What do you really need to prepare for a baby?

Question

Ok, I am a very anal person and I want to have everything ready way before my due date(about 12 weeks from now). I hear different things from different places and there are diffrent lists and I am so confused? What is really necessary to have when your baby arrives and what is just a waste of money?

Answer 1

The one thing I wished that I had done before my baby was born was to cook and freeze a lot of healthy foods for myself because in the first few weeks of your babies life you will find very little spare time or energy to cook. The first 6 weeks are a hard time when you are trying to ajust to this huge life changing thing and having to leave your baby to go and cook all the time is the last thing you want or when your baby is finally sleeping and all you want to do is sit down and relax. Make soup and meals that can be frozen in portions and that will make your life so much easier for the first few weeks. As for the baby he or she will not need a lot at this age, only you.

Answer 2

Most of it is a waste of money, some of it you can do with out but it is more convenient if you have it.
This is what I would have before the baby comes home:
Crib/Bassinet-I co-slept but had the crib right against my bed with the side removed so there was no barrier between the baby and I. There were nights that I was so dead that I put the baby in there and held his hand just so I could sleep more soundly.
A few packs of diapers/Baby wipes
Bottles
Pack of Onesies with soft pants
Several pairs of footie pajamas(it is cold)
Sleep sack
Socks
Several packs of fitted crib sheets
Several blankets
Baby shampoo and body wash
Something to wash the baby in
Cotton swabs/q-tips
Diaper ointment
Nail clippers
Colic tablets
Car Seat
Stroller with bassinet(you can snap in your infant car seat with some strollers instead of having a bassinet)
If you are having a boy and are going to circumcise him, you need Vaseline.
Also, you might want hydrogen peroxide for his/her umbilical stump.

Usually you want to have more than one of everything because babies spit up and their clothes and bedding have to be changed frequently.

I didn't use pacifiers, swings, walkers, exersaucers or any of those things with my son so that saved a lot of money however most people will disagree with me on that one. We raised our son differently than the mainstream.

Answer 3

a good site to check out is www.babycenter.com
here is what i think you need...
lots of diapers ( baby will go thru 1 every couple hours the first few weeks)
wipes
diaper bag
lots of wash cloths and receiving blankets, and other blankets too
several outfits
baby laundry soap
basinet to sleep in
car seat- obviously
baby soap, shampoo, brush,towel
baby oil, powder, lotion
bottles and or formula if you are not BF
soother if you want ( not real necessary but good idea to have somethimes)
infant medicine (tylenol/advil etc...just in case and only use on advice of doctor with newborn)
baby bath tub
thermometer !!!! I have one that takes temp quickly in the ear...worth it i think
I have never bought a nasal aspirator or baby nail clippers, but baby does scratch herself and nails do need cut (i just used mine) but you may want a smaller set for babe
a couple plush rattles or toys
more can be bought later on
diaper pail
change table
baby monitor
a humidifier is always good to have if baby gets stuffed up or a cough

i'm thinking that is about it
you will eventually need a highchair
baby teething medication like oregel
a baby swing can be a lifesaver some days!
crib
jolley jumpers are great
exersauser type thing toy seat
bathtub seat, when baby bath is too small
bigger diapers (LOL)
more clothes and toys

and lots of film for your camera, or batteries for your digital
By the way, 12 weeks away...you should get ready soon, lots of women go early! i didn't though.

Answer 4

If you are breast feeding, here are a few must haves...

Breast pads, I preffered the disposable but many women swear by the reusable kind.

Nursing bras, Make sure you have at least 2 that are very stretchy. You will need to sleep in one for the first couple of weeks...

I highly recommend investing in a nipple sheild ahead of time. They really help if you get sore, and help teach the baby to latch on correctly. I had to learn that the hard way.

If your hospital offers a lactation consultant, make sure you take advantage of it. They can be a god send...

Hope this helps...

Answer 5

90% of the stuff on those "you have to have this" lists is a waste of money.

