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Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

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AMF1115
Loves being Joey & Vinny's mom

Member since 1/09

3771 total posts

Name:
Athina

Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

copied

You want the best for your baby and you can get it without spending a bundle. One way to save money--besides milking your baby registry--is to buy less.

There are thousands of baby products available, but you’ll be surprised by how well you can get by with a minimalist mentality. What do you really need and what can you live without? Here’s our budget-friendly master checklist of only the most essential baby gear to have on hand before your baby arrives.

Tooling around
___ Car seat
___ Stroller

Nursery essentials
___ Crib
___ Crib mattress
___ Two to three fitted crib sheets
___ Four or more waffle-weave cotton or muslin receiving blankets for swaddling your baby
___ Two waterproof mattress pads
___ Baby monitor
___ Four-sided changing table

Diaper duty
___ Diapers.
[l]Disposables: One 40-count package of newborn (birth weight under 8 pounds) or size 1 (birth weight over 8 pounds), then buy in volume after you find the brand you like best.
Cloth: If you choose unfolded, prefolded, or fitted cloth diapers, you will need two to three dozen to begin with, plus six to ten waterproof covers. If you go the all-in-one or pocket diaper route, having 12 to 16 should be adequate in the beginning.
___ Diaper pail (with refills or bags as needed)
___ Diaper bag

Dressing your baby
___ Four sleep sacks or one-piece sleepers with attached feet
___ Six side-snap T-shirts
___ Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch.
___ A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one)
___ Six pairs of socks/booties
___ Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. Get only a few items in newborn size. Then, go for clothing in the 3- or 6-month size—your baby will grow into it quickly. But don’t buy baby sleepwear that’s too big—it’s a safety hazard
___ Cotton sweater or light jacket

Summer babies:
___ Brimmed hat

Winter babies:
___ Snowsuit with attached mittens or fold-over cuffs, or heavy bunting
___ Heavy stroller blanket
___ Warm knit hat

Feeding time
If you’re planning to breast-feed:
___ Three to five nursing bras. Plan to buy a sleep/loungewear bra for the early days of nursing when you’ll want to wear your nursing bra and pads 24/7 for leakage control
___ A box of washable or disposable breast pads
___ Breast pump if you expect to use one (manual or electric); go with a double electric breast pump if you’ll be returning to work
___ If you’re supplementing breast-feeding with an occasional bottle, you may need only one or two bottles. In general, six 4- to 5-ounce bottles will get you off to a good start.
If you’re planning to bottle-feed:
___ Six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples and rings
___ Bottle-drying tree
___ Bottle cleaning brush
___ Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one)
___ Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths

Bathing/grooming
___ Plastic infant bathtub
___ Three soft hooded towels
___ Two packs of baby washcloths
___ Unscented baby body wash that doubles as shampoo
___ Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers
___ Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment
___ Soft brush and comb
___ Mild laundry detergent such as Dreft

Medicine chest essentials
___ A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby’s doctor, such as Infants’ Tylenol
___ Cotton pads/swabs
___ Nasal aspirator
___ Digital rectal thermometer
___ Rubbing alcohol
___ Petroleum jelly

Keeping baby happy
___ Pacifiers

Posted 5/2/09 7:42 AM
 
Long Island Weddings
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lorich
.

Member since 6/05

9987 total posts

Name:
Grammie says "Lora Gina"

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

This is great! Thanks so much!

Posted 5/2/09 7:43 AM
 

sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!

Member since 1/07

9764 total posts

Name:
Tricia

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.

Posted 5/2/09 8:01 AM
 

QueSeraSera
Sugar & Spice

Member since 7/08

1351 total posts

Name:
Liz

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

This is so helpful! Thanks for posting!

Posted 5/2/09 8:29 AM
 

AcquiredTheBGene
Huh?

Member since 6/06

1056 total posts

Name:

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Great list! Thanks!

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.

Message edited 5/2/2009 8:30:15 AM.

Posted 5/2/09 8:30 AM
 

conigs25
So in love with this kid!

Member since 5/06

11197 total posts

Name:
Michele

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

just added it to my notebook
thanks

Posted 5/2/09 8:31 AM
 

TaraHutch
True beauty

Member since 10/07

9888 total posts

Name:
Tara

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

that is super helpful! Thanks! I was just thinking of putting together a list like this from my baby bargains book (which I just took out today! Chat Icon)

Posted 5/2/09 9:00 AM
 

Peainapod
Peanuts are here!

Member since 1/09

13591 total posts

Name:
Diana

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

im bookmarking this!!

Posted 5/2/09 10:02 AM
 

Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!

Member since 10/05

29450 total posts

Name:
Diana

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



The side snap tees are for when the umbilical cord is still attached. I bought a bunch and I think we even took some home from the hospital Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 5/2/09 10:04 AM
 

Viviana23
LIF Adolescent

Member since 8/08

725 total posts

Name:
Viviana

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by AcquiredTheBGene

Great list! Thanks!

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.



I agree, with my first baby that's why I got the side snap tees and doing the same wit this one. Many people use the onesies or tees too but I feel comfortable and it is much easier to change them at the beginning (While they still have the cord)with the sidesnap. Chat Icon

Posted 5/2/09 10:07 AM
 

dooodles
When you wish upon a star

Member since 5/05

11997 total posts

Name:
Because 2 people fell in love

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by Viviana23

Posted by AcquiredTheBGene

Great list! Thanks!

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.



I agree, with my first baby that's why I got the side snap tees and doing the same wit this one. Many people use the onesies or tees too but I feel comfortable and it is much easier to change them at the beginning (While they still have the cord)with the sidesnap. Chat Icon




We'll be using the side snap tees in the beginning with our second as well. I felt so much better using them while DD's umbilical cord was still attached and I loved them afterwards since she was a summer baby

Posted 5/2/09 10:38 AM
 

Melissa1013
My sweet boy

Member since 1/08

1933 total posts

Name:
Melissa

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

This is great! Thanks for posting it!

Posted 5/2/09 10:44 AM
 

Kate
*****

Member since 5/05

7557 total posts

Name:
Kate

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

I completely agree with this list, except I never used side-snap shirts, just onesies.

Posted 5/2/09 10:44 AM
 

vwebb85
I LOVE being a mom!!!

Member since 3/09

1463 total posts

Name:

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



They suggest the side snap tees to protect toomuch rubbing on the umbilical cord until it falls off.

Posted 5/2/09 1:23 PM
 

sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!

Member since 1/07

9764 total posts

Name:
Tricia

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by vwebb85

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..

Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.

Thanks for posting that.



They suggest the side snap tees to protect toomuch rubbing on the umbilical cord until it falls off.



So do they go under the onsie? Or just use gowns at the start? Or with pants...

ahh too confusing!

Posted 5/2/09 1:35 PM
 

AcquiredTheBGene
Huh?

Member since 6/06

1056 total posts

Name:

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

Posted by sfp0701

So do they go under the onsie? Or just use gowns at the start? Or with pants...

ahh too confusing!



Side snap shirts are used in lieu of the onesie.

ETA: You can use pants with it, just make sure to not cover the cord or use the loose gowns. Chat Icon

Message edited 5/2/2009 2:06:06 PM.

Posted 5/2/09 1:52 PM
 

TLC1018
I AM A BIG SISTER!!

Member since 8/07

3880 total posts

Name:
Tracy

Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics

I used onesies while the umbilical cord was still attached, it didn't seem to bother it at all. I did find the side snap shirts convenient though, sometimes getting clothing over her head was difficult at the very beginning, and the shirts that snap up are great!

Posted 5/2/09 2:18 PM
 
 

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