What Do You Really NEED for a New Born?

We did the family bed from the getgo. The babies don't want to be anywhere but on my chest at bedtime. Especially when they were sick at any age, they like to be close to mom.

And I nursed 2 kids from the start and the bed worked for that. We used the swing for the first 3 months for both kids because it's the only way they could get solid sleep by experiencing the rocking motion they were accustommed to in my womb.

If you are going to nurse, you need the courage to comfortably nurse when you're baby is crying for it or is hungry, you need to find a place where you feel comfy in public with ease and be able to project that it is your right to do this in the state of CA. I would nurse at the zoo bench, in restaurants, car, but never in a bathroom because it can be unsanitary. So get nursing shirts and bras, sleeping bras, at Motherhood at your local mall.

Back to the swing, So we put it next to the bed and nursed through the night for the most high maintenance 3 months.

We got one on craigslist for $60. Any swing at a 2nd hand will do and high chair at a second hand will do. I wouldn't spend more than 60 on both if I had to do it again. I spent 140 and it doesn't make a difference in a utility sense.

The FP Aquarium was cool for the bells and whistles. But I would get one that plugs in to an AC outlet because you might use it a lot. And who needs to spend more money on batteries every week...only thing that i would really look for.

So we didn't need 30 bibs or hats that we got. We did need a lot of new onsies that snapped on the side at(babies r us)because some babies don't like it when you pull stuff over their heads.

We did need one really good swaddling blanket that was stretchy enough to go really tight. (Bought cotton material with cool design at fabric shop) We used ace bandages to secure it. I am quite creative with home products :O)Some babies sleep better when they are wrapped up tight like their in moms womb. I had a high maint. 1st baby. The 2nd was easier so you'll have to shop as you go along. Which is the best advice since they are each very unique on their own.

We needed a new plastic matress protector sheet for co-sleeping pee accidents.

We needed baby fever reducer you could give thru the butt. A glass rectal thermometer.

Baby Motrin 6 hours.

A baby/toddler developmental book. used books.
"Happiest Baby on the Block" buy used on Amazon for cheap.

We needed a Shhhher machine for the car ($15 new) or white noise from the tv at bedtime free!.

We needed to get in the tub with our first baby for bathtime. We wanted new for our 1st but used would do with our 2nd and our 2nd one loved the baby tub with the net. But didn't actually fully bathe with soap for a few months. Just used water, they don't get dirty at first.

We needed coffee. We needed sleep, so I slept when the baby slept, napped when the baby napped. We needed paper plates, we fogot about cleaning so much. Diapers,new diaper covers cloth and disposable.

A new or used changing table, diapers. BALMEX for diaper rash is the BEST.

One good stroller with sun shade for long days out and one new or used umbrella stroller with sunshade a new car seat. Now that we have 2 a great double stroller (A BOB) worth every cent everyday.

We needed a baby carrier, 1 sling one baby bjorn both second hand, new car seat,2nd hand play mat where baby lays on her back and tummy for neck strength for the 1st 3months, a baby bouncer chair with vibrating seat and songs and hangy toys, 2 lullaby cds,1 video that showed other baby faces all 2nd hand or from Salvation Army has a lot of cheap videos/dvds/books.

We are active and for the days we needed to get outdoors we got a backpack carrier used for 60. And the BOB is good for off roading hikes and the beach.

A new good breast pump (Medela pump in style for working full time 260 at Babies r us or online)and accessories to keep it clean and storage baggies (freezer ziplocks will do. Medela nipple cream. LLLeague phone number. A bottle drainer, mircrowave steam cleaner bags.

Friends family and enjoy this time. It's just the beginning. :O)

And the knowledge to not feed solids before 6 months, keep trying to breastfeed, hang in there, it's worth it. If you can't then the other stuff will work too. And count to 10, you' will get sleep it will get easier and it does pass. Be proud!

Blessings and good luck.

