One thing that was essential for us that gets overlooked is LOTS of waterproof liners. Infant diaper changing is messy. Runny #2s and pee everywhere. I had those liners all over the place to protect all changing areas from waste. Motherhood is so glamorous!
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
------- We had the mini arms reach co sleeper. We have a tiny bedroom so a play yard would not fit. It worked well for us and my sister has used it for her two kids as well.
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
I used a rnp until dd was 5mo. I had never heard that it increases the risk for sids.
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
I'm interested to know too. I was originally going to do the RnP until I started reading more about it. So now I am leaning towards the PnP.
My #1 is a bouncer. We had the snugabunny one and my kids practically lived in that thing when I wasn't holding them. Also footed sleepers, that is all my kids wore for the first month or two.
Nosefrida, snuza hero to check breathing while baby sleeps, and Merlin's magic sleep suit when we transition to the crib. Best $ we ever spent was on those 3 items!
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
**waiting for replies with you**
We are planning to use a PnP in our bed room for the first month or two then move the baby to the crib.
Did anyone do the BuyBuyBaby registry store tour? Is it worthwhile or just a big sales pitch? I also have no clue what we'll actually need.
I don't know if it's the same thing, but I registered there last time and walked through with an associate who tried to sell me EVERYTHING. His most ridiculous sales pitch was for a bottle warmer. "Baby is screaming and needs to be fed right now. You put a pan of water on the stove to boil, but you're so overtired that you accidentally fall asleep. The water cooks off, the bottle melts, and the plastic catches on fire. Suddenly your whole apartment is on fire and hopefully you wake up in time to grab your baby and escape. A bottle warmer would prevent all of that."
I wish I were exaggerating. His whole sales pitch was extreme, but that was the craziest example.
So here's the thing, every baby is different, so you may buy this stuff and find you never need it. DS always hated the swaddle, so all those lovely A+A blankets and sleep gowns went to waste in my house. I've never needed the NoseFrida, and we got by fine without mittens.
For DS, the wubanubs were great, and he napped so well in the rock-n-play. The sleep sheep (or in our case sleep owl) is fantastic, but we didn't use it in the first 6 months.
I agree with everything you said about every baby being different. As an example, my son hated wubanubs (and all pacifiers) and the sleep sheep, but A&A blankets were a staple in my diaper bag for months.
We can agree on the nosefrida and mittens being unnecessary
Edited to add: Also, a cold mist humidifier really helps with colds!
Maybe a stupid question but why cold mist as opposed to warm mist humidifier?
i have actually never seen a warm mist humidifier. but i believe it has something to do with the danger of having something that heats up as well as the appearance of mold.
i could be pulling that straight out of my ass though. i'm sure google has a better answer.
if you get a humidifier, make sure to get one where you can see the mist. because at 2 my daughter loves that thing and screams "volcano!!!" every time i turn it on. seriously, they will love it.
yeah. every nursery needs a humidifer! definitely at the top of my list of favorite things.
Exactly this. I had a humidifier that was hot when I was growing up, used to put vicks vapor rub in it, but only use that for adults. For kids, cold mist. Also, they crawl around and will get their hands on it.
A bunch of you have suggested here and previously to get a p n p my brother just bought this for us which is similar. I was hoping to use the bassinet top for the first 3-6 months before we transition baby to the crib from our bedroom. Do you think that's realistic? I have seen the much smaller and nicer Halo bassinet but am leery of spending an additional several hundred bucks if this is sufficient.
ETA Please excuse the mess of neglected running and cross training shoes in the background.
We used the bassinet setting until dd started to crawl/pull herself up...6 months old maybe? It's a great feature!
Love all this, and will have to check out Lucie's List!
We're putting together a registry, and I notice a lot of people mentioned the Rock'n'Play. But I also see that it only swings if you give it a push. Did people like this better than the motorized swing? Can anyone tell me why it gets mentioned more than any other swing/cradle?
I just saw on a local TV magazine show that there is a motorized rnp. I just googled it, but couldn't find it. We didn't have one, but my friends really like them.
