I agree with Hillary's comment about the swing. Both of my kids loved them for over a year and I got mine at a yard sale for about $5. Someone actually offered to donate one to me right after I bought the yard sale one! Also, while I agree kids shouldn't watch regular TV in general... Baby Einstein videos are quiet, colorful and really hold the attention of a baby/toddler for when you need a bit of a break. (and you'll need it!) Another good yard sale or Craigslist find.

We never bought a crib for either baby, but did the "family bed" thing and then moved the kids into a toddler bed in the same room, then eventually their own bed in their own room. We borrowed a cradle for our first for a few months, but weren't really using it. Good luck!

I've been known to proclaim that new babies need nothing more than diapers, burp rags (aka cloth diapers) and blankets, as long as the blankets are the stretchy waffle-weave type that can be used to swaddle the wee dear. Swaddling saved my life. Seriously, look into it.

If you're going to be using cloth diapers, then a Genie/Champ/whatever isn't going to help you anyway. But if you're using disposables, you might change your mind. Or not. But maybe, especially when the babe starts solids...ew, boy.

And the wipe warmer may seem really, really crazy, but some babies scream bloody murder when anything cooler than body temp touches their body. Sure, we do fine with toilet paper, but we're not fresh-from-the-womb infants, either. I think warm wet washcloths are a better choice anyway.

I didn't buy a changing table for my son until he was 9 months old. We went with the floor/bed route until I realized that I had another possibly 2 years of diaper changing and I was already really tired of bending over. The changing table is just the right height, and I couldn't believe that I'd spent a whole 9 months without one. That's just me, though.

I'd say start with the minimum, and it sounds like that is your plan. Then, if (OK, when) you run into a dilemma, let your friends with kids know--they've either got a solution that they'll lend you or they know someone who does.

Good luck, and congratulations!

BTW--I SO agree with Hillary on the high chair. We had one, but rarely used it. We used the booster seat with removable tray, strapped to a regular chair. When your child is ready to sit at the table, you continue to use the seat without the tray.

I disagree about the wipes warmer. My baby wailed when we changed her diapers before we used the warmer. Splash your rear with room temperature water - feels pretty chilly on that very sensitive skin. It's about getting the right one though, you want the Munchkin brand. The others require you to put a moistened pad in the bottom. Lots of maintenance and if that pad dries out you scorch the wipes.

A changing table will save your back!

For #8; does that really exist? I thought it was only on The Simpsons!!

Something that you not only don't need, but will drive you crazy: any of the myriad of baby/toddler products that make electronic noises (beeping, songs, animal noises, repetitive phrases, announcing letters of the alphabet). Educational or not, these things are the inventions of satan. Plus, they cost money. Make sure relatives know such actively useless gifts are discouraged!

Another big waste of money for us: a nice crib. As the baby also slept in our room... for years, as it turned out.

You do need quite a few clothes for your baby, given that they will throw up and poop all over half a dozen outfits a day, for a while. The key is to get them in bigger sizes so they will last a few months. 6-12 mos. is good instead of newborn.

crib was a waste for co-sleeping parents. lol

everything was.

we should have gotten only: travel system, sling, onesies, dipes/wipes and bought the rest as we went.

Even the most pared-down "must-have" list is going to recommend too much, as far as I'm concerned. My daughter is two now, and I wish we'd taken back/not bought 90% of the stuff we got for her before she was born and 75% of the "must-haves" we accumulated during her first year. I guess it's a rite of passage for first-time parents to over-equip in these modern times. We did love the swing, though - the Papasan one - it was worth every single penny. The $5 yard-sale bouncy seat was also a life-saver. And you are right about #3; TV is not recommended for babies.

I agree with comment #15 about the burp cloths and receiving blankets. I found burp cloths to be pretty much completely useless - half the time, the fabric they're made from (fleece, designer quilting cottons, jersey, and even the good 'ol gauze) can't absorb quick enough, so you're holding this cloth out while baby puke runs down it and onto your pants anyway. Plus, it's one more thing to carry around/have around the house and you will be up to your eyeballs in junk anyway. Unless you've got a heavy-duty puke machine, the cheapie 10-pk of baby washcloths will do just fine. The "baby" part does matter on the washcloths, though; the adult terry ones are too big to get in all babies' little folds and crevices. People looooove to give blankets, receiving or otherwise, but you really only need a couple. That goes for pretty much everything, actually. And people will give you clothes. Clothes and clothes and CLOTHES. We begged people not to give us clothes, begged and pleaded and explicitly said "We're all set on clothes, thanks anyway..." and still wound up with SIX jumbo plastic Rubbermaid tubs full - just in 0-12m sizes. Do not listen to them when they say "oh, you'll go through so many changes of clothes..." It's just not true - unless they're a hardcore barfer (see above) or you're in the wrong size diaper and having blowouts every time they poop, babies don't get very dirty most of the time.

