Well, enough of that, what I was initially going to blog about today was the items new moms should register for and all the questions I had as I walked through my pregnancy. That, to me, was one of the most confusing things! What stroller do I get? How many newborn diapers do I need? What bottles? What about a paci?? OH, so many questions!
Before I had Ford I emailed a few friends to get some advice. I thought I would copy and paste what they said and then also post what I think. The thing is, everyone is different. Everyone has a different lifestyle. And, each baby is different. So, take what you will. But, this did help me a little...
friend 1
1) I'd wait until your baby shower to see all the stuff you'll get. You'll be amazed at what you will receive, can take back, can keep, etc.
2) I have the Jenny Lind basic white crib. Not the fanciest out there, but so so inexpensive (we bought it at walmart.com), and so practical and functional. Alot of our friends have it and love it. We just spent more on Restoration Hardware bedding.
3) You definitely need blackout drapes so your baby can sleep. Mom made mine, as I couldn't find any online that I liked. Easy to do. Also, invest in a sound machine (although we received 6, YES SIX, of them for baby gifts, so you may just wait until he's here). Baby Russell most likely won't be sleeping in his crib for the 1st little bit anyways.
4) Register at Buy Buy Baby...they are awesome. Babies R Us is good too, and they accept each other's coupons. Yay! Also, Buy Buy Baby will accept Bed, Bath and Beyond current (not expired) 20% off coupon, and you can use one coupon per item, so you're able to get things for good and cheap!!!
5) Johnson and Johnson really bothers my baby's skin (plus it's filled with parabens, dyes, etc). Aveeno is a great alternative, and I use some BabyGanics stuff I bought at Babies R Us.
6) Keep your diapers you get, as you'll get through newborns and size 1 quickly, but you'll stay in size 2/3 the longest. So if you get an abundance of size 1 diapers, you can take them back and exchange for other sizes.
7) Keep all the burp cloths you get! You'll use them! I'm amazed at how quickly we go through them. Keep tags on blankets, as you'll get tons of them! Aden and Anais are some of my fav (at Target, Swaddle)...they are lightweight and great.
8) Register for an exersaucer, high chair (although you won't need it for a little bit), Bumbo, bouncy seat, swing, pack n play, play mat, baby bathtub, really anything and everything you think you'll need, from blankets to bathtowels (you don't need more than 3), to washcloths, to Boudreaux's Butt Paste. It helps to look at other of your friends' registries online to know what to register for and to get ideas. We love our Summer Infant Monitor, but we also have another portable monitor to take to the lake (or what was left of it!), vacations, etc.
9) The Bob is amazing. Be aware the Chicco car seat does not fit in the Bob, so we just got a basic grey Graco Snug Ride and I love it. We bought the adapter for the car seat for the Bob on amazon.com/mom (register for free and get GREAT deals on diapers, free shipping, etc!) for about $45, (it's normally $60 in stores).
10) If you don't have a FLIP video or other video camera, get one. It's awesome, and we use it alot! Also, invest in LOTS of batteries!! You'll use them!!! (Esp. size D for a swing, AA for everything else)
11) The best nursing bras are honestly at Target, the Gilligan O"Malley brand. They also have great nursing thanks for $16.99 for after you have the baby. You'll also need to register for a breast feeding pump, breastmilk storage bags, and you'll want to wear thin nursing disposable pads (so you don't leak everywhere, although I mainly wear mine 24/7 for comfort so the fabric of my bras doesn't rub up against me).
12) I also registered at Target (which is great for family all over the country who may want to send you a gift...but I think we told you about our woes with their registry at times...can talk more in person later if you have questions on that), Swaddle, Once Upon A Time, and PB Kids (although I didn't see much there I loved...they do have the most comfortable and soft Boppy cover!! And register for a Boppy, you'll need it!).
13) I love my bottle drying rack I bought on Amazon.com/mom. It's sitting on my counter. Best bottles that we love are the Born Free, as they are BPA free. Honestly the glass ones are great, as I feel like the plastic ones may leak. You might want to try several different bottles to see what Ford (???) likes, but the Born Free ones sort of imitate the mom's breast, if that makes sense. Only problem is they are wide mouth nipples/bottles, so they don't fit other standard sized bottles.
