[USER]

I am newly pregnant (maybe 3 months now, but I find out Monday).

I was wondering what I REALLY need for a baby, not all the fru-fru unnecessary stuff. I just lost my mom right before I found out, so I can’t ask her.

[Maayan]

I am so sorry for your loss!!

Once you have a list, makes sure to ask for stuff at your local Buy Nothing – mommas give away EVERYTHING once they don’t need it.

[Brooklyn]

I’m so sorry for your loss 💙 truly all you need is a safe space for them to sleep, a car seat, diapers, wipes, medicines, breastfeed if you can, but bottles and formula if not possible and clothes everything else is technically optional.

[Ashley]

In my opinion needs are:

1. Somewhere safe to sleep. A crib or pack and play is best. bassinets will be outgrown so fast, you don’t really need it.

2. Somewhere else to put the baby down. A bouncer or swing. Just start s with 1 thing. Your baby may hate everything anyway.

3. Some clothes. Just start with basics. You don’t need too many of the small sizes.

4. Car seat. This is the ONE thing I recommend buying new. It may be cheaper (and super convenient to buy a travel set)

5. A couple swaddle blankets.

6. Diapers/ wipes.

7. A few bottles. Depending on your plans to breast or bottle feed, also a pump (insurance ussuslly covers one)

Would you also like to explore: How do you get spit up stains off vintage baby clothes?

[Hannah]

Clothes 1-3 months to start, breastfeed (much cheaper), reusable breast pads, pack n play, diapers we switched to reusable after three months, never used pacifiers or baby holders (like the swings or rockers), I used a boba wrap and carried baby everywhere, you don’t really need a changing table the pack n play has one that comes with it, you do need somewhere to safely wash baby, you don’t need special laundry detergent or fancy wipe warmers.

Congratulations & good luck!

[Sonya]

I would say you don’t need a change table. I had ome but found we always just changed wherever we were vs going to the change table.

[Alicia]

The baby wraps you can get at wal mart are really good. By used stuff except car seat . Wash everything with baby laundry soap before use.

[Myrla]

Check out WIC as soon as you can. You’ll get food for you up until a few months after you have the baby and for the baby when it arrives.

[Tegan]

See who has hand me down baby clothes, lots of times they are brand new or worn once. Don’t buy breastfeeding stuff as you don’t even know if you can yet. Buy the car seat. Get your preferred diapers but look into EC as it saves major money.

Just wash bums and don’t bother with too many wipes. I have a travel booster seat/beachchair that I use EVERYWHERE. Look into BLW and skip over the baby food stage. A safe sleep area bassinet and crib and plan the room for a toddler (outlet covers, furniture straps). A few good zip up swaddle sacks.

A couple bottles that can have different flows/nipples depending on the baby’s needs.

[Roz]

If you are going to nurse, buy men’s cotton handkerchiefs to use as breast pads. They work wonderfully and useful after.

Cloth diapers really are the best. They do add more work, but are best for baby and the environment.

Use the cloth diapers as burp cloths.

Congratulations and enjoy your baby!

[Michele]

Used items are ok , crib , baby clothes several of each size lots of diapers and anything else would like . Babies don’t need all the stuff but it can be helpful , my first baby lived the swing second one never used it but loved bouncy chairs.

Everything is used for a short time , as they grow and needs change.

[Yessica]

Don’t be shy about reaching out to your close friends family to make sure you get a baby shower ! I also recently saw a really good idea where you do a gender reveal and ask people to bring diapers if they Vote it’s a boy and wipes if they Vote it’s a girl.

My kiddo I got a work baby shower , a family baby shower and a friends baby shower and we were pretty much set!

[Ann]

You need diapers, cheap clothes, a couple of really fuzzy, cozy blankets, a safe carseat and a safe sleeping space. I got EVERYTHING for my first three, and it is/was such a waste of money. All that extra stuff is for show that your baby could not care less about.

They need your time, love and attention. Splurge on good diapers, the carseat and crib – anything else is unnecessary, and any clothes you buy will likely be ruined – baby poop is the worst for stains.

[Tricia]

Things you DON’T need from mom of four:

Diaper bag- I toss a few wipes and handful of diapers in my Kavu purse and we are off. There’s no “let me fix the diaper bag before leaving the house”.

Diaper genie-admittedly, we have a diaper champ, which we got because it uses regular trash bags and we had dogs that liked to eat diapers. If you don’t hVe mischievous canines that can empty a trash can, put it in a grocery sack and toss in the regular trash.

Wipes warmer-hold it in your hand for five seconds and it takes the chill off.

Pacifier sanitizer.

Owlet sock-albeit reassuring. I was gifted one for baby #4, but it gives so many false alarms, and really, when it did go off, there was nothing we could do.

Car seat covers, baby shoes, baby toys.

Special missing clothes-I like a spaghetti strap on the underside and pull my regular shirt up. Very little exposed this way.

You really only need car seat, place to sleep, ways to eat (breastfeeding is awesome), clothes. Yard sales are awesome.

[Jenna]

Hey Mama, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard that is not having one of your parents around when you reach that milestone.

I’ve been there. If you want to message me, I have 2 kids (daughter’s aged 5 and 15 mos) and I’m happy to go over all of your questions with you in a more details and private space and talk all things baby.

Losing a parent is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and I’m happy to step in and walk you through as much of it as you need.

[Annabelle]

Used crib but new mattress! You can often get a hand me down from another mom.

Breastfeeding is so good for the baby and saves hundreds of dollars. I’ve found that most new moms (please notice I didn’t say all) who decide to breastfeed can do it. It’s not an easy skill (art?) to learn but if you’re determined you can work through the challenges in about two weeks. If you say “I’m just gonna try it” you’re way more likely to give up because it can be miserable for first-time moms. It was for me, but then it was super easy….until I went back to work. It’s much easier if you’re a SAHM.

A good new car seat (the carrier type for the first 9 year, or nine months at first, rear facing, is a must. The type that clicks onto a stroller (sold as a set) is wonderful.

We used an old dresser with a curved changing pad on top for a changing table and it was perfect. Drawers stored diapers, wipes, and cloth changers. It grew with our child; a bit of paint and it became the child’s dresser still used today.

[Teresa]

Congratulations on your baby! Breastfeeding saves so much time and money. Ask for help as it can be tricky at first. Search Buy Nothing sites or Thrift for strollers, clothes and buy a variety of sizes. Babies outgrow clothes so fast in the beginning so don’t go overboard. We didn’t have a changing table, but a big thick pad (that goes on the table) we could lay on the bed, floor etc with a washa lw cover.

Also start emailing every diaper or baby company saying you’d like coupons or samples of their products. You’ll soon see what your favorites are.

I personally liked Costco brand or Huggies the best. Definitely ask for diapers/wipes at your baby shower.

Libraries have lots of free kid books, ours have cheap book sales too.

[Author]

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