mia1181
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,789
Dragonfly- Sorry about your shower! Unfortunately, people tend to give gifts like clothes and blankets, we got a lot too. In fact besides gift cards, that's pretty much what we got too! The giftcards saved us though. I agree with most of what Bella said and wanted to add a few suggestions.
1. I also returned clothes or other baby gifts that I knew I wouldn't use. Not something I'm super proud of, but I just felt like it was such a shame to have outfits that I would never want my baby in or certain baby products that I felt were just unnecessary. Luckily, most of the gifts I returned were from friends/family who were out of town. At Babies R Us, you don't need a receipt if the item is on your registry, so I just added things to my registry before returning. Also, don't forget that you will get a coupon from BRU (if you registered with them, but other places do it too) for 20% off whatever is left in your registry. I don't think I needed a receipt for target.
2. I also shopped on craigslist for stuff. I do recommend a glider, although many women are just fine nursing on the couch or bed. We got our newish looking glider for $75 IIRC on CL.
3. Google and see if there is a mass consignment sale going on near you. I just went to one last month and there is another one here in August. I'm talking a whole room full of bouncey seats, swings, high chairs, all for so cheap!
4. We personally did not need a baby swing. I would never buy one that wasn't used because it is hit or miss which babies even care about them. If your baby is really struggling with sleep after a few weeks, try one out, but otherwise I would hold off. The bouncey seat, however, is a must! Get one with a vibrator. You will use it for everything from naps, to just somewhere to put the baby, to baby's first meals. We found the cheapest one possible with a vibrator, no need to pay extra for bells and whistles.
5. Hold off on anything for feeding baby solids until you need them. You do not need a baby food maker!!! Any blender or food processor will do the job just as well (and in larger batches!). No need for a high chair until baby is sitting up. You can (and will want to for convenience and less clutter) use the bouncey seat for that. When it is time to get one, I highly recommend the $15 one from Ikea! Seriously, it is the best! So easy to clean.
6. You might want to hold off on nursing stuff for a little bit. It's great to have everything ready, but some moms do find that it is not for them. If you do nurse, you might hold off on pumping for a few weeks to not confuse baby, breasts, or supply. If you do need to pump right away (baby not latching, milk not coming in) I know it might be a little hassle getting stuff last minute, but your insurance might pay for a pump. Look into it. Get the pads though, you'll need them no matter what.
7. Were you planning on having baby sleep in pack in play now? Or did you want it for future travels? We kept ours in our bedroom and used it right away. If that is what you were thinking, I would put that at the top of priorities. Sleep is most important in the beginning!
8. No bottle warmers, sterilizers or wipe warmers. I fed my daughter cold or room temp breast milk and when I was a nanny I made formula with room temp water. It's great when your baby doesn't expect warm milk! So much more convenient! Do you have a dishwasher with a sterilizer setting? That's what we use. But I don't think having "sterile" bottles every time is that big of a deal.
9. Don't worry about orajel. No teething for a while and even then, I've never had to use it. Get pain relief medicine and a thermometer though. You don't want to have a sick baby at 2am with no supplies.
10. Our crib linens consist of: 1 waterproof mattress cover (~$20), 2 crib sheets, 1 crib sheet protector thingy (~$20). So I put 3 layers on and save the extra sheet for backup. So if she pees/poops/vomits on the top layer, I just unsnap it and take it off and no need to touch the sheet or mattress cover. It also gives you time to wash the top cover without feeling rushed. Then when she wets the sheet and mattress cover or at the end of the week, I just pop those off and put on a clean sheet on with no mattress cover, but the sheet protector (which will have already been cleaned) on top. I don't know if that all makes sense. My system is to not have to be in a situation where all my sheets are dirty and she needs a nap. I also don't want to remake the entire crib every time she wets it. Most mattresses are waterproof too, so you could probably get by with 2 sheets without the mattress pad, or with 2 sheets and just one mattress pad. I just get paranoid if she were to really really wet her bed.
11. Feel free to hold of on anything decorative because unfortunately, it's not a top priority, and your baby might not be using their room right away anyway. I made my own valance curtain, crib skirt, and throw pillow for the glider with some fabric and some no-sew tape. It was really easy and cheap. We did O's whole room cheap/ikea/DIY and I think it came out pretty cute. It's on the nursery thread if you want to check it out.
12. Unless you find a cheap used Ergo in good condition (I had trouble finding one), what about a cheaper wrap carrier or sling? I liked the moby best in the beginning. I do love the ergo but they are super expensive and you will have to get the newborn insert (although I've heard of women substituting a folded blanket instead). If you have a babywearing group in your area, you could go (while you are still pregnant even) and try out different types. You might even meet some moms who are willing to lend or sell you theirs!
I am so sorry you are having to buy this stuff all on your own. I know it seems like a lot, but there is very few stuff you actually really need. The good news is that you will have less clutter. We are very very minimalist when it comes to DDs baby gear and toys. We've never had a swing, walker, exersaucer... I love that we don't really have anything we don't use. DD has awesome play skills and hits all her milestones so I don't think she has been deprived at all.
