Necessary vs. Unnecessary

Moms love to give you their list of what you need and what you don’t need. We want to do this because we don’t want you to waste your money on crap, and want you to buy the things we truly believe in. We don’t get commission for this. But we also have to realize that maybe you don’t want to hear what we have to say, or you’ve already heard from someone else that THIS bottle is better than THAT bottle. And you can do your own research. C’mon, you’re having a kid. You’re capable, right? 

WELL, with that being said, here is my list of necessary and unnecessary items. Take it or leave it, this is just what worked for us!

Swing: Some moms will tell you to get one that bounces or vibrates, and some babies really like that. So a combo might be great. But ours just swings (side to side or forward and backward), and it is usually our last resort to get naughty one to sleep, because it works. I’m incredibly impressed by how long batteries last in this! We used this EVERY day for the first 7.5 weeks that Kip has been alive. And sometimes for a few hours overnight, when he can’t settle down to sleep. One day I tweeted at Fisher Price because the batteries did die, and I didn’t know if we had more, and they responded within a couple of hours asking if there was any way they could help, which I thought was pretty cool!
http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-twinkling-lights-spacesaver-cradle-n-swing/-/A-14775322#prodSlot=medium_1_8&term=fisher+price+swing

Pacifiers: I tried to hold off giving him a pacifier because I’d read about “nipple confusion”. Well, he’s a comfort sucker, and he needed something. So we ended up giving him pacifiers earlier than we had planned. Naturally, his favorite was the MAM one that I melted. And then later I melted five past the point of use. So we had to buy more. I do think that it is important to have a couple of differently-shaped pacifiers, because some days he will take certain ones better than others.
http://www.amazon.com/MAM-Affection-Silicone-Pacifier-Months/dp/B00IOGIE14/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435434414&sr=8-2&keywords=i+love+mommy+pacifier

As he’s gotten older, he has grown more fond of his Wubbanub, which I really like because it makes it harder for him to repeatedly spit out. (Score one for mom!)
http://www.amazon.com/WubbaNub-W32429-Blue-Bear/dp/B007IVXRT0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1436205990&sr=8-7&keywords=wubbanub+bear&pebp=1436206034314&perid=1NK8B67QWD7NPJ01XF2F

Automatic breast pump: I got a Medela Advanced, and I’m so glad that I did. I think it works great. It is simple to set up and use, storage is easy, there are lots of accessories, and if our insurance covers it, I will really like it. ;) In case insurance did not cover it, I waited until it was on sale, then used a coupon from Target. Did you know that if you have a registry with Target, they send you 15% off coupons toward your due date so you buy what’s left? It worked. I got mine for about $210.
http://www.target.com/p/medela-pump-in-style-advanced-breast-pump-tote-and-feeding-starter-kit-bundle/-/A-14271871#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=Medela+advanced

Bottles: I like Tommy TIppee. The nipples are designed to be shaped naturally like a breast. Kip took to them right away without a problem. I felt like he could control the flow, as well as the fact that you can buy low, medium, and high flow bottles. I never felt like he was choking on it. It is also shaped in a way that makes the bottle easy to hold. When he is older, I don’t think he will have a problem with it. We started using the larger bottles (9 ounces) around 7 weeks.
http://www.target.com/p/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-bottle-collection/-/A-14515872#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=tommy+tippee+bottles

Spit rags/cloth diapers: Those plain white Gerber cloth diapers are absolutely a necessity. And in a great quantity. If you’re lucky, someone can sew some cute fabric to one side to they aren’t so ugly/soak up more spit. I actually tuck one into my nursing bra while he is eating so I don’t get soaked.
http://www.target.com/p/gerber-newborn-10-pack-gauze-prefold-diaper-white/-/A-13574461#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=gerber+cloth+diapers

