Comment by Lynn

November 18, 2007 @ 6:39 pm

I will be praying for the delivery to go well! This is so exciting.

If I had to do it all over again . . . what would I want the most?

Not a bassinette, but an attachment to the bed so baby could sleep right near me and could nurse at night with minimal activity. If I had a queen size bed or bigger I wouldn’t have felt I needed that though, but we had a full size bed at the time.

Hardly ANY newborn clothing, because they outgrow it too fast. If I were registering for people to get gifts for showers, I would ask for clothing at least 12 months to 18 months. I would personally handle anything for younger, because they don’t need much, and they outgrow it quickly, and I got lots of it!!

I wound up changing my children on the bed, on a cloth on the floor, and on the changing table, but if I had to do it all again, I would opt for a dresser, NOT a changing table. I just don’t think I really needed it or used it THAT much, and a dresser is useful for more years than a changing table is.

A minimal amount of 3-6 month old clothing, especially tee shirts that snap closed over the diapers, and “onesies.”

A slightly higher amount of 6-9 month clothing and 12 month clothing, appropriate for the season you are going to be in at the time.

Personally, I loved my front carrier for the babies, but a lot of mothers are really into slinging babies, and I wish I could have used one of those. I detested the plastic infant carrier, and much more preferred my cloth front carrier.

I loved the backpack we had, and used it for long walks when they were over 6 months of age. My husband used it, too. I did not use a stroller too much, but some people really like them.

I never used baby oil or powder, but did find good diaper ointment to be indispensible.

They DON’T need to be bathed every day — I think a couple times a week is best, but a tub that fits over the kitchen sink is nice for that.

I used cloth diapers and disposables on all three of mine — whatever you use, you want lots of them! And wipes. If cloth, then Dreft and a diaper pail or bucket of some kind is very handy. Nowadays there are protective liners for cloth diapers that velcro closed so you don’t need pins — that was after my time, but I think that velcro is a great invention!

If you use regular commercial detergent for you, get something else to wash baby’s clothes in.

I nursed, and I would make sure to have all the convenient clothing (for me) to make that easier, too. And I wish I had done more research into what foods to eat, and what to avoid when nursing. Not that I had major problems, but I wish I had had a better knowledge base.

You are right — there are a lot of items besides clothing out there, but I would ask for what you need for the first couple months, and then think about things you want to add later on — high chair, stroller, swing, playpen, etc.. Those things are for later on, and you can add them as you want. It doesn’t need to be obtained right away — even a crib.

This is such an exciting time of life! Best wishes to the three of you!

Comment by TulipGirl

November 18, 2007 @ 10:35 pm

After four boys, I tend to be more of a minimalist. . . Having a really good (or a couple) of baby carriers is great. I loved my pouch–Lynn mentioned her front and back packs. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t worry about spending the $ on one.

Extra cloth diapers for burp rags. Or just lots of burp rags!

Like Lynn, we both cloth and disposable diapered. I’d probably do cloth next time around. And, with all the new “fun” cloth diapers out–I’d probably buy some of those–but still try to keep it simple.

By the time it got to #4, we didn’t use a crib at all. But we did have a pack-n-play for baby to sleep in, in our room or the hallway or in the big kids’ room. He also slept with us. Having both our bed and the pack-n-play was convenient for us.

Things I’d wait on. . . a stroller, a high chair, a swing. . . Anything that is big. But that is just me.

I think it is also really important to have a good connection with other moms–either your own or moms in your church. People you don’t mind calling when you are having a rough day, or have breastfeeding questions, or have questions that you feel are silly but you really, really need to ask. (I had lots of those–even with my fourth!) People you know who are going to give you encouragement, and not drag you down.

Comment by Milly

November 19, 2007 @ 1:44 am

A nursing pillow-even if you use bottles they are great. I used mined all the time, she nursed all the time.

Cloth diapers are the best burp rags.

Disposable diapers-when you total it all up it cost about the same and environment wise isn’t much different. I hated the idea of those diaper storage things. I wanted it out of the house save those grocery store bags.

A glider rocker with a foot stool

A diaper bag that you like-Remember the man also has to have it with him. For the man I recommend the big Home Depot bag that cost about $1.99. I had a black backpack style that I still use after all this time. These bags are going to become like a purse for a while so think about your needs also.

Sippy cups, baby spoons, hooded towels, those food bowls that have the hole for your finger, a swing, a high chair that is easy to clean, and a couple of extra sheets for the baby bed.