14) I only have one thing of Dreft laundry detergent, and I don't think you need more than that.
2) I have the Jenny Lind basic white crib. Not the fanciest out there, but so so inexpensive (we bought it at walmart.com), and so practical and functional. Alot of our friends have it and love it. We just spent more on Restoration Hardware bedding.
3) You definitely need blackout drapes so your baby can sleep. Mom made mine, as I couldn't find any online that I liked. Easy to do. Also, invest in a sound machine (although we received 6, YES SIX, of them for baby gifts, so you may just wait until he's here). Baby Russell most likely won't be sleeping in his crib for the 1st little bit anyways.
4) Register at Buy Buy Baby...they are awesome. Babies R Us is good too, and they accept each other's coupons. Yay! Also, Buy Buy Baby will accept Bed, Bath and Beyond current (not expired) 20% off coupon, and you can use one coupon per item, so you're able to get things for good and cheap!!!
5) Johnson and Johnson really bothers my baby's skin (plus it's filled with parabens, dyes, etc). Aveeno is a great alternative, and I use some BabyGanics stuff I bought at Babies R Us.
6) Keep your diapers you get, as you'll get through newborns and size 1 quickly, but you'll stay in size 2/3 the longest. So if you get an abundance of size 1 diapers, you can take them back and exchange for other sizes.
7) Keep all the burp cloths you get! You'll use them! I'm amazed at how quickly we go through them. Keep tags on blankets, as you'll get tons of them! Aden and Anais are some of my fav (at Target, Swaddle)...they are lightweight and great.
8) Register for an exersaucer, high chair (although you won't need it for a little bit), Bumbo, bouncy seat, swing, pack n play, play mat, baby bathtub, really anything and everything you think you'll need, from blankets to bathtowels (you don't need more than 3), to washcloths, to Boudreaux's Butt Paste. It helps to look at other of your friends' registries online to know what to register for and to get ideas. We love our Summer Infant Monitor, but we also have another portable monitor to take to the lake (or what was left of it!), vacations, etc.
9) The Bob is amazing. Be aware the Chicco car seat does not fit in the Bob, so we just got a basic grey Graco Snug Ride and I love it. We bought the adapter for the car seat for the Bob on amazon.com/mom (register for free and get GREAT deals on diapers, free shipping, etc!) for about $45, (it's normally $60 in stores).
10) If you don't have a FLIP video or other video camera, get one. It's awesome, and we use it alot! Also, invest in LOTS of batteries!! You'll use them!!! (Esp. size D for a swing, AA for everything else)
11) The best nursing bras are honestly at Target, the Gilligan O"Malley brand. They also have great nursing thanks for $16.99 for after you have the baby. You'll also need to register for a breast feeding pump, breastmilk storage bags, and you'll want to wear thin nursing disposable pads (so you don't leak everywhere, although I mainly wear mine 24/7 for comfort so the fabric of my bras doesn't rub up against me).
12) I also registered at Target (which is great for family all over the country who may want to send you a gift...but I think we told you about our woes with their registry at times...can talk more in person later if you have questions on that), Swaddle, Once Upon A Time, and PB Kids (although I didn't see much there I loved...they do have the most comfortable and soft Boppy cover!! And register for a Boppy, you'll need it!).
13) I love my bottle drying rack I bought on Amazon.com/mom. It's sitting on my counter. Best bottles that we love are the Born Free, as they are BPA free. Honestly the glass ones are great, as I feel like the plastic ones may leak. You might want to try several different bottles to see what Ford (???) likes, but the Born Free ones sort of imitate the mom's breast, if that makes sense. Only problem is they are wide mouth nipples/bottles, so they don't fit other standard sized bottles.
14) I only have one thing of Dreft laundry detergent, and I don't think you need more than that.
friend 2
Car Seat-Chico KeyFit 30 mid of the line, great quality
Strollers-bob jogger and peg perego-like an upscale umbrella stroller. Has straps that hold chico car seat.
Monitor-Summers Video Monitor
This is a must have. It is expensive but totally worth every penny. Bc
our house is small, I turn of the volume but keep the video on that
way small noises don't wake me but I can see them at all time. For
second child, all you have to do is buy a second camera bc the monitor
will pick up both cameras so we can switch channels and see both
children
Medela Quick Clean bags-totally must bc these bags can be used 20
times to steam bottles, nipples, pump supplies, sippy cups, etc in 3
minutes! A box has five bags (again, each bag can be used 20x) for
$4.99.
