Everyone says to stock up on everything before having a baby. what all do i need?

Question

My husband and i are trying to have a baby and we would like to start buying stuff as soon as we get a positive. what all do we need? i know nothing about having a child. also we want to start stocking up on diapers. how do i know what size to get? What are the best things for a baby? and anything else you know would be great. Thank You

Answer 1

Buy the most expensive stuff now!

Diapers

Formula

Whips

Baby food

don't bother buying too many clothes. they grow so fast that it's easier to buy with their growth in mind, then to have all these clothes that wont fit.

Answer 2

Lots of diapers, wipes, onsies, laundry soap, burp rags, bottles, formula.

Answer 3

I'm doing the same thing-- only, I've been a nanny to several infants, and have had the advantage of seeing what works and what doesn't.  Probably my favorite place to find baby stuff is giggle. (http://www.giggle.com/) They just get it.  But below are a few necessities (with my suggestions thrown in.)

CAR SEAT: Most hospitals won't let you leave the hospital without a safe carseat.  Make sure you read all the instructions when you are purchasing and installing your seat the first time.  Save some money and buy one that can go from infancy through to toddler.  It just makes sense!

DIAPERS:

You could buy loads of disposable diapers, or, try this:

http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php

Save a ton of money and the environment.  It might sound gross to use cloth diapers, but I promise you won't care-- you'll be so in love even their p**p won't bother you!  Plus, cloth diapers are great for babies' sensitive skin, and typically, cloth diaper babies potty train (sometimes) up to a year earlier than those who use disposables-- which, in the long run, is a LOT LESS p**p than going disposable.  TRUST ME!  What's so great about this brand is that they are adjustable, fitting newborns all the way up to toddlers! So you don't have to worry about sizes, and if you have two kids in diapers at once, they can both use them!   And don't forget the wipes.  You can buy them in bulk  in stores and online.

DIAPER BAG:

If you want to be able to be mobile, you're going to need a diaper bag.  My favorite brand is http://www.ju-ju-be.com/  They are simply the BEST and CUTEST bags out there.  If they're not your style, then the next best brand is http://www.petuniapicklebottom.com/ So incredibly cute and very well made!

STROLLER:

Before your little peanut can hold themselves up, it's really nice to have a stroller that allows them to lay down, not all slouched over.  Some babies prefer to sleep on their tummies and will tell you and everyone around that they are not happy about not being able to sleep comfortably.  That's just one of the many reasons I absolutely love the Bugaboo Chameleon stroller. http://www.bugaboo.com/ It also has a removable seat cover, so you can keep it somewhat clean-- a difficult task with toddlers!

SEAT for BABY:

Sometimes you have to set your baby down!  I love this seat:http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/p... it's chic and safe with the five point harness. NOTE: Avoid buying anything that doesn't have a five point harness-- they are just not as safe, and you'll regret it. Also, jumpers are great for letting your baby burn off some energy when you're all out of it!

CRIB:

You'll be tempted to use a bedside bassinet or something, but if you don't allow your baby to learn how to self-soothe, you'll be up all hours of the night for months longer than you should have to!  Get a convertible crib (one that will take them from infancy through to childhood) and save money in the long run.  But don't buy a cheap bed-- it's got to be tough if it's really going to last.  I like Stokke. http://www.stokkeusa.com/sleepi.htm

PACK N PLAY (AKA Playpen)

Apparently it's not kosher to call these playpens anymore, but letting your child learn how to self-entertain is very important and having a safe place to do that is obviously important as well. Graco makes great pack n plays with lots of different features and designs.    http://www.gracobaby.com/products/catego...

And Evenflo has some nice ones, too: http://www.evenflo.com/Homepage/ProductL...

CLOTHES:

This one is obvious. Don't go crazy with all sorts of outfits, though, because they grow really fast!  Let your family and friends spoil your baby (and you) with all sorts of cute clothes, but make sure you have something for every couple months growth so you don't have to take a half-dressed baby out to buy more!

FORMULA:

While breast feeding is superior to formula, it might take a few days for your body to figure out that it's time to let down (release milk) and you don't want your baby to go hungry!  Some babies never seem to get the breast feeding thing, so it's important to have at least a little formula on hand.

BOTTLES:

A lot of people I know have used Dr. Brown's bottles--  and they work.  But they are also a little more complicated and expensive than regular bottles and the babies still have to burp and spit up.  I like Avent's wide neck for easy cleaning and if you choose to pump, you'll like that their pumps hook right on to the bottle so you don't waste a precious drop!   http://www.avent.com/

Well, that's about it for getting started.  I hope that helps!

Good luck to getting pregnant!  

Julie

Answer 4

DIAPERS and wipes, bum cream, baby powder...1 pack of newborn diapers then lots of size 1 and 2.  I prefer huggies but it's up to u what ur gonna like.  Bottles...took a while to find which one my son liked best (settled on playtex nursers with the drop in's).  Sleepers and onesies, receiving blankets, couple baby blankets, baby bath wash, baby bath was a waste of money easier in the kitchen sink.  Also get the car seat before and my son LOVES his bouncy chair.

Answer 5

One thing you definitely won't need, but people seem to glorify it---a Diaper Genie...wow, do not get one...they are a waste of money/space/time.  

