1. Bouncer chair (vibrates and has kick activated bubbling aquarium toy that sits over it) - He LOVES it and I can go have a shower or make something to eat whiel he plays in it
2. Swing - when he's overtired and can't settle, or really fussy I pop him in and he's happy and usually falls asleep.
3. Pacifiers - I'm not a fan of them either was convinced I would never use them but DS is 3 months and teething and can't hang onto a teether yet, and the soother keeps him soooo much happier. It's saved my poor nipples form being used as a pacifier.
4. Bassinet - It's so much easier for me to feed him in the night (and keep a paranoid eye on him) if he's right beside me. I'd never be able to sleep with him in our actual bed and I'm too tired to get up, go to his room, then bring him to the living room or bedroom to feed him.
5. Burp cloths. We needed so many more than we bought so I've made a pile of them and we leave at least one in every room. You go through them sooo much quicker than you would ever think. I probably have about 20 now and sometimes it still doensn't feel like enough.
6. Had to add #6 as we also really like our sling baby carrier. It's great to carry newborn around in. It always put him to sleep and kept him asleep if I kept moving. Now I use it to carry him sitting upright (which saves my arms) and I find it is more comfortable than one of those front/backpack style carriers. I do use one of those too when Dh and i go for long walks.
3 things I could live without:
1. Baby tub - it was great for a few weeks when I was all awkward bathing him but he got too big for it fast and now we just bathe him in the big tub. We got it second hand for $5.oo though so not really a big deal.
2. Baby monitor - since he sleeps in our room we haven't used it yet. I bought it so he culd be sleeping hin his room and I could go downstairs to check the computer but he sleeps on my lap when I do that so we haven't needed it.
3. Too many baby blankets and socks. Don't buy more than one blanket, you will be given more than you could ever use. I have a huge pile of them that have been given to me. Socks never stay on his feet and he is usually in footed pyjammas anyway, we have a drawer full of unworn socks.
Other things we found usefull:
Change table - It's much easier on my back to use the change table then the floor. We sometimes use the crib but it's lower and so again hard on my back. The change table also makes a great place to store all our diapering needs. We got a crib and table combo second hadn though for really cheap.
Playmat/Gym - DS is just at the stage now where he is interested in it and it keeps him busy for decent stretches of time. I can sit beside him folding laundry or sewing and talking/singing to him while he bats happily at the toys.
Onesies - Shirts are terrible as when you pick them up they bunch up around the armpits. Onesies (long sleeved and short sleeved) are much better as they stay put when you pick up baby.
1 Bassinet on pram. Piper slept in it for first six weeks and we could wheel from room to room. Also great for shopping, as didn't have to cart around baby capsule. Although only useful for about five months (she crawled at 5.5 months) she loved lying on her tummy and pushing up on her arms and people watching while out and about, lol, so cute.
2 Baby carrier. I remember pacing the footpath outside my house with Piper crying and me reading a book over her head. Multi tasking lol.
3 Plush minky style blanket. We were given one that was about 1mx 1.5m (so not as big as bed size) and it was thick and soft enough for baby to play on, take to mums groups, wrap her up outdoors, etc. Plus easier to wash than sheep skin.
4 Baby bouncer. Not an old fashioned one, but one shaped a little like a simple car seat. We were given a simple style one without attachments and it was fine. Great for keeping baby nearby when your in the shower or doing chores etc. She could sit in it and watch you and still play with a small toy in her hands.
5 Onesies. Look neater and more comfortable for baby. Separates are really awkward until they can stand up.
6 Soft lamp in bedroom. So we could see her from door and check chest was rising up and down lol.
Things We didn't need
1 Bottles. I bf for 13 months, exclusively for 5-6 months. Piper didn't really take to bottles, pretty much went straight on sipper cups. So we had soooo many bottles that weren't used.
2 Knitted cardigans. They look so cute, but there was no way I was putting hand wash clothes on her before I had used all the clean drip dry no iron outfits lol
3 Teddies. OMG it seems like they breed in the night and Piper just wasn't interested in teddies or dolls until she was about 2. (Except for one or two favourites)
Things we didn't have and didn't miss
1 Baby monitor
2 Mobile over cot (just had two cute things tied to sides)
3 Baby walker
4 jolly jumper
5 nappy wrapper
6 Dedicated bf chair. I would just bf in bed or in front of TV/computer etc
7 porta cot
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