With Black Friday and Christmas sales starting to pop up, I’m scrambling to purchase the last baby items on my list. We recently received a gift card from friends with the inscription, “Baby’s almost here, and you’re going to need lots of gear.” That couldn’t be more accurate! For someone so small, he sure does require a lot of stuff.
I’m a bit of a minimalist, so before I purchase anything or add it to my gift registry, I always ask myself if I really, truly need it. Sometimes the answer is no, but more often than not, it’s yes. Raising a baby would be pretty difficult without clothing, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, a car seat, a stroller, blankets, burp cloths, a crib, some type of diaper bag…and the list goes on. But there’s also a long list of “not complete necessities but they sure do make life easier” items.
As Mr. Handsome and I prepare for our baby boy, we want to make sure we have what we need. Whether you’re a parent or just someone who has been around babies, what are some items that you recommend we purchase? They can be absolute necessities or just things that will make our life easier. Ready, Set, Go!
Lisa
A changing table. We were able to purchase a gently used one from Once Upon A Child, a used children’s clothing store and that also has accessories. Another necessity was an indoor baby swing. We received one as a gift when our oldest was born.
S
Totally agree about the changing table! I thought it was “unnecessary” and I could just change our baby on a bed. After a couple of days, my back was so sore, I quickly changed my tune and purchased a changing table. (Now that it is not needed for diaper changes, it makes a great set of shelves for toys, too.)
Anonymous
You don’t want to by use things for a baby because someelse baby might have gotten sick in it. And use thing could easily break.
Anonymous
Bacteria from “sick” can’t survive that long on most surfaces. UV light from sunlight, bleach, disinfectants, heat, and time can all take care of that. If that weren’t true, then every hospital would have to throw out every piece of equipment that was ever exposed to a microbe. They don’t – they disinfect. You can do the same thing with used baby equipment.
C. A.
The one piece of baby gear I absolutely wouldn’t want to be without is an ergonomically-correct carrier for baby wearing. I like a wrap style for the newborn stage (mine is a Boba brand) and the Ergobaby for an older baby. I’ve worn all four of mine (my 5-week-old is currently snuggled in the wrap carrier as I type 🙂) and it is immensely helpful to have your hands free for cooking, cleaning, and caring for other children while keeping the baby happy!
Congrats on your little one on the way!
Anonymous
I’m surprised about the suggestion to keep a baby in a cloth sling in front of you while cooking. That doesn’t seem safe. I’ve hurt myself on something hot or something sharp plenty of times while cooking. Putting the baby down in bed or a swing seems like the logical thing to do at those moments, even if the baby starts to fuss. Please tell me that was a typo, or you meant something like making a sandwich.
Georgia
She recommends a baby carrier like the ergobaby, which I’ve used (currently using the beco baby carrier) and these can be used in the front or back. I usually carry my baby in the back if cooking or dishes because it is safer and is much easier with baby out of the way.
Anonymous
I will never forget what happened to my friend. She was holding her 1 yr. old while near the stove top, which had been turned off but was still warm. The child suddenly pitched forward and landed hands down on the stove burner. A trip to the ER and burn treatment came next. Children don’t belong anywhere near stoves. You also need to remove the stove knobs if possible (pull the plastic part off the metal post) and cover the push buttons to keep curious little fingers away. I don’t know why some stoves have buttons right up front where toddler hands (or dog paws) can reach! I recommend doing these same things if the household has pets or memory-impaired elderly, too.
Anonymous
Baby carrier that let you carry baby hands free. I loved baby wearing
Anonymous
Swaddles were a must for us, son loved being swaddled
Anonymous
I had trouble giving my first boy enough milk. Eventually I switched to formula. Maybe you won’t have any problems. But if you do you want answers and anything that the answers say you need you have to have. If your drinking water is not too great figure out how to get enough good water. And also be ready to eat a consistent good diet. Then make sure you have a good plan for you and baby getting enough rest. Maybe make some signs saying Shhh…sleeping newborn!
Heather
I highly recommend multifunctional items such as three in one high chair, or bouncer and swing in one like that to save the space or other items that have multipurpose uses.
Diana
Yes! I always bought the grow with me and three-in-one type items. I chose neutral colors and was able to hand things down from my son, to my daughter, to my son.
A rocking/vibrating chair was an absolute favorite. Convertable high chair.
Anonymous
Hi Ellie, Infant Tylenol. Hope these last weeks go by fast for you… Jane
Regina Shea
Some sort of way to wear your baby such a sling or a maya wrap. Babywearing was very helpful for me and my babies.
Johnna
Definitely a hands free phone device. Honestly a life saver!
Alayna
A bouncy seat or a swing. A bumbo seat for when he gets a little bigger. They make chairs that you can hook on the table if you want to save space instead of a highchair.
Also sleep sacks. I loved those. Keeps the baby warm and you dont have to worry about blankets in the crib.
Kay
Yes, sleep sacks are the way to go! I use a thick baby comforter until the baby can roll over and then use a sleep sack until they are at least 2 and a half years old! But most people here in Germany I think use a sleep sack from the very start. It really isn’t safe to use blankets.
Anonymous
I love having a baby carrier or wrap! I use a Moby, Baby K’tan, Seven Sling, and a more structured carrier (can’t remember the brand but similar to an Ergo). I love them all for different reasons/uses! You certainly don’t want that many, but one is important, I’d say.
Julie
Keep hair scrunchies in several locations where you might sit with the baby, for when he starts grabbing your hair; nothing worse or scary, in the beginning, than trying to pry tiny fingers loose or getting hair out of his mouth. Hair scrunchies vs elastic ties so you won’t crease your hair or damage it.
Anonymous
A basket next to your favorite comfy chair filled with items that make nursing easier: water bottle, snack bars, nursing cream, nursing pads, baby wipes, burp cloth, a few diapers, something for you to read. I had no idea how much time I would spend feeding my son when he was a baby. Sometimes he would eat for an hour and having this basket of nursing items stocked made the days SO much easier.
