What is your opinion on what IS needed for baby?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42978
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Topic: What is your opinion on what IS needed for baby?
Posted By: escadachic
Subject: What is your opinion on what IS needed for baby?
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 11:44am
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As I find sometimes it is easy to go a bit overboard and then you end up with stuff that never gets used or just wasn't really that necessary. The list I can think of is: Bassinet and Linen Capsule Stroller Frontpack/carrier Bouncer/Rocker Cot and Linen All in one's and Stretch n grows, socks and jackets Nappies and wipes and nappy cream Playgym/activity mat Change table Baby bath -------------   
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Replies:
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 11:55am
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IMO you dont need a baby bath, change table (unless you have issues that mean you cant sit down on the floor to change baby), activity mat, jackets (cause they are usually wrapped), bouncer, frontpacks are questionable - especially for newborns a sling would probably be better for them and if you are carrying them you possible wont need a stroller as strollers are more for an older baby. also bassinet may not be needed either cause they can go straight into a cot. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 12:14pm
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Yeah I agree with the baby bath. As to be honest, I think I only used the one I had last time about 3 times and the rest of the time bathed baby with me. -------------
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Posted By: Stoked
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 12:25pm
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Hmm, For me the essentials are: Somewhere to sleep (we had a bassinet before the cot, but that wasn't essential) Clothing (not nearly as much as I thought I needed) Nappies / wipes / good barrier cream / lots of face-cloths. It was nice to have a swing and play-mat. I used both my pushchair and front pack a lot. Knowing what I know now: I wouldn't bother with a changing table or a bath, would not have as many clothes for under 6 months. :-) ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 1:07pm
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I already have a change table anyway. It's just good for storage I think. For the nappies and the wipes and I get sore back otherwise. -------------
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 20 January 2013 at 2:06pm
Could by pass the capsule & go straight for a birth up car seat & then that is where you use your "baby carrier" instead when you are out & about. Plus, you have a 9 year old, they're handy baby carriers once bub is a little bigger  ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 1:25pm
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Actually *needed*? - Clothes - A few warm blankets - A carseat of some kind if you drive - Somewhere to sleep - Something to catch the poo (or a plan to be into elimination communication, but that's so not me) Other things I bought that I would buy again in a moment if I could afford them - A good pushchair (one that can be a double if you're smarter than me and plan ahead) - A good carrier (I loooove our manduca) - Change table with a bath (I loved the storage and also loved being able to bath Bubs in our sunny lounge - Baby swing (not essential by any means but so handy that I would buy it again in a moment) I'm kinda take it / leave it on baby gyms - my first loved his, my second preferred to watch him play. -------------   
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Posted By: sem
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 1:42pm
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This is so different for each individual. I would never consider not having a change table. Also loved having the bath, even though they only use them for a few months, they really aren't that expensive. I will buy less clothes than I had last time. But I will invest in a proper carrier this time around. Don't think I will bother with a play gym but will probably get a basic bouncer again. ------------- Here we go again, another baby on it's way! 
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 3:09pm
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I was looking at the list in the Bounty book and it seems I have quite a few of the essentials which is good. Playgym my friend will be lending me, so no spending money on one, which is good and bouncer another friend is lending me. Of the things on the Bounty book list I have: Capsule Nappy creams and bath creams and lotions 1 set of cot sheets Blankets for cot and bassinet Monitor Bath towels Change table Carrier Back pack Change bag Pram Maternity bra's Seems like, I need stuff like baby clothing, more sheets, nappies, breast pads, nipple cream, bassinet, cot, breast pump, sterilizer and bottles. -------------
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Posted By: sem
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 3:33pm
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I find lists online or in books are always quite excessive. I never used bath creams and lotions and I think babies bath towels are also not necessary. What do you mean by a back pack? ------------- Here we go again, another baby on it's way!
