Advice Needed: How to prepare for a newborn?
Okay, so we have a bit of a situation…
I got a call this morning regarding a birth mom, who gave birth to a baby boy last night. I will write more details in a password post later. For now, I can say that we are meeting her tomorrow and it is possible that we may have a baby by the end of the week.
Needless to say, this has caught us a bit off guard. We are happy yet scared to pieces!
What should we say to her?
And, how should we prepare for a newborn?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I don’t know about what to say to her, that I can’t even imagine.
For prep – all you need RIGHT away is somewhere for them to sleep, something for them to eat, and a car seat if you’ll be driving around. You can work up from there. There are a million and one things that can be helpful or useless, depending on the parents’ personalities, and the baby’s personality, and you’ll be plenty overwhelmed with that in no time. If you WANT to go crazy shopping for that stuff, I can list it, but I think before you know what’s going to happen, maybe a PnP, a car seat, some bottles (don’t stock up on all the same, babies can be easygoing or very. very. picky about bottles – or, like ours, be easygoing about it, but have loads of gas and need the vented ones) and some formula (not too much, or keep the receipt and don’t open it, as it needs to be used w/in a month of opening for powder, and w/in 72 hours for refrigerated liquid).
OH. And diapers! der. If you’re doing paper, if you want eco-friendlier, go with 7th Gen, I’ve heard horrible things about Earth’s Best quality. If not, Huggies Little Snugglers or Pampers Swaddlers (ONLY if they don’t say Dry Max; I’ve heard that they’re still selling NB/1/2 w/out it, but I haven’t gone looking so I can’t say. I know we got a package of size 2 w/out dry max yesterday).
1WOW!!
I concur with N. Get a Pack N’ Play (for sleeping and setting down), formula and bottles (but not a lot of either), a carseat (Graco Snugride is a good bet) and some size 1 diapers. (Unless you know the baby is teeny tiny, the newborns won’t fit for long and the size 1 will fit fine.)
You’ll probably also want burp cloths. If you know you’ll be walking around right away, get a Snap N’ Go (a frame for the carseat). They’re very inexpensive, and you can get a “realer” stroller later when you’ve had time to think about it.
Oh. Clothes. You do need some of those.
That is really all you need right away. The rest can come later. And I can’t wait to hear more!!!!
2This is too exciting. I also vote for the snap and go. It is light and cheap and great to keep in the car even if you get a fancy stroller later. One of those baby bouncing chairs is really handy to put them down in. A wrap/sling sort of a thing can be great for a fussy baby that needs help sleeping. Really you don’t need a lot and people will give you things and hand me downs will come. Craigslist is a great place to get stuff too.
The biggest thing I would do is find out exactly what kind of nipple/bottle/formula the hospital is using and get the exact same one at least for now. Try asking them for a few nipples just in case you can’t get it retail. Some of them are picky about that.
3Oh my gosh, congratulations, I hope! I’m not a mama yet, but I wouldn’t think you’d need too much more than diapers, formula, bottles, onesies and pj’s, receiving blankets and wash cloths. I’d like your password if you’re comfortable sharing with me.
Thanks! Congrats (hopefully) again!
4As for what to say….the only thing I can really think of is to take a deep breath and smile. I guess mostly just keep breathing.
5Sending you love, hugs and peace. C and I are so very happy for you. We are always a phone call (or a subway ride) away! You’ve got very sound advice from the previous posters. You ladies are going to be awesome moms!!!
6Everyone already seemed to cover the things I came to add…so I will just shout
7HOPEFUL CONGRATULATIONS!
and send hugs and prayers your way!
Yikes! How exciting. I hope this works out.
As far as prep – diapers, bottles, formula, a few clothes and a place to sleep (pack-n-play can be put in you room). Oh, duh, a car seat! Can’t leave the hospital without a car seat!
Good luck.
8So exciting! I concur with the above, don’t forget wipes, butt paste (I like triple paste), jammies (have a good pile of clean ones because they are always pooping through stuff), and blankets to cover the carseat/stroller with for doctor visits, etc. You should have those milicon drops in case you have a gassy one, and some pacifiers like the ones they use in the hospital. I think they are called “Soothies” the green ones are for 0-3 months. Just in case you get a “sucker”. I agree that a pack-n-play is a good alternative to a crib for the first few months, and cheaper.
Good luck!
9YAY YAY YAY xooxoxoxoxox
10I concur with all that has been said!
11In addition to the pack and play, I suggest this little number:
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2011&e=detail&selcat=bgb&pid=51903
2 miracle blankets and the Happiest Baby on the block DVD. Nothing works as well as the 5 s’s!
Everyone covered all the bases. I may have a pack&play for you to use if you need it. Hit me up via email if you can use it.
Also, you’ll need lots of blankies b/c they poop, pee and all that on them all day. Onesies, socks, and sleepers are about all the clothes they need at this point.
Also, you may need pacis. I know some ppl don’t use them, but we did.
I also concur on the baby sling. It STILL is a godsend for us!
I’m so very excited for you!!!!!!!!!
12yay yay yay yay yay. Excellent news. A similar thing happened to some friends. One day they agreed to take a woman’s baby and literally the next day, she went into labor (a month early). They had NOTHING. but looking back they laugh about that time being some of the most stress-filled, fun and rewarding days ever.
As for stuff: I like the answers everyone has given so far. Don’t forget a swaddling blanket as I understand these are invaluable for getting infants to sleep.
I am looking so forward to hearing all about today.
13I can’t really help w/ this one since I am not a mom (yet?) but this post brought tears to my eyes! I have been reading this blog for a while and would love a password, if you’d be OK with that.
14No advice – but YAY! and good wishes. Thinking of you.
15How exciting!! I think people have already given you a pretty great list. I want to add in not a necessity but something that will help you sleep deprived mamas with the baby. You need to get an Itzbeen.
16I’m dying here! Any news?
17I’m not reading the other comments because I am too tired. I will say only this: for the first few days, all you need is diapers, wipes, and butt cream. I’m not going to tell you what to say to her. I’m sure you will know when you see her. To you I say, you are my friend. My heart will be with you all week.
18PS I’m sure you’ve already given me your password. But I’m famous for losing emails with passwords in them. Send!
Also, I’ve given away most of the little baby stuff. But I do have a muslin swaddling blanket for you. They are awesome and extremely cute.
19hopefully you got the basics already…
- carseat (I also like the graco snugride),
- diapers and wipes,
- good cotton swaddling blankets,
- infant hats,
- burp cloths,
- good formula (organic if you can; I like earth’s best and bought it from amazon),
- a bottle system (born free or dr. browns); at least 3-5 bottles.
- baby carrier/wrap/sling — try some on, see what you like; really good for bonding and baby warmth. tiny babies sleep better on you at first… I think this is a must have; we liked the moby wrap until about 3 months old.
eventually you’ll need clothes (zippers are better than snaps and nightgown sleepers are best for night changes), a towel and washcloth. I like coconut oil for the skin (it works wonders; all natural). a swing or bouncy seat would be nice too.
SO exciting!!!!!!
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