Ok ladies, as my due date approaches (6weeks), I feel like I MUST be forgetting something. So, without completely laughing at the silly ftm, what were absolute essentials and things you were glad you didn't have to live with out?
The boppy us on my list to pick up next time I'm at the store. I haven't put the swing together yet because it is battery operated and I'm a little nervous about that. ($$$ down the drain in batteries, buy it was a handme down gift)
It's on Amazon. It's just a specific white noise machine. It's small, convenient, easy to transport, and the cheaper of the 2 styles is actually better. It's unfortunately kind of expensive though.
TTC with PCOS since November 2009
IUI#1 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP, m/c IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP! beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75 beta #2 11/28 = 2055 Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012! Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
Yeah, any good carrier really. The rings sling is just my personal favorite. I liked the moby the first week or two, but felt like he outgrew it that fast.
PP covered some really good things, esp for me white noise and swaddlers. For nursing, big cups for water and handy, convenient snacks (high protein) were essential.
Muslin blankets to swaddle/carseat cover/nursing cover/floor blanket. I can't tell a difference between Summer Infant and aden&anais but use my a&a more because they're pink as opposed to green. Enjoy these last weeks of your pregnancy!
Fancy swaddlers were a bust for us but thin muslin blankets have been great for so many things. I loved my solly wrap, dohm (also at bru), rock n play, kinderglo night light and a panda puppet. Probably not the most essential but they were my favorite things.
My mybreastfriend saved my back with my first. I would also have a good LC on speed dial. The post partum period for me was really all about staying on top of the pain pills and colace, so have water ready to go and set a timer if you have to for the pain pills. Take them regularly, don't wait until it starts to hurt.
Pooh, goo call mrs.hudson. I don't prefer ring slings, but my moby is my very best baby friend.
Dont mind me, autocorrect and I are drunk. I'm still using my moby at almost 8 months. I actually loved my ktan for newborn, and the moby once they get bigger.
TTC with PCOS since November 2009
IUI#1 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP, m/c IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP! beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75 beta #2 11/28 = 2055 Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012! Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
If we're talking non-baby gear now, ditto on the meds, pads and also have tucks pads in the fridge. One thing I regret is we didn't get a lot of up close pictures of just her in the first 24 hours. We have dozens of visitors holding her but not just her without the hospital blanket and hat.
Pads. You will need them, and you will not want to go out to get them. (And YH will almost certainly not get the right kind).
My mom made me a bunch of pp mama cloths with these huge insert things. For those of you that used mama cloth pp, did you ever want disposals also?
My bleeding increased after overdoing it and I had to go back to the disposables for a day or so. It was the worst ever. The hospital provides you with disposable pads, just take what they put in your room. IME it was enough to get through until I could switch to cloth. I still actually have some left.
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
Honestly, I am a huge minimalist when it comes to newborn/infant 'gear'. I know it can feel overwhelming as a FTM not knowing what to expect from having a newborn or wondering what you will need, but it's really not hard to wait until your baby is born to buy stuff. You can then either send someone to the store or buy with prime shipping on amazon. I bought so much crap the first time around that other people say is a necessity, but it either didn't fit into my parenting style at.all. or is rarely used.
Even things in this thread, I would never consider a necessity, although obviously some moms do. I've gone through three plus years of breastfeeding and child rearing without using a boppy once, for example. And I don't ever swaddle my babies.
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
I asked for an extra peri bottle in the hospital, that way I could keep one in the upstairs bathroom and one in the downstairs bathroom. Never go to the bathroom without that silly, wonderful bottle!
TTC# 1 since 5/10 Me:34 Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Hypothyroid DH:35 Perfect DX: Unexplained IF Many IUI's with various meds all BFFN IVF #1 11/11 canceled due to OHSS IVF #2 Feb/March 2012 ET of 2 on day 3 4/7 BFP! 5/1 u/s blighted ovum IVF #3 July 2012 ET of 3 on day 3 7/24 BFP! Healthy baby girl born at 36w4d on 3/9/13
TTC #2
IVF #4 May/June 2014 ER 6/4 18R 8M 8F ET 6/9 1 blast, 2 frosties
Beta 6/18 BFFN
FET of 2 blasts 7/24...BFP!
