There are huge stores that are devoted simply to the joy of a having a new baby. Entering those stores can be overwhelming. What is truly needed and what are necessities? Here are five of the most important items for every baby. With these items your new baby’s needs can be met.
Number One: Car seat. Today the infant car seat is the most useful and needed item. You can not leave the hospital in most states without an adequate car seat for your newborn baby. Graco has a whole line of infant car seats ranging in prices from 79.99 – 139.99. The Combi Shuttle Infant Car Seat in Cherry is 149.00. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP car seat is 249.99. The top of the line car seats have more padding, better materials and color schemes and are higher quality. However, the most basic car seat still has soft padding and a decent color scheme. If you are price conscious you may also be able to get last years top model on clearance for a decent price. Check the clearance isles for good deals.
Number Two: A pack and play is a number two on my list for must haves. A pack and play can do it all. From bassinet and changing table to play pen for the older baby. Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard- Nouvelle is 99.99. Simplicity Travel Tender-Hannah is 129.99. The pack and play is useful for trips to grandmom’s house and can even be used at home in the living room so that everything the new mommy needs is right there at her finger tips.
Number Three: The most popular diaper bag has now become the back pack diaper bag. Diaper bags can be traditional style bags to backpacks. Prices can range from 15.00 to over 100.00. Babys-R-Us has a black Backpack Diaper Bag for 69.99. Paying more may be worth it. The less expensive bags seem to wear out before the first year is over and need to be replaced while the more expensive bags see babies beyond their first year and can be used for toddler years as well.
Number Four: Baby swing. There are now portable swings that are much smaller and easier to transport as well as the traditional height swings. The portable swings sit low to the floor and may not be as useful if you already have small children running around as they are easy to trip over or crash into. The Bobby Rock in Comfort Travel Swing is 69.99. Graco Swing n Bounce Swing- Birkshire is 129.99. There are many types and models and the prices range from 69.99-159.99. Of course, you can also look for a late model in the clearance section for a great price.
Number Five: Every parent needs a stroller for their new baby. A great option for baby may be the stroller frame that the infant car seat snaps right in to. Graco Snugrider Infant Carseat Frame is 59.99. Another great option is the Graco Passage Travel system- meridian the cost is 179.98. This travel system is a stroller and a separate matching infant car seat in one set. The car seat can snap onto the stroller or the stroller can be used separately as well. There are a huge variety of strollers but I’ve found from personal experience that the more compact a stroller is the more you will use it rather than leave it in the garage to collect dust. The best strollers are the small strollers that still have the reclining feature so that when your child falls asleep the seat will lay back. A must have feature is a cup holder and a net under the stroller to hold all the extra shopping bags.
The five items on this list will last through many babies. If you put a tag on your pack and play to track where it went after you passed it on you would probably find it it ten years from now being used by someone you never met. Choose wisely and consider the extra frills and features. If you are having a baby girl decide now if you plan to use your item for your next baby if so you may want to choose a neutral color. Choosing baby items is a lot of fun. Selecting these five items and then adding the extra small stuff is a plan that will give you peace of mind.
