Silly Question: What do I need?

[Assisi]

My godmother called last night (which was lovely) and she asked what we would like for baby? I was like.

She made me realise that while I'm feeling pretty laid back about setting up for baby, other people are starting to want ideas for what to buy as gifts for our little one. I guess it is getting close.

We have nothing for baby. Nothing. What do I need to get? What did you find most useful? Any other tips? I don't want lots of...stuff. We don't have lots of room. All I can think of is nappies. We need nappies.

 

[jgonz]

I think you need to start off with what you Don't need... Look around your house/apartment and see how much space you have. Do you have room for both a changing table and a crib? A crib and a cradle (or co-sleeper next to the bed)? Do you have a dresser or some place for the baby's clothes and things?

Are you going to co-sleep? If so, then you won't need a crib right away, unless you don't have room for both a crib & a changing table...

Cloth or disposable diapers?

Do you have any outfits/onsies for the baby? Would you prefer gowns, one piece sleepers, or t-shirts for your newborn?

Will you want to use a sling? Stroller? Both?

Will you want a swing or bouncy seat to keep the baby occupied? (or if you have room?)

You'll need some sort of diaper bag to carry diapers... although this could be something like a beach bag or tote instead of the classic "baby" looking bag...

Are you going to breastfeed or formula feed? You may need "stuff" for either... (breast pads, nursing bras, maybe some nursing tops... vs bottles, nipples, formula)

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but you get the idea. lol

I have very little room, so I got a crib, moved some of my boys' clothes out of the dresser and onto shelves in the closet and put baby clothes in those drawers closest to the crib. I like onsies (it's going to be HOT here when I have this baby), and one piece sleepers for night time. I prefer little socks to bare feet, as my babies tend to have cold toes. lol I have a basket for diapers, wipes, powder, & diaper cream on top of the dresser right next to the crib (easy access). The diaper bag (a Sally Spicer tote) sits on a bench in our front entry, and the folded up stroller is right next to it so it's easy to get out the front door. The diaper bag has my sling, a smaller bag for diapers, a ziploc for wipes, a small sized corn-starch powder, and sample sized diaper cream. I'm going to be breastfeeding, so I have nursing pads (LANA wool ones~ soooo comfortable), nursing bras, and some nursing tops for when I'm out & about. I have a swing & bouncy seat also, so we'll see which (if either) one the baby likes. Whichever he doesn't like will go back into the attic 'cause I really don't have room in the den for both.

 

[angelsgirl]

The baby shop where I work puts out a checklist for what you need for your baby.
Its pretty exhaustive and you don't need all this stuff. (Even I don't need all this stuff!!!) But it will give you an idea of what you can get and then you can narrow it down. And also, some of the stuff you don't need straight away.

Here is the list.
Hope it helps!!!

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Jan has some good ideas for you to think about.

IMO what you need is very basic - something to keep baby warm enough in (ie. clothes, etc), something to feed it (breastmilk or formula), somewhere for baby to sleep (your bed, crib), something to catch stuff coming out the "other" end (some form of diaper) and more than likely a car seat. Pretty much everything else is a want/convenience. You just need to decide which "wants" are worth it to you and which are not.

We had very little "gear" when we had our first. We have a very small house and didn't want a bunch of junk that we end up not using. What some people might not have wanted to live without others didn't miss. Baby gear is really is personal preference and depends on your lifestyle. For us we did quite nicely without a stroller, changing table, swing, walker. We never even used the crib we bought for DD until she was 2 years old and we decided to stop co-sleeping. Up until that point it was used as a clean clothes hamper.

If possible I would try to put off people buying you stuff until after the baby is here and then you can more easily decide what it is you think might suit you and your baby as far as wants. Up until baby is here I would just ask for clothes (more than just newborn size) and whatever diapers you might want (but don't get too many of one brand because some brands work better on certain shaped babies).

Have I sufficiently muddied the waters for you?

 

[Assisi]

Thanks girls.

A lot of it isn't urgent, like a cot (because my mum has a bassinet we can use), but people want to buy in advance.

I'm trying to write out a list now.

 

[Assisi]

Okay, so this morning I've been making a list. Please tell me what to take off and what to put on.

Nappies:
Nappies, nappy cover, pins, nappysan, baby wipes (pref ones I can wash and use again). Maybe one of those fancy nappies which don't need pins. A change mat.

Feeding:
Breast pads...

Clothes
...

Nappy Bag
Maybe I could splurge on a fancy one.

