Shopping for new baby... what's necessary?

[novabrooke]

My first baby is due in October. We'd like to try to buy only those things we'll need for an infant and wait until the baby comes to figure out what extras we want. What exactly do you need?

I think we'll need at least...

- bassinet or co-sleeper and bed linens
- infant car seat
- basic clothes including onesies and hat, mittens, and coat since it will be getting cold
- diapers and wipes
- baby carrier or sling
- basic baby first aid kit
- swaddling blankets
- nursing bras and pads

What else??

[Anonymous]

I had an October baby last year. Great time to have a little one. A few additions/suggestions:

-- switch the coat for a bundle me (goes on the infant carrier) and/or baby bunting. I find winter coats -- and other outfits with hoods -- to be pain for kids who have no head control.

-- bathing supplies: a few infant washcloths, baby wash, and either an infant tub or a pad that will let you bathe the baby right in the sink (tempting, but you have to do the dishes first in order to actually do this!)

-- changing pad and cover if you'll be changing on a dresser

-- bouncy seat or swing. Basically, somewhere to put the baby down besides the carseat, bed or floor!

[Anonymous]

On the "just in case" side - I had a rectal thermometer, mylicon, and infant motrin as well. Sounds like you're planning to bf - do you want pumping and/or bm storage supplies and bottles? A baby monitor. A universal stroller base that your carseat snaps into, even if you just use it to wheel them around the house when your arms get tired.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Are you going to buy a crib?

[Anonymous]

You could forego the bassinet/sleeper and just buy a Pack N Play to set up in your bedroom. Some models actually have a bassinet feature, if you are into that. You will probably want one eventually for travel anyway.

[Anonymous]

Also, be sure to locate the nearest 24-hour drugstore to your house, for those late-night runs!

[Anonymous]

We used a pack n play in our bedroom for the first 2 months. As for onesies, I liked the side snap ones. They were a lot easier for me to get on and off before she could hold her own head up.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't live without SwaddleMe blankets by Kiddopotamus. Also, only buy enough diapers for the first few days - any order on diapers.com over $49 has free next-day shipping and you might not be right about the size you'll need or whether you'll like the brand. I swear by Lansinoh diaper wipes and Burt's Bees diaper creme.

[Anonymous]

I think the above posters have pretty much covered what you need to start. When I had a new baby (or babies because I had twins) I was dying to get out of the house in the early days/weeks. I ran a few errads to babiesrus, etc. to pick up things I needed. You certainly don't need to have every last things you'll need in the first 3 months in your house prior to the birth. You'll have plenty of time to brouse and buy things you need in those early weeks after delivery.

Also, if you have a shower you can't underestimate the amount of clothing and especially blankets that you'll receive. I'd hold out on buying either of these until your know about/have a shower. Actually even if you don't have a shower you'll be sure to get a whole bunch of outfits as gifts. I remember regreting buying any clothing myself becasue we got so much as gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I remember regreting buying any clothing myself becasue we got so much as gifts.

Not me, because we got tons of fancy dress clothes as gifts but nothing practical. So I'm glad I got a few things on my own. Side snap shirts and cotton elastic waist pants. That's all I needed for clothes. We got tons of dresses and really pretty frilly things that were just too impractical. And lots of stuff we got was not for the right season when it fit, so we were never able to use it.

[Anonymous]

You *have* to have a wipes warmer. Just kidding! But you might consider a snap & go stroller that is compatible with your car seat.

[Anonymous]

* second the recommendation for - mylicon gas-relief medication - it came in really handy for our gassy baby. (a lot of babies are gassy.) the generics are just as good and marginally cheaper.
* bring home the snot-sucker (nasal aspirator) from the hospital
* fingernail clippers and emery boards - those tiny fingernails grow fast
* hooded bath towels are awesome. I like the Carter's ones that are about $9-$10 each.
* you might want to have a few bottles, in case you have issues with supply and have to supplement with formula. you'll end up using them eventually if you want Dad to take any of the feedings after the first few weeks.

[Anonymous]

A bath is also a must for me but I really like the one that's basically a giant sponge that sits in the tub and then you can hang it in the shower to dry vs. a big plastic contraption which you have to store. It also can be used when they are sitting upright and will last much longer.

[Anonymous]

I second all the suggestions above...
note that with #1 I only had one blanket and one burping cloth and found that you need many of these...
footsie pajamas are great too (loved the organic basics from gap online)
I would also get:
* a diaper genie (sp?),
*a changing pad with covers (again multiple: I found that I had not too many with 4)
*unscented laundry detergent (lots of laundry to come)
*a pump and first set of bottles if you plan on nursing (pediatrician recommended to introduce one bottle a day starting at 3 weeks not to have problems with introducing bottles)

[Anonymous]

I recommend SWINGS.

It's a life saver! For the first six months, the reclining swings are good for young infants, like the Fisher-Price Cradle Swing: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265072

For outside the home, travel swings are a must. It conveniently folds flat. It soothes them when awake and substitutes for a crib when visiting family & friends. It provides a place for babies to sleep, when Pack N Play would be too large take with. We bought two that we used at home: upstairs and downstairs. And take one along for travel. Fisher-Price Take Along Swing: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265152