I am the mother of almost 7 months old baby and as every first-time mom to be I was sitting for hours behind my laptop and making a list of what to get before I deliver.
I didn't want to miss out a single thing but looking at the prices I started to ask myself a question:
" Do I REALLY need all those bouncers, nursing pillows, Moses baskets and fancy playing mats?" and then I asked again " Do my baby really needs all those things?"
All of them promise to make your life easier and your newborn happier. Are they? Can tell you right now from my very own personal experience, that your baby is gonna be happy sleeping in a carton box and looking at the nice black and white drawing you made for him with love. Well, at least for the first three-four months. That box becomes too small. Was a little sad when had to move Eliza into the bed :(
- This is my Finnish baby box. Now I'm not promoting any product, but it was one of the on the budget options when prep for baby. Saves you money, time and nerves. It came with mattress, duvet, some beddings and baby clothes for the first 6 months.
Now let's have a look at some facts!
Fact No.1: Babies are born with the ability to soothe themselves and fall asleep on their own. So if you gonna teach your baby to fall asleep in one of those " little helpers", the only thing you are giving to your baby is a bad sleeping habit, that will eventually fire right back at you. I know, sometimes it takes time for baby to settle down and there are bad and the good days, but for the long distance run, you wanna raise your little one to be able to fall asleep without you rocking him till he or she will pass out.
Fact No.2: Babie's vision at birth is pretty fuzzy and they can see only lights, shapes and movement and it's improving slowly month after month. That means your baby does not give a single damn about decoration in the nursery room, so save some money and draw nice black and white picture of your own and stick it to the box.
Eliza used to stare at them for ages and you can change as often as you like.
Fact No.3: Doesn't matter if you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, your baby is gonna feel comfy in your arms, lying on the bed next to you or on your pillow or anything is gonna be good so far as you and baby feel comfy.
I was breastfeeding for the first three months and have never ever missed nursing pillow. You just not gonna carry it with you around anyway and if you can make it without it outdoors you definitely don't need one.
What's the summary? Your baby cares only about three things. It wants to be fed, changed and loved. So none of the trendy and expensive stuff is not gonna make her or him any happier, it's just gonna draw money out of your pockets that you gonna need much later for nursery fees.
So while the baby is too small to notice what brand outfit it's wearing keep it cool and have a baby on the budget.