My kids would ONLY sleep in a swing for the first 6-9 months, no lie. Well worth the $. Also I would agree with the others and buy a cheap changing pad that will strap on a dresser or whatever. Well worth it to have a space where all the diapers, wipes, clothes are. Imagine you are changing a diaper at 2 am after being up for the last 20 hours straight. You will need a spot you can just stagger over to.
Also I highly recommend the Medela microwave steam bags ($6 for 4) Each last for 20+ uses and you can steam clean just about anything: bottles, nipples, pacifiers, breast pump parts. Well worth it!

We had triplets on May 28th. A girl and two boys. They are still in the hospital so I haven't much experience in what works and what doesn't. Someone bought us little mesh bags to put fruit in and says their child loves to suck the fruit juice...ok, I guess. I also understand that they make little doodle covers for boys to cover their privates so they don't spray everywhere when you change them. I would have to say that this would definitely be one of those "do without" products. Use a cloth instead. That I have learned at the hospital as they will let us change their diapers.

Congrats on the baby! Now, brace yourself for the avalanche of advice you appear to have invited.

You don't need a bottle warmer, either. All they do is teach your child to only take a warm bottle. IMO better to have baby be flexible.

You don't need a "tummy time mat" or some $80 BS that is essentially a waterproof blanket. The cheap workaround is a waterproof pad designed to protect a crib mattress, with a cotton blanket on top.

The first time I went into babies-r-badspellers to register I had to leave. It was too much, and I had no idea what I needed. I adopted the great-grandmother-rule then: If my great-grandmother didn't have it, then I should think thrice as to whether I wanted it.

Put on your list: Onesies extenders. If you're a runner or plan to walk / be outdoors much, a good jogging stroller (better than BRU carries). A quality crib mattress is another thing you want, one that will last through the toddler bed.

You can get practically everything baby oriented on craigslist. Usually for half of BRU price or less.

My daughter (now 4.5 months) HATES having stuff pulled over her head. Clothing that snaps or zips up the side is a big hit around here. She also hated the swing. A favored toy is an arch that goes over her and has toys hanging down that she bats at, grabs, etc. I think it's called a play gym. Another favorite of hers has been a mobile. Her #1 toy, tho, is a napkin with a chili pepper print that is black, red, green and white. At varying stages, she looks at it, reaches for it, bats at it, and stuffs it in her mouth. Although the napkin has recent competition from a food wrapper ...

I mostly change my daughter on my bed or in her crib. No pad, no special cover, she's only peed on me once during a change and I don't think it would happen again. And I don't wipe her after every pee diaper. IMO it's not necessary and would just dry out her skin.

We use cloth diapers (and cloth wipes). My spouse and I made the cloth diaper choice because we feel it is both the frugal and green choice, and because we believe it is healthier for our daughter to wear cloth diapers. So far it has been easy, she hasn't had a diaper rash, and it really is super cheap. Despite all the fancy cloth diapers out there, frankly we prefer prefolds and covers, although we have some pocket diapers that we use when we're out and about. Anyway, while a lot of folks go EEEW, POOP!, cloth diapering, whether you buy your own or use a diaper service, is something to consider. I'd be happy to point you in lots of directions on this subject.

Book for you: Baby 411.

Books for her: Thinking 'It's just an infant what does she know' I waited under mine was 13 weeks to begin to read to her. And her reaction was OMG BOOK! She loved it instantly. I regret not starting sooner. Even now, if she is screaming her fool head off, putting a book in front of her and reading to her will get to calm down and pay attention to the book. Board books are good because she can flail and grasp at them without worrying about a papercut. And of course, as she's hungry for knowledge ... chew on them.

