Gear that Grows with Your Child

With the economy the way it is now, you always want to make sure that with everything you buy, you're going to get good use of it. This can be a very easy thing to work with when it comes to your growing baby, especially in the first year. Most first time parents receive a nice suggestive registry list from their local baby store, which recommends getting everything under the sun. A lot of these products that are recommended will actually sit in your babies closet until you get to the point where you say "well, he or she is too old now; we'll save it for the next one." Unfortunately, you'll never use that product, even if you have 10 children. Therefore, you'll want to purchase items that will grow with your child in the first year and won't have to plant itself in your closet until well after your child's first birthday.

Here is a list of great items to put on your registry that will lead you to say at your little one's first birthday "Wow! Good thing we bought this, we got great use out of it."

1. Boppy Pillow - This great pillow can have many different uses and purposes. Its main purpose is to rest on mom's lap while breastfeeding to allow her and the baby to be comfortable during feeding time. This pillow is always great for formula fed babies, and for when you want to keep your baby propped up while laying down. As the baby gets older, it's great for tummy time, by placing the baby on their stomachs on top of the Boppy; it allows them to strengthen their neck. As they move on in the year, you'll want to place the Boppy around them when they start sitting independently; it prevents the bumps and bruises of falling over. The great part about the Boppy pillow is the zip on covers it comes with or you can get independently. For the millions of spit up scenes you'll go through, you'll want something you can wash often. My 9 month old is still using his Boppy every day, and I would highly recommend it to any parent.

2. Bumbo - The Bumbo chair doesn't come into play until around the 3-4 month mark, it is a special chair that helps your child strengthen their neck muscles and sit them up with support. Eventually their necks become strong and they use this great little chair to play on the ground before they can sit independently. Another great use for this chair is that you can buy a tray accessory to turn the chair into a highchair. It's much easier to travel with a Bumbo then an entire highchair. One other great way to use this Bumbo in the later stages of your baby's first year is in the bathtub, before you are comfortable with them sitting independently, putting them in the Bumbo in the tub can make for an easier experience. Just don't even leave them in their Bumbo without supervision. They can flip with enough force.

3. Transitional Bathtub - Buying a bath tub that can angle up for a newborn and flatten for an older baby to sit up would be the best investment when it comes to bathtubs.

4. Transitional Highchair - There are some great highchairs that recline into 4 or more different positions to assist your baby with becoming more comfortable in the chair. It's important to keep the chair upright when feeding your child solid foods.

5. Jumper - You can find a great jumper like the Jumperoo that can grow with your child from 3-4 months and up. The height can adjust as your baby grows, and it's a great workout for their legs, and its great stimulation for their minds with the many toys the most entertainment jumpers come with. My little one has been in love with his from 3 months and is still going strong with it at 9 months.

When you're purchasing items for your child, always keep in mind that longevity is the answer to all financial problems. You want to get the most of your dollar, so following these great tips will save you some money in the first year of your child's life.