What you couldn't do without after your newborn?

Question

I believe I have everything I need when my little mans comes into this world, but what did you realize after that you couldn't go without??? Whether it be a piece of furniture, or burp rags. Also, what was your baby bag filled with besides of course diapers and wipes??? Thank you!!!

Answer 1

I forgot to get nursing pads, I wasn't nursing the first time but I was leaking everywhere! So yeah, don't forget the nursing bra pads. Get a few ones you can wash for home, and some thin disposable ones to pack in your diaper bag, just in case. And the thing I found most helpful was a baby sling. It's nice to have the baby right there and still be able to grab something with both hands, and they are so much more comfortable than carriers! I wish I found them sooner! I had my 3rd child in one ALL the time.They have them all over the place now, but the first place I saw them was at mayawrap.com Get one, trust me. And I never did get one....but I really wished I'd gotten a rocking or slider chair, would have saved a lot of backache, cos you're like rocking constantly, if the chair rocks then you don't have to work as hard. :)
My diaper bag consisted of extra clothes, bottles w/ water, dry formula (just brought a bottle of water when I nursed my 2nd & 3rd), diaper rash cream, pacifiers, an extra light blanket, some burp rags, nursing pads, those nose things that suck up all their snot XD I used that alot, they get so uncomfortable when stuff is in there and it's impossible to get it out w/o one....I think that's it, aside from the diapers and wipes...with newborns, if you go out, bring alot of diapers and onesies.

Answer 2

I don't know what I would have done without a baby carrier. It's crazy after baby is born when you realize that baby won't let you put him down, even for 5 minutes to go pee! That baby has to go with you everywhere you go, and having a baby carrier makes it that much easier. I would personally recomment a baby sling, or a carrier called the Baby Trekker. They are a great investment, and they can really help you get things done (and keep your baby happy). They can also help lull the baby to sleep while you go walking, which is especially helpful if baby is having a hard time falling asleep. I love my baby carriers so much we don't even OWN a stroller - really! She's never been in one and I love it that way - she can be involved in whatever I'm doing, fall asleep if she so desires, and I can continue on wiht my day. Mothers for thousands of years have used baby carriers to keep their newborns (and even toddlers) close to them while they work.

I keep my baby bag simple - I find that if I put too much stuff in there, it all gets messed up and I get lost in it. I bring an extra outfit (especially in those early days - after a week or two newborns puke a lot) - and receving blankets incase you are lucky enough to be able to catch the puke. Take weather into account when you're packing the bag as well. And finally: I keep my diaper bag in the car. One less thing to remember, and then I never have to worry about it! Good luck!

Answer 3

a canopy playpen and bouncer. i used these for outside. i was outsie a lot because i also have an older son who was 3 at the time my second was born. the bouncer i got had a vibrating seat and it converted quite quickly into a toddlers rocking chair. that was very handy for my other son to use when the baby wasn't. also the sleep sheep from cloud 9 was great for my second son (the baby of which i'm talking of) because he wouldn't go to sleep unless there was a little noise. it plays ocean surf, falling rain, whale sounds(his favorite) and mothers heart beat. i bought one of those slings, but it seemed to swallow my baby. so i just used a chest carrier, my babies loved it.

in my diaper bag i always had extra spit towels because my mother in-law was real bad about losing them. i found the best spit towels are the gauze extra absorbant clothe diapers, i swear by them. also i used powdered formula so i would pre-pack and label the bags for playtex bottles for however many my baby would drink while i was out and an equal amount of plastic baby bottles with solid lids filled with water. so that all i would have to do was pull the rubber band off of the bag, put the bag in the playtex bottle and fill it with the correct amout of water. that made the bottle prep in town so much faster and easier. also in the diaper bag because carrying a purse and diaper bag were just too much i bought a small checkbook purse wallet thing that fit perfectly inside the diaper bag.

Answer 4

My diaper bag has at least 4 extra diapers, depending on how long I'll be out. A bottle full of water ready to be mixed with formula, wipes, at least one extra onesie, at least one extra burp rag, baby tylenol, a thermometer(may sound strange but they're small and handy), stinky diaper bags(packs of 100 are at the $1 store), and formula to go with the bottle of course. You can never have enough onesies and burp rags.

Answer 5

okay so Since I am a first time mom I was a freak about my diaper bag. i always had 2 changes of clothes for warm weather and 2 changes for cold weather since you never know what you might need, and a blanket, Plus I had a WHOLE can of Formula, lol, and 3 bottles of water and 3 bottles, Plus extra Nipples in chance he eat more then expected. and a couple of toys, and bibs and a burp rag, and a bag for dirty clothes.. i had a BIG diaper bag!!
now as for the thing I couldn't live without when my son was first born was the BOPPY pillow!!! i didn't even know what it really was before hand and now i tell everyone to make sure they have one!! its great!!!

