My wife and I have been blessed with 4 children: 3 boys and 1 girl. It’s sort of comical when I think back on how paranoid and anxious I was when our first was born.
It took me 15 minutes to get his onesie on because I was so ginger with his arms and legs. Little did I know he was mostly cartilage.
Fast forward to child number 4 and I no longer have that problem. I’ve learned a lot through 4 rounds of diaper changing, car seats, strollers and wipes.
As first time parents, there are a lot of things you just don’t know. One of those is when to splurge on a product versus when to buy generic.
If you’re about to be a first time parent, or are on the hunt for a gift for first time parents, don’t skimp on these 7 products.
New dads, this one’s for you.
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#1: Car Seat
This may seem obvious, but don’t buy a cheap (but nice looking) car seat from the yard sale down the street. For one, you don’t know if the car seat has been in a previous accident. And two, just like bologna, car seats have an expiration date.
Car seats aren’t created equal, so don’t go bargain hunting for the cheapest one. It’s one of the most important items a parent owns. Be sure to find one that’s high quality, convertible (rear and forward-facing) and attaches to a stroller.
#2: Stroller
I tend to be frugal. My wife calls it cheap. Before having kids, I was sure the only stroller I’d be buying was the one on sale at Walmart for $19.99. But this would’ve been a major mistake.
When you’re strolling around the zoo for 4 hours. Or are stuck at the Tanger Outlets all day while on vacation in Destin. You’re going to wish you had a nice stroller. Especially when you go to shove it in the back of the car at the end of the day.
Name brand strollers, such as City Mini, are nice because they fold up easily, have lots of storage and, most importantly, ride smoothly.
Ever pushed around a squeaky, uneven shopping cart that always veers left? Same reason you don’t want a cheap stroller.
#3: High Chair
High chairs are one of those items I recommend going middle of the road on. I wouldn’t buy the most expensive. But I also wouldn’t buy the cheapest. A high chair needs to do (or be) 3 things:
- Keep your baby safe and secure (seems obvious but some are better than others)
- Be easy to clean because there will be food stuck in every crevasse available
- Not be so large it takes up half the kitchen
I’m a fan of high chairs with no cloth or fabric because these are too hard to clean. A plastic or wood high chair with few cracks and crevasses is your best bet.
#4: Baby Swing
A baby swing is also a middle of the road product. But don’t buy too cheap because a good swing is as valuable as a good babysitter.
For the first 3 months of my oldest’s life, I bounced him to sleep every night on a yoga ball. I don’t want you to do the same.
A quality swing is essential because it’ll be the go-to when your baby is cranky and you’re exhausted. You may even find your baby napping in the swing more often than their crib.
#5: Pack and Play
We live 3 hours away from our closest family. So any traveling we do is an overnight stay. There’s nothing more miserable than traveling out of town and having your newborn baby or toddler not sleep.
And not all places you travel will have a crib, especially hotels. That’s why it’s important to invest in a decent pack and play. Plus, it’s one of those products that’ll last through multiple children. So buy a decent one.
#6: Baby Gate
My youngest just turned 3 years old and we’re still using a baby gate. A baby gate may not be one of the first things new parents think of, but it’s very important.
A baby gate provides peace of mind, especially if you live in a house with steps. Gates are thought of as a means to prevent a baby from wandering around the house. This is true. But the real value comes in preventing serious harm or injury.
The last thing you want as a new parent is to be cleaning up after breakfast and hear a loud thud followed by a tumble. So invest in a baby gate that secures to the wall. Yes, dads. This will require a drill and some screws.
#7: Glider Chair
Last but not least is the glider chair. New parents, if there’s anything you get from this article, it’s to not skimp on anything that’s related to sleep. Every minute of it will be precious, to both you and baby.
At some point, you’ll likely place a glider chair in baby’s room. A glider chair is essential because it’ll entice your newborn or toddler to go back to sleep quickly.
Also, if you fall asleep in it too it’s not so bad. Get yourself a decent glider chair and save yourself a few sleepless nights.
9 Products: Generic Brands Welcome
Now that we’ve covered those products you don’t want to skimp on, let’s take a look at some others where it’s okay to buy the cheaper version.
This last section is a catch-all for baby products most first time parents will purchase at some point in their parenting careers.
If you enjoyed this article, check out this post on 7 work from home essentials to increase comfort and productivity.
