[Cheryl_W]

Okay, so a lot of this stuff is either A) complete overkill, B) more a want than a need, or C) specific to our situation (like a new lightbulb for our aquarium, which is going in the nursery, or baby gates this early because OMG we have a lot of stairs and don't want to be caught without one...)

BUT

I have made up a list of all the things we want to buy now/register for, and all of the things we'll buy later if/when we need them. I know it is a long, long list but could the BTDT mommies give it a look through and let me know if I'm missing anything, or if anything seems like total overkill? Thanks girls!!

(Oh, and some of this stuff we already have, I just couldn't find a checkmark graphic in Word... LOL!)

The List:

Buy Now

 Infant car seat
 Stroller
 Car seat base
 Fleece bunting/rain cover for car seat
 Headrest for car seat
 Pack-n-Play
 Sling or wrap
 Diaper bag
 Swaddling blankets
 Pacifiers
 A few high-contrast infant books, toys & rattles
 Coming Home outfit
 Onesies & footed sleepers
 Socks & hats
 Bottles
 Plain pre-fold cloth diapers for burp rags
 Bibs
 Breast pads
 Nipple cream ointment
 Nursing pillow
 Breast milk storage containers
 Bottle brush
 Nursing wrap/cover
 Baby bathtub
 Towels and washcloths
 Gentle tear-free shampoo and body wash
 Baby grooming kit
 Ear and rectal thermometers
 Nasal aspirator
 Humidifier/ vaporizer
 Petroleum jelly (UNSCENTED), baby oil, lotion, cotton balls and swabs.
 Baby sunscreen
 Teething rings (BPA free) and teething pain relief options
 Diapers & Wipes
 Diaper rash cream
 Dye- and fragrance-free laundry detergent
 First Aid kit
 Infant medications, like Mylicon drops, gripe water and Infant Tylenol
 Baby monitor
 Baby gates
 Crib
 Crib bedding
 Fitted crib sheets
 Crib mattress
 Diaper pail
 Recliner slipcover
 New fish & plants for aquarium (and heater and light bulb…)
 Curtains & blinds
 Nursery paint
 Receiving blankets
 Laundry hamper
 Mobile
 Night-light

Buy Later

 Floor gym
 Lightweight stroller
 Bouncy Seat
 Baby Swing
 Exersaucer/stationary entertainment/containment
 Crib aquarium or musical toy
 Convertible car seat/booster
 Real "clothes"
 Snowsuit
 More bottles -- 8 ounce-capacity with higher-flow nipples
 Booster seat
 Splat mat
 Plates, utensils, sippy cups
 Steamer basket for homemade baby food
 Small blender or food processor
 Ice cube trays for storing homemade food
 Any type of baby-proofing product
 Bath toys
 Potty seats and stepstools

[forest]

That actually looks like a really good list to me. I'll have to think about it some but I don't think your missing anything and I don't see much that is extra. I never used the Fleece bunting/rain cover for car seat , but the temperature is pretty mild here. Are you getting the extra base so you have one for each car? That is what we did and it made things super easy.

[♥womanintheshoe♥]

Looks good to me! I forget how much is really needed since we have everything but when it is put in a list...good grief! Such teeny people need so much stuff! You may want to keep an eye out for a swing and if you find a good deal get it now because for some moms/new babies it is a lifesaver. I particularly love the Fisher Price cradle swing and I also have a floor swing I can easily bring with me to a park/friend's house.

Blankets - I highly recommend the Aden & Anais ones! They are by far the best blankets I have ever used and are versatile, lightweight, etc.

Oh! A mirror for the backseat so you can see baby while you drive might be something to consider.

[Cheryl_W]

We only have one vehicle right now, so unless we get another car we don't really need that extra base - and the bunting/rain cover for both the car seat AND the stroller came with each purchase (which we already have, one as a hand-me-down from my one year old nephew, the other as a gift from family)

Thanks so much for your input though! I'm so worried that its complete overkill, or that I'm forgetting something big... Its nice to hear from a BTDT momma that it looks OK!

What do you think about formula? I've been told I should have a can, even though we'll be BFing - but I figure we'll get some samples at the hospital probably, right?

Oh and we do already have a swing as a hand-me-down from my sister, so thats why I put it on the buy later list (we'll get a different one if baby hates this one...)

Thanks for all the awesome input though! I'll have to think about the mirror, that could be a definite lifesaver for my back and neck... LOL

[~Devon~]

I wouldn't purchase any formula, and I declined the formula from the hospital. But you can take it to have on hand just in case. The bouncy seat and swing, well especially the swing, you could use right away so you may not want to wait on those items.