Medela Pump and all the different supplies for it-Expensive but
totally worth every penny. I have used it for both children. One part
broke and all I had to do is call Medela and they mailed me the new
part. Has a great warranty. You may want to see if your milk comes in
and breastfeeding is going well before buying. At St. Vincents, you
can rent a pump at first. This is what I did and then I bought a pump
after I knew I would continue breastfeeding.
Medela Soft breast shields-I produce a lot more milk using the soft
shields than the regular all hard plastic ones.
Don't buy a lot of bottles. Buy just a few bc your baby may not like
what you buy. I bought all these Dr. Brown's and Nolen was fine using
the simple Medela bottles. Mae on the other hand, likes the $1.50
Gerber bottles. Who knew??? Same with pacis-Nolen liked the Nuk pacis
like you get from St. Vincents but Mae had trouble with those. Now she
likes the Gumdrop ones. I had to try a lot of different types on her
before she would take one. I think her mouth is too small for a lot of
them. She would gag and almost throw up when I would try a paci.
If you have an iphone, you can download an app (I used Baby Brain-not
my favorite some times but I am still using it. There are a lot of
apps to choose from.) that will help you keep track of feedings, sleep
patterns, dirty diapers, etc. Keeping track of these types of things
is extremely helpful. If you don't have a phone that has apps, get the
Itzbeen. It keeps track of everything and you can even set an alarm to
tell you when the next feeding will occur.
Blankets: Summers swaddle me blankets are a must
Swaddle Design flannel blankets are great. Good for inside and cold weather
Muslin swaddle blankets good for warm weather and outside
Burp cloths-I like the Gerber cloth diapers (you can buy a pack of 12)
and then I got my sister-in-law to monogram/applique them for me.
***Monogramming burb cloths, lovies, etc is good thing especially if
the baby goes to daycare or mother's day out bc their stuff won't get
confused with other babies.
Speaking of that, get labels made for bottles and pacis. Here is a
great website:
http://www.cherryhilldesigns.
You can also order labels for baby's clothes so if someone borrows the
clothes your name is in it. The labels just stick to clothes like a
sticker but never come off. It is amazing. I did some with my last name
and put on my maternity clothes so when people borrow they know what
is mine.
Once Upon A Time has a good bottle/sippy cup name band, I order for
the kids too.
Sounds machine is a must! The kind at Buy Buy Baby is great. The key
to my kids sleeping well is a full tummy, sounds machine, dark room
and tight swaddle-works like a charm.
Travel bag for baby-not a necessity but I love this. I packed the
baby's stuff in their bag for the hospital:
http://www.littleenglish.com/
Get lots of Gerber onesies-baby can't regulate the body temp so I
always put baby in onesie and then gown on top of onesie. It also
helps to have baby in onesie bc if they have a poop explosion : ) the
onesie can prevent the poop from getting on the outside gown or
clothing.
Speaking of poop explosions, I keep Dreft stain spray in the baby's
closet so when this happens I can spray the stain right away to
prevent the stain from really staining. Keep a dreft pen in diaper bag
too. So far, must of my stains come out really well.
I love the medela lotions, diaper rash cream, shampoos, body wash,
etc. It is more expensive than Aveeno or Johnson and Johnson but it
has never broken out my babies' skin and both babies have never had
cradle cap using the foam shampoo. Plus I think it smells divine. BBB
and Babies R Us run good specials on it every once in awhile too. I
think right now there is buy one, get two free or something like that.
AND I only go through one foam shampoo every six months so the money
goes a long way. Lotions do the same thing. The body wash/shampoo gets
used up fast though.
Swaddle has a really neat nail file that has worked well on both of my children.
Strollers-bob jogger and peg perego-like an upscale umbrella stroller. Has straps that hold chico car seat.
Monitor-Summers Video Monitor
This is a must have. It is expensive but totally worth every penny. Bc
our house is small, I turn of the volume but keep the video on that
way small noises don't wake me but I can see them at all time. For
second child, all you have to do is buy a second camera bc the monitor
will pick up both cameras so we can switch channels and see both
children
Medela Quick Clean bags-totally must bc these bags can be used 20
times to steam bottles, nipples, pump supplies, sippy cups, etc in 3
minutes! A box has five bags (again, each bag can be used 20x) for
$4.99.
