Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

I recently got an email from Workerette and mom-to-be Danae asking me to share some of the tips, tricks, and gear that I find essential for raising kiddos.  In honor of Thursday Thirteen, I thought I'd pull together a list of the gear that I find essential with my babies.  I had it a little easier this time because my son is my second child - I learned what I consider useless the first time around with my daughter!  A lot has changed in the six-plus years since she was a newborn though, so it's been interesting hitting Babies R Us and the like over the past year.

Here's what I personally truly *need* for raising my babies.  I'd love to hear what you Workerettes feel you need for yours!  I'm sure Danae will appreciate your ideas too.

1. Graco Pack 'n Play: I learned with the daughter that the Pack 'n Play is great for a second bed if you have a two-story house, and for hauling to Gramma's house.  This time around the Pack 'n Play was my son's bed for his first two months.  We knew we were moving from WA four weeks from his birth, so we just kept him in our room in the PnP bassinette.  Two hotels, military lodging, and our new housing later, the PnP is now in my office area for daytime use and he sleeps in his crib at night. 
2. Cloth diapers: they make much better burp rags than those thin, fancy schmancy things.  A 12-pack of cloth diapers is often cheaper than the "burp cloth" equivalent, will last much longer, soak up more, and can be "retired" to the dust rag bin when baby is no longer spitting up on your brand new shirt. 
3. Bottles: even if you breastfeed, having at least one pack of clean bottles on hand is, well, handy.  Once you're past the first few weeks (of possible nipple confusion), Dad and any old-enough siblings can give you and the girls a break.  Can you say "full night's sleep"?  Ahhhh yes.  We all dream of it.  At least, I do!  Anywho, ask your friends for ideas, but I like BornFree.
4. Bottle brush: I like the Munchkin bottle brush sold at Target for about $4.00.  It includes a nipple brush that fits into the base of the bottle brush, with a suction cup on the bottom.  This keeps things more sanitary - I hated laying our old one down on the side of the sink for stuff to splash on!
5. Fragrance-free laundry detergent and fabric softener: Okay, I know a lot of moms looooove Dreft.  Sorry - I can't stand the stuff.  I realize it smells pretty and baby-like to a lot of folks, but it's pricey and I hate perfumed detergents, especially on baby gear!  Give me unscented products or get out of my shopping cart.
6. Gerber Onesies: I get these babies in the 5-pack (check out my entry over at Momma & More about the deal I got at Target) and I love, love, love them.  My Ma used them with me, I used them with my daughter, and they were the first thing I bought for my son.  They are very afordable; they are the perfect weight for layering under other clothing and jammies; and they are sooooo soft.  Plus they are cut just right for most babies and the three-snap bottom is super conducive to easy diaper changes.

(Catch the rest of the list here.)