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Baby needs!
Hi everyone,
So kids are probably a couple of years down the road for me since my husband is finishing up medical school in may, but I have a baby question.
My husband's younger sister is pregnant, and unfortunately has not gotten a lot of support from her family. She is 21, still in school, working part time, and her boyfriend is MUCH older than her, and not that successful. I am happy for her since she is excited about having a baby, but I know that she is in for a long hard road ahead trying to finish school (still has about 2.5 full time years left),and taking care of the baby.
Anyway, I became aware today that she has NO CLUE what she needs to take care of a baby. She is due in 4 months and hasn't thought about cribs, or car seats, or strollers ect. yet. I am going to try to make sure she gets everything she needs, but since I don't have any children, I am not really sure myself.
Can everyone suggest some of their favorite baby products?
Thanks!
Re: Baby needs!
It's awesome that you're so well-intentioned, but something about the way your post read makes me think you're getting too involved here. Please be careful that you don't start getting controlling or become a permanent shadow in raising this child. A great way to "help" her might be to start asking the practical questions (i.e. "Have you thought about whether you're going to continue to go to school after the baby is born," "Have you looked into daycares," etc.). Help her learn about her options so she can make an informed choice.
That being said, here's a good link to look at for checklists:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-basics-the-first-year_59.bc
And the place she registers at (if she is going to do so) will likely give a good checklist as well. (LoL... of course they will. They want her to register for everything, and then some.)
I actually haven't addressed alot of the tougher problems with her (I think that she has heard enough of that from everyone else), and I think she just needs someone to listen to her and be on her side right now
I was actually just trying to get her a Christmas gift by asking her if she registered and what she still needs. She told me that she really hasn't thought about what she needs, and asked me to help her register.
I don't think I could become a permanent shadow, since she lives half way across the country, but I want to be there to support her if she needs it.
Like I said, unfortunately she doesn't have alot of support from family, and probably won't be able to get alot of the "extra's." I assume that when she registers they will give her a checklist, but I was kind of wondering from experience what type of things people found to be the essentials, and if there were any specific products people could recommend.
She sounds like she's in denial; she better clue in fast b/c babies aren't cheap. Contrary to what most people think (including baby registry companies) you really don't need that much for a baby at first.
Crib, safe car seat and stroller, some onesies and sleepers in a few different sizes, diapers, receiving blankets. Bottles and a pump if she plans to breast feed. She can get the rest as she goes along but she really needs to pull her head out of her arse, as does the baby daddy. It's nice that you're so willing to help tho, it sounds like she's going to need it.
I would say you NEED, a SAFE carseat, crib w/ mattress, stroller, pack and play, a couple of boxes of diapers to start out with, wipes, onesies, hats/caps, footed pjs (and I think its ok to buy these big b/c they aren't moving around in the beginning anyways and then there is room to grow) crib sheets, burp cloths, bottles and/or breast pump, formula if she wants that, maybe a couple of paci's, nail clippers or files, nasal aspirator, some soap/shampoo/lotion/diaper cream etc., a couple of blankets.
She can get a highchair later on.
Do not be fooled by the baby registry. You don't need all the stuff they put on there.
It's nice if she has friends or something that might want to lend her a swing, bouncer, bumbo, exersaucer, activity gym, etc. But they are not necessities. And she might be able to find a lot of these items cheap on freecycle or craigslist.
Agreed.
Also, I'd like to put a good word in for thrift stores, friends and neighbors. It's ridiculous how fast babies grow out of the basics that first year - they barely use the bouncy and swings before they are too big. It's can be a necessity to get a fussy baby to sleep, but they grow out of it so fast. So, really tell her it's okay and PREFERED to get it second hand for a fraction of the cost.
Get her a copy of Baby Bargains. The authors go through what you really need (and what you can easily live without).
And she can look at consignment sales for a great many things, especially clothes. In the first year, they outgrow things long before they outwear them, so you can get a great wardrobe for a fraction of retail price!