Baby Prep

image from google pics

When we found out we were expecting our first baby I was excited and actually found myself wishing the baby would be delivered by a stork the next day. I had always wanted to be a mom and loved the idea of the baby coming as soon as possible.

During my pregnancy I kept an eye out for things that would help us prepare for our little one; I read books, listened to other moms, and prayed. Below is a list of things I found helpful in preparing for our baby. Maybe this list will help other soon-to-be moms--or, at a minimum it will be a reference for me if we are blessed with another little one in the future.

Prayer

I went to high school with Karen, and she has the blog, Black Tie, White Dress, and Now a Bassinet. On her blog she lists the specific attributes she prays for on behalf of her baby each week/month of the baby's development. She is expecting her second baby and her most recent post talks about praying for the baby to have mercy. I love her example of prayer as one of the most important ways to prepare for a baby.

Books/Websites

Some friends referred me to some great resources about pregnancy and babies.

*Baby Center (register with this site to receive weekly e-mails about the growth and development of your baby; it's super helpful and the weekly e-mails continue through preschool)

*Expecting 411 (I found this more helpful than What to Expect book)
*Baby 411
*Baby Bargains(a book with reviews and ratings on baby gear)
*What to Expect When Your Expecting
*What to Expect the First Year
*Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way (informational book about labor and delivery, even if you are planning to use pain meds)

Classes
I recommend seeing what classes your doctor or hospital offers. Our hospital offered classes on pain management, baby care, CPR, nursing... Also, I highly recommend finding a lactation consultant to meet with prior to your baby arriving. I think it would be helpful to be fully educated and trouble-shoot questions and scenarios prior to needing the information.

I also recommend finding a local MOPS group to meet with after the baby arrives.

Registry
A friend of mine, who already had a baby, went with me to Babies-R-Us to set up my registry. I found it very helpful for her to come with me and point out important items and explain what things would be helpful to have.

Gear

FEEDING
*pacifiers (start with 0-6 month size)
*WubbaNub (fun option that has a stuffed animal attached to it)
*pacifier ribbon (to attach pacifier to baby's shirt)
*pacifier pod (little bag to hold pacifiers in diaper bag)
bottle fed
*formula (buy at Costco/Sam's for a great discount!)
*bottles
*nipples (I do not suggest stocking up on nipples since you are not sure what size your baby will need when it comes time for a bottle-- there are slow, medium and fast flow options)
*bottle brush, drying rack, and dishwasher basket (our nurse recommended using Johnson&Johnson baby body wash to wash the bottles & nipples)
*counter top basket (how we store all of the bottle stuff in our kitchen to keep it organized in one place)
nursing
*breast pump (my doctor recommended renting one from the hospital for the first month since the "hospital grade" pumps are more efficient for helping bring in milk supply)
*rocking chair
*nursing stool
*breast milk storage bags/containers
*tanks/bras
*Medela sells lots of helpful tools too (I also recommend meeting with an independent lactation consultant PRIOR to the birth of baby to learn about nursing and help trouble-shoot in advance)
at home
*boppy & boppy slipcover (great for breast feeding and also propping the baby up to sit in)
*burp cloths (the softer and more absorbent, the better)
*lap pads (for your lap and also to lay baby on in crib to catch any spit-ups or leaks)
while traveling
*nursing cover
*ice pack/insulated bag for bottles
*an extra bottle & bottled water (to mix with formula for when you get in a bind)
*sectioned powdered formula dispenser
for an older baby
*bumbo
*bumbo play tray
*bibs
*plate
*bowls
*sippy cups
*spoons (soft bite)
*high chair/travel high chair
*food processor/mini prep (to prepare homemade baby food)
*restaurant high chair/shopping cart cover
*place mat
*container for snacks (Munchkin brand has lots of great options)
*water bottle

DIAPERING
at home
*diaper caddy/changing table (we use the caddy for overnight trips too)
*diapers
*tub of wipes (buy a pack of 1000 at Costco/Sam's for a great discount!)
*wipes warmer (we hear baby's prefer a warm wipe and the warmer keeps wipes fresher longer to lower the need for using multiple wipes in one changing since the wipe is moister)
*rash ointment (we like Triple Paste)
*peepee teepee (for boys) or cover with toilet paper
*baby powder
*little distraction toy
while traveling
*diaper bag
*fold-n-go diapering kit (includes a mat to change baby's diaper when out running errands)
*diapers
*travel wipes (wipes stored in travel container)
*rash ointment
*mini-Kleenex (in lieu or toilet paper)
*travel trash bags
*hand sanitizer
*wet bag (for dirty clothes/swimsuits. or in lieu of the trash bag)

