Recommended Baby Items for 1St Time Momma

Hello M.,

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming arrival! What an exciting time for everybody. My husband and I just welcomed our 2nd child back in December, and it was just as exciting as the first. I hope you have just as wonderful of an experience as I have had with both of my girls.

I'm only going to suggest my top 3 "must have" helpful items that have been a huge help to me with both of my girls.

(1) http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2508004 I love this rocker, one because it helps me get stuff done around the house. Second, my babies were both pretty big, so I wanted to register for something that I could use for a long time rather than 6 months and have them grow out of it.

(2) http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2507965 If you plan on nursing, this was a huge help for me. It helps support the baby's neck, and also helps prevent from your arm getting tired too. (Plus, they have tons of cute boppy pillow covers too!)

(3) http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3125435 I thought this car seat cover very helpful because you don't have to worry about your baby being too cold. (Plus, you don't have to pack tons of blankets everytime you go out). This cover really has kept my girls very warm whenever we go out. (There are a ton of different models out there. I particularly liked this one because the baby's head is covered).

Hope this helps you. Good luck!

Try not to be nervous! The great thing about babies (and life) is you can take it one day at a time - you don't have to have all the answers! Just savor it and take lots of pictures.

As for equipment, I'd recommend an electric breast pump that can work with the Medella BPA-free bottles for collection. Even if you're planning to "always" breastfeed, you might need it for times the baby is eating less, or if you go on a trip.

You might want a few brands of pacifiers to have around. A Miracle Blanket for swaddling (normal receiving blankets are OK for the first month or so). A humidifier? A fan for the baby's room (white noise)? If you have all-digital cameras and no printer, you might want to get one of those picture-printers. As for toiletries: zinc paste, gas drops, vitamin E capsules, pure soap like Ivory, little wash clothes (we use these as bum-wipes too), hoodie towel.

And if the family is looking to spend money on you, you could look into cloth diaper services in your area. My parents paid for that for 6 mo as a present to us...

And make sure you have Skype so family can see the baby over the internet, for free!

congratulations! My daughter is now 2 and the things I used most were the bumbo seat, and if you are active a jog stroller-because they roll so much better than the ones that come with the travel system.

It is totally overhwelming at first, I know!! You have a good head start knowing what the beasics are, and if you go to Babies R Us they do have a printout of suggestions for all the other essentials you'll need. Keep in mind that a lot of what you'll need and use you might not even know you will need until after the baby is born! For now, stick to more basics (I'm thinking of all the things I couldn't have survived without with my two girls) - swing, bouncy seat, Bumbo seat, storage baskets, Butt Paste and Aquaphor, a GOOD digital thermometer (I recommend the Braun ear thermometer, which you can use when the baby is a couple of months old), first aid kit, towels with a little hood, and lost of crib sheets and blankets. The play gym for the floor is awesome not only for tummy time, but also for them to see bright colors and objects above them. Definitely find a baby sling or carrier you like so you can "wear" the baby hands free from time to time. I also loved the doorway jumper and exersaucer; my youngest pratically lived in the jumper when she was 5-6 months old! Plain, basic onesies are great for summer babies so they can sleep in them, then you can use them under other shirts as layers in the fall. Good luck and have fun... my oldest was born July 12 and it's a great time of year to have a baby!!

Congratulations!
I'm going to repeat suggestions for the Baby Bargains book, a footstool to go w/ your rocker/glider, and a car seat cover for winter.
As for newborn/premie sized clothes: Have a couple on hand just in case your baby is small. You can always buy more later.
My favorite splurge item: a video monitor. I didn't think it was something we needed, but now that we have it, I can't imagine being without. :-) At the very least, you'll want an audio monitor.
And, since you're being proactive, you might want to read some books about babies' sleep habits. Read summaries and reviews to see what might fit your style. I had no idea there was so much science around learning to sleep.
Good luck and enjoy!
J.

If you go to Babies R Us, they can be very helpful. When you register, they give you a paper with a list of the necessities on it. You should register for stuff like bottles that you want to use or pacifiers, onesies bibs, if you plan to breastfeed, then maybe a pump or breast pads and definitely lanolin oil. Just ask one of the people that work there to help you. You can also register online at Babies R us and add or remove any items you think of.
Congrats on your baby and good luck.

When you look at car seat's make sure it will fit rear faceing & forward facing. I went to Baby R Us. They will go out with you to try it in your car. I love the Britex models. The seat bealts are the only one my 30 month old can not get out of. SHe was getting out of the other car seat at 18 months. With baby toys we loved books. We had every one bring a book to the baby shower to start out her collection. It was great we read to her each nit and still do. Any thing that that is colorful was my daughters favorit and any thing she could kick with her feet. Good luck.

There is a book called "A Girlfriend's Guide to Baby Gear" that I (and several of my girlfriends) suggest. If you can't find it in a local bookstore, you can order it through Amazon.com.

And Congratulations. You are embarking on an amazing journey.

highly recommend the ERGO baby carrier - it's a little on the pricey side but it's so comfortable for both mom and dad, you can use it front or back, and you can use it from 6 weeks to 4 years (really! and it's still comfortable). and depending on your feeding/sleeping plans, you might want to consider a co-sleeper - it makes nursing during those first few months SO much easier, especially if you don't have a king-sized bed!

other than that, my advice is that less is more. you got some good suggestions already and I would say just to remember that gear takes up a LOT of space and gets used for a relatively short period of time.

