by Tiffany G King

Created on: August 18, 2009

The news arrives and you are pregnant. Emotions are running high and excitement is overwhelming and it comes time for setting up the nursery. Then as you are looking in magazines, stores, and people telling you every little thing you need it all hits you like a ten ton load. Do they actually make instruction manuals for babies? Do they really need all of this stuff? What in the world do I really have to get? After having to do this myself here are the top ten things you and your child need.

#1 An assortment of bottles and pacifiers. Babies all have different preferences so what may pacify one baby may not pacify another. My child loved Soothie pacifiers and bottles, but everyone told me that Nuk was the best and babies loved that. So it is good to request different bottles such as Avent, Dr Browns, and Playtex. You will be able to tell which one your child prefers.

#2 Bottle Brushes are something to load up on. Generally they last anywhere from two weeks to one month. I prefer the Lil Munchkin ones, because you can pull out the piece that cleans the nipples. They do not cost all that much, but are very handy.

#3 Baby Monitors are a must have. You will use this for about the first three years, or until your child is potty trained and can get up easily through the night. It is always convenient to have a cordless one so that you can move around the house and still listen out for your child.

#4 Batteries, yes batteries. This may sound odd, but all of these baby contraptions, monitors, toys, require them. So stock up on AAA, AA, and even C and D. I never thought about batteries all that much until my child was born. Now I stay stocked up.

#5 Diaper Champ has been wonderful. Yes, you can use a trashcan, but this is specifically for diapers. It is by the changing table and it keeps the scent inside. So all the diapers are in one bag. It is easy to use, and it takes regular trash bags, unlike some others that have specific bags for their product.

#6 Crib is definately a must have. Preferably a crib with a changing table built in is the best option. Most cribs can be used to make a toddler bed and even turn into a head and foot board to make a regular bed when they get older. Your child needs this in order to maintain a sleep routine.

#7 Highchair that starts from newborn to toddler is very useful as well. This will last you for years, and fits to your child's needs. They attach to your regular chair. They make some that attach to your table. They make some that are portable, and even some collapsible. So it just depends on what you want.

#8 A medicine kit is so great to have. Thermometers, Pedialyte, Orajel, Tyelonel and Motrin for babies is always needed. You never know when your child may get sick so it is better to be prepared.

#9 Pack and play is wonderful. Especially if you are visiting or moving around a lot. It is your portable crib, and entertainment confinement. If you are cooking and your child is moving around and you can't keep a constant watch out for them, the pack and play is nice to have on hand for those scenarios.

#10 A travel system is the best thing ever. This is an infant car seat that attaches to the stroller. The car seat comes with a base and the stroller is tough. You can take the stroller on the beach, and basically off roading. It has a canopy to cover up the baby, and a big area to store your diaper bag and such. I prefer Graco for travel systems. This is a necessity and a two in one combination.

These are only ten things that I named. There are so many items that a baby can use, but these ten things will definately set you on the right track.

Learn more about this author, Tiffany G King.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.