Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

so.....you'll all learn that i'm WAY overly organized and wayyyyyyyy a planner by nature (though for her birth - i'm all about whatever happens, happens, and i'm okay with that)....

we got an induction date and it's 20 days away....(19 if you count the day before's admission to the hospital) - so our precious & hiccuppy Emma will be arriving on Dave's birthday - June 4th!

Anyhooooooo - as i mentioned, i'm a planner...this is what we have - ready to go.... i wrote this list out at work - so i KNOW i forgot things we have (since i'm not home to look around), or maybe just DON'T have some items...so please, critique me, tell me what i need that i don't have listed, or tell me i'm a lunatic!

Laundry:

a. 5 newborn onesies washed (extras are in a bag with receipt!)
b. 0-3 month onesies and outfits washed
c. 3 month onesies and outfits washed
d. 3-6 month onesies and outfits washed
e. select blankets (heavy and light) washed
f. all bibs washed
g. all burp cloths washed (except cloth diapers)
h. all socks washed
i. all sheets washed (bassinet and crib)
j. all sheet savers washed
k. few cute ‘stuffed friends’ washed
l. all sleep sack’s/swaddle me’s washed
m. dreft wipes to clean all things that can’t be laundered

Diapering & Healthcare:

a. newborn diapers (1 package)
b. lots of size 1 diapers (more than 100)
c. various wipes (all sensitive kind & varying brands and lots of soft paper towels if we don’t want to use wipes at all)
d. desitin, aquafor & butt-paste (a few other brands I think too)
e. various medications (from new parents’ survival kit)
f. healthcare & grooming kits (including thermometer)
g. chuck pads
h. wee wee pads

Bathing:

a. tub
b. washcloths
c. few towels (sil will give us more)
d. johnson & johnson baby wash & shampoo
e. aveeno baby wash & shampoo (both dry skin & regular)
f. johnson & johnson calming bath wipes (pre-soaped)
g. temperature gage for water
h. bubble maker for tub (eventually)
i. faucet protector for tub (eventually)
j. bench to kneel on if we bathe her in the baby tub in the regular tub (put baby tub IN the tub)
k. pad for TOP of bench to kneel on – to make it softer
l. bath caddy thing (to hold all towels, cloths and soaps)

Other Items:

a. dresser & crib (in Emma’s room)
b. bassinet (in OUR room)
c. pack n play (in living room)
d. fully stocked changing table (in Emma’s room)
e. glider and ottoman (in Emma’s room)
f. newborn to infant rocker (in Emma’s room – though will likely be in the living room)
g. papasan and fisher price swings (not sure which one will go to my mom’s)
h. fisher price bouncer
i. travel swing
j. car seat swing
k. car seat (installed and inspected)
l. stroller
m. snap N go
n. baby monitor
o. teething items
p. stuffed friends
q. diaper pail & scented bags
r. various types of bottles
s. various types of binkies (pacifiers)
t. pacifier keepers (if she throws it at dave – it won’t go on the floor, it’ll be attached to her clothing)
u. bottle keeper (same purpose as above)
v. bumbo seat with tray
w. boppy
x. boppy lounger
y. my brest friend (not sure if i'll use this or the boppy)
z. tummy time mat (have 2 - one basic and one more crazy, fun)

Still In Packaging Items:

a. exersaucer
b. play table
c. various games/toys
d. umbrella stroller
e. high chair

FOR ME:

a. diaper bag
b. nipple prep (lanisoh and nipple butter)
c. hospital bag ALMOST fully packed
d. maxi pads
e. donut pillow
f.

(i will be editing to add the things that you all remind me that i have or that i remember)...

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message edited 5/14/2009 4:04:59 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

I think you're cover!!! My goodness, you weren't joking about being a planner. Sit back and enjoy these couple of weeks. I would put the planning aside and enjoy some hubby alone time as well before DC arrives.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

I thought I had everything, but some things that I needed but didn't have on hand after I was home from the hospital were:
A&D Ointment
A few bottles sterilized (even if you plan on BF-ing)
Glycerin Suppositories
Vaseline
Mylicon
Gripe Water

Now that it is getting warmer out, you may want to purchase a sunscreen for infants. there was a recent post on this if you do a search. HTH!

eta: a rubber donut thingy to sit on if you have an episiotomy.

Message edited 5/14/2009 2:11:58 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Do you have your hospital bag ready??

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Holy cow you have more then we do and DD is almost 20 months old.

Honestly, I think you are set.

