Buying list for baby ... which items are a must and which are not...?

Question

I am 22 weeks pregnant and I need to start shopping for myself (for my hospital bag) and for the baby. I have gone thru several lists, but I suspect there are things which I may not need and I do not want to spend money on these. Can you give me a list of very important stuffs (and their quantity) that you used and that were important for you and the baby, and also please give me list of some items which you bought and never used.... Thank you...

Answer 1

For your hospital bag:

1.A comfy nightgown or pajamas
2.A bra (good fitting cause your breasts will be sore and leaking if you aren't breastfeeding)
3.An outfit for your baby to have his/her picture taken in
4.Toothbrush and Toothpaste
5.Brush/comb
6.House slippers
7.Chapstick
8.A going home outfit for the baby
9.Socks for the baby
10.One time use cameras or regular camera
11.A Hairbow
12.Panties (about 4 pairs in case you get blood on them)
13.Bring your own maxi pads
14.A comfy outfit for you to go home in
15.Carseat

At the hospital they will have bottles, milk, pacifiers, blankets, diapers, wipes, t-shirts and onesies for the baby.
They will give you alcohol wipes for the navel and they will give you formula to go home on also they will give you a diaper bag.

While in the hospital sleep while you can and don't worry so much relax cause once you leave the hospital no more help with the baby.

I didn't get to pack anything to go to the hospital. I went into labor at 36 weeks and had to be flown to a university hospital and i didn't even have a outfit for my son to take his picture in. (it was taken in the i was born here t-shirt)

Take the pain meds now honey cause it will hurt. I had a c-section and i suggest if that happens do not refuse the painkillers.

Good luck and congrats

Answer 2

For me, not a lot of those lists were helpful. The most important things, I found, were these:

- Cell phone and charger (to call everyone afterwards)
- A book, while labor was still progressing
- Some nursing bras and underwear (not new underwear)
- A couple of really oversized t-shirts
- Comfy clothes to go home in
- My shampoo and hairbrush (having my own definitely made a difference)
- Onesies, pants, socks for the baby
- A cute 'going home' outfit for the baby

What you probably won't need:
- Diapers (the hospital will have a LOT)
- Nightgowns (they'll just get messy, and the hospital has gowns)
- Receiving blankets (the hospital will give you several)

Other than that, you might want to bring some chapstick, maybe a cd player, and anything you might need for religious observances ssince you'll be there for a couple days.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Have a baby shower before you start buying if you can. That often gets most of your powders, diapers, creams and stuff out the way. Stuff that is a must are diapers, newborn baby grows, vaseline, aqueous cream, warm stuff if it's cold, a couple of blankets and a carry cot is always helpful. A carseat if you drive. A dummy (pacifier) is highly recommended

We never used our baby bath, cot (my wife slept with him on the spare bed for the first 8 months), pram at first (essential after three months), and about half the baby shampoos and smelly things. We also never used the special table thing someone bought us. We had a small breakfast nook table which was far better.

If you're tight for money, don't stress. They're cheap at first. You don't need the reams of stuff people insist you must have. Just buy the stuff at the top, and don't worry about the bigger stuff.

Good luck

Answer 4

Things you probably don't need are a changing table. We found after the first week we just changed him wherever we were, usually in the living room and started keeping diapers in there. A bassinet or cradle. My first son mever liked his and always slept in his crib so with the others we never got one.

Must: A sling. I never even saw these with my oldest 2 boys so i think they might have been new when i had the youngest and they are wonderful! It is a long piece of material that you wrap around your should and carry the baby in, super for breastfeed in public and keeps your hands free. SO much better than those stupid looking front packs and the baby looks way more comfy for both of you.

Like someone else said have your shower first,you will get lots of stuff. Also try consignment stores and garage sales if you are short of $$$.

Answer 5

Many lists are pretty accurate, kind of depends on what you want for your baby. Major cost and stuff you will not use are the baby products like soap, oil, cream... If you get all on the list you will have enough to last the whole year and longer. Get some samplers and see what you will use and what not before really buying 'bulk'.

We got a bottle of Clandula Babyoil from a friend who instantly became our best friend. We use it after every bath before drying him but not on his face or hands. We don't use any soap (except when he got to play with his diaper. Don't ask)
He has been rash free except for some redness when he was teething. That's 16 months and counting.

