Baby Stuff Friday, or To My Fashion-and-Stuff-Forward Mommy-to-Be SIL

After several showers, before P's birth. Papa was pretty excited.

Dear Rachel, 

I told you a few weeks back that I’d get you a list of stuff that, after three go-rounds, I’d recommend to new moms like you. In true mom fashion, I ripped off a template of this list from WebMD, because as all moms know, why reinvent the diaper when someone else has already gone through thousands of versions for you? So the bones of this thing don’t belong to me; any and all idiotic comments do. Here you go. J (And please, all moms or people-who-know-moms or parents generally, add and/or take away from this list in the comments section. You all are a lot smarter than me.)

The Nursery

• Cradle, bassinet, or crib. I’ve had friends get the crib-to-toddler bed-to-full-size, and there’s plenty of them out there. I’ve had friends use a bassinet and then transition Baby to crib. I’ve had friends co-sleep until the kids are six. I do not recommend this. We’ve done the crib route, and it’s been great. I don’t like sharing my sheets, and Baby learns to sleep alone (which, if you ever want to sleep again, is pretty helpful).
• Crib mattress: Dad E’s company does business with Serta, if I’m not mistaken, so if you want to boost their stock price however slightly…
• Musical mobile for crib: Cute decoration + distraction for a whiny kid = score. Just watch out when your older kids want to climb in with the newborn to play with the mobile.
• Dresser: “You will need a few drawers to store baby's clothes and toys.” That was a WebMD comment on this one. Check that: you’ll need multiple tractor trailers to store all the c-r-a-p your kid will accumulate. But don’t worry; a multi-drawered dresser will work for starters.
• Changing area: We originally thought, “Why get a baby furniture set? The kid eventually grows out of it, and then you have furniture you can’t use.” Well, that’s what garage sales are for, and, particularly when it comes to changing, you want to have furniture that you actually won’t ever want to touch again once Baby’s through the diapering stage.
• Rocking chair or glider: Or rocker-recliner; whatever you’d prefer to sleep on during those midnight/afternoon/early morning/whenev feedings. A little table for water, snacks, awesome reading material, etc. next to the chair is a must, too.
• Night light/Small Lamp with Dark Shade: We inadvertently lucked out with the latter. We like to see (somewhat) during nighttime changes, and the nightlights we tried didn’t cut it. Our babies have always slept in the dark, too, so a lamp’s been fine because it’s basically just been for us.
• Tape or CD player: See “Essential Non-essentials” for more on this.

Crib Linens (Since your mom is making super-adorable ones of these, you don’t need advice, other than this: get more than one waterproof mattress pad. At least two. Three or four are even better—plus they fit toddler beds, too, if you know what I’m sayin’. I left the WebMD list here just for kicks. And otherwise this section would look naked without bullet points.)

• 1 quilted mattress pad
• At least 2 fitted crib sheets
• 2-4 waterproof mattress pads or waterproof sheets
• 2 light blankets

Diaper Time: What You Need for the Changing Table

• Diapers (plan on using 70-90 per week for the first six weeks, then 50 per week): Put this way, diaper use makes us think of dollar signs. Lots of them. We use generic diapers, usually always the Parent’s Choice Walmart brand. They figure out to 12 or 13 cents apiece versus up to a quarter. I know friends who’ve used cloth, and there’s lots of choices there—bumGenius, FuzziBunz (my personal favorite name), Bummis, Bumkins… you get the idea. Many of these are super cute and look easy to use, too, so if you want to shell out a few hundred bucks to get started on a set, it might be worth your while.
• Disposable diaper wipes (alcohol-free): We get ours at Sam’s Club.
• Diaper rash ointment or cream: We finally wised up and got the one pound Desitin container with the big blue lid. It’s a thousand times cheaper per ounce and it lasts a.long.time. I’d skip almost any other brand; there’s a few others out there that work like magic, so recommendations are good here…)
• Petroleum jelly: Especially if you have a boy. I’ll let someone else explain why.
• Pad for baby to lie on during changing. Um, duh. And I’d add four changing pad covers and a package of prefold fabric diapers go a long way to keeping your changing table semi-non-toxic (we lay a folded diaper on top of the changing pad covers as a quick take-away when changes are messy; that way we don’t have to change the actual pad cover every day).
• Diaper pail: Unlike us who went El-Cheapo and now have a lid that doesn’t close properly, get one like the Baby Trend Diaper Pail Deluxe which will minimize odors (especially once you’re out of the breastfeeding stage. I won’t go into details because they really aren’t necessary).  

