We are expecting our first early next year InshAllah, however we are short on space for hte time being, as well as on a tight budget. We dont want to waste money and space on things won’t be very necessary. I have a crib, stroller and car seat (well, a family member is giving us theirs as they dont need it anymore). What are some other absolute essentials that that we will need, that also won’t take up alot of space? In terms of furniture, clothes, misc items?
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
choti si cheez hai.... kitna samaan ho sakta?
:D
We are expecting our first early next year InshAllah, however we are short on space for hte time being, as well as on a tight budget. We dont want to waste money and space on things won't be very necessary. I have a crib, stroller and car seat (well, a family member is giving us theirs as they dont need it anymore). What are some other absolute essentials that that we will need, that also won't take up alot of space? In terms of furniture, clothes, misc items?
In regards to the crib/car seat you are receiving from family, just make sure it is not TOO old, because then safety can be of concern and every few years, they make better products, more safe...etc...so just be careful.
Early next year would be winter, so really the baby will be swaddled in blankets most of the time. I would suggest at least:
1 pack of short sleeve onesies in 0-3 months
1 pack of long sleeve onesies in 0-3 months
3-4 receiving blankets
at least 1-2 warmer blankets
few hats/socks, sweaters/mittens so baby doesnt scratch itself
few pairs comfy cotton pants in various sizes(baby outgros fast!!)
1-2 bottles, as you'll have to figure out which brand baby takes
bottle cleaner
1 pack diapers in newborn size (the grow fast)
wipes
diaper disposal system (to keep smell away)
lotions/baby wash/washclothes
a health kit that includes suction bulb, nail file, safety nail clipper, thermometer....
baby tub or a foam piece to rest baby on to wash it
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
i would also recommend looking at a bassinet instead of a crib if you have space issues...there is this really nice one at babies r us that has a shelf at the bottom and comes with a moses basket as well so the baby can be moved around easily at home...it is a bit pricey at $250 but i saw the same one at target for $150 USD
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
babies can outgrow bassinets really quickly. We also had space issues and were going to go with a cosleeper but ended up not doing that since we would have had to get a crib in a few months anyways. We bought a crib to begin with and put it right next to the bed with one railing out. Worked out wonderfully.
If you are havng a baby shower, wait till afterwards to buy whats left. I had two showers and we got a lot of stuff. Later at the aqeeqah, our baby got a tonne of clothes so the only thing we bought was car seat, furniture and other items as we seemed to need them. One thing that was a lifesaver for the first couple of months was a bouncer seat. My baby practically lived in it 24/7 and this was the only way i got some sleep as well.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
One advice I can give is that when the time comes, don’t buy the high chair. Get the booster seat instead (on a side note, we just bought Fisher-price booster delux seat which got pretty good reviews..) – high chair occupy a lot of space and is pretty much an eye sore in the corner.
You must also have at least one piano or other instrument like toy when your baby is of the age.. it might sound silly now but trust me, toys that have music are baby magnets and instrumental (no pun) in giving parents some break from baby care.
Also, don’t buy anything until you really need it. That means no potty trainer purchase until you know your baby would like to poop in one.
Generally speaking Wal-mart has good prices. But do subscribe to babies r us mailing list and some of the stuff you can get pretty discounted prices using their coupons.
Oh, and you don’t need basinet. Basinet is really for about 6 months and more of a convenience than utility so you’ll end up with basinet + crib after 6 months. Babies can sleep in crib just as well. Just make sure you take off the railing of the crib on the side of the bed you’re going to be sleeping so that at night when baby needs milk/wakes up, you won’t have to get up and have easy access to baby. We took off the railing/wall and it was kinda like an extension to the bed and very convenient for my wife.
One thing you’ll love eventually when babies is out of receiving blankets etc and/or when you got to travel etc is the sleeping sack. We took it to Pakistan in our last trip when our daughter was around a year old and it was so convenient covering her up at bed time in the cold weather.
Good luck! :k:
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
..and if your family has not bought the crib yet then I strongly recommend Ikea one instead of spending couple of hundred dollars + on others. Ikea one is around $150 I believe and serves the purpose and can be turned into bed when baby is grown up ...also, it's easy to take one side of the railing off. You can also get pillow and sheets and mattress from ikea for cheap as well.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
We bought a rocking basinet as we could not find a baby crib here in Europe where u can take off the railing of one side.
the ones we found was something that you have to screw to your bed and it was so small that after 6 months it would have been so small.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
bath tub and a nappy pailer.
..and if your family has not bought the crib yet then I strongly recommend Ikea one instead of spending couple of hundred dollars + on others. Ikea one is around $150 I believe and serves the purpose and can be turned into bed when baby is grown up ...also, it's easy to take one side of the railing off. You can also get pillow and sheets and mattress from ikea for cheap as well.
I looked into Ikea baby stuff but somehow the furniture didnt look very stable to me, hence not safe for a baby.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
We got a GRACO crib thats priced around 150 dollars too and we totally love it. For the price its awesome and i love the fact that its not super heavy like the expensive ones and has wheels underneath so i can move it around easily. It can also turn into a twin size bed etc when the time comes.
Also i second the sleep sack point by Roman. I also have a couple and love it when i can put the baby in it and not have to worryh about covering her at night.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
if you’re in the states, then i believe target has great cribs and bedding and stuff like that for very reasonable prices.
also, the ikea stuff you mentioned is quite safe and stable. i’ve read some very good reviews of their crib. this link will tell you more: Apartment Therapy - Search
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
well, once in a IKEA my husband broke their bed as he sat on one, so much for saftey.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
Thanks everyone for your advice. I, too, though tthe bassinet will only be for a few months.....
the crib we are getting was bought in 2006 however it was used more as a storage space than for the baby. That should be okay right?
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
mommy2be, it seems that would be fine, but just check out the crip. open close the rail..etc...put some force on it to make sure there is no danger...etc. Also maybe do a quick google of the brand just make sure it was never recalled for safety reasons.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
But bassinets are so cute!
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
lol yeah bassinetts are very cute. I kinda like Graco Pack n Play. I am hoping soon to get my son out of the crib bed and into big boy bed VERY soon, that way we can use his crib for new baby....let's see how that goes. In the meantime i am looking for a bassinett to last me a short while.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
Bassinets are cute, but they are honestly a waste. We got the 5-in-1 Carry Me Near basinnet. Turns out my little one was simply too tall for it outgrew it before his time. The music aspect of it was great though. I got a really nice mobile by Fisher Price which is great for him. It's attachment is shaped like a panda bear and it has an attachment which lights up with stars and moons onto the ceiling. Most important thing to look out for is something that plays classical music. Its really soothing, helps baby to sleep and I don't get sick of it either.
Diaper Genie is a waste of money. If you live in a house, after you change your baby, just put the diaper outside in the garbage so it doesn't stick up the house. It just requires some extra effort on your part. One thing I did invest in was scented diaper bags for those few hours where we don't go outside, like in minus freezing temperatures, or if we go out somewhere and I need to change him. I don't want to be stinking up anybody else's house either.
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
bassinets are CUTE!! was wondering if you used one and how long did the baby sleep in there???
Re: Baby Essentials on a budget
BR.. I havent' used it but I do intend to buy one.. I know it will be a waste of money but I am willing to splurge on one thing and taht's a bassinet!! we will get a crib too!!
My intention is to keep the bassinet in our room for 3-4 months before we move the baby into her/his room in the crib!! I am buying one because I want to, not because we need to.. it's all upto you!!