What items are must haves or a waste of money when buying for a new baby?

[Poupoulles]

We're waiting for our second adoption

and there are a bunch of things I want to do differently for this one. Our first adoption happened so fast (six weeks from turning in paperwork to holding baby-uuuuuh?) that I didnt really get to plan for nice things like cloth diapers, glass bottles and breastmilk etc etc... Or even really get my head around the idea of a baby at all! by the time I looked up she was already toddling around.

Things that are a waste:
wipe warmers
bottle warmers (in case you pump)
crib bedding (aside from sheets and you can buy a pack of three fitted sheets for half the price of ONE fancy bedding set.)

Things that are AWESOME:
boppy pillows (will save your back and arms)
pack and play
some kind of sling so you can hve your arms free while carrying baby
those waffle textured blankets from target are GREAT swaddles
Swaddling is amazing- get Dr Karp's book Happiest baby on the Block (or the dvd)

This time around I am doing cloth diapers and glass bottles. The research coming out on the effects of plastics are scaring even me and I am not the tinfoil hat type AT ALL!

I did a mural on DD's wall and it was lots of fun. She is a toddler and has always loved looking at it. Recently we added some stickers to it- its GREAT. Plus its fun to do.

 

[Mattemma]

Crib was a waste of money for us.Used a pack-n-play way more.The crib was good for holding clean laundry! New cloths was a waste.Should have bought most at goodwill.

 

[cravenchx]

We're waiting for our second adoption

and there are a bunch of things I want to do differently for this one. Our first adoption happened so fast (six weeks from turning in paperwork to holding baby-uuuuuh?) that I didnt really get to plan for nice things like cloth diapers, glass bottles and breastmilk etc etc... Or even really get my head around the idea of a baby at all! by the time I looked up she was already toddling around.

Things that are a waste:
wipe warmers
bottle warmers (in case you pump)
crib bedding (aside from sheets and you can buy a pack of three fitted sheets for half the price of ONE fancy bedding set.)

Things that are AWESOME:
boppy pillows (will save your back and arms)
pack and play
some kind of sling so you can hve your arms free while carrying baby
those waffle textured blankets from target are GREAT swaddles
Swaddling is amazing- get Dr Karp's book Happiest baby on the Block (or the dvd)

This time around I am doing cloth diapers and glass bottles. The research coming out on the effects of plastics are scaring even me and I am not the tinfoil hat type AT ALL!

I did a mural on DD's wall and it was lots of fun. She is a toddler and has always loved looking at it. Recently we added some stickers to it- its GREAT. Plus its fun to do.

Not recommended for breast milk.

 

[Poupoulles]

Not recommended for breast milk.

*&%@!!

 

[EweSheep]

Why not? I don't see any health hazard with breast milk and glass containers.

Not recommended for breast milk.

 

[LukeandAli]

I just got home from the hospital on Monday!

First, let me say that, as far as being "ready," I'm still not! I felt like the whole pregnancy was surreal until the doctor laid LO on my chest. Then, I looked at DH and said (slightly dazed), "She's here (?)"

Once your LO is here, take an hour or two (at least) for just you and DH before you are bombarded with family. I wish we had been able to do this; but, we had some complications during delivery (DH actually thought I was dying/had died in front of him

) and we allowed family in after I was stitched up because they were all so worried (we went from having just me, DH, the OB, and a nurse to having 18 people packed in there and six more waiting in the hallway. My family was in the waiting area about 20 feet away, so, they could see and hear the code lights going off and doctors running from every direction to get to my room). We had a few minutes alone and I will treasure those forever.

I'm planning to CD now that LO's cord has fallen off; but I'm still glad I have some NB diapers left for when we are out and about. Even though my little girl was a hefty 9 lb 9 oz at birth, the size 1 diapers are GIGANTIC on her. We'll be NB size for another few weeks. If you sew, don't waste money on buying the cloth inserts (unless you find a really good deal). We have gDiapers and I bought the covers used and made my own inserts for less than half what it would have cost to buy them (and I used different colors of fabric to indicate what size the inserts are).

