Denielle Kennett and her husband Joe are first-time parents.
Their daughter Lennon is just over a year old.
Her biggest Aha!moment was trying to figure out how to clear her newborns stuffy nose.
The LÍLLÉbaby airflow carrier. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder
Its simple and cheap but many parents dont even know it exists.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…
You dont register for that, Kennett explains.
Its not a cute gift to get at a baby shower, so no ones going to buy that.
But… maybe someone should.
What Baby Stuff Do You Actually Need to Buy for a Newborn?
What do youreallyneed totake care of a newborn?
Quality Carseats, Strollers and Carriers
TPH Pinterest specialist Gretchen Lindow says, Good carseats with the matching stroller!
The car seat will click into the stroller making it way easier to use.
Plus, safety is everything.
Megan Durgin agrees, A baby carrier, totally worth splurging!
Baby Swings and Bouncy Seats
Mamaroo (baby swings and bouncy seats) saved our sanity!
Lacey Keller says the baby rocker is amazing for babies who have acid reflux.
Mamaroo at Targetcosts about $250, so you know Penny Hoarders mean it when they say its necessary.
Good Diapers
Kimberly Roldan says good diapers and wipes are worth a splurge.
Depending on sensitivity, some can cause rash and some do not hold well, she explains.
Manuela Hatler says the same for diapers: I always bought Pampers.
Its not the place to cut corners.
Comfy Clothes for Mom
Many moms stressed the need for self-care items to protect their sanity.
Lindow explains, If nursing, good nursing bras are totally worth spending money on.
You have to dress accordingly.
(An) awesome comfortable rocker, small speaker/docking station for mom and baby.
She also suggestssubscription boxesto keep mom, dad and the baby happy.
As a parent, youre also eligible forAmazon Mom.
Plus, that membership could come in handy for other miscellany youll need as the baby grows.
Heather Zielinski says, Spend money on a good night vision video monitor system for your babys safety.
And dont forget the nasal aspirator!
Support From Other Parents
The most important thing new parents need, Kennett says, is support.
She recommends finding nearbyMommy and Me classes, parenting groups or your localLa Leche Leagueto connect with other parents.
She also finds support in parenting groups on Facebook, where new parents can ask questions and commiserate.
… Theyre not doing it wrong.
No one knows what theyre doing.
I still dont know what Im doing.
Every day is a guessing game.
The company sells bundles of items to help get babies and parents through the first 12 weeks.
She was most surprised to learn what parents say they dont need at all.
The items Kennetts research foundleastnecessary were:
1.
Pacifiers
The most surprising thing Kennett left out of her newborn bundle?
Many parents she talked to ended up with a stock of pacifiers their infants never used.
Theyre really not as common as you think.
I thought those were going to score through the roof.
But parents tell us a bottle warmer isnt worth your money.
you might achieve the same effect by placing a bottle in a mug or bowl of hot water.
Bassinets
A bassinet seems more like a decorative piece than a necessity these days.
The cheapest ones will cost you upwards of $100.
A prettier version can be two or three times that.
They grow out of bassinets so quickly, say TPH photography director Sharon Steinmann.
Id go with a hand-me-down if you really want one.
Wipe Warmers
This one seems debatable.
While it rated overall as unnecessary in Kennetts research, some parents disagreed.
Cupler says he wishes his household had a wipe warmer, but they dont.
But it could actually be dangerous, according to AAA.
Loose items, such as mirrors, can also become a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or crash.
AAA recommends you only use products that come with the seat or those the manufacturer recommends.
Still, you’ve got the option to probably forgo the expense altogether.
I just yammered at (my kids) or sang along badly with the radio to keep them entertained.
Portable Changing Pads
A portable changing pad seems like a must-have if you ever want to leave the house.
At about $20 apiece and in trendy clutch designs, they make attractive shower gifts, too.
But, Theyre really fat and bulky …, Kennett points out.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
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