It's About the Stuff

Many moons ago, Grrl asked for suggestions from readers about the baby-related paraphernalia they found most essential.  She got a zillion or so responses that I read at the time, but as I wasn't quite there yet, I didn't take careful notes.

Now, thanks to the plagiarists that have caused Grrl to have to remove her archives from her blog, I find myself unable to access that resource.  Damn plagiarists!

So, I'm throwing myself on your mercy: what baby stuff does a minimalist city dweller in a small apartment really need?  I've chosen bedding, a crib, and a car seat/Snap N Go stroller combo.  What other essential items can I not live without?

Comments

[Kay]

Avent Microwave Bottle Sterilizer. Should you choose to breastfeed and/or pump - the pump parts can also go in it and be sterilized in FOUR minutes. Much faster than the dishwasher.

Bouncy Seat.

[Karin]

Swing...saved my sanity.

I used a wipe warmer because we had our baby in December and it was nice to not have to shock her cute little bottm with cold wet wipes.

And we used a bassinet until she moved into her own room.

[Kate]

Definitely a Snugli or some other type of baby carrier that attaches to your body, or better yet, the dh's body. The swing is a good idea too.

[Sarah]

I'd make sure and consult Moxie--she's ultra cool and she lives in your city and can give you tips on where and what.

Congratulations on moving into this phase!
Sarah

[Jo]

Hell if I know. I'm taking notes, over here.

[karla]

I laughed when my sis and bf said I couldn't live without LOTS of cloth diapers and receiving blankets. I am not laughing now. Cloth diapers will save your life and wardrobe. Also someone gave me a carseat cover that I could not live without. It zips up leaving the "occupant" safe from wind and rain, with a flap you can lift to check on them. It also slips on right over the carrier in seconds. It is a staple gift for me when I am called upon to give a gift.

[Brooklyn Mama]

I loved the Maya Wrap adjustable pouch (Boing Boing).

[Amie]

Expecting my fourth baby (also a minimalist). I would say a swing can be a life saver if your baby likes it (my second didn't). A sling can also be terrific if you find it comfortable.

[Kinneret]

Being the anal retentive ass that I am, I believe I saved that. Would you like me to send you a copy? Email me if so :)

[Enough Already]

Go and get the 6th Edition of Baby Bargains (ISBN 1889392197). The book will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about baby products and what you need and what is a complete waste of money.

btw, have you actually seen that crib? I thought I was going to get that one as well but when I went to Babies R Us, the crib they had on display was rather flimsy.

As for what other essential items you need - something for the little one to wear, i.e. cap, blanket sleepers, layette gowns, booties, etc...but according to the book, don't stock up on newborn sizes b/c your baby will quickly outgrow them.

[liz]

If you travel, a pack-n-play is great. A high-chair, bag sleepers, a gymini (portable and folds up to be put away)

[Brooklyn Girl]

Thanks all. Consensus: should one acquire both a bouncy seat and and a swing, or is it a reasonable plan to acquire just one of those and, if the kid doesn't take to it, then try out the other?

Kinneret--Someone more anal than me?! I love it! Will be in touch.

Enough Already--I have the book, and its thoroughness terrifies me. I have looked at the crib and I agree that it's not terribly impressive among the other cribs (though my SIL and others rave about it). I'm going back to look again later this week and may change my mind then.

Keep 'em coming.

[chris]

Anything that kept me mobile: Baby Bjorn and later, a nice MacLaren stroller.

By the way, there are tons of things I wish I hadn't bought. What a waste of money.

[TexasMama]

A sling! You must have a sling (or some kind of carrier), especially if you plan to walk the city a lot, and/or use public transport. I loved my Maya Wrap, though it can be a bit tricky to learn to use at first. A Baby Blorn works as well, but if you plan to nurse you can't really do it in a BB, and by the time my baby was 15 lbs it hurt my back. Sling was still great though.

Personally I HATED the Snuggli and most people I talked to did as well. BB is well worth the extra money, though my vote still goes to a sling, as there is some controversy about BB and Snuggli type carriers being bad for baby's pelvis/spine.

I also loved my co-sleeper until we put my son in his own room at 6 months. If you plan to nurse, borrowing a co-sleeper or basinet will save your sanity.

Bouncy seat was great. My kid hated the swing but lots like them. If space is tight you might consider borrowing one until you know if the little one likes it.

I hated the bottle warmer but then my kid wouldn't take one anyway, so maybe I just never learned to use it right. Also found the big travel system stroller utterly useless, your s&g is a wise choice.

The microwave sterilizer is awsome for pump parts (or bottles). The wipes are very helpful for traveling with no access to a microwave.

If you drive a lot, I'd get the car mirror thing that lets you see your rear facing child.

