newborn baby checklist?

Ashley Kas

so i am a young teen mom well soon to be mom and me and my boyfriend were wondering if somebody could give us a newborn baby check list so we know what to get for our little baby we do not know if its a boy or girl yet please help us also if you have some new parenting tips for how to take care of a newborn baby plz feel free to give us your ideas we need all the help we can get

Answer
Being young I'm assuming you're not rolling in money ;) There are many "essentials" that you really actually don't need. A change table is handy and comfortable, but not necessary. You can lay the baby on your bed or on a rug on the floor for nappy/clothes changes. Unless you're living in a big place, you probably won't need a baby monitor. We've got a decent 3 bedroom home and bought one when we were expecting our first, but really, the baby cries loud enough for you to hear them anyway. Don't buy too many toys, if any at all. It'll be a long time till they'll even notice them, in which time others may have given them as gifts or you may have had their first Christmas when you can buy them for them. "Baby" towels are nice if you can afford them, but otherwise an adult towel will still do the exact same thing.

-A good stash of newborn size nappies (in case you don't want to go to the shops for the first week or so)
-Baby wipes (don't just buy the cheapest you can find, because they probably won't work. They'll be ridiculously thin and dry out as soon as you open the packet - found this out the hard way. But you also don't need the most expensive and fancy ones either.)
-Not sure what climate you live in, but have a few jumpsuits and other clothes in both size 0000 and 000 (if you see them on special) because they'll probably fit in the 0000 and you want them ready to go, but they might come up as big bubbas and need the 000. DO NOT take any tags off until you're about to dress them, that way what doesn't fit/get used and can be taken back for a refund (if you kept the receipt) or you can swap them for clothes that do fit.
-Plenty of cloths and/or bibs for wiping up baby spew
-2-3 baby wraps (I would go with muslin in case your baby is born during warmer weather and you still want to wrap them. If where you live is cold, you can always warm them up with an extra blanket or warmer clothes under the wrap)
-2-3 baby blankets
-cot
-if baby is born in colder weather, about 2 beanies to keep their little head warm
-a pair of mittens is good to keep hands warm and prevent their nails scratching them, but not really necessary if your budget doesn't allow for them.
-Baby bath wash (my favourite is Johnson & Johnson Top to toe)
-Baby powder and nappy rash cream (you don't want to only buy these once your baby has a rash, you'll want them handy so you can deal with it immediately and not have to wait till the next time the shop is open)

For you - plenty of maternity pads and breast pads (if you run out and send your boyfriend out for more, you should give him the packet to take to the shops with him so he comes back with the right ones).

Parenting tip - ask everything! No matter how silly it sounds, if you're unsure, ask. And be specific if you need to be. Good luck :)

Newborn: Baby Monitor?

Poestalker

As of now my 2 week old sleeps in our room but Im almost ready to put him in his crib. The monitor creeps me out. Its childish but it truely scares me. I tried it out for a hour earlier this week and just couldnt even fall asleep. With the distortion and white noise and his odd noises it just kept me awake...

Any advice??

Answer
You can usually change the frequency on the moniter so ther is less interference. Also, you can turn down the volume on it - you won't hear the white noise, but a crying baby will come through very clearly :)

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What is the best baby monitor and car seat for newborn?

green thum

Answer
Car Seats:

The ones I would recomend are Britax Companion, Graco Snugride, and Graco Safeseat.

The Britax Companion is Rated #1 on Consumer reports. It is made in London and thus adhears to European standerds (they're a little bit higher then American standerds). The Car Seat can hold a child up to 22lbs or 30 inches long (whichever comes 1st). The actual carrier itself weighs about 10 lbs. The car seat has a rebound bar on it to avoid the cacooning of the child in a car accident.

The Graco Snugride is a very basic design. The carrier weighs 8 lbs and can hold a child up to 22 lbs or 29 inches long.

The Graco Safeseat just came out this year. It weighs 10 lbs but it can hold a child up to 30 lbs or 32 inches long which should get you at least through the first year (the other two will on average get you to about 9 months).

Some people like Evenflo infant car seats but I don't because I feel like the erganomic handle makes it harder to carry as the child get's heavier.


