Baby Essentials

There is soooo much baby crap available these days. Having been through Luke I know that much of it is unnecessary. What you need:

• Car Seat
• Clothes... everyone wants to get you the 0-3 months outfits since they are so tiny and cute but honestly... they don't get worn very much. Luke grew out of clothes every 2-3 months for the first year and then every 6 months (still does). Luckily he has a summer birthday and then Christmas so it has worked out.
• Baby carrier: I loved my sling especially when traveling or grocery shopping. Creepy, germy strangers are less likely to try and touch your baby when it's strapped to you plus it's nice to have your hands free.

• Someplace safe for baby to sleep- I had plans that Luke would sleep in his beautiful crib or sometimes in his bassinet in our room but in reality it was much easier (meaning more sleep for everyone) if he stayed in our bed. Eventually he was put to bed in his room and would wake up at some point and join us (still does). Before Luke, the idea bed sharing horrified me but it really has been the best solution for us. I imagine this baby will be the same... we need a bigger bed.
• Receiving blankets: Probably the most useful baby item there is. Besides keeping the baby warm, it worked as a nursing cover or to wipe up spit up. I did not leave the house without one.

• Diapers/wipes: duh. I'm going to give cloth diapering a chance. They are pretty cute and will probably save some money (but I don't think much as I was always able to find some sort of diaper deal). Plus it will save on a ton of waste. It really is amazing how many diapers you go through for just one baby.
• Bottles/ breast pump: Even though we breast feed 90% of the time, I did have to go back to work and leave Alan to fend for himself. We did a little bit of formula but not much which was fine with me. 

• Chair of some sort: we had a high chair that attached to a normal sized chair for Luke but it didn't last. Our kitchen/ dining area is tiny so I think we'll opt for a bumbo.

• Odds and ends: nail clippers, mittens(or socks on the hands), baby Tylenol/ motron, diaper cream, baby soap, lanolin cream (for me), nasal aspirator, pacifiers (Luke wouldn't take one even though we desperately tried) and a thermometer (I like the digital one). 

Optional items (in my option):

• Changing table: we used ours but I know lots of people that just changed the baby where ever they were. For use it was convenient to have all on the diaper supplies and clothes in one place.
• Swing- I wouldn't call this necessary but it was a goddsend when you have a screaming baby that isn't hungry or wet and your arms feel like they are going to fall off.
• Nursing pillow: I used my Boppy in the beginning but then mostly used it as a seat for Luke.
• Stroller: We had the fancy big stroller that came as part of our "travel system" with the car seat but it is so heavy and bulky that it barely got used. I did however use my cheapo umbrella stroller especially when traveling in airports.
• Toys: Babies are easily entertained. Everything is a toy... a cup, my necklace, cell phone. You don't need to spend a bunch of money on them. 
• Baby bath- You obviously need a safe place to wash the slippery baby but that could be the kitchen sink or a big plastic container of some sort. Don't waste a bunch of money on something.
• Diaper bag: any big bag will work, you don't need anything expensive. I carried around a change of clothes, diapers, wipes,a big ziploc bag for messy clothes and a receiving blanket.

Totally dump items:

• Diaper genie: we had one (I had given many to friends) but it was just another trash can than often was forgotten about (think moldy diapers). And the refills are pretty expensive. The diaper smell wasn't that bad to justify a special diaper trash can.
• Wipe warmer (another gift I gave pre-Luke)- it destroys wipes, drys them out and the last thing you want is a baby that can't have anything on it's bottom but a wipe at the perfect temp.
• Infant shoes: though I can't blame anyone for buying them... so cute.
• Exersaucer: This is just my option, but it takes up a ton of space and is pricey. My friends have jokingly called it the circle of neglect. If you already have a swing or baby chair of some sort why would you need this ugly thing? 

That's just my 2 cents. We have adopted the "whatever works" policy when it comes to parenting and don't begrudge anyone that has different needs or uses for these items.