I had my first last July and my favorite gift for those first few months was my Boppy. It's that curved cushion. You use it to nurse, you can lay your newborn in it, and when he gets older he can practice holding his head up and sitting with it. It was a great purchase. My other favorite was his pack and play with the changing table attachment and bassinet built in. Definitely got a lot of use out of that.
Last, when he was a few weeks old the bouncy seat came very much in handy when I wanted to put him down to eat breakfast or have two hands for something. It's not really for bouncing but has music, toys, and a vibrating setting. He starting swatting at the toys at 6 or 7 weeks.
There's a lot of stuff you don't really need. That list from Toys R Us is good but has a lot of unnecessaries on it so you buy more from them. Also, my friend spent $250 on a Medela pump which broke in the first month. She and I use the $30 Evenflo pump we got at Walmart which works just fine. Don't overdo it because stuff accumulates fast and then you have to worry about getting rid of stuff. We were given way too many stuffed animals and blankets!!! The Born Free bottle nipples (no BPA) were way too big for our son. We liked Dr. Brown's bottles (also no BPA) the best. However, it was such a load off to have all the necessities on hand before our little bear was born. Sorry about the lengthy message but I couldn't help it. We mothers try to look out for each other.
Best Wishes to you and your growing family:)

M.,
One of my favorite items is my Graco Infant Snug Ride Car Seat which I often use in the house and bring my baby with me from room to room..when I'm folding laundry, etc. I also received a Snap 'N Go Frame stroller that is universal so any brand car seat can fit in it. It's very easy to use and it's lightweight. For walks in my neighborhood (in the suburbs with no sidewalks) I use my Graco Quattro Deluxe
G Galore Travel System because it's much sturdier and more comfortable for the baby.

Some type of swing is a must-have.. to soothe and calm the baby. Also, a pack and play.. a Boppy pillow for nursing.. the pillow is great.

Initially I used the 4 ounce glass bottles by Even Flo.. but I found that the baby had too much gas. My mother in law suggested that I try the Playtex Drop In system because the liner collapses as the baby drinks the formula so there is less/no air in the bottle...the bottles are plastic but the liners are BPA free..now Playtex is coming out with BPA free bottles.. I've also heard that Dr. Brown bottles are very good. Vent Advanced Aire system is similar with the bent bottle. Today I started using the Dr. Brown Bottles and so far I like them the best!!

I used the Swaddle Me blanket by Kiddopotamus for night time and that seemed to calm my baby...

I also use CVS brand diapers which are very good.. don't leak.. and are the equivalent of Pampers but cost much less...CVS often has a sale.. buy 1 get 1 free, etc. Hope this helps!!

Congratulations! I know it can be very overwhelming, especially if you are the first in your group of friends to have kids.

everyone is going to have opinions on must haves and they are going to be very different for each person. I highly recommend the Baby Bargains book. They took a good look at what you will need, what might be really helpful and what is just a waste of money. Also they tell you what is typically safe to buy new or used.

I don't know how big your shower is going to be, but I found that people wanted to buy the cute clothes and not the really useful things (for the most part). I think that whatever you can get used (either at a kids consignment shop, Craig's list or from friends) is a great start. Even though you are spending the money yourself, you can go a lot further with your registry if you've taken care of a couple of the big ticket items.

A few specifics

The Snap n go stroller (or there is another similar one) fits any bucket car seat and is just a basic frame. I think that everyone I know that got a travel system regrets it because they don't like the stroller that much once the baby is out of the car seat.

I'd get a bucket car seat that goes to at least 30 inches. Mine only went to 27 inches and my baby grew out of it by 5 months. Some go up to 32 inches and by that time they will be pretty heavy, but you can still pop it into the stroller.

I preferred the My breast friend pillow to the boppy for breastfeeding

It is nice to have a small changing set either instead of or in addition to a diaper bag. It has a changing pad, spot for diapers, wipes etc, but it is small enough to fit in the stroller or another bag.

If you want to carry the baby, a pocket sling like a hotsling or a wrap like the moby wrap is great for newborns and a bjorn is great for when they get a little older (I think a lot of men are more comfortable with a bjorn than a sling or a wrap)

If you are going to pump, they strongly recommend not getting a used pump, so it is a good item to register for. If you have trouble nursing some health insurance companies will pay for a pump or a pump rental.

a pack n play with bassinet and changing table. Great item to get used. I got two off of Craig's list.

A Glider chair, bouncy seat, exersaucer, bathtubs and swing - great items to get used.

I'd ask for rechargeable batteries and a good charger that charges all sizes of batteries. You won't believe how many batteries you will go through.

It was important for me to have the things I'd need for the first month or so of my babies life. Clothes, diapers, wipes, a place to bathe (sponge baths only for the first few weeks) a place to sleep and a place to change etc. Once you get those covered it is nice to have a few things you will need down the road.

Somethings that I personally think are unnecessary.

Diaper Genie, some people love them, but I didn't want anything that I had to buy brand specific bags for. We just got a covered trash cans and use shopping bags.

A wipes warmer - some people swear by them, but for the life of me I can't imagine why you would want to get your kid hooked on that. What happens when you are changing them away from the house?

A changing table, depending on what furniture you have one of the changing pads on a dresser makes more sense to me. Although some changing tables basically have a top piece that comes off so you can use it as a dresser later.

Some sheet sets come with bumpers, valances, etc etc and can cost a ton of money that I think is better spent elsewhere personally.

newborn size clothes are too small for many babies. If you want to have some on hand save the receipt and don't wash them until after the baby is born if he/she is small.

Remember, Babies R us only lets you return things for 90 days (I believe) so unless you are pretty sure about the items for when the baby is a little older you might want to return them and save the money until then so you know just what you want. Also, I registered for a bunch of stuff that was only online and people like to shop in the store (plus the shipping is really expensive on babies r us) so I didn't get a lot of what I wanted/needed.

anyway that is my 25cents

Good luck, relax and try to get some sleep!

