Stuff I have:
baby clothes
stroller
car seat
diaper pail
bassinet
pack-and-play
breast pump
thermometer
baby carrier
a few blankets
one swaddling velcro/cloth contraption
small boppy pillow
Stuff I don't have, which I need:
diapers/wipes
baby bath(our shower or sink won't work)
baby socks
bottles
pacifiers
sheets for bassinet
changing pad
diaper rash cream
baby medicines (ibuprofen, gas drops)
snot sucker bulb thing
baby soap, shampoo
hand sanitizer
Stuff I will personally need, some of which are a little disturbing:
nursing bra/garments
nursing pads
lanolin cream
lanolin cream
thick sanitary pads
diaper bag(I was planning on getting a big purse, but I haven't found one that I like yet)
Okay, so now I need your help. Is there anything that seems superfluous to get? Is there anything that I missed?
Okay, so now I need your help. Is there anything that seems superfluous to get? Is there anything that I missed?
17 comments:
I'm so excited for you to be a mommy! A lot of the stuff that you don't have yet you can get at the hospital, you just have to ask. The nurses ended up giving us a ton of stuff which was really cool. I think the things that you absolutely absolutely need are the lanolin for nursing and different types of nursing bras. You really won't know what you prefer until you're there... But make sure one of them is a sleeping bra... Like a loose sports bra. Also, Hannah prefers her carseat over the bassinet so it was something we ended up not needing.
You can get Lanolin, thick sanitary pads and pacifiers at the hospital. They'll also give you some newborn diapers and wipes. At least you'll be set for the first few days. Your list looks great, otherwise. Don't worry about anything else because husbands are great at running to the store. Good luck, Danielle! I'm so happy for you!
you do not need a snot sucker... the ones at the stores stink and you will get one from the hospital. they should also have pads for you
i would also recommend not getting a big purse... i did that and then ended up getting a real diaper bag.
You have already gotten most of the comments I would have said, but I would like to stress one thing I didn't know until I had my baby- nursing bras stink. Get yourself a comfy sleeping bra (motherhood sells them for pretty cheap) and then get yourself measured for a good nursing bra after your milk comes in. I kid you not, I purchased a total of 8 nursing bras before and right after before finally finding one that really supported me. I wish I had just waited and spent the money on a good one to begin with.
Oh, and you'll want stool softener. Believe me. Good luck!!!
I agree with Anna on the real diaper bag.
I never used nursing underclothing even though I'm on my 5th nursing baby. Stretchy clothes work better unless you want to spend five minutes refastening things every time you get done feeding the baby. Huge money saver here.
I haven't used bottles either but you may need them if you're working.
Your list looks pretty good!
Don't buy a nose bulb sucker thing. Ask if you can just have one from the hospital. It's free and it works WAY better than anything you can buy.
They have diapers and wipes at the hospital. At least they did at UVRMC. Buy some, but leave them at home.
Don't rush on the tub. You can really only do like sponge baths for the first two weeks anyway, til her belly button falls off. But I would definitely get a little infant tub or something. Totally worth every penny.
And I'm still up for babysitting, if you want!! :)
yeah, take the pads they have at the hospital and find the extras in the cupboards. ha.
If your goal is to save money, don't buy the medicines and rash cream yet. (A couple of my babies didn't even need them.) To your needs list, I would add burp cloths and baby nail clippers - just the clippers, you don't need the whole set.
I love the baby bathtub. I use it for almost a full year. Seems more sanitary to me too.
Brand suggestions:
Walmart socks do not stay on. Target's are better for the same price.
Johnson&Johnson nursing pads are the best. (Discreet, truly waterproof, but breathable.) Walmart.
It might be good to have some kind of bouncy chair or swing.
Oh, another reason I prefer a diaper bag is that most now come with a changing pad inside and a little thing to put wipes in, and sometimes even a washable bag for messy clothes.
I've probably exceeded my advice limit. But yay! I love new babies and I'm so excited for you!
I agree with "Cheesecake Momma" the sleeping nursing bra from Motherhood is my **Favorite!!! I wear it all the time, I also bought a few normal nursing bra's before Harper was born and they are almost too small now that my milk has came in.. definitely wait until after you have her to buy them.
Binkies- I would buy anything but those BIG green soothie ones, they are SO hard to keep in the babies mouth.
Rash cream- I have found Balm X to be the most helpful & quickest to clear up the diaper rash.
Wipes- I actually really like parentschoice (wal mart brand). They are big and thick.
Buy a normal diaper bag :)
I would also not buy lanolin cream. I bought a big tube of it before I had Harper. At the hospital they give you a small tube, and you really only need it for the first week or two while you are getting used to nursing.. and you won't even use the entire small tube you get for free from the hospital. & the lanolin tube at wal mart is like $10, and you won't need it. I returned mine.
