Baby Gear
Posted by Gail | Filed under Money & Family
My friend Tasha is pregnant. “You know what you should do,” she said to me the other day, “you should write a blog on what you need to get for a first baby.” What a good idea.
Tasha decided to register at a couple of baby stores. The problem is that with so many baby products available it can be pretty tough to stay focused on the things that will be most useful. While a specialized diaper bucket that promises “no smellies” might be nice in principal, in reality there’s no diaper pail that is odor free. If you plan to bottle feed, how many bottles will you need? How many diapers? And where will you put all the stuff?
I know a lot has probably changed in the 13 years since I had my last baby, but I bet the basics are still the same. You need:
- a sturdy stroller
- an infant car seat
- a crib
- a baby monitor with low interference and static.
Stollers abound, and there are some that combine car-seat and stroller in one. I started with a biggie stroller that the kids could lie flat and sleep in and as they grew older I moved to an umbrella stroller that was easy to load and unload and travel with.
I did get a crib, which both my children hated with a passion. They both ended up sleeping with me until they were old enough to move to their own beds. Alex talked about remember feeling like she was in prison. Really, she remembers that? I actually started with a bassinet beside my bed, which I subsequently sold for 80% of the original price at a second hand store after two babies. I would do it that way again.
Since I barely used my crib, I didn’t need a lot, but if you have a couple sets of fitted sheets, bumpers, and a cute comforter that should do it.
Some of the other basic items you’ll need:
Clothing: onesies, which are one piece pajamas with feet. I had about a dozen of these. Then I could layer-up with fleece or home-made sweaters for additional warmth.
Diapering: Lotsnlotsa diapers. I used disposables, bought them in mass and on sale. Careful though, babies grow quickly and will be out of newborn diapers faster than you can say supercalifragerlisticexpialidocious. I think diaper wipes are the bestest invention EVER. (They’re great for removing makeup and for cleaning up after a paint-job too.) When you choose a diaper ointment, make sure it spreads easily. There’s nothing worse than trying to scrub sticky diaper ointment off a baby with a rash.
As for the diaper pail, the best advice I can give you is get an orange-based deodorizer. When my kids were little, I used to buy it from my hairdresser who used a fabulous product to kill the scent of perming stuff. It worked like a dream. Since then a lot of orange based smellies have come to market.
Feeding: Get a half-dozen bibs. Even if you’re breastfeeding, a couple of bottles will come in handy when you want to give water or, later, juice. I used a disposable bottle system with a pre-sterilized bag. I breast and bottle fed – no, there was no nipple confusion – and I found having options gave me more flexibility. A half-dozen receiving blankets are not only good for swaddling little ones, but are must haves to save your clothes when it comes to burping and spit-up.
Bathing: Consider a plastic (light) newborn tub that fits on your bathroom counter or in your kitchen sink along with a dozen washcloths. I used baby shampoo for bathing and hair. And I had a bath insert made of terry cloth on a metal frame that the baby could lie one that I found VERY useful.
Safety: I loved my baby monitor – I later used it when my horse was pregnant. You can go with a rectal thermometer but I sprung for the ear one. Make sure you get a nasal aspirator. And a small night light will beat the hell out of turning on the overhead light at 2 a.m. when you have to feed and change your baby.
My favorite non-essentials were a baby swing and a exersaucer. I skipped the playpen and change tables since I was happy to watch my baby carefully and found the bed or the floor (with a change pad) was a much safer place to change babies, particularly when they started to roll over.
You’ll need stuff too, like nursing bras, breast pads, panty liners/pads
Now it’s your turn: What things were must-haves when you had your baby, and what did you get as gifts or buy that were less useful?
November 13, 2009 at 8:19 am
Slightly off topic but re the crib bumper and comforter. Over here in Australia, these are deeply frowned upon, due to their links with SIDS (cot – or crib – death). We are advised to have nothing other than tightly fitting sheets and preferably a single light blanket on the crib.
Having spent a lot of time in Toronto with babies, I know this is not such an issue there, but for expectant parents, it is something worth getting more information about.
November 13, 2009 at 8:46 am
Speaking of SIDS, a small fan in the room where the baby is sleeping has been found to reduce SIDS by over 70%. My baby is eight months (today!) and I still have the fan going. I swear by a diaper genie. The refills can get a little pricey, but it truly does solve the smelly diaper issue. From 2-5 months, the best thing was an activity bar for the baby to lie under and swat around. He loved it. Others swear by the bumbo seat, by my little guy never cared for it.
November 13, 2009 at 8:57 am
Don’t be afraid to visit second hand stores for items and clothes. I have twins and if I didn’t I would have spent a fortune for things I got that were used very little. Also, borrow items from friends and family – especially if you are having a baby between their babies (ie; they are on baby #1 and won’t be on baby #2 until you are done with the item – you’ve used it and they didn’t have to store it until they were ready for it).
Oh and look for your local Multiple births clubs in your area (http://www.multiplebirthscanada.org/english/clothingsales.php), they are normally held 2 times a year and can offer fabulous deals on all children’s items – remember we have twice the stuff
.
November 13, 2009 at 8:59 am
We have just recently gone through the new baby experience (unfortunately prior to our more recently successful ‘Gail budget’…oh dear baby debt!).
I’d generally agree with the list you gave Gail. I’d suggest that people don’t buy the bibs with the plastic backing (they really don’t wash well) and I’d recommend that the 12 wash cloths you suggested be doubled if not tripled (they are invaluable!). Also, when testing out a new item (i.e. bottles, soother, baby wash – resist the urge to buy MANY of something cause you’ll get a deal….we did that with the pricey glass bottles we first bought – turned out baby couldn’t get the hang of the nipples included aand we were stuck with them cause they are a no-return item)
There are certainly alot of extras that are available but I think the key is to ask a mom of a child a little older than yours if they ever used the item you’re thinking of buying. Also, there are some amazing second hand stores that are useful, particularly for clothing and blankets etc..
