In my first post- Creating Baby Registries, I mentioned a few places where I created baby registries and explained what is is all about...  So far the only offer that I have received from the stores I registered at is a "goody bag" from Babies R Us/Toys R Us, they actually called me and told me to come and pick it up!  I'm glad that they seem so eager to give it to me!  

It is exciting to look at all the merchandise- cribs, play yards,  swings, clothing, breastfeeding supplies, diapers and toys for the new addition.  Bringing a child into the world sure is expensive though, and this can reflect on your attitude.  I have found it easier if I just remember the basics- what is it that the baby and I REALLY need.  So what do you REALLY need, you ask?  Look no further- I have compiled a list of 20 things you can't go without (or really wouldn't want to)!

1.  Carseat.  You need a carseat to bring baby home from a hospital birth, get to and from newborn appointments, shopping excursions, and all the normal traveling needed.  To get reliable info about how to find a safe carseat, install and use it correctly to maximize your child's protection, visit SafeKids USA.

2.  Clothing.  Can't have a naked baby everywhere.  Especially if you're having baby in a colder season.  Babies vary in size, it may be a good idea to start out with less and buy more as baby gets bigger.  My suggestion is to have at least 1 or 2 of each size available- Preemie, Newborn and 3-6 months.  You will need the basics: at least 7 sleepers/pajamas, 7 onesies,  5 one piece outfits, 3 pants, 3 shirts, 2 sweaters, 1 fleece jacket/snowsuit, 2 hats, one pair of warm booties and LOTS of socks.   

3.  Diapers.  Cloth diapers are much more affordable (you can save approximately $200 or more a year by choosing cloth diapers) and cloth diapers take much less waste in the landfill.  Plus they're healthier for baby- source HERE.  My suggestion is to read up as much as you can about cloth diapers, find others who cloth diaper and at least give it a try.  I am actually making my own cloth diapers, and if you know how to use a sewing machine this is a really easy way to save money.  HERE and HERE are a couple helpful tutorials about making your own!  You will need a minimum of about 9 cloth diapers a day.  If you wash them every other day, you can get by with 20.  You can click HERE to learn more about how many cloth diapers you need. If you're going to use disposables, figure the minimum changes will be around 6 times a day, equaling to 168 disposable diapers a month.

4. Wipes.  You need 1-2 wipes minimum per diaper change.  You can buy premade cloth wipes, or make your own!  I have a tutorial HERE you can use to make your own cloth baby wipes. For one month you will need approximately 360 or more wipes per month.

5. Breastfeeding supplies and the such.  I am a huge breastfeeding advocate and there's lots of help out there to get baby breastfeeding successfully.  My favorite site is www.kellymom.com.  What their recommendations are for supplies is "One breast. One baby."   However, they have a more extensive list HERE.  In my opinion, all you need is nursing friendly clothing- nursing bras or bras that let your breast come up out of the bra, nursing shirts or tank tops to pull down and a shirt on top that pulls up, nipple ointment and breast pads.

If you absolutely MUST be away from baby in the first 6 weeks of life, you will want a breastpump and bottles.  Any breastmilk your baby gets is very beneficial, believe in yourself and surround yourself with positive influences.  If for some reason, you're unable to breastfeed yourself, you can look into your community and meet other mothers that are willing to donate/share their breastmilk- check HM4HB on Facebook HERE, or look for a milk bank near you- https://www.hmbana.org/milk-bank-locations.  If you need to use formula, you're not a bad mom.  Be thankful for all you have done and accomplished in your baby feeding journey.  

6. Blankets.  Having a few receiving blankets to wrap baby up in, and a couple nice warm (but breathable) blankets should be sufficient.

7.  Safe place for baby to sleep.  A basinette, with a few sheets is a great way to keep baby close by without the worries of sleeping together, as some new parents are scared to do.  I co-sleep as much as possible because it's just easier to have baby right there right when baby needs me... Look into what is going to be easiest for you.  I have heard the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet helps make caring for baby in bed much easier.

8.  Bath/Grooming supplies.  For the first few weeks you can generally get by on sponge bathing baby (video here-http://youtu.be/Z9WXdvYDey8) so maybe one container of baby wash and one of lotion will be fine.  You will need other grooming supplies such as a nose suction bulb/tool, nail clippers, and a comb.

9. Health supplies.  You will want a thermometer, infant acetaminophen only as recommended by doctor, cornstarch for baby's butt... Things like that.  

10.  Baby carrier.  I swear having a baby carrier helps so much.  You can hold/snuggle baby with both hands free to do whatever you need to do.  It comforts baby to have you close and strengthens the bond between you.  There's TONS of options out there, and sometimes it takes a few tries to find the one that fits into your lifestyle.  HERE is a list of baby carriers with illustrations.

11.  Pacifier.  Now this perspective usually goes both ways, some say it's necessary to keep your sanity.  Others say that it influences your breastfeeding relationship.  But I think having one handy, especially after the first couple weeks, is a GOOD THING!

12.  Diaper bag.  You need something to carry all this stuff around in... Unless your purse is gigantic, you will find it hard to take everything with you when you need it.  

13.  A couple toys.  Experts recommend high contrast colors.  My son and daughter's very first toys they cared about were mobiles and rattles.  These days there's some fancy things out there.  Just don't go overboard those first couple months.

14.  Swing/Bouncy Seat.  Some babies really sleep better with a swing or bouncy sear.  It appears to help calm them.  I think it's a good investment.

15.  A Dresser or Closet.  You really need a place to store everything.  There's some cool organizing ideas on Pinterest that I have stumbled across.  Every month, baby gets more stuff, be prepared LOL!

16.  Books based on baby's needs.  A couple I have that I would recommend-  Caring for Your Baby and Young Child- Birth to Age 5 by the AAP and The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Pregnancy & Baby Care.  There's many others out there, and it's a handy reference at times.

17.  Humidifier/Aromatherapy Diffuser.  They kill germs in the air and keep the airways lubricated which helps prevent stuffiness and colds.

18.  White Noise.  I watched the DVD for Happiest Baby on the Block and learned that baby is having a fourth trimester after birth- it needs to gradually develop into our world.  One of the things that comfort baby is white noise or a shush-ing sound.  You can find free white noise online, if you search for it.

19.  Pack and Play.  I swear this is the easiest to assemble "safe haven" for baby when you have to go running after another kid, or pet, or to the bathroom!

20.  Love.  Surround the baby with love, make your house a loving home <3
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