Amy
I have a one year old, and something we ended up using a lot were those small thin cotton blankets (3 or 4 in a pack from walmart). We laid them down on the changing table and changed them every day. I know some changing tables have removable covers, but with as many diaper changes and messes we had, it was really nice to just switch out those blankets. I bet we have 20 of those haha and they get used for everything.
I also have a K’tan baby wrap. I tried an infantino one as well as a Moby but like the k’tan best. There are you tube videos comparing the wraps you can watch to see which you think you’d prefer.
Kay
Keeping a newborn warm is really important, so some sweaters, a jacket or 2, thick socks and booties, and a baby winter-overall (for outside). The hard thing with a winter baby (I’ve had 3 in the colder months) is finding that over- or under-dressing balance. Babies should never sweat because that increases the risk of SIDS, but you can check for that by feeling the back of their neck and you get the hang of that pretty quickly. Car seats can especially be a danger for sweating. But they really need to be kept warm especially the first few weeks since it takes a lot of their body energy to regulate their temperature.
One more thing that I didn’t think I needed before having my first which I very much did was breastfeeding training!! Oh my goodness, I was so unprepared for the complexity of something I thought would be so simple. That is why there are breastfeeding experts. Make sure you can breastfeed within an HOUR after the birth!!
Lauren
Warm gear is important but NEVER put a coat on an infant in a car seat because it can cause them to fly out of the seat in a crash!
Lauren
I recommend the 4moms infant bathtub. It fits in my double sink, or in the bathtub and has a thermometer so you know the water isn’t too hot or cold for baby. Also get a baby monitor that shows you the temperature in baby’s room.
The last thing that I had to have for both kids is a sign that hangs on their car seat that says “please wash your hands before touching mine”. You would be amazed at how many people will try touching!
Finally, a stroller that either has an adapter for your car seat, or one specifically for the seat. I have a BOB stroller with a Chico adapter. I push the stroller at the grocery store because most stores don’t have the carts that are safe to put your seat on top.
Anne
A stroller that will grow with the baby. I was given a quality one that I used with all three of my kids. It held them until they were up to 30-40 lbs. We just about wore the wheels off of it, as we do a lot of walking in our small town. It also had a storage basket which was convenient for carrying all sorts of items — diaper bag, coats, groceries.
Patsy
Snuggle Nest! Baby has been feeling/hearing your heartbeat and breathing for last nine months. He will relax/sleep better with momma near. Plus, much easier for you to respond to night time feedings when he is so close.
Elisabeth
Yes! Snuggle nest is my favorite baby thing of all time! Especially right after birth when I don’t want them to be far from me even well I sleep ;). The Baby Bullet is also wonderful for making your own healthy baby food and not having to worry about whats in it!
Anonymous
What we would use to keep the baby near is a babybay bed. It’s a small crib that opens up onto the parents’ bed. I think it’s a little safer because you don’t have to worry as much about rolling over the baby, but you still have the baby next to you and can even snuggle easily. I love it! We had a regular cradle when our first was born but we switched later because it was so hard to stand up at night every time I would have to get her. I’m a deep sleeper. 🙁
Anonymous
Babies don’t need everything all at once. It’ll be months til you need things like a high chair or baby gates or sippy cups. Just get the things you need for the start to feed, diaper, clothe, bathe, transport, and put the baby down to sleep. The rest can come later (or not). People are always getting rid of baby things at yard sales. Be careful that any used equipment you buy (car seats, etc.) haven’t had a safety recall.
I remember starting with only a crib, a changing pad, a car seat, some diapers, some bottles, and a few clothes that were soon outgrown. There were no baby monitors, wipe warmers, electronic toys, and so on. How did moms manage for thousands of years without them?? Honestly, a lot of the stuff they sell for babies these days is crazy. They use first-time parent anxiety as the hook to sell you stuff you and the baby don’t need.
Johnna
Truth right there! Thus the reason second babies get less “Stuff” and so on. It’s useless. And those baby wipe warmers are a joke! The wipe has cooled off before you can get it from the warmer to the baby!! LOL
Anonymous
I loved my wipes warmer! Those wipes are freezing in the winter, unless you use cloths and warm water for all the diaper changes. I couldn’t imagine wiping my babies bottoms in the middle of a winter night with those cold wipes
Anonymous
You are totally right Ellie! There are a lot of things you don’t really need! For me, this were the most important: A breastfeeding pillow, lots of burping cloths, a silicone waterproof bib for when he starts eating solids (you just wipe it clean, it’s really convenient), a good nasal aspirator (babies can get really congested the first few weeks, and their noses are so tiny this is essential), a night light lamp (so you can still see when you wake up for night time feedings but it’s not to much light to overstimulate the baby and he can go right back to sleep), if you are planning on breastfeeding at least three good nursing bras, lanolin cream for your nipples and breast pads to protect your bras from spills. And a microwave sterilizer for the bottles!
Anonymous
10:10, you should never microwave a bottle
Stephanie
1. Convertible car seat! That way you don’t have to buy an infant car seat you’ll only use for about 12/15 months. A convertible can be used from birth.
2. An ergonomic baby carrier, such as the Beco Gemini.
3. A stroller that converts to a double if you plan to have a second child soon, like the City Select or the UppaBaby Vista.
4. Boppy for nursing.
5. So many burp cloths.
6. If you plan to pump, get a Spectra S1 or S2.
7. If you plan to bottle feed, get LifeFactory glass bottles. They can be used as sippy cups, so you’ll be able to use them for many years! And glass bottles hold up very well, and you’ll be able to use them for future babies as well.
Jessica
We love the convertible carseats. We will have our 6th child soon and we buy the convertible ones. It saves on money and it’s more comfortable with the growing baby.
Sometimes though they don’t fit a new born. We buy the ones that are 5 lbs and up but when my last son was born he was over 6 lbs. The straps didn’t tighten on him at all, so at midnight, I sat in the hospital lobby with my newborn (we get discharged in 24 hours) while my husband went to Walmart to buy an infant car seat. I’ve never had that happen before, so it might have just been the seat. But I definitely recommend convertible carseats.
