[jf5505]

I know I just started my wait, but...I wanted to know what I need to have or buy for the first 3 weeks or so after the baby is born. I am going to have to fly to pick up my baby and do ICPC, so I am not planning on bringing anything with me. What do you think is important to have for the first few days:

Diapers
Formula
some clothes

What else, also, we will be flying back home with an infant, so what do you need on a plane?

Thanks, I know its all very far away, but just curious as to what you would recommend.

Jackie

[emtb79]

Dont forget the carseat.

[Fran27]

Definitely car seat.

The hospital should give you enough diapers and formula for the first week or two. I'd get some newborn diapers (although we moved to size 1 pretty fast with our tiny babies). For the formula, I'd wait, and I would not stockpile. Hospitals typically give ready-to-eat formula, but the powder version of those formulas are harder to digest for most babies, so you often have to switch to a formula that is easier to digest. So, I'd wait to see what they're fed and try it for a bit to see how the baby takes it first.

Otherwise

Waterproof pads - we still use them all the time. We used them for sponge baths at first, and for diaper changes, on the bed, changing table etc. They'll be peed/spit on so get a few

Zipper footed sleepers in winter/onesies in summer - you can probably get a pack of each if you really want to be prepared. Frankly I've found the Gerber stuff is just fine - it's cheap, and they're the only ones who have the sleepers with zipper (with Target brand).

Before the cord falls off, you can just use shirts (i think Gerber makes them too). And nightgowns maybe? Either way, I'd get socks too. Mine were still at the hospital when they lost their cords, but they had long sleeves shirt without any snaps, and socks.

Swaddling blankets/large receiving blankets for swaddling. I think tastes differ. I only used blankets. Don't get the ones you find everywhere - you want 42"x42" minimum.

Extra washcloths/towels - our hotel didn't really have enough, but I bought the baby kind anyway. You probably can just use your own though.

Baby wash - the hospital gave us enough to last a month, but you never know.

Pacifiers if you're going to give them - we got two from the hospitals but they didn't like them. You might want to get a few different ones to see what the baby likes.

Bibs/burp clothes

Some laundry detergent - you can use Dreft, I just use unscented Tide

That's about what we used during our hotel stay.


Once the cord falls off you can start giving baths. I used the fisher price bath tub (aquarium one, although the rainforest one is the same thing) the first 3 months and it was perfect (I never used the hammock thing, considering that the first thing that DD did was poop on it). Then once the babies started kicking I moved to the primo eurobath, which I love too, but that will be for later.

[jf5505]

Thanks for the great info. I wrote it all down Fran! I am not going to get the car seat until I get down there b/c I just don't want to lug it around if for some reason our birthmom changes her mind. I know its going to be pretty far away but hey you never know, right.

I read your blog, its really nice and the twins are so cute!! I live in PA too.

[karla-k]

Our hospital didn't send us home with many diapers, just the rest of the package that was opened. All the formula we got was the free diaper bag and samples in it. I would just buy a couple of packages of size 1 diapers and some wipes. Don't buy any formula until you know what the baby is on.

Otherwise, the list that was given is good. We had our 3rd child 5 weeks early and had nothing ready! it was all still in the attic or at the store. you will survive even if you get a call tomorrow.

Karla

[karla-k]

However, I would not wait on the car seat. Figure out what you want (model, brand, etc.) and get one. You do not want to get to the city the baby is in and have to settle on what the store has in stock. A carseat is something you will use every day, sometimes numerous times a day and you want to be happy with it, not annoyed with certain features

Remember, not all cities have a super babies r us with millions of models to pick from. if you had to come to our home town to pick up your baby, your choices in car seats would be very limited.

[leenie71]

Hi j,
How's the wait going?

I found this link (maybe from this board, but I'm not sure who created it )

Adoption Travel Packing Lists

Take care,

[mommieof2cuties]

1) Britax newborn carseat or the peg prego newborn carseat, worth every penny rated number 1 in crash tests, and super easy to install.

2) Be honest with the nurse at the hospital, nice to them, they get tons of free diapers, and baby items, explain that you're staying in a hotel and if they could provide you with extras because you will also be flying and don't want to change what the baby is drinking until after you get home.

3) Baby Bonjour (spelled wrong) or other type carrier great to wear the baby, great for bonding etc. Won't need to have a stroller and most airports will allow you to wear the baby through all check points!

4) Snuggle nest-can find at target this is a place you can put babies in between you in bed, for sleeping in naps, ours had a light and built in so baby wouldn't turn over. It also folds in half! Great item worth every penny!

5) clothing, depending on the weather etc, if you wait and buy them when you get to the location you will have to wash. If you buy before hand you can wash at home, but with airlines being a pain in the behind I am not sure what to advise you to do

6) The hospital will provide you with a free diaper bag usually from what ever company they happen to use that year, we got enfamil one year and goodstart another year. Just depends.

Hope this helps!

Summer

[jf5505]

Thanks so much for all the great advice, I need to go out and start shopping I think..

My sister said I really won't need anything, but I am a planner and she isn't at all, so thanks.

The wait is going, wish it was quicker now that I am actually here, ha ha..but what can we do.

[sadie427]

A baby carrier of some kind would be great. I don't like the Bjorn for a newborn quite as much as they have to be vertical (I think that's what she meant by the Bonjour above). Check out kangarookorner.com or a local baby store for other options--the Moby Wrap, Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch and Maya Wrap are all good for a newborn and beyond. Good luck!