PS We got a new crib and bassinet and port a crib. We only used the bassinet 10 times with our 1st. The rest went unused so we sold it or gave them to friends. The queensize bed is still where the 3 of us sleep and nurse 3 years later. But beware, my husband sleeps in another room most nights and I have no idea how I'm going to get the kids out of the bed, but we like being so close since we are apart now that they are in preschool/daycare. But sometimes we play musical beds and he joins us in the bedroom. We have a matress on the floor for whoever ends up there next to the big bed. Which we at first had on the floor so no one fell off. My friend got the expensive organic baby bolster things from Motherhood mag. Many ways to do it. She had a water birth at home, I was stuck in a navy hospital but we both were committed to safe natural healthy experiences for all, so as long as you have that you can get to where you need to go on what ever money or most places you find yourself in. IMPROVISE! :O)

GET a Boppy if you nurse or 2 bobbys if you need it for height, and a rocker. We got a 25 dollar small old soft brown ugly but we love it and still use it to play with the kids on it rocker to nurse and nap in. A nursing stool from Medela for 25 at the store or online to bring your knees alighned with your baby.

A long pregnancy pillow for propping and a backrest pillow support. Lots of pillows.

A little notebook to keep track of feeding times was useful with our 1st with nursing.

After 3 years, nursing is the only thing that has benefits that stay with the child into adulthood. It's going to help your child develop well because of the nutritional and medicinal content,(can nurse during the stomach flu) it's going to help you throttle down and relax, and if you nurse long-term it's going to serve as a way to connect emotionally and physically in the early toddler phase into and maybe even through toddlerhood.

They get 2 brand new boobs, new milk designed specifically for just for her at her very moment in time. Milk contnet changes as the baby grows according to her point in development. Learn how to wean responsibly with respect for her needs. Please discipline (teach and redirect)without hitting and screaming.

If you are going to have another baby and nurse both, get Adventures in Tandem Nursing.

If you're going to nurse, eat well and drink lots of water. Your milk levels run on supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more you make. The less you nurse the less you make. If you pump, cause you have to work do it every 2 hours to keep the level high for when you get home. If you're at home, nurse when the baby is hungry which is about 12 times a day in the beginning. Stay hydrated. Peace and Happiness.

2 moms found this helpful

Diapers and t-shirts are a must for September baby. Family bed is wonderful...I did it with all 5 of my children and it worked out great. As they got a little older I bought a crib, took off one side and moved it up against the side of my bed. When they went to sleep, I moved them into the crib but they were close by all the while. This is especially good for a baby that likes to sprawl. Good to see someone not getting sucked into the proposed 'necessities' of having a baby.

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

My daughter was born via c-section (she is now 14 months old), but I am very much looking forward to having another baby and having a VBAC at HOME!!! :) Kudos to you for wanting a home birth!!!

I also commend you on co-sleeping. My daughter co-slept with us for 6 months and it was so nice having her so close every night. We still nap together almost everyday... Yes, we are STILL nursing! :)

**If you plan to breastfeed I HIGHLY recommend you get a Brest Friend!!! Yes, Boppy's work too, but I found that a Boppy will work better when the baby is older. The Brest Friend works the BEST with newborns!

****YOU DO NOT NEED FORMULA! Seek support if you need it for breastfeeding! I did at 4 weeks and went from being a mommy who planned on breastfeeding for 3 months to a mommy who is STILL nursing her 14 month and plans to stop when my baby is ready! It isn't always easy in the beginning, but what is, really?? If you have your heart set on it, than you WILL make it work and IT will all come together! At about 8 weeks is when I decided I love to breastfeed my baby girl!!!! :)

**I would also recommend you get a swing for your baby. I wouldn't buy a crib until you know for sure you're going to use it. If your plans for a family bed don't work out (I am sure they will!) than you can use the swing. OR a pack n' play! They are very useful and will definitely come in handy!!!

**Nursing supplies - the only thing I needed right away were my nursing bras!!!!! Invest in whatever is most comfortable for you! Try on a few!!! STAY AWAY FROM UNDERWIRE! :)
****If your nipples get sore just rub your OWN breastmilk on them!!!!! Breastmilk is pretty powerful, healing stuff!!! Liquid gold... :)

**Most pack n' plays come with a changing table attached, but I found that buying an actual changing table was easier on our backs! Not having to bend forward to change diapers helped!

**Pampers Swaddlers were my FAVORITE diapers for newborns!! After she grew out of those I moved onto Seventh Generation Diapers! I LOVE THEM!!!

CLOTHING - sleepers, swaddle blankets, onesies and more sleepers!

