Shopping for new baby... what's necessary?

[Anonymous]

I feel exactly like you - I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff before baby arrives (or when it does, for that matter), so have asked this question a LOT. Many moms have told me - if you live in a small place, no need for a baby monitor (you'll hear them). No need for a diaper genie either, unless it's a pain to get to the trash ouside your place. And swings/bouncies.etc appeal differently to different babies, so it's easier to let your baby try them out at friends houses or the store before buying.

[Anonymous]

I recommend getting a bouncy seat - find a used one. We used the bouncy seat a lot for naps when baby was fussy and would not sleep any other way.

[Anonymous]

I recommend that instead of a diaper genie, as one PP recommended, you get a diaper pail that takes regular old kitchen-sized trash bags (like the diaper champ) -- they are less expensive than the special diaper genie bags and you are less likely to find yourself out of trash bags when it comes time to change the bag in the middle of the night following a huge blow out.

[Anonymous]

I also had an October baby last year, and agree, skip the jacket/mittens and get a bundle me. They're awesome.

Also agree with - get a pack and play with with a bassinet feature for your room (you'll outgrow the bassinet and co-sleeper so quickly) and the bouncy seat is a live saver you'll use for a long time.

Don't go over board with the other stuff -- you have no idea what your baby will like or how you'll live in your house once you have a baby. Someone else mentioned it, skip the monitor until you know you need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel exactly like you - I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff before baby arrives (or when it does, for that matter), so have asked this question a LOT. Many moms have told me - if you live in a small place, no need for a baby monitor (you'll hear them). No need for a diaper genie either, unless it's a pain to get to the trash ouside your place. And swings/bouncies.etc appeal differently to different babies, so it's easier to let your baby try them out at friends houses or the store before buying.

So, buy nothing?
I think the question was, "what's necessary" and not what's unnecessary.