Ok so really stupid confession. This was posted on veteran's day so even though I'm a STM I've been ignoring it because I thought you only wanted to talk to mom's that were war veteran's. Lol
What is everyone choosing to have their newborn sleep in for the first few months? I was going to just use the rock n play, but then I read this article on sids that says it's not good for sleep because of the slight tilt. Now I'm thinking the pack n play? Maybe just a portable bassinet?
**waiting for replies with you**
I will use the Pack and Play for the first 6 -7 months. In the beginning we will use the bassinet part that comes with the P&P and then will move her to the top part of it. Provided she is like her brother... if that does not work for her, I would not hesitate to get a RnP.
ETA: I love Aden and Anais Blankets. These are a must have in my opinion. The other piece of advice I have for FTM's... wait to buy some of the stuff you absolutely think you need. You really don't need everything prior to baby being born. There are some things I bought thinking, OMG I must have these, and I have yet to use them. My point is you will have some time after baby is born to figure out what he/she will need and/or what they like.
We were told by our pediatrician to always take a baby's temperature under their arm rather than via their butt as little anuses can tear easily so I am wondering why so many recommended that. Thermometer is needed anyways..
Must haves for me: nursing pillow (also liked BreastFriend), Itzeebeen (a mini little machine that records which side you breastfed on/when the baby last pooped/when you last took your meds (if you need to take meds)... Otherwise I was too tired to keep track and would get plugged ducts or forget my meds. A bassinet or something to keep baby close to you. A breast pump. Scratch mitts. A good water bottle for you. Meals in the freezer. Some kind of shade for your car seat for the summer months. A baby carrier of some sort (practice them if you can to see what you like best). Lanolin cream. Mother's milk tea. Sleep sacks. Good nursing bras/tops, comfy clothes that look presentable (you will be tired- things that require little effort to clean are best). Some type of help from someone else so you don't go crazy.
For soon after birth, not to buy but to have... Frozen cabbage leaves (when your milk comes in it is uncomfortable - my doula told me this trick to keep the breasts from burning... Helped so much! Weird, I know. My breasts would actually cook the cabbage - they get that hot) Some pads for bleeding (heard if you give birth vaginally it is good to have those frozen as well for the pain).
Our little one slept in her crib at night from the time we brought her home from the hospital. She slept a ton the first week and that must have helped establish that routine.
We used the Dr Brown's bottles and the sterilizer setting on the dishwasher.
Our lifelines were the baby Bjorn and a vibrating bouncy chair. She was colicky for a few weeks and taking her for a walk outside in the Bjorn was the miracle cure every time. The vibrating bouncy chair was an amazing babysitter when I wanted a bath and she loved it!
That was almost 8 years ago so I don't doubt there are some awesome newer options. I've heard the Ergo is a great carrier, for example.
We were told by our pediatrician to always take a baby's temperature under their arm rather than via their butt as little anuses can tear easily so I am wondering why so many recommended that. Thermometer is needed anyways..
Must haves for me: nursing pillow (also liked BreastFriend), Itzeebeen (a mini little machine that records which side you breastfed on/when the baby last pooped/when you last took your meds (if you need to take meds)... Otherwise I was too tired to keep track and would get plugged ducts or forget my meds. A bassinet or something to keep baby close to you. A breast pump. Scratch mitts. A good water bottle for you. Meals in the freezer. Some kind of shade for your car seat for the summer months. A baby carrier of some sort (practice them if you can to see what you like best). Lanolin cream. Mother's milk tea. Sleep sacks. Good nursing bras/tops, comfy clothes that look presentable (you will be tired- things that require little effort to clean are best). Some type of help from someone else so you don't go crazy.
For soon after birth, not to buy but to have... Frozen cabbage leaves (when your milk comes in it is uncomfortable - my doula told me this trick to keep the breasts from burning... Helped so much! Weird, I know. My breasts would actually cook the cabbage - they get that hot) Some pads for bleeding (heard if you give birth vaginally it is good to have those frozen as well for the pain).
I've never heard of the recommendation to take temp under arm. Any rec I have ever heard is to take the temp rectally. We've never had an issue. Safety 1st has a great thermometer that has a little notch to show how far to insert the thermometer.
So awesome! I have just bought my baby backseat mirror from Ginger Kids Backseat Mirror a month ago too after giving birth with my first child. For me as a mom I really need this because I need to make sure that my child is safe.
