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Basic Baby Essentials You Must Have

By David Cummings

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 04Jun2009
Word count: 585
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Today, everyone is shopping smarter. Instead of buying everything we see, we are thinking about our actual needs and trying to shop on a budget. This is no less true for new parents who are shopping for gear for their little bundles of joy. If you are buying for your baby on a budget, make sure you have these basic baby essentials.

Car Seat

You will have to have a car seat in order to take your baby home from the hospital. Even if you do not have a car, you will need a seat for the ride home. You do not have to buy the most expensive seat, but you need to buy a safe one. Infants must be rear facing in the car until they are one year old, so buy a seat you can use in this way. The benefit of the infant car seat / carrier is that it allows you to take baby out of the car without needing to disturb her and remove her from the car seat.

If you want to save money, consider buying a convertible car seat. These seats can be used in the rear facing and in the forward facing configurations, so you will be able to use the convertible car seat past your baby's first year. Always check the weight limit on the seat and get one with the highest possible weight limit so you can get the most use of this item.

Diapers

Whether you choose cloth diapers or disposables, you will need a nice supply of diapers when your baby is born. Newborns go through between eight and ten diapers a day, so watch sales and stock up when you can. It is a good idea to keep receipts, though, as you may find that there is a brand that you do not like or that your baby is sensitive to.

Clothes

Baby clothes are one thing that everyone loves to buy. If you are having a baby shower, you can expect to get a lot of clothes. However, you do not need tons of little tiny clothes, because your baby will outgrow them quickly. Get a couple of packages of onsies, about six sleepers, and two or three "going out" outfits in the smallest couple of sizes, and then wait to see how big your baby is and how quickly he grows. Do not forget to get some blankets, even if it is warm where you life. If you live in a cold climate, invest in some warm blankets and warmer clothes.

Bed

Unless you plan to co-sleep with your baby, you will need a place for her to sleep. A bassinet is a nice item to have, but your baby will outgrow it fairly quickly. If you are looking to stretch your budget, purchase a nice, but affordable, crib. You will need at least three crib sheets and a mattress pad for the crib, but you do not need the fancy ornamental blankets and bumpers. Baby will be fine using a traditional blanket without the decorations.

Stroller or Carrier

A stroller or infant carrier is a must if you intend to go anywhere with your baby. You do not necessarily need both, but you will need an easy way to transport baby on shopping trips and walks. A stroller is probably the most frugal choice, because it can be used by your child well into the preschool years, but you may feel more comfortable having your baby close in a carrier.

David Cummings is a devoted husband and regular author on many topics. He is committed to helping parents create better family time and to working with children's organizations. David is also the General Manager for BustlingBaby.com - a company offering products for active parents and babies, such as backpack diaper bags and functional baby ring slings

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