Things we NEED to buy for first baby

[sailors_wfe]

Hey everyone-- I have a (hopefully) quick question. DH and I are expecting our first DD in about a month and are trying to make sure we have everything we really need for the baby and don't go out wasting money on things we won't use, and don't end up having to go out and buy something our first week out because we found out it was a necessity. Our baby showers are now officially all over, so I'm not expecting to receive any more gifts, so this is our list of things we have...
Crib
Co-sleeper
Dresser
Changing Table (I know, not a necessity, but DH really wanted one)
Stroller
lots of onesies and sleepers mostly 0-3 months with a few newborn and 6-9 month, as well as booties, socks, mittens and hats
Baby bathtub
Baby "Gym"
Boppy Pillow
Vibrating bouncy seat
Diapers (2 packs of newborn... several size 1 and 2)
Wipes (TONS of them )
Butt cream
A & D ointment
baby wash, lotion, oil, powder ect
5-6 Thick blankets
4 receiving blankets
2 Swaddle Me swaddling blankets
3 Dr Brown's Bottles
Toys and teething rings
Nasal aspirator
Medicine spoon
Large Diaper Bag

Things I know we still need (correct me if i'm wrong )
Car Seat (this is our big one and we will have it by next weekend)
Pack N Play (this will be what she sleeps in while DH sleeps during the day and I'm working from home)
First Aid Kit (with Thermometer, nail clippers, ect)
pad for the changing table
burp cloths (thinking cloth diapers??)
Bath towels
Wash Cloths
Small Diaper Bag
Baby Tylenol
A diaper Pail (can we just use a trashcan by the changing table??)
Nursing necessities- bras, pads, pump, bottles and storage system for expressed milk (I work both in home and travel for several hours a day.. will need to pump once I return to work full time)
Sling
Baby Biorn (i'd love to get the Ergo, but I think it's out of our price range )
sleep positioner (to kep baby on her back)

What am I missing for her first month of life? What do I have on here that we really won't use? It's feeling like I'm getting close... our nursery furniture finally arrived this week and DH put the stroller together, so I REALLY feel like it's getting close but I'm nervous that we're not ready (are you ever REALLY ready LOL) and there's still so much to do and so much that we need (Car Seat is our biggest of course LOL.. can't really get home from the hospital w/out it! )

TIA

 

[Colleen27]

Hey everyone-- I have a (hopefully) quick question. DH and I are expecting our first DD in about a month and are trying to make sure we have everything we really need for the baby and don't go out wasting money on things we won't use, and don't end up having to go out and buy something our first week out because we found out it was a necessity. Our baby showers are now officially all over, so I'm not expecting to receive any more gifts, so this is our list of things we have...
Crib
Co-sleeper
Dresser
Changing Table (I know, not a necessity, but DH really wanted one)
Stroller
lots of onesies and sleepers mostly 0-3 months with a few newborn and 6-9 month, as well as booties, socks, mittens and hats
Baby bathtub
Baby "Gym"
Boppy Pillow
Vibrating bouncy seat
Diapers (2 packs of newborn... several size 1 and 2)
Wipes (TONS of them )
Butt cream
A & D ointment
baby wash, lotion, oil, powder ect
5-6 Thick blankets
4 receiving blankets
2 Swaddle Me swaddling blankets
3 Dr Brown's Bottles
Toys and teething rings
Nasal aspirator
Medicine spoon
Large Diaper Bag

Things I know we still need (correct me if i'm wrong )
Car Seat (this is our big one and we will have it by next weekend)
Pack N Play (this will be what she sleeps in while DH sleeps during the day and I'm working from home)
First Aid Kit (with Thermometer, nail clippers, ect)
pad for the changing table
burp cloths (thinking cloth diapers??)
Bath towels
Wash Cloths
Small Diaper Bag
Baby Tylenol
A diaper Pail (can we just use a trashcan by the changing table??)
Nursing necessities- bras, pads, pump, bottles and storage system for expressed milk (I work both in home and travel for several hours a day.. will need to pump once I return to work full time)
Sling
Baby Biorn (i'd love to get the Ergo, but I think it's out of our price range )
sleep positioner (to kep baby on her back)