Check out the car seats. Remember they grow out of the baby ones rather quickly. You don’t have to break the bank on these. I’d check online to see what the safety record is for the ones you like.

I did use my changing table a lot. I kept it stocked and ready to go.

Books are great to have like Pooh and such.
I know you want to make the room look special but a baby doesn’t care and they grow out of things.
I made my own changing pad from a Martha Stewart show. It was a large hand towel with fabric that matched her bed set. It was simple to make and very much worth the time. It was washable and not cold plastic. It was also great because I could wrap a flat wipe holder. (You’ll want one of those) and a diaper in the thing easily. She tells how to make it on her site.

Small soft blankets.

A thermometer. They have the ones that you can rub on their little faces.

Honestly you don’t need too much at first.
Praying

Comment by lillian

November 19, 2007 @ 4:42 am

Disposible diapers, themometer, a crib, a toy. I never bought much when they were babies, and for the third one I didn’t even have a changing table, bed or floor works fine. But don’t listen to me.. I’m too asian when it comes to that

Comment by Jenn

November 20, 2007 @ 9:11 am

Okay, we’re slow to join the conversation here, but Brian and I were talking about this last night and came up with a couple of our own:

*a [simple] bouncy seat, minus all the bells and whistles. Our sleep-fighters would settle well in their bouncy seats because of the way they cradle their little bodies (or so I’m told) and it was handy to have for them to sleep in (overnight even)when they were a little congested. The angle was just enough too help their breathing, but not as much as a carseat or other semi-upright baby holding devices.

*a good thermometer. This one has already been mentioned, but it bears repeating. Buy a FAST digital. Spend a little money on it and buy a reputable brand. We found that other fancy ones (forehead scanners,etc.) are good for a ballpark temperature, but not as accurate.

*A good diaper ointment. I personally don’t like Desitin because it stains. Balmex was my choice until S2 came along and needed something stronger. If you can find it, I highly recommend Triple Paste. It’s nice and thick, and as far as I could tell it won’t stain. It’s more expensive, though, so it might be one of those things you keep on hand for those moments when your regular ointment isn’t quite enough.

*GAS DROPS! No need to buy expensive name brand drops, both Target and Wal-Mart have their own versions for half the price. Our pediatricians have assured us that this stuff is not digested into the bloodstream and you can therefore give them as much of it as needed. Let me assure you - liberal dosage can be a life saver!!!

Funny how the things I think about as “can’t live without” are mostly the little things. I’m sure that I’ll come up with a lot more stuff before this child makes his debut. It’s hard to believe, since S is only almost 3yo, but I’m straining to remember some of this. When I come up with more, I’ll let you know.

Comment by Jenn

November 20, 2007 @ 12:49 pm

I can’t believe I forgot about my breast pump! I loved my Avent Isis pump. It’s manual and great for occasional pumping. I found it to be perfect for my needs. If you find the need to pump more often, I’d go with a Medela. They’re pricey, but you’ll more than make up for the extra money with the time you’ll save yourself.

Okay, that’s it for now. Maybe more later…

Comment by Rey

November 21, 2007 @ 12:12 am

Baby Bargain Secrets.
Butt Paste (it’s actually called that).
Gripe Water (any brand)
Baby Bjorn but the Ergo Carrier is much better.
Baby Swing that swings back and forth and side to side.
Britax car seats.

Comment by Rey

November 21, 2007 @ 12:14 am

My wife says
“Lansinoh if you’re breast feeding”

Comment by Kathy

November 23, 2007 @ 10:23 am

A king-sized bed. Fortunately we had this already as I would not have taken a recommendation like this seriously before having my first baby.

What we had to start out with was an heirloom bassinet handed down through my husband’s family and that was where the Baby was going to sleep–in his *Nursery*. When he needed to be Nursed, it would happen in the Nursery. I would cheerfully arise and madonna-like, enrobed in splendor, Nurse the Baby in the Rocking Chair in the Nursery. Those capital letters illustrate my fantasy world.

It didn’t go quite that way, and the baby didn’t sleep like a Baby; in desperation after many nights of precariously little sleep, I brought him to bed with me, and the king-sized bed made it a more comfortable and tenable situation for us all.

