Do We Really Need.... Part 2

Ok, this week's post was going to be something different, but since you are thinking about creating a registry soon, I thought I would finish off this series of posts instead.

Here are a few more things that are great to have with a little baby (though I didn't use any of these with Jack until he was a month old or more)

A Diaper Genie: actually, I used this right from the beginning, but I forgot to include it in the first post.  I thought these were stupid, but someone lent us one and I became a convert.  You really can use any kind of pail or garbage, but (if you're using disposable diapers) the Genie is great because it keeps in all the bad smells.  The inserts are a bit expensive, but you can get them at Costco, and (at this point) each insert lasts me more than a month.

A playmat (with a mirror): I also used to think these were really unnecessary, but it was the first thing Jack would do on his own. It was such a blessing -- Jack could suddenly amuse himself for a few minutes while I made breakfast, showered, or just went to the bathroom. Amazing.

A bouncy chair: Jack wouldn't sit in it at first, but around two and a half or three months he would sit in his chair for a few minutes. It gave us an alternative to the mat because sometimes he was happier sitting up a bit more.  It became a staple at our house -- I put it in the bathroom and sat Jack in it when I showered.

A swing: Especially one that reclines (so baby can be in it when she is really little) and swings side to side. By four months, Jack did well with a back and forth swing, but he preferred a side to side motion when he was smaller.

Cuddle bag: this was the fabulous thing that went in Jack's carseat and kept him cozy all winter.  I LOVED it because you're not supposed to put bulky jackets or snowsuits on a baby in their carseat (so the straps are tight enough).  I have to admit when I put Jack in the seat and zipped the bag up around him, I was always a little jealous of how comfortable he looked...

Something interesting for baby to look at during diaper changes: Jack had those black horses on the wall that he would just stare at, so changing was never really an issue.  At least not until he could roll over.

Board books: Even when he was really little, there were a few books (like The Very Hungry Caterpillar) that Jack liked looking at. And by three months, he seemed to really like being read to and looking at books.  (Now, however, I can almost never get him to sit and read with me.  Too much to do, obviously).

Until he was about three months, Jack didn't really care about any of his toys, so don't worry too much about having a bunch of toys at first. You'll play with them more than the baby will.