Right now, I'm loving the thin, jersey knit swaddling blankets. LO LOVES to be swaddled. Also, get more burp cloths than you think you'll need. We use a Moses basket instead of a bassinet; but, LO wasn't crazy about it until we put a folded up blanket under the pad she sleeps on. She's fine with it now. I think she just wanted a softer surface (figured that out after she would only sleep on our bed for a day and a half). Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle! My LO will not sleep unless she is in our arms or swaddled (or both). Don't buy a bunch of bottles. We've been using one with drop in liners and that's really all we need right now. I'm sure we'll use more later, though. If you BF, get milk storage bags and freeze some milk at least once a day or every two days. I only have about six or seven bags in the freezer right now; but, I know they'll come in handy when I go back to work for a few weeks. Make sure you have a good breast pump. I thought we'd be fine with one manual pump. I am sooo glad DH's boss gave us an electric pump! She gave me the one she used when she had twins and we bought the "personal" parts we needed. Come to find out, it's a $300+ pump (not counting the accessories she bought to go with it!). It is a life saver!

For the hospital trip, pack more clothes for DH than you think you'll need. Don't plan to wear all the clothes you pack for yourself (but, be sure to pack enough tops....you may be sitting in bed the whole time you have guests; but, you still want to feel like you look half decent). Nursing tanks are your BEST FRIEND! Don't bother packing underwear for yourself. The hospital provides them. Take your boppy with you. It helps to learn to BF using your own boppy instead of trying to construct one from hospital pillows. Don't plan to dress LO at the hospital until you go home. We kept LO in a diaper most of the time so that nursing and kangaroo care were easy (and LO did not like clothes at first). Oh! And take the Ibuprofen even if you don't feel like you need it! I thought I was fine yesterday, so, I didn't take it when I was scheduled to. Big mistake! When it wore off, I could barely walk because the swelling was putting so much pressure on my stitches (imagine trying to walk with an angry porcupine between your legs). Accept the prescription for pain meds, even if you don't plan to take them. When you feel good after being home for a day and you do waaaay too much, you will be grateful! When the nurse tells you to take everything disposable from the hospital room with you, DO IT! The pads, panties, wipes, diapers, peri bottle, etc. They have to toss all of it if you don't take it and you will miss it if you don't have them.

There's tons more I could write; but, I know this is already insanely long (and LO will be waking up soon to eat). Good luck! Being a mommy is a beautiful thing!

 

[LukeandAli]

Wow. I just realized how long that is.

I am soooo sorry!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Yes it still will be safe to buy used and sterilize everything. It would not be a bad idea to get two new cups the ones that would express milk if you are that worried. Its a good price. I paid mine $250 brand new but it was the middle priced Medela.

Also, most of what you are paying for is the pump itself--the electric machine that creates and releases the suction--not the collection bottles and the parts that come in contact with you. I agree that sterilization is fine. When you rent a breast pump, you are renting the machine, not usually the collection kit; that you usually must purchase or rent separately. At least that is the way it was when my youngest was small--it has been a long time, though.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Why not? I don't see any health hazard with breast milk and glass containers.


Quote: I remember something about glass and breast milk, too...

okay; there are changes from what used to be recommended, but no completely clear answers:
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/while-working/storing-transporting-breast-milk
http://www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/faqsBreastfeeding.html#90

 

[reveriereptile]

I just got home from the hospital on Monday!

First, let me say that, as far as being "ready," I'm still not! I felt like the whole pregnancy was surreal until the doctor laid LO on my chest. Then, I looked at DH and said (slightly dazed), "She's here (?)"

Once your LO is here, take an hour or two (at least) for just you and DH before you are bombarded with family. I wish we had been able to do this; but, we had some complications during delivery (DH actually thought I was dying/had died in front of him

) and we allowed family in after I was stitched up because they were all so worried (we went from having just me, DH, the OB, and a nurse to having 18 people packed in there and six more waiting in the hallway. My family was in the waiting area about 20 feet away, so, they could see and hear the code lights going off and doctors running from every direction to get to my room). We had a few minutes alone and I will treasure those forever.

I'm planning to CD now that LO's cord has fallen off; but I'm still glad I have some NB diapers left for when we are out and about. Even though my little girl was a hefty 9 lb 9 oz at birth, the size 1 diapers are GIGANTIC on her. We'll be NB size for another few weeks. If you sew, don't waste money on buying the cloth inserts (unless you find a really good deal). We have gDiapers and I bought the covers used and made my own inserts for less than half what it would have cost to buy them (and I used different colors of fabric to indicate what size the inserts are).

