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Baby Equipment – What major equipment do you really need?What nursery furniture do you need? A bassinet is optional. If you think you will use one, you can often get these at a consignment shop, or borrow one from friends/relatives. A crib is considered a necessity. However, for us it was not a practical expenditure, as we ended up co-sleeping. You definitely will need some sort of changing area. If you have a low table (or even a soft floor), you can simply buy a changing pad rather than a changing table. A dresser is not necessary right away, particularly if you have a changing table or a closet for storage. I would definitely recommend a rocker of some sort. Be sure to look for any baby equipment you buy at second-hand shops, on Craigslist, or your newspaper classifieds section.
Baby items that are useful, but can usually be bought used or borrowed include: a swing a monitor a vibrating bouncer a highchair an excersaucer or jumper Jogging stroller All of these items are only used for a short period of time so I would hesitate to spend the money to buy them new. Here are the baby items that I found unnecessary (of course, this may be different for you): Bumbo seat—These are all the rage, but my baby outgrew it by nine months. He used it for only three months. Thankfully, I had gotten it at a yard sale. Sling/Baby Bjorn—My babies never cared for these, but you could try out one from a friend to see if your baby likes them. Walkers—These are actually considered unsafe anyway. Regular stroller—If you have a good jogging stroller, a regular stroller is not that necessary. One item you will definitely have to buy new is a carseat. It is unsafe to use a second-hand carseat because safety guidelines may have changed. Also, you never know if it was in an accident, making it less safe. If there are any other baby items you have found particularly useful or not useful at all, please use the contact form and let me know. Maternity Clothing -- What You Need and How to Save Money
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