Updates, Upgrades And Things We Need For Baby #2

There seems to be a maddening amount of baby gear essentials new parents require when their first baby is born. Baby clothes, baby bed, baby toys, baby blankets, least we forget the actual baby! Baby marketing gurus are pure genius in their efforts and make you feel like their latest gadget is an absolute necessity. Who on earth would consider parenting a child without magical baby wipe warmer or boon spoon food ejector? I feel like my Step Mom saying this, but like so many times in my life, she’s right. Do we really need all that stuff?

Alina’s newborn shoot: Jamie Poort Photography

My simple answer: no. At least as it relates to my baby rearing gear, I am a minilmist at heart. That doesn’t mean I lack vices {at one point, I owned five different baby carriers!}, but when you are sparse on money and space, you just make do. Having lived in a two bedroom, 1000 square foot apartment the last two years, and on one income, you quickly learn what is a necessity and what is not. I also am not too good for hand-me-downs {only from people I know personally and never items relating to safety}. And you know what? I truly felt like I had absolutely everything I needed to raise my child efficiently, safely and with an array of quality products at my disposal.

Let me just say that baby gear is a super personal thing and really depends on so many factors. Working moms will need stuff that us stay at home moms would probably not benefit fully from, those who live in two story homes will develop a different organizational system than those on a single story, whether you breast feed or co-sleep or make baby food will also determine your needs. Now with the pending arrival of our second child, I feel more informed and knowledgeable about when to buy, when to splurge and when to just say no {thank you}.

BUT….

There are still a few baby gear items that I want to update and upgrade, and still others that I just plain want {which of course means “We really really need this, Daddy D!”}. Here is my current running list which I have formulated on Pinterest…

{1} Ergo Newborn Insert- I loved using an assortment of baby carriers with Alina. While I have never been into designer strollers {I used a hand-me-down snap n go for the first months, then a gifted Chico}, I love me a well designed baby carrier. When I finally invested in an Ergo, my baby carrying mind was blown away. I will be purchasing their newborn insert for use in the early months for sure.

{3} Alina’s Big Girl Booster Seat- We use a Fisher Price Space Saver seat as Alina’s high chair now, and although it converts to a booster seat, this pretty pink number is inexpensive and will make Alina feel like a big girl when she sits at the table for mealtime.

{4} Bath Essentials {update}: Baby towels are oh so cute, but my giant toddler doesn’t nearly fit in them. Having that hooded corner, however, is great to soak up excess water {since my child has SO much hair!}. That is why I LOVE these big kid bath towels. I have a set of unused baby towels for baby boy, so am focused on updating a collection of big boy/girl towels.

{5} Baby Bullet- Corny, yet so practical. Pretty much sums me up. I completely do not NEED this. But c’mon! Who would dispute owning The Bullet would not make their baby food making days much more efficient. Final decision? Stay tuned if the budget allows!

{6} Rocking/Nursing Chair- The chair I used to nurse Alina was a hand-me-down from a friend who never used it. Let me just say, it has now seen its fair share of use. We are rockers in this family. Alina tells her Daddy that she is ready to “cuddle rock” when its time to sleep. She LOVES her chair, and so do I. And for that simple reason, baby boy needs his own. This gorgeous grey glider is not the least expensive, but knowing now how much we’ll use it, I feel comfortable spending the money for a quality piece.

And that’s about it! Other than the obvious {baby boy clothes, for example} all our other gear was purchased with a unisex mindset and will be passed down accordingly. The real question remains… what do YOU think?

Do you think I’ve covered everything? Is there any baby gear product not mentioned that you couldn’t live without? Am I a looney tune for using some of this stuff? Come on… share your parenting genius with me!