I haven't read all of the other comments so some of this might be a repeat. -Nosafrida. We tried every bulb and electric nose aspirator and nothing has compared. -Halo sleep sacks with the Velcro wings. My daughter was an escape artist but couldn't bust her arms out of these swaddles. -Angelcare or Snuza. Peace of mind. A friend lost her son to SIDS so this hit extra close to home. -A&D ointment to help make the diapers changes easier. The nurse where I delivered told me to use this ointment on my daughters vagina/bum with each diaper change to help make poop diapers easier to clean and to protect her skin. I used the ointment for almost 2yrs straight and she never had diaper rash. -Wubbanub pacifiers. My daughter was a pacifier addict and once she was good at holding a paci in her mouth we switched to the Wubbanub. She could easily grasp the toy and told her pacifier in. the most valuable part was that I could actually find the pacifier if it was thrown or dropped. -Gerber cloth diapers as burp clothes. My daughter was an epic spitter. She had bad reflux so after each feeding we had to prepare ourselves (and the furniture) for a liquid bomb that was bound to go off. They are super absorbent and a generous size so you can cover more space. -Baby Gap socks with the elastic band on the top (not the fold top). Socks that actually stayed on! -Tommee Tippee bibs with the absorbent ring. Saved me so many outfit changes once I discovered them. -Ditch the normal high chair and option for a Fisher Price Space Saver. It straps to one of the dining chairs. We have the all plastic one with no soft cover (those covers get disgusting and have to be constantly washed.. I wish I had started with the space saver from the beginning with my daughter). The one we have has a tray that can we removed and the seat then can be used as a booster. No bulky chair to move around! -Travel high chair. I don't remeber the brand right now but it slides on the end of a table and folds flat for easy transport. -Swing. This was by far my daughters favorite thing until she was 6m old. -Boppy for breastfeeding/tummy time/learning to sit. -Backseat mirror. -Dangling car seat toys after they are a couple months old -Bassinet/PNP/mini crib for the first few weeks. I liked to have my daughter close at night. We decided against the RNP after hearing stories from friends about horrible crib transitions since they are so snuggled and at an incline. I know it has worked for some but we opted for a bassinet instead. Like I mentioned before my daughter had reflux and when she needed to be at an incline I just used a rolled up receiving blanket under the mattress to elevate her. -I'm a huge Britax fan. We use the B-Safe for the infant car seat and the B-agile stroller. The b-agile is lightweight, easy to manuver, not bulky, and can be easily opened/closed with one hand.
For mom: -Lansinoh gel nipple pads. Keep them in the fridge and wear them when needed. Saved my poor nipples during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. -Lanolin ointment. -Dermoplast cooling recovery spray if you have a vaginal birth. -Lots of Tucks pads. -A few different types of nursing bras. I loved the soft fabric ones for at night, traditional for during the day, and sport ones for lounging.
Re: Veteran moms post your baby must haves here!!
One thing that was essential for us that gets overlooked is LOTS of waterproof liners. Infant diaper changing is messy. Runny #2s and pee everywhere. I had those liners all over the place to protect all changing areas from waste. Motherhood is so glamorous!
We had the mini arms reach co sleeper. We have a tiny bedroom so a play yard would not fit. It worked well for us and my sister has used it for her two kids as well.
I wish I were exaggerating. His whole sales pitch was extreme, but that was the craziest example.
We can agree on the nosefrida and mittens being unnecessary
Factor V Leiden Homozygous, Advanced Maternal Age
TTC #1, 5 yrs, PCOS, Femera + Ovidrel.
IUI#3 BFP, DD 5/31/2012
TTC #2, 2 yrs, PCOS, Femera+Ovidrel
IUI#2 BFP!
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ETA: I love Aden and Anais Blankets. These are a must have in my opinion. The other piece of advice I have for FTM's... wait to buy some of the stuff you absolutely think you need. You really don't need everything prior to baby being born. There are some things I bought thinking, OMG I must have these, and I have yet to use them. My point is you will have some time after baby is born to figure out what he/she will need and/or what they like.
