Necessities?

[krisnic]

If we bring home a child who is around 10 months of age, what items are helpful around that age? I don't like clutter and only really have necessities at my house, so I want to avoid things that aren't going to truly be used. I'm hoping that we'll be past the bouncy seat, swing, jumper stage...but I won't deny my child those items if they are needed or will be used.

[mamadebug]

A place to sleep

a car seat

a stroller - not totally a necessity, but pretty helpful

a jumper - while not a necessity, may be a lot of fun for the baby and keep him/her entertained while you try to go to the bathroom, check email, etc,

something like an Ergo to carry the baby in

a high chair type thing - again, not a total necessity, but really helps keep the mess contained

diapers, feeding supplies, a few simple toys/books

At 10 mon., they will be too big for a swing or a bouncy seat.

[just_lily]

The only real necessities would be a car seat, a place for sleeping, and a place for changing - which could just be a pad on the floor if you are really against buying things. I like my changing table a lot though and it provides tonnes of storage.

Ten-month-olds have quite a range of what is "normal" in development, and any developmental delays broadens the range even further. My DD walked independently at 10 months, but you could be bringing a child home that doesn't sit up by themselves yet (you said "if" in your OP, so I assume you don't have a specific child in mind yet?). So a walking child wouldn't have any use for any of the other items you mentioned, but one they could be handy for a child that isn't sitting, walking or cruising.

I would probably skip the swing. Unless you bring home a very small 10mo you will probably safely pass that stage. My DD wasn't a fan anyway, and they are expensive and take up lots of space. You could maybe look for an infant-to-toddler rocking seat that would work for a range of ages and that would give you a safe place to put down a non-mobile babe.

You may be able to get some use out of an exersaucer, but I would probably hold off until you get your placement and make a decision then. The used stores are always full of them around here so it would be easy to pick one up if you decide. We never used a jumper.

[Polliwog]

I'd say a stroller is definitely a necessity if you go anywhere. Slings are great but I wouldn't assume that a child of that age would want to be slung by a stranger. My soon-to-be adopted daughter came to me at 9 1/2 months and she would never have gone for being in a sling. She was too busy moving around.

I like the high chairs that attach to a regular kitchen chair. I'd get a few sippy cups or unbreakable regular cups. Plus a few toddler-sized eating utensils.

[krisnic]

We are in the very beginning stages, and won't probably get to the adoption part for several years yet - we still have to decide on a country! lol. I was just curious about what gear would/could be used.

[oma to 9]

diapers

blankets

a crib or playpen that can be used as one unless you plan to co-sleep

plastic plates and cups - possibly sippies if you would be using those

a few educational toys like shape sorters and stackers that will encourage fine motor control and hand-eye coordination

Bear in mind that if you live in the USA and don't mind a mixed-race child, you could foster a child in your area and have the adoption subsizied by your county or state, in effect paying next to nothing for the entire procedure. There are thousands of children from birth to age 18 in every state in the Union who desperately need parents, whose own parents had their rights terminated for one reason or another. Some of these children have never had a home of their own and would thrive with a set of loving parents.

Trisha, oma to 11

[krisnic]

Thanks Trisha, I'm a foster care worker so I definitely know the situation.

I feel pulled to adopt internationally though, and have for years.

[RedOakMomma]

An ergo or other baby carrier...it's important for bonding, for protecting the baby from inquisitive strangers and family (which can be terrifying for a child of that age, especially one that's just been adopted).

Definitely past the swing stage, and almost definitely past the playcenter/activitycenter stage. As you're adopting you'll get updates, though, and you'll know if your baby is walking, crawling, or whatever...that should make it easier to know if you need more baby-like stuff or more toddler-like stuff.

DD was basically ten months when she came home...trying to remember what we really used:

1. Ergo
2. Crib
3. Dresser for her things/diapers, etc.
4. Some basic toddler toys
5. High chair (finger feeding is big around then, and she loved to sit and eat her food...very messy...loved having a high chair)
6. Pack-n-play (she liked napping in it, though she probably could have gotten along with just her crib for napping)
8. Stroller (for walks later on)
9. Diaper bin (we loved the foot-press medical ones, not the cheapie plastic ones you get at baby stores).
10. Bottles, not sippy cups...we used bottle nursing/cuddling for bonding time, well after her first birthday.

I think those were the big things.

[christophersmom]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

1. Ergo
2. Crib
3. Dresser for her things/diapers, etc.
4. Some basic toddler toys
5. High chair (finger feeding is big around then, and she loved to sit and eat her food...very messy...loved having a high chair)
6. Pack-n-play (she liked napping in it, though she probably could have gotten along with just her crib for napping)
8. Stroller (for walks later on)
9. Diaper bin (we loved the foot-press medical ones, not the cheapie plastic ones you get at baby stores).
10. Bottles, not sippy cups...we used bottle nursing/cuddling for bonding time, well after her first birthday.

Great list rom. DFD is 8 1/2 months and we use all of these things, pnp is downstairs, crib is upstairs and we also used for travel twice already. She loves her crib space so nice to have pnp even for travel. I love my ergo and she has always been happy in it and I swore I would buy one for my next child. She has sat through the circus, a farm tour, and a NBA basketball game happily in it.
We also have some books for her. For diaper bin, I got the genie.