What new baby must-haves should you invest in, what must haves can trust to find in thrift? - Page 2

[peaceful_mama]

oh and some stuff is utterly useless.  some people like those little chairs that strap to a regular chair instead of a big highchair, they are easier to clean too and are a booster seat for your toddler without the tray.  I liked the over-the-infant-seat cover much better than the kind that goes around the straps, if you live somewhere cold.  You don't need near as many toys as you think, my son has favorites, and I rotate so he sees "new" stuff every so often--I have 3 older helpers who 'relocate' too and we find new treasures again!  Wipes warmer, useless.  If you're exclusively breastfeeding, you may find you don't need bottles or that 1-2 will do just fine.  I didn't use special baby dishes and spoonfeed, we baby-led-weaned.  Picked stuff right off their highchair tray.  You'll get tons of blankets as gifts, trust me on this one.  Clothes too.  Wait and see on the older baby stuff too, that way you can buy what fits in that season...baby may grow a little faster/slower or weather may be different than usual for some reason.  Plus it's just fun to shop for a baby.  :)

[WindyCityMom]

Invest in a baby wrap for the early months and a soft structured carrier for the later months.  You can find these at consignment stores, but look them over thoroughly for wear.

Invest in an infant car seat and a convertible car seat.  Or just a convertible car seat if you're going to use it from birth (find one with low bottom slots to fit a newborn.  just because it says it fits 5lbs and up doesn't mean the slots will be low enough for a newborn).  NEVER BUY A CAR SEAT USED if you don't know the full history of it, and if you wouldn't let the owner of that seat watch your child.

Invest in a breastpump if you're going to be pumping at all.  And lanolin, breast pads, etc. 

Thrift nursing bras, clothing, and baby clothing and blankets and such is fine ime.

[JudiAU]

A new, very safe car seat suitable for your car. Almost everything else can be gently used. Oh, and a nosefriday and excellent quality nailclippers. Little things add up do if you find bargains, take them.