This morning I printed out this list, and suddenly felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we still need for baby. I realize it is fairly early, but I sort of thought that if I spaced out the purchasing over the next few months it wouldn't look so bad on the credit card bill! I do realize that a lot of these items are "start up costs" for all of our next children as well. Anyway, I am still overwhelmed. What do I buy first? What is most necessary? What may come as gifts? Is it rude to ask people which items they might be considering getting for us? All these questions have my mind in a whirlwind - and here I was thinking I was trying to simplify life! Ha! Ha! Ha! One of the issues is that I'm pretty sure most of our showers will happen after the baby arrives. Would it be rude to ask for a "presentation only" shower? I have no idea!We already have baby bedding, a baby monitor, several blankets, bottles and pacifiers. Of course, we know we need a crib and a car seat/stroller - but we will wait on these, as potentially these may come as gifts. What would your next purchases be?
Some of my thoughts: baby bath tub, towels/wash cloths, Snugli (or something similar), baby car mirror, first aid/grooming kit, nursing pillow.
8 comments :
Yikes, that's a long list Heather! If I learned anything it's that I needed less than I thought. For the first few weeks my favorite items were the nursing pillow, sling, bassinette (or cardboard box), pump and a housekeeper. The new grandmas ended up doing the housekeeping while Jer and I were trying to figure out which way diapers go on and stuff like that.
The baby shower is a tricky one. If there's any way to convince people to throw you one before the baby comes, I'd recommend that. If you get everything in green and yellow that's fine. The blue or pink gifts will come later anyway. The last thing I wanted to do with a newborn was schlepp her to a room full of people that would all want to hold her and give me advice. They're all wonderful people and will want to meet the baby sometime, but all at once seems like a bit much (for me). The number of times I got babies back smelling like strong perfume...grr.
Hi Heather,,,
I too would recommend a shower first and register so they know what you need. Ok so now I am overwhelmed..ha ha
lol
I had to laugh as I skimmed through that list. You have absolutely nothing to be anxious about. Everything will work itself out over time, and you will always have what you need when you need it. That just seems to be the way it goes. When I had my little girl, we were a million times more unprepared than anyone could possibly be (because I thought she was going to be adopted). I had no clothes, no crib, no stroller, no highchair, no nothing! And you know, everything just nicely fell into place. You just buy as you need, and eventually you look around and realize you're prepared and ready to take on anything. I think the major essentials like a baby bed and carseat are the most important, other than that, you'll get tons of gifts, and you, your hubby and new addition will enjoy many shopping trips together to get all the rest.
About when to have the shower, I'm definately waiting until after baby. I don't want to get a bunch of stuff in green and yellow, yuck, I won't even buy that stuff myself. Plus it's so fun for everyone to hold baby, and it gives you a break to hang out with adults. (you'll be pretty busy with only baby for the first while)
But it's totally a personal thing. You might enjoy a shower earlier, if so, go for it. :)
Yes, register and have a shower (if possible) and enjoy receving what everyone gives you! :)
Something it seems people always forget: baby hangers for clothes. Not expensive (99 cetns usually for 5 or 6), but you receive SO MANY clothes, but not alwyas hangers. Don't now why. I always give hangers.
For us diapers are the largest expense. Whenever someone would ask me what we wanted most off the registry, I'd tell them diapers and wipes. Clothes you can wash, but diapers are changed so frequently in the beginning.
A diaper bag is something else. Often people assume someone else is getting it for you since it's such a basic gift, but you wind up not getting one! Find a close friend and hint to her you really would love a diaper bag. ;)
Hopefully you won't need it til later, but it's always nice to have Infant Tylenol on hand. And diaper cream. And those hooded towles so come in handy.
I better run before my list outgrows the other.
Good luck! It will all come together just fine. Try to relax!
wow, thanks Sharon! I'm taking your advice for myself too! Those are such good suggestions, you're so right about hangers, thanks for the reminder. :) as well the diaper bag. (That's one thing in my opinion that you'd want to buy on yourself anyway, it's a 'style' thing, you'll be walking around with it all day everyday, you'd better make sure it's a style, pattern and size that you like. I can't stand those huge mega-duffle bags that you can fit the whole baby's room in there. If you need to carry around that much junk, maybe you should just stay home -lol-)
I'm having a blast reading all these ideas! Thanks so much ladies! Some of you have really made me laugh - which automatically makes me feel much more relaxed. I'm off to do some shopping today, so we'll see what happens. My husband is going to meet me at a store in the city that we haven't looked into yet - apparently they are having a sale. Keep the suggestions coming - I'm taking it all in!
Hi Heather, How are you doing?? Miss you online... I have definitely been noticing you aren't at your computer all day :)
While this list is fairly helpful, some of the numbers seem a bit excessive. 3-6 Fitted Sheets? I got away with 2...and I am still only using 2. When you take one off, put the other one on, and if you throw the dirty one in the wash right away I don't see the need for more than 2. 3-6 Nursing Bras seems like a little much. Yes, this is an item that needs to get washed often, but again, I got away with 2 for 6 months. I can see how one more would be helpful, but I just didn't want to spend the money - I would have rather bought fun things for Hailey :) You'll be just fine...easier said than done, but try not to stress about this long list. Also, one more thing. If you are not sure if you'll be needing some of these items, don't buy them now. You can always wait to see if you actually need them and they can be bought later. A few days after Hailey was born I realized I needed some stuff and I made a list for my mom and she picked the stuff up for me. Most of the things won't be an emergency if you need them and you don't have them RIGHT away. Have fun shopping!!
it's funny, now that we are going to have #5, I have nothing....again....no maternity clothes, no baby stuff....gave it all away....again....
God really does provide. I pray and hope that matthew 6 settles in your heart (the worry chapter) I'm not even worried at all, cause I know when I got pregnant with #4, we called her faith becuase God showed himself in such a powerful way, and he will this one too!
rememeber that marketing will make you feel like you have nothing. If you're looking through magazines, you will come away feeling like you'll never have enough. Half of the stuff are just gimiks anyway! We don't even have a ROOM for our next one! So what'da think of that!!!!!!!!
God will provide, I have faith for you. Show him you trust him, by not fretting.
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