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15 items you ACTUALLY need before baby comes
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{wrap} - photo by Tamsyn Valentine
Tamsyn Valentine
FamilyShare
Published: Apr 16, 2016, 5:09 PM
Once I became pregnant, I quickly realized how much stuff a baby required.

It seemed that everywhere I turned there was something or someone telling me that this thing was an absolute necessity for baby, or this thing, or that thing.

Not only did I become confused and overwhelmed, but so did my husband at the thought of how much we would need to spend on all of it.

Both of us were left to question: what really is ACTUALLY necessary for the survival of our new baby?

After a lot of research and advice from mothers who have really been through it, here is a list of your ride-or-die newborn baby stuff.

1. Car seat and stroller

In case you werent aware, they will not let you leave the hospital with your newborn baby unless you have a car seat already to go in your car. So obviously they top the list as something absolutely essential.

I put car seat and stroller in the same category because there happen to exist strollers with built in car seats that you can take out and put back in, which is genius in my opinion.

But a stroller is also very necessary, because although you may not leave your house a couple of weeks after the baby is born, you will have to get out eventually, and that little guy or gal is coming right along with you.

2. Swaddle blankets or receiving blankets

When I went to buy these I actually found out that these are also essential to taking your baby home from the hospital.

These blankets come in a lot of varieties from plain swaddle blankets to snap or Velcro ones.

Pick a couple different kinds to have in and out of the hospital and to see which ones your baby prefer, but you dont need to go overboard either. Many parents are tempted to get lots and lots, but it isnt really necessary.

3. Bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper

Guess what? Your baby will most likely not sleep in their crib for the first few months.

This will be because they will need to feed multiple times during the day or night, and it will be easier just to have them right next to you to do it.

That is why a bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper will become you and your babys new best friend, and make middle of the night feedings a lot more convenient.

4. Newborn carrier and infant carrier

These are both different and necessary items for baby.

For newborn babies many moms prefer baby wraps, which allow the baby to be both close to you and calm, and keep you hands free.

The infant carrier will be great for once your baby gets a little bigger, and for when its not as convenient to have them in the car seat or stroller.

5. Bouncer or baby seat

Although your baby will be so cute you will be tempted to never put them down, eventually you will have to.

A bouncer or a baby seat is a great place to put your baby while you are cooking, taking a shower, cleaning, or whatever activity that requires both arms.

It will be a peaceful place for them to sleep, and help you get a little rest as well.

6. Boppy, or nursing pillow

Even if dont plan on breastfeeding a boppy is essential for helping to prop your baby up and help them with tummy time. And if you do plan on breastfeeding the boppy is great for holding up your baby.

If you dont decide on the poppy per se, a nursing pillow is a must for nursing moms.

7. Basic burp cloths and bibs

In case you didnt know: babies throw up. A lot. So it is best to have both burp cloths and bibs handy so you wont be completely covered in baby vomit at all times.

8. Baby bottles

Even the moms who decide to breast-feed will need bottles.

Most babies outgrow the 4oz bottles pretty quickly so its best to go straight to the 8oz bottles.

9. Breast pump and accessories

Every list that I have seen, and every mom that I have talked to, say these are a must.

When looking at them they seem pretty pricey, but good news is most health insurance covers most of the cost.

Also getting nipple cream, breast pads, and nursing bras (at least one or two) are a must.

10. Lots and LOTS of diapers and wipes

Did you know the average newborn needs to have their diaper changed 6 to 10 times a day? Thats a lot of diapers!

This is why its essential to start stocking up now, so you can be prepared when the baby comes.

Along with all these diapers there needs to be wipes, which you also will use several in a day. So stock up on packs of these as well.

11. Changing pad

Changing pads are great for baby because it keeps them comfortable while you change them and keeps poop or pee off of other surfaces. And with the amount of diapers they go through, you know it will be used a lot throughout the day and night.

It is not necessary to get a changing table, just place the pad on top of a dresser or even the floor, or your bed will work.

12. Baby monitor

A baby monitor is a must-have for new babies, but even a pretty basic one will do the trick. If you want to splurge a little, video monitors are great, especially for the nervous new mom.

13. Baby bathtub

This is a must when it comes to newborns, and luckily there are some very nice and relatively inexpensive options out there.

Many also have the convenience of a newborn sling that can be removed once your baby gets bigger.

