Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jul 18, 2012 10:19:29 GMT -5
So far DH and I haven't bought a single baby-related item, partially because we're still frantically trying to catch up on savings and partially because people keep telling us that we really don't need much.
I'm supposed to start registering soon, so I thought I'd see what the YM approved list of baby stuff might include.
Things I know we need:
-Onesies in various sizes -Car seat -Diapers (we just got a Costco membership so we can buy in bulk, hopefully that will help) and diaper stuff like wipes -Bottles//nipples -Breast pump -Crib and waterproof crib mattress cover -Stroller (I should be able to get one free, a colleague already offered his old one) -Burp/cleanup wraps (Gerber cloth diapers) -Bouncy seat -Baby monitor (video) -Bottle brushes -Waterproof multipurpose pads -Tuck pads
Things I want: -Decent camera -Baby wrap, maybe two -Comfy chair for baby's room (we have no furniture upstairs except our bed and it would be nice to have a convenient place to sit and feed her) -Co-sleeper or bassinet if a co-sleeper isn't possible (which it probably isn't, our bed is pretty high off the ground) / combo pack n play and bassinet -Teething toys -Aden and Anais swaddle blankets -White noise machine -Thermometer
I'm not worried about fun stuff like toys or books or cute clothes because I know that's the kind of thing people LIKE to buy. I'm trying to narrow down the list of stuff we actually NEED so I can a) register and b) budget for the stuff we don't get.
What am I leaving off the first list, and what do you parent veterans recommend adding to the second?
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jul 18, 2012 10:22:01 GMT -5
cloth diapers to use as burp cloths and clean up rags.
You should probably have some formula on hand just in case things don't work out in the breast feeding area.
Bouncy seat. Keeps the critter contained when you're in the shower, also easier to feed them when they start solids. my DD also slept in it because she had gastric reflux
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:23:16 GMT -5
I swear we have one of these threads everytime a poster, a friend of a poster, a relative of a poster becomes a first time parent.
I'll cut to the chase and help everyone out.
You don't need anything, you'll be given everything you need at your shower. If you don't get it at your shower, you didn't need it.
Diapers are fuck1ng expensive no matter where you get them.
Thyme put her kids in the the turkey roaster pan until they were 6 months old.
you're welcome.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2012 10:24:34 GMT -5
Sounds like taxi was up all night with his youngest.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Jul 18, 2012 10:26:47 GMT -5
I agree about the comfy chair. I had a Lazy Boy rocker recliner. You are going to spend a lot of time in it nursing in the first few months.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2012 10:27:36 GMT -5
nipples, liners, etc. waterproof crib mattress cover night light sleep sacks in various sizes, both with and without sleeves milk storage bottles baby detergent monitor
Sophie the teething giraffe - yeah, I know it's like $18, but it is DS's favorite teether HANDS DOWN!
Also, be financially prepared to have to formula feed. I planned to BF for a few months, but then reality happened.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:28:01 GMT -5
Sounds like taxi was up all night with his youngest. I was up all night...making the newest!! BOO YA!!
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jul 18, 2012 10:28:03 GMT -5
I agree about the comfy chair. I had a Lazy Boy rocker recliner. You are going to spend a lot of time in it nursing in the first few months.
That's what I figured. I don't want to spend a fortune on it, I'm thinking of something secondhand. But I'll definitely need something besides the floor or the bed.
I'm adding stuff to the lists as I read posts. Thanks, guys.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:29:38 GMT -5
nipples, liners, etc. waterproof crib mattress cover night light sleep sacks in various sizes, both with and without sleeves milk storage bottles baby detergent monitor Sophie the teething giraffe - yeah, I know it's like $18, but it is DS's favorite teether HANDS DOWN! Also, be financially prepared to have to formula feed. I planned to BF for a few months, but then reality happened. FB - you do have nipples right?? baby detergent is overrated - what does Dreft go for? like $30 or something?? The kid will love Gain -- all kids love Gain.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:30:27 GMT -5
I agree about the comfy chair. I had a Lazy Boy rocker recliner. You are going to spend a lot of time in it nursing in the first few months. That's what I figured. I don't want to spend a fortune on it, I'm thinking of something secondhand. But I'll definitely need something besides the floor or the bed. I'm adding stuff to the lists as I read posts. Thanks, guys. Did you add the roast pan??
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 18, 2012 10:30:58 GMT -5
Our bouncy seat was a sanity saver. Gwen hated swings so we never purchased one. Those can both wait till baby is born and you can try them in store. That way if she hates them you aren't stuck with something you now need to get rid of.