[Rebekah]

I never had a bouncy seat, but I know a lot of people who did and who swear by them. Personally, I would have been in trouble without my swing (a Fisher Price cradle-style swing). It saved my life ... and freed my hands up long enough to do some chores around the house. One feature I loved about ours was that it could swing in TWO directions ... side-to-side and back-and-forth. Some babies have a preference!

Although we've yet to have a baby in the City, I think a sling or Baby Bjorn is probably a must, especially when you're dealing with the subway. It will allow you to carry the baby AND a stroller, etc. up and down all the stairs more easily, AND allow you to keep the baby close to you when it gets a little crowded.

I saw that Brooklyn Mama recommended Boing Boing already. That is a GREAT store. If you're thinking about using a sling, it is THE place to go. They even have a sling class, where they help you pick the right sling for you, and show you how to put it on, etc. They're also an excellent resource for breastfeeding and pump info, lactation consultants, and even (eventually) ... PLAYGROUPS.

[jen]

You're taxing my brain, but defintely the Baby Bjorn. I know lots of people love the sling, but I just never got the hang of it. I was always afraid he was going to fall out.

As far as swing or bouncy--I have to say, get both. Because you're not going to know which one will work and the last thing you'll want to do is run out and get one, especially because you may be desparate to find something -- anything that will work right at that moment.

A very comfortable nursing bra. I'll have to look up the one I found with my second one--it was $50 but so worth it.

I loved the boppy pillow--for nursing for my first and for propping my second up.

Eventually, the exer-saucer thing. Very handy when you need to get a few things done.

[Sylvie]

I am fully unqualified to say since I don't have a baby or near-term intentions for one... however I do recall that my sister's sanity was truly saved in the early days of breast feeding (oh, loud, hungry baby, PLEASE LATCH ON!) with the purchase of the Boppy Pillow. One one question: why such ugly fabrics? We need a Kate Spade boppy.

[mijk]

If you're going to breastfeed this will save your clothes your bedlinnen and therefor your sanity.. They might not keep you dry the first week or two but do'nt through them away after that they are fantastic.. (and I must say they are the most minimilistic breastpads I know of...)

www.lilypadz.com

Mijk

[Anna]

Your Baby May Vary, of course, but so far (my daughter is 6 weeks), there are two 'extra' things that I couldn't live without:

1. The bouncy seat. She wouldn't sleep in her bassinet (she hated lying flat) when we first brought her home, so she slept in the bouncy seat. Now it's great because I can put her in it and set it in the doorway of the bathroom and have a shower. When you have a baby, a nice hot shower can be the highlight of the day.

2. My breastfeeding pillow. I had a really hard time positioning her in the hospital, but as soon as I got home and used the pillow, it became about a zillion times easier. I should have taken it to the hospital with me. Plus you can use it to prop the baby up for really cute pictures!

I also have a swing (borrowed from my SIL), and the baby does like it, but I could live without it.

[Anna]

Ahhhhh, can't believe I forgot the third thing - some sort of baby carrier! I have a Bjorn and I made myself a couple of slings (different fabrics - have to be fashionable, don't you know!). The baby likes both of them; I prefer the slings because they are so versatile. What kind of carrier you get is really a very personal decision, but I love mine (they're ring slings, which are really easy to make if you have a sewing machine and can stitch a straight line - you have to order the rings online - www.slingrings.com).

[Cat, Galloping]

You asked for it, you got it (but minimalist it is not!) My sister and her Upper East Side friends have passed around and edited this list. She swears to have used every last thing on here.

FURNITURE
Crib
Mattress
Changing Table
Vinyl Pad
Terry Cover
Drawers
Lamp
Diaper Pail - Diaper Genie w.Refills
Hamper
Glider Chair Nursing Stool (okay I never saw this one at her house, d'you think it's like for milking a cow?)
Crib Bedding
Bumper
Sheets
Waterproof Sheets
Quilted Pads

TRAVEL EQUIPMENT
Carriage/Stroller
Car Seat
Car Seat Frame Stroller
Baby Bjorn
Bottle Bag w. Cool Pack
Diaper Bag
Car Window Shades
RainCover
Stroller Sun Umbrella

HOME EQUIPMENT
Baby Monitor - Angelcare Sound/Breathing Sink Sponge Liner (use for newborn sink baths)
Evenflo newborn tub with comfort sling
Infant Swing - Graco Advantage w/ music
Graco Pack n' Play w/ bassinet
2 Pack n' Play sheets
2 Waterproof sheets

MUST-HAVE TOYS
Gymini Deluxe Playskool Kick-Start Gym Evenflo Ultra saucer
Boppy Tummy-time mat

MEALTIME EQUIPMENT
High Chair - Peg Perego Prima Pappa
Splat Mat
Bottles (try different kinds-Johnson's angled are BEST)
Bottle Brush
Nipple Brush
Dishwasher Basket for Nipples
Electric Breast Pump
Nursing Pads
Cotton Cloth Diapers (for burping)
Bottle Sterilizier (for 1st two months - Avent)

