We also got a LOT of use out of a swing that went back and forth and had a side to side mode. Boything tended to be totally pacified by it so that whenever he was crying and I couldn't get him to stop, I'd put him in there, switch it to the side to side mode (which he preferred) and he'd quit almost immediately. I nicknamed it The Swing of Apathy.



[–]michelou 8 points9 points  (0 children)


Babies need very little, especially newborns. A carseat, somewhere safe to rest their head, clothes and feeding implements (if you are not nursing). Oh and diapers.

I would recommend the essentials first and then worrying about extra's like bouncy chairs, swings, playmates etc. in a month or two after you get to know what baby likes or doesn't like. There is nothing worse than spending a bunch of money on something you never use!

Some things that aren't essentials but are "nice to haves" (from my experience): a sleep sack (my lo hated being swaddled and was a winter baby so this was a great way to keep him warm without blankets), rocking chair, nursing pillow, breast pump, lots of sleepers, mitts for sleeping so they don't scratch their face... Those are off the top of my head. Ill come back later and add more if I can think of anything. Oh just remembered one. A bunch of those thinner square blankets. Can't remember what they are called but they work great for covering up when nursing, cleaning spit up an I even used one as a makeshift diaper once!

[–]montosaurus 3 points4 points  (1 child)


Do you plan on having a baby shower? If so, wait until after that to buy anything you might still need.

Also, do you have any friends with stuff (like bouncers, swings, etc.) that you could borrow? I thought I needed all of that stuff, but it turned out my son HATED them. Luckily I had just borrowed from a friend, so I wasn't out a bunch of money.

Things that I found essential for the first year: Carseat, Crib/Cosleeper, sleep sacks (I particularly liked the swaddle sack for the first couple months), baby carrier (I liked the moby and beco), and if you plan on nursing, A LOT of nursing tanks (I loved the target ones). That being said, every baby and every mom are different. Good luck :)

[–]LadyGrizabellaIAMA mom to an Aspie AMA! 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Sleep sacks are the best...Boything hated to be swaddled and I didn't want him getting cold so I'd plop him in a sleep sack.

[–]toomanyees 2 points3 points  (1 child)


I am convinced that BabiesRUs and BuyBuyBaby do such great business because new parents are so desperate to find something, anything that will make their baby easier to deal with. So you buy the swaddler hoping that this is the one that will get your baby to nap and the Baby Bullet hoping that your baby will eat something other than junk and the Sleep Sheep... well, you get the idea. I think I spent $5000 at BBB. I would have been fine without 90% of it. The biggest surprise to me was how useless the crib was - my baby hated it and wouldn't sleep in there EVER. Also, I still have no idea what receiving blankets are for - I could never get swaddles right using those.

[–]knottymommy 0 points1 point  (0 children)


I couldn't imagine spending $40 on a Sleep Sheep. My MIL bought it for our daughter's first birthday. She loves that crazy sheep. Won't sleep without it now at 2yo.

So when Christmas rolled around we got Gentle Giraffe for her baby sister.... and at 9mos...she is in love.

There's something about them.....anyway.... still not a necessity by any stretch of the imagination, a radio on static is just as effective.

[–]kwilky 2 points3 points  (0 children)


Gripe water

[–]somovedonBaby Red 11/16/12 3 points4 points  (0 children)


I know it sucks to hear, but I think it depends on the baby and your parenting style. We had bouncers and my daughter hated them, so we got a swing and she loves it. I had gotten a bassinet and she didn't sleep in it, so now I co-sleep lol I really don't think babies need all the fancy things that are available now a days, like a wipe warmer or something. I really just need clothes, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, a swing and her co-sleeper bed on a daily basis. Congrats and good luck!

[–]MsBudAddy's Mommy 1 point2 points  (1 child)


I got a pack of cloth diapers as a baby shower gift- they're perfect for spit up rags, clean up messes, plus emergency diapers! I love my boppy, the swaddleme swaddlers, or her swing/bouncer combo. The rocker is great for nighttime fits. I got a TON of blankets from various people, but haven't used them hardly at all- I might get more use out of them as she grows.

But really, the only thing I would really recommend are the swaddlers- they're way easier than trying to fold the blanket correctly!

[–]LadyGrizabellaIAMA mom to an Aspie AMA! 2 points3 points  (0 children)


My SIL embroidered a couple of cloth diapers for us and sewed some pretty ribbon along the edge for decoration. Those were my favorite burp rags because they could just be tossed in the washer, no big deal and they were thick enough that no spit up would soak through.

