Simplicity & First-Time Parenting?

Recently there has been a topic brought up on our AGCI Listserve: what exactly do you need to have, as parents? There are some variations in the necessities listed, including bumbo seats, high chairs, floor mats, swings, co-sleepers, etc.

Will and I are not at the point where he will let me buy anything baby-related (although I have managed to acquire the beginnings of a book collection, plus a few other knick-knacks, including an ADORABLE pair of baby overalls that someone donated for the yard sale and we HAD to keep). I do daydream of what our nursery will look like, and wander longingly through the baby aisles of Target and Wal-Mart. I've even made a preliminary trip to Jo-Ann's Fabric store and Babies R Us, just to keep my eye out on things I may want to get when it is time to start the nursery prep.

I have three sisters (well, one is Will's sister, but I am claiming her) and they are all great mothers, and all have things that are their "necessity" items as parents. I definitely want to learn from their parenting styles, but also I realize that we won't be bringing home a newborn, and if we are still in our current apartment, our space is super limited! Additionally, Will and I are striving to "live simply" and don't want to clutter our house with items that we won't need, plus we are on a budget...

So what do you think? What are your "necessity" items?

It is not likely that we will start buying things or register or anything like that for a long time, as our waitlist numbers are pretty high! But I am just thinking ahead (doesn't every first time mom daydream?)... so please, enlighten me!

Also, I have heard that some families have a monthly "baby day" (love that idea "Growing by 2 feet"!) or buy a pack of diapers each month throughout a pregnancy... what worked for you??

Comments

  1. We also have less-is-more view! We have three kids already, and I am NOT getting all the traditional baby stuff this go round. For me the essentials are- a LIGHTWEIGHT playpen (we may not even get a traditional crib!), a couple different baby wraps/slings, an a exersaucer or jumper thing, a floor gym (depending on age), a portable high chair, and a SUPER LIGHT umbrella stroller. That's it! No changing table, no diaper genie, no fancy carseat+stroller combo. (we are not even getting an infant carseat- just a convertible one that we can use all the way up!) One thing we are going to do is start with the bare essentials, knowing that we can always get stuff later if we feel like we need it. Anyway, Have fun figuring it out!

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  2. Must haves for me: pack n play, bumbo, some kind of sling, a lightweight umbrella stroller with a tray and shade, humidifier, pacifiers and paci clips.

    Things I thought I would need and didn't ever use: wipe warmer and diaper genie.

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  3. Even though we have 3 kids already, I got rid of all our baby stuff when we moved this past winter! And then...God called us to adopt! :) So we're starting over and I am going to definitely simplify this time...I don't want all the baby clutter either, and most it you really don't have to have! But it sure is fun to look at all the cute BABY stuff! :) I think maybe let yourself buy one cute thing a month! :)

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  4. First of all, go ahead and buy baby diapers. The first Sunday of every month has the P&G coupon insert. Which always has diaper coupons. Then, wait through the month til CVS has a good deal (i.e two weeks ago they offered a case of diapers for $21.99 + $10 Extra care bucks, you are out the initial 21.99 but save the $10 and put it towards the next month's good deal).

    Must have: excersaucer. There will be times where you need the baby in a safe place so you can cook dinner/laundry/etc. And from months 4-9 it's a great place for them to entertain themselves. PS, we never used our diaper wipes warmer and settle on the fact that your house will have a poo smell even if you use a diaper genie, so don't bother. Love you!

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  5. While I'm not a mom yet (we are adopting too), one thing that I decided that I did not need was brand new furniture. We got a great used crib and changing table off of Craigslist. It was in great shape and half what we would have paid for the same thing brand new.

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  6. Hmmm... about how old will your baby be when you bring him/her home?

    We swaddled Andrew to sleep for his first 6 months - definitely a life saver for us because he slept so well swaddled. You may not need this if your baby has gotten used to sleeping a different way.

    I think you can't have enough bibs - before Andrew was born, we had a stack of bibs about 4 inches high and I thought we had goofed and gotten too many. Nope, wrong. I have since bought two more multipacks of bibs (and not the cutesy ones - they are too expensive. I just get the big solid color bibs). At 9 months, Andrew is always wearing one - much easier to change a bib than an entire outfit.

