I've had multiple requests for a post like this, so here ya go, Mommies!!!
I’m at the stage in life where most women my age are pregnant
or just had a baby, or want a baby, or are planning for baby #1 or 2…we are all
baby cray cray right now! Great
thing for me: my business is CHILDREN!
And not only that, I have hundreds of ladies at my finger tips I can
count on for advice and encouragement thanks to the wonderful world of the
internet and Facey (Facebook)!!!!
Now that my little guy is over 6 months old, my husband and I are able
to sit down and say, “I’d do ‘this’ different,” or “I’d do ‘that’ different,”
and when a friend asks, “what did you do?” I can tell them what we did, and
then what I’d do different! But
here are a few of the most FREQUENTLY discussed topics amongst me, my hubby,
and my besties…..
If you know me, you know I’m an OCD-list-freak. Yep, I said it, I make lists for
EV-ER-Y thing! So of course, when
we knew little Hudson was baking in the oven, the list making began. All the way from items to decorate his
room/bathroom, to registry items, to hospital bag items, and last but not
least, at-home items you need to get BEFORE coming home from the hospital so
your poor hubby isn’t running around town for last minute should-haves. For your pleasure, I have included those
lists in this post…with the “what I WOULD have done” changes, links to registry
items and all the info I think you can’t live without.
First things
first: WHEN YOU FIND OUT!
Plan for decorating your nursery! This is the FUN part!
·
Color scheme/nursery theme
·
Pillow, decorative (Order from LKC with monogramming!!)
·
Boppy cover(s) (also can order from LKC)
·
Crib bedding, bumpers, bed skirt, sheets
·
Rocker/glider/chair - for the nursery, but also for your living room if you can get your hands on two
·
Furniture: crib, dresser, some sort of book
shelf
·
Basket (for blankets, toys, etc)
·
Wall accent items:
o Baby’s
name?
o Art
(1-2 depending on your wall space)?
·
Trash can (one with a LID because - ew.)
·
If you have a large space, consider a reading
nook. Add a large stuffed animal
or two and a collection of books and a nice, cuddly spot. This will be part of your nightly
routine and can later be used for playing. You’ll be happy you have it.
·
Hanging pegs. For tomorrow’s school outfit or a bath towel, or a jacket in
the winter, or the little guy/girl’s back pack!
REGISTRY:
Wow, this list can go on and on and on and on and on and
OOOONNNNN!!!! For-EVER. I’m only going to list our MUST-HAVE
items because the stores give you some pretty decent lists already for the
small things. These are the things we probably could never have lived without.
·
VIDEO MONITOR – Trust me when I say I was the
FIRST person to say, “I don’t need one of these, what a waste of money.” Boy was I wrong. I might go as far as saying it’s
addicting. And I also might say
I’m a semi-expert on the item.
I’ve purchased and returned 3 different monitors at this point, they
definitely have not been perfected, but they are a must-have. We currently have RETURNED the Babies R Us brand
made by ‘Summer’ found here:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11892376 We are getting this Motorola, and I hear it's AHmazing:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12369631 DON'T buy the Babies R Us Summer monitor. Just don't.
o Side
note if you care about the science of the monitors: I learned there are “analog” and “digital” monitors. The analog monitor will pick up the
frequencies of ALL analog monitors.
If your neighbor has an analog monitor, you’ll be monitoring their baby
as well as your own if within range.
The digital monitors are on a different frequency allowing communication
between itself only BUT, the feed will interfere with wireless internet…mostly when
loading a webpage and downloading heavy material like pictures or videos. We have changed the “channel” of our
router which improves the situation, but doesn’t solve the problem. Good news, most people are not using
the internet while sleeping which is when you mostly want to use your
monitor. Plus, it’s easy to flip
on and off if you need a quick check and then to get back to the internet.
o DO
NOT REGISTER FOR ANY OTHER BLANKETS.
You will get PLENTY as gifts!!!!!
·
Waterproof mattress pad – that covers the whole
mattress like a fitted sheet
·
Waterproof mattress pad – that just lays on top
of the mattress pad (this one makes it easier to change just a sheet and ONE
mattress cover after accidents…
·
Don't forget SHEETS!
·
SMALL Waterproof pads to lay under baby on top
of sheet (in case of spit up, keeps you from changing the entire bed multiple
times a night. Figured this out
night ONE). We found a Babies R Us
brand but I can’t find it online.