It seems we are the only ones in church that don’t carry the baby in with an infant car seat, and let them sleep in it. We always hold the baby even though we have lots of little ones.
AmyRyb
There are these things called sheet savers that tie onto the crib rails and lay under where the baby’s head is. They catch all the little spit-ups so you only have to change the sheet saver and not always the sheet, which is a major pain. Also, waterproof pads to go under sheets so you can protect the mattress (and even the mattress pad) from accidents. If you have a dishwasher, get the basket for bottle nipples and other little parts. I used them for years for small kid utensils, sippy cup parts, etc. Easier than sterilizing! Swaddles, a good thermometer (I suggest one that goes in back of the ear), saline spray for stuffy noses, and a cozy car seat cover, for sure. If you plan to breastfeed, in particular, get yourself a good app for tracking it. It’s one thing to remember when the baby last ate, but it’s another to remember which side they ate from. Amazing how easy it is to forget when you’re sleep deprived. They can also track diapers and stuff, too, since early on doctors like to know how often they’re going.
MarriedUK
Hello! I totally recognise this feeling – the need to ready and to nest- but I don’t think you need much stuff… I now have three kids and here are things I once owned but wouldn’t again:
1. A heavy duty pram (I am a bit unsure what a stroller is exactly but I mean the sort the baby can lie down in). I exclusively used a carrier for about 8 months and then could use a fold up buggy.
2. A bath chair for the baby. I just got in with them.
3. A cot. We bedshare and it’s much easier.
4. Plastic toys for them to play with. They’re just as happy with a spoon and a set of keys.
5. A breast pump/ bottle. I just fed from the source.
6. Medicines which purport to deal with wind. They’re not evidence based.
GOODLUCK
Elizabeth
1)Velcro swaddle blankets
2)Ikea bib with sleeves when older
3)Good baby carrier with back support
4)Borrow toys, swing, saucer, bouncy seat.Mixing bowls, boxes and spoons are still a favourite.
5)Change pad can go on top of a dresser. Use a king pillow case as a cover or a hand towel works fine to
6)Skip the baby bathtub. Sink works well. Now my 10 month old bathes in a Rubbermaid bib in the tub. High walls so he doesn’t fall back, less water to fill and toys don’t float away.
7) if you can’t get hand me downs. Craig’s list or Facebook marketplace and buy a “lot” of each clothing size. Cheaper than used clothing stores. I got all our summer 3-6 month clothes for $10. There were 50 items.
8) skip the basinette or borrow
Sometimes having a child doesn’t go as you think it will. Give yourself grace. My child came a month early and after 8 weeks of relentlessly trying everything – he couldn’t nurse so I pumped for 6 months. You will be an amazing mama!
Ellyn
I purchased this on a whim for my daughter but it ended up being a lifesaver. A little mirror with music/light show for the car. It attaches to the headrest above the carseat, so the baby is facing it and can see it. It entertained her on many car trips!
Anonymous
I think the babies like soothing music. Think about that and what you want and how to do it. For mine I just had a wind up music maker and I remember winding it up often. Another thing a person could get is one of those various white nouse sounds machines.
And depending on your indoor air quality, consider an air purifier.
Anonymous
One item I have appreciated with all 4 of my babies is a Nosefrida. (https://www.fridababy.com/product/nosefrida/) Some of my mom friends have been turned off by the idea of using it, but when your little one is sick with a stuffy nose it works so much better than other aspirators I have tried.
Anonymous
Less is more. Get a development chart and try to see the developmental stages and progress over all. You don’t want to get lost in newborn details and materialism. That is like not seeing the forest for the trees. What’s the big, bigger, biggest picture you want to look at right now? You’ll be moving on very quickly from stage to stage, through all those life stages of growth and development a child (and family) go through. Don’t take a gazzillion pictures of your baby. That is really narcissistic. When later on in life, you won’t get people to sit still and look at a gazzillion pictures of your first baby, not even that baby. (I’ve learned that and know it to be true. Later on you’ll just be happy to have an hour to visit with your grown children and find out how they are doing. They will brush off looking at a gazzillion baby pictures.)
Rebekah
Hi Ellie! Congratulations on your little one on the way! I just recently had my first baby, and one thing that I use every day is a NoseFrida snotsucker. My little guy gets boogers in his nose all the time making it hard for him to breath through his nose. It’s sounds terrible, and definitely stressed me out the first time as I thought he was getting a cold. It works much better than the bulb things that you get at the hospital. Also, to go along with that, get some Little Noses saline spray. You spray that up their nose and it loosens everything up so that it comes out easier. 😊
Hope everything goes well for you!
Kat
A nursing pillow made nursing SO much easier. And a car seat cady stroller type thing that your carseat clips on to. So much easier to use than a big stroller that held the car seat.
Marilyn
I loved my breastfeeding pillow. It might be on the want vs necessary items list but if you are picking & choosing which items to get now I would recommend one.
Amanda
I took a very minimalistic approach to having an infant. We never used a crib or changing table, she slept with me, and I used changing pads and receiving blankets on the bed or dresser instead of a changing table. I used a length of Guatemalan fabric, I think it would be called a rebozo, that I tied a knot in,as a baby sling and child carrier from the time she was born until she was about 4. Some friends who had been traveling in South and Central America gave it to me. Commercial baby slings didn’t exist yet, and from what I’ve seen of the ones that are commercially available now, they are far more complicated and are no more functional than my length of fabric was. They seem to be pretty expensive, too.
I used cloth diapers and a diaper service. At the time it was more cost effective than disposables, I don’t know how they compare now, and I didn’t want to use any plastic that I could avoid using.
I used lots of receiving blankets, and when I decided to teach myself to sew, I used them for practice. My toddler daughter ended up with a number of stuffed animals that had started out as receiving blankets.
New babies grow really quickly, and you probably won’t need as many newborn clothes as you think you do. If matching socks matter to you, then only buy one kind of them. You will be amazed how often you lose just one.
