Baby in November-What preps for newborns?
- Thread starter eenii
- Start date
Congrats eenii! It's been a few years since I had a little one. I'd definitely stock up on diapers & wet wipes. The diapers I preferred (but couldn't always afford) were Pamper's Premium. Otherwise, Luvs are pretty good too & alot less expensive. Don't buy alot of the newborn or size 1, as they seem to outgrow them quickly. Size 2 & 3 is what I seemed to use the most of. You also might want to stock up on some cloth diapers to use in a pinch. As far as formula goes, that's kind of a wait & see thing. Your baby may require a special kind. Then there is always breastfeeding which is a wonderful way to go. Make sure you have a good thermometer (digitals work fine), lots of clothes, blankets, etc. A good bag to carry all of this stuff around in. Also baby powder, diaper rash ointment, infant's tylenol, bottles, bulb syringe, and pacifiers if you plan to use them.
As far as food goes, I used both Heinz & Gerber baby foods & both were fine.
As far as food goes, I used both Heinz & Gerber baby foods & both were fine.
cin
Inactive
Breast milk, and nature has invented a wonderful way to store it. 
I think you could make do with cloth diapers and rags for wiping, the old fashioned way. Make sure you have pins, and maybe plastic pants in a few sizes.
I would buy extra infant or childrens tylenol, a thermometer backup, maybe some antibiotics for ear infections. Amoxicillin is good. You can order that at lambriarvet.com. It's for the dogs, of course.
I think you could make do with cloth diapers and rags for wiping, the old fashioned way. Make sure you have pins, and maybe plastic pants in a few sizes.
I would buy extra infant or childrens tylenol, a thermometer backup, maybe some antibiotics for ear infections. Amoxicillin is good. You can order that at lambriarvet.com. It's for the dogs, of course.
Congrats. Babies are wonderful.
These are some things I can list right off.
2 doz. Cloth diapers and rubber pants. (cloth diapers are about 10 bucks a doz. at Walley world.)
Newborn disposable diapers. Enough to last three weeks min. Then a couple of the next size box.
Bottle set even if you are planning to nurse as you could have problems.
About 6 cans of premixed formula.
Rice cereal.
Oat cereal.
6 Baby Bannas in a jar.
6 Baby Apple sauce in a jar.
Baby spoon or infant feeder. I really liked the infant feeder it is so much easier and they do learn to eat normally later.
12 baby nightgowns. Newborn and the next larger size. half and half. You might want to increase the amounts as some days you might have to change them 6
to 8 times from spit up or wetting.
Receiving blankets 6
Larger baby blankets 3
Sheets for crib 6
water proof mats for crib 8
Baby towels 3
Baby wash cloths 6
Baby wipes 10 boxes
Baby vitimins type with dropper
Pedilite for rehydration 4 bottles
Baby Tylenol 2
stroller in case of bugging out on feet
booties 12 pr. (never fails they kick back and get poo all over one or both when you are changing them)
If you live in a cold climate undershirts 10
bibs 6
teething ring that can be chilled.
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Freeholder
This too shall pass.
I am totally in favor of breastfeeding (can't understand why anyone would choose to give their baby anything else!), but in prepping, it would be a good idea to have a case of formula on hand. You never know -- Mom might get sick, or worse.
Kathleen
Kathleen
WildDaisy
God has a plan, Trust it!
Powdered formula
hand breast pump to store milk
jarred baby food
hand operated chopper or morter and pestle to make your own baby food Assorted sizes of diapers
cloth diapers...lots of them for use both as diapers and burp cloths
Onezies of various sizes
clothing from sizes 12m to 2T for the first year or so
shoes
hand breast pump to store milk
jarred baby food
hand operated chopper or morter and pestle to make your own baby food Assorted sizes of diapers
cloth diapers...lots of them for use both as diapers and burp cloths
Onezies of various sizes
clothing from sizes 12m to 2T for the first year or so
shoes
atropa
Inactive
You'll be amazed at the number of things you take with you just to the store, nevermind bugging out. I think you should go with the cloth diaper idea for preps. Maybe stock up on a few packs disposables in different sizes. They really go through them fast though. Breastfeeding for sure, but also have some formula stocked up and a few bottles. Nightgowns, onesies, sleepers, receiving blankets, tylenol, orajel (or Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets!), hats, wipes (you can get a case at wallyworld for 7.44), the list goes on and on...
Also, you should get a baby backpack or even cooler:
http://mamatoto.org/default.aspx?tabid=160
I think you should go with the cloth diaper idea for preps. Maybe stock up on a few packs disposables in different sizes. They really go through them fast though. Breastfeeding for sure, but also have some formula stocked up and a few bottles. Nightgowns, onesies, sleepers, receiving blankets, tylenol, orajel (or Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets!), hats, wipes (you can get a case at wallyworld for 7.44), the list goes on and on...Also, you should get a baby backpack or even cooler:
http://mamatoto.org/default.aspx?tabid=160
Splicer205
Deceased
Congrats, Eenii. Might want to get some of that nasty, greasy, vaseline. They make better things for little bottoms, but it's hard to beat for putting beneath a little runny nose so it doesn't get raw, and for protecting the face from chapping in winter.
And when you no longer need the sound of that squeaking tricycle wheel to know where he/she is, you can use the remainder to lube it.
