[Oreobaby]

Since my MIL in quite insistant on having the shower AFTER the baby is born...much to my dismay...I need to know what I will for sure for sure need in the first 4-6 wks. My MIL seems to think that I won't need to buy anything...that it's not that long, and I can just wait for the shower...UM WRONG!! So what am I going to need...

Things I can think of so far.

Thermometer
Breast Pump and Bottles (just in case the breast feeding doesn't go how I hope it will)
Sleepers
Going home outfit
recieving blankets
sleepers

Anything else that is going to be a must that I am going to need. I had really hoped I wouldn't have to stress about this, but I'm so worried I'm not going to have something when I need it once she is here.

[Lyz]

binkies if you are using them
boppy or nursing pillow
bassinett or co-sleeper
we started using our swing when she was 4 weeks old
baby bath stuff (you can get away with a tub, a few wash cloths, one thing of wash and a towel or 2)
diaper rash cream
nasal aspirator (hospital may send you home with one, ours did)
a few onesies to hang out in at home (or go out)
burp rags
obviously, diaper and wipes

that's all I can think of right now. you can get away with this list and then register for all your big ticket items (swing, exersaucer, jumpy, bouncy, etc) for your shower.

[samspain]

More burp cloths/wiping cloths/muslins than you ever thought necessary!!
Also nipple cream, I had to find a 24 hour pharmacy on Day 2 at home!!

[Cheryl_W]

From being around my nephew a lot at that age, he didn't need too much - just the basic essentials, a place to sleep, something to eat, a way to wash, and a way to keep warm. So, your crib (if you get it before then) if not, then a bassinet or something to tide you over, the pump & bottles is probably a good idea because BFing should be reasonably established if it is going to be by around 4 weeks, and that is when you should introduce the bottle according to stuff I've read to minimize nipple confusion...

You don't necessarily *need* a tub, unless you're uncomfortable with you or Kelly holding the slipperly LO but babies usually only have sponge baths until they lose their cord stump anyway, and after that they don't need much water just enough for you to wash and rinse them.

I'd say diaper cream would be huge tho - Ethan had a lot of diaper rash around that time and you don't want to be caught without it, diapers & wipes, nipple balm (that one was recommended by the Alpha mom blog), a few outfits, if you'll be using an AngelCare mat GET IT NOW, the first 4-6 weeks is the biggest danger zone I believe for SIDS, pacifiers, etc.

Don't worry, even with buying all that you'll still have LOTS to register for! Here is the list I'm using to help build my registry, shes very, very honest about these things LOL : Alpha Mom? - Baby, Pregnancy, Toddler, Motherhood, Baby Names, and Baby Product Reviews

GL hunnie!

[*Mommy2Camden*]

Also, don't forget to have LOTS of maxi pads and breast pads stocked up. (The Lansinoh pads are great) It will make your life much easier not having to worry about running out of those 2 items. As far as baby goes, I've found bibs to be quite useful because they can prevent spilled milk on the clothes, therefor less laundry! You will quickly create a routine at home and will use things you didn't expect to, and not use things you thought you would.

[Etph007]

^^ I bought lots of Maxi pads and breast pads didn't use them at all! I guess it just depends on how you deliver and how much milk you have... but I think the other girls covered it... Here's my short list:

Receiving blankets
Diapers and Wipes
Onesies and sleepers
Bath stuff
Some sort of bassinet or pack n play with sheets
Bobby Lounger was a big help to us early on

That's it

[Lyz]

Originally Posted by Cheryl_W

the pump & bottles is probably a good idea because BFing should be reasonably established if it is going to be by around 4 weeks, and that is when you should introduce the bottle according to stuff I've read to minimize nipple confusion...

You don't necessarily *need* a tub, unless you're uncomfortable with you or Kelly holding the slipperly LO but babies usually only have sponge baths until they lose their cord stump anyway, and after that they don't need much water just enough for you to wash and rinse them.

I say it's best to have at least a bottle or 2 at home waiting just in case breastfeeding doesn't go as well as planned. If you can, rent a pump from the hospital for the first month to see if its worth buying one or not.

As far as the tub goes, when they are that little it's a bit scary to think about holding them under the faucet to wash. I felt way more secure giving Bella her bath when she was in the newborn sling of her bath, and I gave my neice from practically day one. My bath only cost $17.99 Here is the one we use (BRU in the US) bath tub. Just a thought. Yes, you are supposed to sponge bathe them until their cord falls off but Bella's came off after 10 days.

[CandaceDianne]

Breast pads too!

[Etph007]

ditto Lyz on the bottles and tub! I forgot bottles and nipple cream on my list!

[Oreobaby]

I would be too nervous holding a baby to bath them...they just get so slippery, and with DH having limited exposure to new babies, it would be very sketchy!! I have a tub right now that a friend gave to me, and we will register for the one that Lyz did...(it seems like a good one for good support when bathing, and I don't have to worry so much about hurting her) I am so worried I'm going to forget something, so please everyone send your idea's...I know I will still have lots to register, it's just being worried to get caught without something that I need.

thanks for the sample registry Cheryl, that will come in handy.

