What do I absolutely HAVE to have for when my baby arrives?

Question

This was an unexpected pregnancy, and my boyfriend and I just don't have the money (or the space) for lots of baby stuff. Even though I would LOVE to buy everything, we just can't afford things we don't need. So I just want to know what the bare essentials are. I am planning to breastfeed and we are planning to use cloth diapers. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks! :-)

Answer 1

I was just wondering the same things, and I actually made a list.

A place for the baby to sleep

Cloth Diapers

Breast Pump (a simple manual one from wal mart will do)

A Car seat (they won't let you take baby home without one)

Bottles

Baby Wipes

Diaper Rash Cream

Thermometer

Nasal Aspirator

Bath Gel/Shampoo

Clothes (goodwill and garage sales are good for these!)

Receiving Blankets (for spit-up)

Formula --I know you're breastfeeding, but there will be times when the baby just absolutely wants nothing to do with your b*****s.

I know that toys don't seem REALLY essential, but a few are necessary, and a few pacifiers are good too.

I hope this helps you!!! and good luck

Answer 2

I'm a budget mama- ebay is handy for the big stuff. My son has been sleeping in a pack n play that I got from ebay for $80 since birth. they come with bassinet, changing table and of course the crib like rest of it. it takes up almost no space and as you can see is inexpensive. you also have to have a car seat/infant capsule. This you should get new, as you have no idea what an infant capsule has been through and it is a safety thing.

Clothes:shop end of season sales now. get things your baby will need next year- think 6 months apart- just do the math most kids fit in the clothes they say they should fit into after the first three months. then do the same thing at the end of the next season. There is a difference in size between newborn and 0-3month, but you'll get more use out of 0-3m and you should have three of everything, min. one to wear, one clean and one dirty(in the wash) for those first three months. I would suggest finding out the s*x of the baby, too- as it simplifies shopping.

Throw yourself a baby shower if no one will do it for you, get other people to buy you stuff you need, and everyone loves shopping for babies!!! You can never have enough onesies, sleep suits or baby washcloths, you might find more use for receiving blankets than I did, I have a ton of them and have no idea why.

Gadgets:The one thing I would splurge on is a bath thermometer. they can run up to $30, but they are a great tool for you for safety and they are fun, chewable bath toys. You don't need to buy the most expensive one, but it is one of those baby gadgets that are truly useful; skip the diaper genie(use a flip-top trash can and grocery bags), wipes warmer(they aren't that cold) and boppy($40 for a pillow???) Remember: if you can't find more than one use for it, it isn't useful and the baby will grow out of it. that one particular thing it is good for right now will not be around forever.

Food: do all you can to breastfeed, call la leche league now and take a class, then ask them for help when the baby arrives. breast milk is free, good for both of you and formula will cost you about $700 in 12 months. I should know, formula blew our baby budget.

Answer 3

You need a temperture reader, baby blankets, socks, clothes, bottles, baby wipes, baby lotion, a crib, and love.

Answer 4

Essentials:

Diapers, wipes, burp cloths, maybe a pacifier or two (studies have shown that the risk of SIDS is decreased if your baby sleeps with a pacifier--though mine would never take one), onesies and sleepers (depending on where you live and how hot/cold it gets), hats (babies lose a lot of body heat through their heads the first few months), a place for baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, or port-a-crib--check Craigslist for these items), a carseat and a stroller.  That is what I would say is essential to have.  Aside from the carseat and stroller, most of the items can be found at places like Target or Walmart for cheap.  You can also find furniture and used carseats/strollers on Craigslist, but I would buy a new carseat for safety reasons.  

Answer 5

well in order to even take your child home from the hospital you need to have a car seat (and car seat base that is properly installed). so your going to need wipes, diapers, a few burp cloths, some onsies, either a crib or a bassenette, a set or 2 of sheets.  

Answer 6

try to get a swing! it will calm baby and keep baby entertained. trust me, that is what i used the most until my son turned 8 months old. i dont know what i wouldve done without it...

Answer 7

you can share a bed - the family bed- that will save space and money. you will need a rocking chair if you dont already have one. and a swing or bouncer - not both. my kids only liked one or the other.

i wash my kids wet sheets with vinegar and laundry detergent so they dont smell like pee later so you might wanna do that with your diapers. you might wanna gave a pump and a storage bags to have back up just in case you ever have to go somewhere without your baby.

Answer 8

try craigslist, you will get a lot of good deals. Also, when buying stuff, try buying items that serve more than one use. For example fisher price has a swing that you can use as a swing when they are a new born and set when they are an infant and a rocker when they are a toddler. So that one purchase will be useful for a year or 2. Also there are those play yards that can be bassinets and changing table. Also, throw a baby shower (someone else gave this suggestion), and i cannot stress this enough, you will get soooo much stuff. Also don't really buy baby clothes, people looooove to give baby clothes and you will receive so much even if you dont register for it.

Answer 9

If you go with cloth diapers, get also wash clothes: with some drops of water they work as well as any wipes and they just go in the washing machine with the diapers. If you don't have diapers yet, I'd recommend bum-genius. They don't leak that much as the traditional ones with pins, so you won't have to change baby all the time, and they keep baby drier as the simple adsorbent ones. 16 diapers/30 wash clothes make a good set. You'll have to wash every other day. - You'll need some burp-clothes, too. Babies spit up a lot.