12 years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, I bit the bullet and spent $75 on a Baby Bjorn baby pack. Best baby money I spent! I used the pack regularly, including on a five hour flight with a layover when my son was only two months old. Being able to keep baby close in front and have my hands free to pull the suitcase and access my ticket was SO helpful, plus it kept my back from aching with the design. Baby faces you in this front pack until he/she is able to hold the head up. Then you place them facing out, so they can see the world. I could vacuum, shop, travel, walk, and more with my Baby Bjorn and keep my baby close and cozy. The Baby Bjorn is completely machine washable, comes in a lot of patterns (now), and wears well. I passed mine along to my cousin, and she's still using it on baby #3, 12 years later.

I skipped the swing and changing table, too. Instead, I had changing "stations" in the rooms we spent the most time in--a towel or blanket, wipes, diapers, and a couple of plastic grocery bags in a basket. Worked like a charm. Without a swing, we were given a bouncy chair that vibrated--priceless! It kept my son so happy that we actually bought a second one for travelling/our bedroom. He was completely mellow in that chair, even when he was sick.

Wastes? The car charging bottle warmer, the bassinet (bought new, used three weeks--buy used!), and the Diaper Genie. Spend money on bibs and socks instead--I never had enough of those!

I think you should wait until "a problem" arises. Fussiness, not being able to take a shower, whatever. Then try to find a solution for your baby. Not every baby needs everything out there on the market, but some parents will find there is something that is a lifesaver. Wait until you need to find a solution or something that will help your individual need and leave everything else behind. You will find one thing you won't need and that is ADVICE from other people about how they did it. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

Oh baby, the expectant parents' dilemma.

Well, contrary to all the commenters here, I have to say that we found the swing completely useless with both of my kids. They hated it, just hated it. So at the very least, I recommend not buying it until the baby is already there, and you can test it and, if it's a no-go, return it to the store.

I would also recommend against buying receiving blankets. Most of them are too small to be useful for swaddling anyway. The best swaddling blankets we had were cut out of a very cheap set of flannel sheets. Oh, and the pillowcases from that set made excellent changing pad covers.

The one thing I absolutely could not do without is a sling. And the best one in my opinion (and I've tried them all and then some) is a stretchy wrap, like a Moby wrap. It's cheaper than bjorn and is much more versatile -- you can wrap it any which way, you can use it with babies the first day they of their life and they will last longer than the bjorn also. They work with a person of any size, and I've yet to meet a baby that didn't like them. They may look daunting at first, but aren't at all -- there are tons of videos on youtube showing how to wrap one in seconds. And having a sling, you can actually skip a stroller (I know I have with my second child :) ).

more information than you wanted is at www.babywearer.com -- it's a great site to browse.

Now for more things we didn't use:

-- wipe warmer (have yet to understand why one needs it)

-- crib mobiles (our kids didn't like lying there watching them)

-- cribs (although that's a very personal decision. We did have a crib, but our kids made their decision known very unequivocally)

-- baby lotions/shampoos/etc. Babies are actually great at regulating their personal hygine if you make sure that their diaper is clean and you wash them with water periodically.

-- infant car mirrors (the kind you supposedly use to see whether your baby is asleep when they are in a rear-facing car seat. It's a hazard in case of accidents, and it's a distraction at best).

-- shoes, just like you say. Clothes that are cutesy in an adult way. Really, you don't want to try to get your newborn into a pair of jeans.

-- diaper bags, expensive strollers, rocking chair, etc.

I have to agree on everything except the diaper genie. I guess it depends on your living conditions but in a high rise condo there is no "outside trash" that is easy to get to. I found the diaper genie contained odors well as long as you emptied it out every 2 or 3 days. I could see that this would be a waste if you lived in a home or somewhere you could easily/quickly access an outside trash bin.

All you really NEED for a newborn are sleepers, some light blankets for swaddling, diapers & wipes of some kind, and a comfortable place to sit while nursing. And some kind of carrier/stroller, and a car seat. And baby wash and nail nippers. And if it's *my* baby, a prescription for Zantac and a dozen or so bibs.

1. Too many tiny baby clothes - So true. You really only need a half-dozen sleepers and another half-dozen outfits. But baby clothes are so cute, nobody sticks to that.

2. Baby shoes - until they're walking, they can wear socks, unless it's cold and they're going outside.

3. "Educational" DVDs for babies - waste of money, although my 5-year-old used to watch Baby Einstein DVDs to get to sleep.

