Newborn Essentials?

You'll need a carseat, they won't let you leave the hospital without one. You'll need a safe place for the baby to sleep. You'll need diapers and wipes and a soft place to change diapers. I attached a diaper changing pad to the top of a dresser that we already had. They sell those pads everywhere. I've tried many diapers and like Pamper's Swaddlers the best. Maybe you could get 1 pack of preemie size, one pack of newborn size and one pack of size one. When you bring your baby home...first, open the size ones. If they're too big for your baby, you can always use them later. Then, open the NB size. If they're too big, then save them for later. If they're just right, don't open the Preemie size so that you can exchange them for the correct size. Clothing that doesn't go over the baby's head is great, especially if you're having a c-section like I did. They make t-shirts, sleep-n-plays, pjs, onesies and bodysuits that snap on the side or in front. I found them at Babiesrus, not Target. When my baby came, I had way too many "over-the head" clothes in size 0-3, but I really needed front/side closing clothes in size Preemie and Newborn. If you only wash a few things but keep the tags on the rest, you will be able to exchange them for the size you end up needing when you meet your little one. I only used clothes that snapped in front or on the side until my son was 2 months old. Also, unscented laundry detergent or the baby laundry detergent called Dreft should be to prevent rashes. Don't worry about bottles or formula because the hospital will give you some, even if you're breastfeeding. The hospital will give you some receiving blankets for swaddling, those are important and you might end up buying more.
Those are the essentials.
Best of luck to you and your family.
N.

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Hi T.,

I would pick up some Mylecon gas drops, Infants Tylenol, A&C ointment or desiten, ear thermometer, nail clippers for babies, some t-shirts that snap on the side that are not onsies (so the shirt doesn't rub on the belly-button area until it heals); Also a bouncy chair is a wonderful thing (they have some that vibrate which my son LOVED - put him right to sleep); All in one baby soap/shampoo; You may want to hold off on going nuts buying diapers too - get 1 or 2 packages, but they outgrow them sooo fast, then your stuck w/ a bunch of diapers you can't use. If your planning on breast feeding a "boppy" will save your arms - you can rest the baby on there when he/she get a little bigger & still breast feed without your arms aching!

Good luck w/ everything & best in health!
J.

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Well bottles ( if you don't plan to breast feed), spit up cloths, onesies, diapers, wipes, blankets, carseat (to bring home home in)nasal aspirator,finger nail clippers,wash cloths,sling/or baby tub, baby soap, lotion,bassinet/ craddle for baby to sleep in.

Do you have anything yet? Have you had a baby shower?

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Your baby really needs very little. Here's what I would get:
1. Place for the baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, co-sleeper, whatever)
2. Sling or baby carrier (I like the Kangaroo Korner Fleece Pouches or Storchenwiege wrap slings for newborns and older babies alike)
3. Some onesies - probably about 6 of these
4. 6-12 receiving blankets for swaddling
5. 4 sets of long-sleeved pajamas (the little gowns or bags work best)
6. Baby sun hat
7. Bathing supplies - some baby soap and lotion, safe q-tips, rubbing alcohol (for umbillical cord)
8. Sheets for crib/bed
9. Burp cloths (cloth diapers - I prefer the flats to the prefolds - get 12 at least)
10. Lanolin for your nipples if breastfeeding. Also consider getting some Gel Pads
11. Pacifier - we like the Soothies ones - the seem to be the closes to "boob" shaped.
12. A place to put the baby - bouncy seat and/or swing and/or moses basket etc.
13. Rocker/glider chair
14. Diapers/wipes
15. Boppy pillow - these are lifesavers if you're breastfeeding, and nice for bottle feeding too (my husband tells me)

I would not get many clothes - especially with your first baby people will give you LOTS of stuff. You won't need a baby bath for the first 1-2 weeks b/c you will just sponge bathe until the cord falls off. Strollers - wait on this one. Use a baby carrier and your baby will be happier anyway. There are so many choices on strollers, you'll want to try them out. Good baby carrier reviews at www.thebabywearer.com. You don't need any toys at first. Maybe just a rattle or two. A mobile, if you feel compelled, but it is NOT necessary (our son didn't ever care about ours). You might like some books - especially the ones with the black and white patterns.

