Must haves:
• The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (do not need to own, but MUST watch, including the extra features!!!!!)
• Safe infant car seat with a base in each car (we have the Graco Snugride). Do not buy used--buy new to make sure it is safe.
• Bouncer with vibrations that is secure, light and easy to bounce & carry around the house (we have an older model of this Fisher Price Soothe & Play Bouncer)--only buy used if in very lightly used condition, otherwise buy new.
• Snap & Go stroller frame for your infant seat (I wish I'd had this with Kellyann--it will save your back/arms). We have the Maclaren Easy Traveller one, and I recommend it because it is light & folds up small & has a big basket--ignore the negative Target review b/c we have a Graco Snugride & it works great with it). Buy used if you can. Saw one on craigslist the other day: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bab/1423468902.html
• Open top swing with high speed that can recline (we have one similar to this one). Buy used because you can get for like $15-20.
• Maclaren brand umbrella stroller (No other brands compare--we have the Volo, but one that reclines like the Triumph or Quest would allow you to use it when the baby is younger--I have heard the Volo's seat is the most comfortable for older children though). Buy used if in good condition.
• Bumkin Super Bibs (You will never want to use any other bibs)
• Ultimate Crib Sheet (You don't need any other sheets or mattress pads--just get a 3-4 of these)
• Waterproof lap pads
• Baby carrier with good back support (I ended up really using two: the Baby Bjorn Carrier Active and the Ergo--I liked the Bjorn Active for early on because the baby is so close and can look up at you and then when they want to look out but can't walk yet, they can face out. The Ergo was better as the child got heavier and can be used for a long time and used on your hip, front & back). Baby Bjorn Synergy is a new product since I had one that is supposed to be a cooler (literally :)) version of the Active model, but I've never tried it. I've also heard good things about the Moby Wrap for young babies, but again, I've never tried one. Buy new or used.
• Boppy with several extra covers. Buy new because you don't know how clean a used pillow would be.
• Soft burp cloths (I liked the cheapest, plainest ones best of all the ones I got--Gerber Cloth Diapers (They were not the premium ones because the premium ones were too rough--I think the ones I liked were these))
• Head support(s)--we used one in the swing and one in the bouncer. My friend used one in her car seat too. My favorite is the Kiddopotamus Snuzzler. Buy used and wash them.
• Robeez brand or Target Ministar baby shoes for pre- and early-walking stages
• Hooter Hider, Udder Cover or other nursing shawl that has a peek-a-boo curve built into the top
• Good quality double electric breast pump--I highly recommend the Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric breast pump--I ordered mine through Nursing Mothers of Raleigh Buy new.
• Nursing pads--Disposable & not-disposable--my favorite disposables are Johnson & Johnson--these are the only ones that don't show under shirts for me
• Good quality nursing bras--I highly recommend going to the Lactation Station at Rex & getting fitted there. You need at least one or two really soft bras for when you are engorged and for sleeping and another one or two for everyday work, etc. My three bras I love are my Majamas Easy Bra, my Bravado Original Nursing Bra, and my Bravado Lifestyle Nursing Bra. There are probably other good ones, but I definitely recommend no underwires. Buy new.
• Soft onesies, snap-up diaper shirts & footed sleepers
• Infant bath tub (I recommend one with a hammock that comes off as they get bigger, kind of like this). Buy new or used.
• Contoured changing pad with multiple covers (we don't have a changing table--we just put ours on top of the dresser). Buy new or used.
• Exersaucer. Buy used because you can get them as cheap as $5 used.
• Pacifiers & pacifier ropes (we love MAM brand)
• Diapers & wipes (I recommend Pampers Swaddlers and Sensitive wipes for the early months)
• Diaper cream (I recommend Aquaphor Baby Ointment)
• Crib (I'd get a convertible one that goes to a bed if I had to buy one and one with as quiet & easy of a drop-side as possible). Buy new or used.
• Pack & Play (Get one that is easy to break down for travel--we also loved that ours had a tent that could attach to it for the beach and to hide us from view in hotel rooms as she got older). Buy used because you can get them really cheap.
• Hats (warm & sun hats)
• Booties with enough elastic to keep them on
• Swaddle blankets--We love our Kiddopotamus SwaddleMes and I've heard great things about the Miracle Blanket
• Soft blankets of all sizes
• Activity Gym mat (like this)
• High chair with sturdy chair & tray--Get one that is easy to wipe down the seat and the tray can fit in dishwasher! Some of my friends used travel high chairs on their chairs exclusively rather than getting a whole big high chair. We had both. Buy new or used.
• Travel booster (we used this when she was little and this as she got older). Buy new or used.
• Crib bumpers (we used the traditional ones when she was little and the mesh Crib Shield when she got older to prevent her climbing--just make sure they fit your crib style)
• Toys for baby (particularly recommend Sassy Me in the Mirror)
• Bottles (we used Browns)
• Bottle brush
• Bottle drying rack
• Bottle dishwasher basket
• Sippy cups (Nuby brand ones are a good first sippy cup)
• Comfortable nursing chair (I highly recommend a rocking recliner over a regular rocker or glider)
• Night light (we love this one)
• Dreft or other free & clear laundry detergent (I love the smell of Dreft though :))
• Baby clothes hangers
• Snack Traps
• Rubber tipped baby spoons
• Backpack or other diaper bag (remember the hospital and/or your doc will usually give you at least one free)
• Plastic links (lots of them!)
• Little Noses Saline Spray
• Baby body wash/shampoo (I LOVE this Method baby wash)
• Baby monitor with a battery option
• Back seat mirror
• Toy bar (we LOVED this one)
• Car seat protector (to go under the car seat to protect your car's seats)
• Digital thermometers (two--one for rectal only and one for underarm/mouth)
• Cool mist humidifier (we love the Crane brand ones)
• Stick-on car cling window sun shades like this (Much nicer/safer than the roll-up/down suction cup ones which we hated)
• Rear window sunshade (only if you have a sedan)
• Baby nail clippers (get ones with big grips for where you hold them because they are small! :))
• Diaper pail (I've heard good things about the Diaper Genie but you have to buy expensive refills--otherwise, just plan to empty any other one regularly--we have this one)
• Board books
Nice to have:
• Travel swing--nice to have in extra room
• Car seat strap covers (I recommend snaps over velcro)
• White noise machine (we love this Conair one)
• Jumper (door frame or other)
• Crib mobile (bold colors hold the baby's attention best)
• Graco Travel Lite crib (like a pack & play but smaller--we used this with the bassinet attachment exclusively by our bed for the first months)
• Microwave Steam Sterilizer (I have an older Avent one)
• Lovey (LOVE these baby cozies :))
• Babylegs (so cute!)
• Soft baby washcloths
• Soft hooded towels
• Jogging stroller
• Superyard XT (great versatile gate system)
• Kiddopottamus Tiny Diner Placemat
• Lullaby CD
Waste of money:
• Any other strollers than a snap & go infant seat frame and an umbrella stroller. We have barely used the stroller that matched our car seat--it's too big, bulky & just not as good as the other strollers. The only feature we preferred about it were the infant & parent trays. Consider trunk space when you purchase baby gear!!!
• Bumbo chair--total fad--baby hated it
• Shopping cart cover--too much trouble!
• Any rain or netting covers unless you'll be outside a ton
• Hooded bath robes
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