Also, a lot of times outgrown toddler pants will fit again once your child is out of diapers.
I think the most important thing I have to offer new parents is this-
Everyone will have an opinion about how you should do everything related to parenting, and while some of that advice will be good, a lot of it will be bad. Trust yourself. Listen to your inner voice and instincts. You will know this infant better than anyone else will, so please trust yourself to to make the important decisions. I don’t mean that you should disregard any and all advice, just that you should trust yourself if you choose to do something else.
I think you and Mr Handsome will be wonderful parents.
Tiffany
Ergo baby carrier I got mine new but opended for a good deal for my 3rd and loved it.
Pump but you can get one free with insurance if you have that.
I didn’t think I would need it with my 3rd since I didn’t with my 2nd but let’s just say if I didn’t I would have lost my milk supply and not have had breast milk to give her. I pumped , nurse , and bottle fed every 2 hours her for 12 weeks bc she ended up having a posterior tongue tie.
And a infant bouncy seat. It’s great for when you need to put the baby down and in a safe place.
And nursing bras are great too.
C.
I second the night light. I still use a blue night light in my 2 year old and 4 year old’s bedrooms to be able to check on them. I also second the boppy pillow for nursing– it will save your back. The one thing I didn’t see already suggested is a rock n play. Maybe not a necessity unless your baby has reflux or isn’t sleeping well– then it becomes a necessity.
C.
I will also say that the one thing I wish I had invested money in was a good baby carrier like many others have mentioned. I bought a $30 carrier from Walmart and it was just really not useful and I didn’t like the way it fit around my babies’ legs. I would only carry them in it for 30 minutes or so before feeling like it was not a good position for them to stay in. That is the one thing I would do differently.
Nana
I recommend triple paste and a baby bum brush. It is essentially a rubber spatula to apply diaper cream. We have them at baby’s house and Nana’s house. Baby’s pediatrician recommended Dr. Brown’s bottles. They help with gassy tummies. They transition to sippy cups easily as well.
Georgia
I have 5 kids and used to live in a very small starter home. Just having the basics was very important! Mainly I had a baby sling, a boppy and nursing cover, a baby tub that could fold in half to save space, and a baby swing. Later as I found my baby was very gassy and loved being carried, I invested in an ergobaby carrier as he grew older.
That said, four kids later, I’ve tried different baby carriers and swaddlers, buying them used on eBay and selling/consigning whatever didn’t work for me.
I would highly recommend an app that helps you log baby’s activities (I use the baby daybook app… it’s free). It’s great for keeping track of feeding times, diaper changes, sleeping times, even medicine doses and temperatures for when baby is sick. It sounds unnecessary, but I’ve used that app constantly with my 4th and 5th babies, and it’s helped me make sure baby’s doing everything he should (which is not always easy to keep track of in the chaos of 5 little kids).
All the best to you and Mr Handsome!
Essie
check out swap.com for gently used baby items! My sister has gotten nice things through that.
Liz
I would recommend new moms get a moby wrap.
I’ve tried several different baby backpacks and carriers over the years with all my children and this one was my favorite. The baby can hear your heartbeat which soothes them, and its very comfortable to wear your baby.
You seem like a physically active person so I’d recommend you get a jogging stroller. If you haven’t already I’d invest in essential oils like lavender and mint. Lavender essential oil is very calming and mint soothes tummy aches.
Lastly I’d recommend you ask friends or family if they’d be willing to baby sit for you whenever you and your husband need to go on a date. I hope these suggestions help you. May God bless you with a quick labor, delivery, and recovery. I look forward to seeing pictures of your baby.
https://www.amazon.com/Moby-Carrier-Newborns-Toddlers-Breastfeeding/dp/B000OY539A/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1542684651&sr=1-5&keywords=moby%2Bwrap%2Bbaby%2Bcarrier&th=1
A.
Where does the newborn sleep? https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-sleep/sleep-mistakes-new-parents-make/
This article says not to over rely on techno gadgets for checking on how the baby is when sleeping.
I never had any monitors. I usually was in the same room as the bassinet.
Sami
I would get a nightlight for the baby’s room.
I wouldn’t breastfeed I did formula. My doctor told me not to beastfeed because to many mothers get breastfeed cancer and baby can get cancer too. And if you beastfeed you could be at church and your milk will started coming out during mass and it is imbaressing.
Anonymous
That breastfeeding and cancer information is not true. It’s extremely uncommon to develop breast cancer while breastfeeding. It doesn’t give a baby cancer. In fact, it can lower the risk of some childhood cancers. There’s also a complicated link between breastfeeding and possibly having a lower risk of certain type(s) of breast cancer later in life.
There are bras and pads made to help with the problem you describe (leaking).
A
Yes you do a friend if my was breastfeeding her son and she felt a lump after feeding her son and went to the doctor and has breastfeed cancer. And her son get it from her and he died from cancer he was only 4 months old
Trudy Legaudi
This is completely incorrect information, please do not pass it on to new mums. Breastfeeding is the biologically normal way to feed a child and it is how humans have survived from the beginning of time. Breastfeeding lowers mother and baby’s chance of developing cancer.
Anonymous
Cancer is not transferable through breast milk, good grief.
Anon
You usually don’t get cancer IF you breastfeed 😉 The less you breastfeed, it’s more likely you’ll get cancer someday. Not everybody in every situation but it makes the percentage higher definitely.
Anonymous
Baby swing of some sort is a must have for me. Only way I could get my guy to take a nap when not on me and one hardshell carrier and a wrap of some sort. Also a sleep sack once they’ve stopped getting swaddled
Katy
Best advice someone gave me was when I was buying clothes for my first baby at a second-hand sale and she said remember the seasons. When buying in advance make sure that the size you get (which is quite often a couple of months bigger than the baby’s actual age) is suitable for the season. I was buying 1 year old thick winter coats in advance and she was a May baby! In that vein, if people are thinking of giving clothes as a gift and they ask what you want ask for 6-24 months clothes. You’ll have lots of clothes when baby is born, but then suddenly it’s six months later and you have to change it all. Being prepared with clothes in advance is great.