Some menthol vapor to go in a vaporizer for congestion is a lifesaver at 2 a.m. too.
And when you no longer need the sound of that squeaking tricycle wheel to know where he/she is, you can use the remainder to lube it.
Some menthol vapor to go in a vaporizer for congestion is a lifesaver at 2 a.m. too.
To quote Frank from "Everybody loves Raymond" ...Holy crap Marie!!!! I've got to print this out and list it all. Any ideas of the best or most widely accepted baby formula. My wife will breastfeed and picked up the Rolls Royce of breast pumps at a yard sale that was new in box for 40 bucks and was shocked it sold for over 200!!! The lady still had the receipt and bag it came in. At least we saved some on it, but it sounds like we'll be spending plenty on other stuff.
cin
Inactive
I'm sorry if I don't understand, but aren't preps for TSHTF scenarios? A lot of that stuff above is purely luxury, if you ask me. I think preps should be absolute necessities in case there is no money, no electricity, no store, no transportation, no doctor, etc.
edited to add: pedialyte is a very good idea. They now sell individual servings, so you won't have to waste in case there is no refrigeration.
edited to add: pedialyte is a very good idea. They now sell individual servings, so you won't have to waste in case there is no refrigeration.
Usually Curious
Inactive
cin said:
I agree totally with cin!
I've got a 12 week old so we are in the midst of this! I would say these are must haves:
12 prefold cloth diapers
6 diaper wraps(Proraps or Bummis) in each size
12 rags
Tea Tree Oil(for wipe solution)
6 or more onsies in several sizes(if summer)
6 or more sleepers in several sizes(if winter)
2 light blankets
2 heavy blankets
8 pr. socks
1 can Formula - I say that with hesitation because I believe strongly in breastfeeding BUT you never know what may happen in an 'end of the world' scenario.
As for other baby food - it's cr@p and too expensive. You'll want to exclusively breastfeed for at least six months. If food is hard to come by, keep nursing and hold off on the solids for baby. Rice cereal has ZERO nutritional value, you'd be better off grinding brown rice and making a 'gruel' for the baby if necessary. You could also store dried bananas, rehydrate and mash up, or grind and then rehydrate.
Usually Curious
Inactive
I use cloth diapers now and they cannot be beat! If you're interested in using them, check out Fuzzibuns and Proraps(with prefolds). That makes a great system and once you've 'invested' in them, they're free for the next child!
Laurie the Mom
Senior Member
Congrats, eenii! Is this your first? Our 8th baby is due the end of October. You got a great deal on that pump!
Yikes OBO, please tell me you're joking. That list sounds like an ad from one of those parenting magazines.
Babies truly don't need much. It is nice to have some disposable diapers/wipers for the first couple of weeks - those meconium diapers are pretty nasty. Even if you plan to use disposables all the time, it's good to have some cloth diapers and covers or pins/nylon pants in case you run out. You want about 4 dozen nice, thick cloth diapers and several sets of pins, plus covers or pants in each size up to toddler for preps. Cloth diapers are great for cleaning up messes, using for burp cloths and washing windows!
For wipers you can get some cheapo washclothes, but I usually use scrap flannel from Dh's old shirts or pieces leftover from when the girls try to sew. I just wash them right along with the diapers.
Clothes are variable. I like onsies and sleepers when they are little, then sweats and t-shirts are great. (I really hate the nightgowns and never, ever use 'em.) Socks of course. A couple sets of booties if you live where it gets cold (I don't think I've ever used more than 2 sets of booties on any baby!). For preps you might want to hit yard sales for clothing up to toddler sizes. Go way easy on any one size (especially newborn!), they outgrow them VERY quickly. They don't need shoes at all until they learn to walk, and there's no telling what size their feet will be at that point.
Get 2 or 3 nice heavy blankets if you live in a cold climate, as well as a few receiving blankets. You'll also want 2 hats when they're tiny if you are in a cold climate.
Babies don't need baby food, they can eat mushed up table food. You can get a hand-powered baby food grinder if you really want one, or look for baby food recipes online or in a baby food cookbook. But they usually catch on to table food remarkably quickly.
Vitamins, Tylenol, a couple of thermometers and some tiny nail clippers would all be good. A couple of little toothbrushes for when he/she starts getting teeth would be nice.
A sling or some sort of carrier is great. Those little ones get HEAVY when you've been hauling 'em around for a while! A good, sturdy diaper bag or backpack is worth its weight in gold.
Thinking, thinking....hmm...that's probably about it. You don't even really need a crib or a highchair or any of those other things that we tend to think of as "necessary." They're nice to have to be sure, but not NECESSARY.
Don't worry, you'll figure it out right quick.
Laurie
Yikes OBO, please tell me you're joking. That list sounds like an ad from one of those parenting magazines.
Babies truly don't need much. It is nice to have some disposable diapers/wipers for the first couple of weeks - those meconium diapers are pretty nasty. Even if you plan to use disposables all the time, it's good to have some cloth diapers and covers or pins/nylon pants in case you run out. You want about 4 dozen nice, thick cloth diapers and several sets of pins, plus covers or pants in each size up to toddler for preps. Cloth diapers are great for cleaning up messes, using for burp cloths and washing windows!
