Moms: What do you find absolutely neccesary to have before the baby's arrival?

Question

Mom's (and Mr. Mom's :) I am 32 weeks pregnant and i'm in a frenzy trying to get everything I need for my baby (Due august 23rd) BUT, on a limited income I dont want to purchase things that I have no use for now...like highchairs and bouncers. What do you find ABSOLUTELY neccesary to have before the baby's arrival?

make lists please!*

Thanks, you guys are really helping, lol!

I know the basics
Nursing pads ect.. ( I plan to breast feed)
Burp rags/Blankets
Wipes
Diapers
Onsies
A few outfits/socks & booties
crib, pack n play or bassinette
carseat (in this state they wont let you leave the hospital without one)
Diaper bag
Swing.

So far I have swing, stroller, (should be getting the carseat this weekend) some clothes and burp rags, and diapers and wipes. What else should I have before he gets here? I cant help but think i'm forgetting something!

Answer 1

You've got the right idea waiting on those expensive things you don't need yet. I would say the most important things to have are

For baby:
BOPPY (can't live without one and so many uses)

Baby clothes and socks, wash all them before you bring baby home.

Carseat, most hospitals will properly install them for you for free...just ask...they can be a little complicated and most people don't put them in right.

At least 2 packages of newborn size diapers and wipes
If you plan to use pacifiers, get a couple of the newborn size so you can boil them in advance.

Several receiving blankets and cloth diapers for all the spit-up, nursing and various uses

A co-sleeper, bassinet or even a pack-n-play that has a bassinet conversion kit in it was what we used, it was great because she kept using it until she was 3 so it's money well spent and it's portable.

It's always nice to have a good bouncy chair and they're pretty reasonable, the BEST one I've found was at Target the Papasan infant seats are super comfortable and pretty inexpensive...you will find it's invaluable when you want to take a shower and baby wants to be near you!

Also another awesome item I used to help get me back in shape, it's relaxing and comfortable and I used it to rock the baby to sleep is...http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_3/602-2045700-1921460?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0009PLRWQ


For you:
If you'll be nursing make sure you have a good cream like Lansinoh because you will need it.
Nursing pads for leaks
Sanitary products and tucks pads with witch hazel
If you don't already have one a good cold pack and heating pad/pack for all the aches and pains the first few days.

Good luck and congrats on the baby!

Answer 2

Before I make my list, let me just say that the MOST important thing you can do before the baby arrives is to be organized. When you come home you are so exhausted and sometimes in so much pain. Plus things are hectic that you just need things to be easy for you, especially during the night. Figure out where the baby will sleep, have a diaper bag packed, make sure the car seat is set up for the vehicle and figure out where you will change the baby. Changing table is not super neccessary, just easier on the back.
What I found necessary were of course diapers, clothes, the zippered pajamas are best. You don't really feel like fumbling with bottons when you have a newborn crying and just wants you to pick him up and comfort him as quick as possible. Even if you plan on breastfeeding have a small thing of formula and some bottles handy because you never know. You are going to need alcohol and cotton balls for his/her belly button. The hospital usually gives vaseline gauze for circumcision if it is a boy and if you choose to do so but it wouldn't hurt to have some vaseline.
Vibrating bouncer and pacifier. Some parents don't like to use the pacifier but sometimes it soothes them enough to fall asleep.
Lots of wipes.
Also, be prepared to possibly need a breastpump. Don't buy one yet though. I needed it for both times I had my sons because none of them could latch on and I became engorged.
Hats for those cool days in September and make sure you get a set of baby nail clippers because they will dig their face if you don't keep nails trim. Nails grow very quickly.
Car seat.
I would just get a bassinet for now. The crib can wait because you are going to want the baby close to you.
Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are looking for stuff, go garage saleing. i bought my daughters OAK crib at a sale for $50. Most people spend 200-300. You can get cheap baby stuff and if you are concerned it isn't safe, check the internet. You can find anything that is recalled.
You dont' need a changing table. I still don't have one. i use the floor. You don't really need a playpen if you have a crib. (until they are mobile.) A bassinet is nice if you are nursing, but my daughter was so big, we had to move her at 3 months.
Make sure to take the stuff in the bassinet at the hospital. No one tells you to, but it is all yours (not the clothes.) Everything that is used for your baby cannot be reused and will be thrown out (pacifiers, wipe box, bowl that the use to wash the baby, themometer, diapers, etc.)Good luck and congrats! Time really flies!