Medela Pump and all the different supplies for it-Expensive but
totally worth every penny. I have used it for both children. One part
broke and all I had to do is call Medela and they mailed me the new
part. Has a great warranty. You may want to see if your milk comes in
and breastfeeding is going well before buying. At St. Vincents, you
can rent a pump at first. This is what I did and then I bought a pump
after I knew I would continue breastfeeding.
Medela Soft breast shields-I produce a lot more milk using the soft
shields than the regular all hard plastic ones.
Don't buy a lot of bottles. Buy just a few bc your baby may not like
what you buy. I bought all these Dr. Brown's and Nolen was fine using
the simple Medela bottles. Mae on the other hand, likes the $1.50
Gerber bottles. Who knew??? Same with pacis-Nolen liked the Nuk pacis
like you get from St. Vincents but Mae had trouble with those. Now she
likes the Gumdrop ones. I had to try a lot of different types on her
before she would take one. I think her mouth is too small for a lot of
them. She would gag and almost throw up when I would try a paci.
If you have an iphone, you can download an app (I used Baby Brain-not
my favorite some times but I am still using it. There are a lot of
apps to choose from.) that will help you keep track of feedings, sleep
patterns, dirty diapers, etc. Keeping track of these types of things
is extremely helpful. If you don't have a phone that has apps, get the
Itzbeen. It keeps track of everything and you can even set an alarm to
tell you when the next feeding will occur.
Blankets: Summers swaddle me blankets are a must
Swaddle Design flannel blankets are great. Good for inside and cold weather
Muslin swaddle blankets good for warm weather and outside
Burp cloths-I like the Gerber cloth diapers (you can buy a pack of 12)
and then I got my sister-in-law to monogram/applique them for me.
***Monogramming burb cloths, lovies, etc is good thing especially if
the baby goes to daycare or mother's day out bc their stuff won't get
confused with other babies.
Speaking of that, get labels made for bottles and pacis. Here is a
great website:
http://www.cherryhilldesigns.
You can also order labels for baby's clothes so if someone borrows the
clothes your name is in it. The labels just stick to clothes like a
sticker but never come off. It is amazing. I did some with my last name
and put on my maternity clothes so when people borrow they know what
is mine.
Once Upon A Time has a good bottle/sippy cup name band, I order for
the kids too.
Sounds machine is a must! The kind at Buy Buy Baby is great. The key
to my kids sleeping well is a full tummy, sounds machine, dark room
and tight swaddle-works like a charm.
Travel bag for baby-not a necessity but I love this. I packed the
baby's stuff in their bag for the hospital:
http://www.littleenglish.com/
Get lots of Gerber onesies-baby can't regulate the body temp so I
always put baby in onesie and then gown on top of onesie. It also
helps to have baby in onesie bc if they have a poop explosion : ) the
onesie can prevent the poop from getting on the outside gown or
clothing.
Speaking of poop explosions, I keep Dreft stain spray in the baby's
closet so when this happens I can spray the stain right away to
prevent the stain from really staining. Keep a dreft pen in diaper bag
too. So far, must of my stains come out really well.
I love the medela lotions, diaper rash cream, shampoos, body wash,
etc. It is more expensive than Aveeno or Johnson and Johnson but it
has never broken out my babies' skin and both babies have never had
cradle cap using the foam shampoo. Plus I think it smells divine. BBB
and Babies R Us run good specials on it every once in awhile too. I
think right now there is buy one, get two free or something like that.
AND I only go through one foam shampoo every six months so the money
goes a long way. Lotions do the same thing. The body wash/shampoo gets
used up fast though.
Swaddle has a really neat nail file that has worked well on both of my children.
They also have a neat touch thermometer that you touch
their foreheads with and it gives you their temperature.
Pottery Barn Kids chamois crib fitted sheets are wonderful
If you use a boppy, make sure to get a pillow protector along with a
cover. Between sip up and other dirty things that can happen, you want
the boppy pillow to be protected.
I would get two boppy pillow covers, a couple sheets, a couple
changing pad covers, etc. Stuff like that can get dirty or messed up
really quick. It is always helpful to have a spare or two.