For wipers you can get some cheapo washclothes, but I usually use scrap flannel from Dh's old shirts or pieces leftover from when the girls try to sew. I just wash them right along with the diapers.Clothes are variable. I like onsies and sleepers when they are little, then sweats and t-shirts are great. (I really hate the nightgowns and never, ever use 'em.) Socks of course. A couple sets of booties if you live where it gets cold (I don't think I've ever used more than 2 sets of booties on any baby!). For preps you might want to hit yard sales for clothing up to toddler sizes. Go way easy on any one size (especially newborn!), they outgrow them VERY quickly. They don't need shoes at all until they learn to walk, and there's no telling what size their feet will be at that point.
Get 2 or 3 nice heavy blankets if you live in a cold climate, as well as a few receiving blankets. You'll also want 2 hats when they're tiny if you are in a cold climate.
Babies don't need baby food, they can eat mushed up table food. You can get a hand-powered baby food grinder if you really want one, or look for baby food recipes online or in a baby food cookbook. But they usually catch on to table food remarkably quickly.
Vitamins, Tylenol, a couple of thermometers and some tiny nail clippers would all be good. A couple of little toothbrushes for when he/she starts getting teeth would be nice.
A sling or some sort of carrier is great. Those little ones get HEAVY when you've been hauling 'em around for a while! A good, sturdy diaper bag or backpack is worth its weight in gold.
Thinking, thinking....hmm...that's probably about it. You don't even really need a crib or a highchair or any of those other things that we tend to think of as "necessary." They're nice to have to be sure, but not NECESSARY.
Don't worry, you'll figure it out right quick.
Laurie
Laurie the Mom,
No I am not joking. If you have to change a baby 6 times a day if they mess or wet themselves or spit up you may not be able to wash each evening as there might not even be elect or even water. If you have no dryer it will take time, especially in winter for the clothing to dry. I never let my children wear spit up clothing or wet clothing as it makes them smell and causes rashes. If someone, and I have seen women who do it, wants to let their baby wear smelly clothing or get rashes that is their choice but I don't.
I am of the old school and started feeding my children rice cereal at three weeks. I started them on strained veggies at two months. It didn't hurt them at all and even helped them sleep through the night which is good for them and parents. I have had extremely healthy and bright children. An infant feeder is a lux item but well worth it I believe as the baby can eat without getting so much gas and screaming scared to death by the spoon of food. When a baby is fed with an infant feeder it doesn't cry at all.
Rice cereal also helps stop diareaha and I keep it in my household and I don't even have a baby now.
The rest are items needed for the care of a baby not especially prep items but since this is their first child then they have to buy it all.
I actually think you should have enough formula on hand to last at least two weeks even if you plan to breast feed. If mom gets sick with bird flu or smallpox or something it could be even a month before she can feed the baby again.
The next larger size clothing is because babies grow very fast and if the grid goes down it could be months before most stores are open again or maybe even years in some areas. Just depends on how much you want to prep. Some people prep for two years worth of clothing and shoes for their children.
IIRC, when I had my first child back in the early 70's and we were not poor then but pretty well off I had approx. 10 baby gowns, about 8 foote sleepers, about 8 bibs, four sets of sheets, about 8 water proof pads, 10 or more sets of booties, 6 large blankets, 8 receiving blankets (loved the Carter ones do they even make those now?), and about 10 sets of clothing to dress her up to go out but we rarely went out for her to wear them. Mostly she wore gowns the first month and all the other things like stroller, baby pen, bassinet, bed, toy box, shoes, swing, infant seat, car seat, walker, high chair, baby dishes and spoons and cups, glass bottles and sterilizer etc. I used them all but don't know that people would consider some of it prep items as you can feed a baby in your lap not a high chair, and you can lay them down they don't have to have an infant seat, and you can feed them on saucers instead of baby wear etc.
No I am not joking. If you have to change a baby 6 times a day if they mess or wet themselves or spit up you may not be able to wash each evening as there might not even be elect or even water. If you have no dryer it will take time, especially in winter for the clothing to dry. I never let my children wear spit up clothing or wet clothing as it makes them smell and causes rashes. If someone, and I have seen women who do it, wants to let their baby wear smelly clothing or get rashes that is their choice but I don't.
I am of the old school and started feeding my children rice cereal at three weeks. I started them on strained veggies at two months. It didn't hurt them at all and even helped them sleep through the night which is good for them and parents. I have had extremely healthy and bright children. An infant feeder is a lux item but well worth it I believe as the baby can eat without getting so much gas and screaming scared to death by the spoon of food. When a baby is fed with an infant feeder it doesn't cry at all.
Rice cereal also helps stop diareaha and I keep it in my household and I don't even have a baby now.
The rest are items needed for the care of a baby not especially prep items but since this is their first child then they have to buy it all.
I actually think you should have enough formula on hand to last at least two weeks even if you plan to breast feed. If mom gets sick with bird flu or smallpox or something it could be even a month before she can feed the baby again.
The next larger size clothing is because babies grow very fast and if the grid goes down it could be months before most stores are open again or maybe even years in some areas. Just depends on how much you want to prep. Some people prep for two years worth of clothing and shoes for their children.