D.

What a great question! I did the same thing for my first child, but when I registered for the little things I took a good friend of mine with me who had a baby previously to help pick out items. So many things out there are useful, but so many are a waste of time and money. We just had our second baby two weeks ago and these are the items we are using again (durable) and ones we would buy again and again. I hope this helps! Feel free to write with questions! Congrats on your new pregnancy and enjoy your little miracle!! Don;t be nervous, your instincts will guide you. D.

1) Glider and foot stool for feedings/reading (We bought ours from Target.com-- love it! It has survived two moves and is also much cheaper than store-bought ones.)

2) Travel system stroller combo, so much easier for babies and ours lasted quite a while! (We bought the Chicco Travel system at Babies R' Us--I love this stroller! We still used it daily for our two year old and now again with our baby.) If you have a BRU, go there and push them all around the store to see which one feels the best to you. Important keys: the stroller declines all the way back (for make-shift beds/diaper changes), large storage basket and one-handed driving.

3) Cradle "Papasan Swing" from Fisher Price. My husband and I call this the "magic swing. Awesome.

4) Medela breast pump (if you plan to nurse- I use the small "Swing" pump) and/or matching BPA-free plastic bottles. Also, register for a bottle drying rack, bottle brush and microwaveable sterilization bags.

5) Pack-n-Play - When they start to roll around, this is a great savior for housework/showers and they love playing with their toys or sleeping here!

snap n go stroller. the carrier car seat fits in it. I couldn't live without mine.

if you go to babies r us they have alist of what newborns will need most of

I would register for an infant baby bjorn carrier and (if you have room for storage)a baby bjorn potty chair for later. Register for small items too like desitin, aveeno baby wash, baby wash cloths, two baby changing pads (one for the bedroom and one for your main living area -- my son is now 20 months old and we still use the one in the living room. Register for some bibs (both big and small). Register for size 1 and 2 diapers. Size two is the one you will probably use the most of. Register for a pak n play (if you travel) and an exersaucer (that round thing the babies sit in and play in). Register for some fall and winter clothes in size 6 - 9 months for the winter. A car seat cover (snuggle blanket for winter). I would get the car seat that you can remove from base and insert into the stroller. Register for some Robeez shoes (probably size 6 months). A baby swing if you like to have your hands free during the day. And for you and baby -- a glider chair (I lived in mine for a year) and it was the best purchase ever! Good luck and best wishes!!

wow there are alot of responses to this - so i hope i don't duplicate:

1. don't bother with an actual crib bedding set. the only think you could really use out of them are the dust ruffle and the bumper... most of the time the sheet that comes with it is just white, you can't use the blanket on them or anything. i picked a theme or an actual bedding pattern, but then go on ebay and just buy the pieces that you want, the curtains/valance, bumper and dust ruffle, and other wall hanging things. my don was frogs and my daughter was butterflies.

2. snap n' go stroller, as long as my kids were in the carrier i used this as my stroller, it has cup holders and a basket and was way easier to manuver in stores, and easier to get the baby in and out of and see while shopping - with the regular stroller the shade from the stroller was in the way to see the baby - i registerd for a travel system, but didn't use the stroller until my daughter was out of the carrier.

3. bundle me - depending on when you are due - the bundle me's are great for the cold weather. my son was born in july, so he was a little older for the winter, and a bit bigger, and he was a sweaty baby - so the bundle me light with mittens and a hat worked great. my daughter was born in aug and smaller and the heavier bundle me was fine.

4. excersaucer - is a must have but wait until the baby is here and try them out in the store. i originally wanted one that could convert to a walker etc... but it wasn't height adjustable.. my daughter was so petite that her feet didn't touch the bottom - i'm petite and my daughter will be petite as well so she needed one that was height adjustable. we tried 4 in the store - one she flopped forward in seat, another the toys were too far away etc...

5. outfits - outfits are cute - but 0-3 mos - babies are just so floppy, and sleeping most of the time -it's just easier to keep them in one piece sleepers most of the time. save the cute outfits for when they are older, and more awake and smiley.

6. exergen thermoscan temporal thermometer - i've tried the kind that's like a bink, other temple ones - this is by far the best and my daughter think's it's a game now to swipe it across her forhead. some of the others you have to hold against the temple for 5-10 seconds - which is long for a infant/toddler.

7. depending on your family plans - if you plan to have a second child in with in 2 years or so - don't go crazy on the stroller now - b/c you'll just need a double for the second (my kids are 23 mos apart) and we're now onto the sit n' stand.

8. towels - hooded ones are useless, they are small and barely cover the baby once they are 3 mos or so..., just get regular size towels (the 30x54 size), baby washcloths are worth it - they are lighter and smaller then standard ones.

Hi M., Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!
I am sure you will be overwhelmed with different responses and some very similar responses to your question. For me it is fun to think of what made life easier with a baby!
Some of the items I found to be very handy - a good bouncy seat with the vibration; baby gym the thing they stand upright in (we had the baby einstein one and it was pretty good); I got my little guy (almost 1) used to the pack'n'play at a young age and it is a life saver!; a mirror for the car; baby CD's and Seasame and Baby Einstein Movies; a bottle dryer you leave on the counter - it is good for everything nipples/pacifiers, teethers, small toys - we bought ours at Magic Bean, but you can get them now at TJ Maxx. Magic Bean has some VERY nice baby items that are pricey, but worth it. I would consider making that a place where I register. I could go on and on, but will stop here. Best of luck to you;0)

Congatulations! You'll need lots of absorbent mattress pads to put between the mattress cover and sheet. I received some advice that helped me a lot- make the crib with two sets of pads and sheets, that way when the little one wets (the diapers often leak) in the middle of the night, you can strip off the wet set and still have a dry set underneath. Also, get lots of washcloths and burp cloths (nice soft ones to wipe baby's face with). If you're going to breast feed, get a breast pump, some milk storage bags, a few good nursing bras and insertable pads. A note about pumps, I preferred the single, manual one to the double, automatic one. I felt too much like a dairy cow hooked up to a machine with the double one. That was just my own personal experience.
Goodluck!