Must haves for me: nursing pillow (also liked BreastFriend), Itzeebeen (a mini little machine that records which side you breastfed on/when the baby last pooped/when you last took your meds (if you need to take meds)... Otherwise I was too tired to keep track and would get plugged ducts or forget my meds. A bassinet or something to keep baby close to you. A breast pump. Scratch mitts. A good water bottle for you. Meals in the freezer. Some kind of shade for your car seat for the summer months. A baby carrier of some sort (practice them if you can to see what you like best). Lanolin cream. Mother's milk tea. Sleep sacks. Good nursing bras/tops, comfy clothes that look presentable (you will be tired- things that require little effort to clean are best). Some type of help from someone else so you don't go crazy.
For soon after birth, not to buy but to have... Frozen cabbage leaves (when your milk comes in it is uncomfortable - my doula told me this trick to keep the breasts from burning... Helped so much! Weird, I know. My breasts would actually cook the cabbage - they get that hot) Some pads for bleeding (heard if you give birth vaginally it is good to have those frozen as well for the pain).
We used the Dr Brown's bottles and the sterilizer setting on the dishwasher.
Our lifelines were the baby Bjorn and a vibrating bouncy chair. She was colicky for a few weeks and taking her for a walk outside in the Bjorn was the miracle cure every time. The vibrating bouncy chair was an amazing babysitter when I wanted a bath and she loved it!
That was almost 8 years ago so I don't doubt there are some awesome newer options. I've heard the Ergo is a great carrier, for example.
-Nosafrida. We tried every bulb and electric nose aspirator and nothing has compared.
-Halo sleep sacks with the Velcro wings. My daughter was an escape artist but couldn't bust her arms out of these swaddles.
-Angelcare or Snuza. Peace of mind. A friend lost her son to SIDS so this hit extra close to home.
-A&D ointment to help make the diapers changes easier. The nurse where I delivered told me to use this ointment on my daughters vagina/bum with each diaper change to help make poop diapers easier to clean and to protect her skin. I used the ointment for almost 2yrs straight and she never had diaper rash.
-Wubbanub pacifiers. My daughter was a pacifier addict and once she was good at holding a paci in her mouth we switched to the Wubbanub. She could easily grasp the toy and told her pacifier in. the most valuable part was that I could actually find the pacifier if it was thrown or dropped.
-Gerber cloth diapers as burp clothes. My daughter was an epic spitter. She had bad reflux so after each feeding we had to prepare ourselves (and the furniture) for a liquid bomb that was bound to go off. They are super absorbent and a generous size so you can cover more space.
-Baby Gap socks with the elastic band on the top (not the fold top). Socks that actually stayed on!
-Tommee Tippee bibs with the absorbent ring. Saved me so many outfit changes once I discovered them.
-Ditch the normal high chair and option for a Fisher Price Space Saver. It straps to one of the dining chairs. We have the all plastic one with no soft cover (those covers get disgusting and have to be constantly washed.. I wish I had started with the space saver from the beginning with my daughter). The one we have has a tray that can we removed and the seat then can be used as a booster. No bulky chair to move around!
-Travel high chair. I don't remeber the brand right now but it slides on the end of a table and folds flat for easy transport.
-Swing. This was by far my daughters favorite thing until she was 6m old.
-Boppy for breastfeeding/tummy time/learning to sit.
-Backseat mirror.
-Dangling car seat toys after they are a couple months old
-Bassinet/PNP/mini crib for the first few weeks. I liked to have my daughter close at night. We decided against the RNP after hearing stories from friends about horrible crib transitions since they are so snuggled and at an incline. I know it has worked for some but we opted for a bassinet instead. Like I mentioned before my daughter had reflux and when she needed to be at an incline I just used a rolled up receiving blanket under the mattress to elevate her.
-I'm a huge Britax fan. We use the B-Safe for the infant car seat and the B-agile stroller. The b-agile is lightweight, easy to manuver, not bulky, and can be easily opened/closed with one hand.
For mom:
-Lansinoh gel nipple pads. Keep them in the fridge and wear them when needed. Saved my poor nipples during the first few weeks of breastfeeding.
-Lanolin ointment.
-Dermoplast cooling recovery spray if you have a vaginal birth.
-Lots of Tucks pads.
-A few different types of nursing bras. I loved the soft fabric ones for at night, traditional for during the day, and sport ones for lounging.