1. Carseats: Don't pay more for a carseat because of it's safety features. Every single car seat on the market had to pass the same safety standards and any of the carseats you can buy will make your baby the safest person in the car. Companies will say they have this feature or that feature that makes them safer than other carseats but that is just how they convince you to spend hundreds of dollars more for their carseat. If a safety feature were something that made the car seat that much safer, all carseats would be required to have it. That being said, when choosing a carseat, choose one that works well for you and your lifestyle. Reading up on them and asking others what they used is a great way to get information but the best thing you can do is get to a store, pull the carseats off the shelf and practice. Figure out how to buckle the carseat, how to put it in the base, and how to install it in the car. Carry it around the store and imagine it 10-15 pounds heavier. Practice, along with your research, will help you to find the carseat that is best for you!
2. Strollers: Along the same line as carseats: TAKE THEM FOR A TEST DRIVE! Make sure that you are happy with how it moves and folds up. Strollers are a great one to find out from others what they like and don't like about them because there are so many features to think about when buying them. For example: how easy is it to fold up, how much space does it take once folded, how big is the basket for your diaper bag, is there a cup holder, how many seat positions are there, which infant carseats can be used with it, what accessories would you need to buy, how well does it move, how high or low is the handle bar, ect. Think about the features that are important to you in a stroller and look for one that meets as many of those requirements as possible.
3. Breast Pump: This can be a big ticket item or a not so big ticket item depending on what type you get. However, the good news is most insurance companies will now cover a breast pump so my advice: find out what they will cover and get the best one on the list, regardless of how often you think you will use it! I use mine here and there so technically I don't need the best one on the market but it sure is nice to have my hands free when I do decide to pump! The general consensus seems to be that Medela pumps are the best. I haven't used any other type but I sure love mine (as much as you can love a breast pump). If your insurance covers it, I recommend a double electric pump. A great accessory to add to your registry if your pump is not hands free is a bra to hold on your pump (if not sure on the size, go with the smaller one, you want it to be tight to get a good suction).
4. Cribs: along the same lines as the carseat, they all have to pass the same safety standards so just pick one that you like and matches your budget. I really don't recommend getting a used crib but if you must, make sure you know who used it and exactly what type of wear and tear it experienced. Also check the exact make and model to be sure there are no recalls.
5. Changing table: Do I really need one?! Well that depends on your lifestyle. I have heard from a lot of moms that have had c-sections that it is nice to have the baby up high for changing so you don't have to bend over and hurt your incision. I prefer to have the baby up high because I have a very excited dog that would be all over that stinky butt in a matter of seconds. Now that my baby is 13 months, my only way of keeping her in one place is by having her up on the table. When she's on the ground, she squirms away and I end up chasing a naked baby. I actually opted for the low dresser as a changing table which is a great space saver. I did have to put a non-stick liner (the kind you put in cupboard drawers) on the bottom of the changing pad to keep it from slipping off the dresser but that was a cheap fix.
6. Swings/bouncer seats/jumpers: this is a tough one. First of all, not every baby loves to swing and not every baby loves every type of swing. My best advice, if you have a friend who's baby has grown out of their swing, ask if you can borrow it. Find out if the baby actually likes it before you commit. We have 4 swings. Three used and 1 we bought brand new. My daughter wasn't a fan of the first three but she tolerated the forth. I'm just glad we didn't pay full price for the first three. Some people opt to buy a swing that can be also used as a bouncer. Although this is a great space saver, I don't recommend this because it is good for your baby to be in many different positions throughout the day. Babies in my house go from swing to tummy to bouncer to jumper to back to being held to bumbo and repeat all day long. This is good for them for many reasons including helping you to avoid a flat head issue. Some babies also tend to get bored of being in the same location and same position for a long period of time. So I do recommend having different options for baby to play and sleep in throughout the day. Look for used options incase baby is not a fan!
7. Rocker/Glider/Recliner: this is another common "do I really need one?!" And some parents do just fine without one. Personally, I wouldn't have survived without mine. When my daughter was born we lived in a smaller home and only had couches for lounging furniture. A chair that has an ottoman or that reclines tends to be more comfortable for nursing than the couch. I am also a huge fan of having something that rocks or glides in all areas that you will spend a lot of time with baby. When it comes to which one, my personal favorite for the room baby sleeps in is a lazy boy rocking recliner. If you are not big on bringing baby in bed with you and you have to end up sleeping in your chair when baby is sick or teething, you will be so happy to have gone with a comfy recliner! We went with a huge, comfy glider with ottoman with our first and as comfy as it was for a feeding or quick rock to sleep, it caused far too many stiff necks and back pains for mama on those long, tearful nights!
8. Pack n Play/bassinette/rock n play: There are a lot of personal factors that play into this one. Things to think about, how much space you have, how close you want baby to your bed, do you travel a lot, do you need something for play and sleep? I had 3 pack n plays with my first (2 hand me downs and one from my registry). My child hated all three. The bassinet portion of the pack n play is a very hard surface so it is not very comfy to sleep on and for those babies that need a little incline for reflux or tummy issues, it does nothing for you.. They also tend to take up more space than a rock n play or a lot of bassinets. However, a lot of parents swear by their pack n plays and get great use out of them I think of the three, my personal favorite is the rock m play. It is very portable, puts baby slightly upright and fits very nicely right next to your bed.
9. Baby carrier: in my opinion, baby carriers are a lifesaver! But there are so many different types and each have their own purposes. Most common types are structured carriers, wraps and slings. Structured carriers (Ergo, Beco, ect) are great for outdoor activities and lots of walking. They are also a great baby wearing option for dad's. Some women really love them for home use as well but I personally prefer wraps or slings at home. Wraps like Moby and Boba are great for squishy little babies, especially if you will be nursing. You can give baby lots of skin to skin time and still be productive or care for older children at the same time. One issue with the Moby or Boba wraps is they are cotton and will stretch out as baby gets bigger making it much more difficult and uncomfortable to hold them on. Woven wraps are great because they will carry over into toddler years and often make baby feel weightless! Slings are another great option with little babies as they are great for discrete nursing and a little easier to get on and off than a wrap. None of the above options really meet all of my needs in a baby carrier so I have several. Good news is, baby carriers hold their value well so as long as you take good care of them, you can make a good chunk of your money back by selling them when you are done. Here is my list of baby wearing items: Beco structured carrier, Moby wrap, mei tai wrap, two ring slings (why 2? because I'm a sucker for a cute print!) and a Solly wrap. I love them all and would recommend any/all of them. If you can only afford one, I recommend going with a woven wrap. It will carry over into the most settings and greatest age range. Two other points about baby wearing: 1. babies don't always like it the first time, you may have to build up the amount of time wearing them until they get used to it. 2. Please familiarize yourself with precautions associated with baby wearing and having baby properly positioned to avoid hip dysplasia.
10. High chair: if you want to save money, this is a great place to do it. You could spend $30 on a high chair or your could spend a couple hundred. What are you paying extra for? Features. Some great features in a high chair that make your life more convienent include: easy to clean fabrics, removable top tray that can be easily cleaned, wheels, can be turned into a booster chair, folds up nice and compact, easy to get baby in and out (for grandparents and babysitters), and different seat and footrest positions for an ever growing baby. Do you need a high chair right away? No. I actually recommend putting this one off because it just takes up space until you get to the point of needing it. Some babies don't start eating solids until 6 months and even at that point, if you have a bumbo seat, they can eat in that until they grow out of it.
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