Healthy baby girl born at 36w3d on 3/17/15
TTC#3 IVF #5 June 2018- PGS planned, no surviving embryos IVF #6 August 2018- ET of 2 on day 3 - Chemical pregnancy IVF #7 August 2019-....?
I asked for an extra peri bottle in the hospital, that way I could keep one in the upstairs bathroom and one in the downstairs bathroom. Never go to the bathroom without that silly, wonderful bottle!
Ugh this brings back some interesting memories lol.
Dx: Vasa Previa w/DS1
**Tinymin born 8/14 @35w1d** "Annnnnnd you win the award for best SN evar." -LindsRockies
I agree with ITK. I can't really think of anything that I couldn't live without. I used my boppy but I could have done without it. We had no swing or RNP and managed just fine.
I did love having the bassinet since DDs room is upstairs. It has a front pocket and basket underneath that I used for diapering supplies in the beginning so it was all at hand. I used regular receiving blankets to wrap her in so the swaddle sacks weren't necessary.
As for me, I loved my lanolin, I used witch hazel but I really wasn't sore even though I tore. Having easy to grab water and snacks was great.
I feel like The Happiest Baby on the Block book saved my sanity. After that initial sleepy NB period, DS was cranky and difficult to get to sleep. Those methods really were used a lot at our house. I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for us!
The hospital pads didn't do it for me. I used Depends instead. I also think they'd be great for after your water breaks.
A eye mask/sleeping mask for the hospital. There are all sorts of lights on that I couldn't have slept without one. Ear plugs too.
Freezer meals. Lots of them. And make a good chunk of them dairy free. I made so many with cheese and stuff that I couldn't eat after 4 weeks due to MSPI. They're still in the freezer.
It's not something to have, but hot baths. Every night for the first week or so if you can. DH made sure I got 30 min every night to myself and it was amazing.
Baby girl N born 10/29/14!
**Follow your heart, but take your brain with you**
The most important things for me are, car seat cover, carrier, my placenta pills and my back support bell. Oh I almost forget my warm pillow.
I second the back support belt or belly band. I didn't use one after my first and noticed a huge difference with my second. It sucked in my belly so much faster and provided enough support to make moving around, picking up my baby, etc so much easier.
This is the best I've used so far. Lanolin totally sucked. It was too thick to get on. But this stuff is like magical butter. And I love their new mama bottom spray! I had 2 small tears that needed stitches and I'm still using this spray every bathroom trip a week after delivery.
A bassinet (or a co sleeper) next to our bed and the pack n play to use as a changing table in our room.
I just said last night that I couldn't imagine having to go to another room every 1-3 hours at night to feed and change her. Having everything right here has made things much easier/convenient during these first few weeks.
The hospital pads didn't do it for me. I used Depends instead. I also think they'd be great for after your water breaks.
A eye mask/sleeping mask for the hospital. There are all sorts of lights on that I couldn't have slept without one. Ear plugs too.
Freezer meals. Lots of them. And make a good chunk of them dairy free. I made so many with cheese and stuff that I couldn't eat after 4 weeks due to MSPI. They're still in the freezer.
It's not something to have, but hot baths. Every night for the first week or so if you can. DH made sure I got 30 min every night to myself and it was amazing.
I didn't think baths were really recommended until the bleeding stops some, except for sitz baths. Maybe I dreamed that?
The hospital pads didn't do it for me. I used Depends instead. I also think they'd be great for after your water breaks.
A eye mask/sleeping mask for the hospital. There are all sorts of lights on that I couldn't have slept without one. Ear plugs too.
Freezer meals. Lots of them. And make a good chunk of them dairy free. I made so many with cheese and stuff that I couldn't eat after 4 weeks due to MSPI. They're still in the freezer.
It's not something to have, but hot baths. Every night for the first week or so if you can. DH made sure I got 30 min every night to myself and it was amazing.
I didn't think baths were really recommended until the bleeding stops some, except for sitz baths. Maybe I dreamed that?
I was going to say the same thing. I was told NOT to take a bath until the bleeding stops. As long as you are bleeding, you essentially have an open wound in your uterus, where the placenta came away. The possibility of bath water getting up there can put you at risk for an infection.
Freezer meals. Lots of them. And make a good chunk of them dairy free. I made so many with cheese and stuff that I couldn't eat after 4 weeks due to MSPI. They're still in the freezer.
Maple 2.0, if you do use an ergo, I think the infant insert was worth it. UO? I didn't get the insert until L was 3 weeks old after failing the ring sling and receiving blanket in ergo. The extra padding also kept her warm when we were on vacation in a much colder climate than where we live.
I didn't think baths were really recommended until the bleeding stops some, except for sitz baths. Maybe I dreamed that?
Is never heard that (obviously) but I can see the reasoning behind it. I would definitely check with your doc about baths. Mine didn't have a problem with them.
Baby girl N born 10/29/14!
**Follow your heart, but take your brain with you**
We were in big trouble when we didn't have swaddling blankets. Regular receiving blankets aren't big enough, which we didn't realize, and neither of my kids would let us put them down unswaddled. The velcro ones were a waste for us- they wriggled out of those in minutes. We got a pack of big bamboo swaddles, and they worked great. I second the Happiest Baby book, and would suggest practicing swaddling before you're faced with a crying baby.
Also, I would recommend looking on You Tube for Dunstin Baby Language. I didn't find it until it was too late for my son, but it made a huge difference with my daughter.
This is so tough for me. As a FTM we fell for all the "must have" items like the wipes warmer and the expensive, battery-eating swing that we ended up rarely using.
That being said, with him a RnP would have been a lifesaver. The boppy was awesome. He hated swaddles, but loved only Nuk pacifiers. I used my bottle warmer a lot, and he lived in those gowns the first month or so.
With DS2 I expected similar preferences. We ended up running out day 2 for swaddlers (he wouldn't sleep unswaddled), he took most daytime naps in a swing (at least a plug in model this time), he was not a huge paci fan until 4 weeks or so, and I really preferred sleen-n-plays to gowns. Oh and we bought a cheapo stroller thinking we'd rarely use it due to baby-wearing and where we live. I regret that decision every day. I do a LOT of walks around the neighborhood with him. I so wish I would have sprung for a used BOB or at least something with inflated tires.
My point being, every kid is different. The only guarantee is they will have you running to the store or making an Amazon prime purchase or two for something you thought you'd never use.
Maple 2.0, if you do use an ergo, I think the infant insert was worth it. UO? I didn't get the insert until L was 3 weeks old after failing the ring sling and receiving blanket in ergo. The extra padding also kept her warm when we were on vacation in a much colder climate than where we live.
I have 2 Moby wraps that were handme down gifts and another carrier that I'm escaping the name on- its rectangular and either cross crosses the straps on the front or back (depending on front or back carry) and around the waist.
I envision baby wearing quite a bit with our life style, but really should practice with a doll or my niece! Think I should trade one of the Moby wraps for something different?
I think the best advice I'm hearing here is that anything can be gotten in 2 days with Amazon prime.
I've made some freezer meals, but am holding off a bit because my aunt will be visiting for 3 weeks and has said that she wants to make freezer meals for us.
Snack prepping is a great idea especially since we live 30 min from town.... And baby will likely be born right in the middle or beginning of syrup season.
Re: Silly FTM advice needed
IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
beta #2 11/28 = 2055
Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
The boppy us on my list to pick up next time I'm at the store. I haven't put the swing together yet because it is battery operated and I'm a little nervous about that. ($$$ down the drain in batteries, buy it was a handme down gift)
IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
beta #2 11/28 = 2055
Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
#2 would be some good swaddle blankets or the Velcro swaddlers.
