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AMF1115
Loves being Joey & Vinny's mom
Member since 1/09 3771 total posts
Name: Athina
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Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
copied
You want the best for your baby and you can get it without spending a bundle. One way to save money--besides milking your baby registry--is to buy less.
There are thousands of baby products available, but you’ll be surprised by how well you can get by with a minimalist mentality. What do you really need and what can you live without? Here’s our budget-friendly master checklist of only the most essential baby gear to have on hand before your baby arrives.
Tooling around ___ Car seat ___ Stroller
Nursery essentials ___ Crib ___ Crib mattress ___ Two to three fitted crib sheets ___ Four or more waffle-weave cotton or muslin receiving blankets for swaddling your baby ___ Two waterproof mattress pads ___ Baby monitor ___ Four-sided changing table
Diaper duty ___ Diapers. [l]Disposables: One 40-count package of newborn (birth weight under 8 pounds) or size 1 (birth weight over 8 pounds), then buy in volume after you find the brand you like best. Cloth: If you choose unfolded, prefolded, or fitted cloth diapers, you will need two to three dozen to begin with, plus six to ten waterproof covers. If you go the all-in-one or pocket diaper route, having 12 to 16 should be adequate in the beginning. ___ Diaper pail (with refills or bags as needed) ___ Diaper bag
Dressing your baby ___ Four sleep sacks or one-piece sleepers with attached feet ___ Six side-snap T-shirts ___ Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch. ___ A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one) ___ Six pairs of socks/booties ___ Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. Get only a few items in newborn size. Then, go for clothing in the 3- or 6-month size—your baby will grow into it quickly. But don’t buy baby sleepwear that’s too big—it’s a safety hazard ___ Cotton sweater or light jacket
Summer babies: ___ Brimmed hat
Winter babies: ___ Snowsuit with attached mittens or fold-over cuffs, or heavy bunting ___ Heavy stroller blanket ___ Warm knit hat
Feeding time If you’re planning to breast-feed: ___ Three to five nursing bras. Plan to buy a sleep/loungewear bra for the early days of nursing when you’ll want to wear your nursing bra and pads 24/7 for leakage control ___ A box of washable or disposable breast pads ___ Breast pump if you expect to use one (manual or electric); go with a double electric breast pump if you’ll be returning to work ___ If you’re supplementing breast-feeding with an occasional bottle, you may need only one or two bottles. In general, six 4- to 5-ounce bottles will get you off to a good start. If you’re planning to bottle-feed: ___ Six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples and rings ___ Bottle-drying tree ___ Bottle cleaning brush ___ Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one) ___ Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths
Bathing/grooming ___ Plastic infant bathtub ___ Three soft hooded towels ___ Two packs of baby washcloths ___ Unscented baby body wash that doubles as shampoo ___ Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers ___ Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment ___ Soft brush and comb ___ Mild laundry detergent such as Dreft
Medicine chest essentials ___ A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby’s doctor, such as Infants’ Tylenol ___ Cotton pads/swabs ___ Nasal aspirator ___ Digital rectal thermometer ___ Rubbing alcohol ___ Petroleum jelly
Keeping baby happy ___ Pacifiers
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Posted 5/2/09 7:42 AM |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
lorich
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Member since 6/05 9987 total posts
Name: Grammie says "Lora Gina"
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
This is great! Thanks so much!
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Posted 5/2/09 7:43 AM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name: Tricia
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
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Posted 5/2/09 8:01 AM |
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QueSeraSera
Sugar & Spice
Member since 7/08 1351 total posts
Name: Liz
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
This is so helpful! Thanks for posting!
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Posted 5/2/09 8:29 AM |
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Great list! Thanks!
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.
Message edited 5/2/2009 8:30:15 AM.
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Posted 5/2/09 8:30 AM |
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conigs25
So in love with this kid!
Member since 5/06 11197 total posts
Name: Michele
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
just added it to my notebook thanks
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Posted 5/2/09 8:31 AM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name: Tara
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
that is super helpful! Thanks! I was just thinking of putting together a list like this from my baby bargains book (which I just took out today! )
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Posted 5/2/09 9:00 AM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name: Diana
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
im bookmarking this!!
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Posted 5/2/09 10:02 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name: Diana
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
The side snap tees are for when the umbilical cord is still attached. I bought a bunch and I think we even took some home from the hospital
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Posted 5/2/09 10:04 AM |
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Viviana23
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 725 total posts
Name: Viviana
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by AcquiredTheBGene
Great list! Thanks!
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.
I agree, with my first baby that's why I got the side snap tees and doing the same wit this one. Many people use the onesies or tees too but I feel comfortable and it is much easier to change them at the beginning (While they still have the cord)with the sidesnap.
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Posted 5/2/09 10:07 AM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name: Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by Viviana23
Posted by AcquiredTheBGene
Great list! Thanks!
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
I think side-snap tees are good for when baby still has the umbilical cord attached. My sister used side-snap tees until it fell off so that the cord wouldn't get pulled on the cotton of the onesie and cause irritation.
I agree, with my first baby that's why I got the side snap tees and doing the same wit this one. Many people use the onesies or tees too but I feel comfortable and it is much easier to change them at the beginning (While they still have the cord)with the sidesnap.
We'll be using the side snap tees in the beginning with our second as well. I felt so much better using them while DD's umbilical cord was still attached and I loved them afterwards since she was a summer baby
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Posted 5/2/09 10:38 AM |
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Melissa1013
My sweet boy
Member since 1/08 1933 total posts
Name: Melissa
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
This is great! Thanks for posting it!
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Posted 5/2/09 10:44 AM |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name: Kate
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
I completely agree with this list, except I never used side-snap shirts, just onesies.
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Posted 5/2/09 10:44 AM |
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vwebb85
I LOVE being a mom!!!
Member since 3/09 1463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
They suggest the side snap tees to protect toomuch rubbing on the umbilical cord until it falls off.
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Posted 5/2/09 1:23 PM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name: Tricia
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by vwebb85
Posted by sfp0701
Wow. I'm doing pretty good according to that list..
Question, with a summer baby.. would I need the side snap tee's? Would they go under the onsies? What are they used for? I was just planning on using onsies.
Thanks for posting that.
They suggest the side snap tees to protect toomuch rubbing on the umbilical cord until it falls off.
So do they go under the onsie? Or just use gowns at the start? Or with pants...
ahh too confusing!
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Posted 5/2/09 1:35 PM |
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
Posted by sfp0701
So do they go under the onsie? Or just use gowns at the start? Or with pants...
ahh too confusing!
Side snap shirts are used in lieu of the onesie.
ETA: You can use pants with it, just make sure to not cover the cord or use the loose gowns.
Message edited 5/2/2009 2:06:06 PM.
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Posted 5/2/09 1:52 PM |
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TLC1018
I AM A BIG SISTER!!
Member since 8/07 3880 total posts
Name: Tracy
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Re: Consumer Reports: Newborn necessities: Save money and buy just the basics
I used onesies while the umbilical cord was still attached, it didn't seem to bother it at all. I did find the side snap shirts convenient though, sometimes getting clothing over her head was difficult at the very beginning, and the shirts that snap up are great!
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Posted 5/2/09 2:18 PM |
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