Alternative Mamma of two boys!
The most important necessity for me and my child was a baby sling to carry your baby, the Maya wrap is great but when they get older hurts the shoulders, ergo carrier after 6 months carry on the back. Children don't benefit much physically or mentally from being confined to a stroller plus they learn more and you bond more in mamma's arms.
I co-sleep so no need for extra bedding.
I use cloth nappies/diapers during the day, (mostly naked) but use disposable at night cause i don't want to be waking up 20 times as i did with my first to change.
TOYS TOYS with is a very interesting topic - and i have experience to know how they can affect children. Bright colors,cheap plastic toys that break all the time noisy electronics, drive you and the child crazy - they are TERRIBLY OVERSTIMULATING FOR A CHILD, my children play with wood blocks, balls, i knitt little animals, they have wood animals, wood cars, trucks etc. if you can't buy them there are so many beautiful things that nature can provide and it does so well for the imagination, my children sail boats out of bark from trees, they build houses and forts from chopped pieces of wood, they form rivers, and villages. Oh don't forget the sand pitt. and let them get dirty and connect with nature. I also don't allow TV i want them to have their own imagination not the images of spiderman or batman and other cartoon caracters, because children immitate everything, soon they will act like these crazy creatures.
Read to them, this is the foundation of their education, even if they don't understand, sing and read.
Naturally You Can Sing has amazing song books which inspire work and play to sing thoughout the day, they learn from this.
You are their immitation, smile for them, love them, speak positively to them, do housework happily and they will love to help, let them make a mess, thats all part of learning. If you are aggressive and shout they will learn to do the same. Speak sweetly in their presence and they shall be the same.
My boys are amazing, they smile all day long, yes they are children and get roudy and make a lot of noise at times but they are sweet, kind, share and play very well with others.
MOST IMPORTANTLY BOOKS! READ BOOKS
The Natural Child by Jan Hunt
Natural Family living by Peggie o marra
The mothering magazine is a must, great magazine excellent info
You Are Your Child's First Teacher (Paperback) (EXCELLENT BOOK)
by Rahima Baldwin Dancy (Author)
this site has great books, i've ordered most of them, birth to kindergarden, and her audio's are incredible, i have them all! she's an amazing woman.
Bookstore
I don't think you need a breastpump, the more you stimulate your breast the more breastmilk you will have, if pump or the baby sucks the more breastmilk you will make so i'm not sure how this would relieve a heavy flow of milk, just keep your baby at your breast and feed it whenever it wants, they will have beautiful hair, teeth, skin and never get sick. But make sure you eat healthily, it's important what you put into your body because it's your childs food.
kellymom :: Breastfeeding and Parenting is a great site.
AskDrSears Homepage is good.