Absolute essential baby items???
I am 6 months pregnant and wondering what items are absolute musthaves to get - which are needed straight away for when you come home from hospital. I have the usual basics like cot/mosesbasket/carseat/clothes/nappies/shawls etc but am I missing anything? I am worried because my midwife says she doubts I will carry fullterm so I want to make sure I am prepared now in case the baby comes early!
Comments
My essentials:
*A sling (I got one from www.kimzkreations.com She is very helpful) If you wear the baby you don't need to rely on a swing or other "baby entertainers" Though I still think a swing is a nice thing to have.
*diapers/wipes (cloth is the cheapest option)
* Something to feed baby (Breastfeeding is free! But a nursing bra, pads and pump help. Check out www.kellymom.com)
*Somewhere for baby to sleep. Sounds like you got that covered.
*Carseat
Really it sounds like you are all set. I'd just wash a weeks worth of newborn clothes, blankets and sheets in a gentle detergent so you're set when you get home from the hossy. Pack that hospital bag and happy waiting!
If you are going to breastfeed then you have to plan on having nursing pads and supplies such as Avent bottles in case of emergency. If you are going to work, then you will need supplies for the pump and lansinoh cream. If you don't know if you are going to breast or bottle feed you certainly don't need to stock up on related items now. Balmex, baby tylenol for when baby gets shots, diapers in the size 2 and 3, things like extra crib sheets, a little medical kit with a hairbrush and special nail clippers, a good baby thermometer, the bumpers that attach to the railings and a safe crib blanket, toys that are for different developmental stages, most babies do enjoy a walker and bouncer, baby clothing suitable for the weather when baby will be born in the newborn but not too much and a few outfits for the 3-6 month stage and the 6-9 month stage will help you down the road. You can never have too much baby wash, lotion, and along with a teething rings for the teething stage. You put a variety of things on the registry from very cheap to more big ticket like a changing table, diaper genie and bags. Then, you will undoubtedly get gift cards too that you can save until after baby because alot of things you will only realize that you need as you go! If you don't have a stroller, you will want to have one - an infant car seat is a given. If you don't receive one, then you have to buy one of those of course! It is nice to have the car seat that fits right into a stroller for a newborn. If baby is born in winter and it's cold where you live you'll want to have a car seat cover to keep baby warm while in transit.
I'm betting you have most of what you need. The best and handiest thing I had was a big pile of receiving blankets. If the baby wets, dirties or spits up all over him or herself, they are great emergency wipers, baby covers, spit up rags, extra warmth. They are inexpensive and incredibly handy when you don't have an extra set of clothes immediately at hand. I kept a few clean ones in every room the baby went into and always a few in the diaper bag.
Also, do yourself a favor and start clipping diaper coupons now. Cloth diapers sound great and some people make them work, but you have less diaper rash with the disposables and they are expensive. Make sure you have a good supply of newborn size at home. You can never have too many on hand.
Good luck and congratulations!
Like the others have stated, you should have the basics:
* Diapers (get the Newborn ones; our preference is Huggies Supreme; better than Pampers Swaddlers)
* Vaseline or Penaten diaper cream (we didn't use it right away, but its good to have around)
* Wipes (and a wipes warmer if you baby cries at the touch of a cold one)
* Diaper Champ (Much better than Diaper Genie or Genie II since there are no refills to buy - use regular bags)
* Receiving blankets (my son peed through EVERYTHING all the time - we did 3 loads of laundry a day!)
* Sleepers/onesies (that fit! Get some that are a little bigger than you think, wash them. i.e. Carter's 3 months onesies shrunk in the dryer and my son wore then from day one)
* Socks (I wish I had more newborn socks when my son was born)
* Washcloths (so you can give him/her sponge baths at first)
* Cetaphil Lotion (best most gentle lotion to soothe baby's dry skin - works like a dream! You can even use it on their face.)
* Mild baby wash for baths
* Ivory Snow (to wash everything in before baby comes home - we prefer the powder to the liquid)
Good luck to you! Cherish every moment - its the most wonderful gift in the world.
Here's something no one told me that I am so glad I got...a window black-out shade for the baby's room (it's to block out light from the window)!
You don't have to have it immediately (chances are, the baby will be near you the first month when he or she is sleeping...you may put the bassinet in your room or move it where you need it).
But once the baby sleeps in a crib in his or her own room, a black-out shade is wonderful. It means that when you lay your baby down for a nap, it is dark enough for the baby to fall asleep easily. It also helps when the seasons change and it is bright in the evening and morning (Summer) when you are trying to lay your baby down to sleep.
I wish people would remember to list it as a "must have!"
Enjoy and don't stress too much about getting everything done. You can buy all you need at Target last minute. You just need diapers, wipes, and a pack & play with bassinet & diaper changing attachment. No rush!
I absolutely love my sling. I wish I had had it when she first came home from the hospital. We use it all the time, especially when I run errands.
The idea about a black-out shade is amazing! I wish someone had mentioned it to me before - I have been thinking in the last few days that I need one. The sun stays up so late in the summer that it is hard to get my daughter to go to sleep.
Everyone else mentioned the basics, so I won't list those out. Good luck with your little one!
I would buy a small container of formula, even if you plan on breastfeeding. That way if the baby doesn't want to breastfeed or if there is problems with your milk, you have this on hand. Prevents a trip to the store at 1am
Good Luck and Congratulations!
changing table is a must (for me at least)
diapers
rash cream
stroller
boucer seat /swing
socks
receiving blankets
onesies
burp/wash clothes
Since your mw thinks you won't carry full term you may wanna stock in diapers newborn size and up. If your baby could be a premiee he would use a lot of newborn size..
I know you said these things already but I'm just going to put down a whole list.....diapers, wipes, bassinet, formula, bottles, clothes, shampoo and soap, car seat, burp cloths, receiving blankets.......Good luck and Congrats!
Baby bottles, nappies, blankets, towels, soap, nappy cream, bath, wipes