Remember, I am not the most frugal person, so I will spend money for
convenience. : )
Don't dry baby clothes-they shrink in a blink of an eye. I hang dry
most things. It just seems to let the baby get more wear out of a
certain size if I don't dry it.
Wash everything in Dreft. A lot of my friends use The Laundress (sp?)
detergent that you get at swaddle, I think. They say it smells good.
It is more expensive but they say one bottle last a really long time.
Dreft works good for me and I think it smells good to.
Bath tubs-I had this thing made by Summer. It was mesh and looked
almost like a sling. It folded up. Baby used it for awhile but I
discovered it was easier to take a bath with him and just hold him. I
went out of town with Baby and needed something to help me give him a
bath in the hotel room, so I bought this inexpensive mesh thing with a
frame from WalMart that we are putting in the sink and using for my other baby
while she is so tiny. It works really well. It looks like a baby
lounge chair, if you will. : )
Okay, that is my baby advice for now. I hope this is helpful. Take it
with a grain of salt. You have to do what works best for you, and you
will discover this when the baby gets here.
their foreheads with and it gives you their temperature.
Pottery Barn Kids chamois crib fitted sheets are wonderful
If you use a boppy, make sure to get a pillow protector along with a
cover. Between sip up and other dirty things that can happen, you want
the boppy pillow to be protected.
I would get two boppy pillow covers, a couple sheets, a couple
changing pad covers, etc. Stuff like that can get dirty or messed up
really quick. It is always helpful to have a spare or two.
Remember, I am not the most frugal person, so I will spend money for
convenience. : )
Don't dry baby clothes-they shrink in a blink of an eye. I hang dry
most things. It just seems to let the baby get more wear out of a
certain size if I don't dry it.
Wash everything in Dreft. A lot of my friends use The Laundress (sp?)
detergent that you get at swaddle, I think. They say it smells good.
It is more expensive but they say one bottle last a really long time.
Dreft works good for me and I think it smells good to.
Bath tubs-I had this thing made by Summer. It was mesh and looked
almost like a sling. It folded up. Baby used it for awhile but I
discovered it was easier to take a bath with him and just hold him. I
went out of town with Baby and needed something to help me give him a
bath in the hotel room, so I bought this inexpensive mesh thing with a
frame from WalMart that we are putting in the sink and using for my other baby
while she is so tiny. It works really well. It looks like a baby
lounge chair, if you will. : )
Okay, that is my baby advice for now. I hope this is helpful. Take it
with a grain of salt. You have to do what works best for you, and you
will discover this when the baby gets here.
What I did:
That is some great advice from those two ladies!
Let me start off with things I love and use all the time, things that I have used in the first 4months:
Swaddle blankets- I have about 8 and use them all the time. I also "stole" from the hospital about 4-5 of the hospital blankets and use them to clean up messes, spit ups, etc. They are soft and I don't care if they get ruined. I do love the Aden and Anais blankets, they stretch and are breathable. I also love this felty type blanket I received from someone it's made by Swaddle Designs (friend #2 mentioned these as well). I love it because the texture of it helps the baby not to squirm out of it. Ford is a big kicker- once I swaddled him tight enough he started sleeping through the night. Did you hear that? "Once I swaddled him tight enough he started sleeping through the night." Just want to make sure because that is when life started getting better for me ;)!!
Changing pad covers- I bought 2 changing pad covers, which I am glad I did because when one gets dirty I can immediately put a new one on. I also took friend #2's advice on keeping the Dreft spray stain remover on the changing table to spray on clothes if they got dirty. And then my laundry basket is right next to the changing table= easy!
Sound Machine- Definitely get a sound machine I have this one I love it because it's small, makes loud rain noise, and it projects circling images on the ceiling- which is nice for the baby to look at but also nice because it lights up the room just enough for you to see baby at night without turning on bright lights! Even though, I do recommend getting your hubby to install a dimmer light switch - it just can calm a room in a second when you can dim the lights.
Crib info: I have a pottery barn crib but that's only because I was able to get it 40% off! Otherwise, I am sure any crib is fine. I also have their comfy swivel glider and love it. It is a perfect size for a nursery.