Woombie: A swaddler designed to feel like the womb. Kip absolutely loved his. This was recommended to us and given to us as a gift, and I am very thankful for it as he slept very well in it! (Not to mention he looks like a cute little pea pod. We were quite sad when he grew out of it!)
http://www.amazon.com/Original-Woombie-Vintage-Bicycles-Swaddle/dp/B00TI3EM3Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1435434781&sr=8-3&keywords=woombie+bicycle&pebp=1435434808126&perid=0B48DEKW6SSTNDK89EGA

Summer Infant swaddlers: Same as woombies. Baby boy loved to be wrapped up in these, and as he got bigger we were able to free one arm for him at night. When he outgrew the smalls, I ordered a larger size. Babies just sleep better when swaddled!
 http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-SwaddleMe-Adjustable-Lining/dp/B00N6PKL78/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435434862&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=summer+infant+swaddlers+bee

Lanisoh: If you don’t want your nipples to feel like they are going to crumble and fall off, buy this. Use it. Especially the first few days when your nipples are in shock.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin-Breastfeeding-Mothers-Grams/dp/B005MI648C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435434949&sr=8-1&keywords=lanisoh

Breast pads: There are disposables and there are washables. What’s important about these is not what kind, but how many you have. Because I can go through 2-4 pairs a day. (Soft is always a plus!)

Nursing bras: Again, I’d have multiples of these. Make sure they are comfy. Make sure they don’t have an underwire. An underwire will put each boob in their own personal hell. I promise you that much. Motherhood has a buy 3, get 1 free sale once in awhile. Take advantage. But definitely try them on in the store to make sure they fit! And buy as late as possible. I think I went up ANOTHER cup size just in the last month. Ugh.

Nursing tanks: Again, it matters not what kind nor brand. They are helpful merely for the convenience! Also, if you don’t feel like wearing a bra that day, you may be able to get away with just wearing the tank.

Blankets/quilts: Luckily, people will give you these as gifts. A very thoughtful and unique gift is a blanket or quilt that someone has sewn for you. Even when you think you have too many, you don’t. J We have a quilt that is designated for tummy time, and a back-up quilt for when that one gets dirty.

Boogie Wipes: I bought these on a whim, not thinking they were a necessity. They are really meant for when the kiddo is sick and has a sore nose, but they will come in handy way before that. Did you know you will probably have to massage the inner corner of your newborn’s eye because he will have blocked tear ducts? And the result of blocked tear ducts is lots of eye gunk? Well, these help out a lot with that.
http://www.target.com/p/boogie-wipes-unscented-saline-nose-wipes-90-count/-/A-14723853#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=boogie+wipes

Washcloths: When these washcloths came in the mail from Target I was so irritated, because they were really thin! Turns out, they are perfect for cleaning his face. Especially when goop gets in the corner of his eyes. Once I am done washing his face, I put this over his belly to keep him warm. He hates the bath way less if you put a washcloth on his tummy (tip from sister-in-law!). Then I use thicker washcloths for his body.
http://www.target.com/p/circo-newborn-6-pack-washcloth-set-white-grey/-/A-15225961#prodSlot=medium_1_26&term=circo+washcloth

Tommy Tippee Bibs/Bandana bibs: Tommy Tippee bibs are great because they have a dribble catcher, which prevents the babe from getting milk all over his clothes before we go out in public, or when we are in public. As for bandana bibs, these are great to prevent spit-up from getting on that cute outfit you really wanted him to wear that day. My mom made us a bunch of those. Snap closures are preferable over Velcro because the Velcro is already starting to wear out.
http://www.amazon.com/Tommee-Tippee-Closer-Nature-Feeding/dp/B004I2JU02/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435433863&sr=8-2&keywords=tommee+tippee+bibs&pebp=1435433901349&perid=0BH8S1SFJRM2DKFJY9JQ
http://www.amazon.com/Zippy-Bandana-Drool-Adjustable-Snaps/dp/B00GR5KC8C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435433991&sr=8-2&keywords=bandana+bibs&pebp=1435434028196&perid=0XDW0F9NAEFQV4F29YH8

