CRIBS: This is all personal preference but let me tell you one thing. We bought a convertible bed. A crib that transforms into a toddler bed then a full size bed. I regret that for a couple reasons: #1 It was expensive and when my daughter started teething she bit the crap out of it so now it has teethmarks and scratches all over the parts that are supposed to be the big bed some day. #2 I don't like it anymore and want a cuter big bed for her. But since it was expensive, my hubby is not giving in very easy to us getting a new bed. So my advice...buy a cute, safe, inexpensive crib and spend the bucks on a real cute bed after you transition your little one around age 3. Also, when your wee one does move to a full size bed, don't be cheap when you buy her/him the mattress. This is probably something they will be sleeping on for at least 10 years so get a well made, supportive, comfortable mattress. One that you will want to sleep on; because at some point you probably will. Also, don't forget the wee-wee mattress protector for your little wee one!
CRIB SHEETS: I like the Koala brand of everything. Gerber brand (including clothes) shrink horribly! Koala has soft and well made sheets that don't shrink.
BUMPERS AND CUTE BLANKETS: Save your money as you shouldn't use them anyway. I would recommend getting a mesh bumper pad though. It is baby safe in case they roll into it they can still breathe. You do want something around the crib railings because when she starts rolling over, arms and legs do get out and get stuck between the rails. And it is not wise to use ANY blankets until a baby can easily sit up by themselves. I know you will have friends or moms telling you that they used blankets/bumpers without incident, but don't ignore what the experts are saying NOW. Is the cuteness of a matching bumper and blanket set worth the risk? Until your bundle of joy is old enough, use only sleeper sacks and pjs. Which brings me to my next thought: Sleeper sacks and pjs.
SLEEP SACKS AND PJ'S
This again in personal preference, and you will get a bunch of different kinds as gifts so you can test each style out for yourself. But this is what we learned:
PJ's come in either snaps or zippers. Almost all zipper pj's zip from the neck down, so to change your bundle of joy you will have to unzip her all the way, letting cold air in, to get her legs free to change the diaper. We preferred the pj's with snaps. Then you can just unsnap the leg area, and change diaper keeping baby warm. However, when they get to be around a year and like to undress themselves, the zippers are easier because they are harder to figure out. But any zipper pj's...make sure that they have a little strap that snaps over the top at the zipper to prevent pinching chins and they are harder for the wee one to undo and undress.
And of course a couple years away...but for size 2T or larger..forget the zippers all together and get only the two piece pj's. Once they start potty training, you need it quick and easy for them to pull down their own pants. As cute as the footsy pjs are at this age, don't bother.
Sleep sacks are great rather than the dreaded blankets for an infant. But like the pj's you get, buy the kind that the zipper starts at the bottom of the sleep sack. If you get the ones that zip from the neck down, again you will let a bunch of cold air in since you have to open it up all the way. And yes, the sleep sack does go over the pajamas. I spent many sleepless nights at first worried if my little one was too cold or too hot. I just kept our house temp at around 68 degrees at night, put her in a onesie, pj and a sleeper sack. All season appropriate in weight and she seemed to sleep well. Your little one will let you know if they are comfortable; if she wakes up a lot she may be too cold or if she is sweaty she is too hot. All babies are different. You will figure it out.
As for onsies, the Carter onesies are the best! I pretty much love Carter clothes hands down as the base of her wardrobe. They are great; hold their size and colors. Once they hit, 18 months or whenever they start potty training, if the weather is such that you want your little one to still wear an under layer, I cut off the bottom of the onesie and made it into a little undershirt. Worked great and no extra money spent.
PANTS...JEANS VS. ELASTIC WAISTS
First, all pants for a baby under 1 yr HAVE to have snaps at the crotch & legs, otherwise don't bother. Easier for changing. And I prefer the elastic waist yoga pants only. All the jeans that we have had since day one have never fit right, the waist is always way to big, the crotch too long and the legs to short. Period. Also the material of any stiff type pant is not soft to baby. I would bypass all jeans until they are at least 2 or 3.
And once they start potty training they can really only wear clothes they can pull off themselves to make it easier for them to go when they need. If right now you are thinking that this is not necessary since you will help them get undressed to pee-pee during the training period, a word of advice: when in training and they realize that they need to "go" they mean that they need to go NOW. You will have very limited time to get their pants down and your little squirter on the potty seat, so I really suggest to go with elastic waist pants or dresses for girls.
DRESSES
Dresses are great too. But dress your girls in dresses only before crawling and after they walk. Skip the crawling period. It is too tough on them. No padding on the knees and they constantly "trip" over their dress when crawling. I would stick to pants during their crawling stage.
SHOES
Don't bother. They will take off their shoes and socks until they can walk anyway. And when they do this, they throw them on the ground while you are strolling and you are constantly losing them or bending over to pick them up. Becomes a source of frustration. But since realistically you will get them shoes and they will need socks, be sure to get super soft bottom soles for pre-walkers or just let them walk in socks or barefoot. Rumor has it that this is better for the learning process anyway. Don't let your mom talk you into the sturdy shoe types that we all wore as babies, times have changed.
P.S.
Oh, one more thing. When you are registering for baby gifts before your baby showers, have a friend who is a parent already look over your list before you publish it. At least regarding the necessity items. There is a whole bunch of great things in the stores now, but you don't need as many gadgets as you think you do.
Also, ask present givers to include a gift receipt with any presents. In case you get multiples of the same gift and want to return or exchange it for something else you need, I know that many stores, including Babies r Us, changed their policy last year and will not take any returns without a receipt, not even for store credit. You will get stuck with your multiples.
Have fun shopping and playing dress up!
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