Things for the Baby

Things you will need for the baby:

Basics (Target, Old Navy, and Babies R Us have great stuff at reasonable prices or you can also go to Gap/Baby Gap/BabyStyle/Gymboree) REMEMBER THE SEASON WHEN YOU BUY!!!

1. 6 onesies (newborn/0-3 months size) – these come in packs of 3 if you buy Carter’s or Gerber’s and consider getting a few long-sleeved ones just in case it gets a little chilly around town

2. 3-4 sleeping gowns (newborn/0-3 months size) – these are great for nighttime, so that you don’t have to fiddle with snaps when changing diapers in the middle of the night. These look like potato sacks with arms and usually have elastic around the bottom.

3. 6 pants/leggings (newborn/0-3 months size)

4. 3 kimono style shirts (newborn/0-3 months size) – good until the umbilical cord stump falls off

5. 1 cotton sweater (newborn/0-3 months size) – in case you take the baby out and it is chilly outside

6. 6 pairs of socks/cotton booties (to keep those little tootsies warm)

7. 4-6 cotton receiving blankets of various weights (you’ll end up using these for everything from keeping him warm to mopping up spit up)

8. 12 Cloth Diapers (these make the perfect burp cloths and can be purchased at Target and Babies R Us by the dozen)

9. 8-10 washcloths (these can be purchased by the pack at Target and Babies R Us)

10. 1 Diaper Bag – purchase one that you will really love as it will become what you carry with you everywhere. Also make sure that it comes with pockets for your things and a changing pad. When you are out and need to change her in a public restroom, you will be glad you have one.

11. 2 pairs of baby mittens – so that the little one won’t scratch himself in between nail clippings.

12. 1 brimmed hat to protect him from cold or the sun.

13. 3-4 bibs – make sure that they are not the small under-the-chin variety and that they are plastic backed so that milk doesn’t leak through to his clothes. These will come in handy when you go to bottle-feed him.

14. Something adorable for him to wear home from hospital – make sure it is not a sleeping gown as you will need to be able to strap him into the car seat.

Safety/Travel

1. Car Seat – you can’t leave the hospital without one of these. (I purchased the Peg Perego Car Seat and liked it a lot. Graco Snug Ride is also really popular. Both can be found at Babies R Us.)

2. Stroller – there are a few options with strollers. You can purchase what is called a travel system where the stroller will accommodate the car seat so that you don’t have to pull the baby out of the car seat. There is also something called a Snap n Go, which is just a basic metal stroller frame onto which most car seats will snap. The advantage to this is that it is light and very reasonably priced.

Other necessities

1. Bathtub – while you won’t be bathing the newborn in water until the cord stump falls off, you will want a tub (one that works for newborns) to use afterwards. (Evenflo makes the tub we use for Kiki – it comes with a sling/hammock so that she isn’t totally immersed in water, and comes with a drainage hole and plug so that the baby can sit in the warm water when he is ready)

2. 2 silicone pacifiers (newborn size) – even if you don’t think you want the baby to use these, you should have these handy. Kiki has used them intermittently since birth and is not dependent on these. (Nuk or Mam makes good ones and these can be found at Target and Babies R Us.)

3. Fragrance-free/Allergen-free laundry detergent – do not run out and get Dreft or Ivory Snow. These are super pricey and are crappy at getting poop, pee, and spit up out of clothes. We use fragrance-free and allergen-free All Detergent.

4. First Aid Kit – there are ones especially for babies that come stocked with Infant Tylenol, Motrin, Mylicon (for gas), and the other things typically found in first aid kits. (Can be found at Target and Babies R Us)

5. 3 packs of newborn sized diapers – don’t buy any more than that in the beginning because he might outgrow them fast. Kiki went to the next size up at 1 month. (The little bugger will go through 10 per day in the first few weeks). These come in packs of 48 or 72. In terms of pricing, I have found that Target has the best prices with Babies R Us a close second. Grocery stores are not cheap. We use Huggies Supreme and Pampers Cruisers. They both fit great so less leakage – a very important thing!!!

6. Cotton pads or cotton balls – to wipe the little bottom. Most pediatricians suggest that you don’t use baby wipes until after the first month due to skin sensitivities. Check with your pediatrician to find out what he/she thinks.

7. A rectal thermometer – for the first year, this is the recommended way to take his temp. There is one made by The First Years that will get a reading in less than 10 seconds. Buy that one. (If you have a hard time finding this one, I will get it.)

8. Vaseline – it makes the thermometer less of an enemy to the baby

9. 2 tubes of A+D Ointment/Desitin – to prevent diaper rash (one tube for home and the other for the diaper bag)

10. Baby nail clippers – baby’s nails are deadly sharp because they are so thin. You will need to clip his nails (it’s tough the first few times) regularly so that he doesn’t gouge himself or you.

11. 2 crib sheets – make sure these are tight-fitting and of soft cotton.

12. 2 waterproof crib pads – make sure these are tight fitting as well.

13. Rubbing Alcohol – Check with your pediatrician but most recommend that you use this to get the umbilical cord to dry up and fall off quicker.

