A lot of times you won't need to go out and purchase extra things for the right after the hospital because some nurses and hospitals are very generous that they will give you all that you need to where you wouldn't need to buy anything, but not all nurses and hospitals are like that. So, here are a few things that you need -- just in case.
5.Cold Skin Freeze Anesthetic Spray. I thought this helped with the swelling. Not everyone prefers this. Some prefer the cold packs. I prefer both. I got mine from the hospital
6.Water. You need to remember to keep hydrated. It’ll help avoid headaches, achiness, chapped lips, and help with breastfeeding.
So, check out the other Baby Must Haves (Diapers, breastfeeding, and general items).
Feel free to let me know what other essentials that you used and you recommend!
I used disposables with Child #1 and we started cloth diapers with Child #2.
The options are out there and lots of people have different things to say about it, and it’s completely up to you on what you want to do. I do not look down on people who do the things that they do. There are daycares who do not take cloth, and there are people who just rather not use cloth. Cloth does take a lot of time, especially when the baby is young and needs changes more often.
I started using cloth to help save money. We were spending a lot of money on diapers with two kids when they're under 20 months! And Child #2 is allergic to disposables, as we found out later.
1. Diaper Pail. We got the Diaper Champ from my sister-in-law who didn’t need it anymore, and we bought a big box of tall kitchen trash bags. It was the original Diaper Champ, so, I'm not sure what the new one is like. It worked pretty well. Like any trash can, it would start getting stinky a day or two before trash day.
2. Wipes!!! You’ll be wiping a lot of bottoms! I don't think you need a picture of wipes. I like the thick ones as the kids get older.
3. Changing pad / blankets. We did not purchase a changing table. We didn’t have room for one and we didn’t think it was necessary. Since we’re always on the floor with them, with their tummy time and such, we just change them on the floor. We just changed them on the carpeted floor with a changing pad underneath them. I thought the water proof ones would work well, but it didn't. The moment my child "squirted" everywhere, the pee would run right off onto the carpeted floor. So, it was pretty pointless. I just used blankets. We had gotten a lot from baby showers, so, I put them to use! If the blanket gets dirty, I just wash it with the baby clothes. No big deal, right?
4. Butt paste. S is a brand kind of a guy. We used Destin. Every baby bottom is different. What works on one baby, may or may not work on the next. Destin worked fine on Child #1, but didn’t do much for Child #2. Aquaphor worked the best on Child #2. We also used Aquaphor for some eczema spots.
5. A little basket. We have a little wooden basket that we got from a baby shower. We put in all the essentials in there. Diapers and paste, and it was just easy to get to than having a box of diapers that the diapers came from. You can find some good cheap ones from Target or Walmart. It doesn't even have to be wood. If you want compartments, you can always find it at baby stores.
1. Diaper Pail. We got a kitchen trash can from Walmart or Target, and got a large pail liner (picture above) and put it in the laundry room. It will get pretty stinky after a couple days, so, I got a deodorizer to help with the smell.
2. Drying rack and clothes pins. You need to dry the diaper shells somewhere! I bought a cheap wood one from Walmart, and wood cloth pins.
3. Wet Bag. A bag for all your dirty diapers when you go out or for daycare! There are lots of cute handmade ones on Etsy. It looks like they're selling them in big box stores, like Kohls.com like this Little Luxe Transportation Zippered Wet Bag.
4. Cloth Diaper Friendly Butt Paste. We LOVE Grandma’s El! S loves the one that comes in the tub. I’m indifferent. GroVia’s Magic Stick didn’t do much for our boys, it didn’t create a thick enough of a barrier from the bottom to the diaper.
5. Wipes. Either disposable or cloth wipes. We don’t use cloth wipes, I haven’t found a system that works best for me yet.
7. Toilet Spray. I highly recommend this! It's not easy to scrap poop off of diapers, and the sprayer makes it easy. If it's too strong, spray it in a 5 gallon tub to help with the over spray. That sounded terrible, huh?
8. BioKleen's Bac-Out. This is really nice. It helps with the strong poo scent (I did not say it’d get rid of it, it just helps), and poo stains. They have coupons on their website.
9. Large Bath Towel. We have a HE front loader, which is not the best washer for cloth diapers. So, I would soak the bath towel with all soaking wet diapers to help weigh the washer bin down so this lets the washer “think” that it’s fuller than it is, and it adds more water to the bin.