Pack ‘n’ Play: We could consider this particular model both necessary and unnecessary, for the time being, but I’m sure that will change once we are moving and in our new house without our belongings. The babe has slept in his pack ‘n’ play every night since we brought him home. We have yet to use the changer part of it, ever, but again, once we move, I think we will. I like that the sides are mesh and you can see the baby/if his eyes are open from across the room. He could care less about the stars hanging down, but they’re cute.
http://www.target.com/p/graco-pack-n-play-playard-with-reversible-napper-and-changer/-/A-14030867#prodSlot=medium_1_5&term=pack+%27n%27+play

Tinybeans: A free application for you to use on your phone that connects you to friends and family far away. Upload pictures daily to keep them up to date on how little one is doing. It sends out a daily or weekly e-mail with all of your uploads to keep friends/family in the loop. GREAT when your family is far away.

Aden and Anais swaddle blankets: I don’t know what it is about these blankets…oh, wait. Yes, I do. They are so soft, the baby loves the way they feel. They are slightly stretchy. And for some reason, the size is just perfect. The packaging also states they can be used as spit rags or nursing covers, or carseat canopies. We have only used them as carseat canopies, but assume they would work well other ways because they are breathable. I found a 4-pack at TJ Maxx for $20 when they are normally $35, so I bought Kip one, one for a future baby we might have, and one for a friend. These are honestly one of my favorite things because we use them daily. Summer Infant also makes swaddle blankets, but they are smaller. And a few inches makes all the difference. (That’s what she said.)
http://www.target.com/p/aden-by-aden-anais-swaddleplus-4-pack-oh-boy/-/A-13652669#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=aden+and+anais

Diapers you like: We started off using Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive. They fit well, hardly ever leaked, have the “pee gauge” on the front, and have a nice, faint aroma. They didn’t bother Kip’s skin, either. We used these up until week 6, when we started using cloth diapers during the day and the Pampers just at night and when we would be away from home. I have continued to use these, although they are not normally stocked in our Target or Wal-Mart. I have heard that once babies start moving around more, Huggies seem to be better. We will see!  
http://www.target.com/p/pampers-swaddlers-sensitive-diapers-super-pack-select-size/-/A-14721315#prodSlot=medium_1_6&term=pampers+sensitive

A friend had recommended www.alvababy.com for our cloth diapering needs. I am pleasantly surprised with these diapers, considering that they are cheaper than most. There are lots of different styles, but we have single and double gusset pocket diapers. So far, any leaks have been due to user error or the fact that I have left little one in them for too long. They aren’t meant to absorb like a disposable. Kip now cries because he is wet, which he does not do in the disposables. It kind of bothers me that he does not cry when wet in disposables, because I think it will make potty training more difficult at some point. I will probably write a big long blog at some point about how to use cloth diapers from my experience. But for now, we will just say we are glad to be transitioning into cloth diapers and reducing our impact on the environment.

Vaseline: If you have a little boy and have him circumcised, you don’t want his little wound sticking to the diaper. So by slathering a little Vaseline onto the diaper where they might meet, you prevent it from getting stuck!

Wipes: You’ve got to have wipes. Unless you’re going to use your hand, sicko. (Ha!) I don’t think it matters what kind you use, but we have tried to avoid the kinds with any perfumes because they just are not necessary. Pampers seem to be larger and thicker versus Huggies, but Huggies makes a refillable plastic wipe carrier which is perfect for the diaper bag.