IIRC, when I had my first child back in the early 70's and we were not poor then but pretty well off I had approx. 10 baby gowns, about 8 foote sleepers, about 8 bibs, four sets of sheets, about 8 water proof pads, 10 or more sets of booties, 6 large blankets, 8 receiving blankets (loved the Carter ones do they even make those now?), and about 10 sets of clothing to dress her up to go out but we rarely went out for her to wear them. Mostly she wore gowns the first month and all the other things like stroller, baby pen, bassinet, bed, toy box, shoes, swing, infant seat, car seat, walker, high chair, baby dishes and spoons and cups, glass bottles and sterilizer etc. I used them all but don't know that people would consider some of it prep items as you can feed a baby in your lap not a high chair, and you can lay them down they don't have to have an infant seat, and you can feed them on saucers instead of baby wear etc.
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spinnerholic
Inactive
My "baby" has teen agers now, so I know a bunch about cloth diapers because that's all any of us had to use. And I'm stunned to see that so many people think 2 dozen is plenty. IF all goes well and you can do laundry every single day, then you ~might~ make it with 2 dozen. But if baby gets the runs, and they all do, always at the worst possible times, you can go thru a couple of dozen diapers in no time flat.
Get 6 to 10 dozen, at least. If baby gets sick or if you get sick, you have given yourself a reasonable safety time zone for laundry. And don't stress out over all the sizes and pre-folds and such. Buy plain cloth diapers and do what we all used to do - learn to fold them into exactly the size needed by the baby. There are about a dozen ways to fold a regular cloth diaper that lets you use the same ones from birth to potty training.
Another consideration - disposable diapers use huge amounts of energy from tree to diaper. AND the plastic outside is made from, you guessed it, petroleum. Then there is the cost of transporting them from manufacturing plants all over the country. Just what do you think is going to happen to the price of a package of disposable diapers? Compare to the cost of buying and then washing and drying cloth diapers. Once the cloth diapers are bought, it's all but free to wash them with energy costs going straight up.
Get 6 to 10 dozen, at least. If baby gets sick or if you get sick, you have given yourself a reasonable safety time zone for laundry. And don't stress out over all the sizes and pre-folds and such. Buy plain cloth diapers and do what we all used to do - learn to fold them into exactly the size needed by the baby. There are about a dozen ways to fold a regular cloth diaper that lets you use the same ones from birth to potty training.
Another consideration - disposable diapers use huge amounts of energy from tree to diaper. AND the plastic outside is made from, you guessed it, petroleum. Then there is the cost of transporting them from manufacturing plants all over the country. Just what do you think is going to happen to the price of a package of disposable diapers? Compare to the cost of buying and then washing and drying cloth diapers. Once the cloth diapers are bought, it's all but free to wash them with energy costs going straight up.
Hit every yard sale you see and pick up baby clothes for next to nothing.
We used White Cloud diapers and Parents Choice formula ( Wally mart
house brand). Get a set of hearing protector ear muffs. Seriously they
make holding a crying baby a lot easier for Dad. A crying baby is harder for
us guys to deal with as we don't have the mommy instinct. My ear
protectors got some use as I could hold the baby and help get her calmed
down when Mom was worn out. Never get caught without infants Oragel
and Tylanol when teething starts. It is worth it's weight in gold.
Congratulations
We used White Cloud diapers and Parents Choice formula ( Wally mart
house brand). Get a set of hearing protector ear muffs. Seriously they
make holding a crying baby a lot easier for Dad. A crying baby is harder for
us guys to deal with as we don't have the mommy instinct. My ear
protectors got some use as I could hold the baby and help get her calmed
down when Mom was worn out. Never get caught without infants Oragel
and Tylanol when teething starts. It is worth it's weight in gold.
Congratulations
We did cloth diapers with the first and switched to disposable on the rest. At least think about disposable at night so you can get some sleep. If things get bad, I would want disposable that I could throw away instead of trying to wash them, dry them, etc.
If you can find a toy I called the "bee" toy, buy it. It had a bee that rolled inside a plastic frame from one side to the other with suns on each end. Kept the kids busy for hours. It was made by Fisher Price. I gave it as a gift for every mom I knew.
Fisher Price also has some blocks that I know are easy to find called "Peek a Blocks." A new toy could be very useful to occupy a little one and keep them quiet.
For mom since she's breastfeeding having some lanolin on hand would be important. We bought it at Walgreens at the time but you might have to order online.
A
If you can find a toy I called the "bee" toy, buy it. It had a bee that rolled inside a plastic frame from one side to the other with suns on each end. Kept the kids busy for hours. It was made by Fisher Price. I gave it as a gift for every mom I knew.
Fisher Price also has some blocks that I know are easy to find called "Peek a Blocks." A new toy could be very useful to occupy a little one and keep them quiet.
For mom since she's breastfeeding having some lanolin on hand would be important. We bought it at Walgreens at the time but you might have to order online.
A
fruit loop
Inactive
A few suggestions
Ear thermometer
Ear viewer and instructions
Blankets
Clothing in various sizes to allow for growth. Don't waste money on fancy outfits - maybe one for church. Keep baby in gowns and tee shirts as much as possible.
Cloth diapers and pins
Bottles in various sizes for juice, sippy cups
Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed - HUMAN MILK FOR HUMAN BABIES....but stock some canned formula in case (God forbid and may the devil be deaf) anything happens to mom
Ear thermometer
Ear viewer and instructions
Blankets
Clothing in various sizes to allow for growth. Don't waste money on fancy outfits - maybe one for church. Keep baby in gowns and tee shirts as much as possible.