Alexis
Hi Ellie,
If you are planning of breastfeeding a breastfeeding pillow, lanolin cream, breast pads (usually one side leaks while baby eats from the other on the beginning).
A bunch of frozen meals
Sleep sacks are everything (my three boys used theirs until around 2.5). They keep babies warm and safe :). And lots of bibs/burp cloths. Also more diapers than you think necessary.
Oh and some Epsom salts for after having the baby, as well as witch hazel pads for down-there healing help.
You got this and God bless
Anonymous
Good diaper cream is essential. Something with zinc is good, in my opinion. You want to always clear up any redness or sores as fast as can and protect the skin.
Tara G.
Miracle blanket = swaddling for dummies (me)….game.changer.
Michelle Epperson
Blankets! I thought I had too many. Boy, was I wrong.
I did make my own set of sheets for the baby bed. It was pretty easy and I had some material (I always have material).
As far as bottles, I loved the Playtex bottles (the kind a plastic insert goes into). I had regular bottles with my first but changed up with my second. So much easier. Do they still make those I wonder? LOL
Rebecca
My husband and I are minimalist, but we definitely relied on the Moby wrap. It made taking our daughters out much easier. I also loved my boppy pillow for feeding.
Anonymous
Please read the Academy of Pediactric’s recommendations for baby sleeping before you invest in any special sleep equipment. They do not recommend that you share the same sleeping surface with a baby. Baby needs a separate bed with its own air circulation and no parents breathing out carbon dioxide around that baby. Higher than normal levels of CO2 are thought to be one contributing factor to SIDS. Babies who sleep alone with no soft things around them in the crib are at a 50% lower risk. I just heard, too, that a fan to circulate air in a baby’s bedroom also helps reduce the risk of SIDS. (I agree – I’m sensitive to CO2 levels myself.) While it might be convenient to have a baby in bed beside you, it’s not the safe thing to do.
MarriedUK
This is not true. The safest place for a baby to sleep is next to its mother- so long as she is following safe sleep guidelines. Most statistics about SIDS and bedsharing do not control for drink/ drugs. If a mother is stone cold sober and has taken precautions about pillows and blankets, it is safe. And it is lovely for the baby and the mummy. Moreover, it is better to intentionally bed share, and be safe, than to just fall asleep on a sofa or nursing chair whilst nursing.
Also, nursing covers were mentioned above and I wanted to say thatI really hate nursing covers. Babies shouldn’t be made to eat under a hot, dark and stuffy blanket. Babies can’t see much but they can see their mother’s face whilst at the breast- which makes me think we should let them enjoy looking. Also, nursing covers discourage babies for relaxing on the breast and enjoying the long feeding sessions necessary to allow natural spacing of children (frequent lactation prevents return of periods for most women).
Jessica
You can definitely get pregnant while breastfeeding. My first was 6 months old when I was pregnant with my second. I have been nursing for 8 years straight and have 6 children.
And I completely agree with your comment about co-sleeping. It’s perfectly safe if done right.
Also, I use a nursing cover in public, but it’s kind of awkward especially when the baby gets old enough to pull at it and fight the cover. More can be seen using the cover than not using it. I normally just give up on the cover because it’s pointless once a baby can fight it.
Anon
I agree! I never allowed a baby to be in bed with me. She was in her cradle/crib outside our bedroom door since our bedroom was so small we couldn’t fit it in there and I heard just fine when my babies moved around in there. ITS NOT SAFE! And besides that, as they get older and you keep bringing them into bed, they get used to that and it totally becomes an interference to your marriage and “daddy” starts to feel like second wheel. Leave your marriage bed as just that and child’s bed for just that. We never allowed a child to get in bed to sleep with us and we had a very easy life with our children compared to a lot of people I know that always allowed their children in their bed. It just does something negative when you start that.
Anonymous
11:15, daddy is going to have to get over it, if you have a baby it is the first priority in the house.
Jessica
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with co-sleeping. It’s kind of sad how the baby is so close to the mother in the womb and then after birth, you just stick them in a crib all by themselves. I will have 6 children soon and I worked years in daycare taking care of infants. I have taking many childcare classes. I think there is a safe way to co-sleeping. I have co-slept with all of my children. And they were safe. Of course we didn’t plan on co-sleeping at first but my first child was in the NICU for weeks because she was a preemie. When she came home I tried putting her in a bassinet but I couldn’t sleep. I was so used to all of the alarms in the NICU that went off whenever she’d stop breathing for a minute and such that I thought it was safer and best to hold her to sleep. It worked out great. It is easier to breastfeed when your baby is in your arms. Once my children are 1 1/2 or so they go in their own bed and it’s fine. But ultimately it’s whatever works best for you. I am a very light sleeper so I wake up with every movement. If someone is a hard sleeper than it’s probably best to use a crib. There really are no right ways, it’s what’s right for you and your baby. Besides following the laws, like with the carseat and such. There’s alot of mommy shaming going on that shouldn’t.
As far as baby items, I think it depends on the mom and baby. The baby needs clothes, diapers, and a carseat. We have a boppy but don’t use it much. You can easily use a regular pillow to prop your arm when breastfeeding. My children have never used a pacifier. Lots of things aren’t needed. Sometimes we have too many baby items that take up too much space and rarely gets used.
You will definitely find out what you really need and don’t need once the baby comes.
Lucy
You have great comments here. I would recommend sleep sacks, we got ours at IKEA. The sleep sacks were great because during night time diaper changes, you simply unzip the bottom part of the sack and they won’t get as cold. They’re also useful until baby begins to roll, then discontinue use. I would also recommend some blankets for when you’re doing tummy time and plenty of burp cloths. Also you can ask your mom or mother in law if they think a product is useful or useless, since they’ve both had experience!