[–]knottymommy 1 point2 points  (1 child)


We are very minimalist in our baby purchases (read thrifty/cheap).

Before baby arrived we had: clothes, cloth diapers (and necessary accessories..covers, wet bags...), car seat (doing it over I would go straight to a convertible as we didn't use the seat as a carrier), change pad and stretchy wrap carrier.

My sister gave us a crib (which we side carred and used as a cosleeper, and a bouncy chair. The bouncy chair came in handy, but we got it because her babies hated it.

For anything non-essential, I'd wait for your baby as he/she will have strong opinions. If you try things out in the store you can see if the wee one will actually like it...then you can find it second hand and save a lot.

[–]_Smashley_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)


If I had it to do over again the first time, I'd go the minimalist route as well. We have so much baby crap that literally NEVER was used and is taking up space in our basement. All I needed was diapers, clothes and boobs.

[–]MomSaysNo 0 points1 point  (0 children)


-swaddle wraps -Brest Friend nursing pillow -best breast pump you can afford

[–]dream_huntersboy 2/10/12 0 points1 point  (0 children)


When you are at the hospital, they have a lot of stuff for your baby that you can take home and tide you over for a week or two while you figure things out. My baby came a month early so we had nothing at home, the hospital gave us

  • baby blankets
  • sample formulas (the nurse was super nice and loaded us up with a bunch)
  • bottles & nipples (get a couple extra bottle collars, the hospital ones are pretty universal and fit quite a few different bottles)
  • diapers & wipes & petroleum jelly
  • very useful buckets (used that to wash him) & hair brush for washing head

Other than the basics which other moms have listed... I have found these to be helpful * An exercise ball - useful before baby (for light exercise, strengthen core), during delivery, and after baby (that was our miracle-solve-all-problems go-to for making baby feel better, something about the motion of bouncing on that ball was instant soother)

  • Are you breastfeeding? For all the leakage, I ended up just using lots of handtowels/washclothes stuffed down the shirt while I am at home.

  • For bathing, primo eurobath is awesome, use from birth to age 2. don't have to buy a new bathing product every time they grow a little bigger.

[–]granolamom 0 points1 point  (0 children)


As someone mentioned, it really does depend on how YOU want to parent. Babies are pretty basic and all you need are a few things like car seat, diapers, clothes and food (breast or formula).

Car seat is an obvious need as you will need one to bring baby home from the hospital. Chicco Fit30 is a great infant car seat. It is light weight and will be with baby until 30lbs or 30inches long. HOWEVER, at 8 months, my son is now too big for it, and honestly we RARELY ever leave him in his car seat when we go into places like grocery stores. He also doesn't sleep well in it after the car stops moving so we never enjoyed the benefit of taking him in the car seat and letting him sleep. So we could have gone with a convertible car seat and we'd be saving money right now. But that is just us.

You obviously need diapers but our newborn diapers didn't get used as he was born too big for them. He went straight to size ones. Then he fit into his cloth diapers. We only bought 10 of these before he was born because we didn't want to invest only to not really use them. After it became apparent that they were going to be sticking around we bought 12 more.

I didn't get bottles at first as I was planning on breastfeeding. When breastfeeding became difficult (my son had a tongue tie) we then bought a couple of bottles so I could pump before we had the tongue tie fixed. Oh and I had to buy the pump since I wasn't planning on needing to pump. Those things are non returnable if you open them, so I didn't want to buy one if we didn't really need it. ALSO you DON'T need to buy the best one. I only pump every once in a while. I could totally do fine with a single pump instead of my double pump. Hell I'd probably be ok with a manual, that's how little I pump. But then again that's what works for us. Don't buy one right away, if you feed you need one as you're leaving the hospital you can always rent a hospital grade one for those first few days until you can run out and buy one. Don't buy formula as you can get a ton of free samples. Buy them only after you decide if you will breastfeed or not and after you try the different brands cuz you'd hate to buy one brand only to find that your baby doesn't do well on it. The Boppy is great whether you breastfeed or not. Great for breastfeeding, supporting sitting, tummy time, etc.

Clothes are important, but you get a ton as gifts. Don't buy too many newborn. My baby didn't even fit in them and by the time he was 4 weeks he was in 3 month clothes.

Burp cloths are a must. The Gerber cloth diaper ones are great. I think I had a total of about 20. NO ONE got these for me at my baby shower. BOO.

Swaddles blankets, specifically Aden and Anais. They are great. They still fit my 8 month old...if he were to let me still swaddle him. LOL. But they are perfect for throwing over a car seat to block out the sun. They are thin enough to keep baby cool or you can fold it up and make it thicker to keep baby warm.

