What you could not do without!! First time MOM

StormsDreams · 12-29-2007, 05:48 PM

Soo...I am going through the list of things i need...Just wanted to know what you all ready moms could not do without during the first few weeks with the new baby.
I am fine tuning my registry and want to make sure i ask for things i really need and purchase what i really need.

I allready have
Carseat/stroller travel system
Baby bathtub
Pack N Play
1 box of 96 bew born pampers
750 Wipes
Dreft Detergent

What else do i need to prepare?

I plan to exclusivly breastfeed but would like to purchase bottles and such for co-feeding...so any advice on good bottle systems would be great!

Thanks in advance!!!
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Sarah23 · 12-29-2007, 07:19 PM

Hi -

You've got a good list there...baby doesn't need much the first few weeks, except for mom, milk, and diaper changes.
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I couldn't do without, our Pak n' Play, and our baby tub with hammock. Do get the little hammock for the baby tub, it's too hard to wash them without it, IMO. They're slippery little buggers!
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Oh yeah, the little mitty things for their hands so they don't scratch themselves.

Also, since you're planning to BF, make sure you have some lanisoh cream, and when you're in the hospital, ask lactation for the little cooling gel pads for your nips.

As far as bottles, I love the Platex nursers with the drop in liners. Fast, easy and sanitary.

~Sarah~

Mutai~Fayola · 12-29-2007, 07:27 PM

Receiving blankets! No, not to use as blankets though...lol, they're worthless for that, but I use them for all the time for putting under baby when I change his diaper, as burp cloths, I usually have at least one handy when I'm nursing DS for cleaning up after my leaky boobs lol, and all sorts of other things. A couple nice warm blankets for going out, and for putting over baby when you don't feel like dressing her.
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We do that a lot around here. I'm sure there's other things that I'm just not remembering too...lol HTH

Sarah23 · 12-29-2007, 07:33 PM

One other thing. Just noticed that you have a large pack of size "N' diapers. Depending on the size of your baby, they probably won't fit for long. My ds was nearly 10lbs @ birth, and started out wearing size 1 right away.
You'll probably use what you have, but I wouldn't buy anymore than that. If you're going to buy more, get some size 1's.
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~Sarah~

rainyangl · 12-29-2007, 07:59 PM

I loved our boppy. Even if we didn't use it for it's intended use (bf'ing) I would lay Conner in it in front of me or use it to prop up my arm when I fed/held him.

I used our swing a lot. Conner napped in that quite a bit while we were in the living room.

Don't forget to get a lot of breast pads. I wore those all the time.

Make sure you have baby socks! I forgot those and had my mom go buy some while I was still in the hospital LOL.

Another thing you may not run into but it happened to us, Conner was suspected to be 8+ pounds but ended up being 5 pounds 8 ounces!! Not sure how they were that far off but he didn't fit into any clothes we had for him or his newborn diapers. We ended up getting a lot of preemie diapers from the hospital but we had to make an emergency trip to babies r us to get some preemie clothes.

Amie · 12-29-2007, 08:12 PM

I used cotton balls to wipe the bottom in the beginning. I just wet them with water.

I second the receiving blankets for all the uses mentioned. I also love the small waterproof lap pads. Those are great for changing baby when out and about.

Hats for winter babies

Nasal Aspirator

Thermometer

I agree with Sarah about the diapers too.

This was a lifesaver
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I was able to eat and get quick potty breaks. both of my girls loved this. My niece just finished using it and I am going to use it with the new baby too. Loved it.

For me: a BIG water mug with a lid. You drink lots of water while breastfeeding. I got mine at Weight Watchers. I love it.

Crunchyandsweet · 12-29-2007, 08:35 PM

Here is my fav list:

~bumbo..love love love it!!
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~amby hammock bed..total lifesaver (didnt need the pack n play)
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~lilypadz nursing pads..the best!
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~ergo baby carrier ..love love love it, hands down the BEST baby/infant/toddler carrier !!
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~nursing/ maternity pillow- another love love love

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~wipe warmer...it sticks to have a freezin cold wipe on your little warm bum at 3am

MsSuziQ · 12-29-2007, 08:49 PM

Alcohol prep pads for the umbilical cord stump. You have to clean it with alcohol with each diaper change.

