I have had a few inquiries into what kind of baby stuff we already have and what stuff do we need. Here is a list of the few things we have already.
- Pack n’ play (with baby blanket)
- Baby bathtub
- Baby bjorn
- Baby swing
- Toddler car seat
- Nursing pillow
- Co-sleeper baby pad
- 3-4 swaddling blankets
- Organizer for diaper, wipes, etc. for door/side of crib
- A few onesies & sleepers for newborns, 0-3 months, 3-6 months
We created a baby registry at Target for all the things we will actually need when the baby comes. The bedding on the registry is “nice-to-have” but we’ll probably purchase the cheaper one if we don’t have anything a few weeks before the baby is due. Of course, you can buy whatever you want, or nothing at all if you want to!! No one should feel obligated to buy something. We understand the financial difficulties life brings and Hyrum and I have been saving in anticipation of preparing for the financial necessities of a baby. We’ll make it work!
We are planning on purchasing diapers a few weeks before the baby is due via Amazon and their great deals. By waiting until we get closer we’ll have a better sense of how big this baby is (maybe…) and we’ll have a better idea of how many newborn diapers to buy or if we should just load up on size 1 & 2 diapers. I don’t know. Of course, advice is always appreciated!
The few items below are larger items that Hyrum and I are purchasing because they cost more and we don’t want to put that price tag anyone else’s shoulders. But if people want to get together and pool their money to help with one of these larger items that’s WONDERFUL too! We’re moving into a two-bedroom apartment come the end of Sept or beginning of Oct so we’ll have more room for everything.
- Crib
- Jogging stroller-double (I have lots of running plans after the baby comes)
- Car seat (match with stroller)
Can some of you please take a look at the items listed in this post and visit our Target registry as well and see if we are missing any item that you feel is important to have? Or maybe if a “nice-to-have”? I would really appreciate it!! I would really like to spend the last few weeks, reading, exercising and relaxing in preparation for the birth (besides going to work of course). So I’d like to have all I need by mid-August if I can. We’ll see how things go!
So this is a rather lengthy response to the question of, “what do you need.” I guess that’s because beyond the basics, which I’ll get whatever else I need in August, I don’t know what I’ll need necessarily. I’m trying to relax and not worry too much. I’m just getting the basics and a few “luxury” items that we can have for a LONG time.
Thanks for all your help!!
Love,
Bean & Rum
So I saw that you already have some swaddling blankets but I definitely recommend getting a SwaddleMe Adjustable Wrap. Even when I thought I did a good job of swaddling Kacen with a blanket, he would still get out of it. The wraps have velcro so they stay secure. Kacen wouldn’t sleep in his crib until I swaddled him with the wrap. At first he didn’t like it but it really did make him feel more safe and secure and would fall asleep SO much easier.
I was the same as you about not wanting to buy too many newborn diapers (or any for that matter). Kacen was 9 lbs. 5 oz. and he was in newborn diapers until he was 6 weeks old. Even though he was a big baby, he was still pretty skinny! The newborns still actually fit him but he had a couple blowouts so we needed to go up to size 1. He did have trouble gaining weight at first though so if you have a big baby they might not be in the newborns for as long as he was.
I think you would be safe getting at least 4-5 packages of newborn size. You can always return/exchange unopened packages too. As far as brands go, it’s personal preference but I really like Huggies Little Snugglers and Huggies Snug n Dry. I liked the Little Snugglers a little better because they are softer and also have an indicator that changes color when they have peed. The Snug n Dry are also great though, they are really absorbent (even with #2-sorry for the TMI haha).
Just so you know brands of baby clothes run very differently from store-to-store. When Kacen was first born he wore newborn, 0-3 months and one 3 month outfit. It was crazy. He probably could’ve gotten away with more newborn clothes if they had been longer. The lengths vary greatly as well.
I don’t know if you want to try a pacifier or not (I was against them at first but then changed my mind). If you do use one, they have pacifier wipes that are made from baking soda so it’s safe for the baby. They’re just by the binkies at Target and Walmart. I didn’t know these even existed until I saw another mom with them.
As far as the monitor goes, just beware that if you use the battery setting at first and then the battery gets low it will DEFINITELY let you know. I woke up frantically to this horrible beeping noise and didn’t know what was going on! It was rather scary. lol :/
I saw on your registry that you have the Ventaire bottles but they only come with 2 fast flow nipples so you might want to get some slow-flow nipples at first.
You obviously can do whatever you want but I read that bumper pads are deemed unnecessary and even hazardous now. Some babies have died from suffocation when they got their head pressed between the mattress and bumper pad. I don’t think it’s happened to very many but I just would rather be safe than sorry. I registered for a breathable bumper but haven’t got one yet because it’s not really necessary when Kacen can’t move around yet. Here’s a link: http://www.target.com/s?keywords=breathable+bumper&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
I would suggest getting a mattress cover and having more than one crib sheet on hand in case the baby pees the bed. I got these waterproof pads and I put one in the middle of his crib under the sheet so that if he pees, it will get absorbed into the pad and not the mattress cover. Here’s a link: http://www.target.com/s?keywords=Jumbo+waterproof+pads+4-pk&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
I got this thermometer: http://www.target.com/s?keywords=Mobi+thermometer&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
I like it because it’s an ear and forehead one.
When I saw that they had wipe warmers I was like “You’ve got to be kidding me…” but then I used one to wipe something off of myself and they are COLD! No wonder Kacen sometimes cries when I wipe him off with them. I try to warm them up between my hands before I use them when I can. It’s definitely in the “luxury” category but I kind of wish I had one.
I got a bumbo but haven’t used it yet. Everyone I’ve talked to loves them. I also got a grocery-cart cover but that will be used when he’s older as well when he can sit up. I’m not sure how much I’ll use it but I think it will be nice to have.
I also registered for these crib rail covers but haven’t got them yet. http://www.target.com/s?keywords=crib+rail+cover&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
I read the reviews of crib rail covers and a lot of people said that the ones that are plastic and snap on leave stickiness behind so you can’t remove them unless you want that on there forever. They also said that their babies were able to pull them off. So that’s why I thought these would be better since I want the crib to stay looking nice (as much as possible) because it will be used for more than one baby.
Well that’s probably WAY more than you wanted to know…sorry if this post was annoying or if I came off like I know more than you do because that was not my intent. It’s a learning process everyday! I’m so excited for you guys!!