Marilyn
Have a good time shopping for your baby boy. Wishing you and Mr. Handsome a Blessed Thanksgiving.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Lucy
We love sleepsacks for our babies. You then don’t have to worry about loose bedding which can be dangerous for baby. We bought gender neutral ones and have been able to use them for ours sons and daughter. Our 9 month old is currently wearing a thicker quilted one since it is colder.
Anonymous
As long as you have a safe car seat and warm blankets, I’d say start very basic and add things as you find out what you would use. Each mother parents differently and what one mom says is a lifesaver may not be something practical for your specific lifestyle. I would say it’s wise to research infant formulas and purchase one good-sized container before giving birth, even if you plan to breastfeed. I completely planned to nurse my infant exclusively, and found that there were some initial issues, and I had to supplement within the first week for a bit. It was stressful to then have to research which formula I felt was nutritionally best and find out which store carried it that specific brand and the go buy it, when I was tired with complications from birth and just wanted my precious newborn to have a full, happy tummy. If you don’t use the formula, here are many charities that would be so happy to have it donated later, but you wont worry that your baby will come home and be hungry within hours. The rest can come in time. If they’re warm and fed, the other things can be purchased as you go.
S
The nosefrieda was a lifesaver for us. It seems gross but it isn’t at all. The snot is caught by a filter. Also, we used Cloud Island brand swaddle blankets from Target and we loved them! Not as expensive as AidenAnais but just as awesome in my opinion. We have 12 of them and I thought it would be too many, but our little son is very attached to his blankie and since they all are the same brand it doesn’t matter when his blankie has to get washed because he can use another one! And we definitely use them all! A noisemaker has also been a lifesaver as well as a paci. We use mam brand and love them.
Lauren
1. Happiest Baby on the Block book (read it now, before baby comes, to learn soothing techniques to help a fussy baby)
2. velcro swaddle sleep sacks (we used Halo). Ain’t nobody got time to wrestle an irate infant into a swaddle blanket. They’re little but they’re Houdinis.
3. big yoga/exercise ball for bouncing
4. white noise machine (real white noise, like a Lectrofan)
5. My Brest Friend nursing pillow (total lifesaver when a lactation specialist introduced me to this pillow; much more supportive than a boppy and easier to use when baby is tiny and floppy)
6. Nose Frida
7. play mat with dangly toys to keep baby busy while you shower, clean, cook, etc.
8. washable bamboo nursing pads (get LOTS)
9. quality structured carrier. Everyone I knew got Ergo, but I researched and got a Lillebaby 6-in-1, which was far superior to the Ergo. Lower lumbar support; buckles rather than noisy velcro, etc.
** hold off on getting a baby food maker. I never touched mine. Babies can eat a lot of real food that we eat, just mash it up with a fork and add a little breast milk to thin it; no fancy machines required. After all, if we wouldn’t want to eat it, our babies probably wouldn’t either.
Elizabeth
I’m the odd one out who never used or needed a boppy breastfeeding pillow with my 4. My must have is zip up swaddles, then you can transition fairly easily to zip up sleep sacks as they grow. Definitely loved my wrap carrier for newborn, and ergo carrier as they grew.
Jess
1. No one told me you can’t clip a newborns nails, and my daughter was born with long ones! I highly recommend the small baby glass nail files, you can get rather cheap on Amazon.
2. My daughter is 17 months old and in our preparation for baby classes they talked about swaddles interfering with the startle reflex being a possible cause of some SIDS, we have strictly used sleep sacks without swaddles her whole life.
3. You don’t need expensive diaper creams, Vaseline is the best!
Sarah
I have an almost 2 year old and I didn’t want a ton of baby stuff either. But looking back, I can think of three things that would have made life easier/nicer for us. First, due to the aftermath of a difficult labor and delivery, a changing table would have actually been really nice. I had to bend over or get up and down a lot to change diapers. It always hurt, especially in the first couple weeks home from the hospital. Anything to make things nicer during that time would have been worth it to me. Second, I don’t know why I didn’t get one of those diaper cream applicators… so much more effective and less messy than the alternatives. Third, I know this might sound ridiculous but I totally, totally, totally would have gotten a wipe warmer. Frivolous, unnecessary, takes up space, uses energy but the fact of the matter was that my sweet little baby was born in the winter and the wipes were always freezing! As parent I felt horrible everytime he cried. And it was worse when it was because of something I was doing. I’m buying one for baby number two.
Also, there have been a couple products I’ve loved. My BOB stoller, I don’t even jog but it’s so easy to push, it makes walks on any terrain a delight. Worth the money! Also, probiotics!!! We never had thrush or mastitis, he had very minimal stomach issues and he has almost never been sick. For the first year they get it through your breast milk so just find a brand you like. Our chiropractor recommended them and I’m so glad she did. Also, this is not a product but I was surprised how quickly I forgot cute things he did. I would find a place to record those things. A notebook, Googledoc, voice files on a phone. Whatever it is the memories are a delight to revisit! Enjoy your sweet little guy!!!
Candi
Whew Ellie, don’t you feel overwhelmed reading all the comments? About all that stuff? I felt overwhelmed reading all them and here my babies are a little older already! I didn’t know about many of the items they are describing on here, guess I did without and we lived! I would say tho there are 3 favorite things that I had that came to mind and that was a baby sleep positioner, a child’s umbrella chair, and a shopping cart cover. A sleep positioner allows them to sleep on their side. They don’t roll over because there’s a wedge on either side of them. All my babies loved it and slept like a “baby” all night long. 😀 I’m sure they get tired like we would with just on our backs or stomachs all night long. Ok, a umbrella chair was my best friend. You reclined the baby in it and she was like half sitting in it so she could watch you work and be entertained. I could work around the house, cook, etc hands free!! (Shh,I think it was better then a carrier) my secret! Cause I was baby load free. My babies were happy babies in there for hours. I couldn’t done without my umbrella chair. And for sure as your babies grow older where they could sit, shopping cart cover to the rescue when you go shop! One of the loveliest things ever. You know your child is safe from all the yucky germs underneath it. Ok wishing you wisdom to sort through all the advice!!
anon
Candi they have since proven “back is best” and doctors tell you NEVER use anything to prop babies into any position, this is extremely dangerous advice
Anonymous
They switch every few decades between tummy or back being best. You really just need to do what’s best for your baby. Some babies have acid reflux and CAN NOT sleep on their backs, otherwise they would choke. The baby I nanny for has always slept on his tummy, it’s completely safe, you just shouldn’t have blankets, stuffed animals, etc in the bed with the baby, as that is what typically causes suffocation with SIDS.
