As a younger mother I prepared for our first born by going to the big box store and making a gift registry for my baby shower. This baby registry had over 100 items on it (I found a copy of it in the memory box). Overnight we almost needed a bigger house just to fit all these things I was told I would need. After a few babies I started to realize how much of it is just clutter or does not really make our lives any easier.
As I round the corner to once again welcoming a new baby into our family I woke up feeling anxious about all the things I do not yet have for my little one or the things I have not finished making. I sat up in my bed and just took a few deep breaths and thought about Mrs Ingals out in the prairie with no “baby supply store” at her disposal and Our Lady who gave birth to the most important babe ever in very meager surroundings and suddenly I felt very calm. A few days ago one of my very good friends reminded me that I have everything my baby needs, food, love and my arms (thanks Reggie). Of course there are a few other things that babies need and honestly there are a few things I really want but in the everlasting push to live a simple life I decided to make a list of the things I feel my baby needs and so I am sharing it with you. This is my list and I probably missed some things. Everyones state in life is different so everyone’s list will be different but /i hope you will see like I did that most of the items at the store are just chasing your money, your peace and your space.
For baby
~ cradle or crib and mattress (most of the time baby sleeps with me but my husband can be a big bear and sometimes I need to put the baby in their own space though I know soooo many mommas who don’t need one) I also use it for naptimes when my very cushy bed is not safe for a baby sleeping alone.
~ car seat
~ rocking chair (I use this soooo much for the first year where we just sit together for nursing and cuddling)
~ dresser or other place to put away babies things
~ crib sheets and bedding (I use natural fibers and try to use organic when possible)
~ lambskin (immediately calms my babies no matter where we are)
~ Ergo baby carrier or wrap (must need for me, I am not including a stroller in this list because I do not use them enough until I have a toddler, the carrier works perfect for me)
~ blankets to swaddle babies in
~ cloth diapers (I use prefolds and covers)
~ cloth wipes and diaper area cleaning spray
~ diaper pail for dirty diapers
~ socks to keep little feet warm
~ soft hats to keep fuzzy heads warm (babies lose a lot of heat through their heads)
~ a few soft and comfortable outfits for baby to sleep in and wear out (it is just my opinion but I do not put anything on a baby that is uncomfortable even if its super cute. I think newborns need to be comfortable so I only put them in very soft and loose clothing).
~ sweater to keep baby warm in the fall and winter
~ towel for bathtime (I use a regular sized towel, it is better to wrap my baby than the flimsy ones you can buy at the store)
~ nail clippers
~ nasal aspirator bulb
~ soft natural bristled baby brush and comb
~ mittens so babies do not scratch up their beautiful faces
~ coconut oil to apply to baby bums after each diaper change (won’t affect cloth diapers and is antibacterial)
~ laundry detergent (we make our own so we know what is in it, borax, castile soap, washing soda….thats it)
For momma
~ Comfortable nursing bras
~ Momma pads
~ Nursing pads
~ lanolin for sore nipples and for lanolizing wool diaper covers
Things that are nice to have
~ Baby swing (some of my babies have enjoyed being curled up in one)
~ Co-sleeper to keep baby right next to you but in their own bed
I really, really want a baby hammocks but I know I will be fine without one… but I still really want one
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or follow me by email at the top right hand of the screen to have future posts sent to you. Tricia (Crunchy Catholic Momma)
Very useful information for parents who have a new-born baby. There are so may important baby products that are very necessary for your little baby. Car seats, baby cot, diapers are some of the most important and necessary.
Good post.
Are those clothes hanging on the line in the first photo your baby wipes? If so, where did you find them? If not, do tell what they are because they look lovely! THanks!
Colleen, Those are just prefold diapers : ) I get them from Green Mountain!
The baby hammock has been on my dream list for a couple of babies now. I've even thought of trying to make one! Sigh, maybe some day….
Meadow, I ordered mine today!!! eepa, I am so excited.
Love this list. I've been trying to think of all the stuff we'll need for when we have a baby and keep getting so overwhelmed. Thank you for making a list that seems realistic and manageable! 😀
Katie, You are so very welcome!!!
