Matt and I are in the midst of planning and prepping and nesting (well that's mostly me nesting) for our little one that is due this fall.
So far we have some of the basics - a crib, car seat, stroller, changing pad, a few packs of infant diapers, some 4 oz. bottles, a few pacifiers, a diaper bag (thanks to Lorean and Laura) and some borrowed baby clothes and a Moby-like wrap (thanks Beth and Paul).
Readers and friends - is there anything else that you'd recommend as basics? Anything we need in the first two weeks while we're away from home and living in a hotel? ;)
P.S. We are not having baby showers until after we come home from Missouri with our kiddo, but suggestions and ideas for our registry are welcome!
Yep, I'm a pest. I want your votes. We're slipping down the ranks and more readers = more fun.
What are you doing with him while you are in the hotel? You may want to get on craigslist and get a cheap pack n play- they are easy and really useful! Also, what about zipper sleepers, so much easier than snap sleepers...congrats again momma!!! :)
ReplyDeleteswaddling blankets.http://www.adenandanais.com/ these ones are amazing!! well worth the price and super cute too!!
ReplyDeletemolly is right.. a pack and play for the hotel (you might even find one on craigslist in missouri for cheap and then donate it to the agency or somewhere else there when you leave since you can get them a dime a dozen anywhere now ... the zipper sleepers are a MUST when the child is 3months and under... they are a true lifesaver when you are really tired and the snaps come out all wrong when you turn the lights on the next morning!
ReplyDeletehopefully he likes swaddling.. my kid hated it with a passion.. screamed for hours until i figured it out ..
just keep him skin to skin when you are with him alone in the hotel room (that will create a stronger, more immediate bond between all of you.. he will know you by smell -- both you and your hubby) just top off with a blanket covering the both of you..
take some receiving blankest too.. target has really cute ones..
practice with the moby wrap on another baby or stuff animal before you go so you know how to wrap it and be safe with it.. i used it on the airplane with my child all wrapped up and it was perfect! he slept the whole time.
I used a pack n'play for a crib now for my daughters first year. They are super handy for travel.
ReplyDeleteOh, cheapie receiving blankets are awesome. Not just for swaddling, but for saving your clothes from baby goo. :)
I agree with Amanda, zipper sleepers are awesome. Fiddling with buttons or snaps when a baby is screaming is never fun. I had a hard time finding some with zippers, but they are out there.
a microwave bottle sterilizer. esp for life in a hotel, since a dishwasher/boiling water would be unavailable or a pain. I use one from Avent, it works for most 4-8 oz bottles.
ReplyDeleteSome things we couldnt live without (for baby) while in the hotel for the week: Sleepers, socks, swaddling blankets (we had both velcro and the aden and anais), bottles, bottle brush and soap, formula (we were sent home from the hospital with the premixed stuff and if we ever do it all over again Id probably just get that while in the hotel), pacifiers, diapers, wipes, diaper trash bags for the dirty ones, burp cloths of some sort, and a portable changing pad (we set up a changing station on the desk in the hotel room). We ended up going out and buying a bouncy seat for the little guy. It was great for sleeping, just hanging out, etc. We could have left our pack n play at home. I had his bag packed about a month b4 he was due and am so glad I did because he came 2 weeks early and I was running around like crazy just packing our stuff. Either way it will all be just fine because anything you forget you can always run to target (or whatever is there). We got out of the hotel each day so that was part of our adventure...target runs. :)
ReplyDeleteAden and Anais bamboo swaddle blankets - pricey, but worth every penny!
ReplyDeleteUsually hotels have pack & plays there, so I would call ahead and check. While they're nice to have they're a pain to lug around.
ReplyDeleteI would add onsies, a Boppy (or something similar) and when you get back home a baby swing. Man, what a lifesaver that thing was! We registered at Babies R Us and they give you a (very) long list of "essentials". Good luck! I'm enjoying following your adventure!
-Amanda
First off, just know that they really don't need much! But essentials for the first few weeks would be a pack and play (unless you plan to co-sleep in which case a co-sleeper), Adais and Anai receiving blankest are amazing, a good wrap or sling for baby wearing. And for bottle and paci sterilizing on the go, Medella makes these GREAT steam bags for the microwave. You just add a little water, drop your stuff in, put it in the microwave for 5 minutes, and they are ready to go!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys rock! This is sooooo helpful, thank you!
ReplyDeleteIs it terrible that I want to pack like RIGHT NOW for this trip? I'm so excited and anxious!
This isn't something to pack, but knowledge that I am so grateful to have learned as a new mom. Take some time to learn about the importance and safety benefits of extended rear facing your son until he's at least 2 or longer if he hasn't outgrown his convertible seat.
ReplyDeleteHere are a couple great links:
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
http://mamacritic.blogspot.com/2011/04/parents-say-they-dont-extended-rear.html
http://wifemamaeducator.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-non-negotiable-car-seat-safety.html
Congrats again!
My new baby must haves include:
ReplyDeleteThe Miracle blanket
Aden + Anais blankets (Bamboo ones are the softest)
bouncy seat
boppy
sound machine
Medela mircowave steam bags
Baby simply saline (looses up the boogies so you can suck them out...sounds great right? it will make your life so much easier)
Congrats & Good Luck
gas drops
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that you don't need "much," but there are some things you'll need a lot of - for example, if you don't want to do laundry, you'll need probably 2-3 sleepers/onesies and socks per day that you're there, in case you have diaper leaks, spit up, or -- in our case -- a sweaty baby! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll definitely need somewhere for baby M to sleep, and if you're thinking pack and play/bassinet, I LOVE the idea about buying one there then donating. However, I have THIS that we used a lot for Cooper's naps and would be great for you guys in the hotel.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Close-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B003HD7SNY
It goes right in the bed with you, but safer than sleeping with the baby in your arms and easier to pack than a co-sleeper. Even if you plan to put baby M in the crib when you get home, I think this would be ideal for the hotel. Let me know if you want to borrow!
I loved plain white cotton diapers for changing pads/burp cloths. They aren't necessarily cute, but they're totally functional and last forever!
Did you say bottle brush and detergent? Cooper slept in our closet (yes you read that right) his first year, so we had a bottle station set up on our bathroom counter. Brush, detergent, bottles, formula. You can use the water from the tap (room temperature) or buy a gallon of distilled water for the hotel. Target brand formula is exactly the same as the name brands and is literally half the price. I'm sure you already have, but check and make sure your bottles have slow-flow nipples for newborns.
When you get ready for your registry, this is a handy list from Babies R Us. NO, everything on this list is NOT essential, but it's at least a starting point! Please keep the community posted on what you need. Don't buy new when you can borrow and exchange!!
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3200390
bibs. lots and lots of bibs. it'll save the onesies as formula stains if not washed right away.
ReplyDeletealso, baby might not like the nipple you've chosen, so be prepared to rush out and try another bottle (it took me three tries to find one that my daughter would take too).
Like others said, a co-sleeper for sure! Even if you are using a hotel crib for sleep, you may want to put him on the bed in the co-sleeper for naps so he's close to you if you are on the bed too.
ReplyDeleteAnd since you will be in a hotel and may not have access to laundry facilities, I recommend LOTS of little onesies and sleepers. They go through more clothes than you can imagine as a newborn!