Questions for the moms

[CarriBrown]

I have a couple questions to ask, at the request of DH. We agreed to start the baby making beginning of next year, but he wants to be as "ready" as possible. As if that's going to happen!

Anyway, my main question is: What disposable items do you use day to day, such as diapers, food, wipes, etc?
Also: How many diapers does a baby go through a day? If you didn't breastfeed, or stopped early, how much formula did you go through? I plan on breastfeeding but you never know what your body will decide for you...
So, a list of anything that you had to buy on a regular basis and any other little thing you think I may not be thinking of. Doctor's visits are not an issue because DH works for the City and we are covered. We are also not factoring in day care at this point. All the one time purchases (such as furniture, seats, etc etc) are being accounted for another way, too. I'm just curious about the "things that add up".
Thanks!

 

[seminolewind]

Yes, lots of formula , diapers, and wipes.
As for breast feeding, it is a full time commitment, and extremely rewarding. If you will breast feed, I would think you will need an electric breast pump for when you can't be there. MyDD did all her kids.

 

[Wildsky]

I breastfed till 3 years old.... so formula I can't answer. (its DANG expensive and not the perfect food)
We used on average about 10 diapers per day in the early days..... I bought some cloth diapers to help ease the expense.
I also made wipes - out of face cloths, you can also make wipes out of paper towels if $$ is an issue.
We didn't go to the doctor either - and we had a home birth with a midwife, so that covered all that expense....

There are plenty of ways to cut corners, a lot of the disposable products were not available a few years ago - and you can pretty easily do without them.

 

[Wildsky]

I forgot the most important thing - GOOD LUCK and congrats!

(oh and you will probably need breast pads in the early days - I used a lot of those, and then started using face clothes stuffed in my bra around the house to cut the cost again!)

 

[Wildsky]

I'm FULL of advise today!

You can do without alot of the fancy modern stuff the manufacturer will have you think you HAVE TO HAVE...
I did and still do have a baby monitor, that does give you some freedom to move around, get out into the yard etc... while baby is sleeping.

We didnt' have any fancy stuff, someone bought us a swing thing, and the babies didn't like it, and I felt horrible putting them into it anyway. (my children are spoiled enough anyway)


Look at everything very carefully, a lot of that stuff will just be JUNK in a year or so, you don't need it... save the money for other things.
The diaper disposal thing, I never had one, I used a trash bag and took it out every day - no smell....
for my cloth diapers I just threw them in the washing machine and washed those once a day!

 

[arlee453]

Let me preface this dissertation by saying that not only am I a mom to 4 kids, but I am also a certified natural childbirth and breastfeeding instructor... so I have a lot of personal experience as well as professional. So, this is probably WAAAY more than you really wanted to know... LOL!

First of all, a few thoughts... go ahead and start your prenatal vitamins now, start doing mild conditioning exercises like walking, cut down on caffeine, quit smoking (if applicable) and limit your alcohol consumption. Basically get your 'body' house in order BEFORE getting pregnant - that is frankly more important than getting your house ready for a baby. It wouldn't hurt to get the future dad on a good multivitamin, and have him cut down on nicotine and alcohol consumption (if applicable) as well to boost fertility. A good pair of boxers can help too.

Now, for the 'stuff' you need...

Disposables - a newborn in the first month will go through about 10 diapers a day. Don't buy too many size NB or 1s though, because they will outgrow them very quickly. Plus if you get diapers as gifts, everyone tends to buy you the smaller sizes so you have more than you need for the first couple months - that goes for clothes too...

You can never have too many wipes...you'll use 1000s of those through toddlerhood and beyond!

Here's a suggestion - rather than purchasing actual products, buy youself gift cards for the amount of $$ you are setting aside. That way once the baby comes, and you know more what you really need, you'll have the money ready but won't waste buying the wrong things or sizes etc.

The absolute BEST baby shower I had was one the lades at the church threw for me. When they asked me what I needed, I asked them to make the theme the 'Disposable Baby' shower. Everyone who came was asked to bring something disposable - ie diapers, wipes, paper bibs, etc

I didn't have to buy diapers at all until my baby was over 6 months old.... AND you can always exchange almost anything at Walmart if you get too many of the wrong sizes.

As a mom of 4, I've definately been there and done that, and can tell you that I bought WAAAAYYY too many gadgets for my firstborn.

For me, the necessities were a swing, stroller and a carseat, a few changes of clothes and diapers/wipes. AND, I recommend you get the lightest weight stroller you can get - some of them have a bar that you can attach the car carrier to, rather than getting the big huge combo sets. Those things weigh TOO much!

Now for some more *free* unsolicited professional breastfeeding advice:

I would highly recommend NOT having any formula or bottles in your house. Studies have compared women who had formula vs women who didn't who expressed an equal commitment and desire to breastfeed. Those who had formula 'just in case', or received samples from their Dr office, or even were given 'pro breastfeeding' materials sponsored by formula companies are significantly more likely to turn to the bottle and quit breastfeeding. Formula companies spend millions of $$s on marketing because it REALLY WORKS to get babies off breastmilk and on formula, despite their undeniable admissions that 'breast is best'. If 'they' could put the benefits of breastmilk in a pill or shot, it would be mandated by law for the health of your child. But because there isn't much money to be made from feeding your baby the vastly superior food as God and nature intended, that won't happen. Breastfeeding is the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do for the long term health of your child, even if it is just for a few weeks.

