Babies are big business. Nobody wants to be a bad parent, so there is great pressure to be sure you have not just the essentials, but the best essentials for your new baby. If you're a first-time parent, you have no experience to guide you. The helpful salesperson at the local Baby-Mega-Super-Store will be more than happy to provide you with a mile-long list of what, you're assured, are really and truly the essentials.
Well, I'm here to tell you different.
My fourth child is scheduled to make her appearance in just a couple of months. My oldest child is not yet five years old. For the last several years of my life, I've been a card-carrying, dues-paid, full-fledged member of the baby club. Many of those "essentials" you see for sale just turn into extraneous stuff that you have to keep cleaning, moving, and, at times, paying for. Save yourself some money and space, and stock up only on what you'll actually use. Here's my list of needs. (See also: Which Baby Products Are a Waste of Money?)
A Place to Sleep
A decent crib, a good mattress, and enough bedding to keep baby comfortable are essential. You don't, however, have to buy a crib new to get a good one. Search your local classifieds for a used crib; just make sure you get one that isn't more than five years old. It should be sturdy, with small spaces between the slats and all hardware intact. Most cribs that have been made within the last five years convert easily into toddler beds.
Salespeople at the Big Baby Box Store will scare you with talk of scoliosis and try to get you to buy the premium mattress for your crib. I bought the mid-grade; it's obviously firmer and nicer than the cheapest option, but it's also as firm and nice as I need it to be for peace of mind.
As far as what to put on the mattress, keep it simple. Bumper pads are not necessary and can even be a suffocation hazard. Same goes for big, fluffy comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, or piles of blankets. For the first six months or so, you'll want to have a mattress cover, five crib sheets (frequent spit-ups and diaper incidents make extras really nice to have around), and a couple of lightweight blankets. When the weather is cool, dress baby warmly so she won't get cold during nap time and night time.
A Place to Play
For the first several months of your baby's life, mobility won't be an option for him. This means, basically, that you can plop him down on a blanket, and he's not going anywhere. This also means that baby doesn't really need a swing, a bouncer, a play center, a play pen, a walker, a baby papasan, or any of the other play area options out there.
The caveat on this is when your baby does start to get mobile. Rolling, scooting, and then crawling will introduce a whole new world of possibilities. At that point, it's nice to have one or two confined play areas handy, so you can keep your baby entertained and safe while you need to do something else. But you don't need all the options.
Before you buy, test out what your friends have; go have a play date and put your baby in your friend's swing. If he's screaming in five minutes, don't spend $100 on a swing. If he's happy, it might be worth the investment. I've had the best response from my children with a very basic baby swing, a little reclined baby seat, and a Pack 'n Play that serves as a confined play area and can be moved to any room of the house, the yard, a friend's house, or Nana's house.
A Way to Travel
A safe car seat and a sturdy stroller are investments worth making for your new baby. You'll get the best deal on new items by purchasing a car seat/stroller combination; those will start at about $150 new and go up from there. The same advice applies to car seats and strollers as to cribs. If you're purchasing used, make sure the car seat/stroller isn't over five years old, and inspect it thoroughly to be sure it's in good condition.
The only other "travel" item I've used over the years is a front-pack baby carrier. I got a good brand, and it's lasted through heavy use with three babies. These seem to be mainly a matter of personal preference, however; if you can't picture yourself walking around with a baby strapped to your chest, don't buy one.
Clothes
Brand-new babies, prone to random bouts of spitting up and explosive diapers, can go through quite a few outfits in a day. Stock up on essentials that are comfortable for your baby and easy to get on and off: ruffles, ribbons, bows, zippers, buttons, and extra clothing "decor" tend to make the dressing process complicated and long (not fun when your baby is screaming), and, generally, the more "stuff" on an outfit, the less comfortable your baby will be in it.
First of all, I need to disclose a conflict of interest. I am a huge fan of the Jersey Shore, so please do not construe my commentary as critical of Snookie or any of the others on the show. I feel the pain of all those in America who want to tan without paying a massive new tax to the federal government. What’s next? Taxing gym memberships or Laundromats.