4. Changing table - they make $20 "changing pads" that you can attach to the top of a dresser. We've been using ours for 5.5 years now, so it was a great investment, even if you factor in 3 $10 terrycloth covers.

5. Wipe warmer - you can scrunch the wipe in your hand for a few seconds to warm it up if the coldness bothers your baby.

6. Nursery decoration - cute, but a total waste of money, given how fast they grow.

7. Swing - not needed, except when it is. Our first baby never swung. Second baby - lifesaver. Some babies just love being in motion, and if they can't swing, they expect YOU to provide it.

8. WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer - no comment.

9. Diaper Genie - when you're taking care of a newborn, you don't have time to make a special trip outside 10 times a day, which is approximately how often they poop. But a Diaper Champ or other sealed waste receptacle that uses regular garbage bags is more economical than the Diaper Genie. Both will eventually stink, because that's what happens when you mix plastic with poop.

I had both my babies while I was still in grad school, so our equipment was pretty minimal. In fact, my daughter was born while I was doing fieldwork in Bolivia, and her accoutrements were extremely minimal! (A big woven basket to park her in before she started crawling, a walker to park her in after she started crawling, a big cloth square that served as a multi-position sling, and a frame backpack).

With my son, though, we did have a few of the traditional "baby things," and I'm in agreement with the majority that a swing can be very useful, as is the booster seat w/tray alternative to a space-hogging high chair (and you can take it with your to grandma's/auntie's etc.) We also had a doorway jumper that he really loved and that would keep him entertained for 15 or 20 minutes sometimes, which is an eternity with a 6-month old.

The other thing that I wouldn't do without is one or more types of body carriers. A sling or soft front carrier is great when they are little and need a lot of carrying around and soothing (I'd recommend a sling if you're nursing). Once they're sturdy enough, a backpack carrier is so much easier than a stroller! I just don't understand the appeal of these monster strollers (I guess for the same reason I don't really understand SUVs). Once your toddler is old enough to be a burden in a backpack, they should be toddlin', not strollin'!

Shopping cart liners/covers are an exasperating waste of time & money! Let's not forget what the immune system is designed to do! And those things are so darned difficult to insert into a shopping cart that you're only likely to attempt it once or twice before throwing in the towel.

Some babies are really helped by swings. It saved my sanity with my second child and it became part of her nap routine.

The three most valuable items for me were:

1. Front wrap carrier (adjustable as baby grows)
2. Back carrier (gets you through museums and stores in half the time - for use when baby is older and curious)
3. Swing

None of these were cheap. Then again, if you save your money by not buying all the other stuff....

By the way, I've noticed a lot of people (and we fell victim with the first) buy or want THREE strollers: an "off-road", an umbrella and a regular one that the car seat can click into. A lot of money can be saved by buying one compact one that is strong and your child can mainly use when they are a bit older. Until then, babies would rather snuggle into the wrap carrier anyhow.

I just had my first child 4 months ago and there are a few things on your list I would say are well worth the money.
#1. The diaper genie. You don't necessarily need to shell out the money for the actual diaper genie, but I would at least get a diaper champ. On several occasions my son has woken up and filled a diaper (or overfilled). Then while I have him on the changing table he proceeds to squirt out a few more gallons of lovely, watery baby poop. At this time, you don't have the time to run the large pile of paper towels, wipes, diapers, and changing pad covers to the outside trash. Your hands will be full trying to keep your child out of the large pile of poop they just produced (did I mention it's very watery). Having some sort of trashcan nearby is a necessity, and one that contains the smell is a plus.
#2. Changing table; see above comment. Babies can produce some crazy messes when you take those diapers off. Even when you think they're done, they're not. Also, if you're really lucky, that watery substance will come exploding out and across the room. At times like this, it's easier to clean a changing table pad than the carpet, bed, etc. We didn't purchase a changing table, just the little contoured pad which sits on top of a dresser.
#3. The swing. I did not register for this because like you, I thought it was an unnecessary expense and I wasn't sure my son would like it. One of my mom's doctors felt that I must have a swing and gave me a very fancy one as a gift. The thing cost around $150, has 6 levels of swing, 3 levels of vibration as well as white noise and classical music playing. It has been a life saver. Best gift we received. Put him right to sleep as a newborn and we still use it occasionally for naps. I wouldn't personally shell out that amount of cash for one, but if someone else wants to buy you one, let them. You will be very grateful at 3am.