[MommaLee]

I actually bought this tub last night....
PujBaby.com - Product Details - Puj tub
(albeebaby.com gives a 15% discount if you purchase from them) You can register for one at Target or Babies R Us....but I have yet to see them in stock. I'm looking for the convenience of things also...and this definitely looks convenient for me and dh to use.

[Etph007]

Since we're sharing tubs.. I use this one:
Summer Infant Mother's Touch Large Comfort Bather - Sea Dot - Summer Infant - Babies "R" Us
And couldn't live without it!

[Oreobaby]

These are all cool...I have never seen one like that before Erin...

Lee Ann...I definitely like the storing flat thing, as we are limited in space at our place.... We will see what happens.

[~* Liss *~]

Good lists ladies!! TFS!

[Denise123]

Well, since my little one decided to arrive 5 weeks early and the day before my shower...I remember leaving for the hospital after my water broke thinking this can't be happening...we're so UNPREPARED! I was going to wait until after my shower to purchase things! We didn't even have a carseat...Even the nursery furniture had just arrived and hadn't been setup yet!

Thank goodness my wonderful friends showed up at the hospital with most everything we needed...and then some! But what I remember being most important at the time was:

Carseat
Onesies (we needed premie size)
Diapers (the hospital also sent us home with several packages)
Diaper rash cream (didn't need it - but was nice to have on hand in case)
Wet Wipes
Receiving blankets (hospital required us to have our own when taking baby home...although we did sneak a hospital one home just to have as a memory)
Diaper Bag (although the hospital gave us a free one with sample formula)

Pack n Play or bassinet for baby to sleep in (w/ sheets)
Birth Cloths
Pacifiers
Bottles (or a starter set just in case)
Formula (just in case -- although the hospital sent us home with plenty)
Breast Pump w/ accessories (you can rent from hospital)

Thermometer (we took the one from the hospital)
Aspirator (we took the one from the hospital)

Large bathing sponge - one that the baby lies on when you give him a sponge bath - they're usually shaped like a teddy bear or something similar. Of course a thick towel will also work. I also used the peri-bottle they give you at the hospital (to spray your stitches with) -- to give him his sponge bath...it works great for rinsing him!

For You:
Pads
Nipple Pads
Nipple cream

That's all that comes to mind right now...I'll let you know if I think of something else...but really -- a lot of the other things people give at showers aren't "nessessities" so to speak...just nice to have. Take whatever is open or allowed from the hospital....once you've used it...(other than blankets) -- you're paying for it...so take it home!

[karenwalter]

I also used my bouncer alot. He would sit in it while I took a shower or was cooking since I could carry it around easily to the room I was in.

I used way more burp cloths then I thought I would, so have extras.

I also use my infant tub because Connor was pushing off with his feet in the sink and I thought he was going to hit his head! The infant tub is so much easier.

Also, as far as just in case formula goes, I signed up to receive coupons with similac and got 3 large cans of formula free in the mail. I am still BFing but wanted to have some formula in case it didn't work out or I had an emergency or something then I wouldn't have to rush out a get it. So, you might want to try signing up and getting free samples so you don't waste your money on formula if you don't end up using it.

[Oreobaby]

I have a friend that gave me some formula that she had gotten in free samples, but ended up being able to breast feed, so I do have some formula, so I'm covered there...I do have a swing already and I belive a friend of mine is giving me a vibrating chair thing...so I do have things for her to go in when I'm in the shower ect...since she will be in our room for a bit, I'm thinking I can wait on a monitor, but it was something else that popped into my head, and I already have a car seat stroller, so that is taken care of. We will need to get diapers, but for right now, I do have wipes...(bought some at Costco because they were on sale...$18.00 for 900 wipes) I actually am now hoping that there will be a small one before (my sister actually has really gone to bat for me, and for those of you that know, I am sure it is tough for her, as she has been TTC for 2.5 years with no luck.) Anyway, I am excited that there may be a change around. MIL will still be doing her's after, because that's how she feels it should be, which is fine...I just was feeling terribly anxious and stressed about having to buy a bunch of stuff before...granted, I may still have to buy things before, which is fine, just not as much as orginially anticipated.

[Oreobaby]

So just when I think I have everything figured out, I talk to my mother, and she is NOT on board with having one out in OR, so I guess it looks like I am going to be stuck with the one after...well, I felt better for a little while. Keep sending those suggestions my way..I am compiling a list, and will start getting things slowly.

[MommaLee]

You know, I've never done this one but I'll throw it out there just because of Tonya's post.....what about some little mittens and baby clippers for fingernails.

I'm sorry about your mom not being on board.

[Sam914]

What if your sister throws it (since shes obviously into the idea...) I mean, why does your mom have to do it?