Cloth diapers and pins
Bottles in various sizes for juice, sippy cups
Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed - HUMAN MILK FOR HUMAN BABIES....but stock some canned formula in case (God forbid and may the devil be deaf) anything happens to mom
Sassafras
Veteran Member
Since you're thinking prep...something you might consider is a baby food grinder. It operates manually, grinds finer than a regular grinder, is portable, and very easy to clean. That way baby can eat the same stored food as the rest of the family without a lot of extra breakable baby food jars.
Don't forget nursing pads for mom.
Don't forget nursing pads for mom.
Jmurman
Veteran Member
Good News!
After just having our son in December, I feel pretty qualified to answer you.
First of all DO NOT stock up too heavily on formula. Your baby might have issues with one type or another. I know my son did, and I had to return all of our stock and replace it with a "non-throw-up" type. Don't be afraid to start on cereal sooner than "the books" say. we started our son about 2 months by putting some in his bottle for the evening feeding (1/4 tsp to start) this will allow them to sleep a little longer than the normal. My son is now almost 5 months and will chug 6 ounces of formula mixed with a couple table spoons of cereal in no time at all now.
Also, the first diaper sizes 1-2 they will out grow them fast. Our son only used maybe 1 1/2 boxes of the 1-2 size. Always keep the next size up in stock. So, if your baby is on size 3...make sure you have a box of size 4. The next size up is great for a sleeping diaper, so they wont be so wet in the morning.
Bottles...my wife found this type called Dr Browns. Marvelous bottles. These greatly reduce the amount of air they ingest, have at least 6-8 on hand. Don't buy many of the "small" sized bottles, the large ones are fine as they grow...just change nipples to the next size. Get a few plastic containers with screw on lids, load these with formula powder before you go to bed, that way at night for their feeding you don't have to wake up to measure formula. You can use the actual bottle for filling with exact amount of water.
For the first 3-4 months, everything is an issue. A simple cold for you or me is no big deal, but for the baby it's a trip to the hospital. Keep that in mind as you'll make numerous trips to the Dr's and ER...it's no biggie, just go with the flow.
Clothes do not match the age of the baby. 1-2 months are good for a really short period of time...then it's 3-4 etc. Alot of clothing mfgrs are really off on sizes...my 5 month is wearing 9 mopnth clothes...just buy to fit and don't worry what the tag says.
A car diaper bag is a must. This is an "spare" bag with clothes dry formula, empty bottle, bottled water, saper diapers and wipes...and extra clothes. Do this in addition to your normal carry bag.
Don't go overboard for strollers. Yes they are expensive. However, those $6-800 strollers are just a status symbol. You definately want a quality stroller and car seat. Keep in mind that your car seat will be obsolete when your child is about 1 yr old...the second seat is where you really want to put your money.
Try to hook up with someone who has had a baby recently. Trading clothes, toys etc is a good way for them to get rid of what they have and for you to acquire newer things. In keeping with that thought, find someone that is recently pregnant and pass on things to them. Also find a good consignment shop and check it out.
I hope this helps.
After just having our son in December, I feel pretty qualified to answer you.
First of all DO NOT stock up too heavily on formula. Your baby might have issues with one type or another. I know my son did, and I had to return all of our stock and replace it with a "non-throw-up" type. Don't be afraid to start on cereal sooner than "the books" say. we started our son about 2 months by putting some in his bottle for the evening feeding (1/4 tsp to start) this will allow them to sleep a little longer than the normal. My son is now almost 5 months and will chug 6 ounces of formula mixed with a couple table spoons of cereal in no time at all now.
Also, the first diaper sizes 1-2 they will out grow them fast. Our son only used maybe 1 1/2 boxes of the 1-2 size. Always keep the next size up in stock. So, if your baby is on size 3...make sure you have a box of size 4. The next size up is great for a sleeping diaper, so they wont be so wet in the morning.
Bottles...my wife found this type called Dr Browns. Marvelous bottles. These greatly reduce the amount of air they ingest, have at least 6-8 on hand. Don't buy many of the "small" sized bottles, the large ones are fine as they grow...just change nipples to the next size. Get a few plastic containers with screw on lids, load these with formula powder before you go to bed, that way at night for their feeding you don't have to wake up to measure formula. You can use the actual bottle for filling with exact amount of water.
For the first 3-4 months, everything is an issue. A simple cold for you or me is no big deal, but for the baby it's a trip to the hospital. Keep that in mind as you'll make numerous trips to the Dr's and ER...it's no biggie, just go with the flow.
Clothes do not match the age of the baby. 1-2 months are good for a really short period of time...then it's 3-4 etc. Alot of clothing mfgrs are really off on sizes...my 5 month is wearing 9 mopnth clothes...just buy to fit and don't worry what the tag says.
A car diaper bag is a must. This is an "spare" bag with clothes dry formula, empty bottle, bottled water, saper diapers and wipes...and extra clothes. Do this in addition to your normal carry bag.