The Item# is 6739140K10.
These partly saved my sanity.
·
Nap Nanny Chill - Made of miracle foam. Just get one. ESPECIALLY useful if your baby has reflux…just sayin.
·
Boppy Pillow -
o At
least one additional Boppy cover
o Register
for TWO Boppys if you have a two-story house and spend time up and
downstairs. You will thank me for
this.
·
Car Seat Cover - You can buy these quite a few
places like ebay and Etsy... but LKC makes them as well!
·
Exersaucer - My brother has 3 kids, they all
used it, now we have it, and we’ll use it again! You’ll be thankful you have this when baby is somewhat on the
move and you have to leave the room to go to the bathroom. Something like this:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420756. They make a ton of them, just choose
one. I recommend one with BUTTONS
and one that does NOT bounce because you won’t be able to use it for a while if
it does. We started using this
right around 3.5 months but couldn’t use a bouncing one until about 5 months or
so. You’ll appreciate it at 3
months.
·
Teething toys - Rings, and just plain items than
can be put in a mouth. So many
people told me this, but it didn’t register until everything in sight was in
Hudson’s mouth.
·
Bath sponge - Ours looks like a frog. We will probably end up buying another
one when this one wears out just because it makes bath time a little bit safer
in my opinion. AND, we never
needed any other bath/tub accessory, even when he was an infant. You can get away with putting just a
tiny bit of water in the tub without submerging and still protect the cord for
those first couple weeks. The
other things are bulky and a waste of money and space if you ask me.
·
Car Seat toys - Anything to wrap around the
handle. 3-5 different things so
there’s SOMETHING to suck on or make noise with.
· Seat protector...for highchairs and grocery carts. As soon as baby can sit up, you'll be glad you have this.
·
I can’t say this one enough: CLOTH DIAPERS to use as burp cloths -
If you have a spitter, which most do, you want LOTS of these. I went out to purchase more at least 3
times. Had a drawer full and took
at least 20 with us everywhere we went for 3 months. Plus, they are cheap, so if you ever need to clean up a BIG
mess, like poop, you can just throw it away without worry. The thicker the better, 6 ply is the
thickest I found.
·
Rock and Play – Get some sort of “chair” to lay
the baby in. You’ll use it while
you eat dinner, clean house, type on your bloooog……oh wait, that’s me, some
friends even used this as their “bassinet” until putting baby in their crib.....multiple uses and easy to transport!
·
Bibs with SNAPS, so the pesky Velcro won’t ruin
other clothes in the laundry! These are mostly for when baby starts solid food, but useful too if you're bottle feeding a lot.
·
Pack-n-Play – ESPECIALLY if you don’t have a
bassinet or would rather spend your money on one and not the other. Our nursery is about 10 steps from our
bedroom, so we put Hudson in his crib right away, but a friend’s nursery is
upstairs and they used their Pack-n-Play for the first month or two and said it
was a life-saver. Their unit
actually came with a small “cradle” attachment for a newborn that was very
cool. This one at Babies R Us has
the “cradle” and changing table attachment. Awesome, I wish I had this.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4389470
·
MORE TO COME as I continue thinking and using
all my stuff!
BEFORE YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL:
There are a few things I wish I’d have picked up before
heading to the hospital so I wouldn’t have had to send my mom or hubby on so
many errands. Here’s a few things:
·
Underwear at least 2 sizes too big, small
package
·
Underwear at least 1 size too big, small package (you'll gradually want to size them down)
·
Stretchy, cotton underwear that will be comfy
before fitting back into your original undies
·
Small packages of different size maxi pads. Super absorbent, extra long, thin,
thick, panty liners, wings, no wings….just get some small packages and be
prepared to use/try them all when you get home. When you find one you like, THEN send someone out on the hunt for the RIGHT ones.
·
Get that nursing tank and nursing bra. And plan your trip to Petticoat Fair.
·
Depending on the time of year, have a few extra
tank tops or long sleeve comfy shirts to wear for a couple weeks until you're used to your new mommy-bod :)
HOSPITAL BAG:
Now this is a special section. I’ve gathered info from MANY mommies to form this list, and
PLEASE, feel free to add a comment and keep the list going! Side note: you barely need
anything. We packed and packed and
had WAY. TOO. MUCH.
FOR YOU:
·
Insurance papers and hospital papers
needed. Bring your ID and
pediatrician info! Also be sure to
make a note somewhere to call your insurance company to add baby to your plan!
