30 weeks pregnant. What do I need for the baby?

Question

Hello, I'm 30 weeks pregnant and I haven't really gotten anything for the baby. All my friends and family are back in California so I won't be having a baby shower or anything and everytime I go to the store to buy stuff I feel overwhelmed. Like how many pajamas, burp clothes, blankets, sheets, socks, mittens, onesies, and other stuff will you need? Do you feel that a baby swing was a good purchase? Or was there anything you feel you couldn't have lived without? Thank you for your help in advance. :)

Answer 1

I say a big yes on the baby swing. Check into the styles though. The one I got I wasn't please with how the tray think came down to hold baby in and she would kick it loose anyways. Also look into a bouncy seat. Another really handy device, that you can bring anywhere in the house and baby can still be near you without being ON you.

As for clothes and bottles and stuffs I would start "small" enough to get you through until you establish a routine and know more of what you need/want. To start I would think:

Onesies-12-14, or in other words enough for two changes a day, incase you aren't big into wanting to do a bunch of laundry. They are staples for outfits, and can be good for sleepwear if it is warm enough. And if warm enough can be stand alone outfits.

Gowns- I personally LOVED these for the first few nights. They are usually long sleeved and have stretchy material at the bottom. They are long enough to where babies feet don't fly out and no snaps to undo which is NICE for night time bleary eyed diaper changes.

Sleeper pjs- Depending on the number of gowns you get for bedtime, maybe get enough of gowns AND sleepers to get you through seven nights, plus maybe an extra three or four for those occasional night time leaks.

Crib sheets- I would say a good three or four easy. Babies diaper may leak and the LAST thing you want is to do laundry in the middle of the night.

Lap pads- Is what I think they are called. They are thick/absorbant pads that you can lay under baby for diaper changes and at bed time to help catch any leaks.

Socks-I'd say a couple packages of WHITE socks. This way one you lose one which is inevitable you can always make a matching pair. Then maybe a package of cuties fancy ones for outifts.

Burp cloths- You can never really have too many. I'd say a good dozen or so if you can find a deal. If you do diaper service and get cloth diapers those work perfectly.

Receiving Blankets- Oh Five to seven should do you.

Mittens- Unless baby has super long finger nails that you are too intimidated to clip *BELIEVE me it is nerve wracking the first few times* I would just stir away from these. Maybe get one pair to have on hand. My kiddo didn't really appreciate these on her hands. And many gown styles have built in mittens at the ends of the sleeves.

Bottles- If you go this route. I suggest the Playtex bottles made for drop ins/liners. I'd get oh maybe a dozen or so of the four ounce bottles. Depending on if you have a dishwasher or not, and as to how many dishes you feel like doing if you don't. In the early months you really don't have to worry much about replacement nipples. This can be something to go shopping for later once you get your bearings. I'd get probably the same number of eight ounce bottles, but once again if you want to wait a bit and get this when you go to fill in any holes in your gear that would be fine too. I don't think they work up to eight ounces in one feeding for a few months if I remember correctly.


Other stuffs- Depending on the climate where you are, a one piece zip up "suit" for going out is a nice alternative to a jacket that can ride up on such a tiny being.

I would say get baby tylenol to have on hand for after the first round of vaccinations, but make sure to call the doc for dosage info, as even the "infants" drops say to consult a physician for kids under two. Children CANNOT use ibuprofen/motrin until six months of age, so this is something that can be held off.

I would definately get an ear thermometer to have on hand, and possibly a rectal one too, as some docs offices prefer to have a rectal temp for youngsters.

I would have at least one pacifier on hand until you see how baby sleeps, and what "comforts" him/her. My daughter used a pacifier for a month or so then found her thumb.

Definately as someone mentioned have your "night time station" decked out for your comfort as well. I had a nice rocker slider in my room, which is where baby slept, and I had the tv on low so as to give me something to keep me awake when even babies precious face wouldn't do. lol.

I had a white noise maker thing, you know the type that has the heartbeat/waves etc. Mine had a setting that would make it turn on if baby stirred. It was a life saver.

I would invest in a baby monitor right away if you think you need one depending on the lay out of your home.

For diapering creme I LOVED Destin Creamy. It goes on great and works wonderfully.

I would keep some Dreft on hand to wash babies stuff in. My kiddo had super sensitive skin so we used this until she was a year old at least. And I LOVE the way it smells.