Great idea asking for help. When I was expecting, i sent an email to my mom-friends (who have babies thru adult children) and asked them what their "Top Ten Can't Have a Baby Without these items" with brand recommendations, and based my registry list on that. It was great, and they did not steer me wrong.

I registered at both Target and Babies-R-Us. My baby is 10 mo old and we are at target every 2 weeks for supplies. Gift cards from Target were the BEST!!

Here's my short list: Boppy pillow (if you want to Breast feed); Dr. Brown's Bottles (sm & lg) as it reduces bubbles/colic - more parts to wash but worth it; Ocean Wonders Aquarium for the side of the crib; Tiny Love Symphony in Motion mobile; any activity mat; Robeez shoes; and best of all for fall/winter/spring the Columbia Grandma Grabber jacket (has hood and hand coverings) is fabulous and is a perfect light weight fleece for car seat travel vs. a snowsuit which would overheat a child who can't go out and play in the snow yet. Our daycare woman RAVES about how it's the best children's jacket she's seen in her 10 years of daycare.

Good luck!

Congrats M.!
You may not be thinking about it since your baby is due in July, but definitely register for a Bundle Me car seat blanket. Your baby will likely be in an infant car seat for a full year, and the Bundle Me is a must have in the winter. It eliminates the need for bulky coats and snowsuits, and the allows the straps to fit comfortably and more safely. They also have a lite version that is just a layer of jersey cotton and a water resistent top layer. I used it in the summer months to keep rain of my little guy, and to keep them warm when we went into an air conditioned place.

The other thing we ALWAYS give friends who are becoming 1st time parents is "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp. It saved our sanity with both our kids, and is a must read before the baby arrives.

We also loved "The Ultimate Swaddle Blanket" which I don't think Babies R Us carries, but you can find it online. We were able to tightly swaddle our little ones and they slept so much more soundly. I believe they have a lighter version for summer babies, too!

-Natural cleaners. Of all times this is the time to go non-toxic and natural in your home. I would say that is a good idea for the creams, soaps, etc. you use on your baby.
-Baby proofing supplies.
-A baby tub.
-A book on baby massage.
-Mothering magazine.

I have a friend who returned everything they thought they could do without to get a Babies R Us credit they used to buy diapers for their first year or so. Regular expenses can be more than you think. Plus babies out-grow things quickly & you don't know what you will need later as they get older.

Don't worry, it's not about all the stuff. Trust your own intuition about what you & your baby really need.

My husband and I did not register for this, we have a 5 month old, but we just bought it for our daughter, an exersaucer/jumper and she loves loves it!They aren't too expensive ($75-$125 depending on the model) but it is one less thing you for you to buy.

And congratulations!

I found that registering for bottles (they can get expensive,depending on the kind you want) and a breast pump (also pricey) to be helpful. Also, some stuff for when your little one gets bigger: bath toys, hoodie towels, sippy cups, an exersaucer, playmat for tummy time. We used all of these things. People will automatically give you washclothes (never used 'em), bibs (used em all the time) and various stuffed animals. Some kind of vibrating seat (looks a little like a car seat) or a swing are also very useful for rocking and lulling a little one to sleep. :-)
Good luck and congratulations!!

I haven't read through all the responses you got so I don't if anyone suggested this, but one thing I really depended on was a sling. It was nice to use when my daughter was fussy and I needed to get things done around the house or when I went food shopping because people wouldn't get up close when I was wearing her. There are pocket or ting slings. I had one of each but I didn't like the pocket sling for her when she was a newborn. I also love my Ergo carrier which is a front, back or hip carrier. You can't register for that since it's not sold in stores but the slings are now sold at Babies r us. Congratulations to you and good luck. It is such an exciting time!

Congratulations!!!

I'm not sure what area you are in or what stores you are thinking about registering with (Target has an awesome baby selection in store and online...Babies R Us as well). Either one is going to give you a "check list" for all the items to consider. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it does a great job of covering all the things you'll need so you don't have to worry about missing anything.

I believe the Babies R Us registry suggestion also gives a timeline. 0-6mo, 6-12 mo, etc.

My best item that I got was a pack N Play (I used Greco with the changing table option). It traveled well and gave me a place to let my daughter sleep when we were out visiting. I also kept it set up in my house for naps (when she wasn't napping in her swing). A good swing was my second favorite item. It got LOTS of use. Choose a swing that has different settings and can swing side to side as well as back and forth. side to side worked with my daughter when she was little and as she got a little older, the back and forth was her preferred speed.

Best of luck to you and enjoy your new blessing.
A.

Hi there,
Congratulations! My only added suggestion is borrow what you can and register for the rest. Things like swings and kick and plays will only last you about 6 months or so before the baby grows out of them. If you have any relatives or friends offering these items to you, take advantage of them. That way you can register for items you need. Good luck!