14. Pack-n-play or travel crib

Most moms I talked to swear by these and some have even said they used this instead of a crib the first couple of months.

Not only are these very convenient for the woman on the go, there are even some that come with changing pads and tables which can help you to save your money.

15. Baby clothes

Last, but certainly not least, baby clothes are an obvious must.

Refrain from buying too many newborn sized clothes because most babies grow out of them pretty quickly or never fit in them at all. Its best to stick to 0 to 3 months, or a variety of sizes.

Obviously there is not a problem with getting more than these bare essentials, but with this list at least you have a place to start.
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How to avoid 'sharenting' and other paparazzi parenting habits
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A recent study revealed parents often spend up to two hours staging a single photo of his or her child to post online. - photo by Amy Iverson
Amy Iverson
Deseret News
Published: May 16, 2018, 1:59 PM
Before having kids, some people just dont appreciate their friends baby posts. But after having a child of their own, three fourths of new parents jump right on the parental social media bandwagon. If you have become a member of this group, there are some rules to follow for posting responsibly.

Much of a parents worry is how to teach their children to use social media responsibly. We talk with our kids about privacy, oversharing, and setting restrictions on their devices to keep them safe. But parents themselves need to look in the digital mirror once in a while. Before having children, it doesnt take as much effort to think about what to post online. Its up to us to decide what we share about our own lives. But once you become a parent, there are many questions to think about regarding what is appropriate to post about your kids on social media.

In a recent survey, kids clothing subscription company Mac and Mia surveyed 2000 new parents to find out how they are documenting their kids lives on social media, and what concerns they may have.

First of all, people without children seem to feel a bit differently about the onslaught of baby pictures online than those who are parents. 18 percent of people say before they had kids, they were annoyed by their friends baby posts. But after having children of their own, 73 percent admit they post progress pictures of their little ones every single month.

Not only are new parents letting the world know each time their baby is a month older, but they are posting about their kids every few days or so. Men and women report they post 6-7 times per month about their baby.

And while 70 percent of new parents say the benefit of using social media is how easy it is to help family and friends feel involved, there are some downsides. Here are a few tips to avoid the pitfall of becoming paparazzi parents.

Dont miss the moment

In the Mac and Mia survey, some parents admitted to spending up to two hours to get the perfect shot of their baby. That seems a little extreme. New and old parents alike should be careful about spending so much time taking pictures and videos that they dont enjoy the moment. Years ago, I decided to never live an experience through my phone. A study by Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, found that when people took pictures of objects in an art museum, they didnt remember the objects as well as if they simply observed them.

This photo-taking impairment effect can happen to parents as well. If we are so consumed by getting the perfect photo, we can miss out on the moment all together, and our memory of it will suffer.

Dont forget about privacy

60 percent of couples say they have discussed rules and boundaries for posting their babys photos, according to the Mac and Mia survey. Even so, men are 34 percent more likely to publish baby posts on public accounts. If parents are concerned about their childrens privacy, keeping photos off of public accounts is a given.

In the Washington Post, Stacey Steinberg, a legal skills professor at the University of Florida, and Bahareh Keith, a Portland pediatrician, wrote that sharing too much information about kids online puts them at risk. They write that all that sharenting can make it easier for data thieves to target out kids for identity theft. Check that your privacy settings are where they should be and never share identifying information like full names and birth dates.

Dont be paparazzi parents

36 percent of parents say they take issue when their childs photo is posted online by someone else. Responsible social media users will always ask permission before posting a photo of another child. But parents should also think about whether their own children will take issue with their own posted photos a few years down the road.

When parents are constantly snapping pictures and throwing them on social media, it can be easy to forget to pause and make sure the post is appropriate. I always use the billboard example with my kids. I ask them to picture whatever they are posting going up on a billboard in our neighborhood. If they are okay with that, then their post is probably fine. Parents should ask themselves this same question when posting about their children. But they should also ask themselves if their child would be OK with this post on a billboard in 15 years. If it would cause embarrassment or humiliation, it might be best to keep it private.

Once children reach an appropriate age, parents should include them in the process of deciding what pictures are OK to post. Researchers at the University of Michigan surveyed 10- to 17-year-olds and found children believe their parents should ask permission more than parents think they should. The kids in the survey said sharing happy family moments, or accomplishments in sports, school and hobbies is fine. But when the post is negative (like when a child is disciplined) or embarrassing (think naked baby pictures or messy hair), kids say to keep it off social media.
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