**A BABY CARRIER! I wore my daughter from day 1 and highly recommend you get some sort of carrier... A baby bjorn (CAN BE USED FROM BIRTH UP! Read their website - it is completely safe!), Lascal M1 Carrier (just like the Bjorn, but made of a better, breathable material - BAMBOO!!), peanut shell, hotsling, etc. Whatever works for you! It was essential for me to have so I could always keep her super close to mommy! Daddy too!

**You are going to want a stroller that will accomodate your infant carrier too! If your baby is sleeping and you need to carry him/her in the infant carrier than you will want a stroller to click your infant car seat onto!! :)

**BREAST PUMP - It isn't recommended you pump until 4-6 weeks so you can let your baby establish your milk supply. If you plan to pump on a daily basis you will need a good electric double pump - Medela makes a great one - the pump in style advanced. If you're looking for an occasional pump try the Medela Swing! If you're having latch problems with the baby than I would suggest you stear clear of pacifiers and bottles until it's established. Once your baby latches well you can begin to introduce a bottle of pumped breastmilk - again, recommended you wait 4-6 weeks!

**** OH YEAH! Last, but NOT least! The Baby Book, by Dr. Sears! I saw that someone else recommended it to you and I wanted to 2nd the recommendation!!! That book has EVERY bit of info you need!!!!

Oh man... all this talk makes me want another baby!!!!!! :)

Best of luck to you!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

I had the same question with my first one. :) There are things that you NEED and things that make life a lot easier. In the NEED category I would put: portable sleep area (bassinet/port-a-crib or moses basket). There are times that your baby will need to sleep and you won't so the family bed may work great for nighttime but naptime will be challenging, also handy for traveling. Other NEEDS: carseat, diapers (disposable or reusable), diaper cream, feeding chair (for around 4-6 months), diaper changing area- changing table not neccessary, stroller. MAKE LIFE EASIER category: this is almost endless and also ends up being very personalized once you bring you little one home. For me it was: nursing pillow, specialized infant car seat, mirror for the car so I could see her when I was driving, diaper genie, floor gym for tummy time, johnny jump-up for 5-9 months old. I got most things second hand. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Just make sure if you get a carseat secing had that it has never been in an accident. Good luck and enjoy!

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Hi! So we bought a ton of stuff for our newborn and only used a few things. We used our bed as a family bed, which worked out great for us. I suggest getting a guard rail, for safety. A bassinet or some kind of travel bed with 4 sides is great to have for naps, or for when you are not holding the baby (shower, cooking, etc.). I only used a sling (the maya wrap was my favorite) to hold the baby for the first few months. This is where the baby spent most of his time at first. A changing table is a necessity. Don't worry about toys for a newborn. That is silly, I think. Wait until 6 months to see. My husband just walked in the room, I told him I was writing to you and he said, "Remind her how women have been having babies for thousands of years without all this stuff." Good point from my cave man. :) Depending on whether you are breastfeeding or not, you may need some pumping supplies, bottles, that kind of thing. I breastfed for over a year and only used the pump a couple of times, but know people who worked that used it regularly. I also really liked the swaddle me swaddler wraps, those were really comforting to my little guy. That's all I can think of for now. Remember, you live next to lots of stores so you pick up whatever you NEED once the baby is born. :) I am very excited for you. Of course you need a car seat, but even a stroller is not really a necessity for the first few months, in my opinion. OK, I'll stop now. Have a great day!

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E.,

Keeping in mind that I'm a breastfeeder but I work full time, and I coslept with both of my babies (they both had rooms but never actually slept there! LOL If you buy a crib, get it off Craig's list. I paid $50 for mine so I didn't feel too bad when I didn't use it much - although a safe place for them to nap either a crib or a playpen is nice as they get older and more mobile so you don't want to leave them on the bed and leave the room). The only things I really couldn't have lived without were:

breastpump
supply of bottles
Medela Microsteam sterlizing bags (get them at Target or online)
breastmilk storage bags (I like the Lansinoh ones - get them at Target or amazon.com)
diapers
wipes (although a wet washcloth works too)
a good, high quality car seat (extra bases for an infant seat are really handy if you have more than one car)
about a dozen sleepers (you really don't dress them much in the beginning so don't get much in the way of newborn clothes. Both my boys outgrew their 0-3 month stuff by 6 weeks)
a couple of baby blankets
a couple of waterproof pads (nice for changing diapers on the bed or floor - get the biggest ones you can find - I got some 3 ft by 3ft ones off ebay from a medical supply place and I've used them a lot, especially when my kids are sick and throwing up at night - for some reason they only tend to throw up at night in bed! the baby sized ones are about 1 ft by 1 ft and they always manage to throw up or spit up over the edge)
a baby bath tub (I have a blue one from Walmart that cost less than $10 and it works great - newborns are slippery when wet and it helps to have a baby bath tub).