Deb

Hi M.,

Congratulations!! The absolute best item I had with both of my girls was the baby bjorn baby snuggler. I wore it almost constantly when they were infants to keep them close. It allowed me to shop or do dishes or clean while still snuggling with them. I loved it and couldn't have done without it. Good luck!

I can't remember what they are called, but the seat that clamps on the table. We have no need for a high chair after finding this item, and it travels with us to grandparents etc (Can even go to restaurants, very compact). It is rated up to 35 lbs, so my son was in to a booster seat before even outgrowing it. Saves so much space! Our high chair is like the Nordic track (just another coat rack!) Congrats and enjoy.

Hi M.,
Congratulations!!
I had my fourth last April and I would have to say my favorite item is the Snap n' go stroller. It is about $60 and it is just a frame and your infant car seat will fit right into it. With my first three I lugged that infant seat around awkwardly for months. When we had our last child this was like gold to my husband and I. It is so compact and light weight that we use it everywhere. Also, I have heard that the temporal thermometors are great. All you have to do is swipe it across their forehead. They use them in a lot of hospitals. I wouldn't go too crazy with the crib bedding set. The baby can't even use the little comforter that it comes with. Also, the bumper pads aren't supposed to be used when they are real little because of suffocation. Then when they get bigger you are not supposed to use them because they can stand on them and fall out. You would be better off to get some really nice crib sheets and a nice bed skirt for the crib because the other things really are a waste. Sleep sacks are great. Obviouslty diapers, but don't stock up TOO much on the newborns because my second was 9lbs.7oz. and he was never in them. Just do your research and remember that more expensive doesn't always mean better. Good luck! This is such an exciting time in your life. I'm sure you're sick of hearing it, but enjoy every minute because it truly does fly by!

We would have been lost without the Swaddle me Miracle blanket that someone bought us. Also the sleep sacks are great for easy middle of the night changes.
also a mirror for the car is good so you can watch the babe while you are driving since they will be facing backwards at the beginning.

When I was pregnant I surveyed all the parents and grandparents that I knew. So any people get items they never use (we used a sling and used the Baby Bjorn only once!). I asked people for one indispensable and one totally useless item and kept that in mind. The best responses I got for most important for baby : from a grandma - diapers (kind of obvious but many people don't register for larger sizes and then have to exchange all the newborn sizes) and a dad - "what, besides love and time?"
Think about your lifestyle before you register. Think of practical things that go beyond the newborn (large bath tub for 9-18 months, straw cups for traveling). Fire extinguisher and escape ladders (keep a sling by your bed to hold baby should you need to escape a fire - too hard to hold baby). Try sample sizes of different things (like lotion, bottles and diaper cream) to see what your baby will tolerate (I had to give away so many all natural lotions that my son couldn't take). My recommendation is a sling of some sort and register for scent-free, dye-free laundry soap. A friend once asked for a gift certificate to the local consignment shop (they specialized in high quality baby stuff) and for her $50 she got over $200 worth of items - which she then re-consigned and got more stuff later for the next few years.
A swing that goes side to side, not front to back (fisher price is the brand the hospital used and used and used).
Dr. Brown bottles, reduce colic (be sure new ones are free of chemicals). Boppy, bumbo seat, mobile, children's music YOU can stand (I like Dan Zanes myself). Hooded towels - in larger sizes too. Several fitted sheets and pee pades - put on several in layers with pee pads in between - then when baby wets through you pull off the wet layer and the bed is already made up. Electric outlet covers (not the little plugs babies pull out and chew on - but full plate covers). Pack-in play with a sun cover if you plan to be outside in the summer.
Gift cards for target.

Hi M.! First of all, congratulations!! Baby Bargains is a great book that helped me out when I became a first time mom. It had reviews on products, safety information and just an all around good book on baby gear. It was a life saver for me and my friends. It's very easy to read too (a big plus for me!). Hope this helps!

I recommend having many gowns. They are great for boy or girl. Gowns are easier for middle of the night diaper changing, because you don't have to mess with baby so much like with sleepers. I never had to worry about my babies waking up while I changed them. If you're lucky to find them with a draw string you won't have to worry about the itty bitty feet getting cold, otherwise socks would be just fine with the other type (elastic). Congratulations! What a great blessing children are, enjoy!

I am a new mom with a three month old son. One thing that I never knew existed and I wished someone had clued me in... swaddle blankets. They are blankets with velcro designed to tightly swaddle the baby. My son would not stay swaddled and would not sleep in a regular recieving blanket. We used the Kiddopotamus and the Halo. It is a must have.

2 things (that were semi-expensive, so register!!) that I STILL cannot live without: Angel Care monitor... it is a breathing monitor that senses when the baby is breathing. It leaves me with a peace of mind like NOTHING else. and 2: VIDEO monitor.... when you are sleeping in the other room all you have to do is click the button on the top and you can see what the little one is up to without even moving. Those are the two things that have traveled with us from infancy to now, and will in the future.

and p.s... get the boppy pillow even if you aren't breastfeeding. It helps to take the strain off of your arms from constantly holding a baby annnnd it gives you a peace- of- mind when others are holding your baby too!

I recommend some type of baby carrier. Since this is your first child, a sling may not be very usefully. However, a Baby Bjorn is great when baby can hold their head up. Its great for taking walks, going to stores or fairs, and just carrying your child while still having your hands free.
Have fun shopping!

