Just for a bit of fun and some research into essential items for babies I was wondering what was on your wish list. So for mothers already what are the things you needed and could not live with out and for the to-be-mothers what do you have on yours.
I have broken down into a few categories which will hopefully spark in peoples minds for what they have got themselves and been given.
** Baby's bedroom - (inc linen how many sets, clothes, bibs, nappies (we're using MCN's) etc)
** Baby's bath time - (towels, body washes, bath etc)
** Baby's feed time - (bottles sterilisers, feeding chair)
** Baby's play/awake time - (books, dvds, bouncers, play mats etc)
Linen - We got 3 sets and this has been plenty for us, still to this day we only have 3 sets. Bibs - I didn't really start using bibs until DD started eating solids, I preferred to use a facewasher or flannelette nappy. Nappies - I didn't start DD in MCNs until she got out og hospital at 3 months so I haven't had a newborn in MCN's yet.
I am planning on getting 24 prefolds made with 4-6 covers.
I have 5 fitteds and 1 cover already and some one sized that DD wears.
I really like the Pop in nappies and they have got great leg gussets for newborn poos so I plan on getting more of them that can be shared with DD or used as a night nappy. Wipes - I have about 20 wipes/facewashes (itti bitti wipes are the best!, I use these for poos as they grab so well and are so soft, facewashers for wees) Clothes - Hmm, another thing I am still to learn as DD was in hospital and she wore alot of long sleeve, no leg, button up suits.
I HATE singlets, I prefer the button up suits, either singlet, tshirt or long sleeve. Best and less have sales every now and then for $2 each, I stock up!
Baby's bath time
Towels - I was given soooo many as gifts, I have about 3 that I rotate, I personally prefer the normal towels over the hooded ones. Bath - Don't buy a fancy one, they aren't in it long enough, we were given a basic one (from the op shop) and it was fine! DD moved into the big bath at 3 months. Body Wash - I bought 1 x Gaia Body Wash and 1 x Gaia Moisturiser, I am just about to replace the wash, I have barely used the moisturiser, I personally do not feel I need to use it.
I LOVE paw paw, it is a must have!
Baby's feed time
Cannot help with the bottles, sorry. Sterlizer - I have an avent electric one and it is fantastic! Feeding Chair - I used the bouncer in the early days, I personally don't think a highchair is needed until 6 months (or later).
Baby's play/awake time
Books - Yep, DD has always loved her books Bouncer - One was bought for us and is great Play Mat - Not required for the first 4 months or so, but is a nice safe place to lie baby when you are busy (given to me as a gift).
I have a home made quilted blanket - DD spent so much time on this and still does. I prefer this over a play mat.
Baby's travel time
Car Seat - I have a 'premier', cannot remember the brand, love it, will get the same one for this baby. Pram - I have a steelcraft strider, love it, will have to sell it and buy a new double pram though. Carrier - I had a sling carrier for DD when she was younger, used it all the time, much easier than the pram in a busy shop or quick stops. I have an ergo also now that she is a bit bigger, love it too. Travel Rugs - I have way to many! One stays in the car, one under the pram, rotate when needed .
These are all of my personal opinions Nae, I know I read others and think hmm I would never use that item but it is on their must have list! We are all different, and unfortunatly we don't know what works for us until it happens
** Baby's bedroom - (inc linen how many sets, clothes, bibs, nappies (we're using MCN's) etc)
Two sets of summer linen and two sets of flannelette linen for winter. I urge you to spend money on really good linen ie Living Textiles if you can find it. I was given and had bought cheaper stuff and it hardly lasted months- pilling, threadbare after a few washes. Did not like Bubba Blue brand, or any of the chain store brands for their sheets. This is a 'get what you pay for' issue with me!!
For the bassinette (used 9 weeks) I just used smaller cloths and bunny rugs as sheets as it was Dec in Perth- very hot!
Bibs- didn't use until solids at 6 months then used about 8-10.
Nappies- used sposies for first few weeks then 12 cotton terry flats washed all the time! have got MCNs for this bub and so excited as they are gorgeous! Currently about 15 MCNs in OSFA but will make some bamboo prefolds and get some lovely PUL covers for the first couple of months.
Clothes- had about 8-10 singlets total sizes 0000 and 000 which I used. Mostly cotton all in one suities but not worn heaps as it was boiling hot here. Had about 5 size 0000 and 5 sized 000. Otherwise a couple of going out outfits as it was Xmas time.
Didn't want or need baby monitor.
** Baby's bath time - (towels, body washes, bath etc)
Used kitchen sink for bath till too small then a plastic one on a stand until we got the laundry taps fixed! Wouldn't bother with the bath on stand- pain to fill and empty.
2 or 3 white cotton towels that we still use.
Didn't use any products on DD for months and months then only Ecostore ones sparingly.
About 10 facewashers (face and body). Baby cotton tips. Baby nail scissors.
Weleda nappy cream when a bit red. Some nice brown facewashers from Big W (10 of them for $5) wet with warm water were (and still are) our bottom wipes. Used one pack of disposable wipes from the organic shop for outings.
Love Ecostore, Weleda and natural Instinct baby products.
Sweet almond oil from health food shop was a bottom wipe/moisturser after nappy change.
** Baby's feed time - (bottles sterilisers, feeding chair)
Breastfed- so bought a Medela Mini Electric pump which didn't use heaps. Wouldn't get one until you know you need one.
No other bottles etc
Tried heaps of dummis when DD about 8 weeks. Best were the cheapest- Happy Baby.
Just used the couch and a pillow to feed.