The one thing that I’d caution is with respect to the ‘two in one’ items such as the carseat-stroller combo, the bassinet/playyard/change table or the swing/toddler rocker….if you’re planning on reselling any of the items (or if you’re short on storage space), you may be better off to buy separates…for example, we paid a little more for the swing/rocker combo because of the dual use…..but having outgrown the swing function at about 6 months, a year later, our daughter hasn’t begun to get all the benefits of the rocker on it’s own but we’re running out of space to store the swing frame. Same with the playpen/bassinet (bassinet was done by 3 months, playpen is still in use)….
Gail, wish Tasha good luck on this journey – it’s exciting and DOESN’T have to be extremely expensive!!
November 13, 2009 at 9:04 am
Thanks Gail,
I am expecting my first in May and the amount of baby junk is astounding! I’ve heard others mention cribs are a waste, so I’m hoping to get a convertible one so that it will eventually have some use.
I’m really hoping that Boxing Day/Week at the baby stores provide substantial discounts.
November 13, 2009 at 9:16 am
The best thing I got from my friends over the three children that I had was my friends themselves. I enjoyed every moment with my babies when I was home with them (and still do), but I thoroughly enjoyed when my friends would call or drop by for a short visit. It gave me a little sanity to have an adult conversation, and although my husband is great, talking to another mom makes everything better. And it’s great knowing that the phone calls and visits don’t cost a thing, and that I’ve been able to repay them many times while they were home with their little ones.
November 13, 2009 at 9:36 am
Yes every parent should have a thermometer. The touch test doesn’t cut it no matter how many hundred babies you’ve had. Ear thermometers are inacurate under 6 months of age due to anatomy of babies growing ears. Ear thermometers if you must are fine if getting 3 readings from one ear that they have no been lying on and averaging the readings and used after 6 months of age.
November 13, 2009 at 9:47 am
While I don’t have children myself, I’m only one out of my circle of friends/family that doesn’t. So when a new bundle of joy comes along this is what I normally get for him/her:
-receiving blankets (usually a package of 3)
-3-6month onsies (again, usually a package of 3; I pick up the bigger ones ’cause kids grow like weeds…and thank gosh, the last one was 10+lbs)
-because I knit/crochet, every one of them has gotten a handmade blanket, in a machine washable wool
-and of course, a gift card to a local resturant and babysitting duty for the chosen night for mommy and daddy
My friends Sally and Tasha are firm believers in new is not necessarily better, especially with regards to clothes. Sally got 3 BIG boxes of clothes (100+ outfits, some with the price tags still on them) off Kijiji for $60, plus the garbage bag full that she got from Tasha. And Sally has asked me to bring some of her daughter’s old clothes to Sam the next time I head down to visit my Mom. A couple of months ago, my mom sent me back with two boxes of clothes (0-24 months) for my friend Jaime, who had twins last month, that her friends grandchildren had out grown. The same thing happens with toys. Once the kids have outgrown them, they get cycled around. One of the few things any of them has bought new are car seats, and a few bottles.
My best advice for new parents is to ask around, or check out your local by and sell for anyone that has what you need. You’d be surprised at what’s out there for very little $$ or even for free.
One last thing, when my Godson Alexander was born, I set up a savings account for him. I figured I would easily spend $50-100 on him for every birthday, Christmas, big event. So instead of blowing a bunch of dough on something he would out grow anyway, I put $20 a month into the account, get him a token gift (usually a book), and when he turns 18, I’ll turn the money over to him. And yes Gail, it’s in my budget, under Clothing/Gifts.
November 13, 2009 at 9:48 am
I would highly recommend cloth diapers. They are very convenient these days, with no need for folding. Maybe using disposables for traveling. Disposable diapers are like bottled water, filling up our landfills for the sake of convenience. As for a diaper cream, vaseline is cheap and washes off easily….so no scrubbing delicate bottoms.
And please do get a thermometer, they are cheap and absolutely a must (along with infant tylenol).
And don’t put your babies to bed with bottles, protect their tiny new teeth!!!
November 13, 2009 at 9:57 am
Cloth Diapers!!! I used ‘em exclusively with my first two – by the third I was too busy to keep up with the laundry so only used them part time with her! It will save you thousands of dollars!!!!! And there are no chemicals against baby’s skin. And while you’re at it, it’s easier to use cloth wipes too since once you’re done wiping and cleaning, you toss the diaper and cloths into the diaper pail rather than having to separate wipes from diapers. There are tons of internet sites selling these products. They are SOOO worth it!!!
I know Gail didn’t use one, but I found my playpen was one of my most important “older baby” needs! When I was busy with an older child, I could put the baby into the playpen and knew she was safe. When I needed an extra minute in the bathroom, or when I disappeared to the basement to switch a load of laundry – these were times when the playpen was ideal! There was even a day when I was so sick I could barely stand being out of bed, let alone chasing a 1 yr old. The playpen, set beside my bed with a handful of toys afforded me 10-15 minutes every hour or two to actually SLEEP while I was alone with my young’un during the day.
A Sling – For outings where you can’t use a stroller, or days when baby was particularly needy a sling was so handy. My little ones were in there regularly till they pushed 3 yrs old. We both loved the snuggling and closeness of being face to face.
For parents of children less than 2 yrs apart, a double stroller will save your sanity!!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 10:00 am
I absolutely second the cloth diaper suggestion! They aren’t your granny’s diapers. No pins required.
November 13, 2009 at 10:00 am
Having twins I really needed to make sure the tiny ones were safe at all times. I could not survive without my booster chair. Sounds silly but I had two of those little plastic chairs with attaching feeding tray once they could sit up. The chairs started to be used on the floor and was the favourite chair for the tiny ones to sit in to watch TV or play with a toy. Later as toddlers it still sat on the floor but the tray was attached so they could play with modelling dough or colour. I even used them as they were intended as a booster seat and a portable booster chair for feeding when we went out for dinner. I got far more than $60. worth of value out of those little seats.
