[momtosami]

Hello, I am new around here but we are in the process of adopting, we have a daughter who is from Guatemala, she is 5 now. We are not far from starting to be shown to birth mom's and I was wondering when did you all start buying things and fixing the room and such? Also, what are the most used necessities that I would be needing for a newborn besides diapers, crib, etc...
Our daughter came home at 14 months old so she was a toddler

Thank You, Susan

[wishing4real]

Welcome! I think everyone has different thoughts and feelings on when they started buying things and fixing up rooms. Many, for emotional reasons, and unknown sex of the baby, wait until baby arrives before completing all these things. But if you are requesting a speciic sex, you could definately do more of those things now. As far as things you will need, my list (which includes items I am sure you have thought about) would include the following:

Car seat - definately with the carry handle that fits into a stroller - makes taking them from place to place so much easier.

Burp cloths and bibs

Bottles, bottle brushes, perhaps a rack for your
dishwasher - but I wouldn't go overboard on bottles because it is possible that baby may not like the ones you buy and you may have to switch.

Binkies - same as bottles, baby my like a specific kind.

Formula (but will differ on baby, hospital born at,
potential tummy problems, etc.)

Diapers and wet wipes

Well-organized large diaper bag.

Disposable changing pads (to me these are invaluable. I took them when we were out of the house to cover families furniture or carpet, the seat in our car, etc. to avoid accidents on upholsery, etc. and germs on babies bottom. I also covered changing pad in babies room with it thus saving washings on material changing pad covers for all those little accidents that happen during changings.

Baby swing

maybe a boppy

Blankets for swaddling, covering, etc. (I like the stretchable cotton type as opposed to the receiving type - they are warmer and work better for swaddling I think, but that also depends on the season baby is born in).

Onesies

Sleepers (the open bottom gowns work well for night time changings cuz of their easy access, some are convertible from sleepers to gowns - they are great.)
little support tub for bathing, helps when they are soooo slippery.

Pre wetted alcohol towlettes (easy and convenient for cleaning umbillical cord until it falls off, but cottonballs and alcohol work fine too.)

Tear free baby soap.

Baby wash cloths. I like the specific ones made for babies because they are thinner and it makes it easier to get them in all their little cracks and crevices and the cute little hooded towels that match - not a necessity but cute, especially when just their little face is showing through.

Desitin

Bassinet - we put this right next to our bed for first 4 months. Security for us and for baby.

Monitor. There is one available (by Bebe Sounds) that goes under the mattress that actually detects breathing - I would not live without this. It gave dh and I such peace of mind while we and baby were sleeping. It has an alarm that goes of if breathing stops. We appreciated that incase of sids or anything else. It has a box you can carry around with you so you can always hear baby, day and night while it is sleeping away from you. We put it in the crib when dd was moved to that and still use it today so we can hear her through the night and during naptime.

Extra sheets for bassinet and crib.

Pack-n-Play

Rocking chair - while you'll definately need something for rocking baby, if I had to do it over again with dd, I would definately had got a lazy boy type that rocks and reclines. dd had colic so bad and would scream everytime we put her down. There were nights where we would go through two feedings (3 hours apart) and she would still not sleep. Once we finally got her to sleep, we would continue rocking her to make sure she was out, and without fail she would wake immediately when put down and scream. I would have done anything for a recliner so I could have slept with her in it and not had to move her. I could not sleep sitting straight up. We still use our regular rocker today for reading, cuddling, etc. and it would work fine for a baby that was "normal", but with dd I would have got a recliner if I had not already bought the first one.

Sickness stuff - booger suckers, droppers, tylenol, etc.

Dreft (or just a sensitve type laundry soap, dreft didn't do well for getting out formula stains, so I use All Free and Clear.)

I know there is more, but that is what I can come up with for now. Good luck. Keep us posted!

[mommamarci]

We were so excited the first time and expected a very short wait (we were doing a transracial adoption). We had the room completely decorated and ready for a baby before our home study was even complete! We were open to gender and planned to use the nursery again for future babies, so we did it green. We had car seat, crib, burp rags, rocking chair, boppy, etc. We had a few basics in clothes and bibs, but did not buy much because I knew I would not want gender nuetral!

For our second adoption (which we are working towards right now) we are moving a little more slowly. We have been working on my son's big boy room. We want to move him as soon as we get home study approved. We don't want him to associate the baby with too many changes.

It is all very personal and depends on what you can handle. Some cannot handle seeing a room. Personally, it gave me great comfort to go and sit in my baby's room and wash the onesies and fold them. (Which I think I did weekly just because I loved it!!)

Good luck!