Candi
You have to do what works best for your situation. If you feel like that so be it, for you. But it didn’t need to work for me. If my babies had to be on their backs all night, woe unto me, I would’ve had fussy babies all night. Proof is in the pudding, they got to sleeping fast with the positioner then I would put them in a different position halfway through the night. The positioner only reaches the length of their torso so it actually felt comforting like they were in the womb. I highly recommend a sleep positioner.
Anonymous
My favorite blankets are the large muslin ones. They are thin but can easily be wrapped around again and again, so versatile in different temps. They also work great as a makeshift nursing cover without needing an extra piece.
I love having a car seat canopy to keep baby out of the wind when going from car to building.
Homemade elderberry syrup has been very helpful for my current baby (child number 5 and a real miracle baby!). It’s easy to make and way cheaper than buying it pre-made… and really helps to boost immune system. Just make sure to sweeten with real maple syrup instead of honey for babies under 1.
Anonymous
I am currently expecting number 13. I also have 15 years experience in l&d and Mom/baby nursing, taught childbirth ed and breastfeeding classes ,and was a certified car seat technician. All this to say, you don’t need as much as you think. Things I have used for all of mine and I consider essential:
Crib ( no bassinet just put mattress at highest level in your room)
Place to change baby ( could be top of your dresser)
Safe sleep wear ( I always use sleep sacks)
Feeding gear ( bottles/formula or breastfeeding support items such as nursing bras and pads)
Breastfeeding pillow ( I like a boppy style- I make my own because it was cheaper and is nice even if you decide to bottle feed )
Clothing size and season appropriate ( I usually got second hand and people always have us clothes as gifts)
Car seat that is safety approved and installed properly
Things that are nice to have:
Baby carrier/sling/wrap
Baby swing
Portable play yard
I think the biggest thing is to find what works for you! Listen to advice and be open to suggestions, but in the end, you know your baby better than anyone and God gives you the grace to raise the Child he sent you. You will do great! May God bless you and your family on this next exciting adventure!!
Anonymous
You will need books, books, and more books to read to your little boy:-) Reading early and every day to children will help developmentally.
Evangelia
I recommend adding a baby thermometer to your list.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Anonymous
I don’t know if you plan on breast feeding your baby, but if you do I’d like to recommend this pillow:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Original-Fireworks/dp/B003TSDMH8/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1542835725&sr=1-5&keywords=nursing%2Bpillow&th=1
Jess
totally agree on this one, far superior to the boppy, I had both because I could not position baby great with boppy and my sister, breast-fed x3, recommended the my brest friend pillow, amazing! also purchased the twin one for my cousin when she was expecting twins and it worked wonderfully for her!
Anonymous
The best thing you could do for your son is raise him to be a liberal.
Katie
Changing table isn’t necessary, I always change my baby’s on lap or floor. A swing is amazing and baby can sleep in for first 6mon, will definitely appreciate if baby is fussy! White noice machine, they really help soothe baby and encourage sleep. I’m expecting # 9, my eldest is 11. Almost all my baby’s have been fussy/ colicky, but even if baby’s good these things are awesome. Also, swaddling blankets and pacifier!
Laura
Hi Ellie,
I never comment on blogs, but thought I’d chime in with my two cents (I have 4 children under 5).
I am very frugal so always had a hard time making purchases for my babies, but I think I’ve gotten a bit wiser with my fourth, and if we are blessed with a fifth I think I would make sure to invest in anything that would make life with a newborn easier!
1. An ergobaby with an infant insert. I have never worn my babies before, but this was a lifesaver with #4. I was always scared of them becoming dependant on a carrier, but I only used it once a day and it was so helpful!
2. A white noise machine for naps
3. Some kind of zipper swaddle (or I have heard the Ollie is good)… I have actually never used one, but my babies haven’t been the best sleepers and I wonder if this is why.
*take any help with meals/housework you can get for the first few weeks so you can just snuggle baby, rest, and recuperate
*the book “on Becoming Babywise” has been helpful to me… I never followed it to a T, but getting full feeds in from the beginning, not introducing sleep props from the beginning, and following an eat, wake, sleep routine really helps babies get into good sleeping habits
Blessings, and looking forward to “meeting” your little guy!
Trudy Legaudi
Hi Ellie, modern cloth nappies!! These are expensive initially but will last for two-three children and you will save thousands long term! Also you are reducing a massive amount of waste going to landfill. They come in very cute patterns and look adorable.
I’m a minimalist too and bought very little for our baby, a pram, an ergo baby carrier, car seat and some clothes.
Try an attend a specific breastfeeding class before baby arrives if there is one in your area or get a book like ‘Ina May’s guide to breastfeeding’. You and Mr Handsome will feel more prepared for the early days if you have a good understanding of normal newborn behaviour and how breastfeeding works.
All the best!
Barb
Thinking ahead a bit, when my grandchildren first started pulling themselves up, we put rubberized cushion strips on all the table corners and our fireplace hearth. They don’t blend in with the decor but it saves lots of cuts and bumps. Also a must are the protectors to put in all your plug-ins. We put child locks on drawers and cupboards containing dangerous or hazardous items. None of these things cost much but give you peace of mind.
