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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
What to buy?
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Anonymous
| Dh and I are expecting our first. I am nearing the end of my first trimester and am starting to feel comfortable about researching baby furniture, strollers, car seats, etc, but I have NO IDEA what I am supposed to look for and what products are rated well. Can you recommend books that have been helpful. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Baby Bargains |
Anonymous
| I agree with Baby Bargains. I also used the Web for a lot of recommendations. Baby Bargains has a website. Amazon.com has a lot of reviews of baby related stuff. |
Anonymous
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Baby Bargains is good. But I also would recommend not buying for awhile. Really, all baby needs is a carseat to come home in, someplace to sleep (which will likely be a bassinet or moses basket or pack-n-play, but will NOT likely be his/her crib), diapers, a few blankets and some clothes. The reason I say wait is that you'll probably find that what you want, or think you want, will change as your pregnancy progresses and even after the baby is born. You'll start talking to people and getting advice and change your mind. I know a good number of people who went out and bought all kinds of stuff that they never or hardly used. So I would say start researching and looking at things and making lists, but put off buying for some time. It is so easy to get baby stuff online once you know what you want (and usually cheaper than the baby stores). Also, if you are thinking of registering, make sure you look at return policies.
Congratulations! |
kshorelevin
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Hi there! I am a mom of 3 kids in 3 1/2 years and a DCUM. I am starting a baby planning/concierge business called Nursery Know-It-All to assist new parents-to-be with all things baby! My goal is to prevent people from buying unnecessary items and purchase/register for things that are quality items and fit into your budget. The Baby Bargains book is a great place to start but if you are still feeling overwhelmed and would like a little bit of help, please let me know. My website will be "live" at the end of this month. My email is kim@nurseryknowitall.com.
Good luck with your pregnancy! Kim |
Anonymous
I would disagree (respectfully  ) with the poster who said you don't need to much. I went this route with my first child and for me it was a big mistake. He was a very high maintence baby so it was really really difficult to get out of the house to get anything new. We also needed to try out a number of options for helping to calm him (a sling, baby carrier, swing, etc) before we found the combination that worked. Also, even as the months went on it was difficult to get out and shop for items like a crib once he was ready. Plus a huge pain to put crib together (and any other items that needed assembly) with DS around. For my next (expecting #2), I am loading up everything in advance and setting up what I will expect to use- I'll keep the rest packaged and only pull out if needed or return if not. But, this is just my own experience based on part on my husband's relunctance for assembly and baby shopping - now if you can send your husband out to pick things up and he is handy and willing to put things together on his own, then maybe this isn't necessary for you. My suggestions of items to have on hand is:
- a changing station on each level of the house that you will be spending time (this doesn't need to be a full separate changing table, but could be a topper on a dresser and the changing part of a pack and play (some come with a changing table you can put away). -Diapers - and lots of them - Wipes - and lots and lots of them (unlike diapers, baby does not grow out of these until potty trained) - "accessories" like" infant tylenol, diaper creme, baby soap, baby lotion (although it's recommended not to use lotion immediately, good to have on hand for later months), nasal suctioner, saline drops, hairbrush, nailclipper, washclothes, bibs for drool - Place for baby to sleep immediately when home from hospital (may be a bassinet or directly into crib) - If you bought a bassinet, I would also buy the crib and set this up in advance - you will definitely need it - at least 15 1 piece sleepers - baby bathtub - soft towels (does not need to be baby towels) - blankets - large flannel receiving blankets for swaddling or "miracle" swaddling blankets - ring sling (easiest to use although there are lots of options) - baby carrier - we used the bjorn but others like the ergo - car seat (and be sure to install this in advance) - stroller (snap and go is my recommendation - can be used for 4-5 months, I would also buy one to use after that in advance too) - boppy pillow - comfortable chair for nursing if you plan to breastfeed positioned in front of a TV - lots of extra pillows and blankets - we found these useful for a number of reasons including guests. Good luck with whatever you decide |
Anonymous
| I have to agree about not buying much right now. I bought two cribs for my DD. first one seemed too flimsy, second one fine, all before she was born, Had a fit b/c pottery barn was out of the crib bumper I really wanted. Bought a beautiful bassinet. No one ever slept in the crib, but we did use it as a changing table for a while, the cat used the bassinet, loved it. I would buy a baby bjorn or ergo carrier, a really good stroller, get the best you can. I started cheap and progessivley went up the chain until I got the one I should of bought in the first place. Get a good car seat, I think the Graco snugride is still rated #1 for infants. I would get a changing table or pad for top of dresser. As far as cloths, we had so many cute little outfits, all she wore was the litte footed pj's or hanna anderson zippers. they are the easiest to put on. Don't put anything with buttons especially if the buttons are on the back! It is a pain in the !@# to dress a little baby in those things. I would only buy one pack of the #1 diapers, babies put on weight really really quick. I would also recommend a cd of classical music for babies. I have played a cd for both my children every night of their lives. Now all I have to do is put the music in and they will crawl up on the couch and take a nap. I put it on at night and they go right to sleep. It is just a routine that is nice and lets them know it is night night time. I would rock them to the cd every night, now they are older, its read, pray and cd. good luck and God bless you and your baby |
Anonymous
| I would say absolutely buy everything you will need (except swing, etc...borrow one of those to see if your baby even likes it, neither of mine would tolerate it) in advance. Anything I left to do after the baby was born never got done! |
Anonymous
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I've had 3 kids and my only advice is buy new what you really really want (I had to have a new crib and nice rocker) but try to avoid spending gobs of money on this stuff. Go to craigslist or the spring yard sales in nice neighborhoods or borrow. I wouldnt buy any clothes until last minute. You will get a tons of stuff. As matter of fact, i tried to take alot of it back as the baby outgrew it! Tell your parents/family what you need as they usually love to help.