Good luck to you!

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

my hospital bag is ALMOST completely packed (have a few items to buy and add)...

i have the donut pillow - because of a sciatica issue - i haven't had to use it yet - but it's in my hospital bag actually (nice segway!)...

what are glycerine suppositories & gripe water used for??

mylicon i have - it was part of a kit i got...
i'll have dave sterilize a bottle or two before i come home...

a&d and vaseline are GREAT thoughts! adding to my 'to be purchased list'.

Message edited 5/14/2009 2:16:50 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Do you have the little baby mittens on that list? I didn't think I saw it, but it's possible I missed it.

You can get a pack at BRU, so baby won't scratch herself with her razor-sharp nails.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

two things I can think of that i used are.. mittens/or socks to put over babies hands so they don't scratch themselves.

and i'm not sure what it's called but its like a big sponge that( mine was in the shape of a bear) that we used before DD was able to be put in the tub to lay her on while we gave her sponge baths. or you could just use regular towels but if you DD is anyting like mine was the slightest chill we'd have a Pee Pee accident".

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

i wasn't sure if the hospital provided mittens....can't hurt to have a pair or two though!

great thought on the sponge!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES - please, keep 'em coming!

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Posted by davenjess

i wasn't sure if the hospital provided mittens....can't hurt to have a pair or two though!

great thought on the sponge!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES - please, keep 'em coming!

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Posted by nbc188

Posted by davenjess

i wasn't sure if the hospital provided mittens....can't hurt to have a pair or two though!

great thought on the sponge!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES - please, keep 'em coming!

You're welcome! I don't believe our hospital provided mittens at all, but I'm sure some do. In BRU, they're over by the medicines/toothbrushes (at least in the one by me-- I was just buying some for my sister).

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Posted by davenjess

Posted by nbc188

Posted by davenjess

i wasn't sure if the hospital provided mittens....can't hurt to have a pair or two though!

great thought on the sponge!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES - please, keep 'em coming!

You're welcome! I don't believe our hospital provided mittens at all, but I'm sure some do. In BRU, they're over by the medicines/toothbrushes (at least in the one by me-- I was just buying some for my sister).

what's funny is i had my hands on them yesterday and said - the hospital will have these.... i think i'd rather have my OWN for her anyway...i'm sure anything i get would be softer! i do remember my bff's baby scratched herself and because of THAT - the hospital gave her mittens....

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Jess, before you give birth can you come over and organize my house for me Consider it nesting

I can't think of anything other than maybe alchohol and cotton balls to clean the umbilical cord with.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Another suggestion: some fitted hats, newborn-size...if you can find any.

DD was born in late-June, and with our Central Air on in the house, I felt like her head was a little chilly...and we didn't have any hats that fit tightly enough, so I used the one she wore in the hospital...every night, for months I just never found hats that fit well enough to let her sleep in.

So, not sure if you have better luck than I did 2 years ago Not all babies need hats, but she was definitely too cool w/o one overnight.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Posted by lorimarie

Jess, before you give birth can you come over and organize my house for me Consider it nesting

I can't think of anything other than maybe alchohol and cotton balls to clean the umbilical cord with.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Posted by nbc188

Another suggestion: some fitted hats, newborn-size...if you can find any.

DD was born in late-June, and with our Central Air on in the house, I felt like her head was a little chilly...and we didn't have any hats that fit tightly enough, so I used the one she wore in the hospital...every night, for months I just never found hats that fit well enough to let her sleep in.

So, not sure if you have better luck than I did 2 years ago Not all babies need hats, but she was definitely too cool w/o one overnight.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

you sound alot more prepared then i was... i had alot of shopping left to do before baby came home from icu...

the newborn onesies are some of them sleepers?The sleepers are great for keeping them warm at night if you dont use the sleep sack...Also- socks are great to have.


did you get a package of the cloth diapers for burp cloths? they are great & hospital uses the same ones...

newborn diapers you might not need- keep the receipt. My baby was put into size 1 at the hospital and he wasnt born that big.. they will send you home with a few

do you have extra pack n play sheets? its amazing how they can spit up more in certain things.

for the changing table- usually there is a fitted sheet for it... do you have a waterproof sheet to put ontop of it? its good to have like 2-4 of them..