Layette: Baby's First Clothes

• 6 undershirts that snap on the bottom or tie on the side, commonly called "onesies" (3 in three-month size and 3 in six-month size): I didn’t use just the shirt ones that snapped, and I’ve never actually seen ones that tie on the side. Go for 3 short-sleeved white AND 3 long-sleeved white for each size. These are great for layering; plus, they’ll tide you over until you find out Baby’s sex. Plus plus, you’ll get a lot more colorful clothes then, too, and you only need so much white.
• 3 to 4 infant gowns “with elastic bottoms or draw strings. These make for easy diaper changes. All you have to do is pull the gown up over the belly to change the diaper and then pull it back down when finished. There is no stumbling around trying to snap the gown back together, which is especially nice when it's 3 a.m. and all you want to do is get baby back to sleep so that you can get back to sleep.”: These also are something I’ve never seen. But they sound great. At least the “so you can get back to sleep” part.  
• 6 sleepers/stretch suits (3 newborn to three-month size and 3 in six-month size).: I love zip-up sleepers. I got a package of five neutral colored ones in the 0-3 months size and have used them to pieces, even with sex-specific other sleepers. Getting a few for 3-6 months are good, too, especially since your child will be tall no matter what and will outgrow the small sizes quickly. Is that jumping to conclusions? Probably. I’d still tend to get more in the bigger sizes than in the 0-3 month size.
• 3 to 4 pairs of booties or socks: I don’t think moms can ever have too many socks for babies. I think we literally have like thirty pairs of newborn/infant socks in white. And still that’s the one thing I feel like I end up getting (especially as the kids get older). Even little C’s going to need some more socks soon, all not-quite-three-months of her, because her feet are too big for the newborn/infant socks we have. I don’t like most booties because the ankles tend to be wide enough to fit mine and so they come off easily.
• 3 to 4 receiving blankets: Most of the ones I have worked for summer babies; they’re light. But none of them were all that big. The ones that were a nice wrappable-Baby size were the ones we filched from the hospital. So don’t go nuts on these.  
• 1 blanket: Ha. Hahahahahaha. Between Grandmas and quilting/crocheting/knitting relatives and church ladies, you’ll have waaaaaaaaaaaay more than one blanket. And that’s good, because you’ll use different ones for different reasons (Baby in bed, Baby laying on the floor, Baby in swing, Baby in carseat, Baby in Daddy’s arms as they both sleep in front of the television…) and different seasons. I wouldn’t buy any because you’ll end up with more than you can use as it is.
• 1 sweater and hat: Two-three light hats for Baby’s early days are nice. Otherwise, hats gotten for seasonal use are great. One or two sweaters/sweatshirts with buttons or zips are plenty at first, especially for summertime.
• Clothes generally for Baby: It’s nice to have two or three “nice” (re: matching, meant for church and/or walks at Easton. You know, so you can strut your Cutie) outfits per size range (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, etc.). Generally, let other people buy these for you. Because they will. And then you can spend your money on other stuff. And try to go big whenever possible with clothes; kids seriously do outgrow stuff insanely fast in the first year, and you really would rather save your cash to get them cute stuff when they’re old enough to appreciate it (and wear it a lot more). Also, Once Upon a Child and other resale places are awesome. I’ve found brand-new and barely worn clothes for our kids there that were super cheap. I don’t buy new clothes for our kids anymore unless we get specific directions to do so with gift money or cards. Or they’re involved in or going to a wedding. Hand-me-downs are even awesomer, so basically brace yourself if you end up having a boy. J

Bathing Baby: What You Need

• Baby bathtub (sloping with foam pad or flat with molded sponge insert): We have a sloping tub and a fat sponge we use in it when our babies were small. You’ll only use the tub for a few months; once our kids hit about seven months and were sitting up well by themselves, we moved ‘em to the kitchen sink and then the tub. So you can go cheap on this.
• 4 terry cloth bath towels (hooded towels are OK, but not necessary): I beg to differ. Hooded towels are necessary. And the bigger, the better; the homemade ones made out of matching hand towels and big towels that we have are p-r-i-c-e-l-e-s-s.
• 4 to 6 washcloths: These are like socks. The more, the better, especially as Baby gets older (and hopefully, Brothers and/or Sisters join the family).
• Tearless shampoo: We got a bunch of this with soap and lotion in gift sets with P. So much bunches that I didn’t actually have to buy any until he was about three years old. So don’t get any yourself.  
• Baby soap. Many brands make baby shampoo and soap all in one.: This is nice; I just go for the cheapest kind.
• Baby lotion: But make sure your baby doesn’t break out from these.
• Baby oil: A must for combatting cradle-cap; this is where the fine-toothed comb comes in, too.
• Brush and comb: Combs with very fine teeth work best. The best ones we have also came from the hospital, and I would probably stoop to stealing more if I ever saw more than one at a time. I think hospitals hoard them. Fifteen bucks for an Ibuprofin? No. These combs probably cost at least $37.50. Each.  
• Rounded-tip nail scissors or clippers.: The little ity-bity ones for babies are best.
• Bulb syringe nasal aspirator. “These are used to suction excess mucus from baby's nose and mouth (the one you receive in the hospital is a keeper!).”: Gross yes and economical yes. If you get a baby medical set, the last three bullet point items are often all included. I always need more than one nasal aspirator (they break, I can’t find one when I need it, etc.), though, and having a few extra clippers are good, too, so those are worth getting a few more of.

