No, you don’t NEED it

Something that irks me more than almost anything when it comes social media is the overconsumption. Picture perfect people pushing products. Products you don’t need and didn’t even know you wanted 90 seconds ago are suddenly in your Amazon cart and at your door by tomorrow afternoon. Pajamas to help you toddler sleep better, a new carpet shampoo machine that will get your couch SO CLEAN, skin care product that will make you look 12 again; it never ends.

Every new mom anxiety. Late night intrusive thought. That aching desire deep in your core to be a good mom. All used and abused by marketers to sell, sell, sell. Let me be the jerk that says it… No, you don’t NEED it.

You don’t need the nursing cover with the built in fan. The nipple shield that has a fancy milk tube so you can see your baby drink. The $30+ bamboo sleepers. The expensive crib. The bottle warmer, the bottle maker or the bottle washer. The wipe warmer. The sound machine. None of it. You don’t NEED any of it.

Now let me pause and say this. Just because you don’t need any of it doesn’t mean it’s not so much fun to shop for a new baby, and buy all the fun and adorable things, and soak up all the excitement! What I’m advocating against is the pressure and the shame that I found myself feeling when I couldn’t get all the gadgets and gotcha items for my kids. Your baby actually needs very little in the first year, especially in the first 3 months. And really the most important item for your baby, is YOU.

What they really want

So what do you need… Here’s my list that we used to prep for baby number three and four.

• Somewhere for baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, pack and play, etc.)
• Car seat
• 5 zip up sleepers
• 6 onsies
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• Pacifiers if you want one
• 3-4 light weight blankets
• 1 or 2 heavier blankets if baby is born in the cold season
• Pick your preferred way to feed baby:
  • Breast
    • Nipple cream
    • Hand pump (electric pump if you prefer, I always preferred a hand pump)
    • Milk bags
    • Bottles for emergencies or when mom is not with baby and someone needs to feed baby
    • Burp rags
    • Vitamin D drops
    • Light weight blanket or nursing cover
    • Bottle brush
  • Formula
    • Bottles
    • Bottle brush
    • Formula
    • Burp rags
• Nail clippers (but you can totally use the adult size, just be careful)
• Tear free soap
• Stroller is nice but not NEEDED
• Baby wrap or carrier is again very nice but not NEEDED

Did I buy extra stuff? Absolutely. Did I buy goofy outfits and cute onesies? Of course. Did I buy toys and books and other things just because? Duh. But I didn’t let myself be pressured into buying things I knew my kids would never use. Have fun buying things and enjoying things with your kids, especially the new babies. Just don’t be fooled into thinking you actually need any of it, or that you’re less of a mom if you don’t have the extras. Your baby just wants YOU.