What are the necessities?

[Nillarilla]

I am planning on collecting things gradually this time.
The birth of my son and all the research I did after his birth led to me to my crunchy beliefs of today. So much of my baby stuff is plastic or vinyl.
I don't want to spend a fortune but I would like more natural/green baby products this time around.
What do you mamas consider essentials for baby? What are your must haves/want to haves?

[DreamsInDigital]

A good sling.
A carseat.
Some diapers and wipes.
Some clothing.
A few blankets.
A dozen washcloths/receiving blankets/old diapers/whatever for cleaning up spit up and wiping down baby's face, hands and smelly rolls.

That's about it.

[rjruiz_415]

A good sling.
A carseat.
Some diapers and wipes.
Some clothing.
A few blankets.
A dozen washcloths/receiving blankets/old diapers/whatever for cleaning up spit up and wiping down baby's face, hands and smelly rolls.

That's about it.
smelly rolls:) thats funny. That sounds like a pretty good list. a camera is useful too- if you are a photo-aholic like i am:)

[mamazee]

Oooooh the junk we bought or people bought for us that we didn't use.

I plan to get a carseat, a sling, cloth diapers and wipes, and some baby clothes and receiving blankets. Oh, and I really did use the little baby bathtub so I'll probably get that again. Otherwise, nothing. If something sounds useful after the baby is born, MAYBE.

I will never get a changing table again. What was I thinking? Changing my baby on this high table so far up off the ground. Scary and a PITA because you can't move a few inches from the baby because you have to keep the baby from falling off the table. So it's this tricky "Let me reach for this but not stop touching the baby" thing. I ended up changing her on the floor on a cloth, and that's what I'll do from the start this time.

[DreamsInDigital]

I change my babies on the couch or floor. A changing table is such a waste of space. I had a crib for DS1 and it was just a big toy bin/laundry basket so I got rid of it and never got another.

[Marilyn82]

ITA, we got/bought soooo many things we didn't use last time. I'll be starting completely from scratch this time since my ds is almost 5. The stuff I plan on getting this time is a bit different :P

Slings - probably a wrap and another Mei tai; receiving blankets ; basic layette...like really basic; earth mama angel baby bottom balm (I use this for EVERYthing...it's freakin awesome); cloth diapering supplies; diaper bag; rocking chair; and probably an amby bed for when baby is not in bed with us (naps etc) or if he is like his older brother and just doesn't like sleeping with anyone period (hopefully not), but I wouldn't consider it a necessity.

Also, I will probably make sure I have a good breast pump in case I have any supply issues like last time, as well as some fenugreek for supply as well.

oh yea and a carseat. We will mostly babywear so a stroller is meh...not that important, but maybe when s/he is older.

[deuxceleste]

I'm a babywearer too but the stroller comes in handy when you're out with family... for example auntie or grandma... and babybaby falls asleep. It was for me, anyway.

I had to practically BEG dh to let me sell our stroller, though. He liked using the Snugli but I hear those are bad for their little backs.

[mamazee]

That's true. A stroller is very handy sometimes. Like in airports and amusement parks. I'll get one but I'll get one from a garage sale or craigslist or something. I won't spend nearly as much as I did last time. We spent a ton on one for our daughter and then we ended up carrying her around and pushing an empty stroller most of the time.

[Thursday Girl]

I think it has been covered. For baby clothes I LOVE the gowns. The sleepers with the snaps or zippers are a PIA in MHO.

I will be getting a new stroller i think. I want a sit in stand. It will help when out with all three. One in the sling one sitting, one standing. For longer days and such. PLus they are great in amusement parks and zoos. Even if to only hold my stuff, Oh and at all of those free events were your kids get to do arts and crafts and get free books and stickers. Yeah I LOVE a stroller then. I just use it as a little shopping cart.

edited to add I use the BF pillows a lot. I think i have to get a new one, as the one I used with the last two is flat now. It saved my back.

[iowaorganic]

definitely a breast pump (check with your health insurance-mine paid 90% of mine- definitely reason to get a really good one from a pharmacy). I have 2 boppy's- one for sitting and one for baby. I need these! Also- I love my changing table- I wouldn't go with out it- but that is just me. We also couldn't live without our swing. But if I did it again I would get one that plugged in and not a battery operated one.