I 2nd the suggestion for Lansinoh. A MUST during the early days of breastfeeding. You may also want to pick up a manual breast pump...just in case baby has latch issues. You can still give your baby breast milk. I highly recommend the
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manual pump. Breast pads are a must as well. As far as bottles are concerned, I've done a lot of research and talked to a lot of moms (I work at BRU) who've used them and the
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bottles come very highly recommended. I've bought the BreastFlow starter kit and another package of bottles as well.
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was honestly the best money I ever spent where breast feeding was concerned. I used this for several months and will definitely use it again with this baby. It's much better than the Boppy, as you don't have to worry about it sliding away or baby rolling between you and the pillow. It's AWESOME!!

You'll want receiving blankets, as most babies prefer to be swaddled most of the time. A few onesies, socks, gowns and maybe a couple of sleepers. DD stayed in gowns for the first few weeks, just because they made diaper changes SO easy. Plus, when they're that little, they won't keep their legs in the sleeper legs anyway...they want to be balled up...lol.

Cloth diapers, as they come in handy for EVERYTHING! We used them as burp clothes and everything else.

A couple of hooded baby towels and wash clothes for baths.

Other than that, it sounds like you have gotten some pretty good suggestions to go along with your list, which has most of the essentials already. Good luck to you and I hope you have everything you need to make your first few days/weeks as easy as possible.
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DMK417 · 12-29-2007, 09:26 PM

I could never have made it throught the early days without a womb bear! She is a year old and still goes to sleep to the sound of that thing. So, you might want to make sure your bassinet or whatever has a noise maker or get a womb bear or soemthing. I took it to the hospital with us, and it was a lifesaver.

mom2amy · 12-29-2007, 11:39 PM

My PNP, swing and or bouncy chair, breast pads and cream, blankets for swaddling/diaper changes./nursing cover, some bottles (I used avent since I had the pump with DD), and some ready to feed formula w/nipples on hand *gotten from the hospital* to help supplement.
Everyone else has listed other things I would list too.

AriaLane · 12-30-2007, 01:06 AM

Thanks for this thread Storms, and thanks so much to all who replied...keep 'em coming! DH and I just finished registering at BRU and it was so overwhelming, especially with the list of stuff they suggested you get. We already had a few ideas of what we wanted, but I ended up not putting much on my registry thinking that other mothers coming to the shower would probably have a better idea than me as to what I'm actually going to need. But this is definitely a great thread so I know what a should get before DS arrives.

Thanks to all you already moms out there!

flower_s7 · 12-30-2007, 01:06 AM

I gotta say that my glider was the best thing I bought for my baby and my sanity. We still use it every single day 13 months later!
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I second the manual breast pump...had to make an emergency run for that one about a week after DS was born...I was totally engorged and in trouble!

Sarah23 · 12-30-2007, 01:15 AM

I need to pick up one of those Bumbo's for this baby.

Also, yes...the bouncy chair! How could I forget that? Definately a must have!

This is a great thread....even though I've been through all this before, it's crazy what you forget! And, times have changed over the last 3 1/2 years, I'm sure there are some new products, like the Bumbo, that I can't live without!
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Suzi - I'm glad to hear you like the "My Brest Friend" pillow. I just recently heard about it and considered getting one. It's not a pain to put on or take off?

~Sarah~

CruiserGal · 12-30-2007, 02:31 AM

I agree with the blankets. My only advice is to purchase the larger ones. I've found that the smaller blankets are too small to use for swaddeling the baby. We still use them for all the purposes mentioned above.

Or maybe just get one or two of the SwaddleMe wraps. BRU carries them.

But the number one must have... a Camera with lots of memory or lots of film! Don't forget to stop and take pictures of all those milestones. They seem to be flying by so quickly.

StormsDreams · 12-30-2007, 11:38 AM

THANKS LADIES~~~
Sarah~ I got so confused when purchasing diapers! I went to BJ's so i just purchased one box...but i will buy size one from now on!

I also saw the bumbo and boppy in BJ's i was going to pick up so i will look into that as well...

I was looking at Breastpumps and i am still very undecided. The Medela is so expensive, its up to 300 bucks now!

Again THanks Ladies!!!