One Hundred things that your baby doesn't need

Well maybe not 100, lets start with four things that your baby really doesn't need! I was reluctant to buy much stuff before my son, who I shall refer to as C, was born, but when it was offered for free or nearly free second hand, my will power waned. "well it might just prove useful". And indeed some it has proved useful, but quite a lot of it is not useful enough to justify the space it takes up in our house.

Firstly, there is the pram. I got it at a newly new sale one week after C was born, and 4 months later I have NEVER used it! When he was little I used a pocket sling and now I use my Moby wrap which I adore. Its so much nicer to hold your baby close and if you really get to grips you can feed your baby on the move. It is great for the supermarket. I tried putting C's car seat in the shopping trolley once, but his nap was continually interrupted and he ended up with a lettuce on his lap and food stuffed all around him. I have since figured out that there are special trolleys where the car seat sits precariously above the cart, but usually I prefer to carry C, and I feel like a super hero.

Then there is the cot. It is currently set by our bed as in a side car arrangement. We did not fit the drop down side. I had in mind that C could sleep in the cot and I could sleep nearby in the bed so that night time feeds would be as easy as possible. In fact, C now sleeps in the bed, either between my husband and me or next to the cot. The cot acts to stop anyone falling out of bed, to keep things such as muslins etc. and occasionally as my bed, when C is nuzzling up for some milk and I retreat. C wakes at least once in the night to feed, but our body clocks are well synchronized so I usually wake easily and I don't need to leave the bed to feed him. He tends to wake up early in the morning too, so I latch him on lying down and barely wake up to feed him at 5, 6 or o' clock or sometimes several times in the early morning. Please look up safe sleeping guidelines before sharing a bed with your baby.

Bottles. Actually, I'm very glad to have some on hand, but so far we have only used them twice, and that was really only to prove that we could. Yes, you do have enough milk! Or at least you will have as long as you learn to latch your baby well and let him suckle regularly. Check out kellymom for lots of good information on lactation. I was worried about my milk supply in the evenings for a while. C was very fussy and impatient at the breast towards the end of the day. In the end I figured out that he was mostly tired. Retiring to our bed together and allowing C to feed and sleep intermittently while I quietly read a book seemed to improve things. And, of course, along with the bottles go all that expressing kit and the sterilizer!

Seats, in any of their reclining, rocking, beanbag, hanging variations. So far we have used ours very little. I have a lot of sympathy for the view that a baby shouldn't be placed in positions that they cannot attain themselves. Once they can get there themselves, you can be sure that they are strong enough and won't do themselves any harm. Bumbos are fun, but only last for a few weeks and you should never leave your baby alone in one. I will be interested to see whether our seats get more use as C gets older, but so far he has mostly been happy kicking on his play mat or in arms or in his sling.

I could carry to include clothes and nappies, but lets face its a bit chilly in Britain and full time potty whispering (more on this in a later post) would be a BIG commitment in our culture, so I guess I will stop here. Anyway, the point is simple, you don't need a hundred and one things for your baby. Technology can never be a satisfactory replacement for a loving mum and dad, so think twice before shelling out for the latest all singing and dancing must have.