If you plan to stay home with baby and breastfeed you won't need any bottles. If you have to work and pump, you'll need bottles and something to warm up the milk for baby (the microwave is not reliable) If you happen to own a yogurt maker you can use that.

A crib is good. Some baby-strollers have pretty large bassinets included. If you get one of those, you won't need a crib. (These strollers are unfortunately not cheap and make only sense, if you live in a city with sidewalks where you can push the stroller. - I found a sling more convenient than a stroller.)

A sling or a carrier to carry baby around. I found that one of the most important items. Babies calm down quickly, if tied securely to mom's body. Bending with baby tied to the body is difficult, but you can walk and sit and have both hands free, while baby is enjoying close body contact. You won't need a swing, if you have a sling/carrier.

You need some clothing items, about three or four changes per size. Don't invest in newborn sizes, most babies outgrow them very quickly.

On blankets: I never found the solid fabric blankets very useful. If you know how to knit or crochet - or have a friend who can do that, make a knitted blanket or two. Knitted blankets have the benefit that baby can pull them over his/her little face and still keep breathing through the many holes.

Some large towels or a big blanket to place baby on the ground for playing, diaper changing and tummy-time. Most likely you already have something suitable. A changing table is convenient, but not necessary. If you change baby on the ground, there is no danger of falling.

One item I really love is a brooder lamp (you can get those for $10 at a farm equipment store). It keeps baby warm, when not dressed. You can spare some money on rash-creams and powders, by simply allowing baby some time diaper-free under a warm lamp every day.

A baby-bathtub. Some people use a sink to bath baby, but I feel much more secure with the little tubs that have a tiny hammock holding the baby.

You also need a car-seat. They won't allow you to drive baby home from hospital without one.

And one big bag to serve as diaper bag. Most likely you already own a bag/backpack  that would be suitable.

During the first months baby doesn't need toys. And anyways, toys accumulate even without parental efforts.

And congratulations! Baby will make all your efforts worthwhile.

Answer 10

I was in the same situation, now with a 3 month old here are the essentials I needed:

car seat

stroller

swing

onsies (though baby outfits are cute, the first few months onsies are the best)

crib (get a crib instead of a bassinet, the newborn will sleep well in it and you can use only that for years)

cloth diapers (good for diapering AND burp cloths)

recieving blankets

mobile

boppy pillow (good for feeding and propping baby)

thats about it, everything else is just extra, although nice, but take up extra space

Answer 11

You need:

a carseat

clothes

a blanket

cloth diapers

if you are going to use one, a pacifier

a thermometer

I would recommend, gas drops (Mylicon)  and infant Tylenol

diaper wipes

That's all I can think of that you will need the first few months.

Edit: The hospital will give you some Lansinoh for cracked nipples. You can co-sleep so you won't have to buy a crib and where I live you can go to the local police station and they will give you a free carseat and install it properly.

Answer 12

a swing is a must!! go to "kid to kid" or "once upon a child" or any used baby place to find some things that are gently used.  They almost always have great prices.  Good luck!  

Answer 13

a car seat if you plan to drive (always buy a car seat new.  this is the one thing that you really shouldn't skimp on), somewhere safe for baby to sleep (your bed would work if you make it safe), something for baby to wear (hand-me-downs or resale/goodwill stuff will be fine), laundry detergent that is fragrance free and dye free (store brand is fine), baby soap.

if you have any cash left over, get a tube of lansinoh for you.  some washable breastpads would be nice.  you can never have enough baby wash cloths and receiving blankets.  a sling is really great for soothing baby while you get work done.  if you are crafty, you can make one yourself.

btw, you don't need a pump or bottles or formula.  if something does go horribly wrong and you need them, you can always wait and get them later.  your baby won't starve during the 30 minutes it takes to run to the pharmacy or grocery store to pick some up.  having them around the house within easy reach will be too tempting when you really should be working of resolving the nursing problems.

Answer 14

You definately need a crib for the baby, and I say crib not bassinet, because if you can't afford much this will last you longer, cuz the bassinet is for the first 3 mo. and thats it. Wal-mart has good prices on everything. U will also need....

1. Baby shampoo, soap, lotion

2. Lots of diapers, lots!

3. Plain white onsies, u will change a lot cuz of spit up!

4. Burp rags, although i use receiving blankets, there bigger and can be used longer.

5. Bottles/bottle brush even if your breast feeding, just incase you need a babysitter.

6. Q-tips/rubbing alchohol for umbelical cord!

7. Swaddling blanket

8. Car Seat

9. Let the baby sleep in your room, then you don't need a baby monitor

10. Breast Pump, since your not married, your insurance company that you have may give you a breast pump for free, mine did before i got married, so check into that, ask the hospital, the lactation consultants they have gave me that advice! This will save you a ton of money!

11. Also a thermometor is helpful, you will use this a lot!

12. Also im adding, when r u due, and what r u having, because I have a son, and soon to be daughter in a couple days, so either way if i can help you out by giving you anything that you can't afford, let me know, my e-mail is [e-mail] and I have no problem mailing you anything that I wont be needing anymore. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck