Freaking-- What things MUST be done/bought before baby arrives??

bumptink · July 2015

I have hit the point of super stressing over things to get done before baby arrives. EDD is in just under 10 weeks, but I teach and return to work August 3rd. We so far have done pretty much nothing. Our crib has been gifted to us and is on the way, and I've bought paint for the nursery. We have lots of clothes and a few gifts from a shower my co-worker's gave me, but I feel like we have so much to do with so little time and money!

What is on your MUST DO list before baby arrives? I know all baby needs is some diapers and a car seat (which we still haven't purchased....), but I really want to be set for the first 6-8 weeks with baby before he arrives.

Advice please, ladies!!

momofsweetps · July 2015

Diapers, wipes, clothes, burp cloths, baby wash, lotion, gas drops, pacifiers, diaper cream, socks, crib bedding, blankets, swing, rock n play, going home outfit. Are on my needs list. We have bassinet and carseat.

thinkpink101 · July 2015

I'd add a stroller to @momofsweetps list, or a carrier. Also some sleep sacks/swaddlers.

abs99 · July 2015

If you plan to pump - go ahead and get that gear as well, as well as bottles. also wash clothing and swaddles.

meggipi5 · July 2015

Car seat--install it and make sure you know how to buckle it.

Sleeping place for the baby--ours will be in the bassinet part of the pack n play in our room, so I'm trying not to stress that the nursery has ZERO done.

Diapers/wipes (I made a little changing station downstairs with diapers/wipes/cream a blanket and one of those waterproof pads so I didn't always have to take her upstairs, that was nice to have, but not a must)

Onesies and blankets

Nipple cream/pads if you are planning on nursing (leakage in the middle of the night gets OLD)

Nursing bra/tanks with a shelf (I liked having tanks with a shelf to sleep in so I could stick in those pads).

Swing OR rock n play (it's nice to have a place to put baby when you aren't holding him/her)

Burp clothes

Pack your hospital bag, charge your camera/phone!

One handed snacks for you!

jwebbbber45678 · July 2015

I heard on the radio the other day that almost 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly. So a big to do for me before the baby is to install the car seat and have it inspected. Almost every county and/or city has a location that will check your car seat for safety for free. Usually it's your local highway patrol station or something similar. I suggest looking online for a location near you and getting that done before the little one takes his first ride.

caityrose · July 2015

I just packed up a suitcase for the baby's first weeks since we will be moving! (ugh) Anyway, the stuff I put was newborn clothes, 0-3 month clothes, swaddle/receiving blankets, socks, mittens, hats/caps, pacifiers, diaper rash cream, baby shampoo/lotion (which you may not use immediately but it's probably good to have ready). Then we will also have shipped is the car seat/base, rock n play, boppy pillow for breastfeeding, diapers, wipes, and changing mat clutch thing. That is really just for the first few weeks, but there are other things we would have had ready if we were not moving like the changing pad/table, crib (mattress, sheets, mattress protector), humidifier, towels...etc.

kjs08 · July 2015

Ours is: carseat/stroller, diapers/wipes/powder/cream, breast pump, wash all baby's clothes (being done at this moment then put in a container to keep animal fur off), pack n play, swaddles, pacifiers, going home outfit (we haven't decided on one yet), shampoo/lotion, washcloths/towels/tub, grooming kit (take nail clippers or emory board with you for those nails), Boppy pillow, changing pad or mats (buy puppy wee wee pads instead of the baby ones: much cheaper and way more durable), diaper genie (we live in an apt so constantly taking out the garbage won't be an option).

We don't have the tub or grooming kit yet and we have some diapers, but to at least get through the first week, we're set. We've already figured out how to put the carseat in our cars and have bases for both so that won't be hard.

nchoude514 · July 2015

The most important thing you need for new baby is a car seat. You can't leave the hospital without one. Secondly, diapers and wipes. Don't stress about everything else. Lots of things are great to have but not a necessity. Everything else you can get as you go. If you plan on breastfeeding you will eventually need a pump to start stocking up on milk before you go back to work. I stocked up on tons of stuff people told me I needed and didn't even end up using half the stuff. Wasted my money. Don't stress. Make a list of the top 10 items you think you need for baby to come home and start from there.

smrdaniels · July 2015

Honestly, the carseat is 1st. Go get that... today.
I had a normal healthy pregnancy and then at 36 weeks my body said.. nope, and so she she came. We had a seat, not installed. My husband had to leave me to go do that in his hectic unslept state. Not the case for everyone, but I am cleaning my car and installing it this week, just in case.
Most all other things can be bought in a quick trip to the store as needed. If you have the time and a list. Go pick up 3-5 each week. That will help.

WDDCH · July 2015

All I NEED to have at first: nursing pads, baby clothes, diapers/wipes, at least one safe place to lay baby (crib, bassinet or swing).

That's about it. I'm breastfeeding and don't need pump or bottles. But if you're doing any bottle feeding or want a pump then add that to your list.

Babies can get stuffy a few days after birth as they adjust. They sneeze and sound stuffed up. I have Eucalyptus essential oil that I use but I put it on ME where baby won't come in contact (like on the back of my neck) and it helps a ton with stuffiness... so as far as first aid goes that's about all I have/use at first.

cjstats87 · July 2015

Honestly a packnplay with the bassinet (ours is a hand me down travel size one) for your room, diapers, wipes, I bought 1 package of pre soap wipes ( Johnson yellow) that you get wet for "sponge" baths, rubbing alcohol (old school for cord), baby qtips, 2 6packs of onesies, 5-6 sleepers, 5-6 bibs and a few receiving blankets. You get the suction bulb and pacis at the hospital, also get extra pads and tucks from them. I would say if you nurse make sure you buy lanolin and nursing pads...and sleeping/lounging nursing bras.

Boobopgirl · July 2015

Just a note: some hospitals don't have pacifiers so if that is important to you, you need one. A thermometer is good to have.

My list for this baby: Purchase a truckload of baby wipes and a 50 gallon drum of coconut oil (we use it for diaper rash, nipple cream, skin care and well....everything. Get camera batteries. Make sure there are tons of easy snacks in the house.

verveine407 · July 2015

I think after the car seat the best thing to do is rent/buy the "Happiest Baby on the Block" video and watch it!

In my opinion everything else is a matter of personal choice. Pretty much anything can be bought after the baby is born if need be. Some of the stuff you buy will be optional or wrong for your baby and you will be switching brands or styles. I am thinking of my DD1 who never slept a wink in her bassinet (which at the time was my favorite baby furniture) and who developed a rash with a very popular organic brand of baby shampoo. Diapers, sleeping arrangements, bottle styles for when you go back to work, and comfy clothing styles are all still pending final approval from your LO.

No one told me the first time around was that you can spend thousands of dollars on stuff or do complete hand-me-downs but the only thing that matters, after baby safety, is how you treat/soothe your baby. So when you ask what must be done before before LO's arrival - watch that video! :-)

Bat_Ish_Crazy · July 2015

If you're going to breastfeed, even if you don't plan to pump, pick up a single manual hand held breastpump.

DD1 never latched properly. Having that pump on hand saved my sanity. I was able to get milk for her quickly in the early days when I was in a panicked stupor. And it was nice to have as a back up. I ended up exclusively pumping for 12 months.

Boobopgirl · July 2015

One thing that helps me is to think. "If baby was going to be born right NOW what would I be the MOST panicked about not having done." and accomplishing that thing first. Like right now, it's the fact that there's no food in our fridge, lol so I'm going grocery shopping. and then it's not having a hospital bag packed so I'm doing that next.

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