nice to have:
swing (sometimes it was the only way my kids would sleep or not fuss without someone holding them - and you've got to shower or make dinner occasionally! get one that reclines like an infant seat because you'll need it more now than later)

and some sort of a baby carrier. I have an Ultimate Baby Wrap (love it for a newborn through about 6 months, too stretch for an older baby) and a Baby Bjorn (expensive and hurts my back like crazy) and an Ergo (expensive but nice for an older baby). I also have a sling but I never really got the hang of a sling.

somewhere to store baby clothes and stuff (a dresser and some clothes hangers and a little closet space)
lots of baby socks (they are always kicking them off or you lose them in the wash so I always just buy tons of matching white ones so it doesn't matter when I lose half of a pair)

a stroller is nice occasionally but I didn't use mine all that much until my kids were big enough for one of the umbrella strollers. The infant kind are big, bulky and hard to maneuver. I had a c-section with my first (he was breech, I had my second one VBAC and the recovery was SO much easier) so it was MONTHS before I could lift the stroller in and out of the car.

If you do have a c-section (which I highly recommend against unless it is an absolute medical necessity), a changing table is nice because you can't easily bend over

As they get older, an exersaucer is nice. I have a high chair but we just got one of these http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2861764 and it is SO much easier to clean. A high chair is nice for a younger baby who can't sit up by themselves but once they are past that stage, the booster seats take up a lot less space.

That's all I can think of that I really used. The first time around we ended up with a ton of stuff and actually used very little of it. And we got tired of looking at it and Goodwilled it long before our second child showed up. We don't have a really big place so for a while we were really up to our eyeballs in baby stuff. LOL the only thing I really bought the second time around was a new breastpump (it is really nice to have 2 - one for work and one for home so I didn't have to lug it back and forth), some new bottles, and diapers.

Regular towels and washclothes work just fine and I prefer regular, free and clear laundry detergent. The baby stuff is highly scented and gives both of my kids a rash.

Good luck and congratulations!
T.

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Hi E.,
Have you heard of a Pack N Play? They are GREAT!!
We used ours for our son Sean when he was a newborn. There's a way that you can make it a bassinet and then when your baby is ready for a crib you can use it as a travel bed, etc. I even took mine to the beach so that he could nap there too. I still have it with me in my car. It works great for when we visit friends and Sean needs a nap or it's bedtime.
I just really love the functionality (is that even a word?) of it. I felt that it was money spent wisely considering that Sean is now 20 months old and he will still nap in it.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I tell you, when I was pregnant, the most overwhelming part of it for me was all the STUFF offered out there. I felt panicked just walking into Babys R Us. Really.

We never used our crib (co-slept from day one), changing table, bottle warmer, all that stuff that my generous mom went out and bought. I'm a minimalist, she's the shopper: ) I wouldn't buy a sling until you can figure out your baby's (and your) body type because they fit each baby so differently AND some babies prefer being enclosed by the snuggly where as others want to see out like the Bjorn can offer.

So diapers, wipes, onesies, blankets (several), car seat. Something I didn't have that seemed convenient was the stroller/car seat compliment-seemed easier on one's back.

I breast fed so I needed cotton breast pads and a couple of good nursing bras.

Doing it all over I would have waited until after my daughter was born to buy extras because so much we didn't use and other things I never thought I would used were indispensible (like our swing - felt completely guilty using it but it gave me some much needed breaks.) They all pop out so different: )

All the best to you in your birth and newborn experience!

J.