You've got many great recommendations! I am also a first time mom and my baby is 3 weeks old - but in these 3 weeks here are some things I found to be indispensable:'wrap'or kimono style shirts (like the ones they have at the hospital, much easier to put on/take off than a onesie); flannel waterproof lap pads (we use them everywhere like where she sleeps and on changing table, that way you don't have to change sheets every time she pees or poops, sold at babiesrus in packs of 2 for $7.99); 'no touch' thermometer (pricey but so worth it, no need to wake up baby and it is as accurate as a rectal); Earth's Best wipes - everyone swears that they are the softest and most gentle and they truly are from our experience (the ones they had at the hospital feel like sand paper compared to these); 40% zinc diaper rash ointment (we prefer the Canus Little Goat).

Congratulations!

There are a couple things I would recommend, although it has been almost 5 years since I have had a baby in the house :)

1) I had a full size highchair and I think it is a waste of money- buy one of the smaller ones that goes on top of your chair and converts from reclined all the way up to a booster- I always found my kids liked to be part of the table... not sitting away from it like an outsider

2) I had a full size swing- it was ok, but bit bulky and in the way- with my second child we bought one of the portable swings. It was great because I could bring it in the bathroom with me and have a clear shower curtain on the shower, watch my daughter swinging (and sometimes sleeping)

3) Register for larger car seats, not just the carrier- that was my mistake! After our son turned one, we went, ah... now what do we done! So we had to go out and buy a new car seat.

4) Megasaucer is a must- I would never have been able to get anything done without it...other than my arms, that is only place my son would go happily!

Best wishes!!!!

Hi M.! Congratulations!! You must be so excited! I remember my first pregnancy... so many emotions. In response to your request, I work at Babies R Us and when you register with them, they give you a list of must haves. It's like a check list of things you'll need. I just like to reiterate that if you plan on breast feeding then you should register for some of the things you'll need. Like a breast pump. (It's a big price tag item.) Also a boppy is a must have. The baby will rest on it while feeding and later it's great for tummy time. I also recomend an infant to toddler chair. Good luck and best wishes!!

Things that were really useful for me with my two girls - a bumbo seat and a sling. There are a lot of baby carriers so check them out to see what would work best for you. But really consider it - they help so much!

Best of luck!

I work for Babies R Us and I am a registry consultant. They give you a list when you register of some "must-haves". The best thing to do is have friend or family member that has a child go with you and help out. Or most BRU stores can schedule a personal registry consultant for you if you call ahead so they can make sure they have someone scheduled for you.

Two things that I hadn't thought of but have been really indispensable are: Sleepsacks by Halo, they are little bodybags for night time but the zipper starts at the bottom, I have looked and no other sleep sack does this. When you change your baby in he middle of the night you are not getting them cold. The other thing is a mirror for the rear facing car seat. I find that it really puts my mind at ease to be able to check up on my son when he is driving. Does not work at night of course but it is great, just don't watch your kid too much vs. the road.

If you have more money then I would also suggest weekly cleaning service, diaper service, or a bunch of gift certificates for take-out in your area.

Congratulations.

PS-Make sure that the registry is mentioned in your shower cards! MY mother in law forgot to mention it--although she was the one who told us to register. IT led to a lot of returns and hassle.

Good Luck, Nat

HAAHAHA DIAPERS!!!!!! No, seriously though, diapers and wipes. I know it sounds cheesy, but they will be your biggest expense for the next 2-3 years. Also, if you're going to nurse, a breast pump, and a Boppy pillow, these were my best friends. Diaper Genie (if you will be using disposable diapers) and a sling or baby carrier. (Great for nursing as well) and "taking care of you baby and child" books for quick reference when they shove Play-Doh up their nose! Pack and Plays are great, I looove mine for going on trips- portable crib and child containment system for non-baby proofed relatives houses all in one. Window shades, and mirrors for the car. The best gift I got from my mom was a box chock full of a myriad of childproofing gadgets for my house. (outlet plugs, cabinet locks, cord wind-ups, etc.) Also, a baby first aid/grooming kit with a thermometer- the ear ones are wonderful. I could go on and on about clothes, and whatever too, but the former were the best and most helpful things I never thought of myself :).

I would suggest you go to babies r us and try out the different types of slings and carriers and find one that is comfortable for both you and your husband, changing tables are worthless, I like the fisher price tub with the newborn insert, I found the swing to be more helpful than the vibrating bouncers, and I also like the new jumperoos better than the actvity saucers my oldest flipped an activity saucer plus the jumperoos go to a higher height and are more stable, if you are going to be out walking this summer a bug net to cover your stroller is a must, a baby gym that also allow tummy time is good, a boppy pillow especially if nursing, my sister had one of those bumbo seats and she has gotten a lot of use the type she has converts to a booster seat my little guy uses it when we go over to visit while her little one is in the high chair. I hoped this helps you out.
Rachel

M.- This is one of my favorite topics, GEAR! You should get a swing, the aquarium swing is good and I think there is a new papazon (sp?) swing that is good, a co-side sleeper if you plan to have the baby in your room in the beginning, a pack-n-play (one with a changing table attachment), a baby bjorn or a sling of some sort, a diaper pail, do NOT get the diaper genie you have to use their bags and they are not cheap, a good diaper bag that will fit a few changes of clothes as well as diapers, wipes, etc, as for the stroller, if you are an active person I would recommend a jogger stroller travel system that the car seat can attach to, the BOB revolution jogger strollers are great, we had the Ocean Wonders Aquarium thing that attaches to the crib that plays music for the baby to go to sleep to, a monitor, the Sony Baby Call one is the best one we have found (I got it when my 5 year old was born and it still is going strong), Rocking chair (don't get the matching rocker foot stool though, you need a stabilized foot stool), a bouncy seat, playmat for the floor, high chair, bath tub, boppy pillow for nursing or feeding, excersaucer. It is overwhelming, but if you go on to the Babies R Us website it will show you the most popular registry items. Good luck! these are exciting times ahead!