@nonymous
If you see a little dipper crock pot, the small dip warmer, in a thriftstore, get it. That thing could be useful to you as a warmer. Its big enough in diameter a bottle can go in it in warm water, you could even put baby food jars in there. Or just some water to keep warm for a cloth to wipe. Another mommy saver idea is that you could even get a small handleless mason type jar put your tea in there (place it all in water in the dipper) and after you get distracted multiple times your tea is still going to be warm enough to enjoy. I got mine for $2 in a thriftstore. And you can always use it for a cheese fondue!
Anon
Neat idea!
Erin
Hi Ellie :),
I just had my 6th baby and purchased some items that I’d wished I’d had with my FIRST! 🙂
White noise machine
Ikea’s ANTILOP high chair (the easiest to clean of the ones I’ve owned and takes up the least amount of space…I’m saving the one I have for my grandchildren!)
Large muslin swaddle blankets
And any good resource about baby sleep patterns. I researched more with this last baby and was shocked that infants need to sleep about every 30 minutes during the day. I looked for yawns and signs of sleepiness and it was almost on the dot…30 minutes.
Excited for you!
Jess
A non-breakable container of high quality coconut oil was so useful for me! I always used it instead of baby lotion – I rubbed a very thin layer over baby’s entire body after bathing her each day, and she never, ever broke out. She didn’t ever even get a single diaper rash. As long as your baby isn’t born with any allergies to coconut oil, it is a great moisturizer with no added chemicals, and has the added benefits of inherent SPF protection and a wonderful, lightly fresh scent. The trick is to lightly swipe a finger or two over the surface of the oil- that’s all that is needed. If there is any residue noticeable on your hand or on his skin after a gentle massage, you’re using too much. It’s oil, so the tiniest dab will do ya!
Anonymous
Totally agree with this! Most diaper rash creams contain carcinogenic ingredients, and coconut oil is just as effective if not more so without putting toxins on your baby💗
Anonymous
It seems that the light oil layer on their skin prevents rash from occurring at all.
Anonymous
Please, Please, Please, read the AAP advice on safe sleep. ABC from day one Alone, on their Back in a Crib (pack n play or bassinet). For every sleep. This is not just about SIDS, but about positional asphyxiation too. It only takes 60 seconds for a baby to die from it and it can happen even when you are watching. Please read up on this. An excellent safe sleep group exists on FB that does not allow anything but peer reviewed, scientific information to be given out. Just because some one else’s baby was fine, does not mean your baby will be. Please do NOT buy or us a Rock and Play, 30 babies have died as a result of sleeping in them (they even say not for sleep). Also a Dock-A-Tot is NOT for sleep. Says so right on the tag. I have a 6 month old and safe sleep can be daunting, but if you really read about and come up with a plan and put your babies safety above you convince then it is not hard and will just be a normal part of your life. I don’t mean to come off rude or mean, but so many people are being mislead.
Also consider an extended rear facing seat approved for use from birth that does not leave the car. The newest recommendations are to NOT let a baby sleep in the car seat outside the car and with those baby carrier style seats, the temptation is is really big to just leave them. We have one of the ERF seats and it is really wonderful (it even swivels to the side to put the baby in). We used a carrier seat while on vacation and despite being committed to safe sleep and practicing it all the time, we still were tempted to leave our baby in the seat when just “popping into the store”. Aside from that RF is safest for children as long as possible (e.g. as long as they have not exceeded height/weight requirements for the seat).
Anonymous
Anon 11/24 5:13 am, where did you get a car seat that swivels to the side? I have never seen in the US
Anonymous
I have the GB brand, but I live in the UK. Is the Joie not sold in the US? I was under the impression it was and 360 was popular? Actually a very quick Walmart browse was not showing any. Very odd. Still my original point applies that rear-facing longer is better and you are less tempted when you cannot take the seat out of the car. I will look further and see if I find a brand that is sold. I really thought they were, it is such a hand feature.
Anonymous
I have been searching, unfortunately these are not sold in the US
🙁 it would be so very handy, we did use the infant car seat with base, we did not let her sleep in it outside the car, it is so handy for appointments and such.
Anonymous
An ear thermometor is on the top of my list.
Anonymous
Hi Ellie,
If you plan to breastfeed, get nursing bras with a zip cup rather than clips, they are sooo much easier to use! I fed all 4 of mine, and struggled with clips/hooks with baby #1. And whichever nipple cream you prefer (I’m allergic to lanolin so used a lanolin-free variety).
Enjoy this special time,
Bee x
Sara
I have two little ones (23 mo and 5 mo), and for me, my favorite baby items are: boppy nursing pillow, boppy lounger (it is so nice to have somewhere safe and soft to set your baby when they are super little, and then it is a fun lounging pillow for bigger babies), angelcare bath support, cotton sleepers with zippers (snaps take longer and can be a challenge to line up when it is the middle of the night and you are just SO tired) and aquaphor diaper ointment. Also, there are a couple of splurge items I love as well – they aren’t the cheapest, but are wonderful anyway: saranoni muslin 4-layer quilt (the perfect, most breathable, softest baby blanket ever – love these and use them all the time), noodle and boo baby lotion (that perfect, heavenly baby scent), and cuddle and kind knit dolls (so cute and soft!).
Anonymous
Hi there Ellie! Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of love. As a newer mother myself,the necessities I loved are a portable changing pad, pacifier,diapers ,blankets,swaddles , little mitts so he doesn’t scratch himself ,a nursing cover,and disposable nursing pads.
Cynthia J
Congratulations!!
Some of my favorite natural baby bath product companies are by SheaMoisture and Honest Co.. Both can be found in Target and Buy Buy Baby. Sometimes TJ MAXX has great deals.
Costco sells 2 bigger sizes of Honest Co. baby wash/shampoo for a great deal.
I also use coupons at BuyBuyBaby and BedBath&Beyond for both companies’ products.
They each have a lavender bath and lotion that are helpful for calming babies.
Hope that’s helpful!😊
Ellie
I received some Honest Co. baby wash and shampoo from a friend, and I can’t wait to try it!
Anonymous
Owlet. It is a little sock that tracks baby’s heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep so you can have peace of mind.
Ellie
I saw those in the Buy Buy Baby catalog. Very neat!