For new moms on a limited budget what do you recommend as must haves and what could she do without.
1. Crib/bassinet/or a Pack'n Play
2. Diapers/wipes
3. Infant fingernail clippers
4. Diaper rash cream
5. Diaper bag
6. Rattle
7. Infant tub for bathing

Things that you can do without IMO are a changing table (a bed or the ground works just fine), baby wash clothes, and a diaper genie.

gas drops!!!!! lol

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Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

For me a must have was a bouncy seat. I never could understand were moms would put there babies when they could not sit or crawl.

I do not think we need all the baby blankets and newborn clothes. I wish I returned about 1/2 of those things and bought items I needed.

I agree with the gas drops and the bouncy seat. Also baby tylenol. It's one of the few meds they can have and you never know when you'll need it. It's best to have it on hand. You don't need the name brand. On these:

1. Crib/bassinet/or a Pack'n Play

Big time OR!!!! My mom was a nurse. She said they would tell moms who didn't have much that they could use a dresser drawer when the baby was tiny. It is really nice to have the bassinet, but not necessary.

2. Diapers/wipes

Of course, but wait until the baby is born to get a big stock of the first size. Register for the bigger sizes ONLY if you are SURE you will like that brand. I got a few samples to try so I would know which was the best for her in fit. Not all diapers are the same. My little one gets horrible diaper rash with the walmart brand so we had to switch to pampers.

3. Infant fingernail clippers

Seriously, don't bother. I used a nail file for the first few months. Now I use regular clippers. I can get her to hold still enough. OR you can bite them. I never could though

4. Diaper rash cream

A&D ointment

5. Diaper bag

You can get free ones. You might want to use one for a little bit until you figure out what kind you really can use. Want one of mine? I have four

6. Rattle

Yes. You'll need a toy sooner than you think

7. Infant tub for bathing

Yes and no. It makes bathing baby easier when you are alone, but if you have a partner, you really can do it just as easily in the sink.

I didn't think I had that much to say, but these 5 months have made me an expert I guess. Hehehe

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Sarah

I agree with what everyone has listed so far. What I would do if I were prego, I would start to stock up on all the little things now, than by the time baby comes, you are ready.

Diaper Genie-biggest waste of money! Start saving the plastic grocery store bags.
Walmart name brand baby wash, lotion, shampoo, etc. Right now they are on sale at my Walmart for .98 each! Super good deal.
Buy one large box of Walmart name brand wipes each month. One box about $8=460 wipes.
Stock up on diaper creams or just good old vaseline
Bouncy seat or swing-for sure get one.
I would say if you do not have money now for a crib, get the play and pack. I know my boys always outgrew the bassinets pretty quickly, so I think the bassinets are a waste of money. At least with the pack and play, you can take it with you when you visit.
Clothes-that is a hard one. You dont want too many because they outgrown them so fast, but you need enought so you are not doing laundry every hour. My boys lived in pj's for months after they were born. than they are warm from head to toe. All the outfits are so cute, but not pratical at all. Oneis are really handy too.
Extra sheets and blankets-again to cut down on the laundry.
Burp towels-nice but you do not need a ton. Buy some packs of cheap face towels. Those work good for clean ups, plus they are cheap anyways, so you wont care if they get stained.
That is all I can think of now. I will add more if I think of anything.

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

Car Seat

Stroller (VERY helpful) - Unless you don't plan on going anywhere with them!

Diapers & wipes - If you want to save money, cloth ones would be an initial investment, but would save you money in the long run (so I hear - I don't use them)

Crib - 2 sheets, bumper pad We used a cradle - but only for a few months at the most and only because his room is across the house! I've never had a pack n' play!

Swing or Bouncy seat would be nice - we have a travel swing so that we can take it with us. I had a bouncy seat with ds1, but got rid of it and kept the swing instead!

Receiving blankets, Cloth diapers for burp cloths, Onesies... I could probably survive with just these things (and could do without the swing or bouncy seat if I had to).

MY BIGGEST TIP would be to FOR SURE buy everything you can used. If at all possible I would suggest buying the car seat new, but the rest of it - go used!!! Garage sales, consignment shops/sales, or from friends... GO USED!!!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Everyone has pretty much covered it.

My #1 item must-have... the plain white cloth diapers. These things are cheap and useful for just about everything.
Use as burp cloths (much bigger than the useless pretty burp cloths that we got a ton of), diapers (even though we use disposable diapers its nice to put baby in a cloth one loosely for a while if he gets a diaper rash to help air dry),
general clean up,
and when they're at the end of their life they are great for dusting around the house!!!

#2 item is the pack and play

use as bassinet, changing table, play pen, and travel crib
We returned the bassinet that we registered for and saved a lot of money and have never looked back. This is useful for years.

Infant car seat
burp cloths-I like to use cloth diapers
diaper rash cream- I use vaseline
pack-n-play or bassinet
sleepers/one piece outfits- buy several sizes since they will outgrow newborn very fast!
wipes/diapers/baby wash and lotion
bottles/bottle brush/bibs
receiving blankets

Things that aren't completely necessary:
Diaper genie- it is a waste of money!!(to me anyway)
baby washcloths
baby detergent- we use all free and clear it is alot cheaper than dreft or ivory snow
and doesn't have the perfumes or additives
I use the head to toe babywash and don't buy the extra baby shampoo
wipe warmer
bottle sterilizer- you can do it on the stove w/a large pot

I would buy a pack n play vs. a bassinet. You will be able to use it a lot longer.
There is also a base you can buy for an infant car seat that has the back and forth motion of a swing. You just set the seat on the base and turn it on. I didn't get a swing and I wish I had. And I discovered the base as he was out growing the car seat.
I was also able to find a lot of stuff for my son on e-bay and a lot of it was brand new, and for a lot less than in the stores. And a lot of people sell large lots of baby clothing on there as well. You could also check on Craig’s list, I have found a lot of stuff there as well.

I have two boys and I just had my first girl in May. We got TONS of clothes and I had to return a lot of them because she would never be able to wear them all. Also, she got a bunch of little dresses and I am guilty of buying her some too, and though a couple of them are good to have for a fancy occasion or whatever, having a whole lot of them is not really practical. It's hard to keep her legs warm in them and tights or tight leggings with a diaper is just a hassle, and it's hard to get the car seat buckled without her dress bunching up and getting in the way. I found myself putting a frilly dress on her for church just for the sake of her being able to wear it at least once, then when we get home, off it goes for something more comfy.

Also, bibs are necessary not just for when they start solids but for babies that spit up a lot or drool. The best kind are the ones made of really thick terry cloth or have a plastic backing. The plastic bibs are good, but my daughter has a habit of pulling her bib over her face, so I have to watch her with the plastic ones. Also, she can yank the ones with the velcro closures right off, so the ones that slip over the head or have a snap work best for us.