Baby's Laundry

Dreft, the made-for-babies laundry detergent, smells awesome. I’d buy it if it was less expensive and if it wasn’t too weird to have adult clothes smelling like new Baby. It’s nice to get for first kid, though, for your first set of clothes and linens and such to smell amazingly sweet. Helps with the nesting instinct—I would bet money on it. And Shout Stain Remover Ultra Gel is a must for diaper explosions and other incidents that leave messies on clothes. It even works if the yucky has been left for three days in a huge pile of laundry before being put on and then washed. Not that I’m speaking from experience.

Feeding Baby (Other than breastfeeding, of course. And even if you do…)

• Boppy and/or breastfeeding pillow and two covers. Not only are these adorable, but they’re awesome. I’ve used mine for hours every single day with each kid, and not just during feedings; they’re good prop-me-ups for tummy time, too. This is a must, must, must.
• Breast pump for breastfeeding moms: I got a secondhand pump before P was born. (I know, I know—they all scream about voiding warranties and insinuate other grossness when talking about breast pumps. But the owner got it new and used it only a handful of times; she even had the original box. It’s worked fine, and none of us has come down with any diseases. Fifty bucks sure beat $250, too.) I have a Medela breast pump and I’d recommend the brand; you’ll know better than me with reviews and such if that’s still the case.
• 12 nipples, covers, and bottles: You can get these in sets that go along with whatever brand of pump you get. Make sure to get nipples for different ages; as Baby grows, the flow increases and so different nipples are used.
• 1 bottle and nipple brush for cleaning
• Dishwasher basket for bottles and nipples: Definitely a must if you pump regularly. You do not want to be cleaning all those little doo-dads by hand.
• Infant formula and measuring cup: I kept all the free samples I got just to have backup and to use when I started weaning (I haven’t made it to the one year mark… yet). Docs usually recommend certain kinds and usually you stick to one kind so Baby doesn’t get fussy, but this is a subject outside of my expertise, so don’t listen to me.
• 12 burp cloths: A few cute ones are nice, but usually I use the prefold cloth diapers for this. Then, when Baby grows up, you can use them for dust rags. Or so I’ve been told.
• 6 bibs: I have only bought the plastic big bibs for toddlers for our kids because we got so many bibs from others. So probably don’t buy any of these, either. Unless you just can’t live without the “Mmmmmm. Boobies” one. J

The Diaper Bag

WebMD is worth quoting here: “When buying a diaper bag, pick one that has lots of pockets and places to store individual items. Also, keep in mind that your diaper bag often becomes your purse, so find one large enough to keep your wallet, keys, glasses, cell phone, and other items you need for yourself.” Clarification:  you will not actually use a stand-alone purse for about a decade after having children. So get a cute and multi-pocketed (re: Vera Bradley J) diaper bag.

This is a nice little list of stuff to keep in diaper bags. I say bags, because I think having two is better than having one. Just in case, you know.

• 5 to 6 diapers
• Disposable wipes
• Diaper rash cream or ointment
• Pad to lie your baby on top of when changing the diaper
• Plastic bags to wrap dirty diapers in until you can find a trash can to throw them out
• Change of clothes for baby: Infant onesies, a pair of socks, hat, baby outfit (Just be sure to keep the clothes updated for Baby’s size and according to season. Not much worse than being peed on in church during the autumn, opening up the diaper bag, and realizing all you have to clothe your little Saint with is a summertime romper with “Life’s a Beach” on it.)
• Blanket
• 2 clean bottles and powdered formula (if bottle feeding)
• Burp cloth (or two..)
• Pacifier (if using) and cover. Even if you aren’t using one, put one in the diaper bag. You’ll thank me when you go to see Garrison Keillor and Baby decides to wail in the middle of a Lutheran monologue and multiple retired persons around you start squirming. Just don’t drop it, especially not way, way under the seat where you can’t reach it. But I digress.)
• Baby toy or rattle: Not really necessary for the first few months. Don’t overpack; your biceps will thank you.
• Sunscreen for babies older than 6 months: I’ve never put this in a diaper bag. I’ve never even thought to put this in a diaper bag.
• Baby Tylenol: Ditto. If you need this, that’s what Walgreens is for.