I have a liner for the crib. It's like this waterproof sheet thing that you lay on top of the fitted sheet of the crib so you don't have to completely undo the whole bed. You can just pick up that top liner and wash it.
Ford has not been sensitive to anything so I am just using the basic Johnson and Johnson baby wash and lotion.
Bottles- I use the Dr. Brown bottles. The beauty of Dr. Brown is that it really does get the air out. In other words, the baby won't get gassy or air in his belly. The trick is to NOT fill it above the line that says "If you fill above here, bottle may leak"...So, of course, since I did that every time initially to make a good big bottle, it leaked and Ford got gassy because the bottle wasn't doing what it was capable of doing....getting the air out! I have a few (like 4?)of the 4 oz. bottles and then you will want to get the larger 8 oz. (4 of these too). When I am at work I take two 8 oz. bottles to pump into throughout the day and then I give my mom or Lindsay two 8 oz. bottles full plus a full 4 oz. bottle to cover they day. (this is when Ford is 3- 4 months old).
Waste basket- I have the Diaper Genie II and it has worked great. You do need to buy refills for it though.
I LOVE my diaper bag:
It looks like an adorable purse, right?! It is by timi & Leslie. It came with a insulated bottle carrier, a cute clutch bag inside this big bag for Mom, a pad to change the baby on, and many many pockets inside to hold wipes, pacis, hand sanitizer, and let's not forget diapers! When I first left the house, I had no idea what to really put in there- you feel like you need to pack the WORLD! Lindsay said, "Put a few change of clothes (which I never would have thought of), diapers, wipes, and paci. I now throw in blankets, bottles, and always a snack for me in there!
Boppy- LOVE IT. Obviously you use it while you are nursing but I also used it to prop baby Ford up when he was little:
I only have one cover for it and that hasn't been a problem.
The small things to have on hand at the beginning: finger nail clippers, rectal and a regular thermometer, you will get the nose sucker thingy from the hospital, a Soothie paci (great for at the beginning because it mimics the nipple), Lanolin cream (for the boobies), cotton balls to soak in alcohol and keep in zip baggy on changing table- you will dabble a little bit on the belly button when you change them to help it heal quicker, many pads and a couple full coverage panties, disposable breast pads, a bottle brush cleaner, a bottle rack/dryer, newborn diapers and maybe some size 1s- you might have a big baby;).
Let's talk boobs- My SIL, Rayne, let me borrow her Medela breast pump. All I had to do was go buy more tubing etc. for sanitation. I also took it apart and cleaned everything with a sanitary wipes. Even the lactation consultant at St. Vincents told me this was okay, as long as I cleaned it well. Beforehand, I might have been a little hesitant, but after I have used it and pumped etc. I have realized it's just not that big of a deal. It's air pumping through the tubes that I purchased and are brand new.... so to each their own! You will also want Medela pump and save bags to store milk in the freezer.
I also enjoyed these things called Lily Pads (around $20). They are reusable silicone breast pads that keep you from leaking. I also have the disposable ones, but at one point those were rubbing me the wrong way if you know what I mean (you wouldn't think, but things get real tender in that area!) and the silicone ones felt so much better to me!
I have one nursing bra with no under wire, one sleeping nursing bra, and one black and one white nursing tank top. Most of these I got from Target and they have worked fine. I also now wear sports bras all the time. I do love having the tank tops.
How did/do new mom's make it without an iPhone??? I took notes from what the doctor said on my phone, counted my contractions with an app I downloaded, I still use my breast feeding app I downloaded to track my feedings and how long they are (ibabyfeed app), I pencil our doctors appointments in my phone calendar, I take pictures of him constantly on it! I mean, I don't know, it has been a wonderful thing to have!
So, what about the BIG stuff? Like the stroller?
I, of course, took big sis with me to Buy Buy Baby with me to help me pick out everything and Rayne, who had just had a baby helped me fill out my registry online- two HUGE helps! When Lindsay and I went they just so happen to be having a sale on Britax stroller and car seat. It was buy the stroller get the car seat for FREE and then I also go the next step up for the stroller, when he starts facing forward. So, honestly, we went for it because of the deal, but there were also great reviews on Britax. Lindsay also liked that there was storage underneath the seat to hold her purse, a cup holder for a drink, it was easy to move around, it wasn't too bulky, and one day we could even fit two kids in there. We would just have to buy the other seat.
