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Expecting mothers can get overwhelmed about baby stuff.
Any sane person would be-people who make and sell stuff for babies try to make it as confusing and stressful as possible in hopes that the new mother will buy one of everything "just in case."

Here's a secret: you don't need all that junk!

First, imagine what you're going to do with the baby, then make sure you can feed, clothe, diaper, and carry the baby while you're engaged in that activity (example: grocery shopping.)

You won't need different stuff for each activity (ex: one diaper bag), or even stuff for every activity (ex: carry her in your arms.)

Decide what you need, pick the product you want, then check to see if it's been recalled. (Expecting moms: don't browse the list of recalls, you'll freak yourself out!) Recalls can be found at: www.cpsc.gov

When comparing products, try to do it on the web or catalogues, then go kick the tires at the store. Consider going to Target for everything but the car seat. (Baby superstores have the best selection of car seats.)

Don't buy it if your not positive about it, and don't buy anything not on your list! (Once, I bought a $200 car seat at Babies'R'Us, and paid $600 at the register-we planned on the car seat, but the other stuff was just "ohmygosh! we don't have that and we NEED it!"-of course we didn't really need any of it!)

You don't need all the bells and whistles, they just add dead weight. Look for descriptions such as: 'travel', 'lightweight', 'streamlined', 'compact'. Be leery of adjectives such as 'convenient' and 'multi-use'.

Here's all you HAVE to have for a newborn:

1) Car seat (rear-facing)
2) Somewhere for the newborn to sleep (bassinet OR co-sleeper) and baby blankets
3) Somewhere to change the baby's diapers (this can be a towel on the bed or floor)
4) Diapers, wipes, cream/ointment
5) Alcohol wipe OR rubbing alcohol/cotton balls (to clean bellybutton)
6) nightgowns, socks, hats
7) baby shampoo/soap and baby washcloths (they're very soft for baby)
8) nose bulb/saline spray and nail clippers
9) thermometer
10) bottle and single-use packs of formula for emergencies if you Breast-feed (which is cheapest and easiest.)
If you intend to bottle-feed you need bottles, nipples, and formula-skip the "sterilizers" and just get stuff you can boil!
11) syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal (for REAL emergencies)
12) somewhere to throw away diapers (ex: step trashcan with lid)
13) Petroleum jelly if you have a circumcised boy
14) optional: diaper bag (you'll get free ones)

That's it!
My Advice? Every baby and mother is different, so is stick to this list, then buy the other stuff only if you need it. It will also be more frugal and less overwhelming to do it this way.

Learn more about this author, Vicky Harper.
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