Answer 6

Bassinet

Sheets

Crib

Receiving blankets

Regular Blankets

Bottles

Burp Cloths

Onesies

Pants

Clothes (All diff sizes)

Baby Boggins

Swing

Bouncer

DIAPERS- I would buy various sizes

Baby Bathtub

Wash Cloths

Baby Body wash

Baby Shampoo

Soft Bristle Baby comb

Baby nail clippers

Lotions

Bulb Syringe

Thermometer

Stroller

Carseat

Highchair

Bottle warmer if you bottle feed

Wipes- LOTS of wipes

Diaper Rash cream

Vaseline

Diaper Bag

Cooler bag- for when you go out to keep bottles fresh

***Things for when its a little older***

Walker

Activity Center

Teething Rings

Small Baby Toys

Playpen

Baby Shoes

Hope this helps! Its everything I could think of! Hope you get pregnant soon! May God bless you!

P.S- Please tell your husband THANK you for serving our country, and fighting for our freedom, he is one of AMERICAS TRUE HEROS!!!!!!!

Good LUCK!!!!

Answer 7

Well I answered on your other post my favs are the breastpump, rainforest swing, and pack in play.

DIAPERS and WIPES!  Those are the things you will always need and can't have too much of.  If you have too many of one size, it's ok just take it back and exchange it.   Pampers Swaddlers for newborns are a must (it has a cut out for the umbilical cord).  Huggies has one too, but I've always had better luck with Pampers.

I noticed you are a military wife, just curious if you will be transferred anywhere anytime soon.  That might be a lot of extra stuff to be moving if you aren't pregnant yet.  If not, then go for it!

Answer 8

Good luck, Clomid worked for me.  

Our pack n play with a bassinet in the top has been great!  If you do this you will need sheets for the pack and play.  She is 5 weeks old and we haven't used the crib yet.

We use cloth diapers for burp cloths and they are great.  Lap pads are good, they keep you from having to wash as many loads of laundry due to leaking from spit up or diapers.  Receiving blankets are recycled frequently at our house.  

I use two baby towels during baths.  She loves the baby bath tub with an infant sling.  You can of course use regular towels.  We use Johnson's baby wash for bathing and hair washing.  

I use Desitin sometimes and baby powder with corn starch.  Cotton balls are great for cleaning faces and eyes/eye lids when they get sleep in there eyes.  Or my baby has a blocked tear duct.  

Don't forget the car seat, the one with an infant carrier has really come in handy.

Answer 9

Since you are TTC, I would not buy anything that could expire.

I would start to buy diapers first. Ask some family and friends around you what brand they prefer. I've always liked Pampers. Make sure you only by one or two packs of newborn and only a couple packs of size 1. Generally babies stay in size two and three for a few months, so you're safe to buy a few extra packs of those.

I would also recommend that you keep your eye out for onesies on sale. Short sleeved onesies are great for layering and can be used for any season. Make sure to buy solid white or another neutral color.

Also, the little things are nice to have. Burp rags, pacifiers, bottles (if you're going to use them), bibs, socks, receiving blankets, etc.

Keep in mind that you'll probably have a baby shower at some point and you may get some of these things, even if you don't register for them.

Good luck!

Answer 10

diapers, get various sizes.  Get only one bag/box of newborn size because they really do not stay that small long.  Get onesies, I always thought burp cloths were a waste because my son spit up more then the burp cloths could hold, so get a bunch of recieving blankets.  Get a bouncer that will be your lifesavor.  Socks, dont bother with hand mittens, they dont fit and when they do fit baby takes them off, dont bother with a wipe warmer or diaper genie.  Get a few bottles, pacifiers if you plan to you use them, get yourself some maxi pads, breast pump if you plan on breastfeeding, or if you plan to formula feed only get one can because babies tend to have sensitive stomaches and may be allergic to certain types.  Get a baby tub, plenty of blankets, baby soap, baby orajel you never know when you'll need it.  

Answer 11

Since you will probably get the normal answers; diapers, baby wipes, bottles, pacifiers, baby t shirts; I thought I'd mention the ones people often don't think about.  How about food, easy stuff like cereal and soup that you can throw in the microwave for yourself.  Laundry and dish wash soap.  If you use bottles you'll use lots of soap.  And if you have a pee-r like mine, he goes through lots of clothes a day.  Dog food or cat food.  It's easy to forget about the pets when the baby arrives.  I bought an automatic feeder and water-er and they really came in handy.  I have to be honest.  I still forgot about that dang water sometimes till the dog jumped in the bath to get a drink.  Panty liners.  After the nasty two weeks of bleeding heavy is up you will still need at LEAST a panty liner for many weeks after.  I'm 9 weeks out and still have to use one.  And last, this isn't about stocking up,  but get curtains.  I would suggest black out curtains in what ever room the baby will be sleeping in.  If not, the little rascal will be up with the sun.  Not that he won't be up a lot, but that seems to help.  Good luck, I'm sure you'll be great.

Answer 12

Remember that babies grow fast. I would start by buying one or two packs (depending on size) of eact size of diaper (newborn, 1, 2, 3, etc.). Also wipes, you can never have too many. Then comes the crib, changing table, pack and play, etc. I would personally not buy everything you need, people need stuff to buy you for your baby shower.

The best way to concieve is to relax!! Every couple I know that tried for a baby took years to concieve. And every couple I know who wasn't trying concieved shortly after they got sloppy with birth control. That includes me and my fiance.