Plan And Research Before Buying Baby Furniture
Before your nursery-decorating adventure begins, determine how much space you have, what style you want for the room, and how much money you can spend.
When planning the layout of your babys nursery, do your research. Ear-mark magazines with nursery ideas that you like. Look online at pictures of other nurseries to help narrow down the style you want for your babys room.
For a little inspiration, check out these articles from Newton Baby all about nursery ideas:
Lets be honest the nursery is really for you, the parent. Your baby wont remember the colors you used or how you organized their books, so whether you want to make a statement with the style or keep it low-key, its your choice!
Tip: If youre running low on space in your babys nursery, a mini crib is a great space-saving option!
Once youve done your research and have started to plan for the nursery, you may have several exciting ideas youve fallen in love with. But before you start buying things, there are a few questions youll need to ask yourself.
Folding Crib / Playpen Combo
Soft-sided playpens can keep your baby safe from hazards when they start to crawl, but you dont need to consider buying one right away since your baby wont be crawling for many months to come. When your child does start to crawl, you can skip the playpen by closely supervising them and ensuring that your home is baby-proofed. If youre considering one for travel, most hotels also offer these to guests. You can request one ahead of time if youre traveling, or borrow one from a friend or family member.
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
Whether you plan on formula feeding or breastfeeding, having an extra tub of formula on-hand is always a good idea. Breastfeeding can be hard, so even if you plan on going au natural, having a back up supply *just in case* will give you some peace of mind. Happy Baby Organic is made to simulate breastmilk and has lots of great reviews from pleased parents with full-tummied babes. And, of course, there are plenty of other wonderful baby formula options for you to choose from.
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Bringing Home Baby: The 20 Essentials You Actually Need
When I was pregnant with my first child, friends offered a heap of advice on all the baby gear I absolutely had to have. I ended up creating not one, not two, not three, but five different registries to account for all those necessary items.
Of course, no one ever sets out to be that excessive. But with the wave of parenthood approaching, I wanted to cover all my bases. When it comes to our kids, even the most rational and levelheaded among us can succumb to that nagging fear: If I just buy X, then Ill win at parenting . . . or at least not mess up so badly.
It doesnt have to be like that. Before you go wandering glassy-eyed through the aisles of Babies R Us, check out this list of 20 must-haves built from hard-won wisdom and experience in the child-rearing trenches.
1. Car seat: Car seats are mandatory by federal law, and the hospital wont let you take baby home without one. Baby car seats, or infant buckets, snap into a base and have a carry handle. There are numerous brands available to fit your budget and style.
2. Soft carrier: When you cant put your newborn down but want to move around with your hands free, soft carriers are lifesavers. Styles range from sling to wrap to front-to-back convertible, so talk to a friend, try a few out and keep your receipts!
6. Nursing wear: A nursing mom should have two good nursing bras or tank tops, plus nursing pads so you dont leak through all your shirts.
Stroller Or Baby Carrier
While you can always carry the baby around when youre out and about, this isnt always feasible or comfortable. Thats when a stroller, or even a baby carrier, is necessary.
When I had twins, this was even more of a no-brainer, since there was no way I could carry two babies on my own. With a stroller, I was able to set them down in a safe place and free up my arms.
Nearly every newborn car seat comes with a stroller attachment, making travel even easier. Theres no need to unbuckle your baby from the car seat and into the stroller. Instead, youd simply unsnap the car seat from the base in the car and into the stroller.
If not a stroller, then a baby carrier also allows you to be out and about. This is especially useful if youre walking out of your house .
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A New Baby Needs Practical Clothes
Next, those first few weeks and even months your baby isnt going out to the movies, out to eat and out socializing. The baby does not need 10 fancy outfits as likely they will only wear 1 or 2 and maybe only 1 or 2 times before growing out of it. Baby outfits, especially fancy ones, are sooo stinking cute, but they are not practical.
