Our Favorite Shopping lists Print this list Please choose a list: First Baby List Really Useful Stuff Baby Shower Gifts Great Bedtime Books Top Items Under $20 Send us your list! First Baby List submitted by Totsmom Stroller: Top of the line is a Bugaboo, but not necessarily the best for city dwellers who need to get in and out of subways, buses, cabs. More city-friendly are the McClaren Strollers - lightweight, manageable, and for any age range of children. Good sporty or twin strollers are the Phil and Teds. There are MANY strollers to fit your particularly need so the best advice is to buy what's good for you and your budget. Stroller accessories such as a large sunshade, a "bundle me" or something similar cover, and a rain cover since a lot of strollers do not provide adequate protection in any of these areas. Car seat: Infant car seat - if you can buy one that can be attached to a frame, you save on costs for a stroller. He can ride in that for most of the first year in his life. If you decide to go the car seat and stroller route, you can buy a Go Go kidz travelmate, which adds wheels to your car seat when you need it. Baby Carrier: Baby Bjorn is the most popular but any of the baby carriers that pays attention to your back would do great. Cribs: A bassinet or a crib? It's a personal preference. Some babies are in the crib in another room from day one. Some stay with the parents for a while in a bassinet or bedside sleeper next to mom (makes for easy feeding). As to a crib, we would recommend any that you can easily push down the side rail (with your knee) since you would need both hands to lift the baby out. Also, please test to make sure that it makes as little disturbance as possible since you might wake the wee one. Crib that is convertible to a toddler bed? This is a cost issue since the convertibles are more expensive. If you decide to go with a crib and a toddler bed when he's older, an average toddler bed would run about $150. Changing Tables: There are many options. Some parents have a changing table with shelves, and some have a diaper pad that you can put on top of a dresser. It's a question of space. If you have enough space for a Changing table, you should. But keep in mind you would need to get rid of it when you no longer need it. Dressers: One dresser with lots of space since babies need a lot of stuff and a closet for hanging some jackets etc. Make sure you pick up some baby hangers and drawer liners. Gliders: They are expensive but it's a must. You cannot walk the baby around the room forever. Another option is an easy chair that reclines that you can still use when he's older. Crib Bedding Sets/blankets/crib sheets/blankets: Crib bedding is where you can use your creativity. There are the traditional brands you can find at any baby store and there are the designer kinds available at stores such as http://moderntots.com Crib sheet is also a must. Buy several since you would need to change it often. And a waterproof mattress pad too. Mattress! - you can buy any of the recommended baby mattresses. Baby blankets are so cute and you'll probably get several as gifts. Nursery Accessories: Mobile is a must. They love looking at it and it keeps them occupied for hours. It also helps with their creativity. Toys and sleep aids you tied to the crib are great. Make sure they do not pose any risks. Lamps and nightlights and curtains. We would suggest keeping the room as dark as possible since morning light wakes the baby and if the light comes in at 5am, that is when you would be waking up too. Nightlights are good for you to get around and more useful later as he needs to get around. Hamper for the tons of dirty baby laundry. Diaper Genie or something similar. Personal preference in regard to its usefulness. The lack of smell is not 100% guaranteed. Other room decors are nice - wall stickers, wallpaper, window treatments, hooks, mirrors, artwork, etc. Play Activity Equipment: Playmat is a must! They can lie there for hours playing while you eat, relax, or doze. Bouncers are a must too. They can sit there for hours and fall asleep in it. Swings & jumpers - great fun for them. It's entertainment and exercise. Activity centers - little ones will be busy playing for hours too. Another must. Highchairs Essential since they can't sit at the table with you and you can contain the mess. Portable bed: Essential since these are not only great beds when you go away somewhere, they are also great playpens. They can be compacted into a carrying case. Diaper bags: You need to find the right size and style for you. Buy diapers in bulk - do not buy "newborn" size unless your child is a premie. Breasfeeding: Breast pump - we recommend the Medela Backpack for the working mom. A nursing pillow or boppy. Nursing bras, creams, pads. Bottle Feeding: About half a dozen bottles & nipples Bottle sterilizer Bottle cleaners, drying racks Bibs & burp cloths Safety & Baby Care Gates Baby monitor Household safety items - socket covers, soft corners, drawer locks, etc. Pacifiers & teethers Baby bathtub (babywash, shampoo, towel, washcloth, toys) Car shades Baby Clothes Toys Books & DVDs Music Really Useful Stuff submitted by Karen Duff First, what stroller? personally I am a big fan of McClaren - they are very portable, good range (and price range), parts are easy to find (try your bicycle shop if you need a new wheel etc). The new XLR takes a car seat so is usable for even a newborn - very handy to not have to buy a full recline for the newbie, then a bigger stroller for the toddler. The bugaboo is lovely, looks very comfortable for both newbie and older child and I see so many around they must have merit. but the price!!! and are they portable on the subway or in the back of a taxi??? For a winter newborn, the soft material slings (that wrap around you, not over the sholder) are very good . baby is snug and warm, and you have your hands free. For two kids I love the Phil and Teds. Extra parts (wheels etc) are available at their website so dont worry if it has a bit of wear and tear. The Buggy Board comes in really useful when the smaller child is too big for the under-seat (probably around 2). We have a basic McClaren plus Buggy Board and its doing very well for our two girls (4 and 2). Again, spare parts (straps can snap, especially in freezing weather) available online. Other useful things : a Pottette (plastic, fold up potty). You put a regular plastic bag in it, some tissues and keep it handy (its purse size) in case your toddler needs to pee etc when you are out (subway etc!!). Very, very useful. Nubby sippy/bottle: for toddlers - has a soft, sippy part. Makes the transition from baby bottle to sippy cup easy (CVS etc sells them) Brain Quest : both my daughters love them (they have them for 2 yrs old up to about 8). I actually get them to go to bed by asking them if they want to do "questions". I really do think these are good for logic/intellectual/vocabulary development. Baby Einstein: both my girls love BE (younger one now 2, still asks for it!). I doubt it will make them smarter, but they love the simple images when very young (3 months or so for baby Mozart, Baby Bach etc - check age range) and the find the puppets funny when older. Baby Old MacDonald was the absolute winner with both my two. IKEA kids stuff etc (eg. kids art supplies, bedding, picture frames, plants). Cant beat the price. Bath stuff: had great sucess with the colored water tablets, and the bath crayons (a bit messy though). Baby Shower Gifts submitted by Totsmom Most popular and easiest are the teddy bears and dolls First time parents need the essentials. Please refer to the "First Baby" list for some ideas. For the second baby, especially if it's the opposite sex, the parents would need things specific to that gender. If it's the same sex, clothes would be good since she would be wearing her sister's hand-me-downs. For an extra special touch, things like diaper cakes, décor items, personally knitted booties or blankets are more unique than your average bear. Albums, scrapbooks, photo frames are great since they will definitely be used. Personalized items if you know the baby's name. Initials for his/her room would be nice. Don't forget a little something for the mom! Great Bedtime Books submitted by Totsmom Goodnight Moon By Margaret Wise Brown Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton Noises at Night by Beth Raisner Glass Dr. Seuss Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber Snoozers: 7 Short Short Bedtime Stories for Lively Little Kids by Sandra Boynton The Boy Who Wouldn't Go to Bed by Helen Cooper Maisy's Bedtime by Lucy Cousins Top Items Under $20 submitted by Totsmom SwaddleMe Infant wrap Wearble blankets Body suits Head and Neck support Sunshade Shampoo Rinse Cup Bath toys storage Sunshade for the car Teethers Goodnight book Art Apron