A good sling and a comfy chair for nursing.

you don't need anything else.

One of my favorites was a boppy pillow. It's great for supporting babies while napping or nursing. It also transitions to help babies with tummy time and provides support when they learn how to sit up as they get older.

Congrats on the baby!

I'm due March 1 and in the same boat as you! Yay! I've been scouring Craigslist daily to find good deals. I just found a great barely used stroller and infant car seat with all kinds of options for $60, and I looked it up online and the original price for something like this is about $200. Check your local one for good deals - and always check online for recalls on the product, plus see the original prices for similar things so you aren't being scammed.

My friends/coworkers/family have told me that the most essential things are obviously the car seat/base/stroller combo, a good-quality electric breast pump (if you're planning to breastfeed), a soothing and comfy rocking chair for you and SO to sit on while rocking/feeding the baby, a monitor (my friend has the kind that actually plays the baby's heartbeat - more expensive than the regular walkie-talkie kind but good if you're scared of SIDS), a baby bath tub, diapers, diapers, diapers...the first three sizes. Most of my friends also said that they got tons of newborn clothes at their showers but no size 3 month-6month stuff. I am planning to have a bassinet because we will have to go up and down stairs at night time so we'll just have the baby sleep with us in its bassinet some nights.

Summer time is a great time for garage sales too, where you can pick up cribs,pack and plays, etc for cheap.

two VERY helpful things...#1 a bassinett (sp?) for those first few months when baby wakes up every 3 hours to eat. it is sooo nice to have them right next to your bed and mine had a little bin under it so i could store all their changing needs #2 a good swing. it is a life saver when you have run out of ways to get baby to sleep. sometimes the rocking will just put them out so you can have a little break (and i do mean little lol)

i also agree with crayon...WINE for sure!!

lastchance you’re so stinkin cute!!! Your posts and avatar are just adorable and always bring a smile to my face…

I don’t have any bio’s but I helped my best friend with her “6” children a ton and I’ve been in SS3’s life since he was one and some change so I have a little advice on the matter… the big one I remember is you NEED to have a GREAT changing table that is secure and has plenty of cubbies for the millions of diapers, powders, onezies, burp cloths and creams the little bugger is going to require!

I’m so happy for you… thank you for letting us follow your progression… hope you’re feeling well and eating lots of healthy foods for the little guy. You keeping up with your vitamins..?

Three things I could not live without when my (now 7 month old was little) but still use now!

#1. his vibrating bouncy seat. I put him in that when hubby is not home or sleeping when I need to get in the shower and take him right in the bathroom with me. He has never minded it and the steam is good for stuffy little noses.

#2. his Baby Bjorn (front carrier) I put him in that when he would get fussy and want to be held, he would settle right down, ususally fall asleep and I had both hand free to do laundry, bottles etc. and I could get on the ellipticle and work out!

#3. his swing. He loves (since he was about 3 months old) his Baby Einstein DVD's so I put the swing in front of the TV, pop in one of his DVD's and he swings and educates his little brain.

Congrats on your upcoming fun and exciting times!!

Oooo… mid March baby!!! You have a dreamy eyed, artistic little Pisces on the way! You may also want to start saving up a fund for plenty of music and art lessons!!!

The two best things I bought my daughter was a swing for the early days and then a Jumperoo from 5 months+. Both those items give me somewhere safe to place my daughter whilst I peg out the washing or nip to the loo!

I also would not be without my cotton washable breast pads - the disposable plastic backed ones made me sore where as these allow my skin to breath! Also a few comfortable tops that are easy to nurse in in public discreetly

MUSTS- new carseat/stroller combo (don't buy a used one), swing and/or vibrating chair thing, digital thermometer, a good (Medela for me) breastpump if you plan to nurse, Boppy pillow, I also like the Bumbo chair from 3mths or so on

Not necessary- (these are things that are nice to have but not really a 'must have' if you are on a budget) pack & play. They outgrow it so fast that t's not worth the money. Diaper genie was a mess to use so we just used regular trash cans and haven't had problems with odor. A highchaor can wait til baby can sit up. Newborn clothes- don't get a lot. Babie will fly thru the newborn and 0-3 mth clothes.

I understand being in a budget. With our first 2 we got hand me downs for all the big items. We sold them in a garage sale before finding out I was pg with #3! so we had to buy things with this one! Check consignment/resale stores, ask friends, look online (craigslist, eBay), and look into 'just between friends' events. For small toys, sleepers, onesie and bottoms, consignment stores are good. The stuff I've foud had hardly been worn plus it was cheaper. My baby is 5 months so this is all fresh in my mind. If you have any questions then send me amessage!

just fyi: there is an expiration date for carseats so if you do go to a consignment shop or get a hand-me-down...check the bottom of it. there should be a manufaturer's date and i believe it is ok to use 6 years after that date. double check me though...