Resist the urge to buy these non-practical clothes and save your money. Typically these are the most expensive outfits too. You might be able to get 4-5 onesies or sleepers for what 1 fancy outfit would cost. Save your money and avoid getting lots of formal outfits as realistically your baby is not going to wear them.
Furthermore, get clothes that do not have lots of buttons, ties, or take a lot of maneuvering to get on or off. These clothes will be frustrating for both you and your baby and are not worth it.
Baby Gear And Accessories
The world of baby gear and accessories is a beautiful thing. Its full of helpful, fun, exciting, genius inventions that lure you in and make you think you cant live without it all. Well, let me tell you, in those first newborn days, you can. There is only a hand full of baby gear items and accessories you really need for your newborn and I list them below.
20. Receiving Blankets
I received dozens of receiving blankets as gifts while I was pregnant. I didnt really know what I would use them for and debated just getting rid of some because there were so many and I didnt think I would need them. Well, to this day I still use them and they are by far my most used baby item. During those newborn days, I used them for everything and anything. As a blanket, spit-up cloth, diaper changing station, clean up towel, nursing cover, and so much more!
21. Pacifiers
I am including pacifiers as an item you need because I dont know how I wouldve survived without them in those early days. Now, not all babies take to pacifiers, so you may not need one after all if your baby doesnt like them. However, I still recommend having a few on hand. Because if your baby does end up liking them, they will be your best friend. We like the Natursutten brand the best.
22. Soft-Wrap Carrier
23. Bouncer or lounger
Optional: Baby Bath
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Minimalist Baby List: What You Really Need For A Newborn
Getting prepped for a newborn can become a bit overwhelming, because of the sheer amount of stuff and options there are out there when it comes to baby gear.
There are so many choices out there for every aspect of your babys life, from the nursery, clothes, car seats the list goes on and on!
But what do you really need to buy for a newborn? What are the best and most useful products to purchase first?
I struggled with sifting through all of the products to find what was really necessary, and spent a crazy amount of time researching the different products , buying all the things, and building a registry.
As a mom of a two year old and a ten month old, I have learned so much about what newborn babies need, and what you should purchase and register for in those first few months.
This is just a list to get you started well cover more useful gear in later posts. So lets get to it!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
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New Baby Necessities What Do You Really Need For A Baby
I hate clutter, we lived in a small house, and I was determined to gather only the new baby necessities when my first was born and yet I STILL ended up with a bunch of stuff we didnt use!
Im going to sort of blame this on the internet. If you google what do I need for a baby youre gonna get ALL KINDS OF LISTS that insist you need changing pads, carriers, bottle warmers, pacifier clips and on and on.
I am here to tell you that a newborn actually needs VERY LITTLE.
This is good news for parents on a budget and also those who just dont want to fill their homes with stuff they wont ever use!
I also want to encourage you to WAIT to buy baby stuff until the third trimester, for the most part!
Even though I was 100% committed to not collecting too much stuff, its really hard not to! You didnt honestly know what a new baby really needs until youve had one.
You feel like you truly need it all for the baby.
Looking back, now that Ive done the newborn thing twice, I know what really needs to be on the list of things you need for a new baby and what doesnt.
These are things that still make my newborn necessities list a couple of them might seem frivolous to the most hardcore minimalists, but these are the things I would buy again, or tell my daughter to buy for her new baby.
These things are also the absolute best gift ideas for a new baby, in my opinion, because buying mom things she will actually use/need is always a good idea.
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Shop Smart For Your New Baby With This Checklist Of Infant Necessities Nice
When it’s your first time registering for a baby shower, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. Both online and brick-and-mortar retailers may have you convinced that you need everything they have on offer. But the list of things your baby actually needs is fairly short. Before your guests blow a small fortune, it’s important to understand which items are essential and which are totally unnecessary.
To help you wade through the hype, we’ve drawn up this list based on our own experience and that of other parents. The must-have baby items are categorized as “necessities,” while those that might make your life easier are listed as “nice-to-haves.” We also mention unsafe products that you should avoid. Every parent’s needs are different, so this list can be modified to your tastes.