What am I missing for her first month of life? What do I have on here that we really won't use? It's feeling like I'm getting close... our nursery furniture finally arrived this week and DH put the stroller together, so I REALLY feel like it's getting close but I'm nervous that we're not ready (are you ever REALLY ready LOL) and there's still so much to do and so much that we need (Car Seat is our biggest of course LOL.. can't really get home from the hospital w/out it! )

TIA

I'd skip the sleep positioner. My doc actually recommends parents not use them because baby can get tangled/wedged into them in odd positions as she learns to roll.

Go with either a sling or the Bjorn. You really don't need both to start out. I never cared for the sling/wrap style carriers so we went straight to the more structured front carrier with our youngest, but I know many women swear by the sling for newborns. If you like the sling, you can wait until baby gets a bit bigger to get the Bjorn.

You can skip the diaper pail too. We use a bathroom sized garbage can lined with grocery bags, and just take them out to the outdoor can every night. The minute or two I spend each evening is well worth not having the expense of a dedicated diaper pail, particularly since I'm the type that would forget to buy refills for it.

Cloth diapers make fine burp cloths and cost less than buying the pretty little burp cloths.

It looks like you've got a good handle on what all you're going to need. Congrats, and relax! No one ever feels ready and yet somehow we manage.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd skip the sleep positioner. My doc actually recommends parents not use them because baby can get tangled/wedged into them in odd positions as she learns to roll.

Go with either a sling or the Bjorn. You really don't need both to start out. I never cared for the sling/wrap style carriers so we went straight to the more structured front carrier with our youngest, but I know many women swear by the sling for newborns. If you like the sling, you can wait until baby gets a bit bigger to get the Bjorn.

You can skip the diaper pail too. We use a bathroom sized garbage can lined with grocery bags, and just take them out to the outdoor can every night. The minute or two I spend each evening is well worth not having the expense of a dedicated diaper pail, particularly since I'm the type that would forget to buy refills for it.

I agree with every single thing here! Also, socks and booties are worthless - I recommend a pair of robeez - all that you need.
Cloth diapers make fine burp cloths and cost less than buying the pretty little burp cloths.

 

[DT83097]

Congratulations on the new baby!

I agree - it looks like you have all the basics covered! Do you have YOUR bag packed?

One thing that I really liked - but this is totally personal opinion so don't feel like you have to get one - is a Halo Sleep Sack - my babies must have wiggled alot or something because blankets never stayed on them at night so the sleep sack helped keep them safely warm and it made middle of the night diaper changes a breeze!

You are never going to be 100% ready - being a mom is alot of learning on the fly - but based on your question I'd say you are as ready as you can be!! Good Luck!

 

[HLAuburn]

Here are some of my "quick thoughts"...

* I agree - skip the sleep positioner.
* Get an extra Boppy cover for when one gets spit/poop/peed on!
* If you can swing it, I'd get an infant carrier carseat first and then get a convertible seat when she's bigger. Ideally, you can get a seat that pops into your stroller. The convertible seats (I Britax) really don't accomodate newborns, even if the weight limits say they do.
* I'd consider a swing. We got the Graco SweetPeace as a gift and DD LOVES it...its been so nice to have.
* Might want to pick up a few more "newborn" sleepers. I didn't think DD would be in them much (we have BIG babies), but even though she was over 9 pounds when she was born, she wore newborn stuff for at least a month.
* I'd also recommend some plain shirts or "kimono" style shirts to wear under the swaddling blankets. It's important that they not get too warm.
* We ended up with another Diaper Champ this time. I like it b/c it takes regular trash bags. BUT, I saved a bunch of Walmart bags and a lot of times I dump the diapers in there and throw the bag out each day. I think a trash can would be fine, especially early on when the poop doesn't smell too bad!
* I highly recommend a Medela Pump. I have a Pump In Style that is great - worth every penny. Also get a manual pump...the Medela Harmony is the best. They also have great steam bags that make cleaning easy.
* Make sure you have some slow flow nipples.
* Also, my kids weren't too into pacifiers, but its nice to have just in case. We had the best luck with "Soothies"....you can get them at Target.
* I think a sling and a Bjorn is overkill. You'll end up loving one and never using the other. I have a Moby Wrap that I like, but honestly, I don't use it much.