Don't go overboard for strollers. Yes they are expensive. However, those $6-800 strollers are just a status symbol. You definately want a quality stroller and car seat. Keep in mind that your car seat will be obsolete when your child is about 1 yr old...the second seat is where you really want to put your money.
Try to hook up with someone who has had a baby recently. Trading clothes, toys etc is a good way for them to get rid of what they have and for you to acquire newer things. In keeping with that thought, find someone that is recently pregnant and pass on things to them. Also find a good consignment shop and check it out.
I hope this helps.
A.T.Hagan
Inactive
You've got a lot of advice already so I'll eliminate some of what I was going to say. I've got two now, six and fifteen months. This is an area I spent some time thinking about before both were born.
Even if your wife is going to breastfeed (an idea I heartily endorse) you should stock infant formula. I recommend a name brand cows milk based <i>lactose free</i> formula. NOT soy formula. You're dealing with an unknown here so you have to try to cover the most likely bets. Of all the feeding difficulties that you're most likely to encounter it will be lactose intolerance that is most probable to occur. It probably won't happen with your baby, but it's not all that uncommon and is easy to prepare against. Buy a name brand such as Enfamil or Similac as a dry powder in cans. It'll keep fine in the can it comes in and is dated for two years which is longer than the baby will need it. There is the remote chance that the infant could have a cows milk allergy, but it could just as well have a soy allergy too. You can't cover all bases completely, but you can cover the most likely. A known good quality lactose-free infant formula will do that for you.
The second thing is to examine your water storage and purification. Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of death among infants in the third world and it's nearly all because they cannot get safe drinking water. <i>This is of paramount importance so if you're lacking in this area get it corrected before the baby arrives.</i>
The third thing is to have a good quality manual breast pump. My wife and one of her best friends pumped through four kids between them. Avent makes one that works pretty well. Cost about fifty bucks as I recall. Get the spare parts kit. I washed our pump pretty much every night as I did the dishes so I can say it didn't wear very much, but there are pieces that can get lost if you're not very careful.
Have baby bottles, spare nipples, and means to clean them. Sometimes breast feeding can be rough on mama so it's a good thing to have an alternate means to feed the child. Neither of my kids ever cared much for a bottle if they could have mama, but sometimes it was a bottle or nothing.
If you go to the URL linked in my signature below you'll find a document on how to breast feed in an emergency. Print that out and put it with your important papers for just in case. There's still more to be found in a Google search and I recommend that you do so. None of it may ever be needed, but in a pinch it could be a literal life saver. I also recommend your wife check out the La Leche League. They are a gold mine of information and support for a mama learning how to feed her baby. It don't necessarily come natural.
Infant formula, safe water, and means to feed it with taken care of I'd be sure to stock plenty of baby cereal - oatmeal, mixed, and rice in that order is what I recommend. Along with mama's milk or infant formula it can get you by for quite a while until baby is better able to eat solid foods. A fine strainer that you can mash well cooked foods through to remove chunks can help a lot. I never did like those baby food grinders on the market. They don't work very well and they are hard to clean.
At least a dozen diaper service quality cloth diapers and a dozen diaper pins (they get lost, they get lost, they get lost) and three good quality plastic pants should come next even if you're going to use disposables. We never used ours more than a couple of times as we much preferred Huggies Supremes with our first and I think we're using a Pampers product now with our second. But we had those cloth diapers, pins, and plastic pants in storage for just in case. You really do not want to be having to fashion rude expedients if you don't have to.
Wet wipes something you're going to go through a lot of. Buy as many as you can store. Cheap store brands are usually good enough, no need to spend money on name brands, but be sure to try one pack before buying a lot of them.
I'd also get several bottles of Phazyme (simethicone) or equivalent. I sure wish we'd learned of this stuff sooner with our first one. Some babies are more colicky than others, but they all have problems that way at one time or another. A couple of drops of this stuff, a big belch and baby often goes to sleep when she's been wailing for an hour at two in the morning. A baby with gas it can't burp up can take all the joy right out of your life until she finally does.
Also several bottles of infant Tylenol and some infant approved decongestants will help a lot.
The other posters have pretty well covered the rest.
.....Alan.
Even if your wife is going to breastfeed (an idea I heartily endorse) you should stock infant formula. I recommend a name brand cows milk based <i>lactose free</i> formula. NOT soy formula. You're dealing with an unknown here so you have to try to cover the most likely bets. Of all the feeding difficulties that you're most likely to encounter it will be lactose intolerance that is most probable to occur. It probably won't happen with your baby, but it's not all that uncommon and is easy to prepare against. Buy a name brand such as Enfamil or Similac as a dry powder in cans. It'll keep fine in the can it comes in and is dated for two years which is longer than the baby will need it. There is the remote chance that the infant could have a cows milk allergy, but it could just as well have a soy allergy too. You can't cover all bases completely, but you can cover the most likely. A known good quality lactose-free infant formula will do that for you.
The second thing is to examine your water storage and purification. Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of death among infants in the third world and it's nearly all because they cannot get safe drinking water. <i>This is of paramount importance so if you're lacking in this area get it corrected before the baby arrives.</i>
The third thing is to have a good quality manual breast pump. My wife and one of her best friends pumped through four kids between them. Avent makes one that works pretty well. Cost about fifty bucks as I recall. Get the spare parts kit. I washed our pump pretty much every night as I did the dishes so I can say it didn't wear very much, but there are pieces that can get lost if you're not very careful.
