I am new to everything. I feel so overwhelmed at Babies R Us... What is really important?

Leanne - posted on 09/07/2009

when i had my children i thought i needed everything lol.... now when i have another 1 i will get a porter cot (it replaces play pen, bassinet, wooden cot), a bouncer, a stroller that lays back and a really good car seat. i got top of the line everything and now realise most of it was not needed for a happy baby:-) not to mention most of it u only use for the first year if that.

Kirsten - posted on 09/07/2009

Someone mentioned the diaper genie and I just wanted to suggest the diaper champ instead. It's the same idea but it doesn't need special cartridges which can get so expensive and I think that it's easier to use.

Maria - posted on 09/05/2009

I almost forgot, you may also need a car seat when you go travelling with your young one!

Maria - posted on 09/05/2009

Even then when I had my boys, I found it a blessing having onesies, pajamas with footsies and front zip (like onesies, except for the cold months) or pajamas with blanket-like bottom where his legs are inside and zipped up front, a bouncy seat (can take the place also of the swing), diapers/wipes, burp towels, a sturdy stroller with canopy (in case you want to take walks in the summer), booties, diaper rash ointment, bottle sterilizer/bottle brush, bibs and a sturdy crib that he can be in for a few months.

Chrystal - posted on 09/04/2009

receiving blankets

onesies

pacifiers



Also, my advise is to compare prices online. lots of time an item that Babies R Us has is also at Target and Walmart.



Also, don't get everything at once. I felt bad at first because we couldn't afford to get everything we wanted before our daughter arrived. But it was an actual blessing because a lot of those things she didn't need anyway or would have grown out of in an instant. Stick to basics...let your friends and family get you all the frills! Good luck!

Shawna - posted on 09/04/2009

i forgot MYLICON!!! a total lifesaver with the tummy bubbles

Shawna - posted on 09/04/2009

if you have the money.. get everything.. youll use it all at least once... but really all ive used is recieving blakets onesies.. the boppy to sleep on not to nurse.. and tons and tons of diapers.. we bought her everything and set up an awesome nursery.. that shes never been in so dont waste ur money unless it isnt a big deal.. i dont even used the glider with custom upholstry.. i just bounce her up and down in my arms.. shes only 5 weeks so maybe Ill need more stuff later.. i am using the bumbo now.. she likes to sit up

Tamlyn - posted on 09/04/2009

It depends on how you plan to mother your baby. We got EVERYTHING and only used a very few things. We got a bassinette, but the baby sleeps with us. We got lots of clothes, but the baby screams when we dress him, so he is usually just in a diaper. For the first two months, all I really needed was his swing, diapers, and receiving blankets. I stay home with him, so he doesn't need clothes for daycare or much of anything. As he got older, we added more "contraptions" as needed and have gotten much more use out of them than I had thought. I suggest getting as little as possible, and then take the baby with you shopping so you can try stuff out. My son hates those slings, although I really wish he didn't, since I purchased two and washed them before trying to put him in there. No returning that stuff! Don't buy clothes in advance because they will be out of season when you need them. I was planning to pump breastmilk, but he wouldn't take a bottle, so the pump and bottles are in a cabinet, barely used. Most things aren't needed for months. Don't blow your nest egg feathering the nest, since they grow out of everything SO fast. Good Luck!

Cayla - posted on 09/04/2009

these are the things i found i needed :)

- baby swing!! my daughter loved her's and whenever she was cranky and wouldnt sleep

that thing just made her conk right out.

- Exer saucer or jumper i had both but used the exer saucer when she was younger

and the jumper once she had a sturdy enough neck

-I found getting an size up in diapers for nightime was good, she wouldnt leak through

and no diaper rash either

-gripe water did amazing things also whenever she had gas it helped soothe her tummy

- i used the zipper onsies at first and night gowns for easy diaper changes

- i used soothers as well, a lot of moms are against it, but honestly the first night

i gave it to her she slept through the night lol

hope that helps!!

Ashley - posted on 09/04/2009

Everyone is being so helpful!!!!!! Thank you so much!

Sharrie - posted on 09/04/2009

I think most of my favorites have already been mentioned (swing, somewhere to sleep). Clothes with buttons annoyed me the most. Zippers and snaps were my favs. Gowns and footed pajamas. I felt that overalls were a waste until they can at least sit up on their own, otherwise they ride up and smuggle thier little faces. I love my baby bathtub that had a removable infant hammock, but the kitchen sink works well too. My best friend hated her diaper genie, I still love mine and DS is 2. If bottle feeding, the Day and Night Bottle Warmer was awesome. It has a cold pack so you can keep 2 bottles on standby without needing a fridge near. If breastfeeding, I loved these gel packs you put in the fridge called Soothies, though I suppose any cold compress would work for your nips. And a baby monitor. Video monitors are a little more spendy, but I think it helped DS sleep through the night sooner because I didn't need to pop my head in every time he squeaked. I could see whether he was just trying to get comfy or if he really needed me. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 09/03/2009

If you are nursing, a must have is a boppy pillow! I loved, loved mine and used it till my baby was about 10 months old! Its a back saver, and frees up your hands while nursing. Its also more comfy for them! And the bumbo seat with the tray.. that thing was great! Definately got my moneys worth! I used it till he was about 10 months old also.. at first to help him learn to sit up, then as he got older, i sent it to the sitters for him to eat in, took it places with us.. it was awesome! And zippered pjs with feet.. much much better than the snap kind.. that way you dont have to worry about them getting cold, and when they wake up for a diaper change you dont have to fumble with snaps! Also if you are nursing, a co-sleeper is WONDERFUL! the baby isnt sleeping with you, but it attaches to your bed, basically an extension of your bed. I loved it! It was soo nice not having to actually get up to nurse/ lay him back down.. just reach over, pull him into bed, nurse him, scoot him back into his bed. This way they arent getting used to sleeping with you, but they are very near. I didnt move my baby to his crib in his room till he was 6 months.. he fit just fine in the co-sleeper till then!!