I personally would skip the bassinet and go with a pack-n-play that has a bassinet feature. The bassinets have very low weight limits. Plus they are way overpriced because I think they are counting on the "cute" factor to suck parents in. If you can get a free one great but don't waste money buying one.
Get yourself a pack-n-play that has a bassinet feature. Way cheaper if you go for a basic model.
Pnps are double useage, once she has outgrown the bassinet you can drag it into any room you want to stick baby in when you want to get stuff done. They make travel sized ones that are easy to collapse and tote to grandma's if you desired.
For breast pumps try getting it used thru Ebay or Craiglist if you plan on purchasing. You will just be buying the battery unit and uless you are doing something REALLY wrong they don't contaminate. You just void the warranty when you buy used. You'll buy new parts that actually touch your skin and hold your milk. I got mine for $89 on Ebay. Brand new my pump costs $350.
If you are going to be using it at work I strongly recommend you get a Medela. They are worth the cost, they are one of the best breast pumps available. There are other cheaper models out there but they just do not cut it for daily work pumping duties.
You should also check with your insurance. It is not advertised but many will pay for a pump, so will some employers. You can also rent them for a nominal fee.
If you are going to use a pump I would recommend getting some really easy to remove bras. I wore simple pull over bras or nursing bras so I could have easy access to my boobs. You want to make pumping as easy on you as possible.
Get yourself some bottle brushes too. Not only are they great for washing actual bottles but they are awesome for cleaning breastpumps. I prefered the Munchkin ones which are like $2 a piece.
Also register for several packages of cheap cloth diapers, they are good burp cloths. Don't register for those cutesty little things they call "burp cloths" they provide no coverage. We used Gerber brand cloth diapers as burp cloths. I still have many of them right now, I use them as kitchen rags.
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moxie
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Post by moxie on Jul 18, 2012 10:31:04 GMT -5
"cloth diapers to use as burp cloths and clean up rags."
ABSOLUTELY!!
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jul 18, 2012 10:31:53 GMT -5
sleep sacks in various sizes, both with and without sleevesPardon my ignorance but what's a sleep sack? I only know about the ones we take camping baby detergentWe already buy HE detergent, why do we need baby detergent?
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Formerly SK
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Post by Formerly SK on Jul 18, 2012 10:32:07 GMT -5
I agree about the comfy chair. I had a Lazy Boy rocker recliner. You are going to spend a lot of time in it nursing in the first few months. ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE ROCKING RECLINER CHAIR.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:32:56 GMT -5
oh and car seats -- get one at a yard sale - they are WAY cheaper. you could probably even get one for free.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 18, 2012 10:33:01 GMT -5
LOL - well, not really, it was a tamale pot, and it was to take a picture and amuse me, not because I didn't own a bouncy seat. Although, I do have a turkey roasting pan that is big enough that I could have thrown down a couple of blankets and the babies could have used that for a bassinett - no problem. I also put my daughter in a boot box, (no lid) - but she didn't like that very much.
When you register - register for whatever strikes you. After your shower, make sure you have enough stuff to make it through the first week or so - diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets, burp clothes (I liked the ones with plastic lining.) After a week in the house, you will be happy to go to the store and buy that one thing you really need but don't have.
Also, you just don't know - my daughter was tiny, so I had a gagillion newborn diapers (I am frickin' ready!) Day 2 we went out and bought the premie diapers. She wasn't a premie, but she was less than 6 pounds. The premie stuff just fit her better, which prevented a lot of leaks, etc.. My son, I had a gagillion newborn diapers (I am frickin' ready!) and he used them for about 2 days before he was onto size 1. He wasn't even that big of a baby. So, unless the ultrasounds are really much, much better - you just don't know what is going to work for your kid. (My daughter used those newborn diapers for her doll. I think she still has a couple.)
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:33:56 GMT -5
sleep sacks in various sizes, both with and without sleevesPardon my ignorance but what's a sleep sack? I only know about the ones we take camping if you take the kid camping, make sure you spray him or her down with some DEET bug repellant. head to toe.
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moxie
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Post by moxie on Jul 18, 2012 10:34:33 GMT -5
A college fund...get started YESTERDAY!
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 18, 2012 10:34:33 GMT -5
You don't need baby detergent. I have sensitive skin already so we have to use hypoallergenic detergent regardless. Gwen has excezma so we had a few hiccups but we eventually found a detergent that works for everyone (Purex hypoallergenic). I wash her clothes with mine.