·
Blanket.
Probably fleece because they are small/thin, easy to pack and super
warm. LKC sells these!
·
Nursing tank. Go to Target and try some on. Get ONE for the hospital and then go back after 3-4 weeks
and get another one or try more on.
OR keep your receipt and exchange for the right size if you’ve changed
in size.
·
Nursing bra. This is important.
VERY. IMPORTANT. Go to
Target, buy yourself one, then after 3-4 weeks once you are past engorgement
and know how large your breasts get when they are “full,” go to a specialty
store that does BRA FITTINGS and get PROFESSIONALLY fitted. Trust me on this one. I worked in a bra store, Petticoat Fair
in Austin, TX, for a year, and this is a MUST DO. It can truly make the difference in whether you continue
breastfeeding or not. I won’t lie,
good bras are expensive, but you will wear this EVERY DAY, and if you don’t
want boobs sagging to your belt, do what the fitter tells you and LEARN to wear
a bra correctly, it will change your life.
www.petticoatfair.com. Go there.
·
Large t-shirt/nightgown or 2. These are just comfortable. You won’t care about being cute, and if
you think you will care, bring a fashionable robe because you will wear that as
well and will look cute in pictures.
·
Robe.
I found a short robe that was fairly thin but still warm. Easy to pack.
·
Pajama pants, one size too big. You’ll thank me for this.
·
Slippers that have GRIPPERS/SOLES on the bottom.
·
One more pair of pants that a bit large
(maternity pants) and a shirt to wear home. You can wear your slippers home if they have soles on
them. ONE pair of shoes to pack
sounds good to me!
·
Water bottle, and ask where the water fountain
is so you can refill when you want and don’t have to ask a nurse to do it.
·
At least 2 pillows, I’d bring 3 of different
fluffs. Hubby can sleep with one
too. The others you can use to
help prop for feedings instead of lugging the Boppy to the hospital.
·
Socks
·
Toiletries.
o Toothpaste
o Toothbrush
o Hair
comb/brush
o Hair
ties
o Headband
o Face
wash
o Lotion
o Shampoo
o Soap
o Deodorant
o Make-up,
if you must.
·
Snacks.
Mostly for Hubby, but for you too when that hospital food just ain’t
that great.
·
Change.
Vending machines. Even if
you don’t use it, you’ll have the option.
·
Laptop/iPad. I couldn’t just do my iPhone. On day 2 (or day 3 if you have a C-sect), you will be happy
you have something to play with.
TV just doesn’t cut it.
·
Camera, or iPhone.
o Download
a baby app if you have an iPhone.
I use “Baby Nursing.” Use
the diaper, feeding and sleeping app.
Your nurses/doctor will love you for this.
·
Chargers for electronics.
·
Lip Stuff…most use Burt’s because it’s natural
and won’t interfere with baby details
·
Chocolate
·
Gum
·
A lot of friends have had special hospital gowns
made. If you do this, just be sure
they have some way of opening so you can nurse. And wear this AFTER giving birth. One word: FLUIDS.
FOR BABY:
·
1 extra onesie for baby besides going home
onesie
·
Going home outfit for baby (hat?) I read somewhere that only newborns need a hat for the first week or 2, then it's pointless. Maybe unless it's winter time? We put a hat on little Hudson for a couple weeks and then couldn't keep it on so it because a hassle. Unless we were going outside in the cold, there was no hat.
·
Blanket for baby (going home)
·
Baby WIPES. Most hospitals do NOT supply wipes, but you can use them if
you bring them! They are old
school and just wet thick, hard paper towels….something I wouldn’t use myself,
so why would I use it on my BABY!?
·
Car Seat, installed
FOR PARTNER:
·
Pillow
·
Overnight clothes
·
Snacks
·
Change for vending machines
·
Patience
·
Encouraging/loving words
·
Camera
·
Phone
·
Laptop
· Blanket, again, fleece is so easy to pack and super warm. Order here at LKC.
Items I packed and never considered using:
·
Make-up
·
Cards
·
Movies
·
All other clothes including underwear. Wear the mesh panties from the hospital
and ask for extra to bring home until your swelling goes down. Then opt for the larger ones you bought
before you had baby, then get your booty into your old ones!
·
Daily shoes
·
Game Boy (this might be something only I would
pack haha …..)
·
