What to Get for an Expectant Parent

When you have a newborn, there is just so much to do. If it's your first one, you have so many worries. You've never had a baby - what do you buy?. What items are essential and which products are best?

Every year, consumers spend millions of dollars on baby products. Here, you will get a start on what are the best products to buy for the expectant parent as a gift. This is a personal account from a mom and dad who had a baby not too long ago.

Swing
When we went shopping for our swing, it was match made in heaven! We didn't have to look long. My wife knew immediately which swing she wanted. Ocean Wonders Aquarium Swing from Fisher-Price still has her heart. This was the ultimate swing for her and the baby. Here is the list of features:

• Winner of JPMA Innovation Award 2003
• Swings front to back and side to side - Wife loved this for baby
• Battery-operated, aquarium-themed globe
• Globe includes music, lights, bubbles, fish, water sounds - This was a wonderful feature!
• Eight songs
• Sounds include crashing waves, rain, bubbling brook
• Volume control - This was a nice feature!
• Six swing speeds
• Two-position seat recline - A baby and mommy favorite.
• Moving mobile with four dangling plush toys
• Removable tray with toy bar - This was ok. We didn't really use this.
• Rear storage pouch for toys and supplies -We didn't really find this too helpful.
• Removable, washable plush seat padding
• Built-in infant head support -We liked this, but honestly our tyke didn't like the swing until she was two months old
• Swing positions adjust easily - That was a family favorite.
• Folds for storage - Well, not very easily.
• Requires 4 D batteries, not included
• 28"L x 34"W x 42"H
• Weighs 20 1/2 lbs.

For our little baby, this was the Cadillac of swings. The adjustable swinging positions was so nice. Even if the baby didn't notice, it was a great peace of mind for my wife to be able to give our little bundle a variety. The music, lights and optional waves were fantastic. There are two features that my wife loved the most about this swing. The swing had a swivel option, where my wife could be in two rooms over making dinner; swivel the baby and swing at a 90 degree turn; and our baby could see her.

Due to muscle loss in my wife's arms, she can't pick up or pull things heavier than 5 or 10 pounds. She was able to do this in her sleep. However, my wife's favorite feature on this swing - which you won't find in any handbook - is the base of the swing. A lot of swings have a triangular base, making it difficult for my wife to get up to it in her wheelchair. The way the legs stand on the Ocean Wonders Aquarium Swing from Fisher-Price made it super easy for her to slide underneath the legs. The fact that the swing swivels, caused her to be able to put the swing exactly where she wanted to place the baby, instead of having to adjust to the limitations of the product. So if you know of anyone who uses a wheelchair and is having a baby, you should definately consider getting this product for them!

You can find this at babycenter.com for $94.99, with free shipping.

Bouncer
Incidentally, the next recommendation is going to be another Fisher Price item. I was researching the Ocean Wonders Aquarium Swing from Fisher-Price to refresh myself of some of the features it had and bumped into The Aquarium Take-Along Swing. This seems like a neat product. We didn't own this one. Instead we had the Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer by Fisher-Price which we absolutely loved! However, if this product were available at the time, we'd definitely have this one.

The most attractive thing I see about this product is how portable it is. Unfortunately for babies, they don't have much to do when they go to gatherings … other then get passed around. This bouncer with Fisher-Price's aquatic theme has two play fish tanks on the sides. As the baby swings, fish swim and water sloshes, providing endless delight. There's also a dangling fish that your baby can tug for lights and music. Other features include:
• Folds compactly for portability
• Eight swing speeds
• Plays classical music and soothing aquatic sound effects
• Two water-filled play fish tanks on sides
• Water sloshes and fish swim with swing's movements
• Two dangling aquarium-themed toys, one with pull-activated lights and music
• Pivoting three-position carrying handle
• Removable, washable seat padding
• Non-slip feet hold swing firmly in place
• Requires four C batteries (not included)
• Dimensions: 23 1/2"L x 18 1/2"W x 27"H
• Weighs about 11 lbs.

You can find this at Fisher-price.com for $65.00.

We really love Fisher-Price's customer service. We had received Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer from our aunt as a shower gift, and didn't use it until after the baby was two months old. The product worked for awhile and then all of a sudden stopped. We called Fisher-Price and we were able to return it no questions asked. We didn't have to pay for shipping and handling to return the product nor to receive a new one. We will always stand by their product due to their customer service.

Gift Cards, Gift Cards, Gift Cards
While there are a million other items you could get for that little one and the expectant parent, don't think gift cards are not appreciated! Even though everyone loves to tear open pretty little packages, gift cards are so needed. A lot of times parents will get nice gifts, but there are more items that didn't make it into the gift registry. Maybe they didn't know what to register for because of the fact they've never had a baby before.

Two stores I strongly suggest are Babies R Us and Wal-mart. Even though its an overwhelming store, Babies R Us truly has cornered the market in displaying the wonderful products. As brand new parents, we had no clue what to do or where to go. They had a very nice workshop for expectant parents. You could go before the store opened, eat a light breakfast and learn the basics of baby products. Not to promote certain ones, but more to explain what to look for. I remember one thing they went over were mattresses. They explained certain types and what may be best for one in your home versus one in Grandma's home - where the baby will spend a good amount of time, but not all the time. So perhaps you don't want to spend $200 on a mattress for Grandma's house. Wal-mart is always a safe bet for items.

So as your'e pondering what to buy for that parent expecting their bundle of joy, please keep these items in mind. Oh and don't forget the gift cards!