Wish List for New Baby « Back to Group Discussions

[lbkw]

I know we have a mix of first time and experienced moms here. While I've tried to hang onto everything, we just haven't had space and there are some things I borrowed for the other kids that I won't have access to now. I wanted to have a place where I could keep track of the things that pop into my head that I think I want for this baby.

I fully expect that we won't all agree on the items, but it might be interesting to see other perspectives. In that light, I'd like to suggest we keep away from saying that some items are a waste of money or don't get this or that. If you feel strongly that something didn't work for you, it would be great if you could share specifically why. That would be really helpful so that others can think of their own styles to see if that's how they might feel. Also, I have things that didn't work at all for #1 but were must haves for #2.

[lbkw]

I gave away my "snap & go" car seat after #2 because we knew it would be some time before #3 and wanted to get a newer one. Hoping to borrow one for this time!

I am already pining for a "European-style" wooden high chair that converts to a regular chair for the table. This has a 2-fold purpose: I thought my other high chair (while very useful) was too kid-looking and could not wait to rid it from my dining room and 2nd it would really come in handy to have an extra chair when new child is sitting at the table.

A snap & go stroller frame. My husband made me return the one I got for #1 since he thought we had too many strollers. Really wished I had it for #2 but no luck. Now I think I'll be more insistent that we get one from a 2nd hand store or something since it would definitely reduce the amount of trunk space taken up.

I know that baby-wearers probaby have no use for the whole stroller/snap & go thing, but I have never found any baby-wearing comfortable for myself. At the beginning, I always felt way too engorged to wear a newborn and after I got used to not wearing, it was hard to go there. But I guess it would save some $$ :-) On the flip side, we will hopefully have an au pair when I go back to work, so not sure what will work out.

I feel like I keep thinking of things I want but forget them right now...maybe as time goes by, I'll remember.

[DecemberSun]

In the beginning you really only need boobs and some diapers.  :)

I'm going to ask people to donate to my diaper service because, lets face it, I have issues keeping on top of all the laundry we have already, and adding diapers would throw me over the edge.  So diaper service with prefolds and some Prowraps covers is what I'll use at first.  As soon as the baby can sit I'll start putting him/her on the potty chair, lessening the amount of diapers I have to wash, and then I can break out our ancient stash of cute stuff.  Some of it has been through all 3 kids, so I may get to buy some new stuff later on- woohoo.  :)

I have a bunch of slings, so won't be needing any more.  I LOVE babywearing.  Putting the infant seat on the shopping cart can be unsafe, and I can nurse while I'm walking the grocery store and nobody knows, baby is happy, and I can mutlitask.  Everbody wins!.

I save everything (with foster care you never know what age/sex you're going to get so I have clothes and toys for every age and gender from birth to 8 years, hee hee...)  SO we have a carseat, stroller, potty chair, blankets, swing, breast pump, diaper bag, high chair, and bouncy seat with toys.  Will probably need an exersaucer thingy or walker at some point because the one we have is on it's last legs.  Will probably need some more soft-spouted sippy cups because those things don't last that long. 

Things I didn't use in the beginning but used later on- Boppy (didn't really like it for nursing, but used it when the baby was learning to sit up) and the crib (until they were old enough to sleep on their own).

Things I never used- changing table (changed them anywhere really), wipe warmer, and Diaper Genie.  (But that as only because we used cloth).    

So I don't really need anything at this point except the BABY, lol.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by DecemberSun 

In the beginning you really only need boobs and some diapers.  :)

agreed... well not a need but to me since learning the tip a necessity... oil for the meconium poops. olive oil, baby oil, either works. it makes a world of difference for the poop to just fall off the butt rather than to scrub it off.

the only thing we will need really is clothes if it's a boy. 

If it's a girl, we need nothing.

[lbkw]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl 

agreed... well not a need but to me since learning the tip a necessity... oil for the meconium poops. olive oil, baby oil, either works. it makes a world of difference for the poop to just fall off the butt rather than to scrub it off.

Interesting tip...I've never actually changed a meconium poop. My husband always seemed to have that turn....

I totally agree that you don't need much in the beginning. (But I will add: quality nursing bras and nursing pads.) We've never had baby showers or anything. I just keep coming up with things that I want for a new child and I know my best chance of getting them as gifts is when baby is born.

[MaerynPearl]

I've never used nursing bras, I really don't get the point, good bras work just fine?

[lbkw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl 

I've never used nursing bras, I really don't get the point, good bras work just fine?

