What is your opinion on what IS needed for baby?

IMO you dont need a baby bath, change table (unless you have issues that mean you cant sit down on the floor to change baby), activity mat, jackets (cause they are usually wrapped), bouncer, frontpacks are questionable - especially for newborns a sling would probably be better for them and if you are carrying them you possible wont need a stroller as strollers are more for an older baby. also bassinet may not be needed either cause they can go straight into a cot.

Hmm,

For me the essentials are:

Somewhere to sleep (we had a bassinet before the cot, but that wasn't essential)
Clothing (not nearly as much as I thought I needed)
Nappies / wipes / good barrier cream / lots of face-cloths.

It was nice to have a swing and play-mat. I used both my pushchair and front pack a lot.

Knowing what I know now:
I wouldn't bother with a changing table or a bath, would not have as many clothes for under 6 months. :-)

Could by pass the capsule & go straight for a birth up car seat & then that is where you use your "baby carrier" instead when you are out & about. Plus, you have a 9 year old, they're handy baby carriers once bub is a little bigger

This is so different for each individual. I would never consider not having a change table. Also loved having the bath, even though they only use them for a few months, they really aren't that expensive. 

I find lists online or in books are always quite excessive. I never used bath creams and lotions and I think babies bath towels are also not necessary. 

We've never used soaps, lotions and potions either, though I suppose baby oil could be useful.

I never used a sterilizer, just boiled everything in a pot.

I'm not sure that a breast pump is a necessity. I used it with DS because I went back to work but it's been used maybe 6 times for DD. If you haven't got one, I'd put some money aside and then only buy one if/when you need it iykwim?

We've never used a monitor either.

For bassinet sheets you can use pillowcases on the mattress and swaddle cloths as top sheets. Much cheaper than the over priced ones from trendy shops.

Edited by Stoked - 21 January 2013 at 4:15pm

I personally found the bassinet a waste of money for us. DD was in her own room from night one at home and moved into her cot around eight weeks without even realising any change. However if you plan to have the baby sleeping in the same room as you, then a bassinet would be useful.
A breast pump was one investment I am so glad we made. I was constantly trying to up my supply so used it 3 times a day for about 4.5 months.
We bought far too many clothes as once DD was born and friends and family knew she was a girl, they bought her sooooooo many more even cuter clothes. I must admit though that a few woollen cardigans we were given were worn almost every day so those would be a good investment (if you're having a winter baby).
We also invested in a really good pram that we can buy an attachment for in the future (to push two children around) when we decide to have our second. I'm so glad we spent the money we did on a good pram as we have had so much use out of it so far.
We didn't buy a play gym or swing until we felt we needed one. I do think the swing was awesome in the early days though (we got it when DD was six weeks old). It was fantastic to put her in while I did cleaning, cooking or even showering.
As the others have said, just make sure you have the basics (somewhere or your babe to sleep, nappies etc and a few clothes and blankets). You can always buy when you feel like you need certain things :-)

Totally agree with Soda re the old fashioned cloth nappies- a daily useful item here too!

I found it quite handy to just put a bit of money aside just in case there was something we needed and didn't have. Lotions and creams, if I needed them I used to samples first, often that was either all we needed or they didn't work or baby was allergic to them so buying a huge bottle would of been a waste of money..

We never had a baby pack or a bouncinette.
We didn't have a change table to start with and I found it really tough at night changes getting up and down from the floor. I ended up buying a nice wooden one and it's great for storage with those storage boxes you can get.

:)

I don't think change tables are necessary,my three had a change table,but majority of the time they got changed on the floor.

Heck,all I have this time for this baby,is clothes,once I sort through the boxes of baby clothes in the garage
A bassinette
A cot for later
sheets etc for both
And a carseat
and a baby bath (a necessity since we dont have a bath in our house)

I think there might be a play mat somewhere in the cupboard but if not a blanket works just as well.
And I used a pot to boil the bottles in as well ...


Cliche,but imo,food,warmth ,comfort,security and love are the most important things


Edited by TheKelly - 04 February 2013 at 12:15am