Good luck!

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IF you are g0oing to nurse ( I highly recommend it), all you need is a boppy, more than one if you are in a two story like me, and a sling of some sort, and a big water bottle that is constantly being refilled for you. Of course you need a car seat b/c they won't let you out of the hospital without one but everything else can wait. A few onesies and sleepers maybe. Everybody will bring the baby a wardrobe when they come to visit. IF you are going to use disposable diapers, 1800diapers.com is great.
GOod luck.

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I'm a minimalist, so here are the basics I needed:
carseat -- they won't release the baby from the hospital unless you have one for the ride home
for sleep -- bassinet, co-sleeper, cradle, moses basket or whatever option you choose for the first few months. You can get the crib later since you'll probably have the baby in your room for at least a few weeks
for clothes -- those little white t-shirts that snap like a kimono for before the baby's umbilicus falls off (the 1st week or 2) then onesies
diapers, wipes, nail clippers, baby soap (I like Aveeno's baby wash)
lots of receiving blankets
your choice of something to put the baby in when you need your hands free -- such as bouncy chair, swing, etc. I personally use a sling most of the time (a new native pouch sling I bought from babystyle.com) and then used a moses basket to put baby down to sleep for the first few months. Now that she's older (4 months), I put her down on a quilted blanket on the floor with some toys

I don't use a stroller -- just the sling for carrying her around -- and I exclusively breastfeed so I don't need bottles or a pump.

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Gripe water!!!!! I couldn't have lived without it that first week. It puts Mylecon to shame. Gripe water (sold by many different manufacturers and available at places like Whole Foods and Vitamin Outlet for around $10) gets rid of hiccups, expels little bubbles that gurgle in baby's belly, and has a general calming effect.... all wrapped up in a homeopathic, very gentle liquid.
Also, if you are planning a vaginal birth, take a roll of plush toilet paper with you to the hospital. This will be the time in your life when you most want soft toilet paper.
Soothies!!!!! These are cooling pads you put in your bra. They don't help with engorgement, but they are wonderful to soothe sore nipples. I couldn't have lived without them. (available at CVS and Walgreens and places like that.. I think they cost around $12)
Best wishes on a speedy and tranquil labor and delivery!!!

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I'm so sorry but good luck! If you are breastfeeding, I would get some nursing pads and lansinoh gel and some nursing tops. If not, formula and bottles. You will need a bassinet or moses basket for the baby to sleep. Also, some onesies in size newborn and 0-3 because you never know what will fit. Dreft detergent to wash the clothes as well. blankets to swaddle. If you can, a bouncy seat or swing really calms a sreaming neworn. Those are musts to me!

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Hi T.,

You sound organized and like you're working around being on bed rest...good for you! The one thing I couldn't have survived without with both my kids (2 2/1 and almost 4 months) would be swaddle blankets! You can get them at Babies R Us or Target, but the best one is the Amazing Miracle Blanket. It's larger and lasts as they grow instead of the smaller ones they outgrow quickly. You can order it from Babycenter.com. Congrats!

N.

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#1 Car seat and base - you'll need it to leave the hospital. Since you are on bedrest and even though you have a scheduled c-section date, I'd get this one ASAP and have your husband figure out how to install it in the car very soon. Trust me, this will be the last thing you/he will want to deal with in the excitement of the baby. You can go to www.seatcheck.org to find a location where a fire/police house will look at it and make sure it is installed properly.

#2 Swing and/or bouncy chair - Some babies love them, some babies don't. I think I might have lost my mind without having this. The swinging/vibration mimics some of the sensations the baby felt while in the womb and can be a source of soothing.