Have baby bottles, spare nipples, and means to clean them. Sometimes breast feeding can be rough on mama so it's a good thing to have an alternate means to feed the child. Neither of my kids ever cared much for a bottle if they could have mama, but sometimes it was a bottle or nothing.
If you go to the URL linked in my signature below you'll find a document on how to breast feed in an emergency. Print that out and put it with your important papers for just in case. There's still more to be found in a Google search and I recommend that you do so. None of it may ever be needed, but in a pinch it could be a literal life saver. I also recommend your wife check out the La Leche League. They are a gold mine of information and support for a mama learning how to feed her baby. It don't necessarily come natural.
Infant formula, safe water, and means to feed it with taken care of I'd be sure to stock plenty of baby cereal - oatmeal, mixed, and rice in that order is what I recommend. Along with mama's milk or infant formula it can get you by for quite a while until baby is better able to eat solid foods. A fine strainer that you can mash well cooked foods through to remove chunks can help a lot. I never did like those baby food grinders on the market. They don't work very well and they are hard to clean.
At least a dozen diaper service quality cloth diapers and a dozen diaper pins (they get lost, they get lost, they get lost) and three good quality plastic pants should come next even if you're going to use disposables. We never used ours more than a couple of times as we much preferred Huggies Supremes with our first and I think we're using a Pampers product now with our second. But we had those cloth diapers, pins, and plastic pants in storage for just in case. You really do not want to be having to fashion rude expedients if you don't have to.
Wet wipes something you're going to go through a lot of. Buy as many as you can store. Cheap store brands are usually good enough, no need to spend money on name brands, but be sure to try one pack before buying a lot of them.
I'd also get several bottles of Phazyme (simethicone) or equivalent. I sure wish we'd learned of this stuff sooner with our first one. Some babies are more colicky than others, but they all have problems that way at one time or another. A couple of drops of this stuff, a big belch and baby often goes to sleep when she's been wailing for an hour at two in the morning. A baby with gas it can't burp up can take all the joy right out of your life until she finally does.
Also several bottles of infant Tylenol and some infant approved decongestants will help a lot.
The other posters have pretty well covered the rest.
.....Alan.
This isn't a prep idea but just a good idea I was told when I first has a child.
When you take the pins out of the diaper poke them in a bar of ivory soap while changing the baby. Just keep a bar of soap on the changing table tray. This makes the pin slide more easily into the diaper. It works.
Also if you have never changed a baby please make sure you have two fingers under the diaper to guide the pin so you don't poke the baby with the pin.
When you take the pins out of the diaper poke them in a bar of ivory soap while changing the baby. Just keep a bar of soap on the changing table tray. This makes the pin slide more easily into the diaper. It works.
Also if you have never changed a baby
please make sure you have two fingers under the diaper to guide the pin so you don't poke the baby with the pin.
Giblin
Veteran Member
Wow! Great Ideas!
My 2 cents as a Mom of 7 and 2nd grandbaby due in Nov.
1. Mom needs to be able to relax. Babies will sense any stress and it will affect their well-being and yours also.
2. Hats or bonnets winter and summer (my kids were bald!) And layers of blankets or bunting.
3. Mylicon gas drops! Simethicone is a great thing to have on hand if Mom eats something that does't agree with the baby. I couldn't eat peanut butter while nursing. The baby screamed for 8 hours - 2 feedings untill I got it out of my system.
4. I usually put all kinds of the baby stuff listed by those above together in a first aide kit as a 'Baby Shower' gift in a red fishing box.
5. As a prep item I would say a comfortable "Kangaroo" carrier would be a necessary item to free up Mom's hands in a bug ouf situation and also for warmth if the grid goes down.
Enjoy the baby as they grow up tooooo fast!
My 2 cents as a Mom of 7 and 2nd grandbaby due in Nov.
1. Mom needs to be able to relax. Babies will sense any stress and it will affect their well-being and yours also.
2. Hats or bonnets winter and summer (my kids were bald!) And layers of blankets or bunting.
3. Mylicon gas drops! Simethicone is a great thing to have on hand if Mom eats something that does't agree with the baby. I couldn't eat peanut butter while nursing. The baby screamed for 8 hours - 2 feedings untill I got it out of my system.
4. I usually put all kinds of the baby stuff listed by those above together in a first aide kit as a 'Baby Shower' gift in a red fishing box.
5. As a prep item I would say a comfortable "Kangaroo" carrier would be a necessary item to free up Mom's hands in a bug ouf situation and also for warmth if the grid goes down.
Enjoy the baby as they grow up tooooo fast!
The Flying Dutchman
Deceased
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I *hate* to be a gloomer here:
But I have not seen it mentioned yet; however it is a PRESENT and CLEAR possibility that TS will have HTF long before November.
I would suggest that a book covering Mid-Wifeing be considered as a prime need, if not for this little one's birthing - then for the next one.
Perusing of the news events this morning; indicates ARMY RANGER may have it 'pegged' right; though IMO, it may well be a week or a bit more before the "Baloon goes up," But it is certainly possible that things can get out of hand very quickly now ...
<center>
</center>I *hate* to be a gloomer here:
But I have not seen it mentioned yet; however it is a PRESENT and CLEAR possibility that TS will have HTF long before November.