    I like my Diaper Champ for the convenience, but it smells when you open it, and I would never store poo in my bedroom, so I don't know why I'm store poo in A's room. But I haven't found a better solution right now - it's not easy to go outside every time to toss a diaper.

    Boudreaux's Butt Paste is excellent

    Gerber cloth diapers make excellent burp clothes - I just couldn't spend the money for pretty burp clothes that were only going to collect bodily fluids

    This is just my opinion - I love onesies, especially when you are just around the house. They make diaper changes easier, and if Andrew is wearing a shirt and pants, the shirt always gets pulled up, and it's always a pain to pull off the pants to change his diaper. But I may just be lazy.

    We have a high chair/booster seat that you strap into a chair. This way, Andrew sits at the table with us to eat, and a normal high chair takes up a huge amount of space (and we have no space to spare!)

    If you use the super complicated bottles like we do (Dr Brown bottles have 5 pieces!), I really like our bottle drying rack. I wash those stupid bottles all the time and if they had to share a drying rack with all my other dishes, I'm sure one of the five parts would constantly go missing. Also, be sure to have a trap on your dish drain if you have a disposal - those bottle nipples LOVE to slip down the drain!

    OK, so this was long, but I'm right in the midst of it all!

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  7. Hmmm... about how old will your baby be when you bring him/her home?

    We swaddled Andrew to sleep for his first 6 months - definitely a life saver for us because he slept so well swaddled. You may not need this if your baby has gotten used to sleeping a different way.

    I think you can't have enough bibs - before Andrew was born, we had a stack of bibs about 4 inches high and I thought we had goofed and gotten too many. Nope, wrong. I have since bought two more multipacks of bibs (and not the cutesy ones - they are too expensive. I just get the big solid color bibs). At 9 months, Andrew is always wearing one - much easier to change a bib than an entire outfit.

    I like my Diaper Champ for the convenience, but it smells when you open it, and I would never store poo in my bedroom, so I don't know why I'm store poo in A's room. But I haven't found a better solution right now - it's not easy to go outside every time to toss a diaper.

    Boudreaux's Butt Paste is excellent

    Gerber cloth diapers make excellent burp clothes - I just couldn't spend the money for pretty burp clothes that were only going to collect bodily fluids

    This is just my opinion - I love onesies, especially when you are just around the house. They make diaper changes easier, and if Andrew is wearing a shirt and pants, the shirt always gets pulled up, and it's always a pain to pull off the pants to change his diaper. But I may just be lazy.

    We have a high chair/booster seat that you strap into a chair. This way, Andrew sits at the table with us to eat, and a normal high chair takes up a huge amount of space (and we have no space to spare!)

    If you use the super complicated bottles like we do (Dr Brown bottles have 5 pieces!), I really like our bottle drying rack. I wash those stupid bottles all the time and if they had to share a drying rack with all my other dishes, I'm sure one of the five parts would constantly go missing. Also, be sure to have a trap on your dish drain if you have a disposal - those bottle nipples LOVE to slip down the drain!

    OK, so this was long, but I'm right in the midst of it all!

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  8. Definitely an exersaucer! Or if your space is limited, consider a Johnny Jumper- it hangs in the doorway and it really easy to put away and store. Also, little toys you can take in your diaper bag or play with at home or in the car!(also easy to put away when space is limited!)

    Big Consignment sales are a great place to find deals on baby items! Opelika has the Kids Clothes Connection in September and March, and I bet there is something similar close to you! I got alot of simple sleepers and onesies for a $1.00 or less on the last day when everything is half price.

    Start collecting diapers now! You can always exchange diapers at walmart for different sizes! My MIL started buying us diapers as soon as we found out we were pregnant and Anderson is almost 5 months old and I have only had to buy 1 pack so far. She coupons and sometimes gets huggies/pampers for 3 or 4 dollars a pack...

    A cost that is really surprising is formula, but you can get coupons online, and they will start sending coupons and samples in the mail if you sign up for baby coupons online.

    Being a smart shopper by watching sales, yard sales and consignment sales really helps!