A good diaper pail and/or garbage can: Before we started with cloth diapers, we were using the diaper pail for diapers/wipes and the garbage can for everything else. The diaper pail was smaller than I thought, but I don’t think it’s good practice to have a lot of room to fill. Because then the diaper pail sits full. Then we started using the cloth diapers, we lined the diaper pail with a washable Bumkins’ brand diaper pail liner and started using the garbage can strictly for the wipes and disposable diapers (sposies). I’m impressed with the ability of both to hold in odor, not that a breastmilk-fed baby diaper smells too badly. The only thing about the trash can is that it’s encouraged that you use their garbage liners. I’ve found cheapy ones fit just fine.
http://www.target.com/p/simplehuman-studio-10-liter-profile-step-trash-can-in-brushed-stainless-steel-with-plastic-lid/-/A-10793030#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=simple+human+trash+can
http://www.amazon.com/Bumkins-Diaper-Pail-Liner-Gray/dp/B00L8JQU7Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1435439366&sr=8-3&keywords=bumkins+liner
http://www.target.com/p/dekor-classic-hands-free-diaper-pail/-/A-10865874#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=dekor+diaper+pail

Hamper: Babies dirty lots of clothes. It’s a fact of life. So get a hamper you like. I like this because of the portability of it.
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-SaraBear-Port-Hamper-Brown/dp/B0088VR7EA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435439627&sr=8-2&keywords=sarabear+hamper

Diaper organizer: I never would have thought of this as a necessity, but I hate to think of what else you would do. It’s so handy to have everything right there, ready to go. You’re not fumbling in drawers trying to find things. You wouldn’t believe how a child can scream when you are baring his behind to the world. An unacceptable practice!
http://www.target.com/p/munchkin-diaper-duty-organizer/-/A-10753320#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=munchkin+organizer

Kip falls asleep to noise. I fall asleep better to noise. You don’t want a baby that can’t sleep unless it’s absolutely quiet, either, because you’ll never get anything done! This was not an expensive sound machine, and it does the job! It’s even got a timer so that it shuts off after ten minutes or so. Heartbeat, two “whooshing” sounds, and some lullaby, and on different days he likes different ones.
http://www.target.com/p/mybaby-by-homedics-soundspa-on-the-go/-/A-14282460#prodSlot=medium_1_34&term=sound+machine
There’s also a more expensive version that will put baby AND you to sleep.
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Shusher-Soothing-Miracle-Babies/dp/B00D2JN87I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436207355&sr=8-1&keywords=shusher

Baby monitor: We like ours because of the large screen, ability to move the camera with the handheld monitor, noise level indicator, and “talk” button, allowing you to soothe little one until you can get to them to pick them up.
http://www.target.com/p/samsung-3-5-safeview-pan-tilt-zoom-digital-video-baby-monitor/-/A-14639437#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=samsung+baby+monitor


Car Seat/Travel System/Jogging Stroller
Although I would love to have a BOB jogging stroller, a Graco is much more affordable. I like this travel system and it does the job, but the wheel on the front locks by itself sometimes. (Our friends actually removed the lock so that it wouldn’t continue to do this on theirs.) The actual harness in the car seat is difficult to loosen. The car seat also gets caught in the car seat base.
Once again, it does the job, but I’m not incredibly impressed.
http://www.target.com/p/graco-fastaction-jogger-click-connect-travel-system/-/A-15286992?lnk=rec|pdp|viewed_bought|pdp404h2

When you live in a town with terrible quality water, you boil your bottles and pump parts to sanitize them every time you use them. If you do this daily you might as well leave the supplies out, and here’s a cute way to do this.
http://www.target.com/p/boon-grass-countertop-bottle-drying-rack/-/A-12190250#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=boon
http://www.target.com/p/boon-twig-countertop-drying-rack-accessory/-/A-14296752#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=boon
http://www.target.com/p/boon-stem-countertop-drying-rack-accessory-white/-/A-14296784#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=boon

Kip had a little sniffle a couple of weeks ago, and this cleared it right up. Plus, it’s cute. We have the cow.
http://www.target.com/p/crane-adorables-humidifier-collection/-/A-14407659#prodSlot=medium_1_18&term=humidifier+crane