Aside from its use with a nursing baby, it’s great for snatching some sleep from the jaws of doomed nights when a feverish and restless toddler can only seem to settle down in the arms of a parent, or a scared-of-the-thunderstorm 4 year old needs reassurance but you need sleep. The extra mattress real estate will help you feel generous and unresentful about the situation. And it comes in wonderfully for a nightly tradition of family bedtime stories with everyone piled in and having staked out a comfortable spot to relax and get drowsy or electrified…depending on whether it’s Anne of Green Gables or Treasure Island that night.

A car seat, some kind of soft carrier (sling or front pack or pouch or whatever), diapers, burp cloths, rubberized pads to put under the baby if you do have him or her in your bed. Teething toys. A bouncy seat for all the reasons mentioned above.

A “what to do when they’re sick” book and a good breastfeeding manual.

A welcoming hospitable heart.

Congratulations!

Comment by Reon

November 26, 2007 @ 10:19 am

Thanks, everyone, for all of the fabulous advice.

Lynn, I’m definitely getting the bed attachment instead of a bassinett. Along with Kathy’s advice, as well, I simply can’t imagine myself “cheerfully arising, robed in splendor” to go nurse my baby at 2:00 in the morning! Although, being the SIDS nazi that I am, I can’t quite bring myself to put him in bed with me, so the bedside co-sleeper looks like a dream come true. And about the backpack, we have some GOOD FRIENDS who have a cool backpack that maybe their S2 will be out of by the time we need it…Bri?? Jenn?? Eh??

Several of you mentioned the baby carrier, and I’m being given one of those from a friend of my sister, so check on the Baby Bjorn!

Tulipgirl: The best advice you gave was to take advantage of my connections with moms in my church family…which I have and am already very grateful for. I intend to rely on their wisdom a lot over the next several years!

Milly: I’m glad you mentioned the foot stool for the rocker. I’ve seen those advertised, and wondered if they were a waste of money, but I may give them more thought now. Probably not the $30 ones that you HAVE TO HAVE from Babies R Us, but a more practically priced one. And definitely a nursing pillow is on my registry.

Lillian: Thanks for helping me keep simplicity in perspective!

Jenn: Believe it or not, I’ve been making mental notes of ALL of the wisdom and advice you’ve been handing down to me over the years. Some of the things I’ve already looked into and registered for have been based on your recommendations. And yes, the Avent pump is already on the list!

Rey: My sister also recommended the Baby Bargains book, so with the two of you suggesting it, I bought it last week and LOVE IT!! I’ve already got the thing highlighted almost completely through! Excellent recommendation. I, too, have read that the Ergo Carrier is better, but I’m probably going to have to go with the Bjorn b/c it’s free (and hardly used). I’m probably also going to go with the swing that rocks back and forth and side to side.

Kathy: Check on the king-size bed…although my husband still wishes we had a bigger one with just the two of us! We’ll see what happens with a squirmy two-year-old! If he turns out to be anything like Brian and Jenn’s S2, we’re in trouble!

There were so many more great suggestions from all of you, and I will take everything into great consideration. Feel free to keep adding if you think of anything else. Some of you spent a lot of time offering recommendations, and we truly appreciate your time and thoughtfulness. We certainly covet your prayers during this exciting time!

Comment by Brian

November 27, 2007 @ 5:44 pm

Jenn: Believe it or not, I’ve been making mental notes of ALL of the wisdom and advice you’ve been handing down to me over the years.

That is just downright scary.

Comment by Bob

December 15, 2007 @ 4:50 pm

Our kids are all adopted, so there’s a lot that I can’t speak to, but we didn’t have time for a shower before the first baby came along, so I’d say ask for cash for those spring garage sales! Seriously, though, we use our changing table a lot (our youngest is 5 mos. old), and having baskets to hold pajamas, blankets, burp rags, etc is very handy. We put the baskets on the shelves of the changing table and it works just like a dresser with the soft top for the changing. I echo what someone else said about the infant clothes. Our first son got very little by way of new clothes, friends just passed along what they had and we just asked if they wanted it back or not. If they did, we marked the tag so we’d know what came from which friend. If they didn’t want it back we would either donate it to the Salvation Army or pass it along to someone else. Weird thing about babies, they aren’t very hard on their clothes, so it lasts a long time even though they only need it for a short time!

Comment by Reon

December 19, 2007 @ 9:21 am

Brian: Ain’t it the truth. Be careful what you do…you never know who may be watching!!

Bob: Thanks for the tips. I definitely have lots of lightly-used baby clothes coming my way. I have a nephew who will be about 4 months older than my son, and he and his cousin will share many clothes, I’m sure! Thanks for dropping by!