#3 Stroller - it all depends on where you live and how active you'll be following the pregnancy. You definitely will want one, but you might not need it right away. If I was still living in my downtown condo, with my car parked in a garage 3/4ths of a mile away a stroller would be a must (likewise, if you live in the city and have to fight for street parking and sometime have to park far away and/or you walk to all social activities or outings, you'll want one asap).

#4 Breastfeeding or Formula feeding? Make sure that whichever method you choose, you have the appropriate supplies for it. If you choose to use bottles, have your husband sterilize and wash them ahead of time.

#5 Clothing - Get just the basics and, like bottles, wash them ahead of time in Dreft or a chemical/dye-free detergent. Unless you truly care about your child being fashion-forward, just get some onesies, some pajamas, bibs, and socks. Chances are you'll get a lot of clothes at your showers and, quite frankly, the newborn sizes and 0-3 are outgrown SO quickly that if you have a ton of clothes there may be some things your baby never wears or only wears once. I know, clothes are the fun part, but save that shopping spree for 3-6 or older!

#6 First-Aid/Bathing supplies - You'll want a thermometer (your doc will probably want you to take his/her temp regularly for the first few days), cotton balls, infant Tylenol, Mylicon, diaper rash cream, isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning the thermometer). For bathing, I like the J&J ready-to-use washcloths (yes, they're more expensive, but one less thing to deal with when you're sponge bathing in the first few weeks with the baby screaming because he/she is naked!), baby lotion or oil, hooded bath towels. Sure, there are other first aid items, but they can wait until you're on your feet.

A word of advice...First of all, I love Babies R Us. I love going there and looking at all the fun stuff they have to offer. However, I'd caution against sending your husband in there to meet with a salesperson to say "My wife is on bedrest, can I have some help with what I need to buy?" because they will tell you that you need to buy the whole store. If you've ever seen their baby registry checklist, there is a TON of stuff on there that is completely unnecessary! Give your husband (or your mother or your mother-in-law or sister) a shopping list.

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Although it will not be everything you need, the hospital will give you a few things that should be enough to get you through the first couple of days- diapers, formula, diaper bag, etc.

Here is what I would have: bottles if you want them, onesies, blanket to swaddle with, sensitive wipes, pampers swaddlers, and a place for the little one to sleep. Obviously you will need a carseat to bring the baby home. I bought so much stuff that other people recommended- for example burp cloths, I bought tons of these things and my kid did not spit up- so now I have all these burp cloths that were a waste. Not a big deal but I pry could have gotten away with a towel the first couple of days and if it was a big problem sent my hubby out to get stuff. If he takes a few days off of work at the beginning he can run out and get stuff for you then too. Good luck! My Grandma delivered my Uncle early due to previa so I know this is a tough situation.

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Hi T., First let me say good luck to you, and great job keeping your sanity while on bedrest! Your baby will have an excellent birthday (Aug. 30 is mine, too) -- hooray!

Lots of good advice so far. My top three suggestions:

1. a blanket for swaddling. We didn't have good luck with the pre-folded swaddling blanket, but instead found a plain, very light, 100% cotton *jersey* (t-shirt material) blanket to be the only kind that would keep her swaddled tightly. These are very hard to find, so send someone out to start finding one soon! We found one at BRU (babies R us, I mean) buried in the back.

2. a "boppy" as suggested by others below

3. a sling or other baby carrier. We liked the one carried at New Native: www.newnativeinc.com (tip: if you order one of the "seconds" or slightly imperfect ones, you'll save a bit of money, and there was nothing wrong with the one we got.) We'd put our daughter in there when she was inconsolable and walk and walk around the backyard, and she'd calm down within a few minutes. I always thought she liked it because it was like a little cocoon where she couldn't see anything... and then when your baby gets a little older, s/he will love riding around peeking out of it.

Feel free to write if you have any questions, and best of luck to you! I know it sounds impossible, but enjoy these last few weeks as much as possible...

S.

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