Now that I know that we are having a girl, I feel like I can really start getting prepared. Or at least getting a list together of everything I want/need, and start researching brands and such. Just about every baby magazine I've read has lists of what you need for a newborn. Well, I know that a lot of things are not necessary, so I'm trying to weed out what I want and what I can pass on.
So I've made a preliminary list, and I need all of the advice I can get from mommies out there!! Is there anything I'm missing on my list - or is there anything on here that you think is a waste?
| Clothing |
| 5-10 onesies |
| 5-7 sleepers |
| 1 cold weather sleeper |
| 5-7 pairs baby socks |
| 1-2 hats |
| Diaper and Bath |
| 2 packs newborn diapers |
| 1 pack disposible wipes |
| waterproof pad for changing |
| diaper rash ointment |
| 3-5 baby washcloths |
| 1-2 hooded towels |
| 1 bottle baby wash |
| baby lotion |
| baby bath |
| diaper bag |
| Feeding |
| 10 burp cloths |
| bottles |
| breastfeeding pillow |
| Breast Pump? |
| Breast pads |
| Baby Gear |
| Car Seat |
| extra base? |
| Stroller |
| Sling carrier |
| bouncer |
| swing |
| Misc |
| pacifiers |
| brush |
| baby mittens |
| baby monitor |
| baby nail clippers |
| digital thermometer |
| Nursery |
| dresser or changing table with storage |
| crib mattress |
| mattress pads - 2 |
| crib bedding set |
| hamper |
| 3-4 fitted sheets |
| 5-7 lightweight blankets |
I also just found out about the Utah All Kids Sale, that is being held in Salt Lake next week. Maybe if I have a good idea of what I want by then, I'll check it out and see if I can get any good deals!
So please, please, please - give me your input!!
13 comments:
I've never heard of that sale before.. there is another one called Just Between friends that was in Provo a couple months ago.. I didnt go.. and I wish I had. Maybe I'll check that one out since it's so close to home!!
I tried to make a list too, but your is much better than mine.. So I think I'll borrow it, just to make sure we have everything!! :)
And on the breast pump thing.. I know I'll be going to work, So I know I'll need one. But even if you aren't going back to work wouldnt it be really nice just to be free everyonce in awhile? Or be able to sleep in while the hubby goes and makes her a bottle?? :)
That's my thinking.. Plus.. I want my husband to be able to bond more with our baby..and I think feeding time is a really critical part of that.. But have you seen the prices of them??!?!? ouch.. I think I really want a Medela, seems like they have the best reviews. Some people say its okay to by a used one if you get all new parts.. and KSL classified have a few used.. but I just dont really know if its safe. Some places say it is, some say its not.. But $300 for a new one is just soo much!!
My thoughts:
Clothes: I always get way more than that, simply because in the first few weeks you can change her outfit once an hour, with spitting up, exploding diapers, etc! And you certainly don't want to be doing laundry every day. I scour thrift shops, yard sales, hand-me-downs for house clothes. And save the cutesy stuff for going out. If you're in an area with cold winter nights you'll want more sleeping sacks, since you shouldn't use blankets with a baby.
Have more than one pack of wipes ready when you get home. Until you get your diaper changing down pat you'll use a ton of wipes!!
Breast pump...you may want to wait, or add to your registry. They are pricey! My milk never came in so my midwife and lactation consultant suggested I try pumping to get things moving. I bought one model (Gerber) and it was useless. You can't return them to the store (biohazard) so I had to mail it back to Gerber to get my refund. I bought an Avent pump and it was okay.....I think my problem though was that my milk just never did come in.
We didn't buy an extra car seat base, but we only have one car. So think about how often you'd realistically need to switch cars.
We passed on the cutesy crib bedding sets too. Just too pricey. Plus, those cute crib bumpers aren't really safe. We got plain blue sheets and used a Breathable Bumper. LOVED that!
You'll want a dishwasher basket or bottle brush if you have to wash bottles by hand.
Stock up on shelf-stable snacks and frozen meals. It just makes life easier at first. Plus think about a nursing bra and tops for you.
okay, i didn't read the other comments...so this might be repetitive...but you'll definitely want a ton more onesies...they wear them a lot...usually more than one a day...they get spit up on, and also there is this thing called poo back..you'll see what I mean when it happens...but more onesies for sure. Also....I wasn't going back to work after I had Damon, but it was great to have a breast pump anyways. It's always good to have a few bottles or freezer bags of breast milk, in case of emergency, and in case you will be gone for a few hours and dad is with the baby. You don't have to pump all the time, but if you know you have something coming up that week, it's easy and convenient to know that you don't HAVE to worry about feeding the baby when you know you have some milk pumped and waiting in the fridge/freezer. Those were my 2 things that I definitely wanted to give advice on. love ya!
you'll want more than 2 packs of newborn diapers...they go through about 8-10 diapers a day when they are newborn...and you'll probably want more burp cloths...same reason as wanting more onesies...you'll use them all day long.
Thought of one more thing that is on my list of things to get that's not on yours..