Vaseline is good- hospital uses it on their butt when they dont have diaper rash-can get the store brand

my baby didnt like the no scratch mittens- and my friend didnt have luck with them either- make sure your grooming kit has emory boards in it and just keep ontop of it every 3 days or so- no nail clippers in the first 2 months

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Wow, you are very prepared. Only other thing I can think of is to have your pump prepared, if you are planning on breastfeeding and have a pump. I kept mine in the box because I wasn't planning on using it for awhile since I wanted to EBF. But, the night my milk came in, I got very engorged and needed to pump some out. I was so swollen that DD couldn't latch on to my nipples unless I pumped some out, and hand expressing wasn't working. FH and I were reading the manual and sterilizing parts at 4am with DD screaming in the background because she was starving and couldn't latch on. Also, not many people do "cup" feeding, but I had to do it a few times and it was really helpful. When she was having trouble latching those first few days, I did not want to give her a bottle. I was able to cup feed her with the medela cups and it made me feel better knowing she was getting enough while we were figuring out nursing. I only had to use them for 1-2 days, but I was really glad I had them. Once the engorgement went away, nursing was fine.

ETA--my DD always hated mittens and got them off and would scratch herself. I loved the sleepers, onesies and tshirts that had the foldover cuffs...they worked wonders those first few weeks. Another thing I needed was comfy hats (but I had a winter baby). Take as many from the hospital as you can! Those were great.

Message edited 5/14/2009 2:54:26 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Message edited 5/14/2009 2:55:46 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

baby q-tips (they have larger heads than normal ones)
comb
brush
mylecon drops for gas
infant tylenol and dropper
wee-wee or chuck pads - they are very useful for on top of the changing table pad so that you can dispose of any messes quickly and under the crib sheet so you just change the sheet and the pad. You can get them at a pharmacy or pet supply store.
Super absorbent maxi pads for you for after delivery. You should bring some of them to the hospital too. Gerber cloth diapers to be used as burp cloths - they are much more absorbent and softer than any other burp cloth.
vasaline
thermometor
tiny love mobile
something to play music in the baby's room
soothing cds
night light


ETA: Possibly the MOST IMPORTANT THING - A CEILING FAN OR PORTABLE FAN. This was proven to reduce SIDS.

Message edited 5/14/2009 3:03:17 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Oh Diannnaaa (diana1215) I think someone has you beat with being prepared

Jess..I think you have it all covered. If you plan on BF, I would really try out the mybreastfriend. It was a lot easier than the boppy.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Message edited 5/14/2009 3:08:50 PM.

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

Jess, you're awesome! I can't wait for you to be over here full-time!!

You seriously look like you have everything. Definitely, like a pp said, keep the receipt for the newborn diapers. Shane was born at 8 lbs, 11 oz and went right into Size 1 diapers, as a matter of fact, that's what the nurses put him in from the get-go. Also, we never even bothered with NB size outfits, we returned them all, though in hindsight we he lost the few ozs the few days after birth, he def. could have fit in them, but not for long enough to have made them worth it. The 0-3 months were fine.

Def. get some Gripe Water, it's right near the Mylicon in the BRU aisle. It's an all natural remedy for colicy, fussy, gassy babies. For us it works when nothing else does and on Shane, has the added effect of helping to knock him out when he's overtired from being so fussy for so long.

You can NEVER have enough wipes. We use the pampers sensitive kind, but whatever kind you get that's like "free and clear" of scents and such is perfect for a NB. But seriously, stock up, and if anyone asks when the baby is born what they can bring you when they come over, always mention wipes....you will go through them crazy fast.

Oh, and if you haven't already, pack an extra pillow for the hospital, at least one, but two is better. One for Dave and an extra for you...the nurses sometimes won't give YOU an extra pillow so it's good to have one. I didn't do this, we had one for DH but not an extra for me. DH had to have his to sleep on the recliner, I was ok with what I had but would have liked another pillow. Oh, and bring snacks and water for the induction. If you can't sleep, it will be a looooong night.

Can't wait for Emma to get here!!!

Re: Before Emma Arrives.....(preparation help needed)

You seem very prepared. The only things I could think of are a pump, bottle drying rack, and lap pads. I use the lap pads on top of the changing table cover in case of a leaky diaper. That way, I don't have to change the cover as often. Also, you may want to get an extra boppy cover in case of spit up or a blowout.

DS was 8lbs 1 oz at birth. He wore newborn clothes for at least a month and was in the newborn diapers for a while too. He wore sleepers for quite a while. I used the side snap shirts at first b/c I was worried about the umbilical cord and I preferred not putting things over DS's head. Many people use onesies right away though.