What You Don’t Need for Baby
Parents are so determined to be ready for their babies to arrive that they will often buy way too much stuff in preparation for the big day. It can be really hard to resist all of those convenient items that are just staring you in the face every time you go through the baby department. Plus, becoming a parent can be stressful and you may not have any idea what you would actually use and what you wouldn’t.
Your family and friends will certainly have their input if you ask what they used a lot and what they never touched. You may get conflicting information, too. One friend may say that they couldn’t have lived without that changing table, while another one says that they ended up just changing the baby on the floor to avoid having to go to the other room ten times a day. You will have to think about how you’ll like to do things before you make a lot of purchases.
Babysitting can help you here! Having an actual baby in the house can help you to determine what you will and will not use. It may save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars, just giving your home a test run. Did you feel the need to leave the room when the baby needed a diaper change? Were you able to rock them to sleep in your recliner, or did you really wish you had a glider rocker? Were you able to seal up that stinky diaper in an old grocery bag and toss it in the trash, or did you regret it and wish you had a special diaper pail that did essentially the same thing? These are some good things to figure out before you spend a lot of money on things that clutter up your home and cost a lot of money.
Some parents really go overboard on things like places for the baby to sleep. Bassinet, crib, play yard, portable sleep mat, bouncy seat, and a swing. Do you need eight places to sleep? Most parents get away with one bed. Or, they co-sleep for so long, that by the time they get ready to put the baby in their own room, they’re big enough to climb out of the crib. You may want to buy something inexpensive for everyday napping, and then invest your money in a single bed that will last them for a lot of years, instead of the one month that they’re out of your bed and unable to climb out of the crib. Some babies are out of the crib and into a big bed by nine months of age. How much money is it really worth? If you’ve just got to have one, you can buy a used one that has probably barely ever been slept in.
Getting everything organized is more important than having a bunch of stuff. With clothes, blankets, diapers and you, the baby will have plenty. Using the nursery closet to organize all of those little things will make your life a lot easier. Install some shelves, get some baskets, and hang up all of those sweet little outfits on infant hangers, baby hangers, or children’s hangers. You’ll be ready for baby without spending a lot of money or cluttering up your house.
About the Author: Kurt Adams is on the staff of Only Kids Hangers, a leading provider of infant hangers. The right baby hangers, like wooden baby hangers and children’s coat hangers, keep baby clothers organized and children’s hangers are great for retail stores.
Tags: baby hangers, children's hangers, infant hangers, preparing for baby, what you don't need for baby, what you need for baby