Anyway, congrats! I hope this helps. DD is 10 weeks, so all this is pretty fresh on my mind! Every mom and baby is different and different things work for different people, but this is my experience. Good luck!

 

[SLK1]

I agree with every single thing here! Also, socks and booties are worthless - I recommend a pair of robeez - all that you need.
Cloth diapers make fine burp cloths and cost less than buying the pretty little burp cloths.

Oh see, my kids were in socks ALL the time. I didn't like the "footie" sleepers because they made their feet sweaty and smelly; so I put them in something else with socks, plus always had socks on while out and about. IMHO, you can never have enough socks!

The sleep positioner: total waste. You might want to get a smallish size diaper bag - you will get tired of lugging the big "suitcase" around to quick places! Good Luck!

Do you have pacifiers?

 

[HLAuburn]

OMG, how could I forget! My latest discovery is BUBBLE SOCKS! Carter's make some, but the best I've found are Okie Dokie at JCPenney. They have little "bubbles" of elastic around the ankles and they actually STAY ON!

Here are the Carter's ones...
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/lan...PRD~106409/Carters+6pk+Bubble+Socks++Pink.jsp

JCP's are like $8 for a 6 pack of solid (girl) colors, and they have tiny ones. A MUST HAVE in my book!

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm less worried about the baby than about YOU.

I wasn't allowed to drive for a while after I gave birth. So you may be homebound. And you can count on getting 2-3 hours of sleep at a stretch if you're lucky. So you need to make YOUR life easy!!!

Hit BJs or Costco or somewhere and stock up on:
- paper plates
- plastic flatware
- any sort of instant dinner-- frozen lasagna, fried chicken-- basically anything you or your husband can pop into the oven
- cookies and stuff you can serve to those who stop by with a gift to see the baby
- thank you notes and stamps; you're in for a whole new round of gifts. (Stamps are going up, I think in early May. So keep that in mind.)
- If you're planning to send out birth announcements, go online and choose them now. Most companies will let you pre-order, so you can get the envelopes now when you actually have time to address them. Then, when you have the birth info, you send it in and they send you the cards. Be careful about any card, regardless of how cute, that requires you to tie a bow or do ANYTHING. When you're sleep deprived, you don't need more work.
- You'll need some sort of maxi pad for those first few days... the extra absorbency ones.
- Also, pick up a book on baby's symptoms. The first time you hear croup, for example, it's terrifiying (and inevitably late at night.) It's great to have a reference that tells you when to call the doctor and what to do before you call.
Congrats to you and your husband on your upcoming arrival.

 

[CJ's Mommy]

Okay here goes:

1- Skip the diaper pail. It's a giant waste of money. You are right, you can use a regular garbage pail. That is what I do, and I usually put the poop diapers in the kitchen pail since it has a lid. My garbage gets taken out every night so it really doesn't smell.

2- Get the baby bjorn. Forget the sling. JMO My son hated the slings, loved the baby bjorn.

3- Skip the sleep positioner, neither of my kids used that.

4- I think you can return some of those thick blankets you mentioned and maybe pick up sleep sacks instead. Babies really can't use blankets because of the risk of suffocation and the weather will be getting warmer now anyway. Keep 2, return the rest. Trust me, you are talking to a person who has the 5-6 baby blankets folded in the closet! Here's an example of what I am talking about in case you've never heard of a sleep sack:
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/baby/brandsforbaby/halo/PRD~197226/HALO+Back+to+Sleep+Fleece+SleepSack++Cream.jsp

5- Lastly, if you can afford it I would try to get a swing. Sometimes that was the only thing that saved my sanity with BOTH of my kids. The swing I have is phenomenal. It's the only swing that plugs into the wall outlet, saving you having to replace batteries every couple of weeks. And also, continuously runs until YOU shut it off. Which is actually a big deal, because the swing I had for my firstborn would run for 10 minutes and then abruptly shut off and of course wake the baby. Here's the link, it's pretty inexpensive and maybe you could find one on ebay cheaper if need be:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3266684&CAWELAID=251520377

6- This may not be a necessity to all, but for me it is. The floppy shopping cart cover. You don't need this the first month obviously. But eventually you will need it. I absolutely can not put my baby into a shopping cart without this cover. Think of all the germs on those carts. I also love it for the fact that I am not touching the dirty cart when pushing it with my baby in it. So much so that when I am at the store by myself I am skeeved that I have to touch the handle. I'd put the cover on there, but I think people would look at me like I'm nuts pushing the cart around with the cover and no baby!!! lol
Good luck! There's nothing like holding your little newborn for the first time. The whole world melts away!

 

[jms531]

It looks like I'm the only one but I LOVE my diaper genie!! We don't have to change it as often as I thought we would and it really traps the smell. Also (on the subject of smelly diapers) Babies R Us and Target sell little smell blocking bags to put dirty diapers in if you're out. Which is really nice if you're visiting at someones house who doesnt have kids and may not appreciate your kids poo or pee in their garbage.
Also if you're using formula, they sell great dividers which were a life saver! Every night I would pre-measure the powder for the next day and when it was time for a bottle I would put the water in and dump out a compartment in the divider and was good to go!
The little mittens for their hands were great! Keeps them from scratching their face and also gives you a bit of time before you have to be brave enough to attempt to clip their nails!

***Something to think about***

Especially since this is your first I would let DH know that he needs to be your "bouncer" for a little while till your back to yourself. After I had DD, I had hormones all over the place, was exhausted and terribly sore (csection). For some reason family and friends either didn't seem to notice or care and it was like a revolving door. NOT TO MENTION an overbearing MIL who asked about 10 times to take DD to a HUGE family reunion picnic 3 days after she was born. Um excuse me, but a 3day old doesn't need to be passed around a picnic and I just got my stomach cut open as well?!?
It took me forever to recover(both emotionally and physically and DD's colic didn't help either) and I think it was largely in part from too much pressure put on me to take DD here and take DD there and "I haven't seen her since...." etc. Some women snap into motherhood in under 2 seconds and others need to test the water and try to get comfortable with it themselves before they take there new role as "mommy" out for everyone to see.


Hope you have a great delivery and enjoy your new bundle! Nothing like it in the world =)

 

[NiftyJ88]

You probably won't need infant's tylenol for the first month. Instead, I would get some mylicon (or generic) gas drops for belly aches. Tylenol is not recommended until they are a little older (maybe 2 months?).
I bought a sling and didn't use it even once. So that may be something you could skip. We also had a pack n play, but never used it even once. We had a baby monitor and my dd slept in her crib while I did what I needed to. You could probably save on nursing bras and get sports bras. They are quite a bit cheaper and work just as well IMO.
Congrats and Good luck!

 

[cerilene]

