What First-Time Parents Need to Buy for Their Baby
1. Baby monitor
While you’ll probably ignore this item for the first few days because you’ll be taking every opportunity to gaze in on your little one, (to make sure he or she is breathing!) I highly recommend this. Besides, it makes for a very cool listening device later on to see if your loved ones are killing each other!
2. Breast Pump
This will come in handy, especially if you decide to go back to work. I would definitely buy a pump instead of renting one because you’ll be using it for a long time. This was the best $250 I spent nine years ago. It helped me with engorged breasts, feeding twins and supplying Grandma with milk while I ran out for some much-needed sanity! Go with an electric pump instead of a battery-operated one. It is gentler to your breasts and generally more efficient.
3. Stroller with Canopy
Invest in a durable one that is light and easy to open and close. There’s nothing worse than fighting with a temperamental stroller on a 100-degree day while your little one is crying in the car. If you must consult the manual every time you need to operate it, you’ve gotten the wrong one.
4. Crib
This sounds like a no-brainer. I mean, of course you need a crib – -where else would the baby sleep? In a drawer? But, it’s easy to get caught up in decorating the nursery and neglect investing in a strong crib. We started out with a plain crib and it has lasted through several children. Later, we got a crib that converts to a toddler bed, another wise investment. Remember to make sure the width of the slats follow child safety precautions.
5. Multi-pocketed Diaper Bag
Beware – -advertising plug coming! Land’s End bags are the best! Yes, they are way more expensive than the ones you’ll see elsewhere, but so worth the money. I received mine as a gift and it was one of the best I ever received because of its durability. The bag also had lots of pockets, especially on the sides. This is very important – -especially if you have several in diapers at once, like I did. It’s amazing how much we stuffed into that bag, and the seams didn’t burst. You will probably get diaper bags at the hospital and at your shower, but you will probably find they will not last more than a few months, even less if you go out frequently. I found the first features to go were the zippers and the inner pocket linings.
6. Onesies (one-piece outfits/undergarments)
And lots of them! You’ll appreciate the ease with which you can put these on and off once your little one discovers the fine art of wiggling! In fact, I recommend one-piece outfits all the way through infancy. Yes, there are some adorable outfits out there and your child would look absolutely precious in one, but if you look closely, you’ll find they are not very practical, so save those outfits for picture days. They’re not practical in the sense that they often have snaps or buttons in the back (you’ll be doing the baby flip often and trust me, baby won’t like that!), they’re itchy and uncomfortable, and they may have bows or ribbons that somehow always find their way to baby’s mouth. When your baby has spit up on herself, or worse, pooped all over, you’ll appreciate having only a few snaps to undo and one piece of clothing to whisk off her.
7. Plastic Bib with Pocket
Although the one we used with confidence was bought at Right Start, I’ve noticed that discount stores have started selling them. I’m not talking about the flimsy plastic bibs with the see-through pockets. I’m referring to the bibs that have snaps to create the pocket, almost have a canvas feel to them and can be wiped or rinsed off in a hurry. They are pretty stain resistant too. I’ve found other bibs, especially cloth ones, worked better to sop up teething drool, not spaghetti with meatballs!
8. Bouncy Seat
This item comes in handy when you have your hands tied and can’t get to the baby right away. It’s especially great for that in-between time when you’re introducing solid foods and the baby doesn’t have the muscle strength to properly sit in a high chair. If the seat vibrates, that’s even better. I’ve had many a child fall asleep in the seat and some even preferred it to the crib.
9. Binky (pacifier) or Blanket
I know this subject is controversial, but in my experience, it’s been easier to wean a child off either of these two items than it was to chuck the thumbsucking, which really can do permanent damage if left unattended. Children need a security item to help them sleep or calm down, especially when they are just learning to do so as babies. I’ve even used a shirt that smelled like me or a silky nightgown. Just don’t expect to get it back anytime soon! If you choose the blanket route, get several of the same kind so you can pull the ol’ switcheroo when it comes time to do the laundry. For pacifiers, be sure to get a clip so you can attach it to the child (don’t do this when they sleep though as it presents a strangulation hazard) to avoid playing the dropsy game.
10. Board or cloth book
The experts say success in reading starts early and I must agree with them. I read to my oldest daughter while she was still in the womb and she came out holding a book! I remember seeing her at 7 months old “reading” a book while lying on her back and balancing the book with her feet. She’s now almost nine and reads books almost as huge as “War and Peace.” At first, your child will probably eat the book – -can you say glue is yummy? But then, you will find curiosity will rule the day and she will actually start to look at the pictures. Her journey learning this lifelong skill will have begun.
I suppose I should have mentioned having a healthy sense of humor, flexibility and a degree of spontaneity, but I will save that for another article. You will find that out soon enough. Congratulations on your pending arrival and welcome to the wacky world of parenthood! You’re in for a wild ride!