I think that's all my advice for now, I'm sure I'll comment again :)
WOW! Look at all the great stuff! Wish I had known this going to number one! I echo the nix nose bulb thing -- never used one. Just made my kids angry and they cried...guess what? More snot. I didn't end up using a nursing bra either as all the various snaps etc. What a pain -- plus the added restrictions aided in multiple cases of mastitis -- don't ask -- I purchased a good "civilian" bra in the right size and took out the underwire. Worked great. You BUY everything they use in the hospital, so don't feel like a theif taking what's yours. Most expensive stuff you'll ever get for your baby. Using the car seat as a bassinet is a good idea too. Please use the nursing consultants at the hospital -- it's not as easy as National Geographic makes it look, so if you feel like a total klutz--YOU ARE NORMAL! I do have some other ideas, but will think on them. Remember that women in the third world don't use baby bathtubs or snugglies or....all will be well. How much do you remember of your first few years? Feel free to make some mistakes. You are going to be very tired for a while -- yes, it can get worse from here -- but oh are you in for the adventure of a lifetime. You will be surprised how much your heart can love someone. It is wonderful. Keep us posted!
P.S. I stopped carrying a diaper bag after baby three and just kept supplies in the car. I needed my arms free and usually forgot what I needed in that monstrous bag anyway. Many hospitals give out small diaper bags as promotions for various formula companies. Ohhhhhh and....all free advice is worth what it costs. What totally saves one person will be "whatever" to someone else. The Lord will bless you. You do what you and your husband feels is right. You are the Mom as strange as that sounds right now. Everyone else is just happy bystanders. Wish I could be there.
This is Matthew Fletcher's wife, I just couldn't help but give my input. :)
I got my nursing bra after my milk came in, which will be the first day or two that you're back home after the hospital. If you don't have someone who can go get one for you, (my mom was here) buy one or two in advance. You'll usually go up 2 cup sizes, but you could get a couple sizes if you're unsure. I didn't bother with nursing garments and it was fine.
There's no such thing as a "normal" diaper bag. You can use anything. The hospital usually will give you a bag that will work fine if you haven't found one you like yet. They will also give you some diapers/wipes/pacifier/suction bulb/lanolin cream/pads/other sanitary supplies/even diaper rash cream if you ask. Be sure to ask for more before you leave, the nurses are really good about that. Also make sure they give you an inflatable donut to sit on, you'll probably want it.
You're not supposed to use ibuprofen before 6 months, so stick with infant tylenol, but you probably won't need it until the baby teethes. Gas medicine will likely save your life some nights though, we got that within the first week.
Whether or not you plan on working I suggest getting a couple of bottles. It's a good idea not to introduce it before the baby is two weeks old if you plan on mostly breastfeeding so that the baby has that down before they get the easier bottle, that way you can help avoid nipple confusion. But if you ever want to go out on a date without your baby or sleep a little more while your husband gets baby-bonding time at 3 am, I highly recommend giving the bottle occasionally.
Just be sure to let people help and serve you after the baby is born, that is the biggest thing you need to do so that you can rest and learn about your baby. Have fun!
So that was a long comment, sorry. I'm a nurse, I can't help it.
Apparently I should fix my "normal diaper bag" comment. I just mean using a purse is hard. While they are little using a purse might be easy, there isn't too much to take around. Once she gets older you will need a lot more room.. packing toys, snacks, etc. Now that I have 2 kids- still in diapers, 1 diaper bag doesn't suffice haha. I need a huge duffel bag.
They are spendy but Petunia Pickle bottom has a satchel, and it kinda looks like a big purse but it's a diaper bag. http://www.petunia.com/collections/original/sashaysatchel/moonlitmoments/
Thanks for all the help! I just bought a real diaper bag:
http://www.target.com/p/Tiddliwinks-Carry-All-Diaper-Bag-Lime-Ginko/-/A-13461285
(but for way cheaper than it is at target)
Congrats Danielle!! So happy for you :)
Hey Danielle! I know it's been a while but just wanted to say congrats on the baby! that is super exciting! and baby girls are the best. :) Just wanted to put in a couple tips of various things that I reeally appreciated, since everyone is giving their two cents:
About pads for post-baby, I used the big fat ones for the first couple weeks until my sis told me about these new ones that the Always makes. It's their Infinity line. AWESOME. They are so darn thin but still absorb everything. not sure how, but they are seriously awesome.. lol
couple of other things, not sure if anyone has mentioned these to you but those new muslin swaddling blankets are soo amazing. They keep the baby swaddled so well. Love them. They sell a brand at target named Aden and Anais. packs of 4 for like $30 or so. It's worth it! and one more thing, if you aren't sure about binkies, I know all babies are different but I found that Ivy really liked the MAM brand. took right to it. they come in different sizes too which is way nice for when they are teeny. :)
Good luck with everything! Hope it all goes well! and just remember that no matter what advice everyone tries to give you, to always go with your instincts and what you feel is right for you and your baby.
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