Maggie - posted on 09/03/2009

oh I forgot one thing...a carrier! Babies R Us carries Moby wraps now and I loved mine! it holds baby so close and makes them feel swaddled and secure.

Holly - posted on 09/03/2009

When my kids were little, the most important things for us were:

*a nice battery operated swing

*a playpen

*gowns for them for when they were new. it was so nice to not have to mess with all

those snaps

*little sacks for them to sleep in - you don't want to put loose blankets in with a tiny baby

*lots of socks

*lots of cloth diapers to use as burpies (burp cloths) you'll need lots

*a wedge so the baby can sleep on it's side - no choking on throw up or smooshing tiny faces into the mattress

*have a couple of pacifiers on hand just in case

*drops for gas

*a good rocking chair and nightlight - you don't want to use big bright lights at night

*if you are going to bottle feed, get a bottle warmer to keep in your nursery so you aren't wandering the house at night. My husband also put his mini-fridge in the nursery so the bottles were already in the room.



Those were the things that helped us most when they were tiny tiny. You don't need all the fancy gadgets they have out there. It's just lots of junk to spend money on.

Maggie - posted on 09/03/2009

footed sleepers! I have two kids and this is all they wore until about 4 months. Also, a good bathtub (you won't need it for a few weeks). A playmat is nice to have but not necessary. a good pair of fingernail clippers. a breast pump if you plan on breastfeeding, as well as some leak guards (reusable are softer than disposable) for inside your bra (a very supportive, comfortable one!!). Diapers Diapers Diapers! Babies R Us sells a biodegradable brand that is the same price as "name brands". It is called Nature Babycare and I've never had a leak! You'll also want some baby tylenol for "just in case", some nice blankets for swaddling

what i got and never really used - lotion, baby powder/oil, hooded towels (a regular bath towel works just as well), diaper pail (just sprinkle some baking soda in a regular trash can), Exersaucer (niether of my kids liked it for more than 15 minutes),



Hope this helps! Good luck!

Kirsten - posted on 09/03/2009

Just think that you only need one of each type of big baby item and the cheapest and easiest route to go is usually something that will grow with the baby, i.e:

1 place to sleep (a crib would be better than a bassinet or playpen since it lasts longest)

1 place to play (bouncer seat, exersaucer, swing)

1 place to feed them (high chair, bumbo seat)

1 stroller (if you get an infant car seat you might want to get the stroller that goes with it)

1 car seat (the convertible car seats are great because they will work for all the stages and they have some of the highest rear-facing weight limits, but the infant seats are also very convenient when they are younger)

1 baby carrier (swing, mobi, snuggli)

As long as you have 1 of each of these big items you should be fine, people will tell you that such and such thing worked great for them but it's not really necessary to have every contraption under the sun. We have both an exersaucer and a walker and I really wished that we hadn't gotten both. My son likes to use both but now we have the problem of storage, I always feel like I'm tripping over those contraptions. Less is more in my mind. And you can always pick up something you decide you need after the baby's born from a second hand store or a garage sale. Good luck!

Felicia - posted on 09/03/2009

A swing or a good bouncy seat can be a lifesaver when you have chores to do. You'll probably want lots of onesis, socks (they tend to get lost easily), a stroller is good because you and baby can go for a walk as a bonding experience. My son loves outdoors so his stroller got lots of use. one thing most people don't think of is outlet covers, but babies start messing with those at a very early age. you'll also need a lot of recieving blankets. if you have any more questions feel free to contact me.

Kristi - posted on 09/03/2009

A swing is nice to have. My son loves his, but I have a friend whose baby doesn't. I love our bumbo with tray too. We can take it everywhere and he will sit in it and play and we can feed him in it also. It has helped him learn to sit up on his own too. We also love our exersaucer. A bassinet is nice to have, but I wouldn't spend too much on one. We didn't use one. They grow out of them so fast. For bathtime check out www.bathluve.com It really made a difference. My son would scream during his bath even though I warmed the bathroom real good he was still cold. The first time I layed i on him in the bath he got so calm and comfortable. I got mine at Kohls for $5. I would have payed $50. Great product! I also love footed sleepers. Bibs, Bibs, and more bibs. Burp cloths are nice to have to. You can use 6 ply cloth diapers (about $12 for 12, I think).

Carla - posted on 09/03/2009

in the week and a half i have been a mother i have figured out a few things that are life savers:



a good swing (graco products are really good)

onesies and jumpers that button or zip all the way up

wipe warmer (some people might say it's not necessary, but i find it really comforting for my baby)



hope that helps a little