Monitor:

Avoid Fisher Price. They break a lot. I would say the Sony 900mhz 27 channel monitor. You will avoid a lot of interfearance.

Hope this info helps :-)

what will i need for my newborn?

claridy

i need a list of things ill need for my newborn. shes due aug 24th. we have collected a few things from friends and ffamily but need a list of everything well need so i can make sure we are ready for her to come home. if you could list the things ill need id really appreciate it!

Answer
well, u can go to babies r us website and they have a list for ppl who are going to register..of course it has a lot of things on there that you don't need, but if you weed through you can get what you need out of it...the things i liked;found most useful, etc......

.i would def recommend:
a diaper genie 2; idk why ppl don't like them, there is NO smell in my dd 's room
changing table..will save your back, good for diap changes, clothes changes, sponge baths, etc and you have shelves to store your new baby must haves....i have canvas bins on the shelves to store things that are good to have in reach or easily available...
monitor--i like the graco imonitor, recently bought a second one for another room in the house bc i liked the other one so much, it has been working well for over 8 mos now, and it has good range, battery life, and i can hear EVERYTHING; never any interference....it works great..
boppy pillow with cotton covers, soft ones don't fit as well for some reason
lots of baby hangers, and baby hangers with clips to keep outfits together
primo euro bathtub
prince lionheart diaper depot and wipewarmer; ours works well and the wipes are still very warm when we get them to out dd's bottom; and she doesn't freak out when we are out and they aren't warmed, but seems to appreciate it when they are..
health kit: brush, comb, thermometer (not an ear one, not as accurate), nail clippers, etc.
baby meds, generic is just as good and a lot cheaper...desitin(or plain zinc oxide if you can find it)..not creamy, has less zinc ox in it....infant mylicon and tylenol
lots of diapers , make sure wherever you buy them will let you exchange them for a diff size if you need to even after the return period...brus let me do that, and buy a small pack of a couple brands to see which you prefer before you open the big boxes...wipes, lots of them, without alcohol or fragrance! we use swaddlers diapers and pampers sensitive wipes; no rashes, no reactions to their ingredients, diapers hold a lot when they have too and the netting tends to keep the wet off her bottom...
lots of baby washclothes, you may have to use them on baby's bum if it is really sensitive and gets a rash....and baby towels, but you could use your reg towels if money is an issue

swing, pref swings two ways and plugs in instead of batteries
bouncy seat
infant travel system! easy, easy, easy--we got the graco tour deluxe; it is great, folds with one hand, several seating positions, lays flat for sleep; has a big basket underneath and cup holders for mom and dad, one for baby , place for snacks for baby, and a 'pocket' up top for keys, cell phone, whatever you wanna put there...
play yard, get one with bassinet feature if you want to, easier to keep baby in your room for a while before putting them in crib in their room=we have chicco discovery and it is awesome, has more padding than most, easy to wash..machine wash, most are wipe down...very sturdy, has nightlight, vibration, etc and a flip up change table, has wooden slats that slide in under mattress for support...not that much more exp than the others and much better in my opinion
passys--she loves soothies and that is all she will take..
baby wash, again frag free, dye free
frag free , dye free laundry detergent
clothes hamper or basket
lingerie bag for socks, mittens, anything little so they don't get lost in the wash...
something to put baby toys in
extra toy links
lullaby cd and small cd player; my dd has come to love white noise, she naps with a fan and a womb bear; sleeps at night with a fan....
oh, mosquito cover for your infant carrier..it's where you can see in , baby can see out, but strangers cant just walk up and touch your baby, and they will!!!!!
all i can come up with now...LOL
diaper bags; big one for everything you may need, leave in car unless you will be somewhere a long time, and a small one to stick what you will need for a short run in so you don't have to haul the bigger one

if ffing:
avent formula dispenser; has better review than the ones made by sassy, and convert to a snack cup later...i loved it so much i bought a second one!
bottles--really liked playtex ventaire advanced when she was young, more pieces but it's easy to get them clean when the top and bottom comes off...and they vent through the bottom instead of the nip so no bubbles or foam going back up into baby's milk; they will leak if you don't put them together correctly, but we have had no probs with them and have never had to replace any parts on them..if u decide on them and have leaks, email me and i will explain how to keep them from leaking...:O)
bottle and nip brushes--i really like the ones by munchking that don't have a sponge on the end of the brush, they come in diff colors mixed with white and have a great nip brush in the handles....
drying racks--again, i really like munchkins...
formula mixer: i like dr brown's formula pitcher bc you don't shake it it is only abo

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Baby Checklist?

mroof!

