As we hit the 100-days-and-counting milestone until baby Trotz arrives, I’m beginning to think more about what all we have to get into the house in preparation for the big arrival. Amy reminded me that my friend Hart Hooton and his wife Cella graciously sent us a ‘must-have’ list they created and shared with their friends. I thought others might find this useful, too, so here you go.
What to think about when you’re expecting (from my friends Hart and Cella)
BIG STUFF
1) A place for the baby to sleep. We like a bassinet because you can
wheel it around. Other people use Moses baskets or, for those who want
the baby in the same room, attachments to their own beds (co-sleepers).
Babies don’t need cribs till they’re about 4 months old.
2) An infant car seat. Also get a neck donut, which holds a small
baby’s head upright in the car seat or other seat. The baby stores sell
neck donuts.
3) A swing. Some babies like this and some don’t. Hudson thinks it’s
the greatest thing ever invented; Giovanna was fairly neutral about it.
Newborns cry ALOT and for some babies this is the best way, short of
carrying them around, of buying yourself enough cry-free time to read
the paper or cook dinner or talk on the phone.
4) A bouncer seat. These are really inexpensive and a nice addition.
Be sure to get one that has a toy bar across the top. The newborn won’t
notice but by 3 months or so they’ll love playing with it.
5) A baby carrier. There are two kinds, a sling and a snugli. I’ve
only used the snugli, and mine is from Baby Bjorn. I have friends who
swear by the sling, but it was too hard for me to use.
6) A place to change the baby that is nearby a place where you can put a
bunch of baby toilettries. A changing table is great but a bed can do
just fine. We are right now using a “Rumble Tuff” which is a changing
top that you can fasten on to a dresser. It saved us some room. You
can get Rumble Tuffs at any baby store. If you use a rumble tuff you
will also need 4-6 covers for it.
7) One or more Diaper Genies, and up to 10 or so refills so you don’t
have to go chasing after them. I’ve had other brands of diaper
disposers, and find Diaper Genie works much better.
8) A mode of transport – for an infant, this is either a baby carriage
or a stroller adopter that lets you stick the car seat in it. Carriages
work for babies up to about four months old; most carriages convert to
strollers but they’re much heavier and harder to fold up than regular
strollers.
9) A baby bathtub
SMALLER STUFF
10) Sheets, pads, waterproof pads for the bassinet and crib, and a
bumper for the crib. DO NOT BUY “REGAL” BRAND. They’re the most
prevalent but they flunked a bunch of safety tests a few years back.
The highest rated brands were from Land’s End and Company Store.
Anything else for the crib, like frills and stuff, is entirely
voluntary. Babies shouldn’t have blankets, pillows or soft toys in the
crib.
11) Three or four packages of newborn diapers. I really think all the
brands are pretty much alike in quality, but I like the regular old
pampers (not the premium ones) best because the fasteners work.
12) Two packages of cloth diapers, with one dozen diapers per package.
I’d never use cloth diapers for diapers – too much work – but they’re
great for cleaning up and wearing on your shoulder to catch spit-up.
13) Towels and washcloths. There are very nice towels and washcloths
made for babies, which we used for Giovanna. But of course for Hudson
we just used regular towels. If you get made-for-baby towels get the
Carter’s Premium brand and get two to four baby towels and up to six
baby washcloths.
14) From the drugstore: alcohol; tubs of A&D or Balmex ointment
(they’re the same, just pick the one you think smells better – Balmex is
sweeter and A&D more eucalpytus); infant Tylenol; syrup of Ipecac (keep
it FAR away from children); Pedialyte; a thermometer (I use the old
fashioned rectal kind); baby nail clipper; baby nail file; a bulb
syringe (for stuffy noses); Ayr’s nasal saline (for same); appropriate
soap (we use Cetaphil liquid or the generic equivalent); appropriate
body cream (we use both Aquaphor and Cetaphil); a hairbrush (there’s a
Sesame Street white plastic one that’s sold at every drugstore and I’m
embarrassed to say that it works the best of all we have); baby shampoo
(any brand is fine); Vaseline
15) Baby wipes or wet paper towels. Either works just fine, but the
wipes are easier since they’re “pre-made.” I like the Pampers brand
best.
16) Swaddling blankets. We use the Gerber waffle weave which are pretty
cheap and last forever. Get 6 of whatever colors you like.
17) Six to nine four-ounce bottles and six to nine larger ones. We use
Avent. Also you’ll need a bottle brush with a nipple brush attachment.
You can use a bottle sterilizer or just wash them and then put them
through a dishwasher cycle. When the babies are little and eating
frequently, I used an Avent sterilizer because it took just nine
minutes.
CLOTHES
For an infant, almost all the department stores and the GAP provide a
listing of what they think you need, and they’re all pretty accurate.
Roughly, you need 6 undershirts (six-month size really is best); 6
onesies (the undershirts that snap underneath the crotch); 3 nightgowns
(one three-month size and two six month size is fine); 3-6 sleepers with
feet(I’d get one one-month and 3 three month to start); some baby socks
(Trimfit are the ONLY brand that stays on); four to six cloth bibs; four
outfits like dresses and stuff (I’d get two newborn and two the next
size up); two coverups for outside weather (as needed); one “bunting”
(if it’s winter); and four or so hats in a variety of weights. It’s
hard to beat Carter’s, Petit Bateau, GAP and Old Navy, except that Old
Navy tends to wear less well than the others. Land’s End makes
spectacular outerwear but their day clothes have no style.
BOOKS
What to Expect When You are Expecting is a thorough resource that we
used extensively leading up to the births.
Dr. Spock’s “Baby and Child Care” and “Taking Care of Your Child” which
are both important to have and great medical references (the latter book
provides easy-to-understand diagnostic steps that lead you to whether
you need to go to doctor or try home remedy).