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When I had my son I bought everything you can imagine. A brand new Italian crib, dresser, armoire, two strollers, high chair, bouncy seat, etc... His crib has never been slept in. His bassinet he might have used for one or two naps. The high chair came in handy later on. Changing table for the first 6 months. They will be too wiggly after that. The armoire was not necessary. The bouncy seat we used when he was an infant. Just to get my hands free and have him near. We put our mattress on the floor and he was on that for all naps and at night. Save all the money and put it away for all the swimming, art , and enrichment classes that come later.

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Well what really helped me was a 3-in-one crib,playpen, baby changer. I think it is from Graco. It is so convenient, you can wheel it around your house, doesn't take up much room and you can pack it up and take it to the park. Cool huh.

(Mom of two reusing the 3-in-one 6 years later.)
C.

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E.,
We did the family bed and it worked great! Our children had no trouble at all transitioning out of it, so don't let that discourage you!
My list may be a little different from others, because I am what I guess would be termed an attachment parent. We co-sleep and I breastfeed until they are two ( that is not my cut off, just when they and I were ready to stop) I sling carry them and I stay very informed about as much as I can. I have two boys 5 and 2 and one more due in July.
Here is my list:
If you are breastfeeding you do NOT need a pump or bottles. It just comes right out of your breast and into their mouths ; ) You do need a good pillow to prop them up on while small ( brest friend, boppy, or even a bed pillow)
You should have some kind of nipple cream like lanolin for if they get sore, it also works great for diaper rashes though these are a rarity in breastfed babies.
I use a sling to carry my kids, I still use one with my 2 1/2 year old. They let you carry them with your arms free and are much more convenient to carry around for when you may need them than a stroller, though I also use a stroller. I have a single for just the youngest and a double to use with both. I reccomend a ring sling and a LIGHTWEIGHT stroller, which is easier to get in and out of the car. Just for clarity I do own a company that sells slings, cozyslings.com, but I do not reccomend them because I sell them, I started selling them because I reccomended them so highly!!!
For us a doorway jumper was great! My kids spent long periods of time in it and both walked on their strong little legs at 9 months.
Thoug they have never SLEPT in a crib, it was great as a changing table and for mobile time, which they enjoyed and tummy time in a safe place, though they also used a floor mat gym for that. That 15 minutes they spend watching the mobile in the crib is great for a quick shower!
Soft shoes. Robbez and Bobux make great ones. They are perfect to wear before they walk and while learning to wealk because they dont have the flat hard soles that make them fall over. They are best for their feet as new walkers also.
Diapers
Burp cloths- we use the thin recieving blankets for these.
Gentle non scented wipes.
An ear thermometer, because otherwise you have to put it you know where and they dont mind the ear one at all! Plus, thats what the doctors use, so if they ask you for you babies temp when s/he is sick you can say 99* with the ear thermometer.
Mylacon for baby gas. My first baby had colic and this was very helpful.
A good safe comfortable carseat. They hate being in these enough without them being uncomfortable too.
Honestly thats all I can think of. I'm on kid #3 and we have so much stuff! These are the things we truly needed though.
Some things I also LIKE to have are a baby swing, an otoscope ( the thing the doc uses to check their ears) I like to know if they have an ear infection before calling.
Oh and a few books I truly needed were. The womanly art of breastfeeding, vaccinations- a thoughtful parents guide, and circumcision exposed. No matter how you feel about any of these issues, the books are very informative about your options etc.
Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi E.,

If you are trying to keep "stuff" to a miminum and also trying to keep cost down... I would suggest a quality "pack n play" type item. You can get some that have a bassinet attachment, a diaper changing area, as well as the "crib" section. I found this very useful with my first child as well. We actually had a full nursery of furnature on order when she was born - but since she was 5 weeks early none of it had arrived. I used the pack n play for everything for the first three weeks. Even with a family bed at night, the nice thing about having a seperate area for your child to sleep is that when you put him/her down for a nap you know they are safe and will not roll or crawl off the bed. Infants at first may not go very far when you put them down, but give it time and they will crawl right off the end of a bed. OUCH!
Once the child is more mobile, I would also recommend at least one other item where you can put the child and know they are safe and can't get out. Maybe a travel swing, bouncy seat etc. This is important for what may seam silly right now - but trust me. One day when he/she is crawling all over and you have to shower or even just pee you will appreciate having a safe place where he/ she can be happy too. I have 14 month old twins and I have one bouncy seat and a travel swing that I actually have ended up keeping in my bedroom/bathroom area so I can shower, get dressed and keep them entertained at the same time.
Good luck!
G.

