re: Preparing for Baby...what should I have?

Quoting Jen Lynn:“ Okay ladies. Since this is always a topic seen frequently....share what are some must have items for your new bundle!”

Okay someone help me out PLEASE! I'm due april 25 and I still need to get a bag together for when i go to the hospital. what all do I need to bring with me?

Joanie Marie I think there is another post about hospital bag but heres my 2 cents. For you a nursing bra and nightgown if nursing, a picture or music some focal items for the labor if desired never know how long its gonna last, scrunices or barrettes for labor, cell phone, or change for payphone, change for vending machines,a loose baggy outfit for when you leave no prepregnancy clothes ..yet, makeup, hair accesories for all the pics to be taken if your up to prepping yourself, film, batteries, camera, video camera, for the baby a take home outfit, a hospital picture outfit, carseat, well thats all i can think of that i can remeber for now hospital provides bottles, diapers, pacifiers, blankets, formula, while there oh and my hospital made me pay upfront for either the phone or the tv cant remeber which wasnt covered by insurance the lady would come and collect the cash every morning.

As far as prepping for the baby i wish i had of checked more into the stroller i had go for my 4 yr old b4 he was born it was by graco and was horrible to steer but my biggest regret that i will definetly get for the next one is that the stoller didnt not lay down flat so every time he fell asleep he couldnt get comfortable but if it had laid flat that wouldve done the trick
sry so long hope this helps

A thermometer!

tigrrboxerr>>>
I to am in a cash limited pregnancy...check consignment shops, and thrift stores for baby clothes, as baby's out grow outfits so quickly and these items can usually be found barely used and very cheap, also blankets can be bought there. I wouldn't worry about a crib yet, that baby can sleep in a bassinet for sometime before needing a crib. Also a bassinet can be placed between mom and dad on the bed. Check out clinics and community help centers, womens shelters, .. they usually will help with diapers, formula and essentials. My best advice... think back to the old days, pioneers, they raised homes full of children with basic needs, a baby needs warmth, food, sleep, to be cleaned and most of all to be loved!! .. women washed babies in buckets, had children sleep in pine boxes or dresser drawers, wear gowns or just wrapped in blankets, as long as they are safe and cared for you don't need all these modern day extras. Your only major purchase would be a car seat, as it is required by the hospital, and I would avoid buying used, cause once they are in an accident they are no good, or past a certain date, and you don't want to risk your baby's life in an accident.

Regarding hospital time, make sure you have feminine pads, extra panties, gown/pajamas, basic hygenie essentials, outfit to wear home, bring diapers, wipes, baby soaps (as not all hospitals provide these for you) Always have pocket full of change, parking, vending machines, tv, phones etc. extra batteries, film for cameras and video cameras. Magazines, book, (sometimes labour is alot of waiting!!! ...

tigrrboxerr>>>
I to am in a cash limited pregnancy...check consignment shops, and thrift stores for baby clothes, as baby's out grow outfits so quickly and these items can usually be found barely used and very cheap, also blankets can be bought there.

I think the best thing about being pregnant around this season is yard sales are coming up very soon with the warm weather and they can be even cheaper than my local consignment shop which is now trying to be more like a boutique, but sometimes you can even find a cheap crib there so like tigrrboxerr said keep an eye out at ur local one. But make sure you keep an eye open on your newspapers yard sales if you are on a budget they are a GREAT place to find baby finds CHEAP!

This is my 3rd child and I would reccommend the "Lilypadz". They are two silicone-like pads that suction over your breasts so that in-between breastfeeding, you will never leak, never smell, etc. They stay on so well that you can wear them without a bra such as when sleeping or swimming etc.

U will learn really quick that catching a bite to eat is a joy... My three life savers were the Boppy Pillow that is for feeding, sitting, and laying on is something that the baby and u can use. A car seat toy that makes noise. And last of all a bounce bounce baby (almost like a walker but it has a base where the baby can stand or bounce)... its for kids a little older but that way it keeps ur hands free while they stay entertained

A Boppy!!! best thing ever!

Quoting baby boy on board:“ okay a lot of you are saying diapers and wipes. is there a certain brand that is better than the others. also, i've heard that the wipe warmers just dry out the wipes. has anyone had this problem yet?”

No, I love mine for my son! It is quite the luxury for his bottom : )
I bought one for our new arrival too! The wipes do not dry out...just make sure to keep the lid closed. No problems here. I definately recommend it.

I'm really interested in trying out this new thing that it like a Boppy for the baby. Before with my first daughter I would lay a blanket it out on the floor and then set the boppy down and put her on top of it. But now they have a blanket/boppy in one and it looks sooo cool. I'm going to put it down on my registry because I really want one. That way I can strictly use my big boppy just for Nursing.

I found posts on another forum about a free pregnancy organizer and ordered it. It's a great deal and has been very helpful for preparing for my baby. It has a shopping checklist for "essentials" and "extras" which is great because it can be so overwhelming with all the gear out there. There are also tons of checklists for baby preparations. Here's the link: www.freepreganncyorganizer.com
Enjoy! 

Quoting dcmama07:“ you defintely want to stock up on diapers and wipes, cause it might be a pain to go buy some once the ... [snip!] ... for the past week is driving me crazy because im so bored, but then again, at least i feel like i'm completely prepared, lol.”

god you think being on maternity leave for a week sucks?? i have been off of work for the last 4 weeks or so and im not even due for 7 1/2 more weeks....im dying here from bordem...i wish she would come early sometimes just so i could have someone to be with all day

Actually the wipes stay more wet in a wipe warmer mine had a pad that you got wet that went on the bottom to keep them that way! I would say a pack n play most of them start out as a crib for newborns have a mobile and a changing table then when the baby gets older the mattress goes in the bottom for them to play!

Quoting beautifullyhaunted:“ baby wipes warmer!”

Actually baby wipe warmers are concidered dangerous to some people including doctors. Parents.com sent me this recall list and info on things that you don't really need and it said that there are several reasons why you shouldn't have one. One of those reasons was due to the thing heating up too much and melting. If it's hot enough to melt it's hot enough to cause serious concern for fire. The other reason was the heating unit could malfunction causing burn issues to the parent or who ever reaches in for a wipe. But other people say they have never had a problem with them. I am peranoid sometimes. But better safe then sorry.

Quoting Anna_M:“ tigrrboxerr>>> I to am in a cash limited pregnancy...check consignment shops, and thrift stores ... [snip!] ... sure you keep an eye open on your newspapers yard sales if you are on a budget they are a GREAT place to find baby finds CHEAP!”

Yard sales rock! But there are some items they say not to buy used like; matress, breast pump, car seats and some toys due to recalls on particular ones. If you do buy used toys make sure they haven't been recalled. And please stay away from used pumps, even if they are from your friend.