November 13, 2009 at 10:10 am
Diana – I couldn’t agree more! Cloth diapers are much much better these days and will save you money over time. Disposable diapers are such an extreme waste – both in cost and towards the planet. You can even buy cloth diapers with disposable (and flushable) liners today. They look like a maxi pad type liner, that lines the cloth diaper. You still have to wash the diaper, but the liner is removed and the major mess goes down the toilet. These ones are a touch pricier, but nothing compared to the oodles of money you’ll throw out with disposables. I also have a friend who uses a basic wash cloth with warm water to clean her baby’s bum. It works just fine, and again, does not go into the landfill. Baby wipes are ok in a pinch, but not something I’d like to use regularly.
Bumper pads are linked to SIDS here as well, as someone had mentioned. Blankets are a no-no these days in cribs as well. You can buy sleep sacks today that are essentially a large blanket that zips around a child with holes for the arms and head. Much safer.
In regards to the carseat-stroller combos, please please do not leave a young newborn in those infant car seats while you walk around shopping or after coming home. It can seem convenient to not have to wake baby and move them, but they have been shown to slow gross motor development in the shoulders and neck, which will affect their muscle development and strength as young chilren. Bumbo chairs do the same thing to the mid body. Babies that are not able to sit up on their own yet should not be propped up to do so. It is unnatural to their developmental stage and it will inhibit them from developing those large core muscle stabilizers on their own. The infant car seats have also been shown to contribute to flat heads in babies.
Just a few pieces of knowledge I have picked up from working with occupational therapists in the schools.
My friend’s child also had a very flat head and the doctor said they were seeing more and more of them due to so many newborns spending too much time lying in these car seats. Those bassinet type strollers that Gail mentioned are apparently the best kind for newborns.
November 13, 2009 at 10:10 am
I have a suggestion for a gift for new parents. When my good friends had a child I brought over a casserole with all the fixings including dessert! I cooked the meal and served it and stayed and cleaned up. All my friends said this was a great gift as it was practical and ended up saving them some work. It was inexpensive and thoughtful. The best part was I got to spend some time with the new baby afterwards!
For my own kids I would have to recommend glass bottles. I was always worried about boiling plastic so I went with glass and they were great.
November 13, 2009 at 10:17 am
Every parent MUST have friends that are willing to come over and watch the baby and allow the parents to go out and relax (even if it is to go for a walk or go to Tim Horton’s for a coffee).
Every parent needs encouragement that they are not the stupidest parent in the world (just one of them, as it was pointed out to me). Help new parents by telling them they are doing just fine (unless they leave their 3 month old alone at home with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a box of matches, then suggest they take some Parenting courses).
New parents are scared and worry, they need your support and love ( they usually get enough material things, what they need is someone to talk to ).
November 13, 2009 at 10:29 am
Gails list was pretty close to what I did.
The two items that she did not list was a “jolly jumper” The one I used connected to my door frame and had a tray and bumpers all around the outside. Both my boys loved it.
I also had a baby carrier that was great when the children were small. I could easily put it on. (like a reverse back pack) and the baby would stay in there sleeping with my heart beat near by for a long time. It gave me my hands free to do what every else needed to be done. Make sure you try it on before you buy as some are very bulky and complicated.
November 13, 2009 at 10:33 am
I agree with Joanne, go to the Multiples association sales, they are fantastic! The only thing absolutely must buy brand new, for safety purposes, is a car seat (never, ever buy used from anyone, unless you know FOR SURE that it hasn’t been in an accident). The rest of our stuff I bought second hand or were hand-me-downs. Now you do have to check with cribs and make sure they are ‘newer’ because of standards, but you don’t necessarily have to buy it new. Onesies are an absolute must. I was incredibly lucky that I have tons of great friends and I get hand-me-down clothes from a lot of them. We rarely have to buy new clothes for the kids.
I fourth or fifth cloth diapers! I used them exclusively for my first 2 boys and it was the best thing I ever did. There are also diaper services out there that cost about the same as disposables. Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment…no smelly diapers going into landfill.
November 13, 2009 at 10:40 am
Hi Everyone,
It’s been 15 1/2 years since mine was born but she was 10 lbs. at birth and within a short time was too big for the baby bath tub. The one thing I thought was invaluable (and only cost about $5.00 bucks back then) was a “Bath Eze” as Gail mentions above. It’s a terry cloth holder for when baby is in the bath and frees both your hands to concentrate on getting all the fluff out baby’s little folds so they end up with great baby smell when it’s all over. Ah the memories. Cherish it new moms. She now spends a 1/2 hour in the shower and our water bill has skyrocketed! All part of the fun of raising kids. Take care.
November 13, 2009 at 11:14 am
We have a 2 year old and I think all the advice in the blog and comments above are right on. One thing that we did mention to our family was if they asked us what size he is (ie for a gift) we asked them to buy clothes for when he’s older. Otherwise it’s very easy to wind up with a closet full of really cute size one onesies that he never got to try on, since he outgrew them. When our friends have newborns, we make it a point to get them clothes for 2 – 3 year old kids to avoid this problem. Also, you don’t need everything you think you do, relax and have fun.
November 13, 2009 at 11:24 am
personally, i could not live without a miracle blanket (swaddles baby up nicely..used it for a good 8 months)., i also used glass bottles and made her baby food
I could not live without the book “secrets of the baby whisperer”
I will never give a stuffed animal as a gift in my life….my daughter got so many…..would have preferred diapers!
November 13, 2009 at 11:44 am
I used my portable playpen repeatedly for both kids. Looking back, I could have managed with no crib – but not without that. They pack up neatly, you can travel with them, they function as both a playpen and a crib. Very handy for traveling or just visiting friends locally, no worries about baby falling off a couch or bed!
November 13, 2009 at 12:02 pm
diaper wipes ?? really?
My bunny was in newborn intensive care for 10 days and the nurses were using paper towels moistened in warm water. If it’s good enough for a 4 lbs baby, it’s good for any regular size baby. Cheaper, more environmentally friendly, less chemicals. I continued to use them until he was 2.5 and toiled trained himself (can’t take any credit for that one). And you won’t believe me, but he hardly ever suffered from bum rushes.