Congrats on you upcoming addition! I have an 8 week old so I'm speaking from very recent experience.
1. Make sure that you have some maxi-pads for after delivery. I sent my husband to the store and while he did try his best, I ended up sending him and my mom several more times till they found pads that worked. Take as many from the hospital as you can though.
2. I agree with the swing, we didn't buy one at first but when she was about 4 weeks we found one on super clearance at Wal-mart and it has been the best purchase.
3. I know most people love the sleep sacks and swaddleme blankets, but I hated them. We used the swaddleme only a few times before giving up on it. I felt like no matter how hard we tried it was always up around her chin and mouth and I was afraid that it would become a hazard. We have the miracle blanket and that has been the best thing ever. As soon as we started using it she started sleeping between 4 and 6 hours at night and now she is sleeping 7 hours. Here's a link to their website. https://www.miracleblanket.com/
4. My daughter is almost 12 pounds now and she is still in newborn clothes. When we brought her home the only things that we had for her to wear that fit were the shirts they give you in the hospital and a few long sleeve onsies.
5. You may want to consider another pack of newborn diapers. The hospital gave us some of the newborn pampers swaddlers and they were great. We are now using Nature Babycare diapers (they are compostable and biodegradable) but we had to wait for her to grow into the size one and that took a few weeks. We went through several of the packs of pampers while waiting for her to grow a little bit.
6. Make sure you get some lanolin and apply after everytime you breastfeed. It will help you from getting mastitis which is horrible when trying to take care of your newborn.
7. I wouldn't bother with a sleep positioner, especially if you get the miracle blanket there's really no way for her to turn over on her tummy. Plus most doctor's advise against them.
8. If you have an Ikea near you, they have white hand towels for 49 cents each. We use those on top of the changing pad. They are cheap and help absorb accidents and spit up.
9. If you go with a diaper pail, I suggest the diaper champ. It uses regular bags instead of refills. We have one in her room and use it when we change her there. We use any nearby trash can if we change her in any other room of the house.
10. I tried the boppy pillow for nursing and it did not help at all. The Brest Friend pillow was an absolute life saver though. It has velcro so it fits snug around your waist and actually helps support the baby. I'm able to nurse standing up and not feel like my arm is going to fall off from trying to support her.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I think I'm the only one that used the sleep positioner but DS really liked it! It has adjustable wedges that velcro to the bottom and are vented. We used it not so much to keep him from rolling over (obviously you take it out by then anyway) but because he was so tiny in his giant crib. Even after sleeping in our room for a few months in his bassinet the sleep positioner kept him snug and happy in his crib too.

I didn't see a monitor on your list? We have a 2 story so we needed one and even though DS sleeps in the next room it is comforting to hear him at night. Putting them in their room for the first time can be scary but with one you can listen without interrupting their sleep.

You might consider buying a second bouncy seat if you have more than one level at your home. I got tired of dragging the one we got up and down the stairs so I bought a second one from BCF for $20. We also used the SleepSack because DS would cry when in the swaddling wraps. I think he just enjoyed having his arms free and being able to move his feet around.

Your local fire department or police department can install your carseat for you for no charge. That way, you have peace of mind that it's in right. You don't want to go in unexpectedly without a carseat and then scramble to find one and install it. You might want to pack a few nightgowns to have for the hospital so you don't have to wear the gowns they provide. A nice shower and change of clothes really helped me feel better. Plus you won't have to go up and down the halls or to the nursery trying to keep the gown(s) shut. Good luck!

 

[griergirl2]

If you really want the ergo, check out this site under baby carriers:

http://www.adolcebaby.com/index.html

They have ergos, and free shipping. And if you use the code: ADB2009 you get 10% off your order. So it comes to $94.50...

Just thought I'd share

 

[JillHM7]

Congrats! Babies are so exciting!!

I say skip the sling, Bjorn is so much easier to use. I got a new Pack n Play for my 3rd - it has the diaper changing station. Absolutely loved that! I kept it in my family room and used it constantly. Babies R Us sells burp cloths that are much softer than using cloth diapers. BRU also has baskets to hold your bottle pieces for the dishwasher, definitely get those. And maybe a bottle drying rack/organizer. Makes life a little easier. If you get an infant seat I would recommend a Snap N Go - so convenient and then you never have to move the baby from the seat to a stroller. Hopefully your friends and family will bring you meals - cooking just doesn't happen with a newborn. Enjoy your precious baby and best wishes!

 

[lilybrooke14]

Our swing was a life saver. Don't know what we would have done without it.