SLEEPING
at home
*crib/co-sleeper/cradle/pack-n-play
*crib mattress
*waterproof mattress pad
*fitted crib sheets/pack-n-play fitted sheet
*decorative crib bumper (cotton or breathable)
*decorative crib skirt
*receiving blankets/swaddling blankets (we love the aden and anais breathable gauzey blankets)
*zip-up sleepers (we LOVE; I've heard good things about sleep sacks and swaddle wraps too)
*lovie (small blanket attached to stuffed animal or pacifier)
extras
*mobile
*mirror for crib
*crib toy: kick and play piano
while traveling
*kick-n-play chair (Gavin loves sitting and sleeping in his chair and I've heard good things about the Nap Nanny too)

BATH TIME
infants
*bathtub
*good quality wash cloths/towels
*tummy towel (to keep baby's body warm while in the water)
*shampoo rinse cup with soft flexible edge
*comb
*hooded towel set (a fun addition but not necessary)
*baby bath soap (we use Aquaphor; J&J dries out G's skin too much)
*lotion (we use Eucerin)
for an older baby
*knee pad (to use when baby graduates to large bath tub)
*bath toy holder
*bath toys
*non-slip bath mat
*faucet cover

TOILETRIES
*nail scissors/clippers/emery board
*petroleum jelly (this will also attach little bows to a infant girl's forehead)
*nasal aspirator (we LOVE the NoseFrida!)
*safety swabs
*boogie wipes (great for travel)
*pacifier wipes

MEDICINE CABINET
*baby tylenol (great to give before shots)
*baby orajel (teething)
*Mylicon gas relief drops, dye-free
*Saline nose drops
*humidifier
*digital thermometer
*pacifier medicine dispenser

CLOTHING (consignment stores have great deals for baby clothes and gear!)
*little hangers
*hanger dividers (to sort clothes by months)
*onesies
*outfits (by months and seasonally appropriate)
*footed bodysuits (LOVE!)
*baby mittens (infant)
*hats/caps
*socks (G's feet were too big for newborn size; we LOVE Carter's brand socks for 3-12 mo and they are just as expensive as socks at Walmart)
*leggings (Target Online has some cute options!)
*bloomers (for girls)
*shoes (Target Online has some cute options!)
*headbands/bows (for girls; Hobby Lobby has a great assortment of affordable headbands in all colors)

NURSERY
(crib and changing table listed above)
*dresser/bookshelf
*waste basket/diaper trashcan
*lamp/lamp shade
*night light
*drapes (with black-out lining, if possible)
*hamper
*baby monitor
*decor

TOYS
*swing
*bouncy chair
*play mat (with tummy time pillow)
*jumper
*stacking toys
*blocks (soft/hard/squeezable)
*ball
*small stuffed animals
*rattles
*links
*teething toys
*shaking toys
*musical toys
*books

EDUCATION
*The Jesus Storybook Bible (not a typical bible; it is bible stories written in a children's book format)
*Slow & Steady Get Me Ready book (provides a weekly activity idea to do with child from birth thru preschool; both educational and fun for child)

MEMORIES
*baby book to chronicle milestones (I use the black and white "memo" books)
*scrapbook
*keepsake box (just a large box to keep mementos in)
*binder to track feeding/eating schedule, handouts from pediatrician, and immunization record

TRAVEL
*diaper bag
*small wallet (in case you choose to forgo carrying both a diaper bag and purse everywhere)
*car seat
*extra car seat base (to easily transfer infant car seat between 2 vehicles)
*car seat mat (to protect your car from car seat)
*car seat mirror (for baby to look into and for you to look back at baby)
*car seat toy bar
*small stuffed animal toys that attach to car seat
*back seat toy caddy
*bjorn, sling, moby wrap (Sling or Moby for errands, Bjorn for home and outdoors; I LOVE our baby carriers and highly recommend them!)
*lightweight toddler umbrella stroller
*snap-n-go stroller
*mommy hook (its a large carabiner for holding the diaper bag or shopping bags on stroller; I find this SUPER helpful!)
*jogging stroller
*shopping cart cover
*picnic blanket (thick quilt or waterproof blanket)

HOME SAFETY
for an older baby
*lock and swing gate
*outlet covers
*toilet seat lock
*cabinet door locks
*door locks