[PaigeAnThem]

I had about 40 cotton washcloths and they were a lifesaver the first couple months or so. We didn't use wipes the first few weeks, so we went through about a dozen cloths/day.

I second the sling, but try to find one that works for you. Try a few out before you invest, if it's possible.

I've never used the changing table for changing, but it's got lots of handy shelves:wink.

The one item I always get new mom's at their showers is a car mirror so you can see the babe in the rear-facing car seat. It was the first item I went out and bought after having the baby.

A breast pump is a good idea too, but depending how often you'll be gone you might only need a small manual one. They are much less expensive.

[Nillarilla]

What do you mamas think about the cosleepers? I only have a queen and neither dh and I could sleep with ds in the bed. There is just not enough room.

[mamazee]

What do you mamas think about the cosleepers? I only have a queen and neither dh and I could sleep with ds in the bed. There is just not enough room.

I had an Arm's Reach co-sleeper last time, but my daughter didn't seem to recognize that as co-sleeping and wouldn't sleep in it. I might try one of those snuggle nests this time. I've heard of lots of babies who do use co-sleepers successfully so hopefully you'll have better luck. You could always get one used, and then if you don't use it maybe you can sell it for what you paid for it.

[elspethshimon]

What do you mamas think about the cosleepers? I only have a queen and neither dh and I could sleep with ds in the bed. There is just not enough room.



That's what we're probably going to get.

[midnightmommy]

With our son I had no intention of co-sleeping, but he had other ideas. We ended up with him in between us. Usually he slept in the crook of my arm. Not the best but he wasn't happy otherwise. My hubby was not happy with the arrangement since he didn't get any sleep. Did I mention our bed is a full? Our son decided at about a year and half that our bed was just too crowded and refused to sleep with us anymore.

It's funny I woke up this morning thinking about the things that we plan to do differently this time too.

[ewolthuis]

If you are getting a new carseat, I would check out healthycar.org for one with low emissions. That, and I would get the carseat a little early and let it air out.

[triscuitsmom]

This time I am paring way down from what I had with my first, and even with him I didn't have as much as a lot of first timers...

I plan on getting:
-warm clothes
-gowns for pretty much all the time inside
-a new carseat
-an amauti (babywearing coat)

I already have cloth diapers, but plan on ECing most of the time. I also have a full range of babycarriers (which I absolutely consider necessary! :D) We'll also be cosleeping in our bed so we are skipping the pack n play this time.

[so_blessed]

Stopping by from the July DDC....we love the Amby bed....it's great if you start them out in it right away. It's so easy to reach out from the bed, push the Amby, and easily put baby back to sleep!

[nighten]

I know some parents and babies find some things necessities, that others don't, but for us here's the list from our experience first time around. Your mileage may vary. ;)

Necessities:

- Cloth dipes
- Good, water soluble detergent for dipes
- Boppy
- Receiving blankets for swaddling
- Lap Pads (they're tightly woven cotton and waterproof-ish and great for putting under baby at diaper changes)
- Nursing pads
- No-wire, stretchy nursing bras
- Hotsling (then mei tai, then Ergo -- at last that was our preference in order of when we used them)
- Papasan style swing (though I'm looking into the Amby Bed for this babe)
- Carseat (we started with an infant seat, and I'm glad as Winnie was small at birth -- 6#6oz and a convertible seat would've been far too big). I washed the cover in cold water and lots of natural fabric softener and Dawn to help remove the flame retardent chems -- hang to dry though as don't want to shrink it
- Baby monitors (our house is big)
- Baby fingernail clippers
- Nasal aspirator
- Socks and hats
- Contoured changing pad that sits on top of dresser
- Small lamp that takes a nightlight bulb for nighttime diaper changes in low light
- SnugTuck bolster pillow for co-sleeping
- Sturdy, non-gadgety high chair for later on (the more gadgets, the more places food can get)
- ETA: Glider/rocking chair (can't believe I forgot that one!)