Some sort of nipple cream.. like Lansinoh..(I hear it's the best..) One of my best friends had to suffer through a weekend of cracked and bleeding nipples until she could get perscription strength cream because it was so bad! I dont want that happening!!!!!
Also.. pad's for leaking..I hear that's important too..
Oh.. and Dreft (if you plan on using it..)
And lots and lots of Stain remover! I hear all those liquids coming out of all ends of the baby really stain!! :)
You have a really good list there! I'll second what everyone else said and encourage you to get more onesies, because she will go through a lot of them at first. You may also want to think about some wearable blankets, possibly with a swaddle attached. We have a couple for our little boy and they're so nice; you don't have to worry about using a blanket in the crib, which isn't so safe.
Baby laundry detergent smells SO GOOD and it really makes the clothes super-soft and I find it's totally worth it to buy. It's not very expensive.
Also, if you do plan on pumping and doing some bottle-feeding, I highly recommend the Playtex Drop-Ins bottle system. The disposable liners are wonderful, so convenient, and you don't have to worry about BPA or spend all your time washing and sterilizing bottles.
I would be sure to get really thick hooded towels (Carter's is a good brand) because the water goes right through the thinner ones and babies are very cold after their baths.
It can all seem overwhelming, but looks like you are on the road to being very well-prepared! She'll be here before you know it!
Oh! One more thing: If your hospital is anything like mine, they'll send you home with lots of diapers, diaper rash ointment, burp cloths and maybe even pacifiers. Be sure to take all the freebies!
Woah! for somebody so small babies need aLOT of stuff! you must be so excited now you know your having a girl
The most important thing is...
TO BREATHE!
Don't get so overworked, and stressed that you cause yourself or your baby harm! Stress is not a good thing to carry around while pregnant.
You have some great support with your mom and sisters who have all "been there, done that" and can give advice as you go along.
I have the Medela breast pump and loved it. And add lanolin to your list! Your nipples will thank you.
I didn't read all the comments, but here's my two cents:
We go through LOTS of burp cloths. And I change Cash's pj's every night. I think fresh jammers after a bath are a nice way to end the day!
You'll need more wipes. They seemingly disappear into thin air. And I use Dreft to wash all his clothes, sheets, etc. It smells so good!
My sister and I use the BreastFlow bottles. They're the closest thing to breastfeeding and especially best if you plan to breast and bottlefeed. My niece did both and had no trouble switching between the two.
Don't forget your own flipflops and slippers for the hospital stay. And chapstick! It was a nice thing to have in that dry air.
I'm sure there's more, but I'm still exhausted! Although Cash DID sleep through the night for the first time this week!
Wow...you sound extremely organized! I would definitely agree on the Lansinoh - it's wonderful stuff. Also, wait on the breast pump to make sure you will be able to breast feed before you make the investment. Sometimes, even if you can breast feed, it's a gamble because you might be able to let down for the baby but not the pump, but at least if you wait till your milk is in and letting down, you know you're not investing prematurely. If for some reason you need one in the hospital, they have them there.
Get more than one cold weather sleeper in case your baby is a projectile spitter or pooper! I went through several in one day on many occasions. And definitely more daipers, wipes, burp cloths and onsies.
Also, I loved the little sleeper gowns with the elastic at the bottom. My boys wore those the first few weeks of their lives. They are so convinient when it comes to changing.
You're off to a great start with this list. Even when you're sure you have everything, you'll still be scrambling to the store from time to time to grab something. It always seems like there's something else that you can't live without!
PS - I noticed you didn't list a diaper genie....good girl. Don't bother. I had two and they both stunk - literally!!!
hi, I'm a fan of your food blog and just realized you have this blog too, so I've been checking it out now and then (hope you don't mind) I'm also a friend of Janell's from our Provo days...
anyway congrats on the little girl!! I'm due with my third child, 2nd girl in a few weeks...
here's what I would add to your list: lansinoh, it's helps ease some pain and discomfort from nursing! It's a must for me.
also, I wouldn't stock up on diapers or newborn diapers that is. you don't know how big your baby will be and grow -most babies go through 1-2 newborn bags, my little girl wore newborn size until she was 2 1/2 or 3 months old!!!
also pacifiers...babies are pretty picky about these!
and the hospital will usually give you a diaper bag before you leave...and personally it works great for me! just black, not all stylish like some you can buy.
I'm so excited for you...don't go too crazy buying cause you'll get a lot from your baby shower! and family I'm sure!!
good luck!
~jessica
I totally agree with all the comments on Lasinoh and more than one pack of wipes. The wipes seemed to disappear rather quickly those first few weeks (meconium can be hard to clean off)!
As for the breast pump, I used mine all the time before I came back to work (and of course now I feel like I'm chained to it all day). It is useful for if you need to go somewhere like a dentist appointment so that someone else can feed her when you're gone. Check with your insurance to see if they cover pumps. Mine did, and since I'd met my deductible with all my prenatal appointments and labs, it turned out to be free. And the insurance covered the Medela Pump-in-Style, which is an awesome pump.
Good luck with your little girl!
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