Items for Baby

Blog question from a reader:

I don't know if you have this out there on your blog or not and I have just missed it. But, I know you say you like questions from your readers. For people that are going to be new parents, do you have any suggestions for necessary baby items to purchase? I know you try to be "wise" with your money and I would imagine could help people with what they don't need to buy. If you ever get around to the question, it would be great! Love your blog!

She is right. I am pretty frugal. And I also don't like a clutter. That being said, I decided to compile a list of things that I believe are absolutely necessary/possibly necessary/and not necessary for having a baby. Obviously this is just my opinion. If you disagree, feel free to share your differing viewpoint in the comments. Don't take the "what you should register for" list from Target and go with that. They'll have you buying the whole store!

Wendi's Absolutely Necessary Baby Items:

• Bed. I'd recommend a crib or pack-n-play. I don't think a bassinet is needed. If you just use a pack-n-play you can move it from room to room (if your doors are wide enough like at my house) just like a bassinet. Other parents swear by the co-sleeper.
• Pack-n-play. While a crib is not mandatory if you have a pack-n-play, I do think that a pack-n-play is pretty mandatory. If you go anywhere with baby where he/she will need to take a nap, you will want it. If you want to pull baby into your room when company is there you can. And if you stay in a hotel (although you can often get one at hotels upon request.) I bought one of these used on Craig's List for $15. It looked brand new. Just make sure the person isn't a smoker when buying it.
• Secondary baby holder. By this I mean either a swing or a vibrating chair. I don't think you need both, but I do think you need something that you can put the baby in to help "soothe" them and give you a break. Some babies like swings. Some like the chairs. You can definitely get these secondhand online or at a consignment shop. Or you could borrow one from a friend. You will only use these for the first few months of life so I don't think buying a new one is needed. I truly felt my baby swing was nearly more important than a bed.
• Car seat. Obviously mandatory. You can get an infant seat that goes up to 30 pounds. Our's was 22. This can help you avoid making a second car seat purchase sooner than you are ready. 
• Stroller. You will need some sort of stroller. If you jog or walk a lot, consider getting a jogger that doubles as a stroller. I love the BOB but they are expensive and definitely my splurge item. (If you are going to run with a jogger, I think a front wheel that is not fixed is a must.) The BOB does allow you to buy an extra piece that will fit an infant seat as well which is unlike any other joggers I have seen. While the strollers that allow the car seat to click in are very nice, I have many friends who saved money by just buying a cheap frame type stroller for those first few months and then going with an umbrella stroller or something else of a cheaper and simpler nature later. Also, you can get these secondhand for sure. We bought our non-jogging double stroller in nearly new condition for $50 on Craig's List.
• Boppy. These can be used for breastfeeding, propping the baby up, tummy time, and for protection when baby first starts to sit up. So versatile. I would either get a new one or if you buy one secondhand or borrow one, buy your own cover.
• Highchair / booster seat. You will need something to feed the kiddo in, but you don't have to go very high-tech in this area. Highchairs are great but so are seats that strap to chairs. Also, when baby is really little, you can feed them in their vibrating chair or Bumbo if you have one. I bought two booster seats from a friend's yard sale for $2.50 each! As long as the seat has a strap, it will work. However when baby is between about 4 and 7 months, they will need some sort of stroller strap so keep that in mind.
• Bottles. We used Avent and really loved them. Hint: try to not heat up formula from the get-go. Our boys took it room temperature or even cold. This will help you avoid having to buy any of those heat-on-the-go packs for the bottles. Abigail has been pickier.
• First-aid kit. By this I mean something with a nail clipper, syringe, one of those nose squeegee thingies, a thermometer, those types of things. All the things that you don't think you'd use often but you end up really needing.

