I feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment and don't have the luxury of wandering the shops to browse and get ideas to open my eyes Has anyone seen a good list that if i wanted to go to the city and buy everthing i needed in a couple of days I could? Not that i plan on doing it totally like that but just the things to think about. It's the small things that i saw when visiting Perth the other day that I hadn't thought of - like breast pads? How many do I need? How many nappy's should I buy? I've found some lists mostly from shops online but they don't seem to cover all that stuff just the big things like a cot, pram, car seat, x number of singlets etc.
Anyone got a shopping list of everything? I guess that is what I'm looking for, something I can work through and make sure I have everything I need and the stuff I can look into whether I need for us or not?
Sorry bit of a long post for not much, feeling a bit silly, but I normally organised person and feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost.
It's not a silly question, but I guess it depends on what time period you're looking at. The first week/month/year? How long will it be until you can get to the shops to pick up things you need and didn't get? Are you looking at cloth or disposable nappies? What will the weather be like at your EDD? How much help will you have after the birth/ongoing?
I guess I'm looking at getting enough stuff for the first few months, I need to have a c/s so have thought I will use disposable first then when I'm settled in a routine I will look at using cloth. Bub is due end of Aug but will arrive mid Aug and we'll be in Perth where i anticipate it still being cool then return home after a couple of weeks where the weather will be nice and starting to warm up again. Mum will be around for first week or two then just DH & I. We are hoping to take 4 wks off but will be finalising that in the next few weeks. I will still have access to shop for things online and we have a small grocery store for essentials if need be.
Ok, well there was a thread started by someone recently about what to pack for a CS, so you could start there for your hospital stay. If I can find it, I'll post the link. I hope some others pop in to help out as my memory is so bad, feels like years ago I was in the newborn stage!
It depends what brand of nappy you use how often you will need to change but I think if you aim for around 10 changes a day, you should be ok and corner shops nearly always have nappies anyway.
I didn't need breast pads at all so I'm not sure on that one. You can get cloth ones though, so then you could re-use and not run out.
Other stuff (essential or not):
A few linen changes for wherever baby is sleeping
Mattress protector if you will co-sleep (even if you think you won't, you probably will at some stage)
Some bath wash/moisturiser etc (IMO natural is better - Moo Goo is best! LOL)
A grobag (my DD hated them but many love them)
A couple of small bottles/pump/milk storage bags if you want to express
Comfy clothes for bub - don't go overboard with cute 'special' clothes because they probably won't get worn.
A play gym with a padded mat underneath
Books -start early! LOL I am biased in that area.
Baby panadol - you'll eventually want it when you can least get out to get it.
Wipes - I'm guessing here, a pack a week? Maybe two? Someone else with a NB might know better.
A sling or carrier of some sort
Muslin wraps are great for so many things - bigger ones are better. I had about 10 and used them all.
Night lights for getting about without waking bub
A really small torch - fantastic for checking on sleeping bubs
Movement monitor - I LOVE mine - peace of mind is priceless. Many don't use one at all.
Nice soft towels for bath time
Oops I have to go. Hopefully other ladies will add their own thoughts and wisdom. If I remember more I'll pop back later.
Are you anywhere near Balcatta at the moment? There is a fab shop there called the One Earth Outlet, and they sell all sorts of chemical-free baby products as well as cloth nappies.
If you are going to use disposables then I would buy at least 4 packs of the newborn size as you will not want to go anywhere for a while as you will be tired and bleeding heavily (sorry- its the truth!). You will also need stacks of thick sanitary pads (with wings!)- I mean about 5 packs- think of it like a period times 10! Don't use tampons as this will only slow down the flow and you will be passing large chunks of tissue that have built up over the 9 months (sorry if too much info!!- noone told me this and I was unprepared for it!)
Natures Child does some great organic cotton breast pads - you just chuck them in the wash afterward. Avail at one earth outlet or online. The disposable ones make you sweat (eek).
You don't need baby shampoo, conditioner and all that stuff yet. You only need:
- One baby wash which can be used for body and hair (if they have hair!!)
- One cream for nappy rash (Natures Child does a Bottom Balm which is brilliant!)
- Powder is optional (the oldies like to use it) Gaia does a natural one, as does Baby Organics. Just DONT use Johnsons as it is loaded with toxic chemicals!
- Baby wipes (again- don't buy the conventional brands as they are full of toxins). Nature Babycare does natural wipes and eco disposable nappies - avail at Coles & Woolies. Otherwise the One Earth Outlet or Health Food stores sell numerous natural baby wipe brands. Some people choose to use cloth wipes- but you will need a stack of them in the early days as they poo, poo, poo!!
Other stuff you will need:
-Burp cloths (the good old fashioned square cloth nappies are brilliant for this! I also used these to cover the change mat as they wee and poo all over it in the beggining- lol)
-Baby singlets (even if its cold weather- they are great for under coveralls etc)
-Muslin wraps (great for swaddling baby and allowing their skin to breathe).
-a baby beanie (if its cold)
-All-in-one outfits (ie bonds wondersuits) for cold nights.
-100% cotton bedding (at least 2 sets as they spew milk).
-A pram that reverts to bassinette mode so baby can lie flat and sleep anywhere.
-I do not recommend cot mattresses that have plastic on one side (these are banned in some counties in Europe as they can make baby overheat). Just get a normal cot mattress (natural fibres are always best) and apply a Eucalyptus tencel non-toxic waterproof mattress protector on top. They also double as a bottom sheet, are incredibly soft and they are brilliant!! I have seen them in BIG W- otherwise they are available from ecobabe online. You will want at least 2 of them! (I have 3..)
-Sleeping bags are also great for keeping baby warm at night as they have a tendency to kick off all the rugs. Try to get one that is made of natural materials (ie cotton) so it breathes- synthetic materials like nylon etc are not safe for babies.
- Soft baby night light for feeding, changing etc.
- Classical music CD for baby sleeping (it also helps to block out sudden noises which can wake baby).
- baby carrier or sling - I have the Baby Bjorn- great to wear after feeds to help them digest and bring up wind.
I will add more if I think of more.
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Last edited by JellyBean; March 7th, 2009 at 12:04 PM.
A complete list of what to buy? does it exist?
Has anyone seen a good list that if i wanted to go to the city and buy everthing i needed in a couple of days I could? Not that i plan on doing it totally like that but just the things to think about. It's the small things that i saw when visiting Perth the other day that I hadn't thought of - like breast pads? How many do I need? How many nappy's should I buy? I've found some lists mostly from shops online but they don't seem to cover all that stuff just the big things like a cot, pram, car seat, x number of singlets etc.
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