When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first things I did was start to look at baby products. I started off on line, and then moved on to stores and magazines. Each salesperson or article suggested a new, and usually more expensive, product that we just “had to have.” As a first time Mom on a budget, this was a little frustrating. I ended up buying many things, and I was very lucky to receive many gifts from loved ones. In this article, I will tell you what I wish I knew before my baby was born: What do you really need?
1. Car seat: This is the first order of business, as you wont be able to take your baby home without one. I had an infant seat, which doubled as a carrier for the first several months. Another option is to get a convertible car seat. Many of these have lower weight limits of 5 pounds, the same as infant seats. The downside to these is the lack of portability. On the other hand, you wont need to buy another seat when your baby outgrows the infant seat. Both are viable options.
2. Diapers!: You may wonder why I included this so far up in the list. Well, you need them! I had received several packages of newborn sized diapers as gifts in many different brands. This was perfect, as I could try the various brands and decide which I liked best (Pampers Swaddlers). Newborn sized diapers are for babies up to 10 pounds. These were great for my 6lb 13oz baby, but many people would be better off buying maybe one package of newborn, and then some size 1 diapers, depending on the size of the baby (often estimated through ultrasound before birth).
3. Clothes: Another obvious one. My baby went through a few outfits a day. She lived in sleepers and “sleep ‘n plays” for the majority of the first few months. A summer baby may be better suited in lighter attire. Gowns, which everyone recommended, were not that great. They just bunched up, twisted, and didn’t keep her as warm. I was not impressed by baby gowns.
4.Feeding Supplies: I nursed my baby, so I did not need to worry about bottles. However, if you are formula feeding, have a few bottles, plenty of formula, and cleaning/sterilizing supplies on hand. For women who are breastfeeding, buy Pliny of nursing pads. For those of you that don’t know, your milk will leak out throughout the day, and these pads (which work like round maxi pads, really) absorb this moisture. They also help keep your nipples protected from a sometimes rough bra (they get very sensitive). Nursing bras are another must. You may want to buy one before the birth, and then get more after, as your size may go up a bit.
5. Bassinet/crib: For the first few months, a crib is really not needed, if you have a bassinet. We practiced co-sleeping at night, which is having the baby sleep in our bed. This was not the plan, but with nursing, it made things so much easier. Plus, it was the only way to get her to sleep! I never rolled over on her, as I worried about before her birth. Once you are a mother, you have instincts that you never knew about.
A bassinet was great for nap times, though. Once my baby was about 4 months old, she moved to her crib. She has been in there ever since (she is 14 months old now). I bought a crib that changes into a toddler bed, which is handy and cost-effective. You will also need bedding for the sleeping area. Follow the SIDS prevention guidelines. I have included a link for further information.
So that’s it. Those are the essentials that you need when you bring your baby home. The rest can wait, for the most part. Every family is different, but these are the products that we couldn’t live without. This will be the most exhausting, hectic, special, joyous time of your life. Cherish it. Before you know it they are no longer babies. Don’t get caught up in the details and if you are “doing it right.” You’ll know what to do. And if you don’t, ask your mother, sisters, friends with children, or any other fellow mothers.