Stroller is optional- I only use mine (City Mini) for our morning 3 mile walk. Other than that baby is in a carrier when we are out in about.

We didn't end up needing a crib although I was going to buy one. I had gotten a mattress for free and we were going to buy a crib after baby was too big for the bassinet. We didn't even end up using the bassinet. He's slept in our bed since the night he was born (he was born at home). No need for a play pen for us either. I'd say wait until you think "man, a play pen would be nice".

We had no use for bouncers or swings. My kid hated them. Someone bought us a swing...what a waste. He LOVED his activity mat. Again, wait until you have that "a bouncer/swing would be nice" moment.

We love our wipe warmer. Especially right now in the winter time. Man my hands can be ice cold and a warm wipe helps warm up my hands before I touch baby. I found a cold wipe made my son pee on me more than a warm one.

No diaper changer furniture. We just threw a changing pad on a dresser. Moves around well too. No fancy diaper pail. It's a one purpose thing. Instead get a simple human trash step trash can. I use it for our cloth diapers and I NEVER SMELL IT. I assume it'd work just fine for a disposable diapers and when you're done, HEY you have a trash can.

Never used a baby bath tub. Just a sink and then moved him into the tub when he could sit.

Never used a bumbo. Never felt the need.

Didn't buy a highchair. Instead we have a Phil and Ted lobster chair that clamps onto the table and he sits right there with us. Beauty of it is that if we visit at a family/friends house or go eat out, we have a easy travel chair. Only cost like $70.

No toys. He was entertained by my face or he was working on his own developmental skills. He didn't need toys until about 6 months and crawling. Like I said the only thing we needed from 0-6 mons was the activity mat.

Good luck and congrats!

[–]lynnDaughter, 3; boy, 4 months 0 points1 point  (1 child)


Check out the book Baby Bargains. I never would have gotten it for myself but my MIL got it for us, and I'm so glad she did because it is AWESOME. Not only does it rate pretty much every brand of pretty much every possible thing you could get for your baby and/or toddler, but it also cross-references brands and manufacturers because the manufacturers change brand names all the time to shake off bad PR from recalls. GET THIS BOOK or check it out from the library when you do your registry or to-get list.

Stuff you absolutely need:

  • Carseat. If you're low on cash, buy a convertible carseat instead of an infant seat, so that you don't have to replace the seat after the first year. IMPORTANT: car crashes are the single thing most likely to kill a baby or child under 18 (still extremely unlikely, but get a good seat anyway). Rear-facing is safest. Get a seat that goes rear-facing up to at least 40 pounds. In the US, the only seats that go rear-facing to 45 pounds are the Diono Radian seats. I learned from experience with my daughter not to get one with the head support that can go up or down. It puts a bulge in the seat that causes an average-sized 12-18-month-old's head to fall forward when she falls asleep. But they don't all have that, and they might have fixed that since we got ours over a year ago. Here's one that doesn't have it.

  • Diapers and wipes. Don't stock up before the baby comes -- you don't know what's going to work best until you try them -- and don't bother with newborn size diapers unless babies in your family tend to run really small. DO try the cheapest ones you can find first. Luvs were great for us but they don't come in unscented, and eventually I couldn't tell if my daughter had pooped because the smell of poop was permanently associated with the smell of the diapers. Target brand is just fine, and it's cheaper than Costco. I can't tell you anything about cloth diapers since I never used them.

  • Somewhere for the baby to sleep. Google how to co-sleep safely if the baby sleeps in your bed; you'll need to keep fluffy stuff and blankets away. Make sure the baby can't fall off the bed or that the mattress is on the floor at least two feet from any wall. I like the side-car-the-crib idea (google it, you can find videos on how to make it safe) and we'll be trying that to start off with our next baby. I wish we'd co-slept with the first; I would have gotten so much more sleep. Don't do like we did and get a $300 crib; the $100 ones you can find at cheaper stores will do just fine.

  • Food for the baby. Breastfeeding is cheapest, as long as you don't have to pay for a lactation consultant. They can be expensive, but depending on where you live you should be able to get breastfeeding help for free. Check with local hospitals. The one I gave birth at had a free clinic that was open to anybody whether you gave birth there or not. I do not recommend learning to breastfeed without a lactation consultant -- I mean, it's better than not even trying, because breastmilk has antibodies and nutrients that formula still doesn't, but breastfeeding is not instinctive behavior in humans because we're social creatures so it's never had to be. You and the baby have to learn. Also, babies tend to fall asleep at the boob; annoy them with tickling, playing with feet and hands, running a fingertip back and forth along their ribs, and rubbing their hair the wrong way to keep them awake. A damp washcloth works too.

