hey bef here's the list, i added my comments (as if you couldn't tell). have a look. xo ames ----- Original Message ----- > >X-Sender: trlewis@mira-sjcm-1.cisco.com > >Here's that definitive baby supply list I mentioned when we met.... > >tell Amy to add stuff to it if she likes and send it back! We'll keep > >it going.... :) > >Trace > >>------------- Begin Forwarded Message ------------- > >>Hi, ladies! Here's the definitive "baby must" list. > >>It was invaluable for me - I got most everything on > >>this list and didn't need anything else. > >>Trace > >>------------- Begin Forwarded Message ------------- > >>receiving Blankets carter's makes a nice waffle weave blanket. never realized how important stretchiness is when swaddling. i now understand that tight swaddling is the reason ellen slept through the night by 6 weeks. > >>burp cloths (great burpies at Target) some stores sell cotton diapers, that's what i use. i keep 2 dozen around. astonishing how fast you use them but they are truly all-purpose. spit-up protection, extra layer on changing table, handy cover to lay baby down on anywhere, instant peek-a-boo, funny hat for mommy. > >>socks > >>layettes (gowns with drawstring at bottom) my minimum layette recommendation: 4-6 tshirt/onesies 4 outfits (i recommend separate tops and bottoms for mix/match changing, also it's easier to slip pants on and off than to mess with buttoning up the legs again) a hat (get the baby used to them NOW) socks (see above) 2-4 pajamas (cos spit up in the night is not unusual) 1-2 blanket sleepers this is all kind of silly since people are going to send you so many clothes you'll wonder why you bought any in the first place. note: the drawstring gown can be good (easy diaper changes at night) but it can also be frustrating if baby urps in big way in middle of night. ellen was prone to yaking until i figured out she didn't tolerate cranberry juice in breastmilk and i grew to really hate changing the drawstring outfits in the middle of the night. zippers are my friend. > >>small sleeper/outfit with legs for ride home from hospital legs being particularly important for carseat usage. astonishing how many outfits neglect this. > >>laundry zipper net thing (for socks - they are SO tiny) this is a particularly good idea. the rubber searl around our front-load washer likes to eat loose baby socks. > >>towels > >>wash cloths i thought i could get away with regular towels in the bath but i find i really do need the infant towel set for washing ellen. i put regular washcloths on her tummy to keep her warm. at least, i did until she started grabbing them and sucking the water out of them. > >>diapers (I like Huggies Supreme) people seem to like the fit different between boys and girls. the running poll seems to be huggies for girls, pampers for boys. > >>diaper pail (Diaper Genie hides smell) better idea: get sm/med size trash bin with tight-fit lid, attach carbon filter for smell. empty daily. works **much** better. informal poll: 65% say diaper genie is a waste. > >>wipes (I like Huggies natural - light green/white container) i like non-scented. target also makes good wipes. > >>desitin or A&D ointment, same thing. the creamy desitin is nice, doesn't smell very medincine-y. > >>daily care (not as medicated as desitin - but doesn't work as well) i have no idea what this is. > >>rubbing alcohol (cord-care) > >>cotton balls/q-tips i found qtips best for cord care. having girls, cotton balls for circumcision care never was a factor. > >>crib crib pricing tip: i found a lot of cribs in the 200-350 range all turned out to be about the same. i recommend getting an underneath drawer model (nice for keeping baby linens close at hand); conversion to day bed. look at: Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields excellent discussion on selecting/purchasing baby gear. > >>dresser we splurged on one of the changing table/dresser combos. it's held up very nicely for both girls and should remain useful even after changing table duty is over. you could do fine with a regular dresser - just make sure it's a good height to change the baby at. definitely skip the traditional changing table; i find them flimsy and short-lived. > >>rocking chair problem i had with the rocker-glider is that the baby grows too long for both of you to sit comfortably and nurse by about 3months. better idea: plush armchair of the lane or la-z-boy variety. wide, low arms, good for back, you can get one that rocks and/or reclines if you want. not much more expensive and more than makes up in long term usefulness. a nice rocker-glider can set you back approx $250, whereas a decent armchair may start around $250 but will remain useful after the kids refuse to sit in