We went to Babies R Us this weekend. Man oh man do we need the stuff. And there are so many options. So, I'd like to ask all you parents out there ... what were some of the must-haves for you? What were some features on those items you couldn't live without? Or you wish you had? Any and all info is appreciated. We need to get some basics before we go to Florida, so we're looking at Travel Systems, Pack N Plays, diapers, bottles, etc. Anything and everything we'll need in the first two weeks until we get back to Wisconsin.
Fire away! We need your input.
-Jodi
Join us for updates on our journey to parenthood through an adoption plan.
About Us
- Dan and Jodi
- We're a couple in our 30s pursuing a domestic adoption plan. We are currently matched with a birthmother in Florida and waiting for our baby boy to be born. Due date is 7/18.
When did your baby arrive?
Dan and Jodi
Christmas 2007
Posts
6 comments:
The fun begins! How exciting! Enjoy the shopping expeditions and remember to take advantage of "Hand-Me-Down" City . . . all his new cousins' stuff will come in handy!
This you wouldnt use in Floriday, but dont buy one anyway! Don't buy one of those padded sleep bumber sets with the sheets, padded bumber, blanket etc for the baby's crib. You cant use them so its a waste of $200. Your little one only needs to sleep on a tight fitted sheet. It looks so lonely but its the best for them.
2. Dont buy alot of newborn sized clothes. They are the size that Claire grew out of the fastest. They never get too dressed up anyway. Some good onesies, and sleepers and you are set. )
3. Dont go hog wild on a mobile. Claire liked it, but i have found that most parents dont use them as much as you think you would.
4. Babies seem to love Black and White books. I know they can only see black and white for a while so baby books or toys with high contrast seemed to go over the best versus very colorful books and toys.
We had the best luck with Born Free™ bottles. There are quite a few varieties but we bought the kind that hold up to 9 oz right away. Havent had to buy any new ones since. Look for the kind that dont have the plastic chemical thats bad. A google search tells you want to look for. Nipples, we bought in silicon. ! HA! that sounds funny, but when it was my time to feed Claire versus Andrea nursing, they seemed to work well. Nipples come in different "flows" so start slow, and work your way up. Dan will appreciate it.
Blankets that are large enough to make your son into a baby burrito work the best. You can always tuck in the extras. Your classes or nurse will tell you a great way to fold em up ).
We bought and used a Graco Pack 'n Play that had a bassinet level sleep platform built in. Our model came with a carry back that makes it very easy to pack up and go. It folds to the size of a kids golf bag approx.
love these books.
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer (Paperback) by Harvey Karp...
MUST read this... teaches a great way to sooth yer baby to sleep...
Good luck...
First of all congratulations!! You'll need diapers of course (the newborns). You'll be in Florida so it will be HOT so I suggest newborn onsies and light weight night gowns, I liked those much better than sleepers for when you have to change diapers especially during the NIGHT! I used the night gowns with both my daughter and my boys! They either have elastic around the bottom or they tie. You might need a baby monitor if you will ever be out of ear shot. And I don't know how Florida is but in WI you can't leave the hospital without a carseat. We always used a pack n play for travel, they go up in down in no time. For baths we had a large sponge that fit in the tub, this way you can bathe the baby in a large tub, because it will lay on the sponge. You might want to take some baby wash cloths and towels that you have washed and used fabric softener on as hotel towels are often rough. You'll need baby wash, which works for both hair and body. And baby wipes and if it's a boy and you have him circumsized you'll need vaseline & guaze for the penis. Out of our four boys one is not circumsized though and he is nine and we've never had any problems. I always used baby lotion cause it makes them smell so good! I'm so happy for both of you! You'll need formula too, but you won't know until the doctor tells you what they've put the baby on. I kept a pretty stocked diaper bag, (baby tylenol, wipes, plastic bags for messy diapers, extra onesies and sleepers, a changing pad,you might want to pack bottled water to make formula until you get home)
Well I could go on forever, baby's need so much. I almost forgot a stroller so you can go out and about. Good Luck! Paula Baker
Dan and Jodi - your blog came up on a search I did for Nadonna Finney. We are interested in domestic adoption after an unsuccessful 5 week trip to Ukraine and a stalled Kyrgyzstan. We would like your feedback on Madonna Finney's practice. Would you please email me at rita.cathey@verizon.net? It is so exciting to read that you have a situation! I will follow your blog! Rita
Jodi,
I apologize - I keep meaning to contact you, but things have been quite busy. I am more than happy to talk to you about what we did/brought when we went to Alabama to pick up Logan. Feel free to call me when you have a chance - my cell is 715-360-2102, I am more than happy to help. I can let you know how long ICPC took, what we brought and did not need, etc.
Thanks and hope all is going well.
Sarah
My suggestion (from someone who traveled to China to fetch her baby) is to travel to FL as light as possible. Try one of those slings and "wear" the baby when you're out and about or racing through the airport. That leaves you hands mostly free and the baby gets the close contact that is great for attachment! Bring enough supplies to get you through the first few days and buy the rest when you get down there. The less luggage you have to haul around - the better!
Also, if you're staying in a hotel, check if they provide a bassinet or crib for the baby. That way you won't have to haul the Pack & Play down there. We got cribs and bassinets from the hotel in China - I would hope they could do the same in the US!!
We used the Playtex bottles with the drop-in liner and brought a tupperware bottle to mix formula in. We then kept the big bottle in the refrigerator with pre-mixed formula. It made the night-time feedings easier. We had to use the powdered formula because we had to bring it from home. We also brought many different types of nipples in case she was picky (which she was NOT!).
The shopping is FUN! Enjoy!
Don't go crazy on the "stuff" for infants. They grow and change so fast that it will be obsolete in no time. Buy "stuff" for a slightly older age (but still within safety rules).
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