Because we use this stuff we still are using the first sample of zinc-oxide cream.

Oh, don't buy many baby-clothes. You will get more then the little one can ever wear most likely. Our son 'donated' stuff to his younger cousin he never got to wear... and she will probably do the same for her upcoming sister.

They grow so fast the first few weeks it can wait untill then to shop for that.

Answer 6

If you are going to use a bassinet then try to borrow or hire one. You don't usually use them for long. If you are using disposible nappies don't buy more than 100 newborn nappies as they grow out of them quickly. Lot's of singlets. Buy these a size or two too big as the shrink. If your using cloth nappies and you have a baby like mine you will be changing the singlet a couple of times a day due to leakage. Even if you are using disposibles get a dozen cloth nappies for burping and to place under the babies head to catch any "overspill". At least 7 grow suits as the baby could go through a few a day if it is chucky baby. Lanolin cream is a must if you are breastfeeding as it helps with sore nipples.
As long as you have milk for the baby and clean nappies and clothes the baby will be happy.
As for yourselp....if you are breatfeeding you will need breast pads (even if you plan to bottle feed you will need these till your milk dries up) alsways carry 2 clean tops around because if you don't put in the pads right and you leak everyone will be looking at your wet top (sadly i learnt this from personal experience when out shopping. My milk would let down if i so much as saw a baby bottle) Always carry water for yourself. You will need to take maternity pads into the hospital and make sure you p.j's are botton up tops for easy breastfeeding.... This is all I can think of apart from the obvious...ie car seat, pram cot etc.. GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

Personally I found the main thing I used and loved was a bouncy seat w/ vibrator on it. She slept in that most of the time and still does when she is not comfortable in her crib. It is also easy to put in the trunk and take if the baby or both of you go somewhere to visit. Swing was pretty much worthless for me, she doesn't sit in it very often but occasionally she would fall asleep while swinging. Changing table also is pretty important. Play pin, crib, and all other things really hurt your back when changing the baby. Changing tables are perfect height so you don't have to bend down at all! I still use it to this day.

Stuff just really depends on you, I have upstairs and downstairs so I have a play pin downstairs that I mainly change her in. Occasionally she will sleep in there. Oh yeah boppy pillow a must!! You will find it very helpful is is used for so many things. It saves me in the middle of the night when she is hungry I lay her in it between us and give her a bottle and support it with pillows. Love it...good luck

Oh yeah for nightgowns get all Layetts w/ cuffs to cover baby's hands so they don't scratch themselves. They don't have buttons or zippers you can just pull them up and change the diaper...I am in love with them...will never go back to regular pj's again.

Answer 8

Car seat Onesies (weather appropriate ones) and those depend on how often you want to do laundry i would say 10 at the least Socks Hats Blankets (for when you go out into the cold) Sheets Crib/bassinet Feeding supplies Diapers (buy more then one size just in case) wipes baby laundry detergent sleepers burp cloths receiving blankets bath supplies the rest you can buy when your baby is age appropriate like tethers and toys. Congrats on the baby!

Answer 9

The only things the baby will need from you at the hospital is an outfit to go home in , one for pictures , some blankets and car seat for the trip home.
You will need one bag for labor and delivery that has : socks, tooth brush , tooth paste , hair brush , Things to put your hair up if you have long hair ,camera ,film, xtra batteries , hair dryer, lotion , chapsick or lip gloss , phone numbers of people you want to call , a bath robe , change of clothes for dad and his tooth brush, comfy pillow, glasses/contact lense stuff.
You will need another bag for your hospital stay- the two bags can be combined once you are in your room but there is no need to drag it all to labor and delivery. This one stays in the car until you are in your room.
2-3 comfy gowns , make up , hair supplies , house shoes , stationary and pens , own blanket , clothing to wear home.

Answer 10

Bag, make-up kit with mirror, hair brush, tooth brush, deodorant, baby wipes, a pajama for yourself, baby's take out clothing from the hospital with blanket, maxi pads, a pair of socks for yourself, just in case your feet get cold, car seat for when you are getting out of the hospital and being picked up by car, bibs (3), your clothing to go home and I think that is the most important things.