my friend just sent this list to me that i thought may be helpful. her first is coming up to 6 months now. its a long list and some of the things in it pertain to Vancouver, but helpful nonetheless.
?The essentials? for life with baby:
? Infant car seat
? Stroller (with a plastic rain cover and sun shade)
? Changing table - - The bed works just fine for us.
? Bassinet or crib
o Bedding for bassinet (towel) or crib (fitted sheet)
? Receiving blankets (about 20)
? Bibs - as many as you can find. The best ones tie with a string and have a plastic backing. Most people complain about Velcro fastened bibs, but we find they work well, just be wary of baby?s exposed skin when fastening and un-fastening the velcro.
? Washcloths (20-30)
? Warmer blanket (fleece is good for cooler weather). I have three blankets, different thicknesses. Buy larger size ones, so that you can swaddle baby.
? Infant bathtub (the simpler the better: we use a square, plastic basin from Rubbermaid at the moment, but we do have an infant tub as well).
? Baby hooded towels for bath time (4) - - We use two for each bath: One for baby?s hair and one for baby?s body (boy do they hate being cold).
? Jumpers/onesies with crotch snaps (about 5-10) - make sure they button in the front, all the way down. Have some for newborn, some for 1 month and 3 months. Trust me, they grow up so fast.
? Baby t-shirts that button in the front.
? Body Suits: Hard to get on, but well worth the aggravation: yours and baby?s.
? 6 pacifiers (orthodontist approved) and strings to attach them - you loose quite a few.
? Warmer jumper for outside. Spring babies might need only a jacket with a hood.
? Toque/hat
? No-scratch mitts
? Baby socks
? Ecover gentle wash detergent or Ivory snow detergent (at least for the first while)
? Laundry basket
? Diapers (newborn size) (200 to 240 should get you through the first month)
? Diaper wipes (Seventh Generation are the best - - Chlorine Free)
? Plastic changing pads, so you can change the baby on the couch, bed?etc.
? Mild baby soap (shampoo and body in one) ? Baby Wash by Little Twig and Burt?s Bees and really good.
? Baby body lotion. The baby?s skin is really dry and peels all over at the beginning, so have a good lotion on hand. We use Sweet Cheeks Body Balm.
? Penaten cream (for diaper rash)
? Baby oil
? Rubbing Alcohol
? Q-tips (for cleaning umbilical cord stump!)
? A crap load of cotton balls
? Nail clippers and file- really important, as the baby scratches his/her face often.
? Vitamin D drops (Superstore sells their ?Teddy? brand for way cheaper than other places - $7 vs. $15!)
? Thermometer
? Baby acetaminophen (just in case)
? Diaper pail (just try to keep the baby stink off, I dare you)
? Diaper bag- for carrying all the baby stuff when you go out.
? A lot of paper towels and tissues to clean spills and messes.
? Plastic bags for disposal and to contain mishaps.
? Gripe Water- really important for stomach upset, colic, etc.
? Ovol drops for baby- really good for helping with painful gas, but speak to your doctor first.
? A little book to record feeding times and poops and pees (extremely important for the first month). The nurse and doctors will keep asking you these details. It will also help keep you sane and organized.
For Momma:
? Breastfeeding pillow
? Nursing bras (3) - - Bravado is a good brand (there are many others to chose from).
? Lansinoh (lanolin nipple cream) - - Also great for dry skin and baby acne.
? Breast pads - - Disposable Ones and Washable Ones.
? Maxi pads (at least 2 packages of super absorbent for the hospital only) - you will bleed for a long time, approx 6 weeks, so stock up.
? Two extra pair of large underwear for the hospital.
? Slippers and robe for the hospital
? Cabbage! (For engorgement)- you freeze it and put in your bra.
? Tylenol and Advil
? It is really useful to rent an electric breast pump - - Try Room for Two on Commercial Drive or London Drugs. The Community nurses will tell you where to get your hands on one non-the-less. The hand held ones and the store bought electric ones do not work really well.
? Plastic baggies for storing pumped breast milk
? Sitz bath- you can buy this at the drug store. If you do end up having some stitches, it is good to sit in it and have warm water help you heal.
? Laxatives (Metamucil) - trust me, it helps when you have to go to the bathroom for the first time.
Extras and other useful info:
? Baby Bjorn Active Carrier (the active one has great back support)
? Bouncy chair for baby or a swing.
? Children?s music CD - very useful to calm baby down.
? Remember to SWADDLE the baby in a blanket- really tight. That works so well to calm them down.
? Live with your parents ? !!!JACK-POT!!!
? Make sure everything is assembled well in advance, as you won?t have time to be doing this when the baby arrives home.
? Always keep a spare set of clothing on hand for baby when you go out, oh you?ll need them. A change of clothing for you wouldn?t be a bad idea either.
Books we found useful: You will need books as reference, so make sure you have a few of these. They can answer many questions in a panic, at 2 am. :-)
? Baby?s Best Chance (published by the government, available online or at the local public health nurse?s office)
? What to Expect the First Year
? The Happiest Baby on the Block - really, really useful.
? Dr. Sears The Baby Book.
? A really good website: babycenter.com
If you end up having to bottle feed:
? 8 bottles (4oz Glass bottles from EvenFlow - - Make sure to get the silicon nipples as they are safer for baby)
? Bottle sterilizing kit or the like
? Different flow nipples for bottles.
? Bottle drying rack (we lay them on paper towels, but you can go to town on this one).
? Formula: Ready to Serve Nestle Good Start with Omega 3 or Similac with Omega 3.
? Note: Breast Milk is Best - - Don?t Panic, if it doesn?t come in right away or is not enough to satisfy baby, formula is just fine.
Breast Feeding Clinic
? The Breast Feeding Clinic (Dr. Springer or Dr. Livingstone - - We like Dr. Springer)
Baby Blues:
I don?t really know what happens to your hormones and emotions when you bring home a newborn. I did read about depression and I did not have anything close to that, but I did cry occasionally for the first little while. The doctors told me that this crying peaks at day 5-6 after birth, so don?t be concerned if this happens to you. It WILL go away and you will feel much, much better.
We have been told that the first two months are really, really hard for everyone, so be patient and don?t try to establish any kind of routine. Just remember that you just accomplished one of the most important jobs in life.
Talk to friends that have had children, for emotional and technical support. Keep in mind that birthing and childcare has changed drastically within the last five years, let alone the last century. So some advice from past generations may not be accurate and can potentially harm your child. Be protective, and do what YOU feel is right and follow advice from your own DOCTOR (he/she should be your only trusted authority).
Also, don?t let the community nurses push you around. If you need to request another nurse, don?t be afraid to do so. We found ours to be quite helpful and took our own initiative to call them back when we felt we needed advice, or just to weigh our baby. They are there to help and should be a welcomed guest, however, make sure you have someone there to back you up and help you stick up for yourself.