Hello I just wondered what things you thought we're essential when having a newborn? There are so many things you could buy but wot couldn't you be without? Love, light and peace x
-one thing I liked alot when my boys were newborns were those "bag" sleepers. For the first month clothes fit them awkwardly so these let them have alot of room and I could roll up the sleeves. It was easy to change their diapers and it kept them warm all over. -a bassinet basket w/ a handle so I could carry my babes everywhere with me in the house thats all I can think of... I just kept them swaddled and cozy all day and either held them or carried them in their bassinet. They didn't require much entertainment. They just loved to be kissed and coo-ed over so all you pretty much need is yourself and lots of cuddly blankets/clothes to bundle them in.
adding in- my kids didnt need alot at first, i wouldnt bother with toys except for a few rattles and noisemakers until he/she is old enough to play.
Ha! The word breastfeeding next to the giant picture of a bright green frog reminds me of terrible dreams I had when I was nursing my second kid. She would bite me so hard that, well, it turned into a serious medical problem. I didn't get to wean her. (This was when she was over a year old and had teeth.) Anyway, while this was going on I dreamed there was a mean looking little green monster, about her size, in my bed! I found that a playpen was essential. My babies wouldn't tolerate being in the playpen even for a minute, but it was a great place to put all the stuff I needed to keep out of their reach! One of those little mesh seats that they lay on in the kitchen sink to bathe them was also very useful. I can't drive so I don't know what I would have done without my baby backpack and my stroller. Newborns definitely don't care about toys for awhile. And babies don't need shoes until they start walking, in fact it's bad for their growing feet to be cooped up before that. I don't know why people always gave my babies shoes. Comfortable clothes are way more important than fancy. My cousin is expecting twins around thanksgiving and for a baby shower gift I'm getting her gift certificates to good restaurants that deliver! That's what she's really going to want when those babies come! Some good food!
little nail clippers. breast pads. cozy slippers or socks..anything to make you compfy was so nice. I used baby oragel and it worked fine for me..some people don't use that. Onesies and those long sleepers like someone else said. ( I had a winter baby) so little socks and a beanie. SLEEP whenever possible. essential to eat good and take care of yoruself. The baby needs little at first. cold wash cloths and teething rings ( they don't have to be all fancy they get slobbered on) come later. It's nice to have a night light so you don't get blinded or the baby at night when your up. I always find those huge diaper bags so amusing. I never had to carry round that much stuff for my kid. Just like...a burp cloth, blanket, teething ring, something to drink, a rattle, diapers and whipes.
Your breasts! Your arms! Your bed! Some cloth diapers. Pins, pants and or wraps. Some nice, not too thick recieving blankets. Too thick and you can't nurse properly. Save the big blankets for the car in the winter. Some nursing pads. Some mamas need them others don't. Some Lansinoh. To keep your nipples soft and to stop them from cracking. The number of your Local Lactation Consultant and or your local La Leche League Leader. NOT the hospital LC, she will be TOO BUSY for you, once you are released. A copy of The Womanly Art of Breasfeeding and The Baby Book by Sears and Sears. Something to cut your baby's little razor nails. I like little scissors. An experienced mama, who breastfed her own children sucessfully, to have a shouder to cry on. DON'T ask someone who isn't supportive of your style of parenting. Lots of pillows for positioning. A car seat, but ONLY for use in the car. DON'T bring it into the house, ever, and don't carry your baby in it. Babies NEED arms. My car seats never left my car, in four kids. Some cotton "onesies" and sleepers. A few T shirts. I always had bonnets for my babies, too. I didn't like thier heads uncovered. They are so vulnerable when little, a little hat keeps them happy. Some tiny socks. A sling or Mayawrap.
Someone said nightlight. I second that! The less stimulation in the middle of the night, the better. Privacy. The knowledge that not everyone is as much of an expert as they think they are. (My former mother-in-law swears her kids were weaned from the bottle-Southern Baptisits don't breastfeed-and potty trained, by the time they were 12 months old. She says they just decided to walk to the garbage can and throw their bottles away. Um, right. Now they can't even hit the toilet seat reliably.;-) If you are getting ready to have your first kid, suddenly total strangers may feel entitled to give you advice. Just pretend you're listening.
the sling for me was heaven sent. i bought a "native indian sling" or something and it was the best thing. i could do house work anything. it was awesome. now that shes older, i can use that long piece of fabric that u can wrap around your body, with her in it. and like they said, the light weight reciving blankies, they love to sleep with there blankies. and one special bunnie friend, or bear or something. HAVE FUN BREASTFEED AND USE CLOTH DIPAERS(go on ebay and get good used ones real cheap) i always hated the one that they sell in stores with the pins and all instead of nightlights, i bought christmas lights on a string and put them in a safe place where it wasnt so bright. that was real good for the begining. noe i want to get some small snoopy plug in or something
Also You don't really need a crib right away. Some people say they never use one. I actualy find my sons very useful. But to save space and money at first they don't really need it for a few months if you are going to use one.