Not necessary but nice to have:

- Clear shower curtain (so baby can see me when I'm showering ;))
- Bouncy seat (not the Johnny Jumpup things but the papasan style seat)
- Breast pump (be sure to buy new if you're looking at electric ones)
- Baby washclothes
- Side-snap t-shirts for wearing before cord stump falls off
- Long gowns with elastic at bottom
- Bibs
- Extra Boppy covers
- Wool puddle pads (or you can be cheap like us and get an old thin blanket from the Army/Navy store and cut to fit. Much cheaper and works just as well)
- Organic crib mattress (but, not so much the crib -- and if I could do it all over again I'd invest in an organic mattress for OUR bed instead, but we had the org. crib one and thankfully she's sleeping on it now. New baby will sleep with us until Guinevere's outgrown the crib mattress)
- Pack-n-play (most people either love or hate them. We love ours and used it often as a changing table when she was little, and a bassinet for naps, then later as a playpen for when I was cooking)
- Stroller
- Noise machine/air purifier (but not the ionic ones -- they suck)
- ETA: Nursing stool


Total waste of cash (for us, again, YMMV):

- Baby tub
- Bumbo seat
- Changing table
- Sleep positioner (our baby hated hated hated it. She far preferred sleeping right next to me)
- Crib (though good for temporary playpen when I needed to iron)
- Nursing clothes for me other than bras. I'm a shift lifter. It's just a lot easier.
- Gliding ottoman (nursing stool is so much better)

That's all I can think of right now. And really, all you absolutely have to have are diapers and some clothes. But the necessities I listed all helped us enormously for a variety of reasons, from birth to far past age one.

[motherbirth]

I think it has been covered. For baby clothes I LOVE the gowns. The sleepers with the snaps or zippers are a PIA in MHO.

My daughter used to pull her legs out of the sleeper and then cry and cry because it was uncomfortable. Both my kids (boy and girl) used gowns inside blanket sleeper bags...no legs to get stressed out over.

Comment on nasal aspirators, you usually get one from the hospital or in your homebirth kit, and those ones are better than some of the ones in stores.

If you are going back to work, a double electric breast pump is a necessity.

[loriedna]

My first thoughts when I found out about the pregnancy were: buy a wrap (I only have a Mei Tai from DD), buy diapers, knit wool covers, wool sleeping bag and wool blankets. The rest I am sure will come to me soon enough.

[boscopup]

I still pretty much have everything from previous kids, but I do plan to sew a new diaper stash (sold the last child's newborn stash with the intent of making a new one for this child)... I think that's all I need that's "new". I still have car seat, pack-n-play (for sleeping in our room in the beginning... we don't co-sleep), clothes if it's a boy (if it's a girl, I get to go shopping and do a lot of sewing!), bouncy chairs... used those a LOT and had one on each floor of the house, intercoms, baby carriers, etc. I will probably replace my manual breast pump, as it's about hit its limit. I didn't use it a LOT, but I did need it in the beginning when we had some issues with bf'ing (DH would spoonfeed him while I pumped, then we'd put him to the breast and he'd finish up - that got him latching on, and we only had to spoon feed for like a day), plus later on I needed to leave him with milk when I left him with someone every once in a while (once or twice a month).

I have a swing that I actually need to get rid of, as I didn't use it with baby #2.

[Baby Makes 4]

-an amauti (babywearing coat)


Yes! I wanted one of those so badly last time. With a winter babe on the way it will come in handy.
This is the one I want:

http://www.mamdesign.net/carrying/clothes/mamponcho.html

[Nillarilla]

I never thought of getting a wool blanket and using that as a mattress cover. DS is potty trained now but I'm scared to let him wear underpants to bed even though he wakes dry. I don't want an accident to wreck his mattress. A wool blanket would probably work perfectly.

[starling&diesel]

This thread is so helpful!
We are very low impact when it comes to acquiring things, so we're trying to figure out what we can do without.
As for the rest of it, we're hoping to get most things second or third hand.
I truly appreciate all the mamas with experience chiming in with what works and doesn't work.
Thanks!

[justKate]

Question for the mamas:

I have a crib (my own, actually). Since we plan to co-sleep relatively short-term, should I be looking at a full on co-sleeper in addition to the crib, or something else?