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 3:38pm
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I had a Papoose one. It's just a back pack that your toddler goes in. Not suitable for a baby. I found the bedtime bath and lotion essential. It totally helped get the baby to sleep easier. -------------
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Posted By: Stoked
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 4:14pm
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We've never used soaps, lotions and potions either, though I suppose baby oil could be useful. I never used a sterilizer, just boiled everything in a pot. I'm not sure that a breast pump is a necessity. I used it with DS because I went back to work but it's been used maybe 6 times for DD. If you haven't got one, I'd put some money aside and then only buy one if/when you need it iykwim? We've never used a monitor either. For bassinet sheets you can use pillowcases on the mattress and swaddle cloths as top sheets. Much cheaper than the over priced ones from trendy shops.  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 8:13pm
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Yep agree with stoked. and definitely all the potions and lotions they sell for babies arent necessary. In fact some of them can be quite harmful, stripping the natural oils from babies skin. and the best bum powder for my boys was curash nappy powder. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: misssara
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 9:05pm
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I personally found the bassinet a waste of money for us. DD was in her own room from night one at home and moved into her cot around eight weeks without even realising any change. However if you plan to have the baby sleeping in the same room as you, then a bassinet would be useful. A breast pump was one investment I am so glad we made. I was constantly trying to up my supply so used it 3 times a day for about 4.5 months. We bought far too many clothes as once DD was born and friends and family knew she was a girl, they bought her sooooooo many more even cuter clothes. I must admit though that a few woollen cardigans we were given were worn almost every day so those would be a good investment (if you're having a winter baby). We also invested in a really good pram that we can buy an attachment for in the future (to push two children around) when we decide to have our second. I'm so glad we spent the money we did on a good pram as we have had so much use out of it so far. We didn't buy a play gym or swing until we felt we needed one. I do think the swing was awesome in the early days though (we got it when DD was six weeks old). It was fantastic to put her in while I did cleaning, cooking or even showering. As the others have said, just make sure you have the basics (somewhere or your babe to sleep, nappies etc and a few clothes and blankets). You can always buy when you feel like you need certain things :-) |
Posted By: _Soda_
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 9:21pm
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yep newborn babies only need water. with my girl she was 2 weeks overdue and had very dry peeling skin all over her body, poor poppet, so we did use baby iol in her bath water and Aveeno baby lotion to help her dry skin under instruction from the MW as it was so bad..but other than that no soaps etc are needed. (and J&J stuff can be very harsh on skin believe it or not) i never used a change table, just used the bed or floor depending on where we were.. we used a baby bath as we didnt have a bath at home, was handy for any poosplosions lol. but a lot of the time we just chucked her in the shower with hubby or I (was lovely bonding time for Daddy and baby too :) ) I fully breastfed until 10 months but i have to say, having a breastpump on hand was a lifesaver, i got a lot of blocked ducts, at least once a fortnight and they are really painful! having the pump to help clear them seriously saved me from infection many, many times. so even if you dont buy bottles, having a manual pump on hand could be worth it, just incase. and if you feel you want to bottle feed, you can go buy bottles, no biggie. I never bought a bouncer/exersaucer/jolly jumper or anything like that, was given a playgym which DD loved, but a blanket on the floor and a couple of books (black and white very good for newborns eye development) and toys to look at (and your face of course!) are plenty :) one vital thing i had, were a stack of old fashioned cloth nappies. now DD is 2 years old, and i STILL use them on a daily basis. I keep one in the car, one in the pram, one in her nappy bag, and the rest in the lounge and since she was born they have been used for- changemats, burpcloths, behind her head in manky shopping trolleys, under her head in her bassinette to catch spills (easier to change that daily than while cot sheets!) emergency towel/extra blanket/spew catcher on car trips/something to sit on to catch crumbs if out and about and they want to eat something.....and even actually using one as a nappy when we ran out! honestly you wont find a thing more versatile than that! so THATS my one biggie to buy.they dont cost much but trust me worth their weight in gold!  ------------- My little miracle 6/1/2011 My angel in Heaven 9/5/14 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: TeacherLady
Date Posted: 22 January 2013 at 9:55am
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Totally agree with Soda re the old fashioned cloth nappies- a daily useful item here too! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 22 January 2013 at 12:07pm
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It's so funny how different the 'essentials' are for everyone. I have a wee pile of old-fashioned cloth nappies that I was given, and I've never touched them. -------------
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Posted By: Keolyn
Date Posted: 24 January 2013 at 12:13pm
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I found it quite handy to just put a bit of money aside just in case there was something we needed and didn't have. Lotions and creams, if I needed them I used to samples first, often that was either all we needed or they didn't work or baby was allergic to them so buying a huge bottle would of been a waste of money.. We never had a baby pack or a bouncinette. We didn't have a change table to start with and I found it really tough at night changes getting up and down from the floor. I ended up buying a nice wooden one and it's great for storage with those storage boxes you can get. :) ------------- http://lilypie.com/"> 
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Posted By: Vanessa104679
Date Posted: 30 January 2013 at 3:38pm
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Yea, we're wondering what we really need to buy as we are young and in low wage jobs (pregnancy was thoroughly protected against, but there you go - sometimes, life finds a way! We are now very excited). We've been very lucky with kind friends who are digging out their old supplies for us. One thing we will definitely be buying new is a cot mattress. Like a lot of kiwis, I've had asthma my whole life and wouldn't wish it on my child! So we want to take any possible steps we can to prevent that. |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 04 February 2013 at 12:14am
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I don't think change tables are necessary,my three had a change table,but majority of the time they got changed on the floor. Heck,all I have this time for this baby,is clothes,once I sort through the boxes of baby clothes in the garage A bassinette A cot for later sheets etc for both And a carseat and a baby bath (a necessity since we dont have a bath in our house) I think there might be a play mat somewhere in the cupboard but if not a blanket works just as well. And I used a pot to boil the bottles in as well ... Cliche,but imo,food,warmth ,comfort,security and love are the most important things ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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