My husband and I have a ton of things prepared for the baby, but I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting/missing items.

What else am I missing?

Crib
Changing station
Dresser
Car seat
Stroller
Play-pen
Play-yard
Clothing
Diaper bags
Bottles
Chew toys
Stuffed animals
Blankets
Bath tub

Answer
baby monitor -- ideally one with two portable receivers, so you can keep one in your bedroom and one somewhere else in the house (and so you can carry the second one around with you depending on your needs)

diapers/wipes -- don't stock up on too many diapers in the newborn size as most babies outgrow those extremely quickly; have some on hand, and some in the next size (size 1). Even so I wouldn't stock up on too many, you may find that one brand fits your baby better depending on how she's/he's built.

baby carrier -- like the baby bjorn. This can be much more pleasant and convenient than a stroller, good for bonding, and can also be helpful at home if you want to carry your baby a lot at home, either due to parenting philosophy, colic, or whatever. (You can get a front carrier, a hip sling, etc.)

you didn't mention clothing -- onesies, socks, and *hats* -- most body heat is lost from the head...even for those of us who have hair!

bottles/formula -- many moms will disagree with me, but I'm a firm believer in having one bottle and one small can of formula on hand even if you're positive you're going to be breastfeeding. I've known just enough moms who had completely unanticipated problems to believe it's worth a few bucks to buy those items if it can even possibly prevent a new parent from freaking out because the baby is starving and won't latch and there's a freak storm preventing you from getting to the store at 4 am.... But that's me.

Swaddler or Sleep Sack -- you don't want to use blankets with little babies for safety reasons, and swaddling is shown to help with sleeping, fussiness, etc. (The best by far, I've found, is the "Miracle Blanket.")

"medical stuff" -- bulb syringe, thermometer, baby nose drops, gas drops, infant tylenol drops (you never want to give it to your newborn without your doctor telling you to, but you want to have it on hand should you need it), baby nail clipper and baby nail files, gentle baby wash for baths, vaseline (if you have a rectal thermometer, and/or to care for a circumcision site if applicable)

washcloths/towels (the hooded ones are great for babies)

gauze and alcohol, or alcohol swabs -- for the umbilical cord stump (your doctor may recommend you let it dry naturally though, so check)

diaper cream of some sort

pacifiers -- the hospital will probably give you some of the "Soothie" variety, which a lot of parents recommend anyway (and they're one piece so nothing can break off and become a choking hazard)

you listed the crib, so I'm assuming that means you also have crib mattress, mattress protector, and sheets.

not necessary immediately, but I really recommend a boppy pillow -- some women like using it to nurse, but more than that it can be a tremendous help with getting an infant to deal with tummy time!

I agree that you'll probably want a swing or bouncy seat, but you don't need it immediately. If you're registering that's a good type of item to register for. (If you buy your own: get a bouncy seat that vibrates if you get a bouncy; if you get a swing get one that can easily be changed from side/side (cradle) swinging to front/back swinging, and preferably with music options and gizmos to look at.)

That's all I can think of right now.

Congratulations, and good luck!

Favorite and lest favorite baby products?

Q. I'm at the point in my pregnancy, were its now time for me to do some baby shopping! I'm so excited, but before I start spending the cash, I wanted to get everyone's input on what they would and wouldn't recommend buying. There are so many things out there, that it can get a little over whelming on what is worth the money, and what's not.
What would you recommend buying?
What would you recommend avoiding?

