Babies need far less baby gear than you might think. For baby clothing, think about the season. Hot summers make it easier because you can get away with fewer items. A place to sleep, food, and clean pants will usually keep baby happy. Doing laundry regularly is a big help in making due with less.
Baby Gear NOT needed at all
Dollar Store/no brand bottles. They may contain harmful substances and leak. There is a reason they are inexpensive, and you should find out why before committing to using them.
Changing table. Better to have changing pads handy around the house.
Wiper Warmer. A total luxury, power and time consumer.
Bottle Warmer. You can do without this with a bit of pre-planning for feeding time. Also, some say they breed bacteria too quickly.
Rocker/glider. Most people get very little use out of these, unless it was a piece of furniture they wanted anyway. It will usually sit unused in a nursery, and see more use in a living room.
Bassinet. Possibly awkward to move around and useful for only a short time. Really, their main purpose is looking pretty in the nursery!
Crib bedding sets. For infants quilts or heavy blankets will not be appropriate, so many mom’s pass on these.
Diaper disposals. Bag refills can be expensive, some products didn’t seem sanitary, and they aren’t always easy to use.
Convertible beds. Most new parents say that they can be tricky to convert, have ugly (and possibly unsafe) screw holes left behind after the conversion, and wind up as a bed too small anyway.
Baby Gear not needed until later (if at all)
Newborns don’t really need a crib. A bassinet or even a large box would do in a pinch for the first couple of months. A playpen can even be used for a couple of years.
A new baby doesn’t need any toys at all. A mobile can be hung over the crib as baby will eventually start to look at the items that hang from it.
What you do not need but might be nice to have
- Baby monitor
- Swing
- Baby scrapbook to record your baby’s firsts
- Infant seat as a safe place to put baby while you do other things
- High chair for when baby is 4-6 months old
- Baby sling or pouch for carrying baby but keeping your hands free
- Camera to capture baby memories
Recommendation
Get only the basics like diapers, a few clothes and blankets, a baby car seat, and a baby stoller . After baby arrives you will have a better idea of what baby gear you really need.
[...] Tired of being the guinea pig? Then use other mom’s and dad’s experience! Find out what they wasted their money on, and don’t do that. Find out what they bought and liked, and do that. [...]