Baby Shoes- Socks? Yes socks are great, they keep baby's feet warm... but baby shoes? If your baby can't walk, then your baby doesn't need baby shoes. Not to mention if they wear them through a Security Check at the airport, they have to take them off and put them through the x-ray like everyone else! Also, baby feet come in way too many sizes and none of the shoes Adelaide was given have ever fit her nor will they.
Strollers- Yeah, they can be nice to have but not necessary. Slings and wraps are a great alternative and much cheaper. In addition to be more cost effective, they promote healthy bonding with your baby. But if you want one, keep in mind, the more bells and whistles it has, the more likely it is going to be difficult to fold down into your car or fit through crowds at festivals or isles in the mall.
Bottle Warmer- I have one and I like it alright, but my husband hates messing with it. He just runs hot water over the bottle for a few minutes till it warms up. Much more simplistic.
Special Diaper Bag- A bag is a bag. My husband uses his hiking day pack, I use a large purse. I've also used a messenger bag by timbuk2. That reminds me, messenger style bags and backpacks are much easier to tote around while holding a baby than a shoulder bag... I love my big leather purse turned diaper bag but with that exception of it being hard to keep on my shoulder... but it is fashionable!
Cribs- In a previous post I talked about a rock n play and the pack n play we have used, and the option to co-sleep. We are waiting right now for our "Adelaide's bed fund" to be complete (I think one more paycheck away!) so we can get a queen sized mattress to put on the floor for her to sleep on. So no transitioning from bassinet, to crib, to toddler bed, to twin bed, to full sized. We are going straight to full sized! It is awesome for breastfeeding on my side in the middle of the night too. No waking her up, and I can fall asleep on the job! :) If you cry SIDS on me, I will rip you a new one... or I will kindly explain how that is not what causes it.
Store bought Mobile- Everything is interesting to your baby! Have you noticed their great fascination with celling fans? Similac mailed us some cool vision cards that we taped to a photo mobile we got for less than ten bucks at Whole Earth Provision. She loved it! Some of our friends just took a string and tied some tin foil on it above their son's head! Their friends picked on them a bit for it so they added above his head a pair of big dangly hoop earrings, a pearl necklace and some dog tags. Worked well for him!
Baby Bath Tubs/Seats- Someone gave us a bath tub, that's the only reason we have it. We used it, but she is already growing out of it at 4 months. Not an awesome investment considering babies only need to be bathed 2 or 3 times a week. Our favorite bathing method (as in baby's favorite and mine and Chris') is using the shower! She stays warm against our body and we can monitor the water easily as it is on our own body as well! When we first started this all three of us got in together out of fear of dropping her, and needed back up. But that really isn't necessary now. If it really makes you nervous you can sit on the floor with the shower head in hand, and have your baby in a bumbo. At 3 months I started just getting in the big bathtub with her. We hang out for a while... its fun and relaxing for both of us!
Dishwasher basket- Its just in the way mostly. If it is so small it needs to be in a special basket, couldn't you just hand wash it?
High Chair- I don't know this from experience yet, but a friend of mine with a 3 year old said she never needed one. When he was little they used a bumbo and when he out-grew that he just sat in a chair with a book under him.
Changing table- We've ended up changing her diaper all over the house so a special table really isn't needed. If you are afraid of messes and really want to, you could buy a special pad that they sell at Target for less than $20 and put it wherever you want to- floor, bed, chair, couch. I'm considering getting one for this actually.
Videos- Baby's don't need to watch TV. Hmmm, does anyone NEED to watch TV? Just remember every second they are in front of a TV you are depriving them from Human interaction. OCCATIONALLY we put this youtube video up for her on the computer when we just need a couple minutes for her to quiet down and for us to regroup... often during those crazy times. You'd be surprised how quickly she goes from crazy to calm! http://youtu.be/f7tJ0mUaNO8
So these are just a few examples, and if I have time I might make a part 2. I'm sure you could think of more (please feel free to put them in the comments section).
One thing I like to do when trying to decide if something is a real need for babies is to think, "did they do this 200 years ago?" Of course things like car seats are exceptions, but you get the idea. And always think about if you already have something that "does the trick." (example: Olive oil instead of baby oil... olive oil is actually much healthier too!)