your lap. NURSING STOOL. $25 seems ridiculous for three pieces of wood bolted together but i don't regret buying mine. it's tilted at the right height/angle for nursing. definitely worth it. > >>sheets > >>bumper pads you only need one bumper pad. > >>heart-beat bear (can be helpful - but not necessary) *BNNNZT* big loser. why not just get one of those womb monitors while you're throwing away your money. no, wait. give me the money, i can find plenty of ways to throw it around. :-) > >>basinette (not necessary - but can keep baby close for first couple of > >> months of life) - Note from Tracey: we used ours for the first > >> three months of my daughter's life and it made it MUCH easier to breastfeed in the middle of the > >night.... try: pack 'n play portable crib with bassinette insert. same function as regular bassinette and when you're done with the insert, you can still use it as portable play pen. also very useful as portable crib for baby if you take them overnight. grace was able to sleep in ours up to about 18 mos. important: get baby used to being in the play pen or they'll never stand for it. an actual bassinette is a waste of money. we got one for ellen and we ended up only using it when we let her nap downstairs occasionally. by 3 months she was too active to stay in it. recommendation: get the baby into their own room as fast as you can. otherwise you'll never ever sleep peacefully. i woke up bolt upright whenever grace twitched for five months. ellen was in her own room by 3 weeks. i still twitched thanks to baby monitor (which got the heave by 6 weeks). as you can tell, i am not a big fan of the Family Bed theory. re: baby linens - a lot of the "linen sets" cost insane amounts of money - $300-500 - and often come with useless items like a pillow and a quilt. both are a hazard to the baby, unless you just want something to hang on the wall or maybe put on a couch for decoration. buy stuff separately. > >>stroller long discussion on these. i badly need to update the page but you can get a rough view at: http://www.seester.com/baby/reports.html diaper bags, strollers, backpack carriers. > >>diaper bag try a backpack or courier bag and fill with essentials. i use a backpack. it's much better on the back, and it's not covered with sheep or rabbits so brian doesn't feel silly carrying it around. a lot of people like the land's end bag but i have no personal experience with it. > >>prop-a-bye baby (sleep wedge) useful, about $10. rolled towels do the same thing. > >>baby car seat avoid the Cosco brand like the plague. i think i've seen more recalls for their products than any three major manufacturers combined. source for product recalls: www.cpsc.gov is consumer product safety commission. > >>head support thingy (fits inside car seat, stroller AND bouncy seat) most infant car seats come with this. if you buy one seperately, get one with velcro attachments or else you'll forever be unthreading it from the carseat to move it to the stroller or anywhere else. > >>pacifiers (nuk) > >>nipples (nuk) on the bottle/nipple front: i find the Avent bottles work well, especially the variable flow nipples. they really do seem to approximate the breast best. > >>nap? white plastic thing for in the dishwasher (rings, nipples) she means a dishwasher basket to contain little items. i think you said rachel already gave you one, though. > >>plastic tongs (Target) for taking nipples out of boiling water i find sterilizing the nipples every time is excessive. i achieve the same result by sticking the nipple in the bottle, filled with water, and nuking for 1 minute. true story: friend took her baby to 9 month check up and timidly asked the pediatrician if she could stop sterilizing drew's bottles yet. her pediatrician gave her a look of combined sympathy and motherly pity and said, "oh, melissa. are you *still* doing that?" > >>bottles (8 or 9oz) definitely don't get the 4 oz, just get the bigger ones and fill less until the baby eats more. > >>formula > >>nasal aspirator > >>ear thermometer jury still out on the ear thermometer. we use traditional. i imagine you are well qualified in the area of taking baby temps, tho. as much as i detest formula, i had to keep some around for the week i was so bloody stressed out i almost lost my supply. i was able to pump most of ellen's needs but i had to supplement about an ounce or two per bottle until i could get it back up again. it was also enough to convince me to avoid formula like the plague - forumla-fed poops are like black death compared to breast fed. > >>rectal thermometer > >>Infant Tylenol also: Syrup of Ipecac, Simethecone (baby gas drops). > >>bandaids > >>cool air humidifier > >>night light i would also put a stereo