The morning sickness is passing and the maternity clothes are bought. Now it’s time for some real fun – buying for baby! With great anticipation you walk through the doors of your local baby super store, only to become completely overwhelmed at the sheer volume of items available for the nursery!

Sure, if you had a million dollars you could outfit your infant’s room with everything from wireless video technology to remote control mood lighting! But for most of us expectant moms, buying for baby needs to include a sensible budget paired with a good dose of practicality.

But what do you really need to buy for your baby? Looking down the rows, there are items ranging from smart to simply ridiculous. After all, will your baby really be able to tell the difference between a simple one pocket bib and one that comes in a one-of-a-kind designer fabric? When it comes to babies, simplicity is the key. Remember, the fewer items you have to carry or pick up, the better.

Let’s begin by looking at items that are worth their weight in gold. Your first purchase should be a safe crib that meets all the government’s current safety standards. If you are borrowing a crib, be sure it was made after 1991. Secondly, buy a new infant car seat that again meets all safety regulations. If you are financially able, it is best to obtain both a new crib and car seat to insure your baby is kept as safe as possible during both sleep and travel.

Now let’s look at some other items that may or may not be “just what the baby needs.”

Baby Monitors – Baby monitors are an excellent tool for both first time and well-seasoned parents. With these monitors, a parent is able to hear even the smallest sounds an infant makes while sleeping. They provide a sense of calm to new mothers and enable you to step away from the crib while still keeping an ear out for your little one. But do you really need that expensive video monitor? Probably not. Mothers are able to tell what their babies need from hearing even the slightest whimper. Better to save the money or use it to purchase your child’s toddler car seat.

Baby Sling – if you have more than one child, a baby sling can give you a newfound freedom once your little one arrives. Infants just love to snuggle up close to Mom, gently swaying to her every movement as if back in the womb. Baby slings provide back support for Mom and hands-free support for baby during your busy day.

Boppy Pillow – Some parents swear by the Boppy. If you are able to borrow one or purchase one used, this might be fun to have. But remember, the length of time your child will actually use this may give good reason to skip this form of infant support.

Floor Gyms – Surprisingly, floor gyms are an excellent way to keep baby happy while you get a few things done around the house. Some even come with kick bars that teach baby cause and effect – “when you kick the bar, blue bear spins and plays a tune!” Furthermore, these items are excellent for baby to hold on to as he begins to stand on his own. Floor gyms provide the baby with something to look at and manipulate while giving you some precious moments to yourself.

Large Plastic Play Gyms – From slides to large play areas, these toys resemble enormous plastic monoliths once assembled in the house. When considering one of these items, be sure to evaluate how long your child can actually play with it and just how much room it will take up.

Glider Chair – It seems every new mother just has to have one. But do you really? Nursing is the very best thing you can do for your baby, but it can be done just as comfortably on the couch as it can in a $200 chair. Gliders are often pushed to the side once baby is just a few weeks old, and can be found at local yard sales soon thereafter.

Vibrating Recliner Chair – Also called Bouncy Chairs, these can be an excellent way to keep your baby upright if he or she suffers from reflux. They are also excellent tools to help your fussy baby relax and sleep. Are they necessities? Certainly not.. But if your baby is fussy, you just might want to try one!

Diaper Wipe Warmer – Our babies never squealed at a diaper wipe fresh out of the box. If anything, they seemed to enjoy the coolness on those sometimes diaper-rashed bottoms. All you need to do is hold a wipe in your hand for a moment to make it warm and comfortable. Skip the wipe warmer and buy an extra few packs of diapers.

Diaper Genie – There are far too many diaper genies to be found at garage sales – a certain indication that these are not complete necessities. Parents have been placing diapers in the trashcan for more years than the diaper genie has been around. If you are given one as a gift, enjoy – but if you are pinching pennies, we suggest you skip this baby item.

Insurance – Once the word gets out that you are expecting, “expect” plenty of baby insurance direct mail campaigns. Rather than investing in this type of insurance, take out extra insurance on yourself and begin placing additional monies in a college fund. And while you are at it, be sure to make a will as soon as your baby is born.

Changing Table – Once thought to be the item you purchase immediately after the crib, the changing table is actually an item that many parents do without. If you have both the extra money and space, a changing table is a nice place to store diapers and change your baby at a comfortable level. But many parents are just as happy using the small waterproof mat that comes with the diaper bag. It is often easier to place your baby on a mat over the closest bed than walk all the way upstairs to the changing table. And if you have more than one child, it is almost a given that changing areas are usually the closest flat area you can find.

Fancy Stroller – You’ve seen them – strollers decked out with more cup holders than your friend’s minivan. But we suggest that before you buy, you fold it up and carry it a few steps. As your muscles begin to ache, imagine lifting the stroller and finding room for it in your car. Now picture a light, easily folded umbrella stroller. Which would be the better investment? And which will maneuver better through crowds of people at the zoo, museum or local super store? For many parents, the fancy stroller is a nice thing to have, but the umbrella stroller is the one always grabbed for quick jaunts around town.

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