10. Renting the diapers for first 8 weeks. This is really helpful. Since Child #2 was a premie, he didn’t start wearing the newborn size until he was 4 – 5 weeks. We ordered our rental from Abby at Itsy Bitsy Bums, you should too. She’s awesome. So, after the newborn stage, we moved on to other diapers.
11. Cloth Diapers. This is all really your own preference. We started out with GroVia's hybrid, but it didn’t seem to work out very well for our boys. During Black Friday, I bought lots of different kinds of diapers to try out for a good price. I like the Rumparooz, but my boys have thunder thighs, so, it was super tight on their thighs. The one that both S and I like is BumGenius (picture above), it was easy, and simple to use. We also like the fact that they have a one year warranty, which I have used. They have great customer service. I have heard that some babies are allergic to the microfibers of the diaper. So, I say if you can wait until Black Friday or if the company has return policies for used diapers, then buy a few to try what works best for your baby and you. Make sure that your husband will like the diapers that you will be using. S thought the concept of the GroVia's hybrid diapers were too much of a hassle. When the boys were in the hybrid diapers, we just changed the whole thing, shell and all. I personally like the hook and loop, because i can't seem to figure out the snaps, they'd always get loose. But be warned, the hook and loop doesn't last as long, so you'd have to replace the hook and loops.
For other moms out there, what have you used that is an essential to diapering?
1. Breastpump. This is very important. If you have any thought of breastfeeding, even for a month to a year, you’ll need to get a breastpump. You can purchase it from big box stores, you can look up on Medela’s website for a list of sellers in your area (this is probably where you’ll find cheapest, since they don’t have to the overhead cost of a building), or rent it from the hospital. I know there are people who buy it used, but I personally would not buy one used. Here is what FDA have to say about it here.
I recommend the Free Style Breastpump (picture above). I actually have the Medela Pump In Style Advanced -- I love how they call it “Pump In Style” … because it’s so in style how you’re pumping. Holding it as you walk on the catwalk, haha! The Free Style is a little bit more expensive than than Pump In Style Advanced. When I had Child #1, Free Style was pretty new, I heard mixed reviews about it. I didn't want to chance it. But when I had Child #2, it was really difficult to run after a toddler while you’re attached to this machine, which is attached to the wall. When I pump at work, I would have indentions from the parts on my arms so I could read a magazine or book while pumping.
Needless to say, I am saving up my pretty pennies for the Free Style for Child #3.
One last thing, I recommend finding a lactation consultant at the hospital and make sure that the breast shield fits your breast correctly; it’ll make it more comfortable and get the most out of pumping.
2. Storage bags. I recommend Lansinoh’s brand. I don’t like the Medela brand because after freezing them, the bags would become brittle and break and the milk would be leaking all over the place, and I don’t like risking contaminated milk for my baby. I’d fill the bags up to 6 – 8 oz, even though they have the marks to 6 oz, this helps me save on buying bags. I’d only start doing this when the baby is about 6 – 8 months, when the baby would eat more. Before then, I’d just fill them 4 – 6 oz, since they don’t eat as much. ~$10 for a box of 50
3. Lanolin. There are two brands that I have tried, Medela and Lansinoh. I recommend Medela’s. It’s a bit creamer, and Lansinoh is too thick. The baby would have a hard time sucking if I had Lansinoh's lanolin on, I would have to wipe my nipples first for him to get a good suck. The hospital have samples of Medela’s lanolin too, I like these little ones for the pump bag. Lanolin helps for cracked nipples, and it is baby safe. It’s soothing for your nipples, and let’s be honest, no one wants cracked nipples!
4. Nipple wipes. I know, wipes for your nipples? I recommend it! It’s soothing! I wipe my nipples after I breastfeed, and this helps keep it clean. We don’t want bacteria be lurking around your nipples (it could cause Thrush. If you get it then the baby gets it, and it seriously takes forever to get rid of!)