[TeresaSuperMama]

Now you are making me feel like such a slacker mom. Your list looks great to me.

[Racheljp3]

I have bought the baby a few things, Diaper bag, baby book, and a few outfits. I am going to have a pretty big shower and shouldn't have to buy alot. My parents will pretty much handle the nursery, sister already has a closet full of clothes for Audrey. It will just be the nit picky things left to buy. Alot that I had bought with Ralie I never used.

[laisydaisymama]

duplicated my post in some weird way, ignore this!

[forest]

On the formula, I wouldn't buy any. If you want some on hand go to the formula websites and register. They will send you a ton of samples.

[laisydaisymama]

ok, overall, good job! I'll tell you the things I would remove from the buy now list and move to the buy later list, and vice versa!

don't need immediately-
baby gates
toys/books/rattles-can wait at least 2 months or so, I might get a couple of books for reading to baby, but not for them to read/play with yet
teething relief



do need immediately-
swing
bouncy seat



questionable-
I would NOT get formula for just in case if you are really wanting to exclusively breastfeed, it can be way too easy in the middle of the night when you are exhausted to just say "just go ahead and give him a bottle 'just this once'"

rain cover/bunting-sounds like that's done, but I wouldn't spend money on that

extra base

infant headrest-you should just use the one that comes with the carseat, you don't need to buy another one typically


add to list
changing pad and cover for changing table (if using one)


need large quantities of
onesies
burp rags
receiving blankets
multiples of rash ointment, mylicon, tylenol and lanolin for diaper bag


I'll add/edit as I think of stuff

[Cheryl_W]

Thanks!

I just wanted to clarify things here (I've already had somebody asking if they can use this list, so I'm not changing some things because it suits us but I want people to know why )

don't need immediately-
baby gates - we're getting these right away because we have big, scary stairs and don't want to be caught without one... my income can be up and down, and the last thing I need is a mobile baby and no cash for a baby gate

toys/books/rattles-can wait at least 2 months or so, I might get a couple of books for reading to baby, but not for them to read/play with yet - we're doing books because DH is a big fan of Robert Munsch, and wants to read to baby while in utero and afterwards - toys and rattles we'll probably end up getting in the shower anyway, but we might pick up just one or two for the cuteness factor LOL.

teething relief - kinda like the baby gate... the last thing I want is to have a screaming, teething child and NO cash for relief! LOL


do need immediately-
swing (already have one, thats why its on the buy later list - only buy another one if baby hates this one)
bouncy seat (only buying if baby hates the swing we have and/or the one we buy later...)



questionable-
I would NOT get formula for just in case if you are really wanting to exclusively breastfeed, it can be way too easy in the middle of the night when you are exhausted to just say "just go ahead and give him a bottle 'just this once'" - very good point, and I don't want to ever have that happen so NOPE on the formula!

rain cover/bunting-sounds like that's done, but I wouldn't spend money on that - it came with the carseat, luckily. probably wouldn't have spent cash on it either, if it hadn't... i doubt I would ever use it anyway.

extra base - don't have a 2nd car, so no real need.

infant headrest-you should just use the one that comes with the carseat, you don't need to buy another one typically - have it already, it came with the carseat too we might need a little something for the stroller for the first bit (since it is NOT a travel system, I hate those things...) but we'll just be using receiving blankets rolled up or something if we have to use anything at all.


add to list
changing pad and cover for changing table (if using one) - not using either, I'm short and those are all so tall - they scare me LOL


need large quantities of
onesies - yep!
burp rags - yep!
receiving blankets - totally!
multiples of rash ointment, mylicon, tylenol and lanolin for diaper bag - good point on the multiples!

Thanks so much for all your input, you must have spent a lot of time on that I'll definitely NOT be getting formula, and stocking up on doubles of the rash ointments and stuff for the diaper bag for sure!!

[readysetgo]

I like your list! i might refer to it lol

[*Stacey*]

I am pretty much going to agree with what the other ladies have said. I nursed Brody and took a few of the formula samples home from the hospital and it was a life saver! My milk was just coming in but he was a very hungry boy and I am glad that I had that little bit of help to keep him satisfied until it was running strong.

Mind you, I had used the little tube that you tape to your breast and use while you BF instead of the bottle nipple.

You never know what is going to work best for baby until s/he is there to let you know.

[Celine]

Cheryl, I like your list a lot. I am thinking of using your list. I wish you would add brand names to it so I can use your research for my own benefit (LOL). Are you starting to buy the stuff now already? I have done no shopping at all. We have absolutely nothing.

