This could be the world's longest list... But don't fret, I'm not going to list every single item you don't need - just address some of the things I think are over-rated. Most things have different values to different people, so even if I didn't find a certain thing useful it might make your life amazing and wonderful and if so you should totally get it!
1. Everything to be brand new
This isn't an item, but I do think we all need to take a deep breath and remember that a bunch of the stuff our babies are spewing and pooping on is only going to be used for five minutes (or, you know, maybe five months or five years) and spending up large on brand new items is not necessary. Sometimes it makes sense; sometimes it doesn't. Check TradeMe before you break out the credit card! Thrifty and eco-friendly, this tip is particularly good for robust larger items like cots (new mattresses are recommended though), high chairs and strollers.
2. A change table
There are a couple of options that can be used in place of a bulky, single-purpose piece of furniture. You can get one of those padded change mats with sides (see above for the sourcing strategy) and put it on top of an existing piece of furniture, like a chest of drawers. Or you can just put something waterproof on the floor. We did the latter, and while it does mean getting down on the ground (so might not work so well if you have a caesarean) it's versatile (a waterproof mat can go anywhere - you can even spring for a couple if it's easier) and doesn't take up much space.
3. Bouncinettes, rockers, swings and hammocks
These all have their uses and babies often love them - but they are by no means essential. We went without any of these, mainly because of space constraints - a different baby could have necessitated one of them but at the very least you can wait until you've met your wee one to make the call.
4. A wardrobe full of newborn clothes
It'd be a good idea to have a few clothes - and mileage varies wildly depending on how big your baby is when he or she is born (premies will get a lot more wear out of the smaller threads - my 3.7kg boy only fit the newborn size for a week or so). But you can stock up after the baby is born - start with a few basics and build up later, once you get a feel for your preferences.
5. Toys
Don't get me wrong, their day will come. But newborn babies are overwhelmed just by being, and (in the small window of awake time they have between feeding and sleeping) will be fascinated by just about anything. Lights! Walls! The pattern on their blanket! Fingers! You get the idea.
What do you think? What "essential" baby items did you do without? Or did you buy anything that then just gathered dust?
A baby that thinks sleep is a swear word having something that can be rocked or swung while trapping the active baby is essential. Even if it is a moses basket with its handles hung over broom sticks between two couches. Or a rocking chair for a sleep deprived Mother. but then having two children I know its true no to babies are alike. One Baby loud noises sleep soundly except vacumme cleaners as she was born with a heriditory allergy to housework. Second Baby the slightest sound and is wide awake except for the white noise of a vacumme that helped him go to sleep but grumpy first child would turn off again.
ReplyDeleteThe Moses basket swing sounds like a fun contraption! That's clever thinking right there.
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