Things other people told me: Peg Perego was very heavy, but VERY safe. Graco is lighter, more affordable, but apparently can be pliable/not as safe?. I never heard one word about Britax until I got to the store.
As far as the exersaucer, bumbo, activity/play mat I got all of mine at a consignment sale after he was born. So they were barely used and a third of the price. But he didn't need that the first 2 months. So, if necessary you can maybe wait on those initially. And, if you saw the previous post, he loves this thing called the kicking coaster!
The swing- They now make a swing and a bouncy seat all in one= less clutter! It's this one. I like it because it sings, swings, and vibrates. Then you can pick up the seat and just make it a bouncy seat on the ground. I did have a swing at the beginning and enjoyed having that to make let him take a nap in.
Bath tub- You will want one of these. I recommend the one that has a hammock in it because when they are really small you will want that to help support the baby. I only have 2 towel wraps and a couple of wash clothes and that has been fine for me.
Bassinets- Rayne let me borrow her beautiful one. She was so creative and used her husbands old wicker bassinet but then got it recovered with beautiful, more modern fabric. This is the only pic I could find, but notice it in the top left behind the chair...also notice Audrey totally taking over Ford's activity mat.
I did not put it in my room when he first came home. I kept it out in the living room for him to take naps in and it was nice to have out there when people came over to see him. I, from day one, put him in the crib. As hard as it is for new mothers to put their brand new baby in another room- I would highly recommend it! You will sleep so much better and, trust me, you WILL hear him. Its just weird - even if I don't HEAR Ford crying in my house for some odd reason I just know when he is. Probably because I have him on a schedule. I try to do the same routine everyday. Then he knows what to expect next and is less fussy because he knows what's coming next. Does that make since?
Speaking of that, I read a couple of books beforehand. The one I recommend the most is Baby Wise. Lindsay is also a big believer in this book. It talks about the schedule: eat, play, sleep and to always make sure you give a full feeding and lots of other good stuff. I also browsed: "The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding" by Marianne Neifer, MD, "The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy" by Vicki Iovine, and Rayne also gave me a funny book by Jenny McCarthy called "Baby Laughs": the naked truth about the first year of mommy hood.
What do I need to take to the hospital? Here is a list that I got from some one...
Hospital Bag:
Change of clothes for hubby
Leaving the hospital outfit for mom
Leaving the hospital outfit for Baby (gown, hat, socks, and blanket)
Two more outfits for Baby
Toiletries for mom and hubby
Robe
Slippers
Socks
Boppy and Boppy Cover
3 Nightgowns
Nursing Pads
Underwear that can be thrown away in big size
2 Nursing bras – one is a sleeping nursing bra
Camera
Camera Charger
Cosmetics and Hairdryer
Phone chargers
Pillows & sleeping bag for hubby
Pages from baby book for footprints
My list:
I splurged on some nice shampoo and soap so I would feel pampered and clean after labor.
Makeup, hair dryer, brush
Nightgown that buttoned up
Boppy
Granny panties
Pillow
Sleeping bag for Mac (it just makes the hospital bed more comfortable)
Baby book
Camera, camera charger
Nursing bra and sleeping nursing bra
Socks, Slippers
Toiletries
Phone charger
Leaving the hospital outfit
Couple outfits for Ford and his leaving outfit
Car seat
Man, I'm out of breath, or really my fingers are getting tired. I feel like I have covered most everything. If not let me know!
If anyone else has suggestions make a comment and I will post it! Because everyone has different preferences and every baby is different! So just take what you will from this post!
WOW! Lots of information! I stumbled upon your sister's blog and have been reading it and that's how I found yours. I am expecting my first baby at the end of July and this has been EXTREMELY helpful!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome and must have taken you forever to write/type all of this! Great tips--Makes me want to have a third baby :) Just found your blog on Rayne's..She and I "work" together (I am at a dental lab) and great friends too, Mac and I went to school and graduated together, and Jana and I are the greatest of friends and our boys are a few days apart and are big time buddies sharing their Birthday party together this year! That sounded caa-razy--haha! Ford is precious and y'all make a beautiful family! So many friends are expecting, I can't wait to pass this to them. Thank you mucho!
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