[Papa D]

Some time ago someone posted a very useful, quickie checklist of what to have on hand so we're prepared to bring home a new baby. Can someone re-post?
We'll be driving 9 hours to South Carolina for this delivery, so I guess we need to be prepared for a 9 hour drive back to where we live, with a newborn in the back seat.
Thanks.

[Growing]

I cannot imagine driving 9 hours with a newborn in the back seat. To me it just sounds crazy. I feel for the newborn being taken away from it's mother, state, family, etc.

I know this isn't a popular opinion here, but I'm just thinking of what a newborn might be feeling. I know many will say they won't know the difference and certainly won't remember it, but I disagree. Doesn't it just sound weird that we are having to drive across country to get our babies?

[Papa D]

How can you give such a response without knowing a single detail about this situation?
First, we'll be waiting up to 10 days at the location of the birth until our interstate compact goes through. So it's not like going from hospital delivery room to back of the car for 9 hours.
Second, this adoption opportunity was presented to us - out of state - by a family member. Of course we'd rather adopt locally, but this opportunity presented itself. But people go to China for babies - why not South Carolina?
Never mind, I had about five more points but your response is ignorant so I won't keep going.

[ourdreamcametru]

I agree! Why is riding in a car such a bad thing? Our daughter loved her carseat and we ended up bringing it in the house most nights for the first two months so she could sleep in it all night long. I would have to choose a car ride over an international flight, at least if the baby cries you can pull over and hold it and walk around for a change of scenery, you're just stuck in an airplain. Anyway, just be sure you have a well stocked diaper bag with plenty of diapers, wipes, a couple changes of clothes, a couple of passys if your baby will be using one, formula and bottles and a jug of water, bibs and burp cloths and you might want to have a supply of plastic bags for dirty clothes and diapers. Your baby will most likely sleep most of the ride but a few bright rattles would be good incase you need to entertain. You will want to have a few receving blankets on hand as well. This should get you through the ride home! Good luck and have fun.

[WLD]

I feel for the newborn that gets left with the bparent and neglected and abused for 2 years or more before someone intervenes because they feel a baby is better left with a blood relative. The baby then grows up and suffers greatly. Sorry, sometimes personal experience is brought out.
PapaD - congratulations on your new addition, wish i could help you but I adopted an older child and its been many years since my bchildren were babies. I'd say to make sure you have formula, pacifier, diapers, change of clothes and plenty of patience and love which it sounds like you do.

[HBV]

The wipes, diapers, blankets, spare outfits, pacifier (if you're using one) formula (I'd get those single serving bottles of RTU, and I bet the hospital will give you some, too.)
If you don't have one of those nursing pillows (a Boppy) already, get one and bring it for the feedings. H was very soothed by a classical CD the first few days, so maybe a couple of CDs.

Congratulations!

[timni]

9 hours shouldn't be that much..... but I would plan on it taking a lot longer than that. Our little girl had to eat every 1.5 hours because she was having tummy troubles and it took half an hour to feed her then burp her... so you might want to be prepared to stop for the night if you get tired ( ha ha ha get tired lol with a newborn you will stay tired for the first 3 month) my advice is just take it easy coming home and pace yourself.

[Papa D]

We don't want to overdo it with purchases until the actual handoff happens at the hospital because we are superstitious, but these essentials that you guys listed should come in handy!

[lauriesch22]

Papa D,
I too would like to say congrats! I think you driving 9 hours to bring your child home is WONDERFUL. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are a wonderful person to give a child a good home. The fact that your original post was regarding the CHILD'S WELL-BEING, makes it obvious you will be a wonderful parent.
That being said, I second the boppy pillow. I do not have any children yet...(hoping that will change soon through adoption) but I remember with my 2 nephews the boppy was a gift from God!! All the other suggestions make perfect sense too.
I commend you on being a good person.

[DebCsMom]

Yes, the basics are good. Diapers, LOTS of extra clothes, wipes, formula, distilled baby water to make to formula, a pacifier, extra receiving blankets, (even if it's warm out you may need to shelter from the sun or a breeze). At the hotel you should have like a portable bed, not a port a crib, but a small travel bassinet type crib. Fisher Price makes a nice travel bassinett. Don't forget lotions & baby bath soap. Giving those baths every night were AWESOME! The smell of a fresh clean baby smothered with baby lotion is the BEST smell in the world!! If you are gonna be there for at least 10 days, make sure you also have things for you to do too. Books, maybe a journal to keep about your stay there, etc. Don't forget the baby book, too. There is alot of info you'll need to put in there those first few days.

The drive home will take you longer than the 9 hours. We too had to stop every couple of hours to feed & change our children. One was only a 5 1/2 hour drive there but took us about 8 to come home with all the stops. One was an 8 hour drive there & took us FOREVER to get home, can't even remember how long, I just know it was exhausting!!

CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Deb

[Fran27]

I would do the trip in 2 steps personally. Stay at a hotel for a night on the way. Easier on you and the baby.

[kdibattista]

Originally Posted by Growing

I cannot imagine driving 9 hours with a newborn in the back seat. To me it just sounds crazy. I feel for the newborn being taken away from it's mother, state, family, etc.

I know this isn't a popular opinion here, but I'm just thinking of what a newborn might be feeling. I know many will say they won't know the difference and certainly won't remember it, but I disagree. Doesn't it just sound weird that we are having to drive across country to get our babies?

Nice... real nice

Papa D... congrats on your impending arrival. I hope everything goes smoothly

[squeekybuddha]

Congratulations on your upcoming child! How exciting for you guys! And thank you for posing this question, I will find the answers very useful myself as we will be driving approximately 18 hours once we are cleared by ICPC. The baby will be born in GA and we live in OK. Luckily it will be my dh, my mom, and myself, so between the three of us being able to care for the baby and drive it shouldn't be completely horrific! haha

Best wishes!

[NJNative]

Originally Posted by squeekybuddha

Congratulations on your upcoming child! How exciting for you guys! And thank you for posing this question, I will find the answers very useful myself as we will be driving approximately 18 hours once we are cleared by ICPC. The baby will be born in GA and we live in OK. Luckily it will be my dh, my mom, and myself, so between the three of us being able to care for the baby and drive it shouldn't be completely horrific! haha

Best wishes!

All three of you should get a medal for that trek!!! And I thought an 8 hour day of cars, planes, then cars again with a 10 month old was rough...LOL.

Good luck!

Robin

[sadiegirl]

PapaD,

Nice to see you! When is the trip?

As someone who made a 12 hr drive with a newborn, I second the notion of taking 2 days. You WILL be stopping every 2 hrs or so. We thought we could do a one day trip back, LOL. Sleep deprived, a newborn and driving do NOT mix!

I will try and check past threads to find it. We took the PNP and it was GREAT! I also would do the RTU bottles once you find out what formula to use...no warming, already ready!

Where are you staying? We stayed in a hotel/apt type place, meaning a hotel room but with a "living room", kitchen, micro, dishwasher etc.

Get the names of some restaurants that deliver!

Also, take books such as Baby 411 and What to expect. It was GREAT to just "look in the book" to see if his poop should be that color, instead of calling some ped we didn't know in a town we didn't live in.

PM me for more if you want! Good luck!