Mine was over 8 years ago, so I may be a bit outdated, but things that we loved were: not sure the official name, but the playstation where you can sit them in and there are lots of toys all around - use after they are able to sit up on their own - a LIFESAVER to be able to take a shower again and have him right nearby and safe.

For night time LOVED the little "sack" outfit (once again, been too long and I can't remember the official name) like a long nightgown without feet. Great for easy diaper changes in the middle of the night.

Nail clippers with a large white "bubble" at the end to hold onto easier - always so anxious to cut his nails, and not hurt him, so these made it easier.

Two mobiles with music. One for the crib and one for his changing table. Great distraction device.

LOVED his baby board books. He is an advanced reader now, so maybe something said about reading all the time to him and having a large collection of books for him to play with.

A pack or two of cloth diapers, we used them as burp clothes. Always thicker than "burp clothes," easy to have extra nearby in every room, and easy to bleach.

Pillow cases for his changing station pad. Much cheaper and easier to put on and off than the "specialized station pad cover"

Lots of onesies in every size.

Clock in the baby's room that you can read in the dark. Good for breastfeeding in the middle of the night and knowing how long you have been on each side.

CD player in the baby's room and a couple of nice soothing CDs. Not only for the baby, but to sooth you too in the middle of the night when you are up and exhausted.

Name of a good lactation consultant. You might think it is "natural" and even animals in the wild can do it without a consultant, but if you have problems as a first time mom (as I did) - this number is invaluable!!!!

Also lived my glider/rocker. & nursing footstool was especially nice too (an extra luxury that might be nice to register for)

WICKED NICE was a baby shower gift from my husband's office. Diapers in every size. Was great to have the extra up in the attic, as a back up or when he moved from one size to the next.

VERY SAFE CAR SEAT and go ahead and register for the next size up too, when they are out of their carry-along seat.

Extra car seat base - so we had one for each of our cars.

THINGS NOT NEEDED:
Newborn clothes and size 3 month clothes. Way too many of these. Many times they are just in their onesies, etc. when they are this small. Register for sizes 6months and bigger. (for onesies I would register all the way through 24 months) People will buy you small stuff anyway and you would like to buy at least one or two special outfits yourself. They barely get to wear everything one time.

Special baby detergent. I got one box and used that, but after that I just washed his stuff with ours.

Baby wipe warmer. Not necessary.

Good luck. I was so overwhelmed the first time that I stepped into Babys R Us that I literally had to leave, call a friend that already had a baby for advice and come back later. I know, it can be very overwhelming. Best of luck and happy, healthy baby wishes.

My daughter really enjoyed sleeping in a moses basket for the first few months. I could carry her from room to toom with me and it was smaller than a pack and play to bring when visiting relatives. We are expecting in April again and we will be using it again for sure...

-N.

I love and swear by my Diaper Genie II !!
A friend leant me a bassinet and our little one ended up sleeping in it for 3 months. (Any other baby could probably go longer but we have a big boy) It was a godsend! I'm not sure that I would buy one full price but if you can find one used I highly recommend it. It made all the middle of the night wake ups much more bearable.
Don't buy one of those "travel system" stroller and car seat sets. Everyone of my friends that did regretted it. I went for the inexpensive graco frame that the infant seat snapped into and ended up using it until he was 6 months old! Seeing as you're due in July the weather won't allow you to use it as long as I did though. I highly recommend getting it anyway and investing in a proper stroller later. Tip: big wheels are best to navigate Vermont winters.
Try not to buy too many things at the beginning. This was my first too and I found all the stuff that you "must-have" overwhelming. As it turned out I really didn't need half of what I bought. You will need lot's of onesies/sleepers though, because the poo goes everywhere until they change to solids! Get the minimum for that you'll need for the first month or so so that you don't feel any pressure while you recover. After that you'll need to get out and you can get whatever you need.
Good luck!

OK congrats!!!!! This is a fantastic time and you should really enjoy it - as hard as it is! I had my girl in August so I now just what it's like. Your life will change so much but you won't belivee you ever lived without this baby.

you've gotten so many responses. I'll give you my recent experience, which may or may not be the same as everyone elses. BORROW BORROW BORROW everything you can, many things are only used for a few weeks or months.

Things I LOVED and or used - not all things are for baby and many can't be had at Babies R us. I registered at Target & Walmart as it was easier for my families:

1) Boppy pillow for nursing
2) Miracle blanket for swaddling (HIGHLY recommend this - feel like this helped our baby sleep through the night at 8 weeks - we swaddled til she was over 6 months old, loved it). Don't think they have it at Babies R us but I got mine on Ebay http://www.miracleblanket.com/
3) baby bargains book mentioned by others was helpful
4) The book "happiest baby on the block" was helpful
5) baby bjorn
6) breastpads - the washable kind are great but disposables useful for traveling etc
7) A * D cream - I feel this is the BEST diaper cream - if you use this proactively from the start you may never have a diaper rash If your baby gets one, I recommend Balmex. Love it.
8) One pack of cloth diapers. I cut each into quarters, and use them with plain water at diaper changes because the wipes irritated my baby's bottom. THe pediatrician highly recommended skipping wipes and just using cloth/water, and it works great for us.
9)lanolin or other nipple cream if you are nursing
10) hooded bathtowels - i saw one other reader say they aren't useful but I love them and my baby is now 18 months old, we still use them and they are great. But you only need a couple (4-6) depending on how often you do laundry (i do it every other day)
11) Swing was extremely useful to keep her amused, and napping when she was cranky
12) ditto for bouncy seat
13) we also got a handy diaper station plastic organizer sits on the dresser (we thought a changing table would not be useful for us - we use a regular dresser). It holds diapers, creams, etc.
14) I LIVED in the glider/rocking chair - I got one that reclines/swivels and rocks and the matching stool the rocks - I still use them every night to rock with her reading before bed. The best.