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Less is definitely more. You will probably want a crib at some point. A crib that converts into a bed is good for longterm. My kids slept in our bed their first year, then they moved to the crib. You might want to get a pack n' play that is also a bassinet if you travel. That way, you'll have a bassinet when the baby is new and a pack 'n play for travel or sleepovers. My second child actually slept in the pack 'n play for a while before he moved to a bed (they are 18 months apart). I recommend hitting friends up for things they are not using. Craig's list is a fine place to look for things. I had two home births and I am having my third at home as well. I was going to try a hospital, because it's cheaper, but I just can't do it now that I've had home births. Good luck to you E.!

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Congratulations E.! Here's my list:
1. Diapers
2. Breastmilk or formula
3. Clothes (really you'll probably get all you need at a shower, so don't even bother buying any)
4. Baby sling
5. Large blanket for swaddling
6. Car seat
7. Stroller

If you plan to co-sleep, don't even bother with a bassinet. I'd invest in a simple crib that can be converted into a toddler bed.

Take Care,
F.

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You only need your boobs, diapers, wipes and breast pads. Oh, clothes would be nice but the baby can wear a onesie. My personal advice may seem like it is not kid friendly, however it works for me. I have been married for 11 years, stay home mom with 3. Marriage is not without issues, but once kids arrive it is like a hurricane. Your bed and bedroom is a sanctuary for you and your husband/partner. I would elaborate but I don't want to be attacked by the masses. As you become a mother, remember that is only one of your many beautiful facets. Preserve your friendship with your best friend by not starting with kids in the bed. If you only have one bed that is another thing, but once you start you can not stop. Your partner will hate it but it is not "okay" to express it. Great parents put their relationship first as an umbrella for the children.

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we had a crib and a bassinet... he sleeps in our bed... a swing or boppy is important if you ever plan on getting anything done around the house, don't stock up on diapers!! At least until he/she gets into size 2 even then, buy sparingly. flannel receiving blankets make the BEST burp clothes, stock up! I had my kid 10 weeks ago so this is all still fresh in my head LOL You dont even need to buy anything if he sleeps with you. your natural instinct will keep you from rolling over your baby. I tell you what though. Setting up my nursery is the only thing that kept me sane in that last trimester.

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Hi E....congratulations on your impending baby! I'm so glad to hear you are planning a home birth!

I am a no-stuff person and wanted only the basics when I had my now 5-month old. I was so annoyed the whole time I was pregnant that people kept giving me hand-me-downs I didn't want or suggesting the things that I would die without. And nearly everyone told us we couldn't do a family bed or sleep with baby in the same room. We have since the beginning and still do. Don't even listen to the people who say it's not safe or impossible. I was pressured to register when my co-workers threw a shower, so I did at Target. Once I hired my doula and got the scoop on what's really necessary I took most of it back and ended up with loads of gift cards. (I used them for diapers!) Here's what I would consider the essentials/what we used the most...

-car seat. Graco SnugRide is cheap and top-safety rated. Bonus if it comes with a stroller!

-Munchkin Back Sleeper. It's a little thing I got at Target that keeps the baby secure, so naps anywhere are possible. Our Henry slept in that thing in the bed, on the couch, the ottoman, while travelling, etc. We slept in the bed with him between our heads and one small pillow for each of us. It was not even possible for him to get squished or buried, as so many people will tell you it is.

-Breast pump and bottles. If you are planning to go back to work, you will need a double electric. Medela Pump in Style Advanced is the best and the bottles are good too for the beginning. Also get a hands-free pumping bra and a couple of soft nursing bras or tanks for the first few weeks.

-My Brest Friend nursing pillow. The Boppy was a waste for me. You need the lumbar support and firmness of the BF. Also it's a great place to "put" the baby for naps and hanging out on his tummy. I put him there while I pumped after feedings.

-We bought a cheap crib and changing table set from the JCPenney catalog. The crib sits right next the our bed and become a place to store blankets and all the crib sheets and nursery bedding we never use :). The changing table has been great though. I have it filled with baskets of all his stuff so it's right at hand. I also have a changing pad on it. Recently I hung the crib mobile (that my mother insisted on buying) over it and that's been great fun. We're going to use the crib as a toddler bed eventually by taking off the front rail. I read recently that the best crib for the money is the one from Ikea. Get one that converts and you'll have a backup sleeping space, plus room to grow. The Arms Reach co-sleeper seemed like a good idea to me, but was too limited for our budget.

