Feeling overwhelmed w/planning

Melissa72777

I'm feeling overwhelmed with looking for baby stuff. I get sll excited thinking about stuff and pull up the babies r us site. I try to look up one thing then start thinking of something else then another and another. Before I know it I'm freaking out. How will we afford all of this? How do I know which brand/model/type to buy? How much of these things do I need? After all of this I just end up saying I can't deal with this anymore and play candy crush instead. Any other FTM's feeling like this?

BoogieMonster629

Put down the internet, sit, relax, take a deep breath. You have time, it will be ok. You can always ask us STM's for advice.

Yenemous

Yes! I went to babies r us with my mom the other day just to look around and as she's pointing out all the stuff ill be needing, I actually told her I felt overwhelmed. There's just so much to consider. I'm enjoying reading the threads where STM's give their opinion on what is actually needed vs what is a waste of money. That helps a lot.

amandapthompson

bearsbearsbears said:

Honestly, something that really helped me feel less overwhelmed was speaking to some of our friends who adopted a child.  They essentially were told that there was a baby ready for them to pick up from the hopsital in a few hours.

They ran to Target, picked up a pack and play, some blankets, diapers, wipes, clothes, and a car seat.

At the end of the day, there's really not much that you truly NEED.

Exactly. My DS slept in a pack and play til he was 6 months old. So you really don't even need a crib right away. I got a changing table at a garage sale or you can use the top of a dresser! Diapers, wipes, car seat, clothes, and bottles if not breast feeding. Those are the essentials.. Don't stress. You have so much time!!

HKline922

bearsbearsbears said:

Buy the book Baby Bargains--it really helped us narrow down the choices and know which products were top of the line and which were a good value and which were a complete waste of money.  It was invaluable when I was pregnant with my first.

Also, do you have any friends who have kids?  Ask them to help you register.  One of our friends helped us register (and we've helped our friends register as well) at BRU.  No one can tell you what worked as well as another parent.

I second the book Baby Bargains. It's good for a quick lookup on a product. It gives grade ratings, prices, websites and all types of info. I started my registry by going through one category at a time. Bedding and furniture, bathing, diapering, etc. Be sure to read reviews. Also, stay organized by printing their lists or make your own.

ClaireBear90

So many things can be bought secondhand. Ebay, thrift stores, yard sales, etc. That will help tremendously with cost. Don't limit yourself to Babies R Us . . . a lot of things can be found cheaper at places like Target, etc. Will you be having a baby shower? That was hugely helpful for me, especially because no one knew our baby's gender so people actually gave very practical gifts and not just tons of clothes!

I would start with the absolute basics: somewhere for your baby to sleep safely, blankets, diapers, wipes, generic rash cream, some sleepers, the carseat, etc.

From there you can move on to other helpful, but not completely necessary items. You have plenty of time.   Baby bedding is ridiculously overpriced and all you actually need (and are supposed to use) are fitted crib sheets. That's one way I saved a lot. I also borrowed a dresser from my family and a bassinet from friends.

candacedecker

bearsbearsbears said:

At the end of the day, there's really not much that you truly NEED.

This! My little sis has a one month old son and has a room overflowing with every kind of baby item imaginable. However, the baby sleeps in a bassinet in her room, and spends the rest of everyday in one swing, or in her arms. They use diapers, wipes, a couple bottles, and he wears onesies and socks that are washed every other day. Obviously a car seat and blankets, but the list is very short compared to what they prepared for... So far. We've got time to figure it out as we go