What do you guys think is necessary?

[justKate]

Oops. Double post. Sorry.

[Gillian28]

I have no past experiences, but I am planning on sidecaring a crib to our bed. I just thought it would be easier than buying a separate co-sleeper bassinet (and cheaper :)).

So far I have a few outfits that I bought when we were ttc, 2 onesies that I bought for Father's day b/c I wanted to get one that said 'My Daddy Rocks' for dh, and it was 2 for 10, and I have a moby wrap that I bought b/c I saw them in a store and thought I'd save on shipping costs. It's the regular cotton in moss green. I can't wait to use it! :love

We have a crib from my sil that was only used a handful of times (she coslept). I think I'll probably reuse the mattress too. It's 4 years old and I have heard some negative stuff about reusing mattresses, but it was rarely used, and I figured it would be good b/c all the off-gassing would be done. I will buy a nice mattress cover, probably organic, for it.

[AKislandgirl]

This thread is helpful. I was just given a ton of stuff by my friend/doctor. I was a bit overwhelmed looking at everything and figuring out what I wanted and didn't want. Some of the things I'm really excited about are a sling, a kelty baby backpack, a cosleeper, a breast pump, a car seat, and a stroller. I feel like these are all "big ticket" items so it was really generous of her. I think that some of the toys I may not keep because I would like to avoid so much plastic but there were some good ones in there too. Her sitter uses her crib for her own baby but she said if we wanted that we could have it. Her son just used it for naps after he was about a year old. We plan to cosleep so I don't know if we will need it. What do other cosleeping families do for nap time? I just worry about the baby falling out of bed when I'm not in it.

[nighten]

PSA hijack:

A note on used carseats: make sure to check the date of manufacture, to ensure it's not expired. The plastic shell and foam cushion break down and start to degrade over time and cease to be effective. They can actually be very dangerous, as they no longer have the structural support and safety in an accident. Most carseats expire 6 years after date of manufacture.

/hijack off


For naptime we used the pack-n-play or papasan swing. Sometimes we'd lay her in our bed, once we had bolsters in place. The SnugTuck pillow bolster is a wonderful thing. If you leave an infant alone in a big bed, make sure there are no big blankets or pillows that could pose a suffocation risk. You can also put the mattress on the floor to make it safer, in case baby starts rolling early and you don't have a bolster or rail in place.

Guinevere never slept in her crib. She hated it. We did have a cradle early, early on and she'd doze in it briefly, but the best naps she took were either when being worn by me, or in her papasan swing. She always did better when she felt snuggly, I think (yet resisted swaddling like mad after about 4 months).

Not sure if we'll sidecar the crib or use the cradle again, or try the AmbyBed for this baby. I'm so glad I've got a long time to decide.

[justKate]

:bump:

How soon is "too soon" to think about getting things? I want to do it slowly so that there's not as much of a financial impact, especially with regard to the more expensive items. I've already been given a crib (that I probably won't use) and a little matching dresser. Other than that, I don't anticipate many hand-me-downs, and some things I'm going to buy new regardless (carseat, electric breast pump). What do you guys think? Any thoughts on what to buy first?

[BathrobeGoddess]

We have side cared the crib for my 2nd and 3rd and we will do it again this time. I use my changing table like crazy! For storage and for changing, I hate having to bend over to do it. I had an Amby for my last dd and sold it last summer...I will not be getting another one. The reason I got it was to keep her off the floor and away from dogs, cats and big brothers. It worked well for that but she didn't love it much.
I have an Ergo, Moby, gauze wrap, and several pouch slings...the pouches are my favs for little babies!
I must have a stroller otherwise I would never be able to take my kids out in public alone but if you only have one kido you might not use it much. My plan is fro ds to walk, dd to ride and baby in sling!

[Devaskyla]

I think the only things we'll be getting are a car seat & baby clothes, probably not many of those, since we have them still from the boys. If we get into a place where I have my own washer & dryer, I might do cloth. I already have lots of those, but most are too big for a little one. It's remotely possible I'll get a boppy, but I just used pillows with the boys and that worked fine. I already have an old stroller and my most important items...baby carriers! :lol

I have a few wraps, a ring sling and several Mei Tai's that I made, including a couple I need to sell. I might make myself a smaller one, since I tend to make them for toddlers.

