When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I was so overwhelmed by all of the things that needed to be done. I was especially confused about all the products and gadgets the baby magazines said I wouldn’t be able to live without. I had never done this “parenting thing” before – how was I supposed to know what I really needed and what was just unnecessary clutter?
Well, I definitely made a few frivolous purchases along the way. Now that we are expecting our second little one, I have a much more clear idea of what we are going to need, what’s “nice to have,” and what’s just plain unnecessary.
Must-Haves – Baby Gadgets You’ll Need
The truth is babies don’t need much. There are a few things, however, that are absolute necessities:
- Car Seat: A car seat is an unquestionable must-have. You need one to take your baby anywhere in the car, even right away when you bring your baby home. Some car seats even function as a carrier and can be picked up right from the car seat base and either carried or fastened into a stroller. These types are really convenient for newborns.
- Diapers: Whether you choose disposable diapers for your baby or go with cloth, you’ll want to make sure you’re stocked up before the little one arrives! A stash of at least 24-30 cloth diapers or a box of newborn disposables is a good start – though more can’t hurt. Don’t forget the wipes!
- Feeding Bottles and Formula: Technically, this isn’t a “must-have” for everyone. If you’re nursing your baby, you don’t really need them, though they can still be handy in some situations! If, however, you are feeding your baby formula they are a definite necessity. I would still recommend having a bottle or two on hand even if you do plan on nursing your baby. It’s not much fun to think about, but issues might arise where you are unable to breastfeed, and if that happens, it’s good to be prepared.
- Baby Clothes: You’ll definitely need a few outfits for baby! While there are a lot of different kinds of clothes to choose from, I’ll focus on the bare minimum of what you’ll need (but don’t be afraid to splurge for the sake of cuteness… it can be really fun!) In my opinion, at the very least you’ll want to have a few pairs of socks and hats, 8-10 “onesies” or bodysuits, 4 or 5 pairs of leggings or cotton pants, and at least 4 pairs of warm pajamas. Since you can’t really be sure how big your baby is going to be, it’s good to have both newborn and 3-month sizes on hand.
- Bassinet: Your baby will definitely need somewhere to sleep – they’ll be doing a lot of it! A crib is often too big for a little newborn, but a bassinet is snug and cozy and can also be transported around the house, a convenient feature in those first few weeks.
Nice to Have – Baby Splurges You’ll Love
Now that the absolute necessities are covered, there are a few things that are just “nice to have” as well – this list could go on for quite a long time, but I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. Here are 4 of my favorite baby “splurges.”
- Sling Carrier – “Wearing your baby” in those first few months is such a treasured time and it really helps them be more relaxed and attentive. Don’t let your grandmother tell you any differently: you cannot spoil your baby by holding them too much! Snuggle away!
- Bouncer – That being said, there are times when you just need to set baby down and get something done. Bouncer seats are nice and offer a safe place to set baby that you can bring with you around the house.
- Play Yard – These are nice to have for a couple reasons: they fold up nicely so that you can take them with you for use as a sleeping area when you travel. Plus, they offer another safe place to put baby when you need to do something.
- Room Décor – There’s something so fun and exciting about getting the nursery ready for baby. I love splurging on room decorations like Disney cars wall decals, bedding and mobiles that go well together and make a nice space for the newest family member!
While there are tons of products that can make life a lot easier, what your baby needs most of all is your love and attention. If you’re currently expecting, congratulations! You’re bound to receive lots of unwanted parenting advice from (probably well-meaning) friends and relatives, so I’ll keep mine to a minimum: enjoy your baby. They don’t stay little for long!
About the author: Kylie Worthington is a freelance writer from the Midwest. She is married to her best friend, Kent. Together, they have one 2 year old son named Mercury and another little boy on the way. Kylie loves decorating their bedroom with all kinds of cute decorations, like Disney cars wall decals found at whimsicalroomdecor.com.
Photo credit: Milan Jurek