Answer
I wouldn't recommend a baby monitor, we had the sound and motion sensor, well the motion sensor would go off randomly and the sound sensor would always catch neighbors.
Here is a list of things that we have used and use: (p.s. we didn't buy formula because I was sure I was going to get the whole breastfeeding thing right away, but when we were struggling with it for days, we still had to go out and buy it, so I recommend you invest in one can)

Car seat and stroller
Diapers (we use Pampers Baby Dry and they work very good, no leakage) 1 box Newborn size, 2 boxes size 1, two boxes size 2, and 3 boxes size 3 (you donât want to overstock on diapers, because you never know how big the baby will be and how fast it will grow. Donât open boxes that you are not using, in case the baby grows out of a size, you can exchange unopened box for different size or brand , Walmart will let you do that for sure)
Wipes- I like the store brand ones like Babies R Us, Target, or Walmart
Onsies (otherwise known as bodysuits)- Newborn size pack of about 6 (for newborn I would recommend buying onsies long sleeved that cover the hands, so the baby doesnât scratch itself.)
Size 0-3 months about 6 onsies
Size 3-6 about 6-9 onsies
Pants (Walmart sells great pants, I think Gerber, that are cotton and skinny at the bottom, which is great, especially for a newborn baby, you can put socks over pants and layer with another set of clothes on top if it is cold, or for summer nights, these pants donât expose babyâs legs as much as regular pants do, which you donât want when it is cold)
Sweaters (couple heavier ones and couple light ones, preferable without a hood, hoods just donât seem comfortable for baby to lay on)
Pack of socks
Pack of hats
Couple going out outfits, but donât buy anything less than 0-3 months (Babies really do grow fast)
Receiving Blankets (get as much as you can) I use them as towels after giving baby a bath, swaddling, diaper changing cover, etc.
Swing
Bassinet (or just a crib) or playpen (some come with little bassinet for baby to sleep in and changing table, and also can be used instead of a crib when baby gets older)
Crib/Bassinet sheets
Bathtub- we use Fisher-Price Precious Whale and we like it so far, its lightweight, cheap, and has plenty of room for bigger baby (and can be used from newborn size)
Baby Shampoo and Body wash
Grooming Kit
Wash cloths
I would actually make a medicine kit-get fever reducing meds, gripe water (naturally calming) etc
Breastfeeding pillow
Nipple cream
Electric Breast Pump (with all the essentials like storage bags)
Bottles
Formula (just in case, get one can, we use Babies R Us Advantage, its comparable to Similac Advance but almost 50% cheaper and just as goodâ¦.we tried both)
Drying rack
Microwave sterilizer
Bottle warmer (very very useful if bottle feeding)
Formula Dispenser
Pacifiers (My son loves Avent, plus it comes with a cap so the pacifier stays clean)
Diaper Genie (I heard it was useless, well when my sonâs poo started smelling, it wasnât useless anymore!)
Thermometer if it doesnât come with the grooming kit, which it should
Diaper Bag (although a big purse with lots of pockets and compartments will do)
Toys (babies love toys that make noise, like rattles)
For later: High Chair, walker( or jumperoo or exercauser)
I think that covers most of it. Check out craigslist.com, you will find a lot of good products for much cheaper)

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How much does it cost the first year to raise a baby and other questions.?

best baby monitor for newborn image

Katie-Lynn

I am not pregnant. This is a protect for school.

What is the annual cost the first year to raise a baby?

Second question. Im going to give you a list of newborn items. Tell me which items are TRULY NECESSARY.

Crib
diaper changing table
rocking chair
baby monitor
baby bathtub
bottles
bottle brush
bottle drying rack
baby swing
pacifiers
infant bouncer
swaddling blanket
play mat
play pen
carseat

Answer
Crib
Carseat
Bottles
Swaddling blanket
Play mat (can be used on floor as changing mat too)
These are the basic basic needs for me. You can get by without the others but not these.

