Stuff for baby (FTM) - Page 2

[SeattleRain]

If you're short on space but want to get some kind of swing/bouncy seat, I'd recommend this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4039006 It's a combo of bouncy seat and swing. If I could go back, I'd totally get that sicne I now have both a swing (actually a Graco swing just like that) and a bouncy seat... and an exersaucer and a jumper and baby equipment is taking over my life! People just keep giving us this stuff, which is great because I wouldn't have bought any of it, but its good to have. The bouncy seat is a great place to put baby while you're making dinner, taking a shower, or need a break. My baby never just fell asleep in the bouncy seat, but I know lots of people whose babies do. My baby really liked the swing as many babies do. You could also look at something like this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4201503&fromWidget=BRU%3ACategory%3ATop+Sellers

[AislinCarys]

What we had and used for DD in the first 2 months:

2 sleepgowns
2 cotton singlets
3 kimono tops
3 pairs of cotton socks
2 cotton hats
3 knitted wool hats, 3 pairs of knitted wool booties and one knitted wool dress (I made them, but we wouldn't have needed more than 1 hat and 1 pair of booties)
1 knitted cardigan/matinee coat

A few blankets (several cotton blankets, used on top of her in push chair and sleeping - she hated swaddling, and a couple wool, which we used in push chair in winter, so not until later on)

Lots and lots of nappy squares (flat cloth nappies), which we still use for everything (except as nappies, never worked as thin, always upright DD would just leak out of them)
Lots and lots of flanel wash cloths, as we don't use wipes (a thermos or bottle of water in the bedroom worked fine for nappy changes)
4 toweling wash cloths

1 hooded towel

A large stainless steel bowl borrowed from MIL as a baby bath



What I wish we had had:

A Moby or other stretchy wrap (DD hated my beautiful Storch)

A breastfeeding pillow

An armchair suitable for breastfeeding (tall straight-ish back, supportive, seat high off the floor, and supports for arms)



We got a nasal aspirator when we needed one, I think DD was about 5 months old then. And we got a thermometer when we needed one, we chose an ear one, as they are accurate, and not horrid to baby (before that I know we used my oral thermometer once, under arm. It is ok, just shows a slightly lower temp, easy to adjust for). And when she was about 3 months we got a bouncer or bouncinette thingy, but she wasn't very keen on it, so it wasn't used much.

[AislinCarys]

And as someone else mentioned, if you need something else, you can order it and have it delivered the next day. By then you'll know what you need!

[katelove]

Originally Posted by 1blueheron 

Originally Posted by katelove 

5. Nasal aspirator. Never had one, never needed one. This does seem to be a particularly US thing though. You can get them ever here but IME, not many people have them.

Huh - so what do you do when babe has a stuffy nose and can't nurse well?  

Um, not sure really. Saline or BM up the nose I guess.

[craft_media_hero]

1. Velcro tab swaddlers are nice and helped ds sleep better, but he wouldn't tolerate swaddling after about 4wks. We had two and that was enough. You can also swaddle w/ receiving blanket and tuck in itself or tie with a scarf (I know, sounds weird, but I have friends that do it and apparently it's done a lot in other cultures).

2. I thought onesies would be a pain w/ cd, but they are essential! t-shirts and kimonos inevitably creep up onto the chest and leave his little tummy exposed. Go for the snap onesies. We cd, and it's no big deal, no wicking, etc. Ds is one size up in clothes, probably in part due to big cd bottom.

3. One wet bag has been sufficient for us. If you can't find it or it's in the wash, just re-use a plastic grocery bag or ziploc baggy.

4. One hooded towel is enough. We often just use a regular towel for him, and it really doesn't seem to matter.

5. One nose-sucker, but the kind with a plug in the back is super nice for being able to clean the thing.

6. water-proof pads, nice, but not essential. we use towels but have a pad to tuck in the diaper bag.

7. baby brush and comb-wait to see coz your baby may be relatively hairless ;) both my babies have been baldies, and dd didn't have enough to comb til she was one or so

8. diaper covers--be generous with yourself here. We had 6 nb covers and I think 8 would've been better--nbs poo at nearly every change, now ds poos less often (maybe 2x/day some days but sometimes only 1-2x/wk), but I still wish we had more covers. We like Flip with a pre-fold/flat the best---they are bulletproof and never leak! Ever! I would get at least 4 Flip covers (and econobum is similar but just not as easy to put on and not as leak proof, pay the extra $ for Flip!). Honestly, 6 Flip covers would be nice, then no matter what the state of the laundry of if one goes MIA for a while, you still have what you need. We have 2 Flip, one econobum, one cheapie super second hand wrap style, and one g-dipe cover, and we use every single one of them. Just get 4-6 Flip from the beginning, seriously, they will not let you down. We only use the others when the two Flips are in the wash or dipe pail.