If for some real reason, breastfeeding isn't going well, let me recommend you see a lactation consultant - LC - (the hospital or Pediatricians office should be able to recommend someone) AND check out your local La Leche League. If the LC you find seems more interested in pushing the bottle than helping you resolve any issues and keeping the baby on the breast, you have the wrong one - ask to see a different person. If you truly have a need to supplement, then it's not like the grocery store is in the middle of nowhere. Most areas have at least one 24 hour store so you can get formula and bottles within minutes if you really end up needing it.

I highly recommend the website www.drjacknewman.com. He has solid wisdom and insight on how to achieve breastfeeding success. He has a $30 video available. Instead of buying formula, spend the money on that video. I assure you it will help you get off to a good start. I make it mandatory watching for my students and also send home each of them with a copy to keep. If $30 is too much, send me a PM and I'll send you a copy myself - that's how much I believe in his methods. I've seen his techinques work MIRACLES for women whose babies were not thriving and who believed they didn't have enough milk, etc.

Ok, off the soap box now...all the best on your pregnancy plans!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Wooohoo.

Lets see, for the first 6 months we went through about 1 mega-sized box of diapers a week (that's about 8-12 diapers a day). Buy in bulk, it will save you a lot of money and the Whiteclouds (the second cheapest brand) at wally world are just as good as the $$ ones definitely better then Pampers IMO! Once she started eating "solids" (is rice cereal really a solid?) she started using less diapers. For wipes I bought about 1 big box every 2 weeks, again the Whiteclouds. Don't buy too many of the Newborn and size 1. My daughter quickly outgrew them and was in size 2 for the longest time.

I breast fed the first 4 months (until she started to get her teeth..OUCH!!) and then formula I can't remember the amount. It was quite a bit and it's not cheap. I wish I had breast fed longer, but dang it, she was mean! Here's a tip though, sign up on different internet sights as a new mom and you can get tons of coupons. I got lots of Enfamil formula coupons, many for $5 or more dollars of their formula and even got some free.

You can't ever have too many bibs (get some of those coverall bibs that terrielacy sells on her site) babies are messy! Onesies are great, too. My DD practically lived in them.

That's what I can think of for now.

Good luck!

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
LOL - sorry, my little one bit me ONCE, I YELPED pretty loud, natural instinct... I was nursing her in the bath tub, I handed her to her daddy and didn't hold her for a little while, she CRIED when I yelped - she totally understood what had happened... she never ever did it again... and nursing to 3 years old - she had PLENTY of teeth by then - never once bit down again!

 

[dragonlili]

Diapers, about 5-7 a day, my last one always wet them when I was changing her so we're going to factor her out. Wipies, get the thicker ones. You should be able to wipe a dirty baby with 1 per change, DH might need 3-8 to do it.

Formula, if you have to or choose to use it, buy powdered and mix it. Carnation is cheap and closest to breast milk. My dr had me supplement with Liv and that was the only one that would stay down.

As for breast feeding, to some it comes easy, to others it does not. Newborns are like baby chicks, the first few days they don't need to be force fed, just kept from dehydration. With each of my 4 babies I had nurses telling me I wasn't doing it right! I had a real hard time but persisted. My 2 younger kids didn't gain weight fast enough and their drs tried to convince me to formula feed. They thrived. By the time they were a few months old it became a lot easier.

Overall, having kids is nowhere as expensive as people make it out to be. I look back at what we used to survive on and I'm astounded.

Anyway, congratulations! And start buying your diapers as soon as you test positive. You can always exchange for size.

 

[EweSheep]

As a mom to a three year old daughter there are things I did....

Buy LOTS of disposables, diapers in different sizes and plenty of wipes. Be sure to see any butt rashes....use Renisol, great product over the counter and sometimes pharmancy carries them. If you can not find them, ask the pharmatist.

I have to agree with Arlee on breastfeeding. My own mother didnt think my daughter needs it but my own doctor told me to keep breastfeeding as long as my daughter needs to....she finally got off the breast at six months old and fed her Good Start and did well. She was allergic to soy milk and soy products.

Diaper sizes two and on up are the heaviest users. Newborns and number ones are outgrew quickly.

Plenty of bibs and onesies or a plain t shirt will do if you are having your baby in the summer months.

A stroller, playpen, car seat and bouncy seat are used alot. Forget the changing tables, you can change it on your bed or babys bed.....as for the bed, get one of those interchangeable that would last into their toddler years. Dont get old baby beds and check the spaces on the bars!

Spit rags or spit diapers are necessary and plenty of hand towels for messes.

Go with your gut feeling and your doctors advices, I didnt follow my mothers and sisters advices and I would listen to them and decide wheather or not I would use their suggestions. Not every baby are created equally. Stand your ground when you WANT something done like who will be in delivery room and who to care for baby while mommy rests. Set boundaries! Nothing like a stressful mom with a over protective grandmother LOL.

You would definately need a thermometer, or the first aid kit for fevers....Motrin and Tynenol is the ones you should have it stocked!

And yes, a good breastpump machine and breast pads are necessary here....take every precautions to care for your breasts.....I learned mastitis was very very painful and it landed me in the hospital for three days with high fever and still have to have it breastfed the baby. OUCH!