Basically, your task as a parent is to meet your child's basic needs. According to Maslow (remember him from intro to psychology class?), your baby's real needs are eating/drinking, warmth, sleep, excretion, security, and love. Aside from some type of blanket or clothing for warmth in the winter, and some formula and bottles if you don't or can't breastfeed, you don't have to buy much to meet those needs. All those other products? They're conveniences.
You're not going to raise your baby in a cave, though are you? A little--okay, a LOT-- of convenience is a good thing when it comes to babies. Take diapers, for example. Cloth or disposable, diapers and wipes sure do make life a lot more convenient. So does a car seat. Without it, you can't leave the hospital in a car. A breast pump makes life a lot more convenient for moms who work and/or want someone else to be able to feed the baby sometimes. A safe place for the baby to sleep when you're not holding her is nice, too. Clothes come in handy for cooler weather.
It's still a short list, I know. The point I'm making is that as a new parent you'll be fully focused on meeting your baby's needs. At the same time there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of companies out there who want you to believe that you NEED the baby product they're selling. They do it so well that the average new parents spend around $10,000 on their child during the first year of her life.
If you can see a baby item for what it most likely is-- a convenience rather than a necessity, you get to step back from your hormone-riddled emotions a bit, take control, and decide for yourself whether a particular product is right for your family. That thoughtfulness alone is bound to save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Angie blogs at BabyCheapskate.com and BlogCoach.org She is also the founder of free-baby-stuff site Freepeats.org. Angie lives in Atlanta with her husband and young son, and very fluffy dog.
Also, check out Baby Cheapskate's list of top 1o Most Useless Baby Items.
Angie, thanks so much for the list of must haves! It does seem like a lot of new parents spend a ton on a new baby. I'm thinking that will be our parents spending a lot on our baby, so we'll be saving some. ;)
ReplyDeletefor us, it was a swing. definitely a convenience - but a life saver!!!!
ReplyDeleteterraljones@gmail.com
i love this post!! i so agree we buy things that are great but we really don't HAVE to have :)
ReplyDeleteanyway- besides a carseat- the biggest must i guess- i would say sleepers! i live where it gets very cold, even snows., and babies kick blankets off all the time! or they pull them up over their heads lol so i will go with footed sleepers.
HEY! Congrats! I would have to say our bouncy seat was our and still is our #1 MUST HAVE! I use it for everything. I do have to say that the new steam bags by Medela are wonderful to clean any bottle and or breastpump things quickly. I also use it for Jay's Passy collection! HAHA
ReplyDeleteThis time around with #2 I am a HUGE fan of the HALO sleepsacks. They are SIDS approved and my little guy is a HUGE fan! Makes this mommy rest a little more peacful at night knowing there are not 50 blankets in there with him.
Must-Haves (there are a few):
ReplyDeleteBoppy Pillow
TONS of baby washcloths
Cool Mist Humidifier
A few swaddling blankets for a newborn
A comfy baby bath tub
Thermometer
the must have item I recommend is the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. It straps around your waist and gives you fabulous support and has two raised areas to support your newborn's head. It has super soft covers you can get as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother must have is the super soft crib sheet and changing pad cover from Pottery Barn Kids, that is available in lovely pastel shades to match your nursery decor.
sleep positioners...we have twins who like to sleep in the same crib and don't like being separated, but can't sleep without being immobilized (still at 14 months)...we would get NO sleep if not for those things.
ReplyDeleteAnd obviously a good electric pump for BF...I wouldn't be able to still be BF if not for that, especially early on and when I was working PT.
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