What do we actually NEED and what just looks cool. What brands are best?

My husband and I have been doing a lot of window shopping, trying to get an idea of how much things like diapers, formula, wipes, etc, cost. We are also trying to figure out what are the best strollers, car seats, cribs, toys, etc are. There are so many brands and so many different types of each thing, its hard to keep it all straight. And its hard to know what you need, and what just looks cool. There are alot of cool things out there, but how practical are they? What's a good price? And what does that do??? Do I need that?? Haha this is how our shopping trips sound. As I get further along and start picking up things and when the baby is born, I plan on writing reviews on brands and items to let you know how things work and if they are worth the money, etc. And things change so fast. New things are coming on the market so rapidly that if you had a baby 2 years ago, there is going to be a ton of new stuff waiting for you and your second pregnancy. Feel free to leave comments about your favorite baby items and things you could not live without when you had your newborn.



A little aside: My husband and I went out of town on sat to a nearby city that offers a lot more shopping than our little town. We did our window shopping routine, and we came across the cutest thing I have ever seen. It was a baby plush chenille robe from Roots!

Sorry the picture isn't that great. Its directly from their website. The robe is white, so its good for a girl or a boy. Its so soft! Yes, I know its not at all practicle. Yes I know the baby is probably not going to be in it until its a few months old, and even then it won't stay in it for long, yes I know it will probably spit up on it or even worse, but I still could not resist!!!! What was your impulse buy?