Very interesting, I have no idea how I would nurse in a non-nursing bra. I have seen other women do it who have very small breasts but they are barely wearing a bra at all. My normal bras are completely full coverage and there is no way I could nurse unless I took them off. When I go back to work and am still nursing at home, I change bras as soon as I get home that's how I can't nurse without one. Interested to hear how you do it.

[MaerynPearl]

I wear DD or DDD cup (depending on the bra) and all I have to do is pull the cup up over my breast, then pull my breast back up into the cup. it's very important to not have your band too tight, if it's fitted correctly (as by a salesperson in a shop) you should have enough leeway to do this without any pain at all.

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Yup.. I agree with the bra post. Next time no nursing nras... I just loft out of my regular bra just fine. The tshirt bras at costco ar Bye heaven sent

[ms.shell]

Yes abt the nursing bras; not only did I not need them, but they are fiddly and a pain to get open and shut and i caught myself going out with it still undone more than once.  I think regular bras are easier, too.  But I do it differently than what she said- I pull the boob up and over the cup (or push the cup down, whatever) and then put it back in when we're done. 

The stroller is the one baby item I had but didn't need....with both of mine I just did not use the stroller at all and definitely could do without one with no trouble.    And I found the Boppy to be unneeded for nursing, too.  But like she said, they are nice for helping baby sit or to prop them a bit on their tummies. 

I can't think of anything yet that we will need, except maybe a bigger vehicle!  OH wait, yes I can....I personally HATE HATE the "baby bucket" kind of car seat/ carriers and would rather start out with a regular convertible car seat that is rated for a newborn, I think.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by ms.shell 

I pull the boob up and over the cup (or push the cup down, whatever) and then put it back in when we're done. 

I do it that way if it's easier, but usually it's easier for me to just go out the bottom since my breasts are so large. If I'm wearing a very low neck shirt and am at home though? Psh just pop it right out the top lol.

[lbkw]

Wow. I think I'll stick with my nursing bras. I only like underwire regular bras, so I'd have to get special ones to do what you are talking about anyway & I haven't found non-underwire non-nursing bras that are very supportive. (when nursing, I'm usually in F or G on a relatively small frame)

I don't love the idea of the bucket seat, but it has always worked for us. I just found out that the person I lent mine to has it ready to give back. I have tried many carriers/wraps and always end up achy. I'm afraid I am just more content with the stroller and have one had one time I can remember from both kids where I had a stroller nightmare.

I swore by the boppy for nursing both of my kids. I didn't prop them much, though. I propped my older one and he learned to use the wrong muscles to sit so I avoided that with my second.

[MaerynPearl]

Mine all have underwires and I can still do it :)

I bought boppys for them, but never used them. Instead I usually just nurse laying down. It's more comfortable for both baby and i. If we're out and about that's obviously not possible but then I wouldn't be dragging the boppy along with either.

I looooove my moby wrap and hubby loves it too, though once baby can sit up on their own I usually just use a sling. Nothing fancy, just a scarf tied over my shoulder... works just fine and saves my arm!

and I'm not looking forward to trying to find a good double jogging stroller or giving up jogging (or only jogging when hubbys home, which basically means giving up jogging)

[Charliemae]

Originally Posted by lbkw 

I gave away my "snap & go" car seat after #2 because we knew it would be some time before #3 and wanted to get a newer one. Hoping to borrow one for this time!

I am already pining for a "European-style" wooden high chair that converts to a regular chair for the table. This has a 2-fold purpose: I thought my other high chair (while very useful) was too kid-looking and could not wait to rid it from my dining room and 2nd it would really come in handy to have an extra chair when new child is sitting at the table.

For whatever reason the wooden chairs my current obsession too.  http://www.stokke.com/en-us/highchair/buy-your-tripp-trapp.aspx  

I'm really looking forward to buying my first cloth diapers and slings as well.  Oh!  and I've been looking into sidecars and bassinets.  For whatever reason I feel oddly strongly about putting my nb in organic undyed clothes so I will be spending some money on nb clothes.  

This is the first grandbaby on DH's side and the first in 15 years for my parents and they all love kids.  So I'm suspecting we will get a lot of things as gifts, including things we probably wont need.  

[lbkw]

I just found this yesterday: www.keekaroo.com for less expensive chairs.

Honestly, diff't strokes for different folks...I have tried to nurse in a regular underwire bra and just end up taking the whole thing off. My bra cups are the size of my face. Lucky for you not to have to buy new bras.

I like the boppy when at home and keep an extra at my mom's house for visits. I was totally dependent on it for my first which was very annoying. I was a little more confident for my second. My kids were both 7lb and stayed on the small side. I'm sure if they were bigger, I would not have used it that long. It helped prop my arms up for nursing. I used football hold for number one more and cross cradle for number 2 even though she was a section baby. Side lying wasn't comfortable for me when they were super small, either. I kind of got the hang of it with dd, after a while. Just got a new super firm mattress so that will help!

