Fisrt time mom has NO CLUE what to buy!!! HELP!

[tfernandez]

Hi there, I'm still early in my pregnancy but I have been stressing on baby products. The cost really, and I HATE buying things and then going to waste which is what has happened to so many moms i know. So for those of you who have children or are around babies could you tell me what the actual necessities are?

And where is the best place to shop for babies? I think Babies r us is the CUTEST store in the world but the prices seem a little higher than say, Target.

Thanks in advance

[babyscience]

For me I found Babies R us to be at least $10 cheaper on bigger item products.  There is also a website called albeebaby.com it sell name brand stuff but for cheaper than at the stores, some of the stuff may be last years model so they mark it off.  It is also free shipping and No sales tax.  So you get a pretty good deal.  I was just talking to a friend about it today.  
As for items, Always check out reviews online before buying...it will save you alot of grief.  I really used a SWING (get a battery operated one...the plug in ones suck, also get it to withstand a higher weight), a BABY BJORN...which is perfect when you need your hands but baby wants to be held (I have found the really cheap ones dont work as well, but I havent tried the moderate brand one...I got mine as a gift..they are expensive), a BUMBO seat...not necessary but it helps them sit and play with things, and right now I use an EXERSAUCER, also get a big blanket you can lay on your floor so they can just roll around and play.  I have carpet and I am always worried it will irratate his skin.  
When buying carseat, I wouldnt cheap out on those...however a good way to save money would be to buy a convertable car seat (Britax has a few good ones that are top rated in safety).  So you can use it from infants to toddler age.  I will be getting one ASAP...my chunky money is almost to the limit.
Good luck and even with all the advice you might get...you will still have items your baby just doesnt like but other mothers swear by it!  So get ready to fork out some bucks on useless baby items.  All the manufactuers know how to get us mothers!  

[tfernandez]

thanks so much, I'm looking at that site right now actually.

[feather2e]

I am a first time mom also. This site has a rough estimate of costs and needs for the first year. I am sure it will cost more, but it will give you an idea to start with. Hope it helps.
http://www.babycenter.com/babyCostCalculator.htm
Also any second time mums, if you could take a look and let me know if the list of necessities are somewhat reasonable.

[Hope2OneDay]

I would make a list of items you need vs. want and then try to get as much as you can from consignment sales and local consignment shops. There is a huge consignment sale that comes to our area twice a year (once in the fall/winter and once during spring/summer). They only carry clothes for that particular season and have a room for clothes, one for toys, one for strollers, etc...
It's awesome!

Plus, the consignment stores are great, too. You need to find out what day (if there is a particular one) they put new stuff out. Some put stuff out daily, some only do it once a week. If it's once a week, get up there that day so you get first choice. If you can eliminate a lot of basic stuff before you have your baby shower, then other people can help you get the other things you need when the time comes...or they can all pitch in together and get you a big ticket item, like an exersaucer, stroller, etc...

As for specific items that you NEED. Lots of onesies, a few gowns, tons of diapers (pick these up on sale whenever you can...you'll appreciate EVERY pack when the time comes, even if it does seem to take up a closet for a while!). I couldn't live without a baby swing, but I know others who said they could do with or without. A light up mirror for the car was nice to have, too. Fisher Price puts one out that lights up and plays music (and it comes with a remote so you can start it from up front). I liked being able to see the baby from the front seat.

Swaddlers were great too. They're at Babies R Us and are called "Swaddle Me". It sure beats trying to keep a baby swaddled up in a blanket!

Babies R Us isn't that expensive really. But I wouldn't get diapers there! Target and Wal Mart are best for diapers (especially if you sign up for coupons for whatever brand you use and on the Target website as a registry because they send you coupons filled with baby items).

Baby Gas-X was another nice thing to have handy.

Things that I found to be a waste was when everyone kept giving me baby lotions and baby wash/shampoo. This is something that can pile up like crazy. I swear, I must have ended up with 5 large bottles of J & J body lotion with a body wash bonus attached to it!  No one uses that much lotion! Luckily, I had other friends who were having babies, so I just regifted them as a part of their shower gifts! LOL
Baby wash cloths are nice to have, but not a million bottles of baby wash!