with a clock in the baby's room - nice to have something to listen to on low volume for all the hours you spend nursing. night light: try one that you push to turn on and off. low wattage, cute in nursery. > >>baby bath i had a big baby tub and a little sling on a frame for the baby to lie on. when she was too active, we tried the 2-in-1 bath tub bath seat combo. the housekeepers broke it trying to lift it out of the tub (suction cups on bottom). as soon as she could sit up, ellen has taken baths in the big tub. with grace, no less. > >>foam bath insert > >>bath thermometer bath thermometer? how lazy can you get? just do the elbow test. > >>baby shampoo the johnson's lavender bath is also head-to-toe baby wash. > >>bouncy seat > >>johnny jump up (3 months and up) i don't like the johnny jumpups. they just don't look safe. bouncy seat was a lifesaver, tho. > >>exersaucer - (3 months and up) i know you hate 'em but ellen loves hers and if i didn't have it, i'd never get anything done. of course, YMMV - grace hated it on sight. but she was probably too old for it when i introduced her to it first. > >>baby swing highly useful. i recommend ones with no bar across the top, it impedes putting the baby into the seat. (i mean the top of the swing, not the tray that goes across the seat.) > >>baby monitor i find you're better off without one. if the baby needs you badly enough, you'll hear. otherwise, you really need your sleep. > >>LATER ON > >>-------- > >>padders (soft sole shoes) also excellent: polartec booties. try www.campmor.com (about $9/pr). > >>one piece sleepers (~1-2 months) > >>high chair (~5 months) see if you can find a consignment shop that has a peg perego. expensive but well crafted. adjustable, durable, reliable, easy to use. i love mine. ooh - looking at target web site, the regalo is similar to the peg perego (they may even be built in the same plant). wheels on bottom are key. a friend of mine likes Chicco (similar). > >>20 lbs and over car seat (Dalton @ 4 months) when you ditch the pumpkin seat and get the full size (or if you don't buy a pumpkin seat at all, which i doubt) the seat to get (IMHO) is the Britax Roundabout. hands down worth every penny. convertible rear/forward facing rated from 5 to 40 lbs. easy to use, good ergonomics, easy to install. not cheap (around $260) but you'll use it at least 4 years even with one child and the nearest competitor can't hold a candle to it. > >>bath seat (~5 months) > >>FOR MOM > >>---------- > >>cotton pads (for leaking) > >>breast feeding bras (2 or 3) ...or 4, the cotton pads don't stop everything. also consider getting the Japanese Weekend sleeping bra, i find them very comfy and convenient for night nursing. www.motherwear.com is good for nursing wear. pricey, but the fabrics are nicer than motherhood maternity's even though the designs are similar. useful: take some of carlos' undershirts and cut vertical openings for nursing access. wear them tucked in under your regular clothes so you still get coverage when you lift up to nurse. save big on nursingwear in winter. > >>breat feeding sleepwear surprisingly, sears has a not-bad selection of nursing nightgowns. and maternity clothes, for that matter. Books: > >>What to Expect when you're expecting > >>What to Expect the First Year > >>What to Expect the Toddler Years > >>The Complete Book of Breastfeeding also: Nursing Mother's Companion; Womanly Art of Breastfeeding the two i recommend are a little zealous about nursing but they are put out by La Leche League advocates so no wonder. i try to use them as reference guides - use what you need and ignore the evangelism. they are very useful for answering questions, esp the NMC. of course, you're in the middle of a medical community. i imagine you have *lots* of reference resources. ps i think the diet guidelines in the What To Expect books were written by people on drugs. strong drugs. you'd have to be an elephant to keep up with it. i did hear an interview recently where one of the authors admits to being "a little whole-wheatier than thou". for home safety: outlet plugs - might be easier in some instances to simply put in a blank plate over existing plugs. they also make plates with safety covers built in, very good. cabinet locks - annoying but useful. grace was never dangerous but ellen is precisely the kind of child that child safety was invented for. baby gate - company called KidCo makes the best i've seen. easy to install and use, high quality construction. thank heavens you're moving into a house you can set up for optimal baby proofing now, instead of after the fact. the best advice i ever got was to get down on their level to see what looked interesting. you'd be soooo surprised. XOXO ames