If you are planning on having a child, it can be confusing with all the gadgets that are available for newborns. When I was pregnant, we took a trip to Babies R Us, and I literally had to leave the store because it was so overwhelming with all the furniture, clothes, and items the store says you can’t live without. Actually, we found that babies really don’t need that much stuff. Obviously, you need diapers, food,  a carseat, and clothes. In a primitive sense you could get by just fine with those things only, but there are some baby items that make life easier. Here is my top five list of  new baby items you  might need and ones you surely don’t.

Things We Couldn’t Live Without

1. Pack ‘N’ Play. We used this  every day. These are especially useful after your baby starts moving around. If you need somewhere safe to put them down for a few minutes, the playpen is perfect. These also make great travel beds and changing tables.
2. Boppy. This is a u-shaped pillow that you can lay a newborn on for feeding or naps. It supports their head. When they take forever to eat and it’s two in the morning, your arm gets really tired. I actually didn’t know about these and found a used one in a bag of stuff my sister-in-law gave me. It was a lifesaver.
3. Zip up Footie Pajamas. I’m not sure why, but most of the little one piece baby outfits have a million snaps that you have to open and close to change a diaper. We found some with zippers, and that’s all we used at night. Again, at two A.M after that long feeding, when you’re trying to unsnap all these snaps in the dark, you get some funny results. Zipper jammies were way easier.
4. Shopping Cart Cover. This is a piece of material with elastic and leg holes that goes over the shopping cart seat. Yes, I guess germs build an immune system, but babies get enough on their own without licking the shopping cart.
5. Fold up Changing Table Cover. If you’ve ever looked at a changing table in a public restroom, they are pretty nasty. I would not let my child’s bare butt touch one. We had a small fold up cover that was made of plastic. You could clean it easily, and it fit in the diaper bag. It also worked great to lay in the floor or seat of the car.  You will have a major diaper blow out at the most inconvenient time in a public place. Might as well be prepared.

Things You Should Skip

1. Bottle or Wipe Warmers. I think these were invented to get stressed parents to spend more money. “Oh, if you touch the baby’s bottom with a cold cloth, he will surely drop out of school to join a band.” If you choose to use formula, serve it at room temperature. That way, if you aren’t at home, you won’t have to ask to use the microwave at the gas station to heat up a bottle.
2. Designer Clothes. This is a no brainer, but I have actually been in a store that sells designer baby and kid’s clothes. $115 for a pair of True Religion kiddie jeans. You’ve got to have more money that sense to buy these. Babies wear clothes for about three months before they outgrow them, and they don’t argue with you about what to wear. Take advantage!
3. Diaper Genie. Some may disagree, but these disgust me to no end. For those who may not know, a Diaper Genie is kind of like a trash compactor for dirty diapers. We just took the smelly ones outside to the trash. Cloth diapers might be another good option, like the ones used Michelle and Jake at I Heart Budgets. If we had it to do over, I would consider those. Even if you use disposables, I don’t think you need a genie. Something about squishing poopie diapers just doesn’t seem right.
4. Baby Bathtub. Again, you might disagree. We had one of these, but our tub is pretty deep and I couldn’t bend over that far without throwing out my back. We used the sink, or I got in the tub with our daughter. It actually was one of my favorite parts of the day. We got clean, read bath books, and had a great time.
5. Shoes. Until your child is walking, shoes are for decoration only. Little baby Nikes are insanely cute, but have absolutely no purpose. Just get lots of socks. If you think the dryer is good at eating grown up socks, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

There you have my top five list of things you need and don’t need for a new baby. Of course you will probably get all kinds of gifts. Some will be more useful that others. If you get a Diaper Genie or baby Kobe Bryant shoes, just say thanks and enjoy. Honestly, you can get by with very little in the early months.  You will have plenty of time to fill up the house with bicycles, Disney Princesses, and Thomas the Trains later on.

What were your most used baby items? What was the most outrageous baby gift you received?