LAYETTE
6 Side Snap shirts - 3 month
5-10 Onesies w/snaps all the way down
4 Drawstring Gowns - 3 to 6 month
7 Stretchies - 3 and 6 month
1 Sweater with hat
6 Receiving Blankets
1 Heavier Stroller Blanket
3 Pairs Booties/ 3 Pairs socks
Summer or Winter
Snowsuit if Winter
4 Hooded Bath Towels/Wash Cloths
Cloth and Plastic Bibs Saks
1 Snuggly
1 Pair Cotton Mittens (prevents face scratching)

DRUG STORE
Comb & Brush
Baby Scissors/Clippers/File - First Years' Rectal Thermometer - Mercury (not digital) Nasal Saline Drops
Nasal Aspirator
Balmex
A & D Ointment
Vaseline
Cotton Balls
Q-Tips
Pampers Baby Wipes/Travel Wipe Holder
**Newborn Pacifiers - Mams Mini Ulti (if you use them these are the BEST)
Tylenol Liquid for Infants
Diapers - Pampers Premium with cut-out for Umbilical cord
Rubbing Alcohol
Gauze Pads (only if you have a boy)
Bacitracin (only if you have a boy)
Neosporin
Mylicon Drops for gas (nonstaining formula)- didn't really work for me
Johnson's Baby Shampoo
Johnson's Baby Lotion - pink
Johnson's Baby Wash
Laundry Detergent - Dreft
Night Light

HOSPITAL BAG - MOM
Nursing Gown (not necessary) Bathrobe (not necessary) Slippers Underwear Socks
Nursing Bras Nursing Pads
Menstrual Pads - HEAVY flow Camera
Shower Thongs
Toiletries/Soap
Pad and Pens
Money/Change for Vending
Lip Balm
Lollipops for Labor (if allowed)
Phone Number List
1 Towel
1 Pillow with colored case (don't forget this)
Going Home Clothes

HOSPITAL BAG - BABY
Side snap shirt
Stretchie
Receiving Blanket
Snuggly/Hat/Booties
Heavy Blanket
Cloth Diaper
Pampers Premium Newborn w/ cut-out for Umbilical cord
Car Seat to leave the Hospital

[Bridget]

I had every last thing recommended in Baby Bargains. I used maybe 1/3 of the stuff a lot, another small portion a little, and others none at all.

My daughter hated the swing, we used the pack and play 4 times, she hated the bouncer/swing you hook up in the door, blah, blah, blah.

My assvice - hold off on buying big ticket items like swings until the baby is born. Then take said baby to Babies-R-Us and test drive the swings and other equipment. Now, if you should happen to get it all as gifts, so much the better.

[Monica]

If someone would have told me to wait until Love Bug was born to see what he liked and didn't like, I wouldn't have listened, but you seem much more reasonable than me...so, seriously, it saves a lot of money to wait if you can. I really wanted both the swing and bouncy seat, but Love Bug detests the swing so it was a waste. The Fisher Price aquarium vibrating seat, however, saved my sanity and allowed me to take much-needed showers.

Other people have already mentioned a sling/baby bjorn and I definitely agree - I feel like I have the only baby in the world who hates being in his car seat/stroller, and I really don't know what I would do without my sling/baby bjorn. I have the Kangaroo Korner sling, which is great. The Baby Bjorn, while a bit uncomfortable for me, is my son's favorite. (By the way, you're going to be so happy you have the Snap and Go - it's so much easier!)

We've hardly used our pack and play either, but we've gotten great use out of the mini co-sleeper. It's smaller and easier to take places. We found that Love Bug wouldn't sleep in his crib until he was a few months old. I don't know if he prefers the co-sleeper because it's so much smaller, but it works for us.

Let's see...a mobile and gymini are great to have too.

I wouldn't stock up too much on lotions, ointments, etc... because your baby might be sensitive to certain brands. We went through a few different kinds before we found one Love Bug could tolerate.

[Amanda]

You MUST have a vibrating bouncy seat (and lots and lots of batteries... as to NEVER be without the vibration). Diaper Genie's suck, don't get one of those. Just save plastic grocery bags, they work just as well. Buy tons of cloth diapers to use as burp cloths (wash them a dozen times before use, so they will actually absorb). Buy several different kinds of pacifiers, your baby will choose the one he/she likes best.

[Laura]

We used our Pack N Play every day for the first 4 months with both girls.
Ours has the changing table and basinette inserts so it was permanently set up in our family room for easy changing and, more importantly, easy napping. Although we live in a 3-story house and when they were newborn, I was just paranoid enough to want to be on the same floor as they slept. Your mileage would vary based on house layout and paranoia level!

Bouncy seat and later the exersaucer are the only items that guaranteed a shower for me on any given day.