The annual costs for a baby each year is different for every person. Some woman breast feed which is cheaper than formula. Others use cloth diapers which are cheaper than disposable etc.
I bought a pack of 15 reusable pea pod diapers for $70. These can be used from newborn right up to 3 years, so I only bought 1 pack of disposable diapers during the first year, to see what was better. Diapers are about $10 (new Zealand dollars) a pack. Babies go through about 5-10 nappies each day in the first few weeks, and then about 3-5 a day from around 4 months to a year. So do the math and it'll give you an approximate answer (get the price of diapers from your local supermarket).
If breast fed, it cost nothing. I breast fed, but I also bought a breast pump and baby bottles for $150 in case baby needed to be left with another person etc. if formula feeding, do some research online on the average formula used a month, and then times that by 12 (12 months in a year) get a price from your local supermarket.
Clothes- this depends on where you buy from etc, but I spent about $800 on all clothes up to 12 months. (including shoes, socks, togs, pyjamas etc)
I spent about $20 or so on baby shampoo, soap and powder every 6 or so weeks, so that's about $180 a year.
I bought baby towels and facecloths before my baby was born and they lasted right up until she was four. I spent $30 on 5 towels and a couple packs of facecloths.
Bibs- got given some at baby shower, but bought a few packs for $20 around about, these lasted the whole time needed.
Bassinet/Moses basket - needed for first 8 weeks, cost me $80
Crib- needed up until about 2- cost me $250
Stroller- needed up until about 3- cost me $150
Car seat- Bought a seat that was used from birth til 4 years. Cost $150
Blankets, sheets, duvets for crib- got given some at baby shower but probably costs about $100 for a couple pairs of sheets, blankets etc
Swaddling blankets- needed for first few weeks (I used them but not necessary) depending on brand etc but I got a few muslin wraps for $30.
Baby bath- optional, but I used one. $30
Medication such as baby Tylenol, gripe water, teething gel, teething powder etc about $50 all up the first year (depends)
Baby food- baby cereals, rusks, custards and other tinned foods probably about $90 a month (depends how much food baby eats. This price is based on my baby who at 7 months ate 2 tins a day, at $1.50 each) I also bought veggies and meat, and puréed these myself for baby. (this price will depend, as some babies don't start real food until a year old) my girl at 10-12 months was eating the same foods as I was.
Some people will put their children into childcare, this is another cost.
Where I live, medical attention for under 5's is free, but many people will have to pay for this as well.
Hope I haven't forgotten anything :)
Hope I helped!

Where can I find information on what are considered good baby products?

Mamamia121

I am trying to register for my baby. I am so confused. There are 5 different brands of infant/newborn bottles, 15 different brands of baby monitors, 3 brands of infant care products. How do I know which is the best? I am very overwhelmed. Please help.
None of my friends have babies. My sister-in-law has two children but they are 7 and 4. This would be foreign to her.

Answer
Ask friends, family, coworkers, etc. what products they like and dislike and why and that should help you make a choice. Be sure to save receipts and shop at "return" friendly stores just in case you find you don't like a product. Target tends to have nicer things but I find they can be a bit of a pain when returning things sometimes. Wal-Mart has a much more lenient return policy.

If you want to e-mail me questions about products you're unsure of I'd be happy to share my experiences with you. I have a 2-year old and a 6-month old and I think I've tried it all! I went through the confusion with my first and got a lot of things I didn't like or didn't use/need.

Good Luck!

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How much did you spend on your newborn for yhe first three months?

best baby monitor for newborn image

Coolchikk

My baby hasnt come yet but I spent 800 on all necessities non were used ,had to get a bassinett though couldnt afford a crib with changer like I so desperately wanted :( a car seat,etc etc im not breastfeeding and I get free formula through wic. Also I didnt get baby monitors. So how much did you spend?

Answer
I would definitely reconsider breastfeeding your baby as it is not only good for your baby, but for your health. Breastfeeding decreases your risk of cervical and breast cancers. I would try and breastfeed. After a couple of times, if it doesn't work for you, then breastfeeding just wasn't meant to be.

Expect to change your baby's diaper around 20 times a day when they are first born. That means you will go through around 30 X 20= 600 diapers a month! I hope you have a lot of diapers stocked up. Don't open the boxes that you won't use right away- you can return them if your baby grows and doesn't fit them anymore.

Did you say that you do not have a car seat? You don't have to get an infant car seat for an newborn. Another option besides infant seats are convertible car seats. You can use a convertible car seat for a newborn provided that the harness is adjusted at or slightly below your baby's shoulders (when rear facing, the harness needs to be adjusted at or below the child's shoulders). The Cosco Scenera is an affordable convertible car seat that goes up to 35 lbs in the rear facing position and has low slots for the harness so that it is likely that it will fit your baby well. It costs around $40 at Walmart. Most babies outgrow their infant car seats with as little as 6 months of use to as much as a 1 year of use, so buying a convertible car seat would be the best option. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that kids ride rear facing as close to age 4 as possible. They recommend this do to the reasons below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyIv9QVRBE

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-Convertible-Car-Seat-Renaissance/16932760
Above link: Here is the Cosco Scenera

Most parents don't use the diaper changing station like how they planned. Trust me :)
I always found that it is much less stressful to change a baby on the floor. You don't have to worry about the baby rolling over or falling. Everyone in my family ended up changing their baby on the floor (but this is just my family).

