do you have everything you need for baby?

[dearmama22]

I am due any day now ( march 4th) and here is what I do NOT have:

- breast feeding pump
- crib mattress ( figure I don't need this for a while..)
- Baby bathtub
- Nursing bra, nursing cream, anything to do with breasfeeding...


Am I crazy? Should I be running out and getting a nursing bra right now?! I keep putting it off!

[JJ'sMom]

Yes, run out and get a bra.
Make sure the nursing pads will fit inside the cup. (Just slide your hand into the cup with the boob, from the top, to make sure there is enough room for the milk and pads.)

A supportive bra is a blessing. I had to wear mine at night for the first month or I'd wake up in a puddle of milk.

[tjlucca]

A sling. I suggest www.sproutpouch.com. We tried several. These were our favorite.

Best Wishes Mama!

[MossbackMeadow]

I've never had a crib or a pump. Creams or other nursing gadgets are not needed. You might be able to wear a tank or a soft stretchy old bra until you can get out and purchase something new. It's really hard to say how big your breasts are going to get after your first baby - it was something nobody warned me about. About Day 3, I went from 34B to Dolly Parton.

I did have a baby bathtub with my first one, but ever since we've just done baths in the sink or carefully in the big tub/shower.

Babies really just need mama in the early days. There is a quote that LLL used to use, something like, "Baby has three needs. Nourishment of mother's milk, the warmth of her arms and the security of her presence."

[filiadeluna]

Things I need, but not right away:

crib mattress
crib sheets (well, need to exchange some I was given b/c they don't match)
mattress protector

Things I need a bit sooner:

enough BPA free bottles
enough Medela milk storage bottles
a diaper bag that is a little bigger, but not so, er, pastel!

Things I need ASAP:

wrap/sling carrier(s)
snacks for the hospital

Ehh... I think that's it... not sure. My mom took me shopping today, and bought me some nursing bras, nightgown for hospital, nursing PJs, and a couple of nursing tops. I also picked up 3 different types of pads for postpartum bleeding (yuck). Not sure how many I will need, but I am hoping I won't bleed for a horrendously long time like some people do.

[hillaryjudd]

I'd get a nursing tank top if you can, they sell them at Target and at Motherhood Maternity. You don't have any way of knowing what size bra you'll need after the baby arrives.

For example, I was a 36C when I got pregnant with my sons, a 36D during pregnancy, a 38E when they were born and for a few months after, and then went down to a 34DD for the duration of the time they nursed. This time I was a 34D when I got pregnant and have no idea what I am now, I'm sticking to tank tops and jog bra's. But I refuse to buy a nursing bra until a few weeks after the baby is born and I can have some sort of idea what size I'll need that will last longer than a few weeks.

[Multimomma]

Got it all.

Weirdest thing, I was mentioning I needed to go buy some lansinoh to a lady from church and her HUSBAND turns and says, "Oh don't waste your money...I've got some"

So it turns out he had bought some for a wood working project, a CASE of 1lb cans of USP grade lansinoh. I'm thinking the 1.5 oz tube lasted me over a year last time, and that was using liberally on chapped cuticles, lips AND nippies. I have no idea how long two cans will last us. Probably until I have grandchildren.

[happydoulamama]

I have one more shopping trip to do, for:

-shower liner and tub mat for the tub so I have nice clean ones for labor
- fish net for fishing out gross stuff from pool
-stool softeners
-witch hazel
-new hose for the pool

[ilovebabies]

I'm all set.
The only other thing I can think of that I need to buy is some "recharge" for labor. Already have the snacks. I don't know if my health food store carries Recharge, but we don't have a "Whole Foods" around here so I hope they do.

OP, just wanted to say that I do recommend you have Lansinoh on hand. I use it with every baby. I really need it those first couple weeks at least while baby and I adjust to nursing. I get pretty sore and it's a lifesaver (or "boobsaver" I should say).

[Devaskyla]

I still need a dresser or something to put clothes in. Think I'm all set otherwise.

[Malva]

To the OP: We never used the baby bathtub we had with our first and got rid of it. She hated it so much, it was useless. A kitchen or bathroom sink with a large cushy towel folded a few times at the bottom of it makes a more comfortable place for a bath and mostly, the new babies have had showers with their dad instead of baths, much preferring skin to skin to anything else.

And personally, I've never been able to get a drop of milk from a breastpump, so I just lived without it.

Otherwise, I need a bunch of receiving blankets. We've used them for anything and everything and I must have gotten rid of them cause they're nowhere to be found. I also need a bunch of bedpads for the homebirth.

[amydidit]

I'm not getting any nursing bras. I had a couple with DD2 and they always felt so bulky with the extra fabric in the front. I ended up just going with some lightweight and sports bras and just pulling the cups down. That's what I'm planning on doing this time too. But I also don't like the feeling of strong support or heavy fabric over the girls.

[YayJennie]

I just bought diapers, which was the last thing on my list. Now I'm ALL SET to have baby :

I should probably buy a few bigger nursing bras. I have 2 larges, but they're already a tight squeeze, so I have a feeling after my milk comes in they won't fit at all. I'm going to wait on that one though, because I'm not a bra person, and unless I really need one, I won't wear one anyway. I also didn't invest in a pump, but if we decide we need one, I'll rent from the hospital down the street. Cheaper and easier. Besides that, we've got all the essentials, and I'm not really into buying tons of stuff I won't use, so I think we'll be good until baby is a bit older