[watermelon0719]

Hi everyone! I didn't realize there was a forum on here for transcultural adoptions. DH and I are going to be adopting an AA infant. We're starting the process in early May, and I had a question. We're going baby shopping next week - we figure we'd better get started with some of the smaller, more essential items and just keep adding to our 'repertoire' until we bring baby home. What are some things we can buy without having to know the baby's sex, size, etc.? We are open to infants as old as 6 months. Here's what I have so far:
Bibs
Burp Cloths
Wipes/Wipe Warmer
Diapers, size NB, 1, 2 and 3
Hooded towels
Bath tub
A few onesies and socks
Sleepsack

Anything else I should add? Again, we aren't shopping for car seat, stroller, etc. yet. Thanks so much!!

[sneezyone]

A pack n' play is always good. If you're picky about these things it's nice to have when you get "the call" (although you could always borrow one from a hotel until you get home and find the perfect crib) - Watch for last year's patterns to go on clearance! We've traveled with ours A LOT. No really, A LOT! DD's slept about 3 months out of 16 in hers due to moving and crib shipping delays, etc.

I second the comments about hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos - gentle stuff. And BOOKS!! I started buying books a year before dd arrived (even pre-homestudy). I'd buy 2-3 hardcovers at a time (The costs really add up!!). At 16 mos dd's up to 30 really lovely books and I have a new shipment arriving next week! WOO HOO!'

OH SHOOT!! Here's one more idea...

Two years before DD we opened a 529 savings account and started putting all of the gifts we got from ppl into that account. We'd receive a birthday check (still in our 20's ) and turn right around and send it in! The plan even sends thank-you notes to whoever you designate as the giftor. Anyway, once we had a SSN for dd, we changed the beneficiary. I just got a statement last week and was stunned to realize just how much was in there!

[ggman]

If this will be your first (and I am assuming it is...) I would reccommedn buying parenting books and magazines just to get yourself up-to-date with current parenting "issues."

Another fun thing to do is browse the kids books section at Barnes & Noble or Borders and read kids books. Only buy the ones you absolutely love, but (in my opinion) a child can NEVER have too many books. (They can however have too many toys... Find great children's books about adoption, about diversity, about interests you have.

Another idea is to buy a book or video on baby signing. We did signing with our baby from a young age and I really think tht is one of the main reasons that she is so verbal today.

It's true that while you are in the "waiting mode" there is little you can do, but I think that it's a great idea to buy a few items every now and then to boost your morale and help the wait be a little more fun. (The other bonus is that it spreads the cost out a little bit.)

You could work on decorating the nursery. (Obviously in a unisex theme-- that's also very practical for any future babies you might have. THat's what we did with DD, and then decorated her "big girl room" just for her. Now the nursery is open for our new baby from Haiti whenever we get him/her.)

One more suggestion-- if you feel compelled to shop more... I picked out one boy outfit and one girl outfit when I was pregnant with DD. We didn't know the sex and so it was a lot of fun to have one "special" outfit of each gender.

Just a few suggestions. Good luck. Have fun! (And don't get to irritated with your husband if he gets bored of baby shopping after a while... they just don't get it. )


Oh, and one more thing to piggyback on Adrienne-- several pack n' play sheets, crib sheets & a matress pad... kids sometimes blowout diapers during the night and it's great to have another one or two handy....

[leaabc123]

You can never have too many onesies!

I agree on the pack n play as well.
Also a bouncy chair is great. We purchased one that converted to a rocking chair that our oldest now sits in, in her room.

Look for things that will allow you to use them as long as possible.

storybooks, music etc.

An infant kit with nail trimmers, thermoter, etc.

Baby tylenol (or other cold medicine for infants)

baby soap

can't think of anything else right now.

[Julia'smommy]

The only thing I can think to add (which you've probably already thought of) is receiving blankets, pacifiers (if you want the baby to use one), and some infant spoons, for an older baby or for when he/ she startes solids. Happy shopping!

[maxkinzie]

Hi,
If you're adoption AA, like we did, watch what soap/lotion you buy, there's lot of info on appropriate choices for AA babies here on the forum. Don't make the mistake we did of stocking up on Johnson products, we had to give ours away. We're using mostly Aveda and Aveeno products.