An army of Internal Revenue Service agents have been hired to enforce the new taxes contained in ObamaCare. Snookie and her Jersey Shore pals should watch out, because the IRS has hired 81 agents to crack down on any tanning salons that don’t pay the new Obamacare 10% excise tax on tanning. Let’s say a serious tanner buys a package for $100 per month. Get ready to hand over $1o per month to Uncle Sam.
According to Paul Bedard at US News, the IRS has to hire an army of federal bureaucrats to take more of your money pursuant to the mandates in ObamaCare and we are not merely talking about the tanning tax enforcement squadron.
The Internal Revenue Service says it will need an battalion of 1,054 new auditors and staffers and new facilities at a cost to taxpayersof more than $359 million in fiscal 2012 just to watch over the initial implementation of President Obama’s healthcare reforms. Among the new corps will be 81 workers assigned to make sure tanning salons pay a new 10 percent excise tax. Their cost: $11.5 million.
That is correct. 81 new bureaucrats to travel the nation to see if tanning salons are paying the 10% tax. They need to make sure that underground tanning salons don’t pop up next to Meth Labs and illegal casinos. Who knows what will happen if somebody sets up a tanning bed in their basement to make some money without paying the new ObamaTax. Maybe some jail time for that ObamaCare criminal.
Paul Bedard writes that, in addition to the crack down on tanning salons, the Obama Administration will have new government IRS Agents to make sure that business cough up $2.8 billion in taxes in the next two years on imported and domestic drug manufacturing.
The detailed IRS budget documents spell out exactly what most of the new workforce will be doing. For example, some 81 will be tasked just to handle the tax reporting of 25,000 tanning salons. They face a new 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services. Another 76 will be assigned to make sure businesses engaged in making and imported drugs pay their new fee which is expected to deliver $2.8 billion to the Treasury in 2012 and 2013. The new healthcare corps will also require new facilities and computers.
Of course this new tax will pay for silly programs like the new Qualified Therapudic Discovery Project Program.
This program was designed to provide tax credits and grants to small firms that show significant potential to produce new and cost-saving therapies, support U.S. jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness. Applicants were required to have their research projects certified as eligible for the credit or grant. IRS guidance describes the application process.
The IRS defines a qualified program as a project that is designed to:
- To treat or prevent diseases or conditions by conducting pre-clinical activities, clinical trials, and clinical studies, or carrying out research protocols, for the purpose of securing approval of a product under section 505(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act,
- To diagnose diseases or conditions or to determine molecular factors related to diseases or conditions by developing molecular diagnostics to guide therapeutic decisions, or
- To develop a product, process, or technology to further the delivery or administration of therapeutics.
This is a great case study on how ObamaCare is growing government. On one hand they are using ObamaCare to expand the IRS and on the other hand they are using ObamaCare to hand out tax credits for a “Therapeutic Discovery Project.” More taxes and more government money to promote activities that should be promoted by a profit motive. Snookie, Pauly D., JWOWW, The Situation, Ronnie, Vinny and Sammi should invest in a tanning bed for the beach house.
One can make a credible case that ObamaCare is a job killer for the tanning service industry and a stimulus program for government paid tax collectors at the IRS. Yet another reason to repeal this unconstitutional law.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
bench craft company
Bill Keller: Fox <b>News</b> Viewers 'Among The Most Cynical People On <b>...</b>
New York Times editor Bill Keller hit out at Fox News for the second time in as many months—only this time, he went after people who watch the network. As The Cutline's Joe Pompeo reported, Keller made the comments during an event at ...
Central Florida <b>News</b> 13: Scott Harris has a new role – The TV Guy <b>...</b>
Hal Boedeker of Orlando Sentinel is The TV Guy. Dishing on TV, the news and what everybody is talking about.
Robert Reich: The Real <b>News</b> on Jobs
On our current trajectory, the unemployment rate will continue to decline. But so will the pay and benefits of most Americans. The real story isn't about jobs, it's about the ever decreasing standard of living for the middle class.
No comments:
Post a Comment