  • Stuff to keep baby warm. NEVER pay full price for baby clothes! On Craigslist and Freecycle you might find people getting rid of bags and bags of baby clothes, some of it never even worn. Also try Goodwill and garage sales. Don't pay more than a dollar or two for an outfit unless you just can't stand not to have it because it is SO ADORABLE, and never pay more than a dollar for newborn-sized clothing (again, unless babies in your family run small). "Receiving" blankets can be useful, but not for swaddling a baby bigger than a football because those blankets are tiny. You'll almost certainly need at least one blanket that's at least 40 x 40 inches. My MIL got a piece of flannel a little bigger than that and hemmed it by hand on a road trip, and it was a lifesaver. Sleep sacks are really nice too.

    If you live in a place where it gets Cold in the winter: don't get winter coats for the baby unless you are often out without a car -- they're not safe in a car seat. A baby can be ejected in a crash if they're strapped in inside a winter coat, because they can't be strapped in tightly enough with the coat on. Instead, wrap the baby in an extra layer or two, keep him as close to you as you can for as long as you can, and have a few blankets handy to put over him as quickly as possible once you get him into the seat. Or get an infant seat so you can bundle him in while you're still inside.

Stuff that I absolutely need:

  • A rocking chair or glider. When my daughter was 3 weeks old we went out and bought a glider we couldn't really afford, because I had a difficult recovery and could not keep walking around the house at 3 am trying to jostle the baby back to sleep. That glider saved my lady bits. Make sure the back cushion is plenty fluffy enough that you can fall asleep in it without falling forward. I also highly recommend the glider ottoman, though there are nursing steps or you could just use a short stepstool or small box or something to put your feet on.

    Would've been nice to have a reclining rocking chair, too, but those things can be dangerous -- if you fall asleep, which you will, the baby can fall between the cushions and suffocate.

  • A baby carrier! I started with a Moby wrap, which is great for keeping the baby warm but starts to sag pretty quickly (once my daughter was over about 20 pounds or so) and can be a pain in the ass to readjust. I wish I'd had my Boba G3 to start with. You can't face the baby out in that one (or the Moby), but outward-facing is really not good for their spine anyway and such carriers can cause hip problems because the legs aren't supported properly. The Boba is crazy expensive -- I think mine was $125 -- but it's totally worth it. It's strong, easy to put on once you get used to it (takes a couple of tries at first, but they all do), and it works for tiny newborns all the way up to kids who are way too old to be carried (45 pounds, I think, which is about average weight for a 4-year-old IIRC, but it would probably work for kids even bigger than that).

  • Boppy pillow for breastfeeding. You could use other pillows, but I always found myself constantly trying to adjust them. They just kept slipping away. The Boppy is a firm, C-shaped pillow that goes around your waist and the baby rests on it like nothing. Slipcovers make it more easily washable.

  • Rags rags rags rags rags. My daughter spat up several times a day for the first six months. Your baby may not, but you'll still find good use for rags. If nothing else, use them in the kitchen in place of paper towels. That said, it is possible to have too many. We have about 50 billion rags and washcloths.

  • Pacifiers. There are special ones for newborns and others that are for older babies. Something I learned: if your baby seems uninterested in the pacifier after about 4-5 months (before then, it's a reflex to push stuff out of their mouth with their tongue, which makes them seem uninterested even if they actually want it), don't push it. At 18 months, my daughter wasn't big on the binky, but I kept giving it to her with the hope she'd sleep longer. I don't know if she slept any longer, but by 22 months she was so attached to the damn thing that she'd have an unholy freakout if I forgot it. I should have let it go.

[–]lynnDaughter, 3; boy, 4 months 0 points1 point  (0 children)



Stuff you'll probably need, but don't get it right now:

  • Babyproofing stuff like gates, fences, stuff to keep cabinets closed, etc. Wait till the baby starts rolling over back to front, at least. You might not even need them, if you get an easy baby who isn't terribly persistent. On the other hand, it is really nice to be able to doze on the couch while the baby plays.

  • If you want to run, a jogging stroller. Don't put a baby under six months old in a jogger, though -- they don't have the head control to handle the bumps until at least that age, and it's really better if you can wait till they are pulling themselves up to sitting or crawling. The BabyTrend I got at Target pulls to one side, and it's very annoying. If you can, spend a little more. Or camp Craigslist for a used BoB or other fancy brand.