And remember, there are tons of things you don't need but its okay to have! If you always wanted to get your baby a stroller that can hover over water and do the hokey pokey then go for it! :)
Strollers- Yeah, they can be nice to have but not necessary. Slings and wraps are a great alternative and much cheaper. In addition to be more cost effective, they promote healthy bonding with your baby. But if you want one, keep in mind, the more bells and whistles it has, the more likely it is going to be difficult to fold down into your car or fit through crowds at festivals or isles in the mall.
Bottle Warmer- I have one and I like it alright, but my husband hates messing with it. He just runs hot water over the bottle for a few minutes till it warms up. Much more simplistic.
Special Diaper Bag- A bag is a bag. My husband uses his hiking day pack, I use a large purse. I've also used a messenger bag by timbuk2. That reminds me, messenger style bags and backpacks are much easier to tote around while holding a baby than a shoulder bag... I love my big leather purse turned diaper bag but with that exception of it being hard to keep on my shoulder... but it is fashionable!
Cribs- In a previous post I talked about a rock n play and the pack n play we have used, and the option to co-sleep. We are waiting right now for our "Adelaide's bed fund" to be complete (I think one more paycheck away!) so we can get a queen sized mattress to put on the floor for her to sleep on. So no transitioning from bassinet, to crib, to toddler bed, to twin bed, to full sized. We are going straight to full sized! It is awesome for breastfeeding on my side in the middle of the night too. No waking her up, and I can fall asleep on the job! :) If you cry SIDS on me, I will rip you a new one... or I will kindly explain how that is not what causes it.
Store bought Mobile- Everything is interesting to your baby! Have you noticed their great fascination with celling fans? Similac mailed us some cool vision cards that we taped to a photo mobile we got for less than ten bucks at Whole Earth Provision. She loved it! Some of our friends just took a string and tied some tin foil on it above their son's head! Their friends picked on them a bit for it so they added above his head a pair of big dangly hoop earrings, a pearl necklace and some dog tags. Worked well for him!
Baby Bath Tubs/Seats- Someone gave us a bath tub, that's the only reason we have it. We used it, but she is already growing out of it at 4 months. Not an awesome investment considering babies only need to be bathed 2 or 3 times a week. Our favorite bathing method (as in baby's favorite and mine and Chris') is using the shower! She stays warm against our body and we can monitor the water easily as it is on our own body as well! When we first started this all three of us got in together out of fear of dropping her, and needed back up. But that really isn't necessary now. If it really makes you nervous you can sit on the floor with the shower head in hand, and have your baby in a bumbo. At 3 months I started just getting in the big bathtub with her. We hang out for a while... its fun and relaxing for both of us!
Dishwasher basket- Its just in the way mostly. If it is so small it needs to be in a special basket, couldn't you just hand wash it?
High Chair- I don't know this from experience yet, but a friend of mine with a 3 year old said she never needed one. When he was little they used a bumbo and when he out-grew that he just sat in a chair with a book under him.
Changing table- We've ended up changing her diaper all over the house so a special table really isn't needed. If you are afraid of messes and really want to, you could buy a special pad that they sell at Target for less than $20 and put it wherever you want to- floor, bed, chair, couch. I'm considering getting one for this actually.
Videos- Baby's don't need to watch TV. Hmmm, does anyone NEED to watch TV? Just remember every second they are in front of a TV you are depriving them from Human interaction. OCCATIONALLY we put this youtube video up for her on the computer when we just need a couple minutes for her to quiet down and for us to regroup... often during those crazy times. You'd be surprised how quickly she goes from crazy to calm! http://youtu.be/f7tJ0mUaNO8
So these are just a few examples, and if I have time I might make a part 2. I'm sure you could think of more (please feel free to put them in the comments section).
One thing I like to do when trying to decide if something is a real need for babies is to think, "did they do this 200 years ago?" Of course things like car seats are exceptions, but you get the idea. And always think about if you already have something that "does the trick." (example: Olive oil instead of baby oil... olive oil is actually much healthier too!)
And remember, there are tons of things you don't need but its okay to have! If you always wanted to get your baby a stroller that can hover over water and do the hokey pokey then go for it! :)
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