Baby Gear: What’s Essential, What’s Not

I’m enjoying snuggling our new baby and thought some of you might like reading this post from last year about what’s really necessary when it comes to baby gear!

My pregnant sister-in-law emailed me the other day and asked a few questions about what baby gear I felt was essential, and it got me thinking: what do we really need to have a baby?!

There are things that you do have to have… Then there are things that you think you have to have and later realize you didn’t really need.  Then there are things that companies make you think you have to have; and things that you don’t really have to have, but are definitely nice to have around!

Part of my reason in writing this is to encourage new moms to register for the items you need, and skip the items that aren’t essential.  There’s nothing worse than getting a fancy swing at a baby shower, but not getting a carseat and having to buy one yourself!  If you’re not sure that you will have many people that are able to buy you the big-ticket items, make sure you register for the ones you really need and later you can buy the other things yourself or with gift cards.

So, for what it’s worth, here are my opinions on what things you need, might need, and don’t need for a new baby – and a few things that aren’t must-haves, but that I’ve found nice!  I want to hear what you have to say, too, so please join the discussion in the comments.

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