Final shopping trip

This week is a great time to make sure that you have all the bare essentials in stock. There are plenty of luxuries that you have no doubt amassed over the last few months, but you need to be sure you have all of the necessities at hand.
Diapering
1. Diapers in size newborn and size 1. You do not want to open the newborn package, because if your baby is too big for them you want to be able to exchange them.
2. Wipes in sensitive skin or unscented solution, as a newborns’ skin is very sensitive. Some people even prefer to use moistened gauze squares for the first few weeks.
3. Diaper Rash Cream/Gel/Powder
4. If you are planning to go the cloth diaper route, you must decide if you will launder them at home or have a service. If you are planning to use a service make sure that you are very clear as to their process – some require a pre-rinse, or specific bagging procedures. If you are planning to launder them at home, you will need to set up your own system, to assure that you will always have fresh cloths. Also make sure that you have all the appropriate closure devices as well as covers.
Feeding
1. Bottles (with a variety of nipples – slow for the beginning and fast for later, as well as different shapes) and formula if you intend to go that route.
2. Nursing bras, nipple cream, and nursing pads is your intend to breastfeed. This is also a great time to meet up with a lactation consultant to get a prep lesson.

3. A Breast pump, bottles, bags/containers if you plan to breastfeed and return to work.

Clothing
1. Onesies, hats and socks will be the bulk of our child’s wardrobe for the first month or so, so have plenty on hand.
2. Receiving blankets as well as warmer blankets if you baby will be born in the colder months.
Bathing
1. It really is important to have something smaller than your full-size bath tub for bathing an infant. I suggest purchasing a baby bathtub with some sort of support device to help you keep your baby safe. A squirming, wet and soapy baby can be very hard to keep a hand on and clean at the same time.
2. Soap and washcloths – I strongly recommend the disposable washcloths that have soap in them, for the first few weeks. It is likely that your baby with be screaming their head off during a bath and you will want it to go as quickly as possible.
Last but not least, if you live in a larger home – this mean that someone could stand in one corner and talk at a normal speaking volume and you could not hear them clear enough to respond while standing in the other other corner of the home – you will need a baby monitor. If you plan to do the dishes during naptime you want to be able to hear when baby wakes up. Though I do not subscribe to the “rush in and rescue” method, you still want to be aware.

Word of the Week

Dilation – n – the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions especially as a result of overwork or disease or of abnormal relaxation (www.dictionary.com)

Buying guide

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