5. Bottles for breast milk. Not baby drinking bottles, but I guess you could keep in those too. We had bottles for breastmilk only. I recommend getting at least twelve to eighteen 4 – 6 oz bottles for pumping (because when you start pumping at work, you’ll need at least 4 – 6 bottles a day. I wash bottles every other day). I have about 30 storage bottles (I pump 4 - 5 times/day, and breastfeed if the baby wakes up at night). I personally really like Evenflo storage containers that I have, but I cannot seem to find them online so I could post a picture for you. The plastic is thicker than the Medela brand. The fat would get stuck on the Medela breastmilk storage containers and it would be hard to get it off when I would move milk from one container to the next (and they take longer to dry too). You want the fat in the milk, it has the nutrients and keeps the baby full. I also have the 2 oz. bottles – they look like tubes – from Medela. I barely use those. I got a lot of them when I was pumping for Child #2 when he was in the NICU.
6. Steam bags. I would wash the pump shields and accessories about once a week at home, but at work, it’s nice to make sure that they’re clean with every pumping.
7. Water. This is so important. You’re pumping milk out, you’re going to get thirsty and very hungry. You’re also going to get tired. Pumping wears me out. You’re pumping calories out of your body! This is a good time to help lose the baby weight! Eat healthy. I recommend checking out Lindsay Brin for helping on losing weight.
8. Fenugreek. A friend used drops, and put it in their drink. I liked the tea mixed with honey. Alvita Fenugreek Seed Tea Bags are my favorite. Fenugreek tea will help produce more milk if you have trouble producing milk.
9. Pump bra. It’ll be your arm saver! Sorry, no picture. Basically it's a band around your chest with holes for your nipples, and there is a spot where the breast shields sits.
10. Nursing pillow. This will help your arms when you breastfeed. I have the Boppy, and bought a foam wedge that I have the baby's head lay on, so I don't have to hold the head up. It worked for a bit, but not sure if it was worth the extra money for the foam wedge.
That concludes my top 10 must have for breastfeeding.
I had really enjoyed breastfeeding both my boys, it’s such a wonderful way to bond with the baby. I hope you enjoy it. And please, don't hesitate to ask any questions.
Also if you have a hard time with breastfeeding or pumping. It’s okay to not do it. A lot of mothers feel that they are letting their baby down by not being able to – which causes frustration. But your health (physically and mentally) is just as important. I promise I will not ever looking down on anyone who chooses not to breastfeed because of personal or medical reason. That’s why we have formula!
Take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. That's the most important thing.
For those experienced breastfeeding mothers, what items could you not live without?
My dear friends, you are to hear it first. We're going to be
"trying" for baby #3. You know, we are not technically trying, but not
preventing. You know how that goes, right?
So, I’m going to have a series of posts of all the must haves for
everything. From breastfeeding to diapers!
Budget is always tight... and when you have kids, it gets
tighter. There are just so many things out there, and you think to yourself, "Do I really need this?" There are 10 parts to this bathtub, are they all necessary? I don't think there is a bath with 10 parts, I totally made that up, but you know what I mean! Any moms out there will give you the best advice on what they couldn't
live without for the first couple months of their babies’ lives.
Today, I’m just going through the general must haves. Then I
will get into the specifics later in the series. If you have
any suggestions, feel free to comment!
1. Breastpump. I can give you lists and stories of
breastfeeding. I breastfed both boys until they reached one. I have pumped in
the bathroom at work, in the car, etc. For anyone that wants to breastfeed or
to even give it a try, I recommend figuring out where you'll get a breastpump
before you have the baby! Either buy or rent, but know where you have access to
one! I didn't get mine until after the
Child #1 because someone recommended that it wasn't necessary. I was in so much
pain, and wish I didn't take that recommendation! So, get that figured out! Since you’re going to be breastfeeding, you’ll
need all the things that come with it. Milk storage bags, lanolin, nipple wipes
(I highly recommend this), etc. I’ll have a post about breastfeeding later this month. I recommend Medela free style (I'll get more into why spend the extra cost in the more specific post) ~200+ for a double electric
2. Swing. I recommend one that goes two ways, front to back
and side to side. We had a swing that only went front to back. Child #1 liked
the swing going front to back, but Child #2 liked going side to side. The swing
was hardly used for Child #2, which was a bummer. He wanted us to rock him to sleep, which is his side to side motion. This was a bit harder on us. ~$160
3. Swaddling sleep sack. I really just like the sleep sack
of it. The swaddling part really depends on your baby. Child #1 would break
open of swaddling after a month, and didn't want anything to do with it. Child
#2 was at the NICU, so, he was swaddled with large blankets. So, the swaddling
didn’t really do much for him when he came home. But the sleep sack is great because it’s a
blanket on them, without trying to put a blanket on them. They’re always
covered! This is great for the cold nights. Sleep sacks are much safer than blankets! I do favor brands, and the only brand of sleep sacks that I buy is Halo. ~$35
4. Sleep Gowns. Child
#1 always had gowns, I hardly put in him onesies at home. It was easy to change
his diaper, and if he had a blow out, it was easy to change. If you don't prefer gowns, then choose something that is easy to snap so you can access the diaper easily! You want to make diaper changing as easy as possible! You can find some decent price ones at Walmart or Target.