I really hear you on the "need" thing. I was just at Target the other day and there was a couple there, registering for things for their first baby. They were trying to decide on wether or not to get a Diaper Genie. I told them not to bother. We had one for our first but by our second had abandoned it. What is the point? It's just something to buy inserts for and we just ended up putting the diapers in the trash, which we would take out daily. Of course, now I'm doing cloth diapers so I don't worry about this so much any more. There is just so many things that I find that I don't need. And all the clothes!! I just went through all my kids' clothes (I now have five)and got rid of SO MUCH clothing. And I've found, like you, that I dress the babies in soft, one-piece outfits much more than many different pieces…plus, onesies and things like that are so much easier at diaper changes! Prayers for you in the last few weeks of your pregnancy!
Annie, You made me laugh remembering the diaper genie. I got one for my second baby and after removing my first long, stinky, diaper sausage which I still had to put into a garbage bag I abandoned it too. Thank you so much for your prayers. I am hoping for another 2 weeks and am getting my projects all crossed off!
I don't understand how you mothers can wear those slings without killing your back. My back would not be able to handle that. I am due any day now too and waiting and waiting. I do love the bouncer and should look into cloth diapers seeing as how I will have three in diapers again when this one comes 🙂
The right kind of sling or carrier distributes the weight evenly. I have made wraps in the past which is what I like to use for newborns and it does not hurt my back and then my second favorite is the mai-tai when they are very little. The ergo baby carrier is great for bigger babies. I hope you get to try a good one because they are a life saver.
Hello, I agree! I just did a post titled "Wants and Needs" a few weeks ago!http://rantinglibertariancatholicmom.blogspot.com/2012/08/wants-and-needs.html
The baby hammocks looks awesome! For me, I also need a night light for those night time nursings. I have never tried lambskin. Can you show me what it is and how exactly you use it? (do you swaddle, lay in bed, etc?) We are trying to keep our baby in for another week and a half. I am so anxious to meet her!
Katie, I agree on the night light for nursing. I have a few of my children who cannot sleep unless we leave a small light on in the bathroom so I guess that is my nightlight : ) Hmmm…. the lambskin! I got mine from someone who bought it in New Zealand and it has worked miracles with our babies. I use it in carriers or swings to keep them comfy (they are very very cushy) or just to lay babies down where ever we are. I lay them on it in their crib and it warms them just enough for them to fall asleep. No matter where I take the baby if I take their lambskin they feel at home. The funny thing is that we ALL love them so I now have one for me on my rocking chair and a big one on the floor next to my bed where I find my big kids sitting and reading or taking a nap all the time ; )
I most defiantly agree that a baby sling/carrier is a must! I've been wearing mine for three and a half years! People would always stop and ask about them so I started selling them. It's the perfect way to provide comfort babies need while still having arms free for what mom needs! I am anxious to start using cloth wipes, I've made about 60 so far but am clueless as to the solution or the best way to use them? Also, we are insert diaper users but with my next I would like to use prefolds and covers for the first few months… Any tips?
Theresa, Here is how I use my wipes. I keep them in a basket next to the diapers with a little squirt bottle (the kind they give you during birth to clean your self with?) or just any spray bottle. I mix water with a squirt of Dr Bronners liquid soap and a little bit of coconut oil and I mix it hot at first so it all kind of mixes together. When I need to change a diaper I just grab a wipe, wet it and use it then it goes in the pail with the diaper. I used to keep them in a solution in an old wipes box but they would end up getting musty on me and I would have to wash them all. This way works better and I can throw some dry wipes in my bag on the go and not have to worry about anything getting wet. They are also great for the other kids messes.
Just had my 3rd baby and I've said since the first that I really want one of those baby hammocks! I've survived so far without one but still think they look awesome!
me too Stacy but I really think I am going to get one this time ; )
Every momma is sooo different!! I have two boppys and have never used them. I did like the papasan bouncy that I borrowed from a friend the last time.
The one thing that I couldn't live without for any of my 3 babies were my bouncy seats. I used them way more than I used our hand me down swing! I won't be having more babies, but I wish I had listened to myself and went with cloth diapers from day one! I ended up not nursing and probably wouldn't need as many bottles as I thought I did. The other thing that I used a lot was a boppy pillow. I used it for propping my baby, who had reflux, up on her stomach and then I used it when they weren't quite able to sit on their own.
We have so much less this time around too! There are a few bits and pieces that we had saved from my last (5 years ago), lots of expensive things have been borrowed from friends (pram, sling, breastpump), and a lot of other things we're probably going to just do without. My hospital bag is also hilariously streamlined: last time we filled the whole car and didn't use ANY of it! This time, one hold all covers it!
I am watching and praying for you…I wonder which one of us will go first?