new baby checklist

[Ellee05]

I've been going through some baby checklists to see what I have and what I stil need to get. what are your opinions on a few things:

* If I'm planning on breastfeeding, do I need to still get bottles/forumla etc?
* Baby powder?
* rocker/bouncer/swing?
* breast pump?
* cot sheet sets - how many?

Anything other advice or recommendations on what not to bother with and what I shouldn't be without would be great

[Leonie P]

Ok.... bottles not if you plan to breast feed only get them as you need them
Baby powder I'm not a fan it's up to you
Rocker/bouncer/swing: it's up to you...
Breast pump only if you are planning to express ie if you are going back to work
Cot sheets would probably go with half a dozen as they are very handy to have.

Most stuff you can do without I found I had the bare minimum and just picked things up as I needed them.

[AliBaby]

Bouncer was the best thing I have ever bought!!!!!!

Sheet sets, I just buy the fitted sheet as DD sleeps in a sleep bag and when they are brand new bubbas they are wrapped but its up to you.

I breast feed but have the bottles and pump for expressed milk.

Also have a tin if formula in the cupboard (Nan Brand) JIC

Baby powder I think is a bit of a no no with girls. NOt 100% sure but you dont need it.

HTH

[tattoo_mama]

hi ellee
bottles/formula: i would get some bottles JIC you want to use EBM, you can always grab formula when/if you need it, im not sure of the shelf life of formula powder but a bit early to be getting it if you dont think youll need it IMO
baby powder: some ppl use it, some dont. alot of people say you shouldnt use anything on babies bum (except for wiping it clean of course) cause it can actually cause irritations, maybe ask around a few people and see what they did, maybe buy a small bottle JIC and see if it works for you/your baby
rocker/bouncer/swing: rocker is a good idea cause then you can put baby down wherever you are e.g. lounge/kitchen and they can watch you go about your daily stuff, baby wont be able to go in bouncer/swing for a few months until they can hold up thier own head, and alot of people will advise against bouncers (accidents or some people say they can hinder babies walking development) so again, upto your personal preference
cot sheet sets: probably 3 or 4 sets would be enough, so you always have 1 set on cot, 1 in the wash and a couple spare sets.
breast pump: this is a great idea so you can do EBM to store for later or so your parter/friend/mum can give baby a bottle so you can have a break. there are alot of models on the market, manual and electric, ask some friends with kids for thier opinions on the best choice.

are you planning on having a baby shower? most of the above stuff is the type of stuff u can ask people to get you as a present. GL HTH

[tiggerlinda]

Get a sling it was the one thing I wished I had from the start.

I had bottles breast pump and formula sticks.

Needed the bottles and pump as we had attachment issues 2nd night home.

Needed the formula at 4 weeks

Goodluck

[Lolli]

Totally agree with the sling- fantastically handy. And I'd definately say a bouncer- one of the old fashioned ones, with a metal frame and a crochet-type cover.

Would'nt bother with the formula if you're planning to bf, but I used my pump within a week so I could get some sleep (apparentley this is not recommended until the six week mark, but I was desperate). If you buy a pump they generally come with bottles.

I use cornflour talc for ds but I think Ali is right, it's not recommended for little girls.

I also recommend some big muslin wraps for swaddling.

HTH

[Ellee05]

Thanks for your replies... I was thinking I didn't need powder along with the baby oil. Have got myself some of the gaia natural products and some paw paw ointment which i'm told is fantastic for nappy rash?

Any recommendation on slings? We had a look at a couple in a shop when in perth and i can't remember which ones, but one you adjusted and the other you get one size to fit. The lady recommended not buying one until bubs is here...?

I thinking of expressing for at least one bottle a day - so DH can feed bubs and when I go back to work it won't be as hard... based on talking to a few people - but open to your thoughts.

[Nettie]

Get lots of 'spewbies' - towelling cloths for wiping up dribble & spew. If you can get to an Ikea, they have great ones with little loops on them for hanging off the pram, etc.

I would also suggest the sling - but you may like to wait until bubs comes so you can get one that will suit you both.

We used a bouncer too - great for getting the dishes done!

Someone will buy you powder in a gift - whether or not you want to use it

Good luck!

[tattoo_mama]

ellee - in regards to feeding - most ppl recommend not bottle feeding til after 4 weeks if ur trying to BF cause babies (esp ones with attachment probs) can get confused between nipple and bottle and can make BFing even harder, but i figure if ur dying of sleep deprivation or worried ur bubba isnt getting enuff milk then EBM is better than formula...
and id get a sling before baby comes, most of them are adjustable anyways, some babies are fussy about what type they will/wont go in, personally i dont like the look of the structured 'baby bjorn' type ones and got a black peanut shell, prob not as good for the back but they are nice and soft.

[Lolli]

Same as tattoo_mama, I've got a Peanut Shell and I loved it- we used it for 12 months. The ring slings that aren't adjustable fit to your size, not your babies size... (I think? Someone correct me if i'm wrong) so try a few on and remember you won't have a belly when use it

[Taurean]

Hi Ellee

I personally love the smell of baby powder so I intend on using a tiny bit on them after a bath. I've heard mixed thoughts on baby powder. Obviously if bubs reacts to it, I'll stop using it.

I've bought Avent bottles for expressing. The smallest bottles come with teats for new borns and the next size up (the size that will last a lot longer) come with teats for 1mth+. I got the 1mth onwards ones.

A friend gave me her manual Avent breast pump. If I need to express a lot, I'll look at hiring an electric pump but will cross that bridge if I come to it.

I'm getting a Bubba Moe sling from a girlfriend who has one for her newborn and raves about it. We have a Baby Bjorn too but I'm not a huge fan of them but we got it free (in perfect nic) so it may come in use when bubs is a bit bigger.

I've got a Fisher Price swing. The swings that babies lie in are fine to use from birth. I'm a big fan of the swings as they're motorised which means bubs can be gently rocked (swung) to sleep leaving your 'feet' (and you!) free to do other things. One of my mum friends pointed this out to me after spending a lot of time rocking the bouncer with her foot and wishing she had a battery operated swing! Food for thought

I have a few sets of cot sheets as I will be using Grobags most of the time so figure a few sets should do the job.

Agree with Nettie - get cloth nappies for cheap spew rags. I didn't realise Ikea had them (they sound great!) so I bought a 6 pack from Kmart. I'll need more though so will go to Ikea next.

I hope that helps!