[nighten]

Question for the mamas:

I have a crib (my own, actually). Since we plan to co-sleep relatively short-term, should I be looking at a full on co-sleeper in addition to the crib, or something else?

What do you guys think is necessary?

Can you just sidecar the crib?

We hadn't planned to cosleep at all initially (I was scared to, honestly) but ended up cosleeping for almost two years. She slept in the crib twice for naps, if that much. But we did have a cradle by our bed early on that we tried to use.

I guess my answer is look into a used cosleeper or Amby bed or something for early on if you can't sidecar the crib and aren't planning to cosleep long, but don't discount cosleeping longer if it's what works for you and your babe. It was a miraculous thing for us and I absolutely plan to cosleep from the get go with this babe, and do it for as long as s/he needs.

About when to get stuff. It depends honestly. If you see something on sale and you know it's what you want, go for it. But if you're going to do that, best to start researching options and brands now. ;)

And keep in mind when buying outfits for things like scratchy tags and unlined embroidery, as well as any sleepwear over 12 months that's not snugfitting cotton will be treated with flame retardant chemicals. Prior to 12 months nothing is treated (or at least it's not supposed to be). But if you're like me and you buy things on clearance for later on, it's good to keep things like that in mind.

I ended up with many outfits that are now tagless because the tags were awful scratchy and I just didn't think when I was looking at them to consider things like that. And one really nice fleece PJ set that I had to give away because I didn't realize it was made with chems.

I'd wait until third trimester before buying the carseat if you can. It's not totally important you do, but it's good to for two reasons: 1. They are always coming out with improvements and safer versions and 2. Most carseats have an expiration of 6 years from manufacture date (not sell date) so you want it as new as possible, in case you end up having another baby later on, that could also use it.

If there's a chance you'll be having a baby shower I would not buy anything big a great deal ahead of time. I was shocked at the generosity of family and friends when they threw me a baby shower with my first baby. (We won't have one this time obviously.) But there were things I didn't register for because I thought they were too extravagant and we ended up getting. I was incredibly lucky and so thankful I hadn't already gone out and bought clearance/non-returnable versions of some of the gear. So that's just something to keep in mind. Plus you can get gift cards to BRU, etc., as well (even if you don't have a shower, some people will give you gifts or congrats cards, etc., anyway) and those can go a long way in paying towards things like breastpumps. :)

[justKate]

Can you just sidecar the crib?

We hadn't planned to cosleep at all initially (I was scared to, honestly) but ended up cosleeping for almost two years. She slept in the crib twice for naps, if that much. But we did have a cradle by our bed early on that we tried to use.

I think that's what we'll do. I sort of worked out how the furniture can be rearranged, and I think it will work.

[kayleesmom]

"definitely a breast pump (check with your health insurance-mine paid 90% of mine" with that said my insurance originally said no but with medical authorization from my daughters peditrician they cover 90 percent of it.
and as far as recieving blankets for swaddling. I just had 2 layers of flannel sewn back to back. 40 inch square yep it is huge but great for swaddling. worked wonders for my duaghter.

[justKate]

:bump:

With the hope that people will continue to add, especially for the benefit of us first-timers....

[laurac5]

:bump:

With the hope that people will continue to add, especially for the benefit of us first-timers....

Well, my LO is only one month old, but I'll bite since no one else has.