Must have for nursing mothers, I think is the Breast Friend nursing pillow. It’s solid and it saved my back. We pass the two we have between my 3 best friends as each one of us has babies.
Same goes for toys. Babies don’t need many toys. They like tupperware and carton boxes and stuff like that.
For onesies, get the ones that zip/close up in the front. You don’t want to try to close a zipper in the back of a wiggly wiggly baby.
November 13, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I found that we got a lot of gifts/toys/clothes that are wonderful, but lacked the absolute basic. I had a friend who gave me a few pack of wash cloths, we still use then to this day. I also ended up buying a lot of onesies, socks, burb clothes, etc.
I got some large bibs that were wonderful and we still use them to this day. They are like pull on over the head just like a t-shirt, but double the thickness of t-shirt material. No buttons/velcro/ties to do and my daughter can put it on herself now. Plus they’re easily washable.
I second the pp who says that older clothes are helpful. I got so much for when my daughter was first born, most she never wore. But now that she is 2 1/2, I find I’m buying most of her clothes (second hand).
If you live in a cold area, get a “Bundle me” type cover for your car seat.(http://jjcolecollections.com/original-bundleme)
They were life savers, we never had to buy a snowsuit for the first year. Our daughter just had extra sweater on, and we put her in the car seat. If she was sleeping when we got in, we just unzipped the “bundle me”, so she doesn’t get overheated.
Be careful with things such as swing, jumperoo, etc. Some kids love them, some hate them. My daughter would cry everytime I put her in the swing and she hated the jumperoo, but she loved her exersaucer. My advice is if you could try them out first at a playgroup it might save you some money.
We never used the bath seat, as we washed in the kitchen sink until she was almost 18 months (she is really small and I have a big single sink). This helped my back, not having to crouch over the tub.
All in all, Friends/families who would come and give you a few hours to catch up on sleep….PRICELESS.
November 13, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Two thumbs up for cloth diapers. I made my own “form fitting” ones from a pattern I paid $15 for. The pattern paid for itself many times over as I was asked by several friends to make them for them too. I have heard of baby showers being casserole showers. I wish I would have had one of those! Carbon footprint wasn’t an issue 19 years ago as much as it is today. BUY used clothing from wherever you can and ask…always ask if anyone knows anyone that is done with their kid stuff and wants to unload it. You will get bags, boxes and buckets full. The biggest necessity for a child is love. All the other stuff is just stuff…righ Gail?!
November 13, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Two of my friends just had babies. They are both tall ladies (with tall husbands) and their babies keep growing and growing. So like people are saying, but clothes for the later months and not so much the first month.
I personally only buy baby-gift clothes that are at least sized past six months so its something the babies can grow into.
November 13, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Again lot’s of new stuff since my boys were babies- youngest is 4 now but some stuff I tell my friends who have new babies:
Receiving Blankets- you can never have enough (my boys were pukers so i went through them like tissues) – if you have access to a sewing machine buy some flannel at walmart-they have tons of cute designs and make your own- this way you can make them nice and big..sewing skills are not neccessary..:)
Crib Bedding-forget the pricey bedding sets- i spurlged for my first baby and it was the biggest waste of money- invest in some nice crib sheets and put four of them on the mattress at a time.. that way you can just peel off the dirty one and not have to wrestle with the crib mattress at 2 in the morning – and don’t forget you have four corners of a crib you can move a baby that doesn’t roll to before you have to change the sheet..L0L sounds terrible but when you have a baby who has severe reflux you quickly learn you can’t possibly change the sheets/clothes etc everytime they spit up..
never once used the diaper genie.. got it as a gift and we never used it.. poopy diapers were wrapped in safeway bag and put outside right away..
best piece of clothing- Robeez slippers – it took my son almost 2 years to figure out how to get them off.. and then once they are walking outside the “squeaker” shoes.. they are great becuase you can open the nice and wide to get their chubby little feet in.. you might want to take the squeaker out though – my youngest started walking on his tippy toes so as not to hear the squeaker- never figured out why for the longest time and by then it was a habit..
used the baby tub a handful of times when they were newborns.. wouldn’t suggest it- best thing is just put about an inch of water in your tub and bath them that way.. babies are slippery when they are wet so it’s nice to be able to lay them down- y ou can also lay a handtowel down on the tub floor for a bit of traction..
agree with some of the other posters that the other equipment like swings etc is best tried before bought- our swing didn’t get used once since the boys didn’t like it..
a stroller can be a new mom’s best friend.. since it means freedom to go for walks or get your errands done.. only advice I have is make sure the stroller you pick is comfortable to push (if you are a bit taller check to make sure it’s high enough) and that there is a cup holder/storage spot on the handles.. and a nice deep basket underneath for your jackets, diaper bag and extra blanket.. and all the other crap you have to lug around…
November 13, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Like a PP mentioned cloth diapers are the way to go. They fit better during those awkward long and skinny then chubby phases. Also I don’t wear plastic underwear and I would never expect my baby too.
I would highly recommend looking into a diaper delivery service. I get UNLIMITED diapers and covers on my doorstep every Thursday, it costs me $23.87 a week, and I never have to go to the dreaded “baby aisle” and lose all my money on the cute stuff.
Plus my diaper delivery lady is a blessing, every week when her hot pink van pulls up to the house I get about 3 minutes of adult conversation… its priceless!
November 13, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Items that turn out to be indispensable:
1- A baby sling of some sort. Sometimes it’s the only way to get the baby to stop crying. Just please borrow and try them out before you buy one. Most models hurt my back terribly.
2- A serger or a friend with one. A former roommate left us all his towels so I gave them to my seamstress sister and she serged them all into sturdy, washable wipes, breast pads, receiving blankets and change table covers.
3- Buckets from the dollar store. I put one in every room so when junior spit up on something I could wipe and toss. Come laundry time I’d just collect up all the buckets.