Just remember that you will likely not want to go out for a few days at least. But that you may start going a bit stir crazy and maybe you will want to go out *probably sans kiddo* and have some you time which would be a great time to get anything that you think you may have missed. You don't have to get EVERYTHING right away. Just the "basics" to get you through till you want to go out.

Now the above list doesn't mention "clothes clothes" outifts and such. I was pretty much going from a "first few days home" motto, when baby isn't really "dressed to the nines". What ever clothing you may want for outtings and stuffs is up to you.

My "list" is just a guesstimate, and as I said depending on your housekeeping style and whatnot you may want to add more onesies/blankets etc, or tone my list down some.

Somethings that you can most likely live without: Diaper Genies and diaper wipe warmers are two I can think of. The genie is okay I guess I had one, never got it to work right and just said "f-it" and threw them in the trash. That wipe warmer to me is a gimmick, but that is just my opinion.

Oh and if you don't have a dishwasher definately get a bottle brush. One with the tiny brush on the end for cleaning out the nipples. And if you DO have a dishwasher get a nipple basket. It holds the nipples and bottle lids to keep them from flying all over your dishwasher.

Good Luck, and try not to be overwhelmed take it one step at a time. And maybe call your mom, and other family to get their opinion on what you should add/subtract from your list.

Answer 2

Your baby will be fine the same thing happened to me just recently.I delivered a 4lb 5 oz baby girl on the 31st of january via c-section and she is perfect!! I was always measuring 2 weeks behind ,my due date was the 17th of febuary and they had scheduled my c-section for the 7th of feb. but in week 35 they did an ultrasound and then another one in week 36 and she was not growing so they did non stress tests and then a biophysical exam(basically an ultrasound)to see if she was in disrtess and the same day they did that they called me a few hours later and asked if I could come in because they wanted to do the c-section and I was freaking out needless to say that same day I had a baby girl!!Try not to worry about it and rest as much as possible,your baby will be fine.Don;t blame yourself or rack your brains tring t figure out what went wrong cause that will only make you stress more,most of the time a reason for the baby not growing is because the placenta has reached it's life limit and will start to die therefore it won't be providing for the baby properly.So it's nothing you have done. Good Luck and congratualtions!!

Answer 3

You need to stock up on newborn size diapers. Babies can go through a minimum of 12 -15 a day. You also need at least 6 of the following: newborn sleepers, t-shirts, onesies (if the weather is warm) fitted bed sheets, receiving blankets, stay on socks, newborn bibs, and small baby bottles (to start out), and a couple baby spoons. You will also need an assortment of caps, a cold weather pram (snowsuit) with foldover sleeves to cover the hands, a crib quilt and blanket, a dozen burp pads, an infant bathtub, at least 3 wash cloths and towels with a hood or pocket for after bath. I would also recommend going to a health food store and getting bath soap and lotion. In lieu of baby powder, buy a box of corn starch. It's superior in preventing and relieving diaper rash. Also invest in a baby thermometer, a musical mobile for above the crib, a few little stuffed and musical toys to develop eyesight, hearing, and touch. You'll also need bumper pads around the inside of the crib. Be sure you have an approved car seat and stroller for transporting baby around. And above all, follow your pediatrician's advice.

You can also get little outfits to dress him/her up when presenting your newborn to friends and family. I don't know if you have any religious affiliation, but you may wish to have an outfit for christening.

These are just the basics. You'll learn as you go along. My only advice to you is it's not the quantity of time you spend loving your baby, but the quality of time. If you keep baby warm, clean, healthy, fed, and loved, you'll have it made. The love will be returned to you tenfold. Good luck and all God's blessings to you.

Answer 4

Definitely go for a swing. It's a lifesaver. Dont buy anything too small, I would start by buying 6-8 sleepers (0-3) and the same right up until 12 mos. Dont worry too much about socks or mittens. I didnt use mittens at all when my daughter was newborn. Same with hats (although she was born in August). Lot and lots and lots of recieving blankets and some warmer fleecy blankets for nighttime. Dont bother with bedding (bumper pad, comforter) its a waste of money. Congrats and Good Luck! Oh and also buy a white noise cd - helps calm down babies immediately...lifesaver too!

Answer 5

You know I am due with my 3rd and realize there is very little needed for a baby.

