Raising an newborn/infant: what do you consider essentials?

[mommariffic]

I'm not sure if this is the right place -- if not please move it accordingly!

I already have one DD, but when she was born I got so much crap I didn't need/ended up donating or selling. Now that DD or DS 2 is coming along, I'm kind of at a loss as to what I NEED. I also don't have anything because I gave it away/donated it smooth move!

Anyway so far I'm stocking up on bibs/barf cloths/diaper covers etc but what do YOU consider "essentials" when having a new babe in the house? Whether it's helping a toddler transition or just plain old baby goods

[treegardner]

In the beginning, all we really needed were diapers, clothes, wipes, nursing pads, and lansinoh. Seriously, all I did for the first 6 weeks was breastfeed, change diapers, and sleep.

[claddaghmom]

I got a ton of clothes that I actually didn't like. It seems the normal baby loves being swaddled and layered but DD HATED restrictions and was a hot baby. I ended up using those bag-like sleepers for 6 weeks, then moved onto little tops and pants.

All we used:

carseat....really never used the stroller except for my stroller exercise class
carseat cover....kept her out of the cold
bag sleepers and socks
a hanna andersson pilot cap
diapers
wipes
arnica
bach's remedy
Later on I invested in a hotsling (got it from a mama on here )
we did part time EC and just used a little designated bowl

Never had to use any type of ointment, cream, lotion, shampoo, soap etc
The diaper bag was a waste
All allopathic medications were a waste (I was given saline drops, nasal bulbs, tylenol etc)
The boppy was a waste
We have a family bed so we didn't need any crib stuff, any monitors, sleep positioners etc

[MamaMelis]

Diapers
prefolds/burp cloths/breast milk catchers
car seat
pump/storage bags (i like to build up a huge stash and/or donate it)
clothes for baby (hats, socks, onesies most important)
sleep sacs
Sling. Imperative.
co sleeper or crib or whatever you choose to use for nighttime
I liked having a swing.........for us it was an essential with #2 in particular

[Hoopin' Mama]

I absolutely loved the bouncy seat.
I liked having a designated changing area too, although I just used a changing pad on top of the dresser.
Huge fan of the sleep sacks.
Socks that stay on the feet or lots of footed sleepers.

[anj_rn]

I agree with the above, but would add:
Boppy - 8 lb 11 oz baby w/ me recovering from a c-section
peri pads for me post delivery
Nursing camis
Baby sling/mei tai/whatever to carry baby around
SWING - we could not have lived without it w/ DS; not needed as much for DD

I never used diaper creams, lansinoh, or any of the other meds.

I have a baby bath tub that fits over our kitchen sink. It is not a necessity, but it sure is nice.

[Drummer's Wife]

boobs, diapers, and a carseat

oh, and a good sling/carrier.

I can't believe how much stuff we had with #1. I registered for one of everything

[Ruthie's momma]

I have been thinking about this very topic as DH and I are TTC #2.... Apart from the essentials we used with DD, I can only think that a really, really well stocked fridge/freezer/pantry will be most helpful. Plus, I have learned from a close friend that a special gift and/or outing is a good idea for the older sibling (especially if that older sibling is of toddler age).

BTW, my "essentials" include milks, diapers, a layette and car seat. A simple, lightweight stroller is great for getting-out-of-the-house walks.... With my ample boobs, a sling was of little use in the early days (I plan to try a wrap with my next LO). Of course, a convertible crib (if not co sleeping) and high chair can be added later. We never used any baby gear with DD.

[mandib50]

moved to life with a babe

[carmel23]

* a safe place to put baby down where your older child will know "don't run and jump on that! Baby could be there"-- so a little bouncy seat, or moses basket, is useful.

*diapers, wipes, clothing

*sling/pouch

lots and lots of books to read to your toddler while nursing the newborn

*nursing pads, nursing bras...

[buttercups.nest]

For my second I could not have survived without my ring sling and mei tai. LOVE THEM! I also use Earth Mama's Nipple Butter rather than Lansinoh. I find it heals your nipples whereas Lansinoh just creates a barrier. When you're nipples are cracked etc the nipple butter feels SOOO GOOD!

Nursing tanks for me, and for out in public I use a receiving blanket. I am getting more comfortable with NIP but I have seriously overstocked boobs ie I am usually squirting all over my little guy a few times a feed so a blanket is nice And along with that nursing pads (or a TON of extra shirts) are a must. For me I like the Gerber ones...they have light, medium and heavy flows. They are also bigger than the other ones I tried. Most unnoticeable (that a word?) under bra and shirt.

