What does baby REALLY need? What can't you live without?

I hope for your sake your baby will wait until your hubby is home!  At the rate I'm going, this baby wont come until well after his due date unless something comes about after my doc appt and ultrasound tomorrow.  At this point though, I don't have my hopes set up to have this baby anytime soon!

Unfortuanately some things are trial & error. Some babies love swings and others hate them. Some people love the moby wrap. I absolutely could not stand it. So, if you have a baby consignment shop near you or a friend that will let you borrow something for a little while, I recommend going that route. There are a couple things I couldn't live without. I absolutle loved "My Breast Friend". I used the boppy but the breast friend helped me learn to BF correctly and position the baby. I also liked a small diaper bag. I hated lugging around the giant one we registered for. I used the small one we got at the hospital. Speaking of which, when you are at the hospital for the delivery, ask for a hand pump. Most hospitals have a lactation program that would have these available to give to you. That will get you by for a while (I used mine for several months, I actually liked it better than the electric pump in the beginning). Don't invest in an expensive pump until you know that BFing is going to work out for you.

Good luck!
Tina

I agree with what the other posters said. As far as consignment sales go, I used Just Between Friends for second hand, gently used stuff and saved a ton of money. I bought a wipe warmer, bottle warmer, baby tub, angelcare monitor, tons of clothes, tons of toys, crib toys, bouncer, dishwasher insert for cleaning bottles, diaper champ, boppy insert and some maternity clothes for about half of what they would have cost at WalMart or Target. JBF is nationwide so look them up. We have about 5 here in the metroplex at various times. 

As far as stuff, I'm the queen of "stuff" lol - I never used the bottle warmer, and the wipes warmer completely dried out the wipes by the time I got to the bottom of it. I used the angelcare monitor a few times but he slept beside me for about 6 months so it was over the top to turn it on. I used the diaper champ for a few months and then realized that since we go through a bag of trash daily that I really didn't need it. He never really loved the swing. The Bumbo was tight on his thighs and then he just quickly outgrew it. We have two pack-n-plays- one for the lake house and one for the sitter's. He has three play mats and we have used them all. I still use the toys from them and the mat for when he's playing on the floor. I just removed the bars so he wouldn't get caught up in it. I loved my boppy right after my cesearean. He weighed 9lbs 9oz and it was difficult to hold him for long periods of time while nursing at the beginning. Initially it was a life saver but now it's under his change table. The exersaucer is awesome....he loved it, and I can still put him in it when I need to cook, go to the bathroom, or not hold him or worry what he's doing for a few minutes. He has a door bouncer for the barn- he's not too sure of it yet, but so far like the exersaucer, its been a lifesaver. The bouncer was awesome. I could feed him or let him sit in it while I cooked. He liked being able to look around. The tub was great when he was a little guy. I also had a fold up mat that I put inside it that he used until he could sit. Both were great. I bought one of every Carter's kimono sleeper. I used them until his little feet hung out...lol It was so handy in the middle of the night to not have to unbutton. Now I use the snuggies from a Children's Place. They zip and are so easy to get his legs out for diaper changes. The ones from CP don't pill or fade either. I loved my graco car seat and stroller travel system. I still love my stroller. I bought a wrap thing for the car seat so I wouldn't have to bundle him so much in the winter and it was a lifesaver. Swaddle blankets from Target- aiden and anais (I think). They are extra large and I still use them regularly. They're great lightweight blankets. Great for shielding him from the sun but were awesome for swaddling when he was a tiny guy. I have three diaper bags- a shoulder bag from petunia picklebottom, a backpack from Petunia PB and a cheap one from target (Eddie Bauer). I think I like the cheap one the best. (don't tell my husband though!) My favorite sheets are from Pottery Barn kids- they are chamois and if they sold them in King I'd probably buy some of my own. I only use the two I have from them, I change them out regularly and wash the one that's not in use. I love my Britax car seat. We are in the car quite a bit and I feel comfortable knowing he's in a good seat. I rented a pump from the hospital initially to see if I wanted one. I then bought a medula once I went back to work. 
Somethings I splurged on, others I bought at consignments sales to see if I'd like them. I don't feel quite so guilty trying something (and not liking it) if I didn't pay a lot for it. 
I know my list is long and at the beginning I was sooo overwhelmed with what I thought he'd need. It gets easier and cheaper the older they get. 
Good luck!
Tracey     

JBF is SO hit or miss - I went to one locally in my area a few weeks ago and walked away empty handed and disappointed. There were a TON of clothes, which I couldn't buy since I don't know the sex yet, and lots of toys (but not really "baby" toys, more like toddler and up), and that was about it   :(  Thank GOODNESS I got in for free as a first time parent and didn't pay for that load of nothing!

I totally agree! The first one I went to was amazing. I bought hundreds of dollars worth of stuff and could have spent way more. The next one was disappointing. The one afterwards I only found the angelcare monitor ($30- a bargain!) and some crib bedding. I was thrilled about the monitor but I hadn't decided a nursery theme yet so I didn't buy anything. I went back to the next one and there was hardly any bedding. I tend to go with an open mind and not set to buy one particular item. If I put something in the back of my mind that I want to check for while I'm there then sure enough it never is! lol

I always go towards the end of the sale too so I don't have to pay admission or if I do then it's much cheaper.