Stuff I was glad to have:

  • Baby gym. My cousin gave me one which was basically a blanket with corners that held two long bendy fabric-covered things with holes to hang toys from. I also picked up a package of 30+ rings, and those were useful for hanging the toys. We got toys from everywhere, they just kind of appeared in our home. If that doesn't happen to you, try the same places you look for baby clothes.

  • A jumper or baby exerciser. There is nothing cuter than a baby jumping in a hanging ...well, jumper. There are some that hang in doorways, which can be unsafe but as long as you make sure it's properly installed and the door frame is secure, it should be fine.

  • Infant car seat and stroller frame. It was really convenient to pick up the seat, snap it into the stroller frame, and take off. If I'd had my Boba carrier, though, I would have just used that. But the stroller also carries your diaper bag for you, which is nice. (FYI: you shouldn't need a really heavy diaper bag. A few diapers and a package of wipes should be fine for a couple hours out. A change of clothes would also be good if your baby hates being wet but also drools and/or spits up a lot.)

Don't get:

  • A walker. They can delay walking and they can be unsafe if you have stairs.

[–]tectonicus 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Is there a baby consignment shop, or thrift shop that also carries baby things, somewhere near you? A sleep sack that costs $25 new will cost $2 there; clothes are a fraction of the price; they almost always have all sorts of baby equipment for cheap.

Alternatively, look for parenting email lists/meetup groups in your area. Sign up, and see if anyone is selling batches of baby things. Or, post and say you're looking for things.

Finally, spring/summer will come with large numbers of garage sales. This is another great way to stock up for cheap.

The thing you need to buy new (or used from a trusted source) is: a car seat. You cannot use a car seat that has been in an accident, and that might not be visible. Also, car seats expire, so check the date fo manufacture (on the seat) and look up the expiration period. People often advise buying cribs/crib mattresses new; I think if the crib is in good condition and not on a recall list, and the mattress is also in good condition, then used should be fine.

Oh, and of course you have to buy diapers, wipes, ointment (vaseline should be fine), etc., new. The Nosefrida is great (as mentioned here). You will receive a bulb sucker in the hospital, plus you'll probably receive a thermometer; you may want to buy a quick-read thermometer, because you don't want to have to hold it in one position very long (plus you'll need at least two thermometers: one anal, one underarm for less precise checks).

If you're short on money, I would suggest getting a baby carrier rather than a stroller -- we loved the Moby wrap to start, then transitioned to the Maya, then the Ergo. If I could only buy one, it would be the Ergo; the Moby is too stretchy for older babies, and the Maya didn't work for us until ~6-8 months old and then he aged out at ~14 months (too big; not comfy). You can always buy a stroller later if you need one, but the stroller you would buy for an infant is different from one you'd buy for a toddler.

[–]Zifna 0 points1 point  (0 children)


DO: Go to garage sales or consignment sales in your area.

You can buy whatever clothes you want to for your kid when they're 25-50 cents an item, and getting gently-used items 75% or more off at consignment is excellent too.

[–]brookmachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Good advice here! I'm on my third baby (due any day) and after my MIL consigned all my baby gear without telling me, I've really only felt the need to buy a few things. A stroller frame to snap the infant seat into (so much easier then one of those graco travel system monstrosities.) Breast feeding supplies (pump which i got used, nursing tanks and bras etc)and some bottles( the smallest packages of everything because what you finally settle on using will be trial and error) and a pack n play with bassinet and changing station for the living room. My SIL is giving us all our large gear since they have an 8 month old (thank god!) My musts would be a swing, bumbo, exersaucer, infant tub, and boppy. Get everything you can borrowed or used and make sure you get the message out for shower gifts that you want a variety of sizes for diapers and clothes! Try to buy the stuff you can find easily on the cheap yourself and focus shower gifts on things like diapers,wipes,ointment (triple paste kicks ass!) Gripe water, the stuff you really burn through

[–]AwaitingJuno 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Bouncy chair, jolly jumper, an Ergo, bulb syringe (snot sucker), car seat, stroller, crib, breast pump (if planning to breastfeed), onesies, sleepers, diaper bag or large purse, baby nail clippers, nursing tanks (again if breastfeeding - can be worn under any stretchy shirt to make a discreet breastfeeding shirt), receiving blankets, baby blankets....

[–]YodaRoo 0 points1 point  (0 children)


If you are planning of breatsfeeding, lanolin cream and bra pads. Even if you are cloth diapering get some of the newborn size disposables, in the first month you may be sleep deprived and laundry can get out of hand. Definitely second the Graco pack and play, we used ours in our bedroom until I was comfortable with having baby in the room right across the hall in his crib.