Things that worked for us:
1- A car seat/baby seat combo. You can bundle the baby into the chair while in the warm house and bring a sleeping baby into the house without disturbing them. Also, you can put a baby to sleep in the chair by rocking it with your foot.
2- I never found a baby bathtub convenient or easy on my back so I would just hop into the tub and put baby across my legs.
November 13, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Oh and one more thing that they should give new Moms at the Hospital before departure is the book Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. It will save your life!!
November 13, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Newborn: LOTS of receiving blankets… they are great for everything (even emergency cloth diapers) and even though my youngest is 8 we still use them for washing windows, etc.
Newborn: Nursing pillow. I made my own with pockets on the front for a novel, the cordless phone and the TV remote. If I was going to be stuck in a chair so much, I wanted to have a comfortable posture and be prepared! It was so comfy we sometimes just cuddled there for a while after nursing.
Newborn: Tracy Hogg’s book, The Baby Whisperer. WOW! It’s as close to an instruction manual for babies that I have ever found, I wish I had it for both kids, and I think every new mom should read it. It was incredible how much better I was at meeting my new baby’s needs after that, and our relationship flourished.
For 3 months and up: the excersaucer saved my sanity with both the kids, one was a bouncer and one was a spinner, so they both enjoyed it (but not the jollyjumper, go figure).
Don’t be afraid to ask people with older babies if you can “borrow” the hand me downs. As long as you are willing to replace anything that can’t be returned in good condition, it can save a whole lot of dough for the super-fast wardrobe replacements — they grow so quickly! Likely you’ll get the diapers that were outgrown mid-pack too. My youngest (8) is still getting our 10 year old neighbour’s hand me downs, and has no problem with it.
November 13, 2009 at 2:21 pm
The most important “must have” as far as I am concerned is a First Aid certificate – one that teaches dealing with baby and child emergencies.
We learned the importance of this long before pregnancy was even on our radar. We were visiting with our god-daughter when she started to choke. Thankfully my husband had first aid training so we were able to save her but right after this incident we learned that there were more specific things to do for babies and children. This experience aged us by 100 years in 60 seconds and yet we were able to laugh with our goddaughters parents after wards. They said they felt that the Hubster was a hero and he said “Yeah except that my first aid training was wilderness first aid and I probably wouldn’t have peed my pants dealing dealing with a bear bite.”
November 13, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Bumpers and comforters are frowned upon here in Canada as well. So don’t buy them and don’t use them in your baby cribs.
Any SIDS organization in Canada will tell you the same and Health Canada even has a statement on their website stating that Bumper Pads and Comforters should no longer be used in cribs due to the increased risk of SIDS as well as them being a suffocation and strangulation hazard.
In my job I work with pregnant moms and new parents and I am always surprised by the huge percentage of new parents who aren’t aware of the dangers with these products. It doesn’t help that they are still sold in stores everywhere. It’s beyond me as to why these products are still sold especially since Health Canada is so against them. They should be banned and pulled out of stores.
Most SIDS organizations recommend either dressing your baby warm enough so you don’t need heavy blankets or using a baby sleep sack for your baby to sleep in.
November 13, 2009 at 2:30 pm
16 years and I don’t remember the stuff. lol
I do remember someone once told me that all you need for the first 6 months is a dresser drawer and some blankets. A baby doesn’t know the difference. Everything else is comfort and convenience. Obviously not realistic in this day and age, you have to leave the house sometime. The one thing Gail may have missed is one of those snuggly baby packers. I know lots of parents who swear they could not have done with out it.
November 13, 2009 at 2:33 pm
The person who mentioned Happiest Baby on the Block….. It is awesome and should the required watching/reading (available both in DVD and book format) for any new parents.
Oh and yes….
The person who mentioned about the flat head issue….. it is a very real concern and is something that comes up in my line of work all the time! Put your baby to sleep on their backs but make sure you give them equal amounts of time on their sides and bellies when they are awake.
A car seat is not a crib and should only be used in the car. take your baby out of the car seat when you are not driving and put your baby in the stroller or a carrier/sling when you are walking around instead.
November 13, 2009 at 2:34 pm
The one thing we found absolutely unnecessary was a highchair. They take up a TON of space in our 1100-sq ft bungalow too! I highly recommend getting one of those little booster seats that can be attached to a regular dining chair; the one we had came with a small tray you could attach to make it like a mini-highchair, or you detach the tray and push baby right up to the table. It has a belt to keep them in place too. Way cheaper (less than $30), portable (travel, restaurants, dinner at friends’), takes up much less space, is easier to clean and converts to a booster seat for a toddler if you take the tray off.
We found swings, bouncy chairs, jolly jumpers and such very helpful, but only for a short while–borrow from a friend if you can. We also did not get much use out of our stroller. When they were small, we used a baby carrier (or just kept them in their bucket car seat); once they could walk, they walked (even when it was SLOW toddling). So we really only used the stroller for the short window when they were too heavy for the carrier (I have lower back problems), but not yet walking–or the odd time when we had to get a whole bunch of stuff done quickly or we needed for whatever reason to keep them safe in a stroller (we also had a wagon that we used for walks to the neighbourhood library, etc.) But don’t get me started when I see what look like 4-, 5- or 6-year olds still being pushed around in strollers rather than walking. And they continue to wonder why our children are so sedentary? JMHO and YMMV.
Second hand kid places (consignment stores) are a wallet-saver, and you can often find stuff in like-new condition, even sometimes with the tags still on!