Bath:
A bath (I thought about the sink too. Our laundry is too full to be effective/safe - maybe I could use the kitchen sink), some cream to clean baby with, face washers.

Sleeping:
Baby sleeping bags (splurge item. gender neutral so we can use for future babies), a dummy, cot linen (bottom sheets would be good), muslin wrap.

And I'd like one of these http://www.mobywrap.com/
I like this one in black.
Another splurge item for me would be a rocking chair. It almost seems essential because it's so...'normal' in my family. I just don't know where I'd put said rocking chair.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Bath:
A bath (I thought about the sink too. Our laundry is too full to be effective/safe - maybe I could use the kitchen sink), some cream to clean baby with, face washers.

This is just my personal preference but I found the baby baths really inconvenient and both my kids HATED them. My kids have always loved to be bathed submerged in nice warm water so bath times went much easier for me and more enjoyable for my kids once I started bathing them with me in a regular tub. With my daughter I would bath her and then hand her off to my hubby who would then get her dressed and then I would bathe myself. With my son I figured out how to do it all myself cos hubby had to work away from home. Thankfully the baby bath tub we had was one that converted to a bath seat and that was quite helpful when my kids were able to sit.

But that's just my personal experience

 

[Assisi]

Mrs A2J, that's great advice!

 

[Called2Grace]

Oh yeah, you can get this thing from Target where the baby can lie down in it (for the bath) so you can put it in a big tub, it has suction on the feet so it doesn't move around.
We bought one it it has been fantastic, it enables us to have a bit more freedom and security when bathing bubs.

Oh, and although you plan to breastfeed, you might want to think about getting a couple of bottles and maybe a small tin of formula. We had to use formula at like 2am (due to problems) not saying that you will need them, but it is always handy incase at 2am something happens. Mind you I may just be one of those women who has trouble...you will probably be fine!

If I can find a pic of that bath thing I will post it!

 

[angelsgirl]

C2G is it like these???

 

[sparassidae]

Nappies:
Nappies, nappy cover, pins, nappysan, baby wipes (pref ones I can wash and use again). Maybe one of those fancy nappies which don't need pins. A change mat.

If you're using white terry towelling sqaure nappies, for goodness sake use a snappi rather than pins! They are the best thing since sliced bread, seriously. Regarding 'those fancy nappies which don't need pins'- that's the type of cloth nappy most people use these days I think (although not many people do cloth nappies at all). They are IMO ridiculously expensive (we're talking $30 for one nappy) so I stick with the terry squares. Old fashioned but they work for us.

Feeding:
Breast pads...

What I did was make them- old tshirts that were getting a bit threadbare, cut to the size and shape you want (I use squares because they are easier to sew) and use about 8-10 layers, sew around the edges. I like to reuse stuff, and there was no way I wanted to pay for disposable ones, and they turn out sooooo soft and comfy. Mine have lasted through 4 children so far.

Also for breastfeeding you may want to think about a pillow to help with positioning- there are wedge shaped ones and semicircular ones but the one I use in the first few weeks is just an ordinary "horseshoe pillow" from kmart.

Clothes
...

This is where the gifts come in- people love buying baby clothes as gifts, just make sure you request some bigger sizes (in appropriate seasons) as well. Most older friends/relatives who have children of their own think of that anyway.

Nappy Bag
Maybe I could splurge on a fancy one.

I use a normal backpack, but whatever works.

Bath:
A bath (I thought about the sink too. Our laundry is too full to be effective/safe - maybe I could use the kitchen sink), some cream to clean baby with, face washers.

We do use a baby bath- you can pick up a cheapie at a $2 shop that works fine. Child #2 was usually bathed in the kitchen sink because it was easiest. For the others I just put the baby bath on the top of the washing machine- slide under the laundry tap to fill, then slide over to the washing machine, then afterwards slide and tip into the laundry tub. Great height so no sore back.

Sleeping:
Baby sleeping bags (splurge item. gender neutral so we can use for future babies), a dummy, cot linen (bottom sheets would be good), muslin wrap.

As you wish, although we never had any of that stuff. Wraps make another great gift that people will love to give you- you'll end up with a million of them.

And I'd like one of these http://www.mobywrap.com/
I like this one in black.
Another splurge item for me would be a rocking chair. It almost seems essential because it's so...'normal' in my family. I just don't know where I'd put said rocking chair.

Go for the moby wrap for sure- although I only use a woven wrap (plus ring sling and mei tai) I have heard they are fantastic. Come and check out thebabywearer.com and also there is a google group called baby carriers downunder. There will be tons of people who can help you out.