9. cloth wipes/baby wash cloths--IMO are indispensable because we use them as cloth wipes. I would go w/ 2 doz. Folded in half, they fit perfectly in a conventional wipey container. If you change at every pee (we do), then that's easily 12+/day. You may need 2 for a poo change, and you want enough so that you're not out when in between dipe washes (we wash every other day or every two days). They are cheap and can be used for baby neck cheese or face wipe, too. 

In hindsight, I would say be generous to yourself on the diapering needs---buy a half dozen more pf's and cloth wipes than you originally think you need and a couple more covers--I think you will be glad you did. The rest of the items are really extra but not necessary. Also, since you said you aim to be minimalist, you might consider flats---I thought we'd give them a try and dh and I both surprisingly prefer the flats to both pfs and pocket dipes; they can be pad folded to work laid in a cover just like a pre-fold, and they will work from newborn up to toddler. An origami-folded flat with a doubler snappied in a cover is a no-leak combo, no matter the super-soaker of poo-tastrophe at hand. 

hth!
 

Originally Posted by catepelose 

Okay, I'll preface this by saying I'm crazy and have read a million lists of what you do/don't need for a baby however I still have some questions. I'll also say that we live in a small apartment and move frequently and like to take the minimalist approach to stuff in general. So here are my questions and thanks in advance!

Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket (flannel) or Aden + Anais Swaddle Wraps (muslin)? Or both? Our baby will be born at the end of February so it'll still be very cold.

Onesies? We will be cloth diapering with prefolds & covers. Would kimono snap t's, infant gowns, and sleepers be more practical? I had read something about onsies putting pressure on the diaper area and causing wicking but I could always make some fleece liners to prevent the moisture from being directly against the babies skin... Also I've read that onesies and cloth diapers don't make the best of friends because of the bulk of cloth diapers but does it make a difference if we're using sized pre-folds (green mtn) and sized covers with Carter's onesies (apparently more stretchy than other brands)?

1 or 2 wet bags for when out & about? I only registered for 1 and we don't really go out too often (we're big homebodies) so i was thinking that it's probably not necessary but don't want to be without if it is.

1 Hooded towel? Is this sufficient? My SO and I only have a towel each (actually I have a terry robe and a towel since I have longish hair). I would assume a baby wouldn't need more than 1 especially since they bathe much less often but my mom seems to think I'm crazy for only registering for one.

Nasal Aspirator: Should I have 2 in case I can't find one when I need it? I was going to go with the nose-frida style. I'm not sure how often I really need it or even if I'd lose it (our apt is pretty clean most of the time since we don't have a lot of stuff).

4-pack waterproof pads: We're not getting a changing table/or mat, I was thinking I could use these for that. I've also read that they're great for putting under you in bed in case of breast milk leaks and I could throw one on the floor for naked butt time as well. Should I go for 2 4-packs or should the one 4-pack be sufficient?

Baby Brush & Comb Set: Is this really necessary or just a little used luxury? I have thin straight hair but my SO has thick curly hair so presumably our babe will have wavy to curly hair if that makes any difference.

8 Pack Washcloths? Seems like overkill already but maybe I'll need more than that... I just don't know!

Diaper covers (I might need to ask this on the cloth diaper board but in case you can help...): I was thinking of going with 6 newborn sized covers (they have an umbilical scoop), and 4 one-sized covers for when the baby gets past the newborn stage. Both of these covers are able to be wiped out between uses so they'll only need to be washed when they get poo on them. Would you say that's about the right amount?

Sorry, I know it might seem like I'm over thinking all of this but I want to both be prepared but not over-prepared and I might have too much time on my hands...


 

[skyewriter]

Less is best, I always get really freaked by the giant pile of plastic that marks toddlerhood where I live.. the baby stuff hits the curb!  But over consumption aside... Your baby will be happiest in your arms (or sling) touching and pulling on you and of course nursing away and listening to your voice, nothing else comes close -you are the ultimate in food and entertainment!

Just a thought, we live in organic wool, ruskovilla is great, because it never overheats your baby, is warm even when wet, and won't grow germs...  We cloth diaper from day one.. its all in what style suits you, but we moved to cloth with wool covers as they were nicest all round, dry and not rashy...