November 13, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I forgot to mention not too get too committed to things ahead of time–don’t spend a ton of money before baby gets here. Or you may find you have a baby, like we did, with severe infantile eczema, plus allergies and asthma (or whatever condition and quirks yours has) where non-cotton clothing caused him to itch and break out; cloth diapers made his skin worse, as did mainstream brands (the only ones that worked for him were the cheap Safeway brand disposables); after you’ve rushed him to the hospital for severe face-swelling and possible anaphylaxis you’ll be glad you sprang for the baby monitor that trips an alarm if he stops breathing….etc. Or, baby could be like our first and be two weeks late (newborn-sized clothes and diapers didn’t fit for more than 10 days), grew really quickly (almost 20 lbs by 4 months), hated to be swaddled or cuddled (HATED the sling, but was ok in a front facing carrier with arms and legs free), rolled over in the bassinette at 3 weeks (I am NOT kidding!–bye bye sleeping arrangement), etc. You just don’t know ahead of time what you’re gonna get is all I am saying–to say nothing of the ultrasounds that occasionally get the gender of your child wrong. Surprise!
November 13, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Also, I found that when I had both kids, there were times when people would just drop off bags of baby cloths, toys and even some of the furniture on my doorstep. Seriously, I don’t think I bought clothes for my kids for the first couple of years. You don’t have to shop for them, just ask around – people have this stuff sitting in their basement, cluttering up the space. Then, when you are done with them, hand them down to someone else. These days, in our consumer-driven society, we tend to want to sell our used things in consignment stores and forget about the value of the hand-me-down system.
November 13, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old, so this is pretty recent for me. Here are my must-haves:
- A good baby carrier is fabulous, because it comforts the baby and gives you free hands.
- A comfortable nursing corner. This doesn’t require you to buy anything, necessarily, but you’re going to spend a LOT of time there so some magazines, a nursing pillow, a comfy chair and drinks are all fabulous to have on-hand.
- A full freezer. You talked about batch cooking, which is a great project when you’re pregnant. Casseroles make fabulous new baby gifts.
- My bassinette, which I loved with a newborn.
- I’m using cloth diapers right now, and the initial investment does save money in the long run.
- The carseat, of course, is a requirement.
Not so useful:
- The crib. Really, my kids hated it too.
- The baby swing.
- Pee pee tee pees, which are sold for baby boys, are way too small. A washcloth works better and is cheaper.
- My breast pump. I didn’t like pumping, and with my year-long maternity leave I didn’t have to.
- Baby booties. They’re cute, but my wee ones were usually in footie sleepers.
That’s all I can think of for now. Good luck to Tasha, and good luck with the blog move!
November 13, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I’m a six month Nana. Our first grandchild was born April 21st.
What they found invaluable so far is:
The dollar store burp cloths – I bought 2 dozen – they get used a lot especially now he’s drooling – great quality
The DVD ‘Happiest Baby on the Block’ – the shushing works every single
time – Isaac just relaxes and falls asleep – it still works!
I thought onsies were the long undershirts with crotch snaps so their tummies don’t hang out like my kids did in the olden days? They like those too
Ga-ga grandparents who have bought all but one package of diapers to give them a break – it’s in my grocery budget
Exersaucer
musical crib mobile
A fridgeable ’soother’ teether – looks like a raspberry – to chomp on – he must be getting a tooth soon
a magic bullet – to puree veggies and fruit
Also budgeted is $$ every month to his RESP
I’m sure I’ll think of more….
November 13, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Forgot!
Watch out for Mom to Mom sales – they are awesome!
November 13, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Forgot!
I filled their freezer with meals…remember batch cooking????
November 13, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Oh, my Gosh…how I loved my exersaucer. Seriously, I’ve had seven babies, and if there is ONE just ONE piece of stuff to get, it’s this. With one of my babies, it was the only way I could ever, ever get a shower, and I could easily move it from room to room, so I could make dinner, do laundry, whatever.
November 13, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I’m sure all the lists of ‘needs’ that people have written are accurate but as a mom of 2 under 27 months, I have only 1 piece of advice … don’t try to get everything all at once, before the baby comes. Just because it is on sale and you are told – you NEED this, who knows? Maybe it won’t work for you. every parent, kid and family are different. Diapers, wipes, a CSA approved car seat, somewhere safe to change and for the baby to sleep is really all you need. You will figure out the rest.
November 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Just want to say “lovin’ the onesies”! My kids are now 16 & 19 and have grown up to be well developed individuals with a great fashion sense….so dressing them in onesies for the first year of their lives didn’t have an impact on their clothing styles today. We didn’t have much money to spend on the babies wardrobe, so I’d pick up these terrycloth outfits in a 3 pack. One yellow, one blue & one green — all for $18 at Sears. They kept growing so darn fast, that when they got to the end of the toes, we simply cut the feet out and gained a few more weeks of clothing. I never had to battle the legs riding up, the lost socks and the silly sweaters chocking them as they were so comfy in the “onesies”! Of course we sprung for the odd outfit for social occasions…but seriously…onesies…..best baby idea ever!
November 13, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I have just one more piece of advice that has nothing to do with money. It was something that Dr. Dave from The Mom Show said and it is the smartest thing I have ever heard about kids. he said – think about all the people make it to the Olmpics. Some were breastfeed, some bottle, some slept with their parents, some in cribs. They all thrived and did well. Don’t hang on to every new report out about what to feed your kid or not, disposables or cloth diapers, infant seat or babysling. Most everthing you read online or in the news is going to be apposing something and if you try and change with the wind, you will go crazey. Kids are resilient and they will be okay when you make a mistake. Because you will make lots of them, some you will never be aware of. And thats okay. Just love your kids.
November 13, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Wow, I hope I remember all this useful advice by the time my time to have a baby comes!
November 13, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Megan–write it down or bookmark this one. You’d be surprised how many of your brain cells seem to migrate to the fetus when you’re pregnant. And it doesn’t get any better during the first few weeks of sleep-deprived bliss.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my kids and they are one of the best things to ever happen to me, but pregnancy and young babies had some interesting effects!
November 13, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I breast fed both my babies for as long as i could. Had to quit early with Abram because we were expecting lucas. But with that said, i got a good breast pump so i could store some milk for when I was away and needed a sitter to watch the boys. Or if my husband and I wanted to take a couple days and head to the mountains for our anniversary. We live in Alberta. And had family visiting from ontario.
