2nd time mom but feeling like a first timer, lol

[jessjgh1]

Ok, I'm actually realizing that I'm going to have a newborn again and am starting to think, what do I need to know/have??

I know we are pretty well set, but its July and hot and my son was born in March. We need a 'going home outfit' (one other advantage of homebirth is you don't need stuff like that.)
The only thing I can find is long sleeve sleepers, which seem a bit hot... well let me back track... I could find NOTHING that was gender neutral at Target, except a yellow pooh sleeper. What's up with that?? Don't people need newborn gifts and don't know the gender??:

I have not bought anything for the new baby except 2 new diapers and a cover ,so I figured I was entitled to try to find a little fun outfit, and that was the best I could find.

I guess everything else we should really have leftover from Josh. So I shouldn't really worry about it. And I still have not even thought much about EC stuff, but I'll just keep that simple for the beginning anyways.

I feel like I've forgotten everything, yet it is not very appealing to go and read through anything. Isn't there a good refresher somewhere??

LOL!

Jessica

[bbrandonsmom]

I have to agree w/ you on Target. I was actually looking for a simple plain pink or purple sleeper in case it's a girl and they were all covered in flowers, princess things and what not. I'm not making a big deal out of a "home outfit" because it's just going to be us coming from the birth center and no one will be at our house when we get here.
What I packed for the baby is this-1 boy sleeper & 1 plain pink sleeper -I don't even know if we'll use these. 2 long sleeve side snap shirts, 1 pair of white pants, 1 each of blue/pink hat w/ matching socks, 5 cloth diapers, 1 cover. 1 gen neutral gown & 1 small blanket. I figure for whatever sex the baby is, we'll put on the blue/pink hat for pics and I don't really like one pieces anyhow, so will more than likely just use the tee/pants for the trip home. Now it is hot here-Fl-but we'll be going right into an air conditioned truck & house hence the long sleeve tees. Any family around will be visiting after we get home and get some sleep etc, prob after a day or so.
Do you have any consignment shops around? I realize you might want something "new" for the baby to come home in, but if you don't know the gender why spend a ton of money on something that is mainly pooh? which is what I found too for gen neutral in reg stores.

[jee'smom]

I would buy a cute boy outfit AND a cute girl outfit. As soon as baby is born, have dh (or mom/MIL) wash appropriate gender outfit, and return other one. and don't worry about things that you feel you don't remember, it'll all come back to you! When we brought my first home, I was a wreck (emotionally/hormonally). When we brought 2nd home, I told dh that I felt like we went for chinese takeout instead of a baby! seriously. We brought him home, parked him in the kitchen, and I made lunch for everyone.

[jessjgh1]

Hmm, don't have time for a washing, as we are planning on checking out after the pedi comes... at least at the moment... and all our family has to travel....

Anyways, I'll figure out something about the clothes. I'll have to see about tshirts/pants, etc.

Jessica

[jessjgh1]

Let's see if I can think of the other questions that have popped into mind (and don't stay in my mind very long, obviously).

Anyone have recommendations on homemade wipe solution for diaper changes-- especially a foamer?
Can I just use castille soap and water??? Or if I do, does that have to be rinsed off?



And what about baby 'soap' and 'shampoo'- or just the all purpose 'wash'?
We have had one huge bottle of the J&J baby wash that we have gone through... my son is 3 so we obviously don't use it that much... but I have wanted to find an alternative/make my own.

And, no suggestions with lavendar... I'm allergic to it-- or at least seem to be, certainly can't stomach the smell.

Thanks!!!

Jessica

[bdavis337]

Jessica, I don't use anything on my babies in the bathtub. Just warmish water, and if things get gicky, a little bit of lotion helps take care of that. So you could totally skip the J/J, or even skip making your own. I JUST this summer started soaping my 6 year old up on a fairly regular basis (and only b/c he's covered in sticky, dirty, grimyness that is otherwise unmanageable) and my 2 yo still only gets soap every other week!

[Lissybug]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

Let's see if I can think of the other questions that have popped into mind (and don't stay in my mind very long, obviously).

Anyone have recommendations on homemade wipe solution for diaper changes-- especially a foamer?
Can I just use castille soap and water??? Or if I do, does that have to be rinsed off?

I just use a few drops of castille soap in water for my wipes solution. And I don't rinse it off and have not had any problems with it. I find it very easy and much less expensive than other alternatives.

[Panthira]

Originally Posted by Lissybug

I just use a few drops of castille soap in water for my wipes solution. And I don't rinse it off and have not had any problems with it. I find it very easy and much less expensive than other alternatives.

Same.

[bbrandonsmom]

I got my wipes solution from diaperjungle.com. They have a few you can pick from. I ended up mixing water, tea tree oil, calendula oil and a bit of baby soap and put it all in a squirt bottle. It doesn't foam though. The latest mothering issue just had a websight you can go to and evaluate all the safest lotions, bath stuff etc for baby as well as everyone else, if the ingredients bother you.

[jessjgh1]

Originally Posted by bdavis337

Jessica, I don't use anything on my babies in the bathtub. Just warmish water, and if things get gicky, a little bit of lotion helps take care of that. So you could totally skip the J/J, or even skip making your own. I JUST this summer started soaping my 6 year old up on a fairly regular basis (and only b/c he's covered in sticky, dirty, grimyness that is otherwise unmanageable) and my 2 yo still only gets soap every other week!

I don't soap up either... I just used the wash for the hair. And when it rinses it gets everything else clean.....

Probably why 1 bottle lasted 3 years (and till recently usually only 1-2 bath a week)

Jessica

[jessjgh1]

thanks for the info.... I picked up some stuff today and have some options to make different things... a spray, wipes (the 'bounty' recipe that has been around, and a foamer).

I just like the foamer becaue it isn't as 'cold' as sprays or water... so I'll be interested to try it out.

Jessica

[manitobamama]

I agree with Keri things come back to you real fast, I felt like such a brand new mom this time around since it has been almost 14 years since my last babe was born: but things quickly came natural for me. Dh and I were laughing at ourselves because the first day we were fumbling around like newbies!

I don't think people get gender neutral anymore.... you know all those routine ultrasounds they do nowadays!