There is a weird feeling in my feelings that I've used that photo before. Oh well… :/
This post should be prefaced with:
DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!
Baby blogs, baby shoppes, people in the street will tell you to buy a billion things you do not need.
I've written lists about baby stuff I've used and used and not used. All my lists can be found on the left hand side over there <<<. So here's a list of toddler things that I use and use. I know my homegirl Domestic Divinity did a similar post recently - check out her lists because they are v similar and she does mention a few things I haven't used but should/could use.
1. Ikea highchair - you do not need to buy anything else. No. Hose it down or wipe it down with baby wipes. Simples. It's cheap. Cheap is good.
2. Baby wipes. I like the Huggies ones. We also use Huggies nappies. I know there are endless debates on what's cheaper and works but I figure if it's not broken why try to fix it. Huggies have always worked for us. Baby wipes will clean your house. I have cleaned the whole house using baby wipes before. Also the interior of your car. Brilliant.
3. A decent pram. Everyone has different pram "wants". We had no idea what to get so I saw my sister in law in action with their pram and thought "that'll do". Who can really be bothered researching prams when you've got someone you trust that can show you theirs. I don't know what I'd do without our icandy. It folds up easily and has lots of space at the bottom for shopping/bag etc, it's become very dirty and wipes clean easily. Yay!
4. Angel Care Monitor. There are 2 schools of thoughts about monitors. People are either for them or totally against them. I can't hear O in the living room and Hamish is basically deaf from his Dj years so it was imperative for us. We also set it up the other night when O was sick as he had vomited so it was a good way for us to hear that.
5. Nurofen and Panadol. I'm not even kidding. Make sure you have these for teething/fevers. They happen and there is no point having your baby in pain.
6. Bubble bath. Shitty days happen, cranky dinner time happens - a bubble bath calms baby before bed. This is free of nasties and costs about $4 from your supermarket. Bingo!
7. Love To Dream sleeping bags. They can be machine washed, they are natural fibres. I know there are cheaper ones out there but a lot are polyester - not great.
8. Wine and coffee. Always. Always have both in supply and Champagne. Always. Also Beverly Hills 90210 reruns really hit the spot.
9. A library membership. Free books, an excuse to get out of the house that's all weather friendly. Priceless.
10. The best baby car seat you can get your mittens on. Plan for the worst. This is the one thing you really cannot be skint on. We bought the Safe and Sound Platinum.
11. Euro Trike. It's so much easier and lighter than the pram and great for trips around the block or a walk along the beach. Orlando's obsessed with his.
12. BOOKS. All the books. Classics. Flap. Cardboard. Soft. Bath. Picture. Word. ALL THE BOOKS.
13. Music. Essential. Not just kids music too we listen to all sorts of jams. Foxtel has a fantastic selection of radio stations.
14. Cruskits. I don't know what we would do without O's beloved cruskits.
Things we used but didn't realllllyyyyy need at the end of the day:
Bumbo Seat - we used it for about 5 minutes
Dummies - we used one for about 2 minutes
Nappy Bag - used it for maybe 4 months. It was handy, but not essential. If you want one buy it second hand.
Outdoor swing - used it for 1 month. Orlando's too long for it now.
Baby shoes - pointless, a nightmare to get on. They look cute though haahhaaha Better to invest in good shoes for when they have established their walking and want to trot around outside.
Baby classes - we never fell into the trap. Orlando will start some swimming classes etc maybe in Spring but for now he's happy hitting the pool with us and seriously doesn't have the learning capacity to take a class on board. Plus the financial commitment to turn up... Your local library will do music/story time - don't spend your precious clams on music/gym/play classes.
We had a baby rocker thing that didn't rock electronically… it was useless. We used it for about 30 seconds and then sold it. If we have another bebe I'll totes get an electronic one that does something cool so I can have a NB in the bathroom while I shower as I imagine Orlando at that stage will want to poke/prod/annoy/squeeze his sibling to no end.
TOO MANY NEWBORN CLOTHES!! If you buy someone who is pregnant clothes for the bebe - buy them for 12 months down the track (make sure they are in season). They grow out of NB stuff in about a week, maybe 2.