Motherhood

Hallelujah for new mothers!

A friend of mine recently asked me what the basic necessities for baby are, so I put together a list and thought I would share it on my blog as well.

+ Diapers & Wipes (Snappy Bottoms is what I used for cloth diapers and
the wipes are simply baby wash clothes - 30 diapers last us 2-3 days -
consider the cost and that the cloth diapers can be used with kids to
follow)
+ Car seat (consider what you will be doing with it - wanting
something light and easily transportable, flights, reversible)
+ Stroller (consider, again, what you will be using it for - more than
one child possibly or to transition to using it for two kids)
+ onesies (wait for sleepers depending on what your child likes to
wear - IJ didn't like sleepers from the beginning)
+ pacifier (try a few different ones - some don't like the shapes of
one verses the other - your pinky inserted upside down is a good way
too until you purchase one)
+ sling/carrier
+ blankets (2-3)
+ pillows for support when feeding (I liked the BreastFriend and also
simply pillows - the breastfriend allows for a little more mobility
because of it getting strapped via Velcro)
+ breast pump (depending on milk flow, a hand pump may suffice, but
the electric ones are fabulous at doing the job)
+ nipple cream (I like the MotherLove brand)
+ bag of some kind (I like a good backpack so that it leaves my arms
free to carry other things)
+ something to aid in bath time (it can be very basic - just aids in
keeping baby upright in the tub or something to set on the counter top
- simply showering with your baby works too or taking a bath together)

Eventually add on:

+ mirror toy that can be used for tummy time
+ black and white toys that can be used for floor time until they can
distinguish colors
+ mobile (great for simply laying them down in their crib while you do
things - good for development)
+ swing or bouncer or jumper