Must-Have Items for Your Baby's Nursery

With so many baby products out there, deciding what you do and don't need can overwhelm expectant parents. Some are obviously necessary, some are valuable conveniences, and some are just fluff.

Not every new mom can afford to deck her nursery out with every available luxury. As a new mother, I myself felt that I needed to keep my nursery minimal. I purchased my needs before having my baby and only a few wants.

As you put together a bare necessities nursery list, consider my top ten recommendations for newborn must haves.

Baby Sling or Carrier: Even though that gorgeous newborn seems feather light, they can put strain on your back and shoulders after a while. Even worse is trying to haul around a newborn in a bulky infant car seat. I found a front carrier more useful than a stroller in my baby's first months because I could use it around the house as well as on outings and when walking with the baby.

Baby Tub: Yes, you could bathe your baby in the kitchen sink or family bathtub. However, keeping in mind that as many germs live in those places as in your toilet, would you bathe an infant with virtually no immune system in the toilet? Plus, it can be awkward to hold onto your baby while you bend over the side of a full size bathtub. An infant tub makes a much better option. I like the Soothing Spa and Shower Baby Bath by Summer Infant (babysrus.com) because it has a massaging spa and a gentle shower that will help calm your new baby.

Health care Kit: You can find several different health care and grooming kits at Wal-Mart. Try to pick one that contains nail clippers, nail files, medicine spoons and droppers, and a thermometer. The rest is just extra.

Natural Baby Wash: When most people think about baby shampoo or baby bath, they think of brands like Johnson's and Baby Magic. Do your homework though, these brands contain a lot of chemicals I wouldn't want my newborn splashing around in. Try a naturally based alternative instead. I use Koala Kids Body Wash (melaleuca.com) on my son but I also like Avalon Baby Bath by Avalon Organics (amazon.com).

Lotion: Again, think before springing for Johnson's, even if they call it natural. A great lotion for your whole family is Melaleuca's Renew Lotion (melaleuca.com). This fantastic lotion did wonders for my son's eczema and my dry skin. If you really want a lotion just for baby though, try Avalon Baby Lotion by Avalon Organics (amazon.com).

Flannel Receiving Blankets and Burp Cloths: These home made blankets are softer and warmer than the store variety, but the real value is in the burp cloth. The terry burp cloths that I received for my baby shower were useless. Spit up went right through. These thicker, softer burp cloths will protect your clothes and are soft on your baby's skin. Follow the instruction on http://www.trishscrafts.com/receiving_blanket.html.

Mam Pacifiers and Holders: I always watch moms chasing the pacifier their newborn spit on the floor and looking for a way to clean it off. I wonder why they don't get a strap for that thing. That's why I like Mam Pacifiers (available at Wal-Mart). They come with a strap that clips to the baby's clothes at one end, and holds a ring that slips over the button style paci at the other end. Don't worry if your baby gets hooked on a handle style binky at the hospital. These straps are sold separately and the ring is held can be taken off the Velcro loop so you can attach the handle of the pacifier instead.

Digital Camera: Don't miss the cutest picture ever because you ran out of film! If you haven't gotten into the twenty-first century yet, you can't afford to wait any longer. The other advantage, if you take a billion pics and only have the funds to develop a million, you can store the rest on your computer and enjoy them until you have prints made. Prints are easy to order from sites like snapfish.com and others.

Graco Pack and Play: This is a must have for every mom. The Graco Pack and Play is a play yard, bassinet, and changing table in one. It's such a great portable bed that it's absolutely essential for traveling. Save yourself space by forgoing a full size changing table or even if you have a big one, this changing station can come in handy at your bedside for night time changes. It was the absolute best investment I made.

Baby Sleepers: Lots and Lots of them. If you're like me, you'll buy a hundred cutesy outfits, you're baby will go through about fifty a day, and you'll be fed up with the hassle in no time. Simple sleepers are great for staying home and lounging and they're easy to change in case of a leaky or blow out diaper.

Now that you have a basic checklist for your basic nursery, you should have a much easier time shopping for your bundle of joy. Of course you'll need a bit more than what's on this list, but remember, keep it simple and you life with your new baby will be blissful.