Preventing Baby Clutter

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Started 1 year ago by HelofaMess
Latest reply from karenmcgowan
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HelofaMess
Member

Hi everyone,

This isn't a question on uncluttering so much as preventing clutter from entering our lives. We live in Beijing and are due our first child at the start of next year. As such we're pretty much having to buy EVERYTHING from our home countries and buy in bulk to make sure things are of appropriate safety standard or are simply not available here or are only very expensive here. Having gone through every single list I can get my hands on for what I *need* to buy pre baby I'm very concerned about buying something, lugging it over here and never using it. I don't want to waste money or clutter my house.

So... does anyone have ideas on stuff I absolutely don't need? What did you buy that you never used for your babies (I'm thinking under 6 months)? What was essential that might be considered an "extra."

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Also, none of my friends, here or at home, have had children recently so none of them have stuff they can pass on to me. Everything is going to have to be purchased new and delivered or I'll need someone kindly on ebay to post over to me!

Posted 1 year ago #
misskittin
Member

Erin recently posted a 3 in one baby gadget it was a highchair, swing and bassinet I think. Also, it depends on the lifestyle you are choosing to have with your baby. For example if you are breastfeeding you won't have all the clutter of bottles and formula. Added bonus: breastfeeding is way healthier for your baby! Then your other considerations are whether you really *need* a crib. Some parents choose to cosleep, and choose not to even have a crib or bassinet, so that's a huge cluttering item gone. Here's some safe cosleeping tips http://babyparenting.about.com/od/sleeping/a/cosleep_2.htm Do you need a changing table? Not really, it's easy to put a blanket down on the floor and change your baby. There's lots of parenting specific message boards that also have subforums that talk about clutter. Mothering.com comes to mind. What do you really and truly need for the first 6 months? Some onesies, some outfits, some diapers, some blankets, a carseat if you have a car, child safety proofing around the house; cupboard locks, toilet lock, electrical outlet covers. That's pretty much it, but you've been heavily marketed to think you need more.

Posted 1 year ago #
karenmcgowan
Member

misskittin has a great list here, i'd just add a stroller and maybe a sling or front carrier. we used our travel crib/playpen a ton, but we did a lot of traveling. skip the infant bathtub - a folded towel in the tub works great. some purchases will depend on your choices (breast/bottle, cloth/disposable diapers) and others will depend on your baby's temperament. all of ours were terrific overnight sleepers, but were very alert most of the day and didn't nap much - they spent a lot of time in the swing or car seat where they could sit and watch everything happening around them. other babies demand to be held all of the time or are colicky, etc. a sling or front carrier come in really handy for these kiddos.

one other recommendation - get a decent camera/camcorder. we didn't have a camcorder until after our third and never really had a great camera for any of our four kids' childhoods. we have lots of photos which i really love, but they aren't great quality. even now, at 13, 14, 19 & 21, they love to look at baby pictures and videos.

congrats and enjoy your baby!

Posted 1 year ago #

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