I also second the swing and bouncy chair...oh and a swaddling blanket. I like swaddling my little guy, then nursing to sleep and am only now able to put him down in the crib to nap. In the beginning it was the swing or nothing! Swing was a lifesaver when I needed to sleep or spend time with my 2 year old.

I have a small fold up stroller for my older girl but it hardly gets used. I use a purse/diaper bag rather than carrying around two. Still trying to find one that works though :s

Good luck!

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by carmel23

* a safe place to put baby down where your older child will know "don't run and jump on that! Baby could be there"-- so a little bouncy seat, or moses basket, is useful.

*diapers, wipes, clothing

*sling/pouch

lots and lots of books to read to your toddler while nursing the newborn

*nursing pads, nursing bras...

Yes to all of these, plus a carseat.

[jess5377]

A BALL!

Like, an exercise ball and something to wear your baby while you bounce up and down on it.

[MsVyky]

-Boobs. And things to take care of them- nursing bras, pads, Lansinoh
-Diapers, we used locally made fitteds with BUmmis covers and WAHM made liners
-Layette- Seasonally appropriate. People bought us short sleeved, NB sized onesies for our late october babe. (lol)
-Car seat (and shower-cap style cover if you live where it's cold)
-Baby carrier. Our DD sleeps INSTANTLY when you pout her in the sling/wrap
-We have a hand-me-down vibrating bouncy chair and it's saved us. I can shower!
-If you have big dogs like us, a play yard is an essential. We've got tow, so tummy time and play mat time happens in the play yard so she doesn't get stepped on while they play in the same room
-A bigger bed if you want to co-sleep. Skip the crib. We have a queen mattress and I really wish it was bigger.
-A breast pump- get a good stock in your freezer for 'just in case" and those times where you just need a break.

[annekh23]

Originally Posted by anj_rn

Boppy - 8 lb 11 oz baby w/ me recovering from a c-section

This is a very common suggestion, but I don't get it, I didn't have one with my first, made one and used it a lot for my 2nd, was given one with my 3rd, which was a c-section and couldn't get it anywhere near me, help positioning the baby was useful, but pillows were fine, as was the my brest friend pillow I used in the LCs office, but the bobby was useless.

[laneysprout]

Breasts
Cloth diapers and covers
Seasonally appropriate clothing
A baby carrier (sling, wrap, mei tai, etc.)
A carseat

Really, that's about it!

[blessedwithboys]

two lactating breasts
a soft bra and an unlimited supply of pads to catch milk
sling
carseat

[millefleur]

[4Blessings]

Originally Posted by annekh23

This is a very common suggestion, but I don't get it, I didn't have one with my first, made one and used it a lot for my 2nd, was given one with my 3rd, which was a c-section and couldn't get it anywhere near me, help positioning the baby was useful, but pillows were fine, as was the my brest friend pillow I used in the LCs office, but the bobby was useless.

Love the boppy for times when I am sitting on the floor playing with my other LO's. Pillows just don't seem to stay put.

[Fujiko]

Based on my experience with DD, it was some clothes (onsies, some outfits, sleepers for chilly weather, a couple hats, some socks, maybe a warm outfit, too), diapers and wipes (we had a combination of disposable and cloth), a bassinet because I can't sleep well with tiny newborns, my Boppy helped out a lot, flannel receiving blankets and baby blankets, nasal aspirator for getting boogers out, breast pads because I leak like crazy, nursing bras helped out a lot, and a bag large enough for a few extra diapers and an extra outfit and small blanket. And a car seat. I also love my moby wrap, and I have a ring sling I'm going to try this time around, too, but I can't vouch for it yet. When dd was ready for solids we got a small feeding chair, the kind that sits on a dining room chair, and some bibs. That's all I would consider essential. (ETA: everything but the carseat we bought second hand or were gifted.)

She also had a swing, a bouncer, and a little bathtub insert, but those things aren't really "essential". She was also not a spitter, so we didn't need bibs until she was eating solids (I just used flannel receiving blankets until she could nurse without making much mess). I also was able to breastfeed exclusively (no bottles), though I did pump a little stash in case of an emergency (the hospital had given me a small manual pump).