I also got cloth diapers for burp cloths, just make sure to get the 3 ply version or higher, because anything less than that doesn't work (unless you fold them, but then they're too small).

I've got the JJ Cole Logic bag and it's been the BEST BAG! DH doesn't mind carrying it, it carries everything we need, it doesn't look like a diaper bag, and it also made a great Disney bag. Love, love, love that bag.

I also loved my lap pads. They usually have soft flannel on the outside and a plastic liner on the inside. When we brought DD home from the hospital, we set her on the bed, and two minutes later had to strip it down to the mattress. We'd been home less than half an hour and had a full load in the washer. After that, we put them under her at all times. I got a variety pack at Walmart for about $8. Then I got another one. And another.

I was also a big fan of the nightgowns that had openings on the bottom for feet, and the little hands that fold over so they can't scratch their faces with the talons that they come home with. Great for middle of the night diaper changes. I'd also get a handful of newborn or preemie sized outfits. DD was average size when we brought her home (7lbs) and she was swimming in everything for a few weeks.

Congrats on the new baby! You're in for a fun ride!

 

[michael's mom]

Congratulations!

I agree with the sleep positioner. My son's doc told us that they really aren't necessary because babies don't roll in their sleep at first, and once they learn to roll over, they can roll back and will roll right over the positioner.

Skip the socks too! Their feet are way to small for even the smallest socks and they are constantly off. Put her in lots of outfits with the feet covered from that...and then, it'll be summer and you won't need that anyway. The robeez were too big for DS for a while (8lbs. 2 ounces at birth)

Why do you need the cosleeper and a pack and play, and a crib? I am guessing you have a 2 story and want her downstairs while you're working? I get that, but if not, skip the cosleeper and just go with the pack n play in your room. He outgrew his cradle before we wanted him in his crib because it was summer and we had an AC in our room not his. It worked perfectly fine.

We used a diaper genie for a while but it was too much of a hassle. We have a regular barrel in his room (a small kitchen one) and we use the Glad Odor Shield trashbags. Unless you are going to take the diaper out of the room each change, I'd go with the odor shield over the grocery bags. Those diapers can stink...esp. after they are a bit older.

We never used a small diaper bag...just the regular one. I love my Vera Bradley one!

Mylicon~ DS had horrible gas and this worked like a charm to help him relax and get the burps out.

Other than that, you're in good shape. I agree that you should get an infant carrier for the first few months. It is much easier to move a sleeping baby in the carrier than it is taking her out. DS was in his for 10 months.

Again, congrats and good luck!

Don't forget to pack your bag

 

[ashlansmom]

OK, I didn't read all the responses, but here's my take!

- Don't buy an extra Boppy cover until you see if you really use your Boppy, some people use em a ton, I barely ever used mine, it looks brand new to this day. (And yes, I breast fed, but I just didn't like the Boppy.)

- I would get more bottles... just in case, you never know how things will go with breastfeeding, and decide how you'll sterilize- do you want a sterilizer?

- I did use the sleep positioner, but there is not a need for one, so you could skip it if you want.

- You need Pacifiers!! Even if you think you don't.... get at least one to have just in case the baby just wants to suck..... believe me, you'll be glad you had one around if you have a baby that JUST WANTS TO SUCK SOMETHING.

- Get the swing, maybe not for right away, but a few weeks in, you'll want it!

- Did you have a baby monitor on there?

- Are you sure you need the co-sleeper? Is your nursery very close to your bedroom, * meaning, just use the crib. If the baby is in your room you may wake with every single tiny sound and get no sleep* or could you just use the pack and play instead?

- I wouldn't spend on any breast pump yet. Choose which one you would want if you were buying one and write it down - the hospital will probably GIVE you a hand held. (My hospital gave me a really nice Medela hand held one) Also, since the electric pumps that are any good are SO expensive, you can rent them, sounds gross but it isn't, none of the part that is re-used ever touches the breast milk! I borrowed a friends Medela, but this time, if needed will just rent. I wouldn't spend the money until you KNOW you are going to breastfeed and that you are going to continue and NEED it!

