What New Parents Really Need

I'm part of a great, "crunchy" group on Facebook, and so many ideas are shared.  A recent topic that was shared, yet that doesn't yet apply to me is that of being a new parent.  While I'm in wedding planning mode, I thought that these tips merited putting them into a list and stashing them away for another day:

• Books
• The Girlfriends Guide to Baby Bear  ("really helpful in that regard. they go right to the point about what is needed vs. what is just marketed to new parents") 
• The Minimalist Mom's Guide to Baby's First Year by Rachel Jonat
• Classic Basics
• place to sleep
• pack-n-play with bassinet attachment
• some prefer a Moses basket
• diapers and wipes
• baby bathtub (or a clean sink)
• onesie outfits
• food (typically milk source of some sort)
• carseat
• stroller
• Cloths/Blankets
• swaddle blankets (I love Aden and Anais)
• burp cloths 
• baby-friendly (sensitive skin) soap
• diaper bag or backpack
• changing pad
• baby-friendly washcloths
• comfy+safe chair when holding baby
• Additional Baby Furniture
• Fisher Price Rock n Play
• Serves purpose of swing, bouncer, and bassinet 
• Folds up for easy storage
• Bouncy chair for them to nap in that vibrated
• Travel crib and/or umbrella stroller if you travel a lot
• High chair
• Bumbo
• May Be Worth It
• Other clothes
• button shirt (depending on how long it takes for newborn to lose the belly button cord)
• drawstring sleep sacks
• baby leg warmers and/or socks
• hat
• wrap type carrier is nice to have
• many point out that it's better to borrow one to try to see if the baby (and you) likes it first.
• Ex. Ring sling, Moby wrap, a homemade wrap, Ergo carrier
• blanket or mat for tummy time (or a play gym)
• Pacifier
• baby monitor
• "angel care is a great brand. It will give you peace of mind to know baby is breathing. If baby stops breathing, it will sound an alarm." 
• If nursing
• Nursing pads
• Nursing tank tops
• Post-birth: nursing bras
• hand-held pump
• helpful for engorgement
• lanolin
• freezer bags for extra milk storage (if using bottles, too)
• If using bottles
• bottles
• freezer bags
• 
  
• Tips
• Embrace your local thrift store!
•  You can always ask someone to borrow something for a few months to see if you use it or not. 
• Easy on the toys.