Great ideas everyone, thanks so much! I think I'm definately going to stay away from those cute little outfits as tempting as they may be.

After the baby shower I go to in 2 wks, another friend of ours is pregnant and is due in May so I'll be checking this thread again. Last year everyone got married and now the baby boom!

Gripe water was my best friend 7 years ago when my little boy was a tiny baby. That child was SO collicky. I am telling you that is something you want to have on hand so no one has to wait with the screaming baby while the other one races to buy the gripe water
I did get a gift certificate to a drugstore when I had my son as well and It was a such a good Idea. Becasue as a new parent there is always stuff you forget about getting.

Wow, I went shopping last night and I can't believe the price of baby stuff! Unbelievable...... Anyways, I picked up my large item and am now looking for little throw in items.....

$5.00 for one of those gel teething rings? I know my kids are older, but the prices are ridiculous. $10.00 for a pack of 6 baby socks? It's no wonder both parents work nowadays. I don't know how single parents manage.

Originally posted by Hayseed Hannah Wow, I went shopping last night and I can't believe the price of baby stuff! Unbelievable...... It's no wonder both parents work nowadays. I don't know how single parents manage.

I know lots of parents (including myself) that shop second-hand or have things given to them by other friends, family, etc. who have older kids.

And as much as I hate to shop there, Walmart can be a parent's best friend.

The thing is though, is that there are THOUSANDS of products made for kids now that weren't available when "we were growing up". Obviously, you DON'T need all those things. The best advice I ever got was from a woman who taught a baby care class at a hospital: "All your baby really needs is YOU!" (They don't need the 6-in-1 fancy stroller, the fancy $200 educational toys, etc.)

Just wait until the new parents find out the cost of daycare!

Originally posted by Hayseed Hannah Wow, I went shopping last night and I can't believe the price of baby stuff! Unbelievable...... Anyways, I picked up my large item and am now looking for little throw in items..... $5.00 for one of those gel teething rings? I know my kids are older, but the prices are ridiculous. $10.00 for a pack of 6 baby socks? It's no wonder both parents work nowadays. I don't know how single parents manage.

Dollarstores are great! You can usually get all kinds of baby stuff there and it saves a TON.

Yes the Dollar store is a perfect place to load up on a lot of baby items ,why pay more when you can snag a great deal

I have a 3 month old girl and the best present was the nursing pillow...I used it to support my back while still pregnant, and great for baby to sleep in...also got a Fisher Price Oceans Wonder vibrating bouncy chair....baby loved from about the second week on!

Robeez, the leather baby slippers, are awesome. They cost about $25 and are sized so that each size can be worn for up to 6 months. They are all-leather, created and made in Canada (Burnaby, BC) by a mom, and come in adorable designs. There are a lot of knock-offs out there too which are just a few dollars cheaper (some are very poor quality), and they are prized on Ebay (can almost get all your money back!) and in consignment stores second-hand.
They must be good--Brooke Shields's baby was wearing them in a magazine article!
Robeez Website for online purchases or to find a store.