You don't NEED sleep sacks, you can swaddle with a regular blanket. Way cheaper. There is a trick to swaddling but once you get the hang of it you can do it with your eyes closed.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jul 18, 2012 10:34:53 GMT -5
Did you add the roast pan?? We have one already ;D If you are going to be using it at work I strongly recommend you get a Medela. They are worth the cost, they are one of the best breast pumps available. There are other cheaper models out there but they just do not cut it for daily work pumping duties.Noted - thanks. I'll check on the insurance too. Making a note to do that today. If you are going to use a pump I would recommend getting some really easy to remove bras. I wore simple pull over bras or nursing bras so I could have easy access to my boobs. You want to make pumping as easy on you as possible.I'll take care of that one myself... it's not going on the shower list I'm glad a couple of you mentioned cloth diapers as burp cloths because I never would have thought of that.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:35:54 GMT -5
the best cribs are drop-side cribs. the govt is trying to control everyone these days, so it's tough to find one, but I guarantee you'll like the drop side.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 18, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5
Register for anything/everything you want. Many places give you a 10-20% discount on anything left on your registry after baby is born. So anything you didn't get and find you want/need you can get it at a discount if it was on your registry.
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moxie
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Post by moxie on Jul 18, 2012 10:36:17 GMT -5
"Thyme put her kids in the the turkey roaster pan until they were 6 months old." I got bathed in the kitchen sink. I am sure others here did too...seems so unsanitary...to go pee pee in the sink/bath water where the dishes are washed (pre-dishwashers).
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 18, 2012 10:37:06 GMT -5
I agree. My mom insisted I use baby detergent on the babies clothes - but I didn't use it on the sheets or my clothes, and neither kid got a rash or anything. Plus, I liked to do big loads with my stuff and the babies stuff, so I just happen to 'forget' to use the Dreft. I would, however, keep it in mind in case you notice any irritation. You can always send hubby out to buy a box.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:37:06 GMT -5
don't waste your money on a breast pump....the best way is the just squeeze the breast with your hands...it's more natural and healthy for the baby.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 18, 2012 10:37:48 GMT -5
So does your wife's work allow her to take the time to hand squeeze her boobs till they are empty?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2012 10:38:47 GMT -5
nipples, liners, etc. waterproof crib mattress cover night light sleep sacks in various sizes, both with and without sleeves milk storage bottles baby detergent monitor Sophie the teething giraffe - yeah, I know it's like $18, but it is DS's favorite teether HANDS DOWN! Also, be financially prepared to have to formula feed. I planned to BF for a few months, but then reality happened. FB - you do have nipples right?? baby detergent is overrated - what does Dreft go for? like $30 or something?? The kid will love Gain -- all kids love Gain. 1. you have to have enough milk 2. your baby has to NOT be a little piggy! also, BFing fucked with my hormones big time. I don't know if I'll go longer than 6 weeks with #2. and I got Baby Purex for $2.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jul 18, 2012 10:38:56 GMT -5
oh and car seats -- get one at a yard sale - they are WAY cheaper. you could probably even get one for free.This is the ONLY thing almost every single person has told me to buy new. Not sure why. But you're the first person to suggest a used one. Also, you just don't know - my daughter was tiny, so I had a gagillion newborn diapers (I am frickin' ready!) Day 2 we went out and bought the premie diapers. She wasn't a premie, but she was less than 6 pounds. The premie stuff just fit her better, which prevented a lot of leaks, etc.. My son, I had a gagillion newborn diapers (I am frickin' ready!) and he used them for about 2 days before he was onto size 1. He wasn't even that big of a baby. So, unless the ultrasounds are really much, much better - you just don't know what is going to work for your kid. (My daughter used those newborn diapers for her doll. I think she still has a couple.) Alright, who's had a baby recently (like within the last year)? Because at my last appointment they were able to tell me exactly how much Babybird weighed, unless they were just screwing with me. Obviously I'm not an ultrasound tech so they very well could have been. if you take the kid camping, make sure you spray him or her down with some DEET bug repellant. head to toe. We'll see, I nearly blinded myself with that shit once. A college fund...get started YESTERDAY! Yeah, yeah, yeah You don't NEED sleep sacks, you can swaddle with a regular blanket. Way cheaper. There is a trick to swaddling but once you get the hang of it you can do it with your eyes closed. Ah, swaddling. That makes sense.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jul 18, 2012 10:39:03 GMT -5
you should register for tylonal and advil -- you're going to need it.
oh and get some ice packs -- you'll be trudging around the house for a week with an ice pack on your cooter.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 18, 2012 10:39:29 GMT -5
About the bassinett. My kids preferred their car seats as infants. Car seats are very cuddly - like being held. So, I just put the car seat on the floor next to the bed for the first 4 weeks or so. After that, I moved them to the crib. My daughter napped in the car seat for months. My son - not so much.
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