One thing I wondered was is a diaper bag really necessary? Can't you (as in general you) just use a backpack? Or is a diaper bag super convenient?

[sara~b]

Okay, first opinons:
-You don't need a cover for the carseat really. A blanket works just as well.
-The add-on headrests are actually a no-no unless they are made for your specific seat. (Check out the carseat safety board if you have questions.)
-If you're going for Gerber prefolds for burp cloths you might want to just ask for burp rags. The Gerber prefolds have a foam-type material in the middle, not cloth, so they really are not absorbant at all!
-Baby sunscreen is only for 6+ months usually. Covering babies with UV protective clothing/hats/blankets is best.
-I would buy the playmat/gym now or register for it because babies need tummy time from a couple of weeks old onward.

-You can ask for a few samples of formula to take home but I wouldn't worry about it. If you switch to formula it won't be a drastic "I HAVE to feed this baby in five minutes or it will STARVE" kind of thing. So you will have time to go buy a can if you need to.

It really looks good!

Anyway, I would definitely have multiples of most things like diaper rash cream, teething gel, lotions, ointments, Tylenol, etc. I usually keep a portable 'kit' in the diaper bag, one in each car and one in the medicine cabinet. Not to mention keeping extra clothes/towels in your vehicles because you never know when a blowout/projectile spit up/etc will happen.

If you're income varies a lot have you thought about cloth diapering? Then you'll never run out of diapers at an inconvenient time (middle of the night, between paychecks, etc). It's not hard and it has come a long way from the cloth diapers our parents used! Come and visit us on the cloth diaper board if you're interested in learning more! (Board below carseat safety which is under the PR boards!)

[stephie1012]

didnt read all the other resonses.

the extra head rest for the carseat and bunting (unless it comes with it from the manufacture) can be very dangerous. You shouldnt add anything extra to the carseat that wasnt already with it when you bought it.

The mirror for the car (did read that lol) is also dangerous, even if it latches on to the headrest can become a projectile in a crash. I know of people who have had their kids hit in the head with one during a crash.

You dont need baby sunscreen, newborns cant use it and shouldnt be in the sun to begin with.

Your list looks good. We never used a diaper pail and a few other things, but there are some others who like that stuff. Oh just read about the formula. If you are nursing i wouldnt buy any. If needed you can take a can from the hospital and leave it in your car so your not tempted to use it. All the baby needs is your milk, even if its just coming in the liquid gold is more then enough to satisfy a newborn.

[Lisa1980]

That list looks almost identical to mine! But I'm going to wait and see how everyone answers since this is all new to me too

[Cheryl_W]

Yeah the headrest came with the car seat, so did the cover, so its pretty safe I would assume - I wouldn't buy one anyhow, they're overpriced for what they are to begin with...

I have thought about cloth diapering, but we ran into two problems...

One, the up front cost is a lot higher and we don't know what we'll be able to handle between now and when baby is born - it depends largely on my income.

And two, baby will be with grandma (my mom) about twice/month after the first couple of months, as DH and I have meetings we have to attend for a club in which he holds a chair (so we have to go, can't miss more than 1 or 2 meetings...) - grandma doesn't know how to use cloth diapers, so when we mentioned it she said we'd have to bring disposables for her anyway because she didn't want smelly diapers laying around (I know, I know, it isn't like that at all but try explaining it to a woman who formula fed and disposable diapered 3 kids in the late 80's LOL)

So if we're going to have to use disposables ANYWAY, we decided it is easiest to go with disposables all the time and have some cloth for backup. After lots of research though, I've decided on Huggies Pure n' Natural as our first choice (if baby likes them) because they seem the most gentle on sensitive skin, and are made partially from recycled and organic fibers.

We already have a few things on the list - the car seat, stroller, car seat base, car seat cover & headrest (came with the seat), baby bathtub and first aid kit... And just today, I made my first actual purchase (the above were all gifts or hand me downs) of the recliner slip cover, and 2 organic cotton fitted crib sheets from Tadpoles

Thanks so much for all your input on the list, baby is saying thank you by kicking me hard, too!

Oh - and about the sunscreen. Its going to be zinc sunscreen, not the paraben/chemical stuff, and only for use if there is absolutely no way for baby to get complete shade - being born in August and DH and I loving the outdoors, there will probably be at least one time we'll use it on any exposed skin. The American Association of Pediatricians (or whatever thats called) used to recommend no sunscreen for babies under 6 months, but now they say that a little sunscreen on exposed skin is better than sunlight, but ONLY use it if you have no way of keeping baby in the shade.

Its really more for situations like that, a "just in case" type thing than anything - and if baby doesn't use it, mommy can!