- I also would hold off on all the breast feeding storage stuff if you are going to be home for a bit on maternity, no need for it yet and may not end up needing it. I know everyone wants to breastfeed and do great with it, but it just doesn't always work out.

- FOR YOU- be sure to get the nipple cream.... the name is escaping me... OH... LANSINOH!! USE IT RELIGIOUSLY EVERY TIME YOU FEED THE BABY AND AFTER SHOWERS AS WELL!
- get hemorrhoid pads, the numbing spray- dermoplast, TONS of maxi pads! Some people bleed for a couple weeks, I bled for 6! And I mean, get absorbent ones!
- Freeze meals now if you can, get lots of convenience stuff like someone said, paper plates, etc. It's tough to have time to clean, cook, etc. at first.

- ENJOY your baby! You can always send hubby out for anything you forget! My mom was running out while I was still in the hospital for smaller clothes since our daughter was so tiny!

Do you have the Dreft or a "Free" type of detergent to wash the clothes??

Good luck!

 

[momma2minnie]

I saw that you already have a co-sleeper...they really are great. When we had DD4 ours was not in yet as it was a last minute decision to order it so she slept between us (I know, I know) so needless to say those first few nights I didn't sleep well! When it finally came in it was heaven! She was right there but in her own little area, great for those middle of the night feedings ( I breast fed ).

On the topic of breast feeding, I agree with the PP on the medela pump. I loved mine it is contained in a fashionable black leather type bag complete with insulated cooler pocket and came with ice packs. I was able to carry it to work and pump at lunch break and if they weren't told what was in the bag no one was the wiser.

Just remember don't get discouraged if breast feeding seems a little difficult at first, you've never done it before and neither has your DD you have to learn what works for the two of you together. Personally, I never had luck with nursing pillows but a regular bed pillow worked great. I also found that most of the feeding positions "in the books" were uncomfortable and awkward for us. Do what works and hang in there, breast feeding is great. I remember being amazed that I carried and nourished her for 9 months and was able to give birth and continue that nourishment.

Best wishes to you and your DH

 

[michael's mom]

I am going to piggy-back on a previous poster about the breast pump. We HAD to rent one from the hospital because DS wouldn't latch (it took over 2 weeks but he did eventually get it). After our rental was up for the month, I bought the Medela Pump In Style with the black messenger bag (they also make a backpack one) and no-one ever knew what was in it. But, the hospital one was so much better. Hold off on buying one now, rent one if you need one, and when you go back to work full time, buy one then.


We used ALL for babies...it's cheaper than Dreft but DS has very sensitive skin, eczema, and it was never a problem.

Oh, and take EVERYTHING that they leave for you in the hospital. All of the diapering things in the babies "cart?" is up for grabs. Once it's in your room, I was told they have to throw it away for sanitation reasons so take it. You will not find maxi-pads better than the ones they give you so take them all and ask for more before you leave. I too was using them for a while (about 4 weeks) but after the first week or so, regular Always (overnights of course) were fine.


I am seconding the pacifier. I never thought I'd use one, didn't want too. They gave DS one when he was circumsized (I forgot to put a sign on his cart not too) and unfortunately, he still uses one now. Once we potty train we're losing the binky's!

I also didn't like the boppy and used a regular bed pillow, so ours too looks brand new!

You need a monitor...we have a lot of radio interference so with the next baby we're getting a video one, but our fisher price monitors worked awesome (aside from the interference, but that's on our phones too, so it's not the monitors fault).

Don't just get one type of bottles...DS used the Playtex ones (both the drop ins and the vent-air interchangeabley because they use the same nipple shapes) but a friend of mine went through 6 different bottles before finding one the baby would use. I'd maybe get one each of 2 different types...see if one of those works, and then send DH to the store to stock up on the ones you want.

Again, best of luck! If I think of more, I'll post again.