You want a car seat, diapers, clothes, wipes (I'd recommend cloth, myself), if not cloth wipes then burp cloths or blankets to use as burp cloths, and I think a sling/carrier and a bouncy chair or something else to set baby down in when you need to.

Not critical but definitely nice: nursing bras and pads, a swing, a backpack you like (to use as a diaper bag), Dr Jack Newman's breastfeeding book, a larger winter coat for yourself to pop over baby in a sling on you.

And that's it for the first while. Newborns should be carried, not isolated in strollers, and they should sleep next to Mum (Google "safe co-sleeping"), not isolated in a crib. Despite what Babies R Us would have you believe. I can scarcely think of a bigger waste of money than co-ordinated nursery decor, too. Get a nice mobile and hang it over YOUR bed, and spend the rest of the entertainment budget on Dr Seuss books.

Answer 6

Carseat, diapers, blankets, clothes, wipes, sling. Someplace to put all that stuff (like a changing table). I used a cleansing spray for baby's bottom frequently. Diaper cream for emergency rash treatment. Um. Food in the freezer so you won't have to cook. That's it.

Answer 7

Waste of money (for me):
1. Baby monitor--I could hear the baby cry without it, and I kept picking up some other crying baby in the neighborhood.
2. Baby swing--my daughter hated it. She's 2 and she still hates swings!
3. Baby sling/carrier--never used it
4. Diaper genie. The refills are insanely expensive, and it still stinks.

Invaluable:
1. Lots of blankets to swaddle and cuddle baby in (they get spit up on and dirty quickly, so it's good to have extras)
2. Bassinet---set it beside your bed so baby is right near you.
3. Rocking chair--I don't know how many hours I've spent in this, rocking a colicky baby!
4. Gas drops
5. Snap up, one piece sleepers (as many as you can get your hands on)
6. LOTS of burp cloths

Good luck and congrats on you coming baby! :)

Answer 8

A crib, a couple crib sheets, bottles, a bottle brush, tons and tons of onesies, socks, bibs, diapers, lotions, wipes, footed sleepers, baby wash and shampoo, baby washcloths, a couple pacifiers, baby nail clippers, a bulb syringe (or "snot sucker" as I call it lol), a couple blankets, a car seat, a swing (not neccesary but very useful), hats if you live in a cold climate, and that's about all the necessities. There's lots of other things you can get but as long as you have these things, you should be ok.

Answer 9

this is what you need before the baby is born in my opinion. I have 3 nephews who lived with me since birth and this is what we had. this is just to give you an idea.

6 packs of diapers should get you by for a month.

Gerber - Terry Burp Cloth 6-Pack this is the kind we got.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5824281

The First Years Pooh Wonderful World of Disney Soothie Starter Set

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5172338

Evenflo Comfort Select Single Electric Breast Pump

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2403113

Natural Boost Adjustable Nursing Pillow by Leachco

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2667883

Leachco Sleep 'N Secure 3-in-1 Infant Sleep Positioner

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2667882

Winnie the Pooh Diaper Bag Combo Set

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2645475

Prince Lionheart Diaper Depot Organizer

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4457083

Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2700598

Basic Comfort Four Sided Changing Pad -dont really need but nice to have

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4858256

Basic Comfort Ultra Plush Changing Pad Cover

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4660424

The First Years Clean Air Odor Free Diaper Pail

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5172341

Nap 'N Pack - The Go Anywhere Bed by Leachco is a must if you can afford it.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4268997

Baby Einstein Discovering Water 2-in-1 Bouncer & Rocking Seat a must if you can afford it.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4631178

Summer Infant Newborn-to-Toddler Portable Folding Bath Tub

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5007577

Johnson's Baby Relief Kit is a must have

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2584590

Graco iMonitor Pure Digital Baby Monitor price is a little high but worth the money.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4433233

Answer 10

Necessary: Clothes, diapers, and a warm place to sleep.
The rest is just for your convenience.