“Must have” lists are all over the internet and now I’m adding mine to the list! I recently had a soon-to-be grandma ask me for advice and this is what I sent her:
Baby Hygiene:
- Q-tips for belly button and ears
- Antibiotic salve
- Diapers (approx. 24 if using reusables). We’ve had no rashes with using the reusables and no need of powders.
- Wet wipes
- Soap – some kind of natural soap like Dr. Bronner’s – we use this on Abigail and have had no troubles with flakey skin. No baths the first week. You can use this on their hair, too. The less products you use on them, the better.
Feeding:
- Bottles, bottle brush, bottle warmer (even if breastfeeding)
- Breast pump – insurance covers this now
- If she is going to do formula, they have machines that mix the formula and water for you J
Entertainment:
- Bath toys
- Blocks, squeekies, things that crinkle
- Bouncers are nice but they outgrow them in about four months.
- What I wish we had was a swing that plugged-in. These are pricey (about $130) but I’ve seen them on craigslist for about $75. Some swing side to side as well as back and forth.
- Pack and play for Grandma’s house. We just use some rubbery mats from Sam’s Club (approx. $20) on our living room floor covered with a fleece blanket. When the blanket gets dirty, just throw it in the wash J Once the baby starts crawling, they don’t like pack and plays so much…may be good for naps, though.
Clothing/Other:
- Onesies – just a few newborn sizes. Abigail used those for about a month (she was 8 lbs 6 oz). Onesies are great for at home. If you go out and want to cover their legs, they have little leg warmers
- Receiving blankets and some larger blankies
- Bath towels (you can use regular towels and washcloths)
- Car seat
- Baby carrier. Spend the money on a good one. No front-facing ones – some cause hip dysplasia. We have an Ergo Baby that I bought used and it is working out really well for us.
Diaper bag:
- Get a rectangular one with an open top and rigid sides
- Changing pad
- Diapers
- Bag for dirty ones. I have a reusable zippered wet bag but sometimes I just use Walmart bags
- Wet wipes
- 2 sets of extra clothes
- Blanket
- Food if applicable or nursing cover
Things to consider before the birth: Vitamin K shot and eye drops. If you want the Vitamin K, I would recommend requesting the oral dosage. You may opt out of both if desired but will need to watch the hospital staff even after signing the exemption paperwork. Request that the umbilical NOT be cut until after it has quit pulsing. The blood needs to drain from the placenta into the child. Approximately 32% of its blood is in that placenta and it only takes a few minutes to drain. Don’t let the doctor or staff talk you out of this.
After mommy-care: Comfortable nightgowns, slippers, warm healthy foods that are easy to heat up. Herbal sitz baths. NO VISITORS the first two weeks unless she wants them. I can’t tell you how many people said they were only going to be there for twenty minutes and stayed for hours. Then they rang the doorbell a hundred times and went over to wake the baby up even though I just got her to sleep. Visitors are just plain exhausting!
But my best piece of advice is that she should trust her mommy instincts and she will do great! The “fourth trimester” is definitely the most enjoyable. Abigail has been such a blessing in our lives and I can’t imagine life without her now. Yes, the housework is more difficult to get done now but time spent with her is time well spent. At five and a half months, she is rolling from one end of the bed to the other, making new sounds everyday and is fascinated by our dog. Next month will bring even more great accomplishments!
As a side note for my blog readers, Michael often says that “The purpose of life is to raise a better generation.” I didn’t understand that before we had children but it is true. My prayers for Abigail are not for college and fame of this world, but to find happiness and joy in being a Proverbs woman. When we are right with God, blessings will follow.
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