5. Kimono onesies or Side Snap onesies. I really recommend
this for first time moms. I didn’t grow up with babies, so, I was really hesitant
with everything. I was nervous on changing Child #1. When the baby doesn’t have
any neck support, it’s really difficult to change the baby. Especially when
you’re trying to get onesies over their head, as they bat their arms as you.
So, I recommend buying side snap onesies, you unsnap them, open the onesies and
lay your baby on top of the onesies and then snap it back up. It’s so easy, no
need to worry about how to hold their neck while trying to put the onesie over
their head! Ahhh, easier = less stress! You can find some decent price ones at Walmart or Target.
6. Noise machine. I never realized how important this is
until Child #2. We didn’t have a noise machine for Child #1. He wakes up to
everything! Since Child #2 was in the NICU with lots of other babies crying and
nurses moving around, he was used to noise. We had gotten a noise machine for
him, and he sleeps through the night! By the time we got the noise machine for
Child #1 (he was about 20 months?), it was too late. He couldn’t handle the noise [and still can't!]. The above picture is what we have, but I can't exactly recommend it. We don't use the light projection, just the ocean waves and sometimes rain. It was about $20, and the sound sometimes gets soft, then loud if you barely touch the volume wheel! Which ever brand you decide to buy, a noice machine is a must.
7. Pack n Play. Instead of a bassinet, we got the pack n play with the bassinet part. We
didn’t get the fancy one; we just got the most basic one. It was not necessary
for us to get anything fancy. Since we saved money on getting the basic, so we bought two. One for the bedroom and one for the living room - this way we didn't have to drag the pack n play to every room while carrying a baby (believe me, it's almost impossible). When the baby was done sleeping in our room for the first couple months, the extra pack n play was for grandma's or daycare (some in home daycares require you to provide a pack n play for your child). ~$70
8. Soothies. I love these. With Child #1, they didn’t sell
them at the stores. I purchased them online with Child #2, then the week after
I ordered them, I saw them at the stores! I love the fact that they’re all in one piece,
you don’t have to worry about parts falling off. They’re cute, I love how I can
see their mouth when they suck on it! Child #1 used advent pacifiers, he was
fine with them. But I like the pacifiers that they don’t mush their mouth on.
Since I breastfed, and I like how the soothies are like a nipple. Yes, they're consitantly sucking on some kind of a nipple. I really like GumDrop pacifiers (picture above) because it wouldn't smush against their nose. Here is a good youtube video on the difference between GumDrop and Soothies. Child #2 had some that were vanilla scented at the NICU! He loved those! I have seen GumDrop pacifiers at Target and Babies R Us. ~$2.50 for one
9. Moby Wrap AND Carrier. I have the Beco carrier. The wrap
is perfect when they’re little. We would go on walks as Child #2 is asleep in
the carrier. You can use it as a carrier too, but my boys were too active that I
consistently have to readjust and tighten. With Child #2, I decided to shell
out some big bucks and get the Beco Carrier. The picture above is the one that we have. I got a gender neutral color. I absolutely love it! Steve loves it too. As
soon as Child #2 had head control, we put him in it. He loved it! We'll turn him around when he's about 6 months, he liked to see what was going on. We still put
him in it once in awhile, he doesn’t mind just as long as he’s close to us. It’s
easier for us too, we still have both of our hands free and we have him close. Beco Carrier ~$130 and Moby Wrap ~$45
10. Bulb Syringe. The hospital grade one is the best one.
The ones that you buy off the shelves are terrible. They don’t work very well.
But the blue one from the hospital is amazing!!! If you can convince your nurse
to give you an extra, you should do it! It helps when they're teething or have a cold, because their nose will be running like crazy, or they'll be super stuffy. They won't like you for it, but they don't like having a red nose either!
That concludes my top 10 list of Baby Must Haves! Let me know what other items that you couldn't live without!!
