2006-10-14 04:41:26 · 13 answers · asked by concerned 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Ok, after having 4, I've worked out what I DO and DON'T need but everyone is different depending on your circumstances and lifestyle.
DO need
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A wonderful suppportive husband to do everything while I just feed, sleep, change, eat, feed, sleep, change, eat, shower, feed, sleep, change, eat, feed.....you know......
Lots of maternity pads
Proper cot (port-a-cot is too low) and sheets
Cot in same bedroom that I sleep in
Freezer full of food
Easy to eat snacks (eg meuseli bars for midnight munchies)
Lots of fruit
Lots of cereal and milk
Lots of water bottles everywhere
Chocolate
Baby sling for carrying baby on plane or quick shopping
Pram for moving baby around anywhere else
Reversible car seat
Baby monitor
Change table with drawers
Baby bath (can be in change table)
Good feeding chair
Breastpump
Nightlight
Johnsons Safe Cotton Buds (for cleaning belly button)
Baby wraps
Nappy change bag full of:
baby's clothes
change mat
wipes
nappies
nappy bags
nappy cream
spare breastpads
spare maternity pads
cloth nappy (for wiping up posets or whatever)
DON'T need
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Teddy bears
Baby towels
Tearless shampoo, baby soap or ointments (water is best)
Brush and comb
Dumbies
If you can borrow or buy stuff secondhand, it's a good way to test what features you like and whether you really 'need' the item before you purchase something new. We used 4 different prams before we were happy with the one we now have that has done 3 of our kids.
2006-10-14 05:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by nangari 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The number one thing I recommend for new parents is a huge tub of baby aquaphor. I give it to every expecting mom I know and I am always told it was a lifesaver. It is the best diaper rash ointment in the world and I use it for everything. My husband jokes that one of our kids could come in with a missing limb and I would just grab the aquaphor and tell them it will make it all better. My oldest son used to get diaper rashes so bad that his bottom would bleed and a doctor friend of mine who used to work in the burn ward said that they used aquaphor by the gallon and a diaper rash was nothing more than a burn itself and the aquaphor should work. Boy does it. I have had two more children since and neither has ever had even a hint of a diaper rash. I just use it a couple of times a day. I also use it for wind burns, chapped cheeks, etcetera. Hope this helps.
2006-10-14 07:29:34 · answer #2 · answered by busybusymom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. MY MOM. What would I have done without her? So, get some family members (not too many) or a good friend you can be yourself around to help or visit. Moral support goes a long way.
Also, a flexible attitude helps - you are not going to get everything done you used to at first. Get one thing done a day, and you will be doing good. The first few weeks are really about survival and getting to know your little one.
2006-10-14 04:47:39 · answer #3 · answered by Daisy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carseat (hospital will not let you leave without one;)
infant gowns, socks
receiving blankets and burp cloths
diapers
nursing bra / breast pads / sanitary napkins (for mom)
time for a shower or a nap without worrying about the baby (family or close friends to help with this)
camera to capture all those "first moments"
someone to help with the housework and meal preparation
2006-10-15 17:14:51 · answer #4 · answered by Dawn T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone to help out. I wish I listened to advise regarding
laying down when the baby did. I thought I always felt fine. I was
not.
People making a few meals so we didn't have to worry about it.
Someone to do the laundry.
2006-10-14 04:56:31 · answer #5 · answered by Ontario_Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Help from family members is the number one thing. Even if they just watch the older kids or get you a glass of water so you don't have to get up yourself for it - that is as useful as it gets.
2006-10-14 04:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Burpcloths (a lot of spit ups!), diapers, onesies, socks, blankies, bottles if you are planning on giving formula (would recommend breastfeeding instead!!!!), mittens (keep baby from scratching) and pacifiers (if you plan to use them - I personally never did).
Lots of sleep for you and some help with cooking and light housekeeping.
2006-10-14 05:00:10 · answer #7 · answered by knowledgebase 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love and support from my family and friends and the forgiveness of my husband as I was breast feeding which meant NO sleep so I was shall we say a little short tempered.
2006-10-14 08:39:36 · answer #8 · answered by blue_eyed_brat78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have to children iu would say1- DIAPERS 2-LOTS OF ONSIES/ ALL IN ONE PAJAMAS 3-LOTS OF BOTTLES 4-BLANKETS 5-BULB SYRINGE 6-DIAPER RASH CREAM 7-THERMOMETER ok i think those are the most important everthing else like a poopy trash can or wipes warmer you don't need. hope i could help. :)
2006-10-14 04:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by Little miss Desert Freak! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my moms... and diapers.... and lotz an lotz of pads. i uzed always cuz they r da best i hate uzin pads. da last thing i needed waz my psycho bf tryin to bang two dayz afta i gave birth. and makin comments bout my postpartum body. dick....
2006-10-14 04:58:58 · answer #10 · answered by 1 Hott Mami 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