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  9. I don't know what I would do without a baby swing. Both of mine slept there when every other trick failed. H is 8 months and is in it right now. Baby carrier...I find I use mine more now that I have 2 kiddos. Pack-n-play, jumperoo or exersaucer, floor gym....these will all help you get things done while baby plays. Some go gaga over strollers...I only use one, and we're about to invest in an umbrella stroller. Changing pad instead of changing table. Over the door shoe organizers (i use net kind) are wonderful for storing sleepers/onesies, especially with limited space. I like the space saver high chair that I use with #2 better than the bulky regular high chair. A rocking chair...a must...sweet moments there! Something I don't have, but wish I did...I've been told there are crib sheets now that also have the mattress pad sewn in with it. I would love to have that for convenience. I'm still using crib sheets/pads on L's toddler bed! One more thing...sleep sacks for cooler seasons (baby sleeping bags)

    I agree with the idea of used furniture. Just be careful with cribs. There have been so many recalls lately.

    Things I never used: bumbo seat, diaper genie, wipes warmer, co sleepers, 2nd time didn't use changing table....low dressers easily convert into one, shopping cart/high chair cover...takes me too long to put it on. I just use antibacterial wipes and quickly wipe down; bumper pads (I took mine off when the crib was being used, so they are really pointless)

    Simple is a good idea. The baby won't care whether the room is decked out with the best furniture/decor. I'm convinced that's more for the parents than the baby. John says if you really want to stimulate the baby, make it all black and white :-)

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  10. Hey Bekah! I was actually thinking the other day about writing a blog on some of my favorite baby items so that I'll remember for next time. Maybe I'll do that this week! Check there!

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  11. THANKS for all the feedback! This is awesome, and I will definitely refer back to these comments when we are finally in the decision making/purchasing phase. Will reminded me last night that I don't need to get ahead of myself :)

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  12. I agree w/ most everything on here. A 3 month old can eat in the bouncer so they are inclined. Booster seats that strap in the the table are a huge space saver! They even have them that fold up and travel & ones that recline. When babies start eating baby food they aren't quite ready to hold their heads up. Diaper Genies, bottle & wipe warmers aren't worth it to me. I would have never used them. Diaper stackers are merely for decor only to me. I found a hanging organizer for baby's room that held so much more and was very efficient. Consign, consign, consign! You can find such awesome things at consignment sells! Baby bath tubs are pointless as well. We had one but both of mine enjoyed a rolled up towel for a head prop and about 2 inches of water. They kicked and giggled for a long time. They also enjoy the kitchen sink! It is wonderful to them! I loved Dr Browns bottles. They can be more pricey and complicated but they are the best to reduce air. Sign up online to every baby company & brands that you can! They will send you coupons for everything! Even $10 off formula! I always set out tap water in a gallon jug so it stayed at room temp. This way a bottle warmer is never necessary. This makes night time feedings a little faster. I am so excited for the both of you. I have wanted to adopt for a long time & cant wait to see your sweet little one!

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  13. oh, and diaper rash...sometimes (if really bad) it can be a different type of rash. If extreme, look into Lotriman. Yes, the foot fungus cream! Can clear something up super fast!

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  14. As you know, we get babies with a moment's notice (and sometimes at 2am) so I keep some essentials on hand. The few things I have to have are disposable diapers and wipes, cloth diapers for burp cloths, thick bibs, bottles and bottle brush, pacifiers and clips, pack-n-play that has the removable bassinet, blankets, sleepers, things like diaper cream, lotion, baby bath, bouncy seat for those who are not sitting up and exersaucer for those who are, and a lightweight stroller. You can also go to walmart.com and they offer "freebies" and usually they have samples of formula they will send you for free. You will be amaazed at how little you really need but it is fun to have some of the cute stuff.

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  15. Just throwing this out there but we cloth diaper and we love it! We save so much money and it is super easy. If you want to talk about it email me or call me. Here is a link to a cloth diaper that is the best in my opinion ...
    www.cottonbabies.com

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  16. Thanks Rebekah, I will email/message you when we get closer to making purchases or when I have questions about CD'ing!

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