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Suggestions? On baby items :)
I know I'm a horrible person for saying this but I haven't been overly excited (as much as a mom should be at least) about this pregnancy. At first it was due to all of the horrible events that took place with the baby's daddy. Then I suppose the loneliness of going through it by myself just adds to my sadness and lack of excitement.
However, for Christmas, I was surprised to get baby items from my family 
It was really sweet even though part of me wasn't ready to make that step. I think if it were me I'd have waited until the week before hehe. I wish I could explain! I suppose this just seems surreal...
Regardless, at almost 17 weeks my family is starting to help me plan for those big items I'll be needing. So, I thought I'd turn to you already-mommies to see what items you suggest we absolutely buy vs could do without! I'd like to buy only the necessary and not go crazy (being that child care where I live is a whopping $2,200 per month!) .
So far I've been looking at:
A. One of those play stations that includes a basinet, changing table and play pen that could all serve as a "crib" for a while. I'm thinking I might hold off on a crib and use this? I noticed a few ladies mention that in other forums. Did any of you do this?
B. Stroller
C. Car seat
D. Bottles and feeding supplies
E. My father has loaded us up on approximately 20 boxes of diapers (120 diapers in each box) at all stages of the baby's infancy.. I think I'll survive for a while on that.
F.... Im not sure what else you would all suggest!
Your input would be greatly appreciated!!
PS. Did any of your baby's fathers help with supplies or items that you needed? I haven't spoken to the father of my baby yet at all (long story) and I hesitate to but I'm wondering if this is unreasonable to ask for help with when we do sit down with our lawyers. I'm not sure if these things are all assumed to be covered in child support.
Thanks!!!!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Suggestions? On baby items :)
Make sure you have insurance and a family dr or pediatrician lined up for baby.
Also a kit with first aid supplies, a thermometer, little tiny nail scissors, a nasal aspirator etc.
Any feeding supplies/breastfeeding supplies - bras, pads, pump etc., burp cloths, bibs.
Blankets and onesies, socks, hats to keep baby warm.
Wipes or make your own. Possibly diaper rash ointment or vaseline.
Bathing stuff - a safe baby bath/sling, washcloths and towels (you can use the same ones you do), soap, shampoo and lotion.
That's all I can think of now
Thanks!!! This is all very helpful. I hear that with newborns you are able to get through with the minimum. Its those little things that I just don't know about (like little nail clippers!) that I don't want to forget.
Insurance: Check! I work in healthcare so if there is anything I personally could not go without its insurance
So I have that through my job and will add the baby as a dependent as soon as he/she is born.
Pac n' Play. I had DS's room all set up by the time I was 34 weeks but he slept in this in X and my room for the first 8 weeks.
Stroller-I don't think a stroller is really a necessity at first unless you're planning on going on walks with your LO right away. I just used his car seat and shopping cart for a long time when I went to the grocery store.
Car seat-Most definitely. And this is one of those items you don't really want to go cheap on. If anything...you want to make sure it's safe and spend that extra money if you have to.
Bottles and feeding supplies-Even if you're planning on breast feeding you definitely want to have bottles on hand. Not necessarily formula because you won't be sure what kind to get quite yet, but your pediatrician or the hospital usually will give you samples.
A couple towels, wash clothes, burpies, paci's, and nail clippers.
As for you: breast feeding tanks, breast pads, bigger underwear (all I EVER wore before DS was thongs, so those obviously weren't going to hold the giant after-birth pads).
And stock up on stuff that the hospital gives you. Every day I was in the hospital they brought in a ton of diapers and pads and cleaning stuff for me and they let me take all of the extra stuff. I know a lot of ladies hated the net/underwear stuff the hospital used, but I loved it and used it for the first 2 weeks. The nurses were all super nice and gave me a ton of stuff.
I'm sure there's a lot of stuff I'm missing but it's been almost 3 years so I don't remember a lot. And as for asking the father, I really don't have any advice since I was with X at the time and he paid for most of the stuff.
Pac N Play!! That's precisely what I meant by letter A.
! Glad you recommend this.
Breast feeding tanks?I had no idea they made special tanks for breast feeding. Boy do I have a lot to learn in the next months. I suppose I'll become more aware of these things once I start going to the classes.
https://www.motherhood.com/nursinghome.asp
Check out that site for nursing stuff. There are a lot of cheaper and better stuff at other sites but this can get you started so you know what you're looking for. Having this kind of stuff for nursing was so much easier than having to lift up my entire shirt or having to completely take it off every time I fed him!
This may be baby specific, but all DS would sleep in for awhile when he was brand new was his bouncy seat. The vibration and feeling surrounded helped him to sleep when nothing else would. Also if you are planning to nurse, I'd get a boppy pillow. Though I second Haley that you should make sure to have some bottles on hand in case nursing doesn't work out (didn't for me) or you need to supplement.
Good luck!
For DS:
A Pack n Play was great because it let him sleep in my room, and now at my parent's house.
A boppy pillow. I tried using it for breast feeding, but it was too akward for me. Instead, we used it for tummy time because it gave him a soft surface to prop himself up on. We also used it for naps. I know it says not to let them sleep on it, but for awhile, it was the ONLY way he would sleep. And it would wrap around him so it felt like he was being held.
Carseats are a must. There are two type you can get: infant or convertible. Convertible will last you longer, but I liked having an infant. When DS would fall asleep in it, I did not worry about waking him up by taking him out of the car seat.
I also agree on bottles.
Get a diaper bag
Cloth diapers make great burp cloths.
My swing was a lifesaver when DS was a newborn. I had this one.
A bouncy seat is a great option for a place to put your LO if you need a break from holding them, and it's perfect for bringing into the bathroom with you so you can shower while LO is sleeping.
Do you have a Once Upon a Child near you? They have a great selection of pre-owned baby gear for a fraction of the price.
I skipped the Pack n Play this time around for the Rock n Play sleeper. OMG it is AMAZING! Especially since all three of my bio children were born with reflux. The girls hated sleeping flat on their backs. The Rock n Play sits beside my bed, and I can rock him to sleep while laying down myself. I've also heard they are 50% off at Target now (in store).
How did I forget about the Rock n Play?? DS had one and it was the only thing he slept in for the first 4 months of his life.
However, my PnP (with changing table) has been used so many times, I can't imagine not having one. So, I would suggest both the PnP and the RnP.
i could not have lived without my pack n play for the first few weeks. DD was teeny tiny and only liked sleeping in the newborn napper..soo i camped out in the living room for weeks! bibs, pjs, onsies blankets extra sheets. My dd is a spitter and goes through bibs like crazy. infant meds such as tylenol, gasdrops, saline drops
My childs father is not involved in her life and did not help pay for anything. I am fortunate enough to have had friends and family throw me a baby shower where i got all the big items i needed.
I was also lucky that I got almost everything at my baby shower. I just had to keep up with diapers, wipes and formula once BF didn't work for me.
All babies are different, but I couldn't have lived without our swing. DD would only sleep in that for weeks at a time. BUT I got the small travel size battery operated swing (cheaper and smaller for our apt) and with as much as it was used I wish I had asked for the larger plug-in swing.
If you plan on BF make sure you have all of those supplies before LO is born, because you'll be BFing immediately and it will be a pain to go out to buy things like Lanolin, nipple shields (if needed), breast pads, boppy pillow, nursing friendly clothes etc.
You women are amazing! Such wonderful suggestions! I'm glad that many of you second the not needing a crib for the first few months. I'll look into the rock N play and all the other items!
Thanks!