Right now, I'm loving the thin, jersey knit swaddling blankets. LO LOVES to be swaddled. Also, get more burp cloths than you think you'll need. We use a Moses basket instead of a bassinet; but, LO wasn't crazy about it until we put a folded up blanket under the pad she sleeps on. She's fine with it now. I think she just wanted a softer surface (figured that out after she would only sleep on our bed for a day and a half). Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle! My LO will not sleep unless she is in our arms or swaddled (or both). Don't buy a bunch of bottles. We've been using one with drop in liners and that's really all we need right now. I'm sure we'll use more later, though. If you BF, get milk storage bags and freeze some milk at least once a day or every two days. I only have about six or seven bags in the freezer right now; but, I know they'll come in handy when I go back to work for a few weeks. Make sure you have a good breast pump. I thought we'd be fine with one manual pump. I am sooo glad DH's boss gave us an electric pump! She gave me the one she used when she had twins and we bought the "personal" parts we needed. Come to find out, it's a $300+ pump (not counting the accessories she bought to go with it!). It is a life saver!

For the hospital trip, pack more clothes for DH than you think you'll need. Don't plan to wear all the clothes you pack for yourself (but, be sure to pack enough tops....you may be sitting in bed the whole time you have guests; but, you still want to feel like you look half decent). Nursing tanks are your BEST FRIEND! Don't bother packing underwear for yourself. The hospital provides them. Take your boppy with you. It helps to learn to BF using your own boppy instead of trying to construct one from hospital pillows. Don't plan to dress LO at the hospital until you go home. We kept LO in a diaper most of the time so that nursing and kangaroo care were easy (and LO did not like clothes at first). Oh! And take the Ibuprofen even if you don't feel like you need it! I thought I was fine yesterday, so, I didn't take it when I was scheduled to. Big mistake! When it wore off, I could barely walk because the swelling was putting so much pressure on my stitches (imagine trying to walk with an angry porcupine between your legs). Accept the prescription for pain meds, even if you don't plan to take them. When you feel good after being home for a day and you do waaaay too much, you will be grateful! When the nurse tells you to take everything disposable from the hospital room with you, DO IT! The pads, panties, wipes, diapers, peri bottle, etc. They have to toss all of it if you don't take it and you will miss it if you don't have them.

There's tons more I could write; but, I know this is already insanely long (and LO will be waking up soon to eat). Good luck! Being a mommy is a beautiful thing!

I don't mind long replies.

Can't have to much information. I'll definitely loot the hospital. I do that at the hotels with the shampoos if we don't use it all. I'm also wondering about all the family wanting to come into the room. I know after having labor that I won't want to be doing to much other than resting and nursing. Thank you for mentioning bringing a boppy pillow. Will have to write that down on a list of items needed to bring.

So far my husband and I are still planning on trying for a baby towards the end of May. Seems like the months have gone by fast since we decided to plan for May. Also found out from my SIL that they just had their first appointment last Friday about having IVF done. She can come in at anytime to start getting her eggs ready and will be having them implanted in May. We both might end up having our babies around the same time if everything works out. Also got news a week ago that one of our cousins is due for her second baby on Nov. 12th. There should be plenty of play mates around the same age. That will work out good for sleep overs.

It's going to be a big task but we are still planning on building our house this summer. It will take a lot of work but we will have a large bedroom which will work good for us and the baby. I would like to move the baby after a month or two into their own room or since our WIC will be big enough to use that for a nursery at first. We will have a bigger bedroom downstairs for when the baby gets bigger. That will make it easier on my husband to get sleep before work.

Hopefully everything works out well. If I do get pregnant before my sister's wedding then I will be having my mother pick up some baby items from yard sales and they have a Goodwill that she can get me some clothing from. I'll be able to bring it back up with us then. Maybe my mother and me could have some bonding time doing some light baby shopping.

How far along do you find out the sex of the baby after becoming pregnant? I haven't looked that much into the pregnancy since I would like to read about it as I go.