Answer 6

Diaper bag essentials: pacifiers, change of clothes (maybe for both of you!), extra formula/bottles, baby tylenol, mylicon drops

Make sure you have a bouncy seat, swing, and anything that makes "white noise" is very soothing. My first son fell asleep to the sound of the bathroom fan-- it was remarkable. Also, if you are breastfeeding, make sure you have Lashinoh cream, and cabbage leaves work wonders for swollen breasts: put them (leaves, not breasts) in the freezer, then apply. It will make you feel better.

I missed sleep the most, as well as the ability to take a shower without: a) a screaming infant in the room or b)a sleeping infant I had to make sure was still breathing for those 7 minutes while I cleaned up

Answer 7

The swing has definitely been a life saver but right after my son was born we bought him the baby papasan chair and it has been great. I have a huge diaper bag and keep diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, blanket, hat, tylenol, gas drops, thermometer, snot sucker, extra binkies and hand sanitizer. Also same as the previous answer, prepare for bottle feeding in case you can't breastfeed, you don't want to have to scramble at the last minute if you need bottles and formula.

Answer 8

Can't live without...for me and my two boys, it was a cross between the baby swing and the rocking chair. Seemed like I was always rocking them or they were always asleep in their swings when they were little. Sometimes it was the only thing that calmed them down. :)

For the diaper bag, I always keep diapers, wipes, small tube of diaper rash ointment, spare outfit (including socks), a bib, a teething toy/rattle.

Answer 9

if you plan on breastfeeding then also think about what if you can't? I couldn't, and I wasn't prepared for it. Bring along some bottles and make sure you tell the nurses that you are going to try to breast feed but also bottlefeed. The nurses can be so pushy about breast feeding. If you don't feel your baby is getting enough to eat then bottlefeed. And don't listen to the nurses if you feel they are being rude. This is your baby! bring along an outfit for your baby to come home in. The nurses got snappy everytime I put my son in a sleeper, and when I would wake up again he was back in the hospital's clothes. I guess they put him in hospital clothes for security purposes, but they failed to tell me that. Don't forget your stuff also. clothes, shampoo and conditioner, a pillow, your choice of music you want to listen to, your spouse or boyfriends belongings if he is going to room with you and the baby. Don't forget a hairbrush and toothpaste toothbrush!

Answer 10

I'm a mom of three. While I was pregnant with my first child, I bought EVERYTHING you can think of (in duplicates)... if they made it for babies, I had it. I went to the hospital with 4 bags... 2 for me & 2 for baby. Shortly after my son was born, I quickly realized I didn't need all of that stuff. Most baby items are outgrown within the first few months. You will discover that the money you spend on infant items, will be more wisely spent during the toddler years and older. All I REALLY needed was diapers, diapers & more diapers... wipes, diaper cream (1 tube lasts forever), cute outfits for going out, onesies for around the house (since all they do is make messes on them throughout the day), crib with extra bedding, bath items (infant tub, towel, soap, clippers, q-tips...), car seat & stroller (combos are great). Swing... this was useless with my first two, but my third LOVED it! If you are nursing I recommend a boppy pillow... you can definitely live without it, but it is helpful. Tea bags... they help with sore nipples when you first start nursing... the hospital may give them to you after delivery... my wonderful nurse did! Glider rocker... again, you can live without it, but it is relaxing. Bottle warmer... fantastic for midnight feedings... whether you need to heat formaula or breast milk that has been stored in the fridge! Nursing bras & LOTS of nursing pads. I adored my back pack style diaper bag. California Innovations makes an awesome, insulated one. Huge diaper bags... anything that looks like a carry-on suitcase is just too much... too heavy & a pain to drag around. You only need a bag that fits a few diaper, wipes, change of clothes, nursing blanket, 1-2 bottles and burp rag (and maybe your wallet, cell phone & lipstick).

Some of my most regreted purchases were... a cradle (darling, but not worth the money). Co-sleeper for along side the bed (the babies still knew they weren't in bed with mom & got upset). Big, bulky "luxury" strollers (they look great in the store with all their storage and gadgets, but they are heavy, hard to fit in vehicles, and a royal pain when shopping (often too wide for aisles & crowds of people -- I love my lightweight jogging stroller, and after my kids could sit up on their own, I only used umbrella strollers for shopping, etc...) Playpens are a waste of money... kids don't like to be locked up. Walkers... I liked it, but my kids rather scoot around on their own. Diaper Geenie... stinky & gross. Any other seemingly useful gadget... food grinder (great idea, but a fork works just as well at mashing food), Splat-Mat for under the high chair... trust me, babies can throw food a lot further than the splat-mat covers. This also applies to splash-guards for the bath tub. Tub kneeler... helpful, but a rolled up towel under your knees works just as well. I'm sure you get the idea... All the very best to you & your bundle of love!