The other thing I wish I could have known this, is if it might be a girl, start learning what to do with the hair, braids, ponies, puffs etc. and think of how you might entertain her at a young young young age to get used to sitting still while you do her hair.

I didn't know "this time period" would be so short for us, but it sure was fun buying stuff! Enjoy!

max

[leaabc123]

Good point on the lotions and hair care.

A few good books are: "It's all good hair"- offers basic hair care tips and some simple styles

A good book on transracial adoption is "I'm chocolate, you're vanilla".

aveeno products are great! Some products we like for hair and skin care are Carol's Daughter, google them and the site will come up.

[hotspice58]

Second the baby Tylenol/Motrin. Also, bottles and nipples (for those who bottle feed).

[megaphonemo]

I know you said you were not looking for car seats yet, but that is one thing I recommend you either get or start researching..... Think about it..... It is the ONE thing you can't come home without. You can get diapers and formula at a 24 hr convenience store, but not a car seat.

We got 12 hours notice on our little one, and we did not want to have to do "safety" research in a rush..... Just a thought..... If you end up not needing an infant seat, either take it back, or sacrifice the money - but highly recommend you get one and hold on to it..... just in case!!

We had a car seat, one pack of diapers, one pack of onesies and a baby boy outfit and a baby girl outfit when we got the call..... Thank goodness for generous family who showed up with ARMLOADs of supplies!!

Oh, and I second that you can never have too many onesies!!

May your wait be short!!

Mega

[redhedded]

Second the baby Tylenol/Motrin

Welcome watermelon, Remember that you should never give Ibuprofen (Motrin) to a baby under the age of 6 months. I say after two babes adopted at birth, aside from clothes depending on your climate, the most important thing you will need are baby washcloths. I literally used 6-8 a day.

By far the most worthless thing that I have is a changing table; never used it, not even one time, with two babes, now three and 14 months. Always changed them on the floor or my bed. Best of luck; I hope that your wait is a short one.

[jheald]

I would also suggest a baby sling if you will be traveling by plane. SO much easier to transport the baby that way and keeps both your hands free.

Janet

[mallory4]

I used the sling (mine was a New Native Baby Carrier) starting with my 2nd child and I had a hard time imagining how I had survived the infancy of child #1 without it.

With my baby in the sling, I could get so much done around the house, go for walks, shopping, etc., while she slept peacefully.

But the biggest reason I loved the sling is that there were none of those sudden alarming cries to alert me that my baby needed me in another room. I could feel and hear the baby waking up long before she got to the crying phase--she just had to look up and there I was.

I wore kids 2 and 3 almost all the time during months 2 thru 8, and they loved the sling up until about 18 months, when they were too heavy anyway.

My best friend couldn't use the New Native, she used an adjustable sling, and swore by that one, so if you want a sling you might want to try on a few types and put a bag of sugar in there to see how the weight is carried in the different styles.

I loved my sling so much I never even loaned it to anyone after I didn't need it anymore, because I am afraid they will quit making it and I will want it for when I have grandkids! It is in the cedar chest with all my cherished posessions.

[sneezyone]

Originally Posted by mallory4

But the biggest reason I loved the sling is that there were none of those sudden alarming cries to alert me that my baby needed me in another room. I could feel and hear the baby waking up long before she got to the crying phase--she just had to look up and there I was.

So, so true. Wearing babies rocks!!

[watermelon0719]

Thanks for all this info, ladies! It is sooo helpful!
Sneezyone (Adrienne), would you mind telling me what exactly a 529 savings account is and how it works? Sounds like a great idea! Right now we just have a regular savings account.
Megaphonemo, thanks for the tip! The car seat is definitely on our sooner than later shopping list, but we probably won't get it before we start the homestudy (May), since there's no chance for a match before then anyway. But I agree, the car seat is top priority!
Once again, thanks so much, ladies - this is great!!

[leaabc123]

Adrienne, how did you open a 529 before you had a kiddo?
Thought you had to have a child first?