What does a newborn need?

lovelyplanet · November 2014

Happy Saturday everyone,

We are still in the Home Study process but I wanted to start a list of things we would need for a newborn. What does a baby need right away and what can wait for a few weeks / months? Our agency has a very high percentage of emergency placements and while I don't want to purchase everything in advance, I do want to be prepared. I am looking for advise and suggestions from all you experienced parents and parents to be out there.

TIA! Hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving. I definitely did.

CarolinaGirl2014 · November 2014

Don't forget a car seat to bring baby home! Other than that, NB diapers, wipes, 0-3 month onesies, a place to sleep (could just be a PNP but honestly A's parents used a changing pad with raised edges on their bed the first couple months), a few bottles to get started (I highly rec Dr. Brown's and only Dr. Brown's). Nurseries send babies home with a couple days of formula and you typically want to keep buying what baby has been fed in the nursery or change it a tiny bit at a time. I'd recommend 1-2 receiving blankets and 1 swaddler would be really nice but not necessary.

Stroller and infant carrier (LOVE the K'tan!) are great but can happen in weeks and months after. Swing/bouncer seat, bottle warmer, extra clothes, real crib, extra bottles, bibs, burp cloths, paci's, diaper bag, baby bath, monitor, boppy, and additional blankets can be bought as you know what you need for your specific baby.

I've known some PAP's on here to shop ahead of time for their favorite/ highly recommended products and save them on an amazon wish list. I actually have one thanks to 5 years as a nanny and all my friends having babies.

Dr.Loretta · November 2014

We got a stroller, car seat, pack n play, and crib in preparation. The stroller could have waited, but it was 40% off. We didn't have enough clothes, as we had just started thinking about stocking up when we got placed. Don't do like we did and have a 6-9 mo outfit be the only cute outfit to take LO home in, LOL.

There are a couple of baby supply books and sites out there that give a good basic list

beachybride10 · November 2014

What sleepers do you recommend?

Also, how does anyone decide on anything? So many brands, choices, and opinions.

Wish Upon A Star · November 2014

I can only speak for myself here (Also a waiting person- so chime in anyone who already has a baby)

I got a sleeping gown (open at the bottom) because 1. my friends RAVE about them for middle of the night changes, and 2. It could fit NB or 3 months. (I will say it is HARD to find gender neutral stuff. I went to Carter's outlet. Also I went with a friend who was equally excited for me- which I recommend).

As for car seat, there are lots of good choices out there. I went with the Chicco Key Fit. It was a best pick from Consumer Reports and I see lots of great reviews.I have used it with my niece over the summer and like it. I just got the car seat and base initially and then found the matching stroller on an online yard sale group.

lorifromwi · December 2014

We don't love the gowns either, just don't work well for E. She's done well with the Halo Sleep Sacks. Friends raved about the Aden + Anais swaddle wraps, but she has always wriggled out of them and they can be on the more expensive side.

I'm also a fan of Dr. Brown's. The smaller format nipples work better for a baby that has never been breast fed.

While not needed, I love our Boppy pillow and was happy I got one very soon after we got placement.

Sleeping, feeding and diapers are the essentials...the rest you can get after placement if you don't find it beforehand.

maryoosa · December 2014

Ask other mom's about brands! When our son came home we had a nursery set up (he didn't use that until he was 10 months old). We had a rock and play where he slept (best thing ever and super portable), I fell in love with baby wearing- so I started with a Moby and then went to a ring sling and then mei tais--- I'd go with a ring sling. Diapers- nb size, bottle system, car seat, stroller. We did lots of one pieces with zippers (no one wants to mess with snaps at 2am).

leisemomtobe · December 2014

@TheatrePal I'm sorry your agency is discouraging you from doing that. I remember being in my workshop class last April and all the families that were waiting for placement did not have one single thing ready, no room set up or anything. I thought they were nuts, as I am a planner... But, I also, understood the reasoning for not doing it. They didn't want to be upset looking at it while waiting, especially if the wait was long. However, my husband and I decided we were setting our stuff up. LOL. Of course everything has to be gender neutral for the time being, but at least we feel at peace that we have everything we need. Our agency had no say in that. It was purely up to the adoptive parents. I say if you don't mind gender neutral things, go ahead and start making lists and buying things here and there.

leisemomtobe · December 2014

@TheatePal You are very welcome! I hope this will get you even more excited and take your mind off the wait. I know it helped us.

isenbergbeth · December 2014

We will be officially waiting for three months on the 12th. We have set up a nursery (changing table, crib, glider, and a few wall hangings), a pack and play, a high chair, blankets, about 20 onesies, 10 sleepers, a few hooded towels and washcloths, a grooming/safety kit, a pack of diapers, and a pack of wipes.

@TheatrePal Our agency doesn't offer an opinion, they just say whatever works for you. I am a school administrator and was off during the month of July. I wanted the opportunity to set things up without being rushed. Also, my thinking is in setting up and getting things it is for "our future little one" instead of one particular baby I am hoping it would hurt less then if we bought a bunch of stuff upon being matched and then the match didn't work out. Defense mechanism? You betcha

We are 5 months in with a set up nursery and so far its existence hasn't been too draining (can't say the same about the wait in general, but the nursery has been ok:).

sgb721 · December 2014

We've been ttc since 2010 and switched to adoption in 2013. We have a full nursery set up as during our pregnancies we were gifted some things, plus we received hand me downs from friends, etc. It can be a little hard, but other times I like to sit in there and dream about when our child will come home.

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