I love the bassinet I got for dd. It is cariboo gentle motions and I'm so excited to use it again!

[ivymae]

I'm incredibly lucky that in the last 5 years my group of friend and I have all just been passing around the same baby stuff, and most of the stuff we "need" is really just loaned out to a friend right now. So, I need to get my boppy, bucket seat, bouncy chair, swing and newborn diapers back from a friend, but that can all wait. We have loads of girl clothes, and quite a few gender neutrals as well, but most of it is for a winter baby (two Decembers and a early April) so we'll have to scrounge up some blue onesies (which shouldn't be a problem since one of my best friends has three boys).  i might buy myself something special (a new cosleeper?) but otherwise i can't think of much we will need to buy. 

[DecemberSun]

About nursing bras- I think if I had F or G boobs I'd need really good bras too!  Oh my!  I only get up to a D cup when nursing, C's regularly.  And before I had babies I was a large B cup and could go braless!  Ha, not anymore, NO ONE would want to see that, lol.  I do love my nursing bras from Motherhood Maternity- they were "nighttime" bras, without underwire, very comfy!  I still use them for sleeping in, lol.  But other than that I won't buy special nursing bras.  It doesn't seem to matter as long as there's access to the boob.  And, yeah, I've walked around with the clippies undone and my boobs leaking before, and thats just frickin embarrassing...

This is just a tip to new moms- if the Boppy works for you, go for it.  If you need help nursing, take it!  Unfortunately my boobs started sagging as soon motherhood began, so I have no problems getting the baby's mouth to the breast.  Honestly, I saw people carrying their Boppy's everywhere with them and they needed them for nursing, but that just wasn't for me.  But, by all means, try it out and use it if it works.  :)

Also- diaper bags.  They're annoying to me.  Do you carry a purse and a diaper bag?  I have a "cute" diaper bag that has spots for keys, phone, and cards, but, I don't know...  I feel like I lose a little sense of my independence when I start to carry around only a diaper bag.  And a purse with a diaper bag is too bulky (I'm kinda one of "those" people who has a huge purse with just about anything you'd need in it.  Sometimes I switch to my small purses and then I think "Darn it!  I don't have a such-and-such, it's in my big purse!"  lol)  What I found worked well was using a backpack as a diaper bag and purse.  I guess it didn't feel as "mommish" as a diaper bag alone.  (Does that even make sense?)  Plus, with the baby in the sling and the junk in the backpack, I have my hands free for whatever else I'm doing.  And it balances the weight out, lol.  Plus cloth diapers are so darn bulky you need kind of a big bag to hold it all.  Anyway, that all just came back to me as I was looking at my $70 diaper bag, thinking "Do I even really like that thing?"

So, not sure if this fits into this thread of not, but what kinds of nursing pads did you like?  (I figure this info might help new mamas out as well.)  I had a huge box of disposable pads left over from DS when I had DD, but I'd like to buy some reusable ones this time around.  Only for use in the beginning when feedings are irregular and frequent, and let down is unpredictable.  There are so many choices out there!

[Nicole730]

This is baby number 3 for me.  I have an April boy baby and a March girl baby.  I might "need" a few newborn summer items, although I'm sure baby could just wear onesies.  The only thing I had on my wishlist, my mom made me.  A non-stretchy wrap.

[Patches]

Baby number three for me too.  We need a new swing.  We loved the papasan swing but it's had a lot of use (I loaned it to a couple other people on top of using it for my two) and it's done.  New pack n' play to have somewhere to put baby down here on the main level when I'm busy with the boys.  

Ibkw, thx for starting this and for your disclaimer of being non-judgmental :)  I, too, have trouble baby-wearing.  I can do the Moby wrap for awhile, but for limited periods of time due to the core/back pain I have so severely after my babies come.  Also I have fibromyalgia so anything that stresses my muscles is NOT good.  Hope I can do some babywearing anyhow... with two active boys I don't know how I'll get away with not being somewhat mobile!  Also, you mentioned an au pair... we have one now, and have had a couple before her.  Our current one will be going home next August, some 3 or 4 weeks after baby is born.  I haven't decided how much time I'm going to take off of work yet, so I don't know if we'll get another right away or not.  Anyhow, that's for anotehr thread...

[LindyGirl]

We had planned to be done after four kids, and the ONLY thing I have left is a booster seat. I have nothing else -- not a sling, not a carseat, not a cloth diaper, not a stroller, not a stitch of maternity clothing. This is going to be expensive!