The Baby Medicine Cabinet

• Thermometer: We have a digital thermometer that reads temps off of the forehead, and it’s totally worth the $30 or so to get one.
• Calibrated medicine dropper: This will come in that medical kit I  
• Pain reliever/fever reducer medicine: Infant Tylenol works for this.
• Teething rings to soothe teething gums: Wet washcloths work for this, too.
• Small gauze squares to clean wounds.
• Hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds: This just sounds evil to me. That’s the stuff that burns even when you’re an adult. But hey, this is WebMD, so they must know.
• Wound cream such as Bacitracin Antibiotic or Johnson & Johnson First Aid Cream.
• Small bandages.
• Cool mist vaporizer. Good for when baby has a cold.: We’ve used a warm-mist, too. These are a must, especially in the winter.
• Infant sunscreen for babies over age 6 months
• Pedialyte or Ricelyte to be used as directed by your child's pediatrician for fluid replacement during diarrhea or vomiting.: Hopefully you won’t have to worry about this, well, ever. But at least until Baby’s over a year.

Essential Non-Essentials (plus other random stuff I thought of)

• Newborn-size pacifier: “Some lactation consultants recommend not using a pacifier if you are breastfeeding to prevent nipple confusion in your baby.”: Yeeeaaaah. Get two. Just in case you need to save your sanity (and other body parts that need a break once in awhile).
• Noise machine and/or music maker (Ipod, CD player, etc.): We found that P really only like to sleep when he had white  noise around him. While you can go old school on this (dryers, exhaust fans, even running water can make white noise, and we know multiple parents who have put their babies by all of these things to please, dear Jesus, make them sleep), having a formal back-up isn’t a bad idea.
• Cart covers: I’ve never had one and don’t think I’d ever use one if I did. I think this is one of several rip-off items that companies make because most people who get one use it twice and then forget about it. But maybe there’s more moms out there that are germ-sensitive than I think.
• Wipe warmer. I got one as a gift for P and used it a lot, until these weird bugs crawled in there from our basement. It sounds like a super gross B movie, but those things were crazy good at finding spots with water, which, of course, the warmer was. Back in those days, I’d keep the house spotless (or almost) and then hit the ceiling as I freaked out finding those bugs in the warmer. So that, along with not wanting to replace the sponge after the first few times, convinced me they are more trouble than they’re worth. Plus our kids lived even when the wipes weren’t warm. So not something I’d recommend actually buying yourself.
• Baby monitor: Nice, especially if you want to go lay out in the backyard with your dog by your side while Baby naps. You know, just in case you have a backyard and a dog. J
• Baby book…or a blog: Obvious what this is for (other than collecting dust for Kid #2 and #3’s stuff—the book, not the blog, though that happens with some people, too. But you won’t be like that.)
• Infant seat: We have a very basic one that’s been great. You can get one with 1000 bells and whistle, but ultimately, it’s just a seat. If it’s got straps and is easily washable and take-apart-able, then it works.
• Bumbo (mid-infant-age seat): We got one of these with S and used it a lot once he could sit up by himself. I’ve also seen people take these along on outings; they’re portable and cute.
• Swing: Ditto above. Also be prepared to buy lots of batteries with these baby seat type things.
• High chair: Ours is plastic, so it’s relatively easy to clean, comfortable (not hard or cold), and reclinable, too. You can match these to your traveling system sometimes if you’re really into a certain pattern, which is nice.
• Baby sling or pouch: I’ve used the Baby Bjorn a LOT. (Hey, I got that from you! Good call! J) The wrap sling, not so much, but I just got it with C and I’ve found I either carry her or put her in a seat or on a quilt more than wear her around. I’d recommend waiting to get a more involved wrap until you get a sense of how you’ll care for your little bundle of joy.

This is a long list, and I hope it helps (and doesn’t completely overwhelm) you! Remember: it’s not the stuff that makes the baby or the parents… but it sure helps make you feel like you kind of know what you’re doing going into this Parenting thing. Plus, it’s FUN! J

Love,

Your SIL