What do I need when I bring the baby home?

[Anonymous]

Just found out I have to be induced early and want to make sure I have all the things I really need (not things that are nice to have) as soon as we get home.

I currently have:
diapers
wipes
car seat/snap n go
bassinet for sleeping
swaddling blankets
receiving blankets
onesies
baby socks
outfit for the baby to wear home
pacifiers

Anything else I am missing? Do I need bottles? I plan to breastfeed.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I would recommend Lanolin(sp?) for you. It really helped sooth my nipples when I started breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

This is not a necessity, but I really like the baby shirts with the attached mitts that fold over baby's hands. They use them in the hospital and help prevent baby from scratching him/herself. They also keep baby's little hands warm.

[Anonymous]

For you, nursing pads. You won't be leaking right away but soon after your milk comes in.

For baby, baby shampoo and lotion. I also LOVED having the infant nightgowns for night time b/c when you're changing your baby in the middle of the night they're so much easier.

[Anonymous]

I second PP's suggestion of the baby night gowns. We ended up using the gowns the most during the first weeks. Congratulations and best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Grab the sitz bath from the hospital or buy a kids' inflatable donut ... assuming a vaginal birth.

Sleep sacks were key for us. They make them 0-9 months so you definitely get your money's worth and it is perfect for a comfy-but-not-too-tight swaddle.

Looks like you have good suggestions already so I won't repeat.

Best of luck and congrats!!

[Anonymous]

The hospital will give you lanolin, so don't go out and buy it.

I agree that having a cheap pump just incase you need it is a good idea. But don't stress yourself out by pumping at the hospital - enjoy your time to bond and sleep when you can. I never started pumping until around 2.5 weeks when I wanted to build up enough milk to give a bottle at 3 weeks.

Sounds like you've got everything you need, and then some. The only thing I'd add to your list is a boppy. I used mine in the hospital and loved it so much I bought another soon afterwards. It makes breastfeeding so much easier.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I didn't get lanolin at the hospital. So I would recommend getting it yourself.

[Anonymous]

Buy a bunch of water from Costco, breastfeeding makes you so thirsty! Make sure you also have a boppy pillow or the my breast friend to make nursing easier. I second having a few bottles on hand -- though the hospital will give you some. My first DD was very jaundiced so we had to supplement.

[Anonymous]

Have a place set up for you to sit when you get home for feeding the baby--a comfy chair or rocker with a table where you can set your own water, remote control, etc. You'll be sitting a lot!

I loved the carters terry cloth sleepers too, they keep the baby warm and are pretty easy for changing. We had a ton of onesies and didn't use them much.

Have a pad of paper ready so you can keep track of nursing, diaper changes, etc., the first few weeks--you'll be so tired you won't remember when the last time was.

Do you have a baby bathtub or a place for the bath? You'll need that after the first week.

[Anonymous]

I'll second a few suggestions: a comfy chair with side table for you to spend your days in. (I commandeered my husband's recliner.) On said side table: lanolin, tissues, water, pen and paper for a breastfeeding log, and a meds log for you. You'll only need to do the logs for a week or two, but I found it VERY valuable for a while.

A baby bath seat of sorts. My baby HATED her first few baths, but as soon as we got this $3 chaise-looking-thing from babies r us, she calmed right down.

I was so happy to have a proper pump when I got home from the hospital. After three days of EBF in the hospital, my nipples were on fire. Pumping is less traumatic to them than nursing, so during the toughening-up period, it helped me to alternate pumping and BF. And, it let the new dad get in on the feeding action.

And here's something I wish I had done, but didn't: maybe a little journal. I wish I remember more about those first weeks, but now, it's all a blur. And I had some post-partum insomnia (of the "can't go to sleep 'cause the baby will wake up any minute" variety) so it would have been a good time to jot some things down.

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

I agree hands down with all previous posts!
In addition, I enjoyed the following:

-plenty of 'throw away' underwear - cotton that you don't care about
-plenty of extra 'pads' if you are still bleeding after a vaginal birth
-plenty of soap in all bathrooms/kitchen
-plenty of purell in car/diaper bag
-little hats for baby
-burping/spit up cloths
-plastic breast nipple cover...can remember the name of it..sell at Target, BBB, etc.
-men's button down shirts for you - something comfortable to unbutton/remove
-comfortable drawstring pants for you
-slippers or sneakers when you go out...your legs will feel wobbly for a few days
-robe
-cd player/radio or tv in room where you feed/nurse
-Take Out food menus handy!
-I loved the Heading Home with Your Newborn book...I referenced it at least once a day
-if you wear glasses, get them handy
-ponytail elastics if you have long hair

I also recommend taking a shower and doing your hair before going in (if you typically blow dry). I did this when I went into labor. My husband thought I was nuts, but my upper body felt so much better later on. Day of release I did take a shower that felt great as well. Although I forgot all of my toiletrees in the bathroom at the hospital. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Focus more on yourself Baby doesn't need much!

Buy some Epsom salts for yourself. If you have a vaginal birth, the sitz bath sucks! I had 4th degree tearing (yuck) and my doctor recommended using a clean tub (get Chlorox hard surface cleaner) and sitting in Epsom salts. Much easier on your lady parts! Also for yourself, make sure to have plenty of pads - the biggest ones you can find, cotton underwear, comfy nursing bras (no wires), comfy nursing PJs or nightgowns, robe (because you will want to cover up), comfy slippers, and load up on healthy snacks. Nursing pads are essential. Not all hospitals give out lanolin, so you should buy some.

Baby really just needs diapers, wipes, some gowns, some footed sleepers, blankets, couple of bottles. Car seat and stroller frame (key) - don't buy a full stroller until later.

It is kind of fun to hold off on buying baby stuff so that you have something to do after the baby is born.