When you’re using cloth diapers, you’re supposed to hang them to dry, not put them in the dryer. This comes in very handy.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Delight-Retractable-Clothes-Line/dp/B00RME82ZW

UNNECESSARY

Thermal gel breast pads: Unnecessary but feel so, so good when you have a little mastitis, and during the first few days you are home! Truthfully, you could use any ice pack, but these are just shaped perfectly and don’t get too cold.
 http://www.target.com/p/philips-avent-thermal-gel-pads-2-pack/-/A-13956468?registryId=wCPmmJnYdEQyLsDROb_oqg&regTitle=Moriah%20Lazoritz%20%26%20Chris%20Lazoritz&regType=BABY&regMode=REGST&itemLineNum=108&reqQty=1&regPurQty=1&regPage=RMI&preSelFlag=1&cr=true

Boppy pillow: I was told that I should have one of these or “My Breast Friend” pillows because it would keep the pressure off of my c-section  incision when I was feeding Kip. I used a regular pillow for the first couple of days, and nothing after that. I have a long torso, so maybe that is why I didn’t have pressure on it, but I didn’t use the Boppy until he was 6 weeks old, and it was to prop him up during tummy time. In my opinion, absolutely not necessary, just convenient.
http://www.target.com/p/boppy-bare-naked-nursing-pillow-white/-/A-10463711#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=boppy

Not necessary but helpful for momentos:
http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Book-Nine-Month-Journal-Growing/dp/0307336182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435435784&sr=8-1&keywords=belly+book
http://www.amazon.com/My-Baby-Book-Keepsake-Journal/dp/030746542X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435435786&sr=8-2&keywords=amy+krouse
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Birthday-Book-Keepsake-Journal/dp/0307342301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435435844&sr=8-1&keywords=birthday+amy+krouse
And it matters not what kind, but a baby calendar with stickers, that remind you, “Hey mom. You should probably know when this happened!”
I also, journal, so I have some fillers.

I think, for safety reasons, you do need some type of infant bathtub or insert, but you don’t need one this fancy. HOWEVER, this is a very handy bathtub to have and keep clean, but Kip is still a little small for it, so if someone is not holding him I feel the need to roll up a towel next to him to make sure he stays upright.
http://www.target.com/p/4moms-infant-tub/-/A-14569476#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=bathtub+4mom

Wipe warmer: In no way is this necessary. Yes, Kip hates it when you take off his clothes. Then he hates when you take of his diaper. Then he hates when you wipe his behind with a cool/room temperature wipe, but what do you think you’re going to do when you’re in public without a wipe warmer? Breathe on it until it warms up? No. Not necessary. Besides, the more awake your baby is, the better they eat.

There should really be a sub-category of “Unnecessary but convenient”. A friend bought me disposable breast wipes. These came in super handy the other day while we were at the pool and little guy needed to eat. A quick swipe and you’re ready to go!
http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Soothing-Breast-Wipes/dp/B001G4TMUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436207503&sr=8-1&keywords=the+first+years+breast+wipes

I’m still debating if our crib mobile was necessary, because he loves to look at it, and it definitely soothes him, but we have other things that could do the job as well.

Some ideas are really smart, but by the time you use them, you may as well have foregone them. Diaper changes go best when they are QUICK! Baby boy does not like them. So, I thought, in theory, that having a swaddling changing pad cover would keep him calm during the diaper change. But really, it makes it last longer and probably stresses us both out. Choose to forego this.
http://www.amazon.com/SleepSack-SwaddleChange-Diaper-Covers-Newborn/dp/B008VWPXTC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436207865&sr=8-1&keywords=summer+infant+swaddle+changing+pad&pebp=1436207900781&perid=1NKPHA1J8T9RRP2QP8A1

Alright, I’m sure there’s more, but I’ve been working on this blog for 3.5 months now. It’s time to move on! I’ll write an updated one around 6 months or so, as I am sure that our needs will change!

Thanks for reading, and hope you find out what you need or what you need to buy for a friend!