1. I also returned clothes or other baby gifts that I knew I wouldn't use. Not something I'm super proud of, but I just felt like it was such a shame to have outfits that I would never want my baby in or certain baby products that I felt were just unnecessary. Luckily, most of the gifts I returned were from friends/family who were out of town. At Babies R Us, you don't need a receipt if the item is on your registry, so I just added things to my registry before returning. Also, don't forget that you will get a coupon from BRU (if you registered with them, but other places do it too) for 20% off whatever is left in your registry. I don't think I needed a receipt for target.
2. I also shopped on craigslist for stuff. I do recommend a glider, although many women are just fine nursing on the couch or bed. We got our newish looking glider for $75 IIRC on CL.
3. Google and see if there is a mass consignment sale going on near you. I just went to one last month and there is another one here in August. I'm talking a whole room full of bouncey seats, swings, high chairs, all for so cheap!
4. We personally did not need a baby swing. I would never buy one that wasn't used because it is hit or miss which babies even care about them. If your baby is really struggling with sleep after a few weeks, try one out, but otherwise I would hold off. The bouncey seat, however, is a must! Get one with a vibrator. You will use it for everything from naps, to just somewhere to put the baby, to baby's first meals. We found the cheapest one possible with a vibrator, no need to pay extra for bells and whistles.
5. Hold off on anything for feeding baby solids until you need them. You do not need a baby food maker!!! Any blender or food processor will do the job just as well (and in larger batches!). No need for a high chair until baby is sitting up. You can (and will want to for convenience and less clutter) use the bouncey seat for that. When it is time to get one, I highly recommend the $15 one from Ikea! Seriously, it is the best! So easy to clean.
6. You might want to hold off on nursing stuff for a little bit. It's great to have everything ready, but some moms do find that it is not for them. If you do nurse, you might hold off on pumping for a few weeks to not confuse baby, breasts, or supply. If you do need to pump right away (baby not latching, milk not coming in) I know it might be a little hassle getting stuff last minute, but your insurance might pay for a pump. Look into it. Get the pads though, you'll need them no matter what.
7. Were you planning on having baby sleep in pack in play now? Or did you want it for future travels? We kept ours in our bedroom and used it right away. If that is what you were thinking, I would put that at the top of priorities. Sleep is most important in the beginning!
8. No bottle warmers, sterilizers or wipe warmers. I fed my daughter cold or room temp breast milk and when I was a nanny I made formula with room temp water. It's great when your baby doesn't expect warm milk! So much more convenient! Do you have a dishwasher with a sterilizer setting? That's what we use. But I don't think having "sterile" bottles every time is that big of a deal.
9. Don't worry about orajel. No teething for a while and even then, I've never had to use it. Get pain relief medicine and a thermometer though. You don't want to have a sick baby at 2am with no supplies.
10. Our crib linens consist of: 1 waterproof mattress cover (~$20), 2 crib sheets, 1 crib sheet protector thingy (~$20). So I put 3 layers on and save the extra sheet for backup. So if she pees/poops/vomits on the top layer, I just unsnap it and take it off and no need to touch the sheet or mattress cover. It also gives you time to wash the top cover without feeling rushed. Then when she wets the sheet and mattress cover or at the end of the week, I just pop those off and put on a clean sheet on with no mattress cover, but the sheet protector (which will have already been cleaned) on top. I don't know if that all makes sense. My system is to not have to be in a situation where all my sheets are dirty and she needs a nap. I also don't want to remake the entire crib every time she wets it. Most mattresses are waterproof too, so you could probably get by with 2 sheets without the mattress pad, or with 2 sheets and just one mattress pad. I just get paranoid if she were to really really wet her bed.
11. Feel free to hold of on anything decorative because unfortunately, it's not a top priority, and your baby might not be using their room right away anyway. I made my own valance curtain, crib skirt, and throw pillow for the glider with some fabric and some no-sew tape. It was really easy and cheap. We did O's whole room cheap/ikea/DIY and I think it came out pretty cute. It's on the nursery thread if you want to check it out.
12. Unless you find a cheap used Ergo in good condition (I had trouble finding one), what about a cheaper wrap carrier or sling? I liked the moby best in the beginning. I do love the ergo but they are super expensive and you will have to get the newborn insert (although I've heard of women substituting a folded blanket instead). If you have a babywearing group in your area, you could go (while you are still pregnant even) and try out different types. You might even meet some moms who are willing to lend or sell you theirs!
I am so sorry you are having to buy this stuff all on your own. I know it seems like a lot, but there is very few stuff you actually really need. The good news is that you will have less clutter. We are very very minimalist when it comes to DDs baby gear and toys. We've never had a swing, walker, exersaucer... I love that we don't really have anything we don't use. DD has awesome play skills and hits all her milestones so I don't think she has been deprived at all.
)
. It's my own fault, I haven't taken the supplements like I should. I was on iron as a middle schooler and just dread the side effects. My sugar was slightly elevated, and I may have a UTI (waiting for results). We also have no answers for my edema in the feet, nor my back spasms. Thankfully my practitioner agrees we should try home remedies such as massage, increased fluid intake, massage, epsom salt baths and essential oils. I enjoyed a HUGE smoothie today made from mangoes, a bit of pineapple, apple, kale, spinach and spirulina. 
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