14.2.10

things I'll "need"

I'm really skeptical about this checklist I just found. Is it possible that a new mom "needs" all of these things? It makes me overwhelmed for many reasons: how will I pay for it all? where will I put it all? how do you even use some of these items, etc. I know I have family and friends who are already excited about a baby shower for me, how this is a LOT of stuff and I'm hoping some of you more experienced women can tell me what's NOT important to have/add to a baby registry.

The Checklist as per The Bump website:
Layette
(what's a Layette?)
  • 4-8 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings and loose legs)
  • 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)*
  • 4-8 one-piece pajamas*
  • 2 blanket sleepers for winter baby
  • 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)
  • 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits*
  • 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks)*
  • 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)*
  • Bunting bag or fleece suit for winter baby
  • Swimsuit for summer baby
  • Gentle laundry detergent

Nursery

  • Crib, cradle and/or bassinet* (Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, Corner posts no more than 1/16 of an inch above frame, No cutouts in headboard or footboard, Top rails at least 26 inches above mattress
  • Firm, flat mattress fit snugly in crib (less than two fingers should fit between mattress and crib)*
  • 1-3 washable crib mattress pads
  • Bumper pads covering inside perimeter (secured by at least six ties or snaps, with all extra length removed)
  • 2-4 fitted crib sheets*
  • 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets*
  • 1-2 heavier blankets (for colder climates)
  • Crib mobile with black and white images (remove when baby can support self on hands and knees)
  • Baby monitor
  • Toy basket
  • Swing or bouncy chair

Changing (I removed change table because we just won't have the room)

  • cushioned changing pad for low dresser or bureau, with safety strap or railing (yes to this)
  • Diaper pail (do I need this if I'm using cloth diapers?)
  • Diaper pail liners
  • Diaper cream*
  • Unscented baby wipes (causes less irritation)*
  • Soft washcloths*
  • Tissues (for you)
  • 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers*

Bath

  • Baby bathtub
  • Baby soap*
  • Baby shampoo
  • 2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels
  • Baby hairbrush (for what hair? do they know MM's parents?)
  • Soft washcloths (Good Tip from bump: use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)

Feeding

  • Thank goodness I already got rid of most items on this list since I'm breastfeeding.
  • 4-8 bibs
  • Burp cloths
  • High chair
  • 2-4 pacifiers

For nursing moms:

  • 1-3 nursing bras (Breasts swell following birth, so start with one size larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down -- about two weeks after birth -- to purchase additional bras.)
  • Nursing pads
  • Nipple cream
  • Nursing pillow
  • Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)*
  • Milk storage bags*

Medicine Cabinet

  • Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors*
  • Baby thermometer*
  • Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
  • Medicine dropper or spoon with measurements
  • Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Saline nasal drops
  • Baby gas drops
  • Disinfecting hand soap (for you)

Travel

  • Infant or convertible car seat* (woo Graco snugride, this I alreayd know which one I want)!
  • Stroller (also already decided on this one - am looking for a second hand one though b/c they're PRICEY)
  • Diaper bag
  • Changing pad
  • Baby carrier/sling

For Mom

  • Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)
  • 2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads
  • Panty liners
  • Hemorrhoid wipes and cream (GREAT)

8 comments:

  1. To be honest, you don't "NEED" most of that stuff. Babies survive just fine in most places with very little.

    As for diaper pail - you'll need somewhere to put the cloth diapers - I recommend a step pail so you don't have to reach down WHILE holding baby. (I just bought a plastic one for about $15 from Zellers).

    DEFINITELY get a nursing pillow. Seriously. I used it for the first 6 months of Noah's life and it made things a LOT easier (on my back as well as for nursing in general).

    If you're lucky enough to have a drooler or spitter upper you'll need WAY more than 4-8 bibs. :p (But I'm sure you can get those handmedowns - I have TONS if you need 'em. :D).

    Definitely don't need a hairbrush.

    Mattress pad?

    Bumper pads are not recommended by Health Canada. I've never used them with both my boys and they're fine.

    The bouncy seat has been invaluable to us with Jude. Some babies like it, some don't.

    Not sure if Quebec has it, but check out either Mom to Mom sales or POMBA sales. You can get TONS of practically new things (everything from sheets, to toys, to clothes to strollers) for garage sale prices.
    Otherwise, baby showers are great! :) (I'm sure you'll have one thrown for ya!)

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  2. AH Vanessa! I knew you'd pull through :D

    That's mostly what I was thinking! The stroller I want has an adapter for an infant carseat so I want both a stroller and car seat, a baby carrier, a bouncy seat (apparently baby bjorn has a really great one) then basically a crib and some clothes. I'm almost hoping we don't get too many clothes, I've seen the literal INVENTORY of the Smit's kids clothes and a lot of the clothes end up not being gender neutral and you need all the more if you have a 2nd child of a different sex.
    Thanks for the advice on the nursing pillow though - definitely thought that wasn't a biggie!

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  3. I'm much too overwhelmed to read through this... or even to read Vanessa.. I'm sure I should be proactive but I'm enjoying too much feeling good lately that I don't want to think about baby coming and stuff to have.. or making a registry for some showers to come... eeek.

    I'll read this post again sometime soon!

    Thanks taht I will have this as a reference

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  4. maybe Vanessa or Loni will know the answer to this, is sensitive detergent necessary? I am trying to recall if all the times I have been at Chez Smits if Loni would just throw Olivia's spit up jammies in the wash with regular detergent...just a thought :)

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  5. Sensitive detergent may or may not be necessary depending on your baby. I erred on the side of sensitive - Noah does have more sensitive skin than Jude, but I still just buy Tide Free. You can also get Nature Clean from Zehrs at a decent price and that's what I wash my cloth diapers with which you can also just use for regular laundry as well. Either way, you'll need to get cloth diaper detergent so might as well kill 2 birds with one stone! :)

    I doubt it matters what brand of bouncy seat you have. We have a hand me down and it's the best thing. No idea what brand. Probably Zellers or something.

    Clothes...yes. VERY overwhelming. I feel like I'm going through clothes every 2-3 months and putting away clothes (Jude's - Noah has leveled out for now...) and pulling out Noah's old stuff. Right now I have 2 diaper boxes sitting in the room full of clothes plus at least 3 rubbermaids waiting to be sorted and pulled out. *sob*

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  6. Loni washes her cloth diapers in vinegar and baking soda :)

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  7. Carol16.2.10

    Wow... that's a lot of stuff... We survived on a stroller (baby slept in there for months), a few burp cloths, Lansinoh nipple cream and a Nosefrida nasal aspirator. Pretty much all you need besides every day things like diapers and wipes etc.

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  8. Right about you most recent post in my google reader was this post by another blog I follow

    http://simplemom.net/8-essentials-for-a-newborn-baby/

    Thought of you and came to find your post about all the things you "need". Maybe there will be some good insight in here?

    Either way, 8 seems like a nice low number of items!

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