Something really random here- but it is a lifesaver- the Boppy Newborn Lounger. It is a round pillow like thing that is great place to set the baby down on something clean when your arms just can't take it anymore!
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When Jack was a newborn: the swing! I can't say it enough.
Now that he's older: exersaucer AND jumperoo.
If you don't get the items at your shower, please consider craigslist. I got a second swing (the Graco Sweetpeace) for upstairs, the 3-in-1 exersaucer, and the Rainforest Jumperoo for 150ish-- that's 300 dollars worth of goodies.
During the first month, we used the boppy, bouncy seat and swing a lot. I also needed my pump within the first week, so I was glad to have that at home already. Other than that, just stock up on swaddle blankets, burpclothes, onesies and sleepers (I love sleep gowns too) and you should be good to go.
gripe water! OMG, a total life saver the first night we were home. The boppy with a vibrate button on it.
I would personally look into reading the parenting books, ie, Happiest Baby on the Block, Baby Whisperer. Have these read before you are up at 2 am trying to find a way to get your baby to sleep!
right now the biggest thing I can't live w/o are swaddle blankets. We had to go get more the other day. Also if you are planning on bf'ing still get a decent amount of bottles. I have to pump right now and was not prepared for bottle feeding. We had to take a trip to BRU with a 3 day old!
Zip up sleepers, lots of burp cloths, lots of blankets in different weights/sizes, Arms Reach co-sleeper, an exercise ball (only thing that soothed my DS in the beginning), and the FP Rainforest bouncer. My DS might be the only baby out there who hated his swing!
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Swing, boppy (bring it to the hospital), baby bjorn for DH when I needed a break, sleep sacks, bouncy seat, playmat, and pacifiers....all DS wanted to do was suck from day one (fingers, my boobs, anything) until he found his thumb at 10 weeks. Diaper clothes and bibs are must haves....we go through a few a of day these days. Several sheets and 2-3 changing table covers.
Things I never used: Swaddling blankets (but most babies love to be swaddled so I'd say better to have them on hand than not- I ended up giving mine away). Receiving blankets, pretty much for the same reason. Johnson's baby shampoo, lotion and baby wash....it was to harsh for DS and dried him out so quickly. We use all of the Bordreaux (sp?) products and they are so gentle. Baby powder...I only use a little under DS's neck because he gets pretty sweaty there, but otherwise I never use it. I have way too many washclothes and towels....DS gets a bath twice a week and by each bath time I've done his laundry (at least once, you'll see how it is) so we use the same towel and clothes over and over. That's all I can think of for now! Good luck!!
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Couldn't live without a boppy, a bouncer and a playmat. My daughter LOVES her playmat (we got the Baby Einstein one)...it really brings her joy playing on that thing. So fun to watch!!
I can't live without the Ergo carrier - it has fantastic back support. ?DS LOVES the Fisher Price Aquarium travel swing -- it's the only reason I get to shower and drink coffee in the morning. ?He even takes naps in it up to 2 hours! ?The SwaddleMe blankets will help your DC sleep from 0 to 4/5 months of age.
Thought of a few more....Aquafor for dry cheeks and I also loved the gowns. They are so easy for diaper changes. Those and zipper pj's....snaps are such a pain at 2am.
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Gripe Water, swing (we had the sweet peace which I loved but wished it had a mobile so I would consider one of the other ones for that reason) nipple cream, pump, breast milk storage bags, zip up pajamas!! love love love these - childrens place has some great cotton ones (at the time I was looking everything was fleece) Now I would say we cant live without the FP rainforest jumperoo and the activity mat. I also love the boppy but have used pillows when I've been away from home so there are alternatives for that..
In the first few weeks- bouncy seat and the PNP with changing table for downstairs. Then the swing after a few weeks. Also nursing tanks for me and footed sleepers for baby. Oh, and I bf, but had to supplement so was really grateful for the Munchkin nipple holder that you put in the dishwasher to wash the nipples.
Now- the Exersaucer, swing, and the Baby Bjorn. These are my favorite gadgets for keeping my hands free to get things done, and she naps for hours in the swing.
My advice, don't buy too much yet. You don't know what your baby will like, and as you figure it out, you'll be glad for a chance to leave the house for an hour to go buy it!
Footed fleece sleepers (DS is such a big kicker that he kept getting his feet stuck in the halo/wearable blankets)
Kimono style onsies and shirts. So much easier to get your LO in and out of especially in the earlier stages when their heads are super floppy. They're still the first ones I reach for...I only use the normal type if all my kimono styles are in the wash. H&M sells some nice ones...some are made with organic material and are very soft.
Swing for naps
Receiving blankets...we use them as burp cloths. The normal sized burp cloths are so small...DS always spit up everywhere BUT on the burp clothes.
boppy pillow is my number 1 can't live without for naps or just positioning her to make her comfy when she's fussy or just a place to set her when i need to brush my teeth.. ( DD doesn't like swing and hates bouncy seat but loves daddy holding her bouncing on the yoga ball!