** Baby's play/awake time - (books, dvds, bouncers, play mats etc)
One one the old fashioned string net bouncers was terrific! Had a rug (was a gift) as floor playmat- not a fancy coloured musical one- a beautiful padded white cotton one handquilted, then a sheepskin in winter. Def no DVDs etc
Philosophically opposed to many 'baby' items on the market that DH and I don't buy into!
Books given as gifts.
** Baby's travel tie - (car seats, travel rugs, prams etc)
Love love love my Mountain Buggy pram. Love love love my Ergo Sling (as you know!) Safe 'n' Sound car seat. No toys for the car!
Lots of rugs given as gifts so kept a few in the car. Sun shades on windows essential- the pull over the whole window type, not stick ons.
Got a fab nappy bag with Mountain Buggy pram that I still use.
** Anything else you wish you had or did not get enough of.
Drowned in muslin wraps which were hardly used.
Too many non practical clothes for baby- gorgeous but never worn or only once.
Wish I had better maternity bras once baby arrived (but have size issues) and found it hard shopping with bubs.
Wish I had a gift registry at a MCN site!
Wish I had cooked more freezer meals!
Wish I hadn't listened to anyone tell me how to manage baby's sleep/routine/feeding etc!!
ETA-someone reminded me when they mentioned baby socks: the only ones that didn't and don't fall off DD are Bonds ones. Target ones are ok but Bonds better. Many others just fall off and that's not weak elastic as they are brand new and hardly worn. Just a tip!
Last edited by KatieRabbit; June 29th, 2009 at 01:45 PM.
Linen - I have 2 sets and a third one coming once baby arrives.
Bibs - I only have 8 or 9 which have been given as gifts. I also have a set of 3 burp cloths.
Nappies - I am using cloth nappies. Have a supply of 15 bamboo, 6 AIO's, 6 Covers, 4 wool covers and 5 additional boosters. Plan to buy a few more nappies once baby arrives.
Wipes - I have 2 boxes of huggies (64 wipes in each box - limited edition disney box which were given as gifts) and one travel pack which was also apart of a gift.
Clothes - Everything I currently have is 0000 or 000. Need to stock up on more sizes soon as baby will be arriving very shortly.
I have singlets, 1 piece suits.
Definitely need more socks
Baby's bath time
Towels - I have 3 hooded ones and a set of 2 (total 5) which have all been given as gifts.
Bath -Have a simple one I chose myself.
Body Wash - I have the travel pack of the Gaia and a few additional products from Aromababy and Johnson and Johnson which were gifts.
Baby's feed time
Cannot help with the bottles, sorry as I plan to breastfeed. I do however, have a 125ml avent bottle (just in case)
Sterlizer - Need one if going to use bottles
Breast Pump - Yet to be purchased!
Baby's play/awake time
Books - have started to stock up and get a small collection together.
Bouncer - One was bought for us as a gift
Play Mat - One was given as a baby shower gift
I have been given a number of blankets since announcing pregnancy, I am sure a few more will be received once baby arrives.
Baby's travel time
Car Seat - Safe'n'Sound - Meridian (personal choice)
Pram - I have the P&T - Vibe (personal choice)
Carrier - Considering purchasing a baby bjorn but waiting for baby to arrive.
Travel Rugs - Have plenty to rotate when required.
I am not aware if I have too much, not enough or just right, I feel I may need to purchase more items once baby arrives but there may also be items I have that I may never use.
the main thing I loved that I didn't have for DS but borrowed from someone else was a swing. With this next bubs I have one on layby already!!!! it was a treasure & I got my parents to get Sister one & she said she couldn't live without it!! That & a decent baby bag, I went through several with DS til I found one the worked for me.
We lived very remote when DS was born & couldn't buy much so he didn't have a lot of cute outfits etc......I've since seen some lovely jumpsuits for both boys & girls at Target & know they won't be ther when I need them........thinking about putting on layby, then returning what I don't need LOL.
I''m looking at the fisher price baby bath that has the little seat insert in it for this one, waiting for it to come special, theyre about $60 i think! eek!
** Baby's bedroom - about 3-4 cot mattress protectors, i have 2 and wish i had more, 3 cotton cot fitted sheets and 3 flanalette cot fitted sheet, we have never used the top sheets, but that might just be personal pref, nappy bucket on wheels was handy when it got really heavy and DF wasnt home to lift it. dimmer lamp for those 3am feeds so i didnt fully have to wake bubs.
** Baby's bath time - towels, not necessarily hooded, theyre cute but ive never used the hood part lol, baby bath stand so u dont have to bend down
** Baby's feed time - bottles i prefer avent because they have big wide openings which help with cleaning, we had a milton sterilising tub, we found it great, did have a microwave steriliser but it was too big for our microwave lmao! lots of chuck rags
** Baby's play/awake time - lots of books, books are fanastic! we just had a bouncer and basic play mat nothing flash and we used a walker when she was older which she loved, and so did i coz i could do the dishes/washing and not have to worry about what she's getting up to. oohohhh and a jolly jumper, not everyone likes them but it was awesome for us, we had the musical mat that goes with it and DD loved it, got a bit repetitive tho.
** Baby's travel tie - car seat safety is a big one for me, i bought an expensive newborn/child seat but wouldnt have it any other way, make sure your pram handles are at a level that u dont have to hunch over to push it. and for some reason i always end up kicking the wheels when i walk, havent figured a solution for that yet tho....could jst be my big feet :P
** Anything else you wish you had or did not get enough of.
nothing i can think of right now...didnt have a sling last tme but have one for this bub
Wish i had more sleep, does that count? lol and a lactating man!! lmao
Wish Lists - what is on yours
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