And here are a few littler things that I couldn't live without:

• Burp cloths. These are wonderful. The generic and cheap white ones are really the best. The designer ones just don't seem as good.
• Bibs.
• Bath soap.
• Baby spoons.
• Lotion.
• Some baby hangers.
• A few blankets (although these usually come in as gifts.)
• A few crib sheets.
• Diaper cream. (Big debate as to which is best. I have found that Desitin heals best. Balmax is the second best in the healing category. The "Butt paste" is good but I don't find it helps with really bad rashes.) And Abigail needs powder. So who knows.
• Socks. Always good to have on hand. Here's my favorites for staying on and cuteness.

Wendi's Possibly Necessary Baby Items:

• Changing table. While convenient, I know many people who don't have a changing table. You can set up a station on a guestroom bed, a table or just buy a changing table pad and put it on a dresser. If you decide you want a changing table, I would definitely look second-hand. I would also consider just buying an old dresser or bookshelf and converting it. You can do it a lot cheaper that way.
• Dressers. Quite honestly, I hang up nearly ALL of my kids clothes. Even their pants. That way I can see it all and don't have to go digging through. One little dresser or some plastic drawers can do the job.
• Monitor. I actually do not think a monitor is mandatory if your house is not that big or if it is not that solid. Our house is a fortress so you can't hear from room to room. In that case, I think a monitor is helpful. If you decide to get one, I think something low-end works just as well as the high-end.
• Noisemaker. I am a big fan of these for travelling and even at home. Here's the one we have based on a recommendation from my friend Jaime. Actually, we have two of them. I think something that provides white noise is very helpful especially when away from home.
• Rocker/Glider. I don't think you have to have one of these. But some sort of rocking chair is nice. If you have a recliner, use that. If you have anything that rocks, use it. Don't buy something new.
• Baby carrier. Like a Baby Bjorn or sling or Moby Wrap. Some people live and die by these. I have used it more with Abigail because I don't have a triple stroller. The Moby is incredibly comfortable but just too difficult for me to put on. The Bjorn is not as comfortable but putting baby in it is a snap.

Wendi's Not Necessary Baby Items:

• Toys. Wait until your child reaches a stage that they need a certain age-group of toys. Chances are you will have accumulated some from friends getting rid of their's. You can buy toys very cheap at consignment shops as well. We have not bought a single toy. And you would not know it front seeing how many we have.
• Clothes. As tempting as it is, I just do not buy new clothes. IPeople are constantly passing things down. They also love to give clothes as gifts. In addition, depending on what stage your child is, they may never need thick pajamas at three months old. I do yard sales and consignment shops for clothes. If I buy something at the store it has to be under two or three dollars for me to consider it. I ONLY hit the clearance racks for clothes unless I really need something.  
• Bumbos are really great. Don't get me wrong. But your child will use it for such a small window (five months old to nine months old if you are lucky.) My friends here just passed these around amongst each other. Try to borrow one for that small window.
• Books. Get them when you see what your kids are interested in. Ask for them as gifts. Or hit a used book store. These seem to breed in my house and people are constantly getting rid of their old books. You can also do Paperbackswap.com.
• Infant bathtub. As much as I loved our tub, you really don't need it. There are a lot of other cheaper options. When I was at other people's houses, I would just put a towel down in the tub and put a very thin layer of water in the tub. As they can sit up, they won't use the infant tub anymore anyways.
• Baby shoes. While stylish, your child doesn't need to wear shoes until they are walking, and even then doctors say to let them walk in bare feet more as they are learning. I wouldn't buy any until they are walking or if you really want some, go used. Young babies don't go through them. I did receive feedback that shoes can be beneficial in (a) keeping socks on and (b) getting kids used to shoes before they have to wear them. I agree with both of these points.

I originally posted this on my daily blog on February 15 of 2010. I received some very interesting and helpful comments. Many people commented about used items -- especially car seats due to safety issues. A very good point. I also thought it was interesting to see that things that worked for me didn't work at all for others. There really isn't a "one size fits all" when it comes to kids.