Then take that money and save it. College, child care, or one less job is incredibly expensive. get an early start!!! |
Anonymous
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Don't buy too much right now. I assume you'll have a baby shower so you'll probably get a ton of stuff then. If not, I'm sure your friends, family, and well wishers will give you presents especially if this is your first.
I suggest you write down what you need (car seat, a place to sleep, clothes, changing table) and a list of things that can sorta wait...bath tub, nursery decor, rocker, high chair, bouncer, etc. That way you can visually see your expenses/wish list and also think about what you are willing to live without (for example, some people opt not to buy a bassinet and just use crib from day 1). You have time so do some comparison shopping. I noticed the baby industry is sly enough to convince moms (especially naaive first timers) to buy buy buy buy. Wipe warmers, diaper genies, bumbo seats, etc. If you feel the urge to have things ready, just wait until the third trimester when the "nesting" sets in! |
Anonymous
| One great thing I did when pregnant with #1 was did my registering on-line with a friend who was already a Mom. I already had a list of what I needed (from Baby Bargains), but she was great in saying "this mobile is the greatest; every single one of my friends has it" or "you can skip getting a wipe warmer." I'm so glad I registered, because our baby surprised us by arriving 6 weeks early and lots of friends & family rushed to log on & buy us items we had registered for and we received so many things before our son was even released from the hospital. But it was also amazing to realize how much you can do without. The only "must haves" in those early days were diapers, wipes, a place to sleep (we used the "sidecar" style bassinet that goes right next to your bed), lots of onesies and footsie pjs, and tons of swaddling blankets. If you have a 2-story house, it's also really nice to have a Pack N' Play set up on the first floor so the baby can nap & you can change his or her diaper without schlepping upstairs. Everything else was gravy. It's funny that so many people said they didn't have time to buy things afterwards. Yes, it is a little difficult at first to juggle the baby's eating & feeding schedule and errands, but I swear that I never spent more time shopping than when I was on maternity leave! |
Anonymous
| PP here. Forgot the only thing you *really* need, which is a car seat. First, they won't let you leave the hospital without seeing that your little one is safely buckled in. Second, our son spent half of his early days at home hanging out or napping in his car seat. Sometimes he slept there all night. |
Anonymous
| You may want to check out Consumer Reports to find out which products (car seats, strollers, etc.) "hold up" the best. |
Anonymous
| I would recommend buying most of the real baby things before the baby is born. If you have a difficult baby, or a baby with any type of complications it is not going to be as easy to get out and buy stuff after the baby is born. Lots of people think that they will have plenty of time and energy to do things during their maternity leave but this is not always the case. |
Anonymous
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I am 8 weeks away from my due date and I have not bought anything yet! I have already done all my research and know pretty much exactly what I want. I created 2 registries on amazon and babies r us. I have a baby shower next week so friends can use my list as a reference for gifts and then I will order the rest online after the baby shower. I will also use any cash or gift vouchers that I receive (if any) online if possible.
Just make sure you go to stores and try out the big items like strollers, car seats slings etc. so you know whether you like the feel of the items. In regards to what to buy, you can google baby necessities or something like that and there are tons of lists out there with good ideas. Also maybe check out consumer reports for their recommendations Congratulations and have fun shopping! |