A call to all mothers
With less than 8 weeks left the time has come to make sure we are prepared for our little baby boy to join our family. And since we are new to this whole thing I thought I would ask all you mothers out there for some advice.
What did you wish you had (or had more of) when you brought your new baby home?
Or I guess I could also ask what were you glad you already had at home and didn't have to run to the store and get?
We probably won't get everything until just before the baby comes but this has been on my mind for a while and I thought I would ask now... I like to be prepared :)
P.S. I think I know the obvious diapers, wipes, newborn clothes ect. But for example my sister mentioned that I should have 2 or 3 preemie outfits to bring to the hospital because newborn outfits might not fit quite yet. So anything like that would be great to know! Leave as many comments as you like or as many items as you like! Thanks for all your help!
What did you wish you had (or had more of) when you brought your new baby home?
Or I guess I could also ask what were you glad you already had at home and didn't have to run to the store and get?
We probably won't get everything until just before the baby comes but this has been on my mind for a while and I thought I would ask now... I like to be prepared :)
P.S. I think I know the obvious diapers, wipes, newborn clothes ect. But for example my sister mentioned that I should have 2 or 3 preemie outfits to bring to the hospital because newborn outfits might not fit quite yet. So anything like that would be great to know! Leave as many comments as you like or as many items as you like! Thanks for all your help!
hi Kristy. After 3 kids I just remember that all I really needed that 1st week or 2 was diapers,wipes,and food(breasts) :)
ReplyDeleteYes, go get one or two preemie outfits at a thrift store or borrow them(no need to buy new).
Regrets: not having a epidural with the 1st two kids. not getting a personal baby carrier until my last one Hayley, those baby Bjorns are awesome and so convienient. Not getting a baby wipe warmer. Not sleeping when the baby slept, i used the time instead to get housework done. Don't make the same mistake...choose sleep Kristy!
Baby Socks: pointless purchase because they always fall of and then they get lost.
lanolin because nursing will hurt for awhile and breast pads for leaking, menstrual pads (big ones) because you will bleed for a long time, a laxative (trust me, you'll want it when you've just had a vaginal birth), 'Tucks' medicated pads to ease the pain 'down there', I cooked up a bunch of meals and froze them so getting dinner made would be easier once the baby was born (I just doubled stuff when I made it)....that's all i can think of now. I can't believe you're so close! yay! (oh, and make sure and keep all the receipts for the stuff used for vaginal births JUST IN CASE you end up with a c-section).
ReplyDeleteokay, i am really annoyed that this page will not let me use the "paste" function. I typed it out and then it told me that I was signed in as Dan... so I copied what I wrote, signed out... and now I can't past in HERE only. it will paste in notepad... what?!?!
ReplyDeleteanyway...
about the premie size: if he is anything like Arlo premie size would NEVER fit. Arlo never even fit into the "newborn" size... he went straight into 0-3 month, so bring that size too. The "newborn" size is like up to 7lbs... and Arlo was 9. Anyway...
LOTS of swaddling blankets... I love the Aiden and Anais (at target) the best... because they are actually a good size for a real swaddle.
and like Danielle said, FREEZER MEALS, they saved me.
and those other things she mentioned are a MUST, however, I got almost ALL of it (laxatives, lanolin, and tucks) at the hospital for FREE. so, i might not go out and buy those...
so exciting!!! congrats :) can't wait to see pictures!
I bought a package of cloth diapers and used them for general baby messes, over flowing milk,
ReplyDeletespit up, etc. They're really soft, super absorbant, light weight and just the perfect size.
If you have the what to expect when expecting book, or something like it, it should have a list. I got all of the first aid stuff when I was at your stage, like digital thermomoters and such. I agree with the cloth diapers, you can use them again and again, and buy extra, babies create a lot of laundry... Laundry soap is good to have, I used Dreft, you can find it at Target. If you have sore or cracked nursing issues, the Beaverton Pharmacy has nipple shields and a TON of great items you won't find else ware. My son had an adverse effect to Desetin, so A&D ointment and or a few other butt creams might be wise. I am getting excited for you.
ReplyDeleteGive yourself permission to do NOTHING but bond with your baby for the first few days. Think ahead and remove any obstacles to that end...you'll be so happy you did afterwards.
ReplyDeleteSo having two kids, I learned a few things. Breast pads are a must, pads for you, also, if you fill a few with water and freeze them, that will help after having a vaginal birth. Also, my favorite thing that I have gotten, has been a Moby Wrap. Keeps baby right with you and can grow with them. I also LOVED my nursing cover, makes nursing in front of other people a lot more convenient and less difficult. Blankets and lots of them are a must. Congrats and good luck! ~Brianne Meeks~
ReplyDeleteSo I am so excited for Kadence to have a cousin! I can't wait to see him! I hope you are feeling good.
ReplyDeleteFor me I took my boppy to the hospital, it was a big help while learning how to nurse the first few days, I am also a fan of the nipple shild! Other then that I know you guys don't have TV like us, so lots of movies were nice to help keep me awake during the night feedings. But the one piece of advise that I wish I would have listened to is sleep while your baby is sleeping! Make Daliin do the house work for a while.. sorry bro! Um if I think of anything else I will let you know! Good Luck and you're going to love it! Being a mom is the best!
I actually felt like I had worried about TOO MUCH stuff. All you need is diapers, lanolin, pads for you, small baby onesies and sleepers. All the stuff Danielle and Courtney mentioned (and some diapers) are given to you at the hospital. I also LOVED the nipple shield, it totally saved me. And I went to a lactation specialist about two days after coming home, which was a HUGE help. Freezer meals are great, I heard a lot of good stuff about this book: http://books.google.com/books?id=1c6jDbYamHcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Fix,+Freeze,+Feast+by+Neville+and+Tkacsik&source=bl&ots=8xrdF2Xa51&sig=3d_gve5oXXS8PI7LN0Q5vzvjWzs&hl=en&ei=5htpS4vsGY_8tQPwjuSGBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's hard at first, but I learned that if I do as much as get myself ready for the day (even if it's at four pm) I felt a million times better about myself. And, like someone mentioned, watching shows and movies on your computer or tv is nice because it took my son almost an hour to nurse each time (every 2.5 hours).
Don't buy too many newborn clothes because they hardly wear them and grow out of them really fast.
I think I'm done now :) Good luck!The first three months are crazy.