Baby Gear 101

Becoming a mother for the first time is a bit like shopping for your first car. You've seen them: the first time-to-be parents walking around Toys R Us test driving the strollers. Expectant and new moms spend a great deal of energy measuring the pros and cons of different cribs, playpens, and baby transporting devices. To travel system or not to travel system? That is the question. Well, one of many questions.

From one mom to another, baby gear falls into three categories: the "must have", the "nice to have", and the "can probably live without it."

The Must Haves:

1. A crib. Yes, you can use a bassinet for a while, you can even use a playpen in the short term but eventually you will need to have a long term place for the baby to sleep. Keep in mind that they will be in a crib until approaching two years old. It is an investment worth making.
2. A car seat. In many provinces it is now the law that a child must be restrained in a suitable car seat until 9 years old and 4'9". This even applies to children riding in a grandparent/care giver's car or taxi. For a newborn, an infant seat with base that stays in the car is definitely convenient and the most comfortable for baby but you *can* also use a convertible seat or 3-in-1 in the rear facing position for the appropriate weights. (Check the restrictions on the seat you are considering.)
3. Feeding seat. Be it a full high chair or one that straps to a kitchen chair, baby will need a place to eat that can take the ensuing mess. One that reclines is great for a young infant to sit and watch the world go by. One that folds up is great for trips to Grandma's or dinner out.
4. Receiving blankets (you will literally use them for EVERYTHING), light fleece crib blanket (seasonal), diapers, sleepers, undershirts (seasonal) and diaper wipes of some sort (baby washcloths and warm water works just fine.) More clothing is nice to have but baby will mostly live in sleepers for the first couple of months.
5. Diaper Bag. You can use a shopping bag, old backpack, large purse or what have you but you will need something to carry extra diapers and changes of clothes. Poop happens, usually at the most inopportune times.

The Nice to Have:

1. A stroller. In all likelihood you will eventually want a stroller to go for walks. The type of stroller that you purchase is decision that you need to make carefully. Strollers can be expensive. Consider what you want to do with the stroller: walk in the mall, walk outside, jog. A stroller that can go outside with rubber tires but is small enough to fit into the car is the best all around option. Travel systems are convenient but many people I know did not get much use out of the set together. They found themselves wishing they had spent the money on a stroller with more durable wheels for summer walks to the park. Also keep in mind that some babies outgrown their infant seat in a matter of months, then the expensive travel system is just a mall stroller.
2. A change table. Nice to keep baby off the floor or the bed for poopy changes. Nice to not kneel on the floor in that painful postpartum recovery time. Nice for the storage that they often provide. Necessity...nahh.
3. A swing. Literally saved my sanity with my first. It is the only place he would take a nap. With my second it simply took up space and gathered dust. If someone offers you a swing or offers to buy you one, sure, go for it.
4. A bouncy seat. I never used one but some people swear by them. May make a good alternative to a swing but has a limited usage. Once baby gets too heavy he/she will be sinking down to the floor.
5. A baby transporting device: a Snugli or Baby Bjorne, sling, ring sling, wrap or back carrier. There are too many to mention here but I will expand on this topic in a future post. Especially nice to have if you already have a toddler at home to chase after.
6. A nursing pillow. If you choose to breastfeed, they are worth every penny. Saves back, neck and arm strain and doubles as a prop for baby when they are learning to sit up.
7. A baby bath tub. Again, nice to have, many nice featured ones on the market but needs storage space.

The Can Probably Live Without It:

1. Playpen. Might be convenient if you want baby to sleep in another location of the house or at Grandma's.
2. Diaper genie, wipes warmer, bottle warmer, sterilizer.....I could go on here.

CAVEAT: This is my opinion, purely from my own experience, no hate mail please.