Things we have that I would get if we had to buy everything over again:
-a carseat
-a cosleeper and a convertible crib/toddler bed
-a couple of water-resistant "sheet savers" that we use as changing pads (nylon instead of vinyl)
-36 prefold cloth diapers (so easy to use... there was no need to get any AIO or fitted ones)
-a few Snappi's
-6 cloth diaper covers (though I wish they snapped closed rather than using velcro... hubby and I always forget to fold back the velcro and it catches on everything in the wash... lots of pilling)
-a wet bag or two
-some warm fleece sleepers
-some carseat-friendly coats or warm blankets
-a couple of stretchy knit hats (most hats won't stay on well at all; we need something that grabs her head)
-a small collection of onesies (we have way too many; 10 would be more than enough)
-a small collection of sleepers/gowns to put over the onesies (again, we could get by with 10 or less)
-one or two really cute outfits for pictures
-some bibs (I like to put her in a bib before we go out... saves me from having to change outfits before we leave)
-a few receiving blankets
-a mei tai (she doesn't like it now, but I think that's just because she doesn't like her head pointing to the side... it should be better when she has more head control)
-a nursing pillow (My Breast Friend is soo much better than Boppy IMO... it has a large surface for her and buckles closed so it stays on) and an assortment of other pillows to prop up her head or to lift the nursing pillow while she's very little (I just use the pillows from my sofa)
-plenty of burp cloths (at least a dozen, maybe two)
-a couple wash cloths
-an infant bathing seat
-a nursing cover
-eventually, some nursing bras... but don't spend much on your first one or two. all the ones I bought at first ended up being too small -- they give you guidelines for predicting how big you'll get, but they were terribly inaccurate for me. My pre-pregnancy size was 32B, so I fell in the range of size Small nursing bras... but I grew to 34DD, and even some mediums are too tight. Cami's were all I could wear during those first weeks before my size stabilized and I bought some well-fitting bras. Now I have $100 worth of nursing clothes that will never fit.
-some books of poetry, a good hymnal, and lists of kids' songs and fairy tales (bonus points if you can tell the stories by heart, like my dh does!)
-camera
-a book or online reference for breastfeeding, the name and number of a lactation consultant, and some lanolin cream

Things I wish we'd gotten:
-some fleece diaper doublers/liners (these are on order.... I think they will help with the diaper rash)
-two sets of wool nursing pads (I have several sets of cotton fleece ones, but I wish I'd gotten wool)
-sling or wrap (to use until she is ready for the mei tai)
-a bouncy chair or moses basket to put her in while I use the bathroom/shower/cook

I think that's it; hope it helps!

[starling&diesel]

Thanks, Laurac5...
What an awesome list!
:thumb
It really helps to see such a specific list because we live in a small town with no stores to get anything at, so it's nice to be able to pinpoint what to acquire or keep an eye out for when we do go down to the city (three hours away ...).
Thanks again.

[LizzyQ]

-6 cloth diaper covers (though I wish they snapped closed rather than using velcro... hubby and I always forget to fold back the velcro and it catches on everything in the wash... lots of pilling)

Bummis Super Wraps make some that snap now. The newborn snap covers also allow room for the cord stump.

[Citykid]

I'll chime on on Kate's cosleeper-or-crib question from long ago -

We got the Cosleeper and liked it. Although we are dedicated cosleepers, we weren't going to go to bed at 7 pm with DS, or always nap with him, and we needed a way to keep him safe when he was sleeping alone (he pulled up really early and bedrails would not have been safe enough - climbing and crawling can happen at six months and if you'll still be cosleeping then, it's good to have a plan in place).

But, the Cosleeper is very small and soon he needed more space. So we got a crib and put it right up next to our bed where the Cosleeper had been. We didn't sidecar it because we put the rail up when he was sleeping alone. Immediately we realized that the Cosleeper was wasted and we wouldn't need it anymore. We could have just gotten the crib from the beginning, and if we had done that we probably could have gotten some nice bedding as a gift.

So, unless your bed is a king-size mattress on the floor, I'd recommend a crib.

Also, right now is a good time to start learning some lullabies if you don't know any - you can buy a CD and just learn them. I want to learn Wynken Blynken and Nod, and Oyfen Pripitchik for this babe - Morningtown Ride is DS' favorite.

And I really have to second the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. It is about a thousand times better than the Boppy, which we found isn't really good for anything. Although once you get the hang of nursing it's important to become comfortable nursing without a pillow at all, so you can do it when you go out.

[mama2simon]

Super helpful post. I have a son who will be 7 when this baby comes along and there is just so many things I have forgotten about :). I know that I am much more conscious of the amount of stuff coming in our home this time around and feel like I need a lot less (even though we had sold/donated everything from when he was a baby).

Getting excited reading this post :).