I can't think of anything else as ESSENTIAL as these things.
IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
beta #2 11/28 = 2055
Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
I'm still using my moby at almost 8 months. I actually loved my ktan for newborn, and the moby once they get bigger.
IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
beta #2 11/28 = 2055
Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
You will need them, and you will not want to go out to get them.
(And YH will almost certainly not get the right kind).
"Annnnnnd you win the award for best SN evar." -LindsRockies
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
Do you have other stuff for you? Witch hazel pads, ice packs, that numbing spray? If you tear at all you will NEED these things.
My bleeding increased after overdoing it and I had to go back to the disposables for a day or so. It was the worst ever. The hospital provides you with disposable pads, just take what they put in your room. IME it was enough to get through until I could switch to cloth. I still actually have some left.
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
---Quote fail---
I needed more than what they sent home with me.
IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
beta #2 11/28 = 2055
Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
Me:34 Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Hypothyroid DH:35 Perfect
DX: Unexplained IF
Many IUI's with various meds all BFFN
IVF #1 11/11 canceled due to OHSS
IVF #2 Feb/March 2012 ET of 2 on day 3 4/7 BFP! 5/1 u/s blighted ovum
IVF #3 July 2012 ET of 3 on day 3 7/24 BFP!
Healthy baby girl born at 36w4d on 3/9/13
TTC#3
IVF #5 June 2018- PGS planned, no surviving embryos
IVF #6 August 2018- ET of 2 on day 3 - Chemical pregnancy
IVF #7 August 2019-....?
"Annnnnnd you win the award for best SN evar." -LindsRockies
I did love having the bassinet since DDs room is upstairs. It has a front pocket and basket underneath that I used for diapering supplies in the beginning so it was all at hand. I used regular receiving blankets to wrap her in so the swaddle sacks weren't necessary.
As for me, I loved my lanolin, I used witch hazel but I really wasn't sore even though I tore. Having easy to grab water and snacks was great.
Right now, make as many freezer meals as you can possibly fit. You may feel tired now but at least you have the use of both your arms.
A eye mask/sleeping mask for the hospital. There are all sorts of lights on that I couldn't have slept without one. Ear plugs too.
Freezer meals. Lots of them. And make a good chunk of them dairy free. I made so many with cheese and stuff that I couldn't eat after 4 weeks due to MSPI. They're still in the freezer.
It's not something to have, but hot baths. Every night for the first week or so if you can. DH made sure I got 30 min every night to myself and it was amazing.
**Follow your heart, but take your brain with you**
And I love their new mama bottom spray! I had 2 small tears that needed stitches and I'm still using this spray every bathroom trip a week after delivery.
I just said last night that I couldn't imagine having to go to another room every 1-3 hours at night to feed and change her. Having everything right here has made things much easier/convenient during these first few weeks.
Is never heard that (obviously) but I can see the reasoning behind it. I would definitely check with your doc about baths. Mine didn't have a problem with them.
**Follow your heart, but take your brain with you**
We were in big trouble when we didn't have swaddling blankets. Regular receiving blankets aren't big enough, which we didn't realize, and neither of my kids would let us put them down unswaddled. The velcro ones were a waste for us- they wriggled out of those in minutes. We got a pack of big bamboo swaddles, and they worked great. I second the Happiest Baby book, and would suggest practicing swaddling before you're faced with a crying baby.
Also, I would recommend looking on You Tube for Dunstin Baby Language. I didn't find it until it was too late for my son, but it made a huge difference with my daughter.
I envision baby wearing quite a bit with our life style, but really should practice with a doll or my niece! Think I should trade one of the Moby wraps for something different?
I think the best advice I'm hearing here is that anything can be gotten in 2 days with Amazon prime.
I've made some freezer meals, but am holding off a bit because my aunt will be visiting for 3 weeks and has said that she wants to make freezer meals for us.
Snack prepping is a great idea especially since we live 30 min from town.... And baby will likely be born right in the middle or beginning of syrup season.