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pbaribeault -> RE: Baby Needs (6/5/2008 5:06:32 PM)
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OK - I'm pulling up my list....
Don't bother with booties or too many socks for the first 3 months or so -- usually they just live in sleepers except for special occasions.
Depending on where you live, you might want some warmer gear for the winter following October...
A 'coat' that is basically a sweat shirt or fleecie with a hood is nice, especially because it protects baby's neck from the car seat straps.
Also maybe a 'blanket sleeper' -- a sleeper made of something like polar fleece, a size bigger than what they would be wearing under it makes good outer-wear.
For bed time you might want a sleep-sac type zip-around blanket bag thing.
You will want a laundry receptacle somewhere near your change table, or a basket for laundry as part of the change table.
If you are using your diaper pail for cloth diapers, you will want an additional trash basket.
Also, stain spray. Oxy baby spray is great. You can just spray it on, then toss it in your ordinary hamper and it can wait until you get around to washing it. Nothing takes everything out, but it's nice to be able to address a stain as you are undressing the baby, instead of trying to remember to get it as you're doing the laundry.
Vitamin D drops.
Nursing-leaking pads. I use about 6 pair of washables, plus I keep a box of disposables so that if laundry is behind (often) I have something to use without wasting too much money. (Also, if you are engorged, you can soak a couple pads, put them in a ziplock (stacked) and freeze them. Then you have nice little round ice packs that fit inside your bra... wear a dry pad between your skin and the frozen one though.)
You'll also want plenty of maxi pads. A C section will be like a heavy period for a week, then lightening. Others may be able to speak to how long you'll need them after an ordinary delivery. My skin is sensitive, so I use all-natural, but I imagine everybody's skin is sensitive if you have to wear them for a long time.
Obviously, you'll want bottles & nipples, though I didn't see them listed.
Think about your ordinary PJ's. If you wear tops & bottoms, you'll be fine. If you wear nighties, you will probably want a nursing one. If you don't wear much, you might want to think about skulking around your house a few times a night, and make accommodations.
Baby nail clippers, snot-sucker bulb thing (OK nasal aspirator), baby skin lotion (unscented is best - you never know what they will be sensitive to).
Baby tylenol drops or equivalent... you'll need them eventually, and you don't want to have to run out to buy them when you need them.
Head-hugger for your car seat
Mirrors for your car are a nice item, so you can see if the baby has gone to sleep or not.
Stroller that you can set your car seat into (most larger ones work fine - it doesn't have to be a snap=together system).
Diaper bag that suits you and can accommodate your purse as well as baby's needs (you don't have 3 hands).
Front-pack style carrier, wrap, sling... whatever suits you.
For the crib - a mobile, or better yet, a thing that plays soft music & casts lights.
A night light baby's room, and more if you need them on your way there.
Baby monitors.
Glider rocker, or other nursing chair.
U-shaped nursing pillow.
You might want a wind-up swing... if you ever want to do something with both hands while the baby is awake, but too fussy for the floor or bouncy seat. You also might want one of those toy arches that the baby lays on their back and bats at. And, yes, on the bouncy seat.
You will probably get plenty of toys and stuffed animals. You might want to select one safe small stuffed animal and make it into a comfort item by wearing it inside your shirt and keeping it nearby as you nurse. This can help with the transition to sleeping alone. (If you use a pacifier, you can also tie that (securely and safely) to the animal's neck, which will be even more comforting, and also makes it easier for baby to find their own pacifier and go back to sleep without your intervention.
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