Baby must haves? Please help.

Category:

Baby must haves? Please help.

By PennyLainne Mar 18, 2012

We are expecting and I don't know what I all need for a new baby. What are your top must haves?

Things I know I need/have:
Crib, change table, swing, bassinet, car seat, stroller and breast pump.

There are so many things out there and I get over whelmed looking at them all. I was looking at baby tubs the other day and there are so many different styles how do you know which one to get? Anyways I am wondering what your top baby items are? What could you not live without and what would you reccommend to a first time mom?

You might also enjoy...

Tags: (no tags yet)

11 comments

chopsuey
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts

Mar 18, 2012

It's so easy to get sucked in and overwhelmed with baby stuff! Truth be told, LOs are super low maintenance and don't need much at all!
Here's a list of Newborn must haves that HB put together.
http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/23/absolute-essentials-for-a-newborn/
If you're putting a registry together, you're going to want to put things on the registry that can be used months after your LOs born--exersaucer, toys, activity gym, etc.
If you check out the blogs, there are some real mom's registries..
http://www.hellobee.com/page/2/?s=registry
regberadaisy
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts

Mar 18, 2012

I'm not a mom yet but expecting our first. It is quite overwhelming but the list is so subjective.

I think you can look on "registry recommendation" lists and widdle it down based on your lifestyle.
ie I don't plan on ever using a bassinet. And we are using a dresser with a diaper changing pad on top. But really even that is not a "must".
A breast pump is only a must if you plan to BF and are successful and need it when you go back to work. Or for convenience. I don't plan on purchasing one till after baby arrives to take advantage of using my insurance discount.
We already purchased our stroller but I know lots of moms recommend not purchasing it till after baby arrives because then you really know what kind you need.
Lots of moms have said their baby actually did not like the swing. etc etc.

haha I know I'm not being much help!

I really liked looking on Babble.com because they have a Best in "category" every year. And in each category they break it down in best of, best budget, etc etc.
Baby Bargains the book available on Amazon is also a GREAT resource.
I love these two the best because they show budget versions of each category. Baby stuff does NOT have to cost $400+ each!

As I look at the things we currently have I think the "musts" for us are
car seat
our summer infant sleeper so baby can sleep safely in bed w/us. (we'll still be in our old house till after baby has arrived. and the crib will be in the new house)
Clothes
Diapers
Crib (for later on)

GL!
skibobrown
pomegranate / 3388 posts

Mar 18, 2012

My go-to for figuring out baby must-haves was Lucie's List:
http://www.lucieslist.com/
I found a lot of the advice to be practical (with a sense of humor).
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Mar 18, 2012

I also looked on different lists online. Different people and babies like different things though. If you get a swing I suggest one that goes front to back and side to side, and that you can plug in. My lo didn't like front to back so we had to buy side.to side, and it uses tons of batteries.

We picked a tub that looked comfy but wouldn't mildew, and it grows with the baby. There's an infant insert that's soft and then you can take that out and it's a tiny tub.

Lo loves her jumparoo, lots of people have and love the fisherprice rain forest one.

I love having the pack n play for when I do things in the kitchen so lo can play.

Hope that helps a little, baby things are so overwhelming! I brought my mom with me to register but everything is so different from when she had kids so that wasn't much help. Do you know a newer mom who can go with you? I'm happy to answer any questions!
Mrs. Yoyo
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts

Mar 18, 2012

These were my faves:

http://www.hellobee.com/2011/12/27/baby-gear-my-top-10/

When all else fails, I sorted Amazon items by rating and picked one of the top ones if it seemed to make sense. I second "Baby Bargains" as a resource, too.
cupcakemama
persimmon / 1465 posts

Mar 18, 2012

somewhere to sleep, somewhere to bath,, something to feed , nappies, something to put them in in the car, something to transport them in, clothes

I'm being a pest about it but it really gets complicated fast with all the stuff you "have to have". Babies actually don't need that much. Parents, on the other hand...

Start with the big stuff and decide what is important for you for each thing. (eg are you planning on walking lots with baby so need a good stroller to walk with). Then decide on which product from there.