Congratulations on your new arrival! Being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me, exploding poop and all.

I too am a first time mom with a one year old now - and I too thought like you.... but here are my three cents...:
#1 Baby Swing: spend money on this - I didn't buy one at first but I had a vibrating seat that my 0-3 month old loved ($40-45) until he got bored - then I got a little swing that you can take with ($40-45) -- until he got too big -- then I broke down and bought a real swing ($90)- but a low end one....If I would have purchased the back and forth, side to side, vibrating "bells and whistles" swing ($140)-- I would have saved money in the long run and 3 trips to the store in my little car and reading instructions, putting it together...(you get my point)! Your baby (every baby) is going to like and crave motion no matter what...every baby craves a different motion but the all-in-one is sure to satisfy AND as they grow, they change and like different things.
#2 I read those same TV statistics when I was pregnant. However, Baby Einstein DVDs aren't really like tv -- they are the simplest visual stimulation you have ever seen in your life -- I was shocked when I saw one like "what's the big deal?" Your baby, however thinks it's a blockbuster hit. TV is loud with fast movements and complex visuals - even cartoons and Sesame Street is too much for them. But socks and construction paper aren't going to calm your teething or crying baby down like sitting him in front of this baby musical watching toys move across the screen and watching other babies play with toys...and you won't have the energy you think you will to put on a puppet show for Mr./Ms. Cranky. In fact, I NEVER bought the DVD -- but my friend who is graduating with her degree in child development brought one over one night when I was frustrated with my little one and I WISHED I had it from the very beginning.
#3 Diaper Genie is not really that great -- I too have a diaper champ and they are less than $20 at outlets and NO expensive refills -- just any old bag will do -- they cut down on the smell 100% until the baby starts on solids and then I would say 60%. It's worth the $20.
Good Luck!

What I got was an emergency c-section and a little one that we knew was "different" from day 1 and later found out that "different" meant autistic. We didn't have a changing table with her, but now that I am scheduled for another c-section the first thing I bought was a changing table in an attempt to NOT split my incision open 6 times with this one:)

And with the autism, a lot of the things on this list were absolute essentials...the screaming never would have stopped without them. We tried swaddling her for the first week, and soon found out that she didn't like the sensation AT ALL...the only way to calm her when all other needs were met was the swing. As a 6 year old, she now uses a trampoline to create a rythmic repetative sensation that soothes her. We also could not change a diaper without major fits unless we used warmed wipes. And the Baby Einstein movies were a godsend. While I wouldn't put a baby in front of the movies for an extended time, when you have a kid that doesn't respond much to human interaction (and frequently human interaction upsets her more), a 30 minute stint in front of a Baby Einstein movie means that mommy gets a shower! Autistic kids also frequently have digestive issues...which means explosive diaper problems and projectile vomiting so we went through 5 onesies a day on a good day. I'm making sure I have 20 changes of clothes in newborn sizes this time!

I've never had a "typical" kid so I don't know what the usefulness of these things are for most...but I do know I am stocking up with the assumption that I'm getting another challenge. And if it turns out I only use half the stuff I'll be thankful:) I got almost everything from Craigslist, consignment shops, and friends anyway. I think the biggest mistake a lot of parents make with the "stuff" is buying everything new. I did that with my first one and realized how ridiculous it was. With the second on the way, I have a fully stocked nursery I spent $150 on!!!!

Even the Baby Einstein videos have been shown to delay development in babies. They may be convenient, but for every hour per day babies watched these, they learned 6-8 fewer words compared to babies that never watched them, according to a University of Washington study. They are not just harmless background stimuli. Calling them "Baby Einstein" and "Brainy Baby" was an excellent marketing tactic.

You probably already have an appropriate height dresser. Dedicate one of the top drawers to diapers and wipes, and buy a ($15) foam pad to put on top!

We skipped the toddler bed, and we used a mattress on the floor (with the bed "fence/barrier" thingies). Once our sons got older, we replaced the boxframe so that the bed was of normal height.

Congrats! My baby is 10 months old.

Here are my thoughts on your list:

1. Too many tiny baby clothes - People do tend to say that they had too many, but it depends on what type of child you have. My daughter had reflux and we actually went through every single thing she owned in one day such that she ended up naked with her diaper. Even if my husband ran out to buy more, I wouldn't put the clothes on her right away without washing first because of formaldehyde residue from the manufacturing process.