My must haves are:
Onsies
Sleepers
Socks
Diapers - we prefer modern cloth
Baby sling
Diaper Bag
Swaddling Blankets

Most everything else are extras that take up space or replace mommy in some way.

We do breastfeed exclusively so that eliminates bottles and their paraphernalia.

An extra that I have that I loved with my second was a moses basket. The baby could nap in the basket whereever and it was wonderful for trips and such.

Answer 6

I had one baby who loved the swing and one who hated it. I borrowed one from a friend so that was good. Get a decent amount of pjs so you're not doing wash every day. Lots of onesies because they spit up on them, too. If you need something for outer wear in the cold, get a onesie type coverup that has feet and hand coverings and a hood. I got one from LL Bean, but I'm sure other places have them. That way you're not looking for lost mittens, etc. A play mat with hanging things is a good thing to have - you put the baby on the mat and she/he can look up at the hanging things. My kids spent many hours doing this (a baby gym).

Answer 7

You can never have enough socks and onesies and burp cloths. Have lots of those. The one thing that saved me so many times, was the vibrating bouncer. OMG, this thing was a life saver! There are so priceless! Something like this, you can find them cheaper though.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=sc_pgc_r_7_0_3666461/602-2794746-1935856?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000I2WB6G



Don't waste your money on a Diaper Genie. Those things STILL stink. You're better off just throwing the diaper out immediately. I lived in an apt. when my son was born, and it was a little inconvenient to do so, but the Diaper Genie still stank.

Also, get yourself a travel system. With these you can leave the baby in the carrier and move the baby in the carrier to the car seat or to the stroller. You never have to wake the baby up! It even fits nicely at the top of a shopping cart! Love them!

http://www.target.com/Graco-Passage-Travel-System-Clara/dp/B000LNJALQ/sr=1-3/qid=1199061516/ref=sr_1_3/602-2794746-1935856?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Atravel%20system&page=1

Answer 8

Okay well first lets see about you. Do you have all your after I have my baby needs for yourself? Now to the little one. Do you know what you are having? If not get just your normal colors. Its cold and it may be cold wihen you and baby come home. So make sure you have blankets no number needed. Long sleeve onesies for now. Mittens are great they like to dig in there face. You need pampers,a baby bag,bottles,q tips,alcohol,wash clothes,the swing was a great idea,a crib,hangers,just your normal baby things,pjs and remeber that special bring home outfit. O get some deft baby washing powder. You can never have anything to much as a new mother.

Answer 9

I would say 5-7 pjs and onesies..3-4 Burb clothes...A good warm blanket (if u are in a cooler climate) buy a bed in a bag with everything in it for the crib...I dont use socks in the beginning they always kick them off I just use sleepers for a bit but mittens are good so they dont scratch there face!!!

As for the swing GREAT purchase I love mine!! You may want a bouncy chair too for him to sit in they are very handy!!
Dont forget a baby tub I love the ones that sit up very handy!!
and a stroller car seat set is great

and once he is 6 months then u may want an exasaucer and a jumper they love those

GOOD LUCK and if u need any advice just email me ;)

Answer 10

First off Congrats! I would say that the amount of outfits to get is really going to depend on how often you are going to do laundry. As for things like bottles and pacifiers, even bath soap, don't buy a whole bunch of one kind. Get a couple of different kinds, because what you want to use your baby may not. I had about 15 vent-aire's and had to throw them all out cuz my son would only take drop-ins, same with binky's. the one thing i could not live without is my boppy. also try to get as much stuff as you can that will grow with baby, convertible crib, play mat that doubles as back and tummy time, any thing like that.

Answer 11

Okay,First of all a full suit for taking him out of the hospital and a car seat,otherwise the hospital wont let you take him out!For cleanliness,a package of diapers for the early weeks.Dint spend money on the many early cloths since babies outgrow then very quickly,so shop for big-ish outfits.At least 3 pairs of socks,two caps,with bibs get one of those packages that come with 5 or 6 together.3 blankets,2 mittens.(Babies extremities get cold fast!)A box of wipes.With 5 bottles you'll do,and don't invest on a swing.Babies enjoy these devices for 5 minutes,then they get bored and want 2 b carried,besides,you can rock 'em on the car seat.Do get those baby backpacks when you need free hands.When he/she starts teething get those chewing toys they sell for them,that are rubber and really eases their discomfort.Just reason a little and you'll know whats sensible and whats unnecessary.Good luck!!!