Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I love evenings most!
I love when I lay down to get ready to go to sleep. It seems like my little one is just ready to get the party started! Her movements have become so strong I can now see my stomach move! It's weird and one of the most awesome things ever. Now I know how so many forget the bad things! It has been an amazing journey so far. I just can't wait to meet my sweet angel! The time seems to be flying by I still have so many things to do. One of the things I need help with is registering for what I REALLY need the must haves!!! I have looked at the list and am so confused to why I would need some of the stuff they suggest. So ALL things you loved and couldn't do without please let me know and maybe tell me why you loved it and how it came in handy. All suggestions are welcomed!!! I am at a totally lost when it comes to this! So thanks in advance for the ideas!
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First off....relax..then smile...OK...as someone who has helped raise over 60 kids...the things that I find as a necessity are a baby swing. I love the small ones that are designed for a table top or other small place. They don't take a lot of room and they are portable. The swing will also allow you to shower knowing that they are safe. If you are going to nurse, then please either rent or purchase a Medella pump. They are the best for a reason. In my opinion, and it is just that, the other ones are horrible and they feel like they are ripping your nipples OFF. I know...TMI but true. If you are going to bottle feed, my favorite bottles are the drop in liner playtex bottles. They allow air to be squeezed out, and then the baby can drink out of it even when it is not inverted, which is a plus when you are traveling in a car and cannot hold them to feed them. Most folks purchase waaaay too much stuff that is unnecessary. Just look at the many second hand stores. Folks think they need is all only to realize once they have it, that they never use it. Purchase things that are second hand. Almost everything can be sanitized with a bleach solution. If you are going to use formula, the Walmart brand is excellent. I have used it with many daycare children, and their parents swear by that. It is under 12 bucks when the exact Similac or Enfamil is 23 bucks. Unless there is a medical reason why you need a specific formula, get the stuff at Walmart. They have the exact ingredients...and there are probably only one or two formula factories in the States..so why pay for a fancy name. I love those snuggly things that allow you to wrap baby up tight with velcro things in the back so that baby feels safe and secure without coming undone. As far as other equipment, I feel that a basic crib is great. There truly isn't a need for a $500 dollar crib, unless you just like spending money. A Pak N Play is also great. There are really nice ones at Walmart for under $60 bucks. The ones that I use for my daycare have lasted for years and even have the bassinet attachment. They get used and abused and still are safe and sturdy. Don't be afraid to borrow other people's stuff. There are a billion different types of diaper wipes. My favorite for strength, thickness, and smell is the WalMart Parents Choice brand with fragrance. It smells like baby lotion and they are half the price of huggies or pampers wipes. They come in an orange box. I recommend them above all others. I also recommend an infant car seat. Safety is crucial, but getting top of the line is not necessary. I know it seems like that isn't much...but just my two cents worth. This is probably way more information than you really wanted but I wanted to share this with you. I am super excited for you to have this baby too. Can't wait to meet her.
Feeling baby move was my favorite part of pregnancy, too. I agree a lot with what Andrea said. My kids weren't crazy about their baby swing, but really liked their bouncy seat. Just something portable you can put them in when you can't be holding them is good. I also really like slings - I can hold my baby close to me, and still have my hands free. LOVED that! However, there was recently a recall on some varieties of slings, so you'll want to research it. There are several different styles/brands available, but only a couple were recalled.
I also would recommend a breast pump - a nice, electric one. Hand pumps take forever, and don't do as good of a job. And, hand pumps hurt my hands. The Medela Pump in Style is a really great pump. I also like the playtex drop in liner bottles, for the reasons Andrea said, plus, they are the easiest to clean - you don't need a special bottle brush to clean them.
Some other things that I think are great are baby fingernail clippers, a bulb syringe for sucking snot out of their tiny noses. The bigger the bulb, the better it works. See if the hospital will let you keep the one they use to clear the air ways when they're first born. I also recommend some stain remover for those inevitable diaper blow outs, a stroller, burp rags - lots, onesies, pacifier (if she'll take it), and a pack 'n' play - especially if you ever plan on going anywhere or moving. We also used ours as a bassinet when our kids were brand new. As baby gets older, I also really like exersaucers, or something similar. My personal favorite brand of diapers is Huggies, followed by pampers. My boys leak in all other brands, but every baby is a bit different in this, so try a few brands until you decide what works best for you. For wipes, I also prefer the Huggies brand, but do NOT like the Pampers brand. Parent's Choice and White Cloud wipes (both Walmart brands) are also good. I do not like scented wipes - the scent mixed with the smell of the diaper makes me gag - regardless of the scent. I also like hooded towels and baby wash cloths. They're not necessary, but I like them.
Now, I have a whole list of things that I don't think are necessary. First, wipe warmers. They're popular, but if baby gets too used to having warm wipes, then when you're out and about, and need to change a diaper with "cold" wipes, you may be in for a screaming baby. Also, a changing table - they're nice with a newborn, but once they're a few months old, not necessary. The floor works great. Next, a Boppy pillow. I know many people that swear by them, but I found it akward and uncomfortable. Plus, I felt like the pillow was holding the baby instead of me. The little hand mittens - just trim the finger nails. Cute little booties - my kids always kicked them off, regardless of the style. This made them more of a pain than anything. Socks are sufficient to keep their feet warm. You also don't need tons of blankets. Any more than about 5, and they just take up space. I also never use baby powder, baby oil, etc. I bathe baby with a shampoo/body wash combo, and put lotion on them afterward when needed.
I could probably think of more, but this is really long already. If you have any questions, call or email me anytime! I am sooo excited for you!
Feeling the movement is truly an amazing experience! But then again, everyday with your little one is going to be truly amazing!!
As far as the necessary things go, don't go overboard! Get the basics ready, like diapers, blankets, burp cloths, breast pump or bottles, a bassinet, car seat, etc. Other than that, wait and see what you and your baby need.
A couple things I could not live without were Bag Balm (in my opinion, the best diaper ointment EVER. Oh yeah, most places keep it behind the counter in the pharmacy for some reason)nail clippers and nose bulb (I found a cool little travel pack in the baby department at Target that had both these things in it. I took that everywhere with us) and the last thing that was a must have for my little man, a swing that went both front to back and side to side. He HATED the front to back motion!
Relax and enjoy these times, don't stress over what you are going to need. You will figure that out together! No baby comes with an instruction manual but the beauty is, they don't know if you mess up, it's there first time too! :)
Okay, here's my opinion! :)
I've never had a swing, only a bouncer chair. I never wanted my kids to need a swing or rocking motion to go to sleep; I just sleep-trained them using Tracy Hogg's The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Her books are the closest thing you'll find to baby manuals, though some people don't like them. She really teaches good, down-the-middle methods.
Also, I LOVED my changing table (which I used until Mira was one year old). I have one from Ikea; it's extra wide and doubles and a dresser. The floor does work, though you'll get plenty of opportunity to use that, and I liked having the elevated surface. Before we could afford a changing table, I used stacked Rubbermaid storage tubs. :-S
I also liked my boppy pillow. It was nice during those nighttime feedings. . . I could just fall asleep without having the baby go anywhere.
Because I've been a stay-at-home mom, I've never needed an electric pump, but I do have a Medela hand-pump, which hurts only if I didn't use Lansinoh Lanolin ointment (which you'll definitely need as you adjust to nursing).
Speaking of nursing, you will need some kind of nursing pad. Unless you have inverted nipples or make too much milk, you'll only need those regular nursing pads, which you can buy at the store. I believe I used Lansinoh brand because they were pretty discreet.
Okay, this has been fun, but I think that's enough!
Loving all the great info ladies!!!
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