"Must-haves" for babies/kids

What are some of the things (accessories, not necessities like a crib) that you think you MUST HAVE for your child? Or things that aren't necessary but you can't live without?

For me...

a swing - calms my baby in seconds and saves me from going insane


bottle warmer - quicker and much easier than dipping a bottle in warm water, waiting for it to reach the right temp...also lets me attend to my baby instead of waiting by the sink

waterproof changing pad with sides - so when my little boy has "accidents" it doesn't get everywhere...and the changing pad can be wiped and anything that spills will stay within the area

Disposable diapers and wipes for me!! Other than the obvious, for me...

- stain removers (poop stains are actually harder to remove than I thought)
- counter top bath tub for newborn babies (we used the Safety 1st fold up tub)
- plastic/rubber bibs for when baby starts solids (fruit/veggie stains on cloth bibs takes forever to come off, if they come off at all)
- nasal aspirator
- baby nail clippers (those tiny nails grow fast!)

• Bouncer
• Microwave sterilizer
• Nursing pillow

Originally Posted by shopper_holic

Disposable diapers and wipes for me!! Other than the obvious, for me...

- stain removers (poop stains are actually harder to remove than I thought)
- counter top bath tub for newborn babies (we used the Safety 1st fold up tub)
- plastic/rubber bibs for when baby starts solids (fruit/veggie stains on cloth bibs takes forever to come off, if they come off at all)
- nasal aspirator
- baby nail clippers (those tiny nails grow fast!)

I thought disposable diapers and wipes were a necessity! :P I don't think I could ever manage with cloth diapers..I'm doing enough washing already!! No time for laundry..unless I don't sleep!

and I forgot a couple more things...

- Diaper Genie/Champ
- White Noise machine

Dummy Cellphones?

Don't you just love it when you get dr00l all over your sexy new fone?

I would add..
a mobile
indoor stroller
a helium balloon...

I heard exersaucers were a must have.

Baby Bjorn Active. Neither of us could get much done around the house without it.

Originally Posted by gorf

I heard exersaucers were a must have.

I will vouch for this.

Originally Posted by gorf

I heard exersaucers were a must have.

Another vote but get the MEGA one where you can fold it and take it anywhere with you like a friends place where he can play anywhere.

Originally Posted by tkl

Another vote but get the MEGA one where you can fold it and take it anywhere with you like a friends place where he can play anywhere.

Good to know, we have to buy shower gifts. I swear there's a baby boom happening.

Originally Posted by gorf

Good to know, we have to buy shower gifts. I swear there's a baby boom happening.

Did you hear? It's the year of the golden pig, the most lucky sign in the Chinese astrology according to some people and only happens once every 60 years. In Asia they are expecting double digit increases in birth rates this year.

In all honesty I don't think that had any effect in North America, we didn't know it was such a fuss until we were already pregnant.

I think what we're seeing is the "Baby Boom Echo Reverb". Kids of baby boomers are now starting to have kids of their own. I swear it seems like there's more baby stores and baby inserts in flyers than before. Or maybe they were always there, but I just didn't care because it didn't affect me personally.

back on topic... maybe too obvious, but a handy thing to have is a hand-me-down friend. Kids stuff are expensive and some things only have a small window of usage in their development. So share your stuff with a friend.

One handy item I see lot of is the Fisher price portable booster seat. Almost every new parent I know has one.

Originally Posted by gorf

I swear there's a baby boom happening.

That happens when there is a economic boom (like what is going on in Alberta)

Hyland Colic tablets. They have allowed me to cling to my sanity (barely)

Yes, the circle of neglect (Exersaucer) is a must have.
Our son loved his jolly jumper.
Fishtank makes a great nightlight.
Portable DVD player and many Dora/Diego/Peep DVDs when they are 2-3 and you are heading out on a flight...