[PrincessPerky]

A different perspective if you want it:

onsies You are supposed to expose the cord at first, how do you do that if you are snapping it up under the diaper? Also when they get older, the cloth diaper may not fit inside a normal onsie, so I like tee shirts, and sleepers. I do like a couple onsies for pictures though, they stay much better.

other clothing if it is a girl you will want some girly things, if a boy, something blue and preferably with dump trucks will be attempted to stop the 'is it a boy or girl' question, it wont work, but we try!

Socks, your kid will kick them off asap, so a pair for show to be quickly taken off and left in your husbands pocket for the next picture is all you really need!

diapers If you need to save money cloth works wonderfully, though if you go all out fo the newfangled fits like disposable, you can end up spending the same. If you want disposable, never assume your baby's bottom will fit in the neighbors favorite brand, Test out different brands to find what works best with your dipering style. And for premie or newborn diapers, you will possibly get some at the hospital, that was always more than enough for my big babies, ask around for anyone you know who is pregnant, they may be more than happy to get rid of the spare tiny diapers.


Blankets Needing them depends on the temperature of your house at birth, and wether or not you breastfeed, brestfed kids typically share mommy's blanket if chilly (and body warmth keeps all concerned warmer than bottle babies. I have 4 neutral and 2 each of gender specific, never ran out after my first kid (and with him I ran out of everything, all the time, Nothing got done!)

Speaking of breastfeeding, if doing it you don't need a single bottle, though one or two in case wont hurt (well not much)

While on the subject of what brestfeeders typically don't need, pacifiers, breasfed babies have to suck more often, that is why a baby is born with the need to suck. Bottles deliver formula faster and leave a baby with more work digesting it, so there is no ability to go back to suckling quickly, hence the increased need for a fake 'dummy'. You can easily avoid that plastic pricy contraption, by breastfeeding.

diaper bag I put some form of diaper carrier on essential, but I have only used an actual diaper bag for a month afte my first is born. You will have to expirament with what fits your style (mine is a backpack, that my older kid carries, my hands are full with a baby!) Lots of formula companies give you a diaper bag at birth. check online or ask your nurse.

baby containers Really that is what strollers/carseats/bassinetts/slings/backpacks/cribs/playpens/ect count as. The only one essential to safety of your baby is the carseat, buy one! The rest, buy what fits you. (and be prepared to give it back when you find out you were wrong!)

I am a antistroller parent so I have a sling (really packs up light and easy, and carries newborn to walking, and beyond) If you are a stroller mom, get one (but please watch the size, the rest of us have to get around it, and you!) Also check handle height, 6 foot tall people can't push traditional strollers without getting all hunchbacked! Backpacks, I have rarely seen in use in public, aside from hikers, so I can't say I know anyone who likes them. Crossover carriers, half sling/half formal carrier, I see alot of though. Parents seem to like the extra form over a plain cloth sling.

If you are a cozy family sleeper kind, let em in the bed and skip the bassinett. If you are the type to find a holder so your newborn can't roll over in their sleep, get a small sleeper that fits in your bedroom (you will be checking on them all night anyway!) Or if you are inbetween, and have the space, get a bassinett or craddle and use it to store the decorative pillows and stuffed animals you no longer have time to place neatly on the bed!

Cribwise, the so called convertables hardly ever get converted, either you have another kid, or you are unwilling to put your 'tiny baby' in a toddler bed that has a mattress almost as high as their head! I recomend a simple sturdy crib, with gender neutral style.

books I know you think reading to a tiny infants is silly (so did I!) but do it anyway, get touchy feely books, or cloth books or the squishy bath books, and try to point out a picture or two before they stuff it in their mouth. Honest they will one day read them to you, not eat them! Simple words, simple pictures and repetative reading works great for the very young.

toys/movies/'stuff' have a teether or 5, a noisy one is helpful, but make sure it can be chewed on for years to come..the rest is just to amuse mommy, doesn't do much for a baby busy checking out your shirt, shoes, the box, your spoon (keep the knife away please!)