|
Having a baby is an expensive prospect. Especially if you're like me and have no health insurance. I guess I could have gone to the local health clinic but dollars to doughnuts, I wouldn't haven't gotten much of a "deal". So we paid, in cash payments, every month. I've done the public health department thing and it absolutely sucks. The quality of care is low, they don't keep an eye on you as closely and while that's okay if you aren't high risk, it's not a good thing if you are. It's just too easy for you to slip through the cracks. It put a huge dent in our monies but in the end, the quality of care you receive is well worth it. However, it really was tight and we didn't get a chance to really get ready with the baby stuff. Luckily, my friends and family have taken care of a large chunk of what we needed. Even if we hadn't had friends and family, we could have scrounged by. Find a good second hand shop, watch for yard sales. It will just take a bit of extra time to get things together. The only thing I would recommend buying new are the things like bottles, thermometers, etc... For the most part, we received what I consider the basics with just a few exceptions. The book the doctors office gave to me has a list in it. They call it a "practical list of needs you'll want to consider." I have emphasized in bold text which of their suggestions I agree with. Keep in mind this is what I think is needed IMMEDIATELY or at least before you bring the child home from the hospital. |
|
What they think we need: Crib _________________________ I don't happen to agree with everything they've listed. What I'm looking for is what I'll need immediately. |
|
A Crib is not something you will need right away. I mean, it's nice to have but the baby would be just as comfy in a bassinet, a drawer (times can be tough! Don't sneer at it!), a portacrib, a cradle. Just something small. The baby doesn't need to be in something like a crib until it starts rolling over on it's own. Seriously, the child isn't going to do much of anything besides cry, sleep, and eat for the first few months. When Alix, my first daughter, was born, we were so damn broke it wasn't funny. She slept in a drawer for a couple months. I just lined it with blankets and she was fine. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do! This will give you time to shop around for a good deal on a second-hand crib if you don't have the cash to buy one right away. The Infant Carrier. You can go out and snag one of those infant car seats for about $30 brand new and it doubles wonderfully as a carrier. This is a definite thing to get. This will also give you a few months to get a regular car seat. When you do get a regular car seat, get the best one you can get. Keep in mind that this seat will be used for 3-5 years depending on your state laws and the weight of the child. You'll need something to last! Especially, if this is a first child and you plan on having more. A Changing Table is a nice thing to have but please! It's not necessary at any time. Any flat surface will do. The only really good thing about a changing table is that all the changing paraphenalia is right there and some have straps to hold the baby. I wouldn't trust them anyhow. It's just as easy to plop down on the floor or a bed. A High Chair is also something that isn't needed right away. You will need one but not until baby can sit upright on it's own. That covers most of the big stuff. |
Here's my list of what I think is needed for the first 3 months.
|
Infant car seat that doubles as a carrier.
For the first three months you will need only the smaller formula bottles. Also, buy a couple packs of extra nipples. Keep in mind to watch the sizes though! They have about 3-4 different nipples last time I looked. Some are for juices (though these ones are usually clear) and some for the larger bottles. Bottle/Nipple Cleaner: They are only about $2 and worth every penny. Get a brush that has the nipple cleaner on it also!
Diaper Pail (Diaper Genie):
I consider one of these necessary for your sanity. And sanitation!
Especially if you live in a small house or apartment. They are relatively
inexpensive and worth it. Diaper Bag: Most
definitely. Get a durable one too. This item will go through quite a bit
of abuse and you don't want to have to keep buying one. Cheap ones end
up ripping and just looking disgusting in a short period of time. Diapers: Of course
we'll need these. What makes it hard to buy ahead of time is that I don't
know how big this baby will be and the diapers go by weight. Figure at
least 7 diapers per day. At least! I've got a few bags for the first few
weeks. Given as gifts I'm sure they'll be used as they are for 8-14 lbs.
I may have to find smaller ones though. That's just something you
have to wait for. Diaper Rash Ointment,
Baby Wipes, Cornstarch: Most Doctors will tell you not to use
Baby Powder on the baby unless you pour it directly into your hand, away
from the baby. The talc is the bad guy in this one. Messes with the baby's
lungs. Cornstarch is cheaper and works just as well if not better! Baby
wipes: enough said! Diaper Rash Ointment just in case! Rectal Thermometer, Nasal Aspirator, Baby Nail Clippers, Medicine Spoon: You can buy a little kit will all these things in it for about $8.00. You'll need all of them! |
|
Going Home Outfit: You will need to pack an outfit to take with you to the hospital. Put it in your labor bag. In my family, we buy a special little outfit. Something that isn't a onesie or a creeper. Alix came home in the most adorable little white sleeper with lace around the collar, tiny pink dots on the fabric with a small pink bow on the collar. Whether you get something just for this occasion or not depends on you. This is my necessity. Onesies: These things are awesome. Get about 7-10 of them if not more. You can never have enough onesies! Snap-front Shirts: Right after onesies. The only reason they are beaten by the onesies is that it seems that every time the baby breaths, you have to pull it back down over it's belly. Gowns: Wonderful inventions these things! Slip the gown on and just pull the drawstring shut at the bottom. Voila! Draw it open and flip up to change baby without having to take a bunch of clothes off. Most babies really dislike being unclothed for the first few months. I like to use these at night. They make those 2 A.M. changes much easier. I have about 3 and that's a good number. Sleepers/Creepers: The cotton outfits with snaps from neck to ankle, with the feet covered. Also a must have. Figure at least one per day of the week. I guess baby's Pajamas will fall under this category also. The ones with the feet. Unionsuits: Similar to the Sleepers but no attached feet. I have about 3 or 4 of these and they are definitely needed. Other Outfits: I don't have a lot of money to spend on these but one or two for showing off baby is a good idea. Baby Socks and Infant Cap: Even though you will be constantly putting these things back onto the baby, they are necessary. They fall off all the time though! |
| That's about
it.
The Baby Monitors are not a necessity but in a sense they offer such a comfort to the parent that I guess we should consider them necessary. Especially if you plan on having the baby sleep in another room from the very start. I don't do that. It's just a lot easier to keep it with me in my bedroom, right beside me for the first 3 months. Or when they start sleeping through the night. It does make it easier for the midnight feedings and keeping an eye on the baby for piece of mind. NEVER put a newborn in the same bed you sleep in though! It's way to easy for you to fall asleep and the baby could roll out or you could roll on to it. Better to be safe than very sorry. I wanted the one that has the actual television monitor so you can SEE the baby as well as hear it. But that is definitely a want item and not a need item. |
We've only covered the basics. Here are the items that fall under the want category and the later months:
More Baby Stuff