Also stock up on burp cloths and leave them around the house... (I always start feedings forgeting to get one.)
and alot of bottles. I soley bottle feed and have 18 bottles and have to run the dishwasher atleast evry other day.
oh and baby bjorn to get things done when they want to be held!
Re: What baby items can you not live without?
Swaddle blankets (Swaddle Me/Miracle Blanket)
Burp Cloths
Connecta (baby carrier)
And Tylenol on hand (she spiked a 103.1 fever last night)
J2 11.17.08
When Jack was a newborn: the swing! I can't say it enough.
Now that he's older: exersaucer AND jumperoo.
If you don't get the items at your shower, please consider craigslist. I got a second swing (the Graco Sweetpeace) for upstairs, the 3-in-1 exersaucer, and the Rainforest Jumperoo for 150ish-- that's 300 dollars worth of goodies.
Lanolin cream
Fisher Price Rainforest Bouncer (my DS hated his swing but loved this)
Kiddopotomus Swaddle Me
gripe water! OMG, a total life saver the first night we were home. The boppy with a vibrate button on it.
I would personally look into reading the parenting books, ie, Happiest Baby on the Block, Baby Whisperer. Have these read before you are up at 2 am trying to find a way to get your baby to sleep!
hth!
Swings
Packnplays
Newborn Boppy Loungers/Boppys
Activity Mats
Kerri
Swing, boppy (bring it to the hospital), baby bjorn for DH when I needed a break, sleep sacks, bouncy seat, playmat, and pacifiers....all DS wanted to do was suck from day one (fingers, my boobs, anything) until he found his thumb at 10 weeks. Diaper clothes and bibs are must haves....we go through a few a of day these days. Several sheets and 2-3 changing table covers.
Things I never used: Swaddling blankets (but most babies love to be swaddled so I'd say better to have them on hand than not- I ended up giving mine away). Receiving blankets, pretty much for the same reason. Johnson's baby shampoo, lotion and baby wash....it was to harsh for DS and dried him out so quickly. We use all of the Bordreaux (sp?) products and they are so gentle. Baby powder...I only use a little under DS's neck because he gets pretty sweaty there, but otherwise I never use it. I have way too many washclothes and towels....DS gets a bath twice a week and by each bath time I've done his laundry (at least once, you'll see how it is) so we use the same towel and clothes over and over. That's all I can think of for now! Good luck!!
Lanolin
FP rainforest bouncer
swing
swaddle blankets?
I can't live without the Ergo carrier - it has fantastic back support. ?DS LOVES the Fisher Price Aquarium travel swing -- it's the only reason I get to shower and drink coffee in the morning. ?He even takes naps in it up to 2 hours! ?The SwaddleMe blankets will help your DC sleep from 0 to 4/5 months of age.
?
?
Couldn't live without: The swaddler and nipple cream
Like, but can survive without: Swing
Never used: Boppy
Zip up sleepers and sleep gowns
Burp clothes
Soft toilet paper (for me)
Lots of kleenex (for me and my raging hormones the first month)
Our first babies
In the first few weeks- bouncy seat and the PNP with changing table for downstairs. Then the swing after a few weeks. Also nursing tanks for me and footed sleepers for baby. Oh, and I bf, but had to supplement so was really grateful for the Munchkin nipple holder that you put in the dishwasher to wash the nipples.
Now- the Exersaucer, swing, and the Baby Bjorn. These are my favorite gadgets for keeping my hands free to get things done, and she naps for hours in the swing.
My advice, don't buy too much yet. You don't know what your baby will like, and as you figure it out, you'll be glad for a chance to leave the house for an hour to go buy it!
Footed fleece sleepers (DS is such a big kicker that he kept getting his feet stuck in the halo/wearable blankets)
Kimono style onsies and shirts. So much easier to get your LO in and out of especially in the earlier stages when their heads are super floppy. They're still the first ones I reach for...I only use the normal type if all my kimono styles are in the wash. H&M sells some nice ones...some are made with organic material and are very soft.
Swing for naps
Receiving blankets...we use them as burp cloths. The normal sized burp cloths are so small...DS always spit up everywhere BUT on the burp clothes.
boppy pillow is my number 1 can't live without for naps or just positioning her to make her comfy when she's fussy or just a place to set her when i need to brush my teeth.. ( DD doesn't like swing and hates bouncy seat but loves daddy holding her bouncing on the yoga ball!
Also stock up on burp cloths and leave them around the house... (I always start feedings forgeting to get one.)
and alot of bottles. I soley bottle feed and have 18 bottles and have to run the dishwasher atleast evry other day.
oh and baby bjorn to get things done when they want to be held!