A good highchair, you won’t need it right away but the one we have is great you can fold it and get it out of the way easily.
Jolly jumper, both my boys loved them
for my second baby i rarely used the baby bath, either just bathed him in the big tub or he had a bath with me.
Every baby will be different, both lucas and Abram loved their swing, and lucas used the bumbo chair more than Abram. Abram slept in his crip until he was about 18 months old so it worked for us.
Lucas starts out in his play pen to sleep then gets transferred to the crib when abram is asleep then eventually ends up in bed with me. Hes startign to sleep longer so thats a bonus. If it wasn’t for the boys sharing a room Lucas would not be coming to our bed so often. We bring him in with us so he doesn’t wake up his brother.
FROZEN FRUIT AND VEGGIES
both my boys loved them and still do. A handful of blueberries or peas can really sooth a teething baby’s gums.
November 13, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Now, I’m not a parent, but could I mention an observation:
Given the variety of responses I see in these comments maybe the best thing to do is wait and buy things as you need them? Sounds to me like what one kid/parent couldn’t live without was useless to another. Maybe if you plan to buy as you go you can figure things out for your family’s unique circumstances.
Also, can I mention what silly names baby products seem to have? I googled cloth diapers and came up with a company called Bummies. Bummies!?!? No wonder new parents tend to feel isolated from the world of adults.
November 13, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I bought baby wash cloths for next to nothing (10 for a dollar) at second hand stores. I bought the Costco brand baby wipes, they are made from 100% cotton. Try to get as much second hand as possible, baby stuff is so over priced.
November 13, 2009 at 7:53 pm
As a mom of 3 under 5 I would agree with many of the posters. You are told you ‘need’ so many things as a first time mom, but in the end you really don’t ‘need’ many of them. Try to think about what your grandmother or great grandmother had around and that’s probably the minimum material goods that you really need. (plus a car seat if you drive or take taxis). Babies and older children need our love and attention more than the swing etc. and don’t care if they play with a cardboard box, and your kitchen wooden spoons, metal mixing bowls. Its important to find other moms and friends that you can play with to entertain both you and the kids. Good luck to all the new or trying parents – its an exciting adventure.
P.S I also wanted to add that you **do not have to stop** nursing a baby/toddler if you are pregnant -you could even tandem feed a toddler and a newborn if you chose. If nursing makes you uncomfortable that’s different, but there is no need to stop due to pregnancy in general.
November 13, 2009 at 9:01 pm
My son is 18 moths old. Things we could not have lived without
1) Exersaucer
2) High Chair that sits on the dineing chair. We are still using it.
3) Recieving Blankets.
4) Books. As soon as he could focus on the Colors, he would get excited about story time.
5) Hand-me-down clothes. The Clothes the little guy went though this summer alone was unbelievable. Good thing he has an older cousin!
6) Costco Wipes. (I take them to the resturants when we eat out. Easy clean up)
7) Vibrating Chair at Zeller’s. It’s Blue and Orange and can be turned into a rocking chair when they are older. It’s around $50, but my son sit’s in it all the time.
November 13, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I was glad to see item #6, the baby wipes. This brings up something for the gift givers. If you don’t have a lot of money, you might be able to split the price of a pricey gift. But if you don’t have any one to go in with and are sort of broke, don’t worry about it. You can feel good about jars of organic baby food, (watch that best before date, since it could be some months before the baby will be eating it) or like “A mom” said, even a container of Costco Wipes, if that’s all you can do. I repeat: don’t feel bad about it, mom n’ dad will be warmed by your caring, and anything practical will be welcomed more than a nik-knack or the 100th sleeping gown.
November 13, 2009 at 9:30 pm
although there are few things you actually ‘need’ here are some things that made our lives a lot easier over the past 17 months:
Bundle Me-greatest thing ever-a nice snuggly zip up for around the car seat, wonderful for the winter
Jolly Jumper
Icecube trays for making my own baby food
baby bathtub
crib/bassinet
Breast pump
November 13, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I think you are referring to Dentol! It’s brownish orange. I would agree, even though i don’t have a baby the vibrating chair was one of the best useful gift to give and for parents to get, it frees up the hands. baby gates if you have stairs, plug covers. bibs, washclothes. oinment in a tube is the cleanest. a playpen that is portable for travel is great for travelling parents. I too hated my crib and would climb out, my youngest nephew is close to doing the same. lol
November 13, 2009 at 10:58 pm
We live in an apartment so we have very limited space for a lot of baby things. This is what we learned with our first baby that was useful right away:
A crib — it is convertible into a toddler bed. We never used bumpers but when our baby was about 6-8 months old, we did buy a mesh netting that went around the sides to keep her legs and arms from hanging out between the rails as she rolled around in bed.
A good car seat — make sure it’s installed correctly.
Diapers and wipes — a must whether it is reusable or disposable.
These are other items we found very handy:
A good diaper bag — you can totally get these in daddy-friendly styles too so he doesn’t feel uncool carrying around baby items.
A sturdy stroller — we do a lot of walking and our car seat/stroller/travel system has been very useful! Not only did we use it for baby but for carrying laundry and groceries too!
A booster seat that secures to a regular dining chair — we don’t have room for a high chair and we tote this booster seat to family gatherings. It’s very useful and practical for us.
I am totally grateful to family and friends who have provided us with loaners and hand-me-downs. It’s saved us so much money on clothes, blankets, toys, and gadgets! Also I am grateful for friends and family who have pitched in with babysitting and offers of food.
Not having a lot of space for baby things really helped us to see that we didn’t need a lot of baby things. For instance, we never bought a change table. We just used a change pad and changed her diapers on the floor or on the bed. So for all new and expecting parents out there, try not to get swayed by all the fancy marketing out there for all the latest and greatest baby things. Save your money so that you can do things together as a family and put away a little something for baby’s RESP.
Best of luck to all new and expecting parents out there!
November 14, 2009 at 12:13 am
For my first I had a high chair that had 6 different heights, 3 reclines, vinyl padded seat and cloth cover on top of the vinyl. Turns out it took up a ton of space and was impossible to keep clean.
