Another new mom question

jensneb · September 2009

There a few things we have left to buy, our list is below. Out of those things, what things would you say are essential to have when we bring her home, and what things should we wait on, or not get at all. Thanks!

Sterilizer, Boppy, Diaper Genie (or pail), Bumbo, Drying Rack, Breast Pump, Ear Thermometer, Hamper, Extra Crib Sheets, Toiletries (baby wash, Desitin, etc)

Mrs. Tara L · September 2009

I would def get these before she arrives: Diaper Genie, Baby wash (& shampoo & lotion), the sterilizer, crib sheets and the thermometer.

Remember with the ear thermometer that if she is running a fever you should confirm with a rectal thermometer. I just love the digital ear thermometer b/c H will actually use it and it's so easy.

I have yet to use the Bumbo or a drying rack. The breast pump would be good to practice with and to store up on milk before you go back to work. But, you don't really need it for a while.

I don't see a boppy breastfeeding pillow or those waterproof sheet savers on your list. Those are two items I couldn't live without!

idavis · September 2009

I would say to have on hand the drying rack, Boppy (I used mine in the hospital) extra crib sheets (make the bed with a few layers of sheets and pads, this way if there's an accident, you aren't trying to re-make the bed in the middle of the night), toiletries, diaper champ (uses regular trash bags)

Wait on: breast pump, you won't know for sure how it will go

Don't get: sterilizer (waste of money IMO), Hamper, just use a laundry basket

hippotree · September 2009

Have when you bring her home:

Boppy (I brought this to the hospital)

Breast pump

Sterilizer (I just got the Medela steamer bags and they worked great) - so you can sterilize bottles/pacifiers ahead of time and have them ready when you get home.

Diaper Genie (though this could wait and you could use the regular trash)

Desitin/toiletries

Hamper

Wait:

Thermometer, Crib Sheets, drying rack

Never:

Bumbo (but that is just my experience!)

war_eagle · September 2009

I would get the breastpump, diaper pail, Boppy (but you can get by without it), and thermometer...

I use the Medela steam bags to sterilize and really like them. Bumbo can wait. Don't really need a drying rack.

leslie13510 · September 2009

Every mom will find different things useless and necessary, but here is my opinion on them.

Sterilizer - never used it. We just ran the bottles through the dishwasher and the hot dry setting steamed them. I was a "bad mom" and didn't sterilize bottles between every feeding. With 2 babies it was too time-consuming and we lived in a good water area. If you're germaphobe and think it's important to sterilize between every feeding then get it before she's here.

Boppy - never had them, don't miss them. Might be "necessary" for BF'ing though, I don't know.

Diaper Genie - If you get one, spend the money on the Diaper Genie II Elite. It's the only one that actually holds the smell in. Yes the refills are a little pricey, but IMO it's worth it. Or you could just put pee diapers in the regular trash can and take poo diapers to the outside cans immediately.

Bumbo - get it second hand if you "have to have" it. My two rarely used theirs and luckily they were gifts or I would be pissed that I spent $80 on them.

Drying rack - I'm assuming you mean for bottles? Priceless. Get it before she comes.

Breast pump - If you're only planning on BF'ing for 4-6 weeks this will probably be a waste of money. I would wait, see how things are when you go back to work, and if you decide you want to pump at work get one then.

Ear thermometer - we just use the plain old thermometers. I might get an ear thermometer when they're too big to easily take their temp rectally, but for now it's not really necessary.

Hamper - necessary. If she's like most other babies you'll go through baby clothes, bibs, burp cloths, etc a lot faster than you think.

Extra sheets - necessary if you're starting her in the crib. We change ours at LEAST once a week and more if they have major spit up or bathroom accidents. If you're starting in a PNP or bassinet these can wait.

Toiletries - you really only need a mild baby wash, some diaper cream, and lotion at first.

Mrs. Tara L · September 2009

I wanted to add that the reason I really needed a thermometer was b/c DH and I were unsure of how to dress her and were nervous that she was too hot or cold. Taking her temp made us feel better about her body temp.

war_eagle · September 2009

I have to say, I was really glad to have my pump early on. I started pumping in the hospital to help my milk come in, and after about ten days at home I started pumping a stash so MH could feed the baby and I could get out of the house.

Anna&Matt · September 2009

I asked one of our friends about most of those items. She suggested having a rectal thermometer at first and then getting one of the forehead kinds - for them the ear kind was never accurate. She said definitely have a boppy on hand for baby when he/she comes home, as well as 3-4 spare sheets and definitely diaper pail, spare diapers, diaper rash cream, etc.

I think the rest of it can probably wait if you are going to EBF for a couple weeks.

TwoSkis · September 2009

I'd forget the diaper pail. Just use the regular garbage. I don't want any diaper that stinky sitting in my house that long anyways.

Our hospital told us to use the armpit thermometer instead as its supposed to be more accurate.

We never got the Bumbo, because I didn't want to pay $40 for a chair, but if you want one, it can wait at least six weeks.

Get the Boppy now. It is great not only for BFing, but also for tummy time or for propping your DD up after she eats if you can't hold her to minimize spit-up.

Pearl723 · September 2009

If you are really committed to breastfeeding, then the pump is vital. You will need it to express some extra milk when you are just starting out (expressing the milk jump starts making even more milk, plus sometimes it feels good to get some of it out if you are full). Plus, it helps you build up stock for your husband or someone else to eventually feed your baby. I used mine one day after getting home from the hospital when my milk came in.