14. Bottles – For convenience’s sake, buy a newborn starter kit. Every brand has them. Even though you plan to breastfeed, it is wise to have these handy so that Anthony can bond with him as he feeds. We use Avent bottles but I have heard great things about Dr. Browns and Playtex Vent Aire as these are both especially shaped to reduce the amount of air ingested by the baby which equates to less gas and less fussiness.

15. Breastpump – If you plan to have him drink breast milk after you go back to work, start pumping as soon as you can so that you can build up a reserve and then you can pump as you go. Also, there will be times that he is not hungry and your breasts become so engorged with milk that you start shooting milk everywhere and I mean everywhere. Talk to me about this subject when you get more curious. Best place to buy is the lactation center at the hospital because it is usually $100 or so cheaper or borrow from friends who no longer use it. The electric double pump (Medela Pump In Style) can cost anywhere from $220 to $300 depending on the retailer.) You also have the option to rent from a lactation center. I found ours on the internet and can find you one for $220.

16. Breast milk storage bags – Medela and Avent both have good ones.

17. Breastfeeding book – There is a mini booklet called the Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding (or something like that) that will prove invaluable to you.) Talk to your OB, he’ll probably know, otherwise, I will get you one.

18. Baby shampoo and baby lotion – 99% of the big people stuff out there is too harsh for little ones. You won’t need this, however, until the baby starts taking real baths and not sponge baths (after cord stump falls off). We use Mustela on Kiki. They make a wonderful foamy infant shampoo that will help get rid of cradle cap (see me on this one too). Sold at specialty retailers only. There are plenty of other brands out there that are wonderful, we just loved the smell of this one. We use the Baby Aveeno lotion on Kiki.

19. Diaper pail – for obvious reasons. We love our Diaper Dekor. Another favorite is the Diaper Champ because it doesn’t require the purchase of specific bags (the others do)

Things that are nice to have for the baby but not necessary:

1. Diaper wipe warmer – it is nice to have for the middle-of-the-night changings so that you don’t jolt him awake with a cold wipe. (Found at Target and Babies R Us.)

2. Bottle warmer – yes, you could always use a bowl filled with hot water to do the same thing but a bottle warmer will do the job more quickly. We use one made by Avent. (Found at Target and Babies R Us.)

3. Jog Stroller – These shouldn’t be used for young infants. In fact, most pediatricians will not recommend using these until the baby is close to 6 months old because of risk of neck injury. Talk to me about this, however, because I know mothers who started using these when their babies were 6 weeks old.

4. Bottle Sterilizer – Depending on the water out there, you will want to have one of these. Avent makes a great one that you put in the microwave with a little bit of water that does the job nicely. Again, talk to your pediatrician to see if this is necessary. Everything coming out of the package will need to be sterilized initially but you can also boil everything in a large pot of water.

5. Baby Bjorn infant carrier – this is great for the trips to the market, walks around the neighborhood and any other time you need to get things done when the baby wants to be held. These are roughly $70 but you will use this for quite some time. Actually, maybe move this one to the necessary items list.

6. Vibrating bouncy seat – Kiki liked hers and it was a nice place for me to put her when I wanted to take a shower so I could watch her while she entertained herself. Also good for putting fussy babies to sleep.

7. Crib Mobile – Nice but not necessary if the kid isn’t going to spend waking hours there. Kiki has one that plays the classical music and bright animals by Tiny Love. Bob loves it!!!!

Things that you will need for you:

1. Valium – just kidding… not really… ☺

2. 3 good nursing bras – these things come in handy with fronts that unsnap for easy access.

3. Pads – no tampons for 6 weeks and you will be surprised at the deluge after birth…

4. Granny panties – I don’t know what kind of undergarments you wear now but you will definitely want to wear these postpartum, especially with pads

5. Panty liners – for before delivery and afterwards when pads aren’t completely necessary. Your body will take some time to completely return to its normal state.

6. Really comfy clothes – you will still need to wear maternity clothes (or just big sweats) for around 2 months post partum

7. Ready-made food – you will be surprised at how difficult it is to find time to eat, much less cook, for the first month.

8. Pre-natal vitamins and calcium supplements -- Fill your prescription before going into the hospital so that you don’t have to worry about that afterwards. While you breast feed, you will want to take them so that you can replenish what the body has lost.

9. Nursing pads – these are either cotton (washable) or cotton (disposable) and go into the bra. Until the milk supply gets regulated, you will leak everywhere, all the time. I used disposable ones by Lasinoh, which I bought at Target or Babies R Us.

10. Nursing Cream – no toughening up of the boobs beforehand will prepare them for the havoc your baby will wreak on them. Using this after feeding will prevent them from cracking and bleeding, which is more painful than you can imagine. Believe me on this one. I used Lasinoh -- found right next to the Nursing Pads at the same stores.

11. Pediatrician – line one up during the last trimester (or beforehand if you know of a great one) so that you can develop a relationship with him/her and get some questions answered before you deliver the little one.

    12. Faith that you will not screw up. Once that child comes home, do not let any well-meaning people tell you otherwise. It’s going to be a really vulnerable time for you because nothing will have prepared you for the intense emotions you will feel for that baby and each other. More than ever, you will need to filter out the noise. Remember that no one can raise and love that child like you can.