Regarding the rocking chair- that was my one splurge item. It is great, but in most of the houses we've lived in it is hard to find a spot for it. Unfortunately it tends to end up as a dumping ground for bags, hats etc once we're past that newborn stage.

Hope all of this helps!

 

[Assisi]

sparassidae, I love your ideas for breast pads! And as for nappies, my aunt says she thinks she can get some material for me.

Also, I was wondering. Do you ever have trouble tying up your wrap with baby in it when you're alone? I really like the moby wraps because they seem the most sensible and versatile, but I'm worried that I won't be able to juggle baby and put it on when I want to walk down to the shops...

 

[Leanna]

I think we all like different things.

You need a carseat. You would like a nice comfortable chair for a sore bottom that would be easy to nurse in.

I love the baby sleeping bags.

As far as nursing pads, I bought some nice cotton ones and those were my favorite but I was too big of a leaker so I had to use disposable too if I ever wanted to leave the house. It might be nice to have a box on hand in case you turn out to be a heavy leaker too.... you don't want to discover that while at the store iykwim.

Personally I wouldn't allow any formula around the house, it will be a temptation. If you actually need it, you'll know enough in advance to be able to get to the store (or send someone).

Lots of people say they don't like the baby bathtubs.... but I love mine and its one of the items that's "made the cut" when we decided what to get rid of (meaning we kept it).

My favorite baby carrier is the Mei Tai .... I have one from meitaibaby.com

Thanks girls.

A lot of it isn't urgent, like a cot (because my mum has a bassinet we can use), but people want to buy in advance.

I'm trying to write out a list now.

We are actually looking to get rid of a bassinet because its just as easy to put baby into the crib, and it takes up less room to only have one item.... especially in storage.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Oh, and although you plan to breastfeed, you might want to think about getting a couple of bottles and maybe a small tin of formula. We had to use formula at like 2am (due to problems) not saying that you will need them, but it is always handy incase at 2am something happens. Mind you I may just be one of those women who has trouble...you will probably be fine!

I recommend the complete opposite (but that's just me ). It can be awfully tempting to make that bottle in the first few days when you're trying to adjust to having a new born, sleep deprevation, establishing a breastfeeding relationship etc. It can be very easy to give baby just that one bottle because baby is "hungry" or they might just sleep a little longer or any number of reasons but unfortunately it can start the slippery slope of sabortaging breastfeeding. So I would recommend making sure there is no formula in the house to remove the temptation. If you really want formula that much it's usually only a few mins away at a local store if need be.

 

[Called2Grace]

C2G is it like these???

Yep, but mine isn't as fancy! It's just plain and blue (and cheaper too!)

 

[Called2Grace]

I recommend the complete opposite (but that's just me ). It can be awfully tempting to make that bottle in the first few days when you're trying to adjust to having a new born, sleep deprevation, establishing a breastfeeding relationship etc. It can be very easy to give baby just that one bottle because baby is "hungry" or they might just sleep a little longer or any number of reasons but unfortunately it can start the slippery slope of sabortaging breastfeeding. So I would recommend making sure there is no formula in the house to remove the temptation. If you really want formula that much it's usually only a few mins away at a local store if need be.

Yeah I was actually thinking about that after I posted...it's a hard thing to judge!

 

[sparassidae]

sparassidae, I love your ideas for breast pads! And as for nappies, my aunt says she thinks she can get some material for me.

Also, I was wondering. Do you ever have trouble tying up your wrap with baby in it when you're alone? I really like the moby wraps because they seem the most sensible and versatile, but I'm worried that I won't be able to juggle baby and put it on when I want to walk down to the shops...

The moby is a stretchy wrap, so you pretie it and then pop baby in and out.

But anyway, learning to wrap (or use any baby carrier for that matter) is a skill that may take time, but is invaluable, and you'll be proficient in no time. With baby #4 I was wrapping her on my back when she was 10 days old. As I said in my pp, join the google group, check out the vids on TBW or mamatoto.org and practice!

 

[Assisi]

The moby is a stretchy wrap, so you pretie it and then pop baby in and out.

But anyway, learning to wrap (or use any baby carrier for that matter) is a skill that may take time, but is invaluable, and you'll be proficient in no time. With baby #4 I was wrapping her on my back when she was 10 days old. As I said in my pp, join the google group, check out the vids on TBW or mamatoto.org and practice!

Excellent! Thank you!

I think I will join that site.