Answer 4

*A crib (or a Pack n' Play can be used for the first few months, until the baby is about 15 pounds. It has a changing table attached which is great, and the baby grows out of the bassinet, they can still lay in the playyard to take a nap at its great for the in-laws house)
*A car seat (if you buy it used, make sure it comes with the base, because it's the law now that it has to be used with one)
*Onesies and sleepers (about a weeks worth)
*Baby's socks
*A couple of baby blankets
*Formula (for if you plan to use bottles and just in case breastfeeding doesn't work out for you)
*Diapers
*Wipes

Answer 5

1. bottles/breast pump
2. breast pads/maternity bras
3. plenty of onesies (I'd say at least 8)
4. hand mittens (so they don't scratch themselves)
5. blankets/washcloths
6. stroller
7. carseat (must)
8. diapers/wipes
9. nasal aspirator (baby hygiene kit)
10. diaper rash cream
11. at least 1 can of formula in case your baby has trouble breast feeding...trust me it's always good to have it on back up.
12. a camera...they grow up so fast, it's good to take as many pictures as possible throughout the first year...I used to lay cameras throughout my house...and so when he made a new face or did something for the first time I had a camera near by. You can never take too many pictures of your new baby...and although others may get tired of looking at them, you never will.
12. A playpen...a lot of the newer models have a changing table, bassinet, and then the actual pen...it's a good way to save on having to buy a crib right away or a changing table...and if you go to a friends house you can take it with you...
**I think overall, you'll be okay with this list for the first few months or so...as you need more you can buy it along the way**

Answer 6

well I am sure your gonna get a lot of lists but a few things that I found most helpful were a few different size diapers for when I noticed that his diaper was snug I was able to open a larger size and not go to the store.

Extra wet-ones, sheets, washing powders, diapers, etc...that I didn't really plan to use but they sure were nice at 2am when she wet through 3 sets of sheets and used up all the wet-ones.
If you buy a used car seat make sure it has nopt been recalled

I bought a package of formula singles (powdered in individual packages) I stashed one in each glove box, one in my purses ect.....we broke down and ran out of formula.

I tried to have as much stuff stocked up as possible so I didn't run out or need to leave unless I wanted to.

Sheets
mattress pads
extra diapers
baby rice, cereal
juice, formula
blankets
burp rags
Tylenol, gas X

Don't worry odds are you'll have more than enough.I would also suggest a housekeeper for the week you come home. A clean house and dinners made even for a few days that week will help you tons......

Oh a sling.....I carried my youngest in one forever it seemed it was a huge help to take her with me around the house with both my hands free and her content....

Answer 7

diapers, undershirts, cotton blankets for swaddling (although you culd find out if the hospital will give you a few), crib or sleeping place, sheets, pacifier (good to have on hand even if youdon't like the idea, just to be safe), a rectal thermometer, something to bathe the baby in, vaseline or desitine in case of diaper rash -- really good to have some on hand so you can use it right away if necessary, a couple of outfits or onezies but, a newborn baby at the end of summer doesn't need many clothes-- save the money for when he's older and you want to dress him, sweater or sweat shirt for when it gets chilly, car seat
good luck

Answer 8

defiantly a crib or maybe one of those pack and plays kind like a crib but way cheaper, diapers, formula if you are going to formula feed don't bother with changing tables just a waist of money, wipes are good,baby blankets a couple spit up rags,and don't get stuff for a new born get it the next size up they grow out of the newborn stuff in like a week so its a little big for a week or 2 no big deal. shampoo the one that does the hair and body that way you only have to use one,bottles but make sure to get the big ones because they last longer. ~~ I wish you the best!!!

Answer 9

* burp cloths (just cloth diapers work)
* diapers
* wipes
*diaper rash cream
*rubbing alcohol and cotton balls (for wiping the belly button)
*onesies (just get a pack of like 8 or ten plain ones) newborn size.
*blanket suitable for swaddling the little one.
*A little bassinet or crib.. you can get an inexpensive bed at Target for about $100 bucks.. mattresses as low as $40 bucks.
*carseat
*baby wash
*baby lotion/oil


If you are breastfeeding, you don't need bottles or formula.. so you should be good with that stuff to start! congratulations!

Answer 10

crib/bassenet/ play pen, somewhere for the baby to sleep
clothes: onesies, light sleepers, mittens, socks
blankets
spit up cloths (diapers or flannel recieveing bankets)
car seat (hospital won't let you leave w/out one anyway
bottles and pacifiers

many big ticket items can wait, I didn't have a stroller until my son was 4-5 months old. Check re-sale shops for things like swings/bouncers ect, they are usualy barely used and 50% less than the dept stores.