Things others said I would need but I didn't:

1)pack n play. Used just a few times on overnight trips. Never used it as a playpen - my girl didn't like to be confined. And many places we travel have them - my sister has one, condos and hotels often have them. For me it was a wasted $100.

2)travel system - used the infant seat with the snap n go - easier for the car. I run so I had a jogging stroller & this is what I use around the neighborhood whether running or not. I echo the woman who suggested the BOB with the infant seat adapter.Or the snap n go - for the first year when you are in the bucket seat. Less strollers are better.

3) bumbo seat. My little one wouldn't sit in it.

4) fancy bedding set. I use just a sheet & a dustruffle - was like $10-12 at TJ maxx.

5) baby bathtib. borrowed one and it was useless - kitchen sink was best when she was little and then bathtub since she was about 3 months old

Of course you need a breastpump if you are breaastfeeding (highly recommend) but I would wait since if you have troubles (I ended up with an unexpected c section) it might be covered by your insurance. Mine was. I agree with the woman who took everything back from her showers and got a gift card to buy essentials like diapers! Of course it depends on your situation, and I was the last of my friends to have babies so I inherited a lot of hand me down clothes.

Hi M. - first of all congratulations! I too am a first time mom of a 5 month old. Here are some things I found really really helpful: Boppy Pillow - breastfeeding or bottle, this puts the baby at the right height and in a comfortable position to eat. Swing - she loves it, and it's a great place to put the baby down. Bassinet or pack n play - i'm not sure what your sleeping plans are, but I found it really helpful to have a baby-sized bed next to ours in our room. I slept easier knowing she was right there, but not in the bed. We had the Eddy Bauer one from Babies R Us. Oh - and if your house has more than 1 floor, you might want to use a pack n play as a crib/changing table on the one without the bedrooms. that's what I do so I don't have to keep running upstairs. Plus it's a portable crib. also a sleep positioner made me feel better that the baby was always on her back. contoured changing table pad & 2 covers - no one got this for us off our registry, but of course we use it every day. I bought it with the 10% discount you get to complete your registry. And you need 2 covers, cause they do get wet. Mobile - I wish someone would have told me to look for a battery powered one (they're in the toy dept.) instead of the one that matches the room decor, which is wind up. She loves the mobile but I have to wind it every 3 minutes. Baby Bath Tub/towels/shampoo & stuff. Diaper Genie or Similar - we have the diaper dekor but i think the refills are kinda pricey. OH and definitely get the bundle me original. For the winter - it's so east to put the baby right in the carseat and zip it up and not worry about a coat. You can just use a sweater. The bundle me light was a waste, but the original one is great. One other thing I wish someone would have told me - if you're using daycare and you and your husband are splitting the pickup/drop off, you're better off getting 2 car seats. We only have 1, so I drop off the baby, then drop the car seat at home, then go to work. I just ordered a 2nd car seat, which will be so much easier. Best of luck!

A Boppy, good to have one at Grandma's too, and a snugli/baby bjorn. Also good to have an extra. My husband liked the fit of the snugli while I preferred the baby bjorn because it was smaller and not as bulky. Enjoy every minute, it's an amazing experience!

M.,

It definitely can be overwhelming. Something I found helpful was the register packet at Babies R Us. I did register there for some stuff and other places for other things. It is a list of the different areas you need items for - ie. bathing - and they list what and how many they suggest registering for. Sometimes I found the items and amounts to be too much and other times I found it to be a good amount. Register for the items you will need right away and don't worry so much about baby gates and things that can wait - no point in storing things like that for 6 months or more.
I also read the consumers buying guide on the products I wanted to buy. One thing I would recommend is a stroller that will grow with you. I originally bought a travel system which I like for certain things and don't for others. However in the end my daughter was born early and very small. She never really fit into the large stroller so I bought another one. A 3 wheeled stroller - the city mini - which I love. If I had bought this originally though I would have bought the bar to accomodate the infant carseat to the stroller instead of now having this extra stroller and since my daughter is still in the infant carseat I have borrowed a snap-and-go so if she falls asleep in the car I don't have to distrub her if I need to go into a store. So I have 2 strollers in the car - kind of crazy. This is a big discision so I would look into it and talk to other people about what they like and dislike about their strollers and what they did in the beginning with the infant carseat and the stroller.

Have fun with it and enjoy it goes by soooo quickly.
L. M

Register for an Exergen Temporal Artery thermometer. You'll be so glad to have it when you really need it!

Congratulations! In addition to the baby gear others have suggested I recommend buying the book "What to Expect the First Year".I think you'll find it to be helpful w/advice and info on everything for breastfeeding,diaper rashes,growth and development,health issues.(Also,off topic but helpful-the major brands of diapers and formula(if you choose to bottle feed)all offer some great coupons if you sign up for their newsletters.Those diapers add up!)

A sling, preferably a simple one with no straps or not too many buckles. I used the New Native pouch sling and *it changed my life*--no joke. It made bonding so much easier and it was WAY easier to use than schlepping around all sorts of stroller equipment.

If you're using cloth diapers (which I also highly recommend), use a diaper service. Many of them have gift certificates. And it is cheaper than disposables.

Finally, I second the Harvey Karp book recommendation. Saved our butts, too!

Good luck!