I would suggest that a book covering Mid-Wifeing be considered as a prime need, if not for this little one's birthing - then for the next one.
Perusing of the news events this morning; indicates ARMY RANGER may have it 'pegged' right; though IMO, it may well be a week or a bit more before the "Baloon goes up," But it is certainly possible that things can get out of hand very quickly now ...
I'll add:
1. Congrats!
2. Visit my web on how to install cloth diapers. www.ofuzzy1.com We did very well with the simple diapers, laundry service types.
3. OBO list is long but very inclusive.
4. Visit the thrift shoppees -- there's a kids consignment shoppee in my town, too.
5. Keep them covered from the sun, that's a bit must do.
1. Congrats!
2. Visit my web on how to install cloth diapers. www.ofuzzy1.com We did very well with the simple diapers, laundry service types.
3. OBO list is long but very inclusive.
4. Visit the thrift shoppees -- there's a kids consignment shoppee in my town, too.
5. Keep them covered from the sun, that's a bit must do.
CopperTopMom
Contributing Member
Onebyone said:This isn't a prep idea but just a good idea I was told when I first has a child.
When you take the pins out of the diaper poke them in a bar of ivory soap while changing the baby. Just keep a bar of soap on the changing table tray. This makes the pin slide more easily into the diaper. It works.
Also if you have never changed a baby
In the absence of a bar of soap run the pin (carefully
) through your hair the oils in the hair do the same job as the soap.I heartily second putting your fingers in the way of the pin. Even if you do it is still possible to pin the diaper to the baby
Baby and I cried until cgtech suggested nursing her to comfort us both
Worrier King
Deceased
My previous fatherly experience tells me SHTF you can never have enough Huggies/Pampers, and disposable butt wipes.
Takes a lot of time/energy/water/soap to do cloth diapers, plus its more sanitary to just toss/dispose/incinerate and be done with the whole stinking mess in one fell swoop.
Takes a lot of time/energy/water/soap to do cloth diapers, plus its more sanitary to just toss/dispose/incinerate and be done with the whole stinking mess in one fell swoop.
A.T.Hagan
Inactive
<a href="http://www.hesperian.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HB&Product_Code=B090R&Category_Code=ENG">A Book for Midwives</a> from the Hesperian Foundation. You can buy it from them direct. Should be a part of every prepper's library.The Flying Dutchman said:
.....Alan.
atropa
Inactive
I don't think anyone's mentioned this one yet, but get a pack and play. It serves as a bassinet, crib and playpen, and it folds into the size of a golf bag. I know it's newfangled and all, but it is a very convenient item, especially when you have to spend the night somewhere. Also I'm with the Flying Dutchman on the midwife or homebirth thing. Learn as much as you can because you never know. Even if nothing hits the fan, women have been known to give birth rather suddenly. About the formula, we used Parent's Choice, target has a brand also. Our ped told us it was the same thing. You get twicw as much for half the price. Last time I checked at Sam's they had a huge can of their brand for $19.
cin
Inactive
So what happens when the disposable diapers run out? 
You'll be okay if we are talking a week or so, but anything more long-term..? Btw, disposable diapers are an American luxury. We lived in the Philippines when my oldest son was an infant, and we didn't have them. It was just unheard of.
You'll be okay if we are talking a week or so, but anything more long-term..? Btw, disposable diapers are an American luxury. We lived in the Philippines when my oldest son was an infant, and we didn't have them. It was just unheard of.The ideas here are great---
I pretty much skimmed so these may have been mentioned:
Nasal syringe. Baby-type only. A baby with a full nose can't nurse.
Large diaper pail with tight lid. Plastic. Store some bleach (which you should anyway) for cleaning.
Along with blankets, I found a one-piece snowsuit to be less "slippy" and kept the baby covered better than just blankets. BTW, most buntings don't work worth a damn with car-seat straps.
We used nothing but umbrella strollers (they're unusable on gravel or sand, BTW) for our kids. Went through maybe four or five in thirty years---I like that I could fold or unfold it single-handed and they need very little space to store.
Store baby tylenol. Very few things are worse than a baby with a high fever. You also might try these:
"Your Child's Health", by Barton Schmitt, M.D. (My copy is 1991, there may be a newer edition).
'The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies".
'Where There is No Doctor".
Congratulations and God bless you and your family---
FREEBIRD, mom of many
I pretty much skimmed so these may have been mentioned:
Nasal syringe. Baby-type only. A baby with a full nose can't nurse.
Large diaper pail with tight lid. Plastic. Store some bleach (which you should anyway) for cleaning.
Along with blankets, I found a one-piece snowsuit to be less "slippy" and kept the baby covered better than just blankets. BTW, most buntings don't work worth a damn with car-seat straps.
We used nothing but umbrella strollers (they're unusable on gravel or sand, BTW) for our kids. Went through maybe four or five in thirty years---I like that I could fold or unfold it single-handed and they need very little space to store.
Store baby tylenol. Very few things are worse than a baby with a high fever. You also might try these:
"Your Child's Health", by Barton Schmitt, M.D. (My copy is 1991, there may be a newer edition).
'The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies".
'Where There is No Doctor".
Congratulations and God bless you and your family---
FREEBIRD, mom of many