-People will give you all the clothes you'll ever need and then some. You will need basics like onesies though if it's summer or footie jammies if it's colder. I seemed to never have enough socks.

-diapers. We use cloth now and love it, but I started with Nature Babycare from Target and they are awesome! Made from corn, biodegradable and no petroleum junk against your baby's bum.

-several rolls of Viva papertowels. You can't use wipes for the first several weeks, so these papertowels and a squirty or spray bottle of water are soft and safe. You can also use wash cloths.

-Some natural bath products like CA Baby. Their Calendula cream is the only thing I ever needed for the one time he had diaper rash. I found Burts Bees too smelly. And I wouldn't go anywhere near my baby with anything made by Johnson and Johnson.

-a sling or wrap. I walked around endlessly with my little guy in a ring sling. Now I also use a Moby Wrap. If you're into babywearing, you should establish it from the very beginning.

-Burp cloths! I used the prefold diapers I swiped from the hospital, but there are some nice ones out there.

-Muslin swaddling blankets. I can't say enough good things about these. Especially now that it's warmer. Otherwise, you will get tons of blankets as gifts and won't know what to do with them all. Don't waste your money on flannel blankets if you're having a baby when it's warm.

-Bouncy chair. We have the Bjorn because it's simple and cool looking with no plastic parts.

-Also I couldn't live without my fold up changing pad that I throw in my purse. It holds a couple of diapers and a travel thing of wipes. It's by JJ Cole.

-The Baby Book by Dr. Sears!

Items that I returned or think are unnecessary...wipes/bottle warmers, steam sterilizer, diaper bags, pack n play and all sorts of play mats and big plastic toy things that will clog up your living room.

These are just my suggestions. Hope it helps! Because I live in Glendale, I bought a lot of these things at Bellies, Babies and Busoms. The Pump Station in Hollywood or Santa Monica is great too! Also, you might want to look into the Yahoo So Cal Attachment Parenting group where you will find lots of support on home births, co-sleeping and generally not falling prey to the pressure of new-parent consumerism! Good luck!

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My Uncle hand built me a gorgeous wooden bassinet and I never even used it once! I had my son sleep with me all the time, it was so much more convenient that way especially with him waking up so frequently. You don't really need a changing table, you can turn a dresser you already have into one with a simple pad & strap. I never bought a rocking chair or a baby swing either. A bouncy seat was all he needed to stay occupied. They grow so quickly the first few months that it would be better get clothes second hand (I bought tons of clothes and then he never even wore half of them before he grew out of them). Great places to find second hand baby items for FREE are on Yahoo! there's a group called Freecycle that you can join by city/area where other people in your community are giving away their used baby items (or any other household item). Also www.babycheapskate.com is a blog that keeps up with all of the latest baby sales & a guide to how much you should be paying for everything & it also has a group like freecycle called Freepeats- there is a one-time membership fee of $5 to join but it's exclusively baby items being given away on this board.

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Well, I'm one who has every gadget under the sun for my kid, and I have enjoyed having many options of places to put her for naps, playtime, etc. 3 different strollers (the jogger, the "travel system" one, and the tiny collapsable one) to choose from... So I'm not the best person to tell you what to get and what to cut!

BUT, in college I nannied for some people who were extremely minimalist in their baby accoutrements. They did the family bed thing, so no crib, no changing table, not even very many baby toys. They had a stroller, car seat, and high chair. I think that was it. We changed him on the floor next to his shelf of clothes. They didn't even babyproof the house (no gates for the stairs) because he was just constantly supervised. I personally thought it was kinda weird that he had no bed, nowhere to set him down to nap- mom would feed him and then hand him off to me to hold him while he napped. It was great, I was able to catch up on my sleep and nap myself while holding him (which I needed after late nights of studying or partying!). I always thought they should just invest in a crib- mom worked from home, so I was just getting paid to hold him while he slept a lot of the time!

You'll make it work for you however you wanna do it. Congrats and enjoy!

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