Why You Shouldnt Buy So Much Stuff For A New Baby
One thing to keep in mind is that in the first few months of life, your baby will outgrow their clothes fairly quickly, especially the newborn and 0-3 months sizes. If youre looking to be economic, buying too many items in these sizes is definitely not worth it no matter how cute, especially since your baby might not even wear them.
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Best Splurge: Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad And Scale
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Can be used as changing pad or scale
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Must be connected to app for scale use
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Changing pad is hard/cold
We love the many different features of this durable baby changing pad, including its user-friendly app and easy upkeep. This changing pad doubles as a scale, so you can check your babys weight during a diaper change. While the app is required to use the scale, you dont need the app to use the changing pad itself.We appreciate the changing pads easy-to-clean material, which you can wipe off with a soft, damp cloth. Plus, it has a safety belt to keep your little one secure.
Price at time of publication: $145
Dimensions: 29 x 16 x 3.5 inches | Materials: ABS plastic | Safety straps: Yes
Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer
New parents are always fretting about germs and sanitizing everything for their new little bundle of joy. For your own peace of mind, buy a sterilizer for bottles and pacifiers and let that do the work for you. There are plenty of microwavable and electrical options to choose from at a variety of prices. We like this one because its super fast, effective, and under $25.
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What You Probably Dont Need To Register For Again
Theres often no need to replace these items if you still have them from your first child:
- Baby tub: Many of these are made with easy-to-clean plastic or fabric pieces that can be tossed in the wash. If yours is still in good condition, it can be reused.
- Bouncy seat: Provided your seat hasnt been recalled and still meets safety standards , its okay to reuse this.
- Changing table: Just ensure that yours is still in good working condition. You may need to tighten some screws, but should be otherwise fine to reuse it.
- Lots of baby clothes: If your babies line up seasonally, its totally fine to reuse your firstborns clothes. Of course, youll probably need to add some new clothes to your list, like if your babies were born during different seasons or if some items have lots of wear and tear, but feel free to reuse whatever you can. Babies grow so quickly, so its a win when you can repurpose some of those tiny, adorable outfits!
- High chair: High chairs are made to last and many are easily cleaned. Just double-check to make sure yours still meets the latest safety standards and then give it a good scrub before reusing it for your new baby.
- Baby toys: Many of these are easy to disinfect, either with soap and water or in the washing machine. Just clean yours before passing them on.
Which Items Are Actually Essential
Its not easy to know which baby items are truly essential and which ones you can ignore. Your baby doesnt need brand-name clothing, but what about a hooded towel or a humidifier? Its not always clear whats absolutely necessary and whats just nice to have.
The truth is that some newborn baby essentials arent exactly essential. Humans have survived for thousands of years without things like breast pumps and pacifiers, so we dont need them in order to take care of our babies.
However, we dont live in the Stone Age anymore, and life in the 21st century requires a few extra items. Diapers, for instance, are impossible to go without. The same is true of bathing products and cleansers.
If youre looking to save money on baby essentials or just prefer a minimalist approach, here is a list of what you will definitely need to care for your baby:
- Cleansers to bathe your baby with
These are, to quote Baloo, the bare necessities of life. But there are a number of other baby essentials that will make caring for your child easier. And making life easier for you and your partner should be a high priority!
So lets get started with the ultimate first year shopping list.
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Clothes A New Baby Needs
So now that we went over factors to consider when getting baby clothes, here is what clothes a new baby actually needs. I suggest getting these clothing items in a 0-3 month size. Depending on how large you anticipate your baby to be at the start, getting some of these items in the 3-6 month size would make sense too .
Clothes a new baby needs:
- 5-7 sleep n plays or sleepers for at night
- 7 pants/shirt sets or outfits
- 5-7 pair baby socks
Start out with the basics and add anything as it becomes essential for you. Keep your receipts when you purchase items to make sure they fit and you actually use them. Also, you will likely get baby clothes as gifts at your shower and/or when the baby is born so do not go overboard buying baby clothes.
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