Useful? Or a big fat waste of money?

All new mothers to be get "the list". You SO know what I'm talking about. The list that the stores give you when you go baby registering. The one that's like a MILLION miles long. Even some on the internet are enough to give you a small heart attack or panic attack. 


Well, rest assure, you do not have to buy all that crap. Not right away at least, and some is so useless, that I wouldn't even waste the money unless you are dead set on using it. I'm gonna tell you what we bought and why. As well as what we decided to skip or put off and why.


1) Crib. Yeah, this was QUITE the controversial thing in my family, well, hubby's dads side at least. They told me I was CRAZY for wanting a 700 dollar crib. Well, lets compare MY crib that retail is 700 dollars (Which I got for 150 brand new still in the box, never used by a seller on craigslist. She had gotten 4 cribs at her baby shower, obviously only needed one.) Anyways first it's a convertible bed. A 4-in-1 crib. So not only does it have the two stage crib, up high then goes down once the child learns to sit, crawl, stand, all that jazz. BUT, it converts to a toddler bed, then a day bed, and eventually a full size bed. He will be able to take this bed to college with him. Secondly it is made out of OAK. Yeah, oak. Sturdy, long lasting, durable, because boys will be boys, oak. See where I'm going with this? Yeah, idea here, LONG TERM. All we have to do is buy a mattress once we convert from a toddler bed to a full bed.


2) BREAST PUMP, for all you breast feeding mommies. I have two. An electric double pump for at home, and a handheld battery operated one for on the go. YES, I said two. BOTH must haves. HOWEVER, if funds are an issue, which seems to be so for most people now a days, I suggest the handheld one. Works just as great, just takes longer to pump at home.


3) The crib positioner, Great idea in theory. Works SOMETIMES. HOWEVER, here's the issues WE had, and I know, not true for all babies, but has been good to have on hand JUST in case. Jayden moves A LOT in his sleep, he ended up rolling over them, and well, he'd get mad. Also, Jayden is a tummy sleeper, just like mama, and well, can't place him on his tummy in one, doesn't work right. However, before he could sleep on his side on his own, and when he wanted to sleep on his side, it has helped keep him in place. So yes, I rate this as a middle of the road good investment. 


4) Changing table. Not so much. Really, takes up a lot of room, and really, chances are you will just start changing your baby where ever you are, and will not make the trips to the changing table every time. I decided to forego this. Because......


5) 4-in-1 Pack and Play. It comes with the pack and play, the insert able bassinet, the changing table, and the diaper/wipe/necessities holding station. I used this IN PLACE of an actual bassinet, and changing table. So I got 4 items of NEED in one deal. This is also a grow with child item. So this is a MUST HAVE investment in my book. I currently have it in the living room, that we use for a napping place down stairs, so I'm not constantly having to run up and down the stairs.


6) Boppy Pillow/Nursing Pillow. I say if you are gonna go with one, go with the boppy pillow, it's more versatile. Get the one that is the 4-in-1 boppy pillow, from newborn-infant-baby-toddler. Not the biggest fan of this, however, it is a good Pillow to pull a pillow case over, for Jayden to sleep on, when he wants to be cuddled the entire time. 


7) Baby monitors. These are one of those, meh things. We like it so we can see it from the outside, but really, inside we can hear him just fine. I know though, that this might turn valuable once he is older, and not sleeping in his crib next to my head. 


8) Swings, now some babies like these, and some don't. It's one of those things, you will have to buy and see if it works. 


9) Bouncy seats, the same as the swings. We have two separate types, we have the little baby Eisenstein seat, and a Fischer price 2-in-1 rocker infant to toddler seat.  


10) Organzier for toys/diapers/ blankets/burp cloth/etc. MUST have. We have two. We have a Munckin one that we are using for now, and as he gets more and more toys, we have a Fischer price bucket one on rails. (That's the best I can describe it). 


11) Rocker for the nursery. MUST MUST MUST have. There have been nights, when all Jayden wanted was to be rocked to sleep.


12) Enough safety gear to keep your baby safe. This includes outlet plugs, baby gates, tv anchors, cabin ate locks. 


13) Although controversial to some, I think the walker is a invaluable toy. It has kept Jayden playing for hours on end, it helps him with exercising his legs, it gives him the independence and freedom that he's wanting. Some don't like it because they claim it "prolongs" walking. In fact we are finding it's doing the opposite. Seriously BEST toy ever! Ours is a jummpy, walker, with a car type like toy on top, that can be removed and theres a snack tray under neath. LOVE it. A MUST in my book.


14) High chairs. When it comes to high chairs, big bulky, single use high chairs, are a thing of the past. I'm obviously one that likes my all in one items. We have the all in one high chair, that turns into a booster seat down the road. It's a snap into a chair one. Not a big bulky floor one.


15) Womb bear. I don't have to say anything more, than the MOST VALUABLE thing for the nursery.


16) Toys, that are age appropriate, that help with eye hand coordination. 


17) Cloth diapers. I know they sound rather alarming to some, but they really are MUCH better than disposable diapers. Not only are they better, but they are more cost efficient. Turly they are.


18) Paci's. MUST have during teething.


18) teething rings, I'm not such a big fan of them.


19) Paci Leashes, also a must have.


20) 2-in-1 shopping cart/high chair cover. Absolutely Must have!


That's about it for now. As time comes I will add more and more to this list. 


Have a great night!