2. Baby shoes - My 10 month old wears shoes. She goes to daycare and the Robeez have been a lifesaver in keeping her socks on in the winter and when she is crawling and pulling herself up to stand she has something on her feet. (Our daycare's rule is once they stand, they need some type of closed toed shoe to protect their feet when they go outside).

3. "Educational" DVDs for babies - I agree. Just play with your baby.

4. Changing table - When we had the baby, we were in a temporary furnished rental while we were moving in between states. We did not have the luxury of having this. Let me tell you... we had to live without sheets on several occasions because of squirting baby poo... It's not fun to clean it up from the floor at 3am, either. We had no choice but to change her on the bed. I would spring for this or at least a super-large waterproof pad.

5. Wipe warmer - I agree, but it depends on your baby. If you keep your house at 60F during the winter, it might be something that can save you from them screaming when you change them.

6. Nursery decoration - They're cute, but not necessary

7. Swing - My baby wouldn't sleep anywhere but the swing until she was 6 months old. It was a lifesaver. You can buy nice used ones on craigslist. I loved mine, but it depends on your baby. I would wait and see if your baby has any issues. If not, I wouldn't get it.

8. WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer - Never heard of it.

9. Diaper Genie - I like it because we have to keep our outside trash can in our garage (HOA rules). If I threw them outside, our garage would smell awful. At least the diaper genie minimizes smells. I also own the Diaper Champ and once my baby started solids, it was not worth it anymore.

A lot of families have had very pleasant times using the family bed sleeping arrangement, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against it, because there have been (thankfully rare) occurances of babies getting smothered.

Seriously, cloth diapers have changes so much since what our parents used. They are easy, convenient, cheap, cute, durable, and wonderful! I regret the first 4 months of my daughters life and all the money I wasted on disposable diapers.

Check out some cloth diapering sites (kellyscloset.com and diaperswappers.com are personal favorites) and see what all is out there! You'll be amazed.

Cloth is totally worth it!

A lot of people told me not to get a changing table because they never used theirs, but I use mine multiple times each day. It has really saved my back. I think it usefulness will partly depend on where the baby's room is. If you have a two story house, for example, you won't want to hike up the stairs just to change the baby. In a small one story home like mine, however, it is always convenient.

About the swing, my baby never liked swinging. You might just wait until the baby is born and then borrow one for a few days from a friend. If your baby likes it, you may want to consider getting one.

It doesn't have to be that expensive to have some of the so-called luxuries for your baby.

Seek out garage sales, newspaper ads (like free PennySaver type newspapers) from parents whose kids have moved on. A $200 swing could be had for maybe $40. Then you could in theory, sell it when your kid has moved on for nearly that amount. Be aware of safety recalls and check into these before buying...

I am aware that there is a vehement anti-cosleeping movement in this country right now. That said, I suggest you do some serious reading before you are definitely anti-co-sleeping. I recommend:

Mother Nature: Maternal Instincts and How They Shape the Human Species by Dr. Sarah Hrdy
What’s Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life by Dr. Lise Eliot
Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain by Dr. Sue Gerhardt
The Scientist in the Crib: What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind by Dr. Alison Gopnik
Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent by Dr. Meredith Small
Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child by Dr. John Gottman
The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact With Your Baby Leads To Happier, Healthier Development by Sharon Heller
From Neurons to Neighborhoods : The Science of Early Childhood Development by Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development
The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition by Kathleen Huggins

My biggest peice of advice coming from some one who just had a baby 5 months ago and we had a preaty tight budget is to buy only what you need to take him home ad a few days worth of clothes I did this and was shocked by what people will give you i have a wipe warmer that was given to me, which was really nice living in canada and having a cold bathroom in the winter. but my swing , crib mattress, 2 play pens ,bounceys , jolly jumper and over 6 rubber maids full of clothes were also given too me mostly all new , ive had to turn down a swing. but the list goes on and on i dont have a dipper genie i was going to go with out a change table but some one bought me a change pad . the biggest baby thing i spent money on was the car seat and bases also graco product are all compatible. so your car seat will fit in a stroller and all their bases even if you havent boughted the sets together.

PS: is its a first grand child like ours they'll be iching to get you stuff.