I would aim towards the minimilist approach before baby arrives( apart from basics!). You have no idea what you will want/need. The stores will still be open after Bub arrives and you will be able to leave the house
Mrs. Yoyo
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts

Mar 18, 2012

Yep, and if you don't want to leave the house, Amazon!
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Mar 19, 2012

Stay away from all online registries if you want to follow a minimalist approach! Moms that have BTDT are the best resource, but needs differ because of cloth/disposable diapers, formula/breastfeeding, attachment parenting, etc.

We had a swing but barely used it because I didn't want my son to become dependent on motion for sleep. That can be a tough habit to break. It is useful to have a place to put the baby when they're small and you need a break, so you've got to balance your priorities. I'd take a look at gently used items if you've got a reputable resale store near you. I wish I went that route.
SugarplumsMom
bananas / 9227 posts

Mar 19, 2012

We're in the same boat! It can get pretty overwhelming but just as PP said, it's a lot easier to figure out once you shop for your lifestyle in mind. I'm pretty practical and avoided all cute toys and accessories that are non-essential, with the exception of a few sweet socks and hair-ties for at home photo props.

HB has a lot of essential lists that are really helpful (which a few of ppl have already linked). As for my own particular "needs" - I'm focusing on convenience on a budget, and if I can, I'll try to avoid over-stimulation (developmental toys with lots of lights, bells and whistles, though a lot of Mom's swear by them). Like @Looch I also stayed away from a swing, my grandmother bought us a newborn bouncer but if I can get away with just using it as baby lounge chair, I will.

I'm the type to want to be prepared beforehand, especially since I live abroad and the local selection is extremely limited and will cost at least 3x the price. BUT, I realized that I can't buy everything in advance (like baby bottles). The baby bottle starter sets are by far the cheapest deal you can find -- but I've taken the advice of veteran Moms and only bought singles. Baby might not take that kind of bottle/nipple and you don't want to end up with a bunch of bottles you can't use.

My newest obsession are baby sheets. I'm trying to find the most convenient alternative that will result in less of a headache to change and wash. I found these: Quickzip sheet set they look great! But the design I like is discontinued and they don't sell them in Europe, so I'd have to have my Mom ship them over. I'm not sure if I want to go through the hassle.
Mrsbells
squash / 13199 posts

Mar 19, 2012

I followed the Hellobee guides for new born essentials and added a few things that werent really essentials but i wanted to have them, I'm due in 4 weeks and so far I have

crib + mattress + mattress cover + sheets
Dresser
changing table
Baby bath tub
Hooded towel + wash cloth
Rectal Thermometer
Nose frida snotsucker
Nail clippers
Car seat + stroller
Sling
Nursing cover
ergo baby carrier + insert
diaper pail (which is really a step trash can from walmart)
washable Pail liners
Diaper bag
Breast pump
Playtex nursers drop in bottles and inserts
Crib mobile
clothes in sizes ranging 3-9months
Baby shampoo
Baby body lotion
Bottom balm diaper ointment

The last things I need are my cloth diaper stash, diaper sprayer, wipes and a little bit of soy formula just in case
StbHisMrs
pomegranate / 3329 posts

Mar 19, 2012

Think ahead is my best advice, you'll need more in the first few months and it goes fast!!!

A jumperoo is great, as is a walker (if you don't have multiple levels/stairs) toys for different ages are great to have on hand to.

I loved our swing for the 1st 4 months now at 5 months she barely uses it. I looked for one that plugs in versus one that eats batteries up. We chose a fisher price zen swing, also bought a matching vibrating seat.

I love our Becco Gemini and swaddle me blankets were a sleep savior

Oh if you formula feed the Dr. Brown's formula pitcher really cuts down on bubbles.
I'm sure I'll think if more

Member	Posts
Bluemasonjar	1
cake2017	1

	Today	Monthly Record
Topics	0	1
Posts	1	3

Hellobee Boards

Baby must haves? Please help.

You might also enjoy...

Reply

most popular tags

most recent archives

Recent Blog Posts

Recent Board Posts

Classifieds

Deals

Today's Leaders

Gear

Today's Posts

Site Basics

Features

Series

The Team

More