Best baby thing ever, that you need – Ikea’s Antilop highchair. I am quite sure it is also the least expensive highchair in existance. It is great – really easy to clean, takes up minimal space, has rubber feet safe for hardwoods. Sure, it means you have to have another way to feed younger babies (that can’t sit) – such as a baby-to-toddler rocker, but after that its great!
November 14, 2009 at 12:49 am
My kids are older now but I note how many people don’t like a change table. I wouldn’t have survived without one. For the first two it was an actual change table with storage underneath – everything at my fingertips. Yes you had to be aware that the child didn’t fall but I didn’t find it a big deal. I used that table right through toddler stage and it saved my back big time. When our daughter came along we had given away all the baby stuff (there’s 11 years between my youngest two) and instead of buying another change table, I bought a special change pad that went on top of a dresser and that did just as well. i found it very difficult to bend over and change on a bed and my knees couldn’t handle the floor. I couldn’t get myself back up never mind a small baby!
November 14, 2009 at 2:00 am
Crib bumpers are a hazard. Don’t buy a fancy bedding kit, just a few inexpensive sheets will do.
Buy the minimum amount of stuff you think you can get away with, stores are open 7 days a week. You can always pick something up later, and if you are too busy, you can always get someone else to do it for you.
Newborn diapers only benefit is that they have a cutout for the umbilical cord, you can fold the size one tops over to give that cord room and save yourself some money as size ones are cheaper.
As for onesies, get the ones that button! The pullover ones are awful.
November 16, 2009 at 5:52 am
I love the new layout, it made me smile this morning! Congratulations!
November 16, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I strongly agree with the messages about waiting to see what you will need. I would say that all you need right at the beginning are diapers … wipes can be washcloths, moistened paper towels as mentioned, etc. Get one newborn pack of diapers (good up to 8lbs) but keep the receipt and don’t open the package in case you end up with a 10-lb baby!! But if you’ve opened them, donate them to your local food bank – yes they can take them. And also buy a slightly larger size of diapers.
Beyond that, if you must buy things, buy ONE of whatever has caught your fancy. It may turn out, for example, that you hate burp cloths (like me) and use receiving blankets for absolutely everything so end up buying a dozen (like me). Also, the child may voice preferences along the way as well … see the many posts above stating “my child hated XYZ”. Buying one will give you a chance to try it and if it works, you will have money saved to buy more (!) or you can let a doting friend/grandparent know that you need more.
November 16, 2009 at 5:56 pm
One more thing that I forgot to mention, a lot of women have showers [duh] to help them get what they need. A good friend of ours made her husband have a “Pamper Party”. The process was really simple, no girls allowed and every guy had to show up with a box of diapers. They had to make several trips with a pickup truck just to get them all home, and she still has mounds of diapers.
They also played all kinds of games, one of which resulted in much photo evidence of grown men wearing Depends…
November 17, 2009 at 8:59 am
I would agree that cloth diapers are the way to go! They can cost a lot more initially but you will save in the long run! There are so many great styles and they help the environment too!
Second hand children’s stores are great too! You can sell your gently used, outgrown baby clothes and equipment and get cash to buy the next size up!
November 17, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I found that much of the gadgetry associated with babies was more about marketing and less about “need”.
-Definitely hit second-hand stores for clothes. They’ll never remember what they puked on that first year!
-receiving blankets work marvellously for almost anything: burp cloths, play mats, napkins, and even as blankets
-a bizillion of those little washcloths
-soft lamp or nightlight in baby’s room–there will be a lot of middle of the night, only barely awake feedings! The less awake baby gets, the faster she goes back to sleep
-teething tip: wet a facecloth and freeze it. Let baby suck on it.
-those A-frame dangly activity bars are awesome! and not that expensive
FRIENDS, FRIENDS, FRIENDS!!!! DO take them up on any offers of help!!!! Trust me, any baby will live for half an hour in the arms of another—they won’t starve or cry to death, even if they are hungry or fussy. YOUR opportunity to get that half hour to yourself will do everyone in your household a world of good.
There are as many opinions as there are parents. But the best thing to remember is that YOU are that baby’s parent, and YOU know how to make that baby happy. Trust yourself. Watch your baby–you’ll learn very quickly, and for most folks it comes naturally. ENJOY the smell, the cuddles, the coos and every moment you can.
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November 17, 2009 at 10:48 pm
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November 19, 2009 at 3:49 pm
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November 27, 2009 at 11:27 am
My 19-month-old girl have their diapers off most of the time — they even get into their soiled diapers and have it around the living room. Everybody keeps telling me to potty train them, trouble is my precious isn’t speaking. How can I instruct when my baby can’t even say to me when its bathroom time? any suggestioms orhelp?
November 30, 2009 at 5:54 am
[...] I am expecting my first in May and the amount of baby junk is astounding! I’ve heard others mention cribs are a waste, so I’m hoping to get a convertible one so that it will eventually have some use. I’m really hoping that Boxing Day/Week at …… You can feel good about jars of organic baby food , (watch that best before date, since it could be some months before the baby will be eating it) or like â??A momâ? said, even a container of Costco Wipes, if that’s all you can do. …Continue [...]
May 21, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Great article and great comments too! I’m a mom of 2 and wanted to add some tips I followed to save money:
* Cloth diapers! This has already been mentioned. You can always use cloth part-time, buy used diapers, buy in bulk to save extra money and re-sell your diapers when you are done to recover a little bit of your investment. You can also save by needing less wipes, diaper rash creams, etc.
* For must-have items, buy good quality ones with re-sale value, or simply buy them use. We spent $450 on a stroller, then re-sold it for $400 in good condition 2 years later. We plan to re-sell our double when we’re done with it.
* Trade clothes – when we had our son, I swapped my older daughters baby clothes with a friend that had a boy first. He’s almost two and I have saved a ton on clothes for him
August 1, 2010 at 3:14 pm
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