Always buy baby clothes a couple of sizes bigger than what your baby is- your baby will outgrow these rather quickly. This means skip newborn clothes- get 3 month sizes and even a couple sizes bigger than that. (I believe the sizes start at newborn and then skips to 3 months).

Remember that babies just love being loved and cuddled. You can never give your child too much attention.

At what age should a newborn begin sleeping in the nursery?

bill

My daughter is 8 days old and has been sleeping in a bassinet beside our bed. How long should she sleep in the bassinet in the master bedroom before she can begin to sleep in the nursery? In case it matters, the nursery is across the hall from the master bedroom on the second floor of my house and we have baby monitoring video/audio equipment and we have the pads that prevent her from rolling over onto her stomach.

Answer
The people who are answering (so far) are giving you their opinions. But the AAP safe sleep guidelines (SIDS prevention) recommend that a baby be in the parents' room for 6 months or more. This is so that she can monitor your (more mature) sleep patterns. It as nothing to do with 'safety equipment" which can not substitute for a parents' presence.

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How old should your baby be when you first let it sleep covered up with a blanket at night?

best baby monitor for newborn image

blondey_12

the newborn will be sleeping in a room across the hall with a baby monitor on.. should he be covered with a blanket at night or not? and what age can he start sleeping with a blanket and wont suffocate?

Answer
I let my children sleep with a blanket when ever it was cold, I just tucked it under their arms so their arms were free but their body was warm.

Where can I find information on what are considered good baby products?

Mamamia121

I am trying to register for my baby. I am so confused. There are 5 different brands of infant/newborn bottles, 15 different brands of baby monitors, 3 brands of infant care products. How do I know which is the best? I am very overwhelmed. Please help.
None of my friends have babies. My sister-in-law has two children but they are 7 and 4. This would be foreign to her.

Answer
Ask friends, family, coworkers, etc. what products they like and dislike and why and that should help you make a choice. Be sure to save receipts and shop at "return" friendly stores just in case you find you don't like a product. Target tends to have nicer things but I find they can be a bit of a pain when returning things sometimes. Wal-Mart has a much more lenient return policy.

If you want to e-mail me questions about products you're unsure of I'd be happy to share my experiences with you. I have a 2-year old and a 6-month old and I think I've tried it all! I went through the confusion with my first and got a lot of things I didn't like or didn't use/need.

Good Luck!

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At what age should a newborn begin sleeping in the nursery?

best baby monitor for newborn image

bill

My daughter is 8 days old and has been sleeping in a bassinet beside our bed. How long should she sleep in the bassinet in the master bedroom before she can begin to sleep in the nursery? In case it matters, the nursery is across the hall from the master bedroom on the second floor of my house and we have baby monitoring video/audio equipment and we have the pads that prevent her from rolling over onto her stomach.

Answer
The people who are answering (so far) are giving you their opinions. But the AAP safe sleep guidelines (SIDS prevention) recommend that a baby be in the parents' room for 6 months or more. This is so that she can monitor your (more mature) sleep patterns. It as nothing to do with 'safety equipment" which can not substitute for a parents' presence.

Where did your newborn sleep for the first few months?

Mrs. Brook

I was thinking that my baby would sleep in a bassinet next to my bed for the first couple months, then would start sleeping in the crib in the nursery after a couple months. Is this normally how it goes? My husband was thinking that the baby would start out in the crib in the nursery and we'd have a baby monitor. Experiences and advice are greatly appreciated!

Answer
People do it both ways. It just depends on what works for you. They can do fine in the crib, and you will probably get better sleep. Babies are really loud. There are all sorts of little noises they make and if they are right next to you, you will be up all the time listening to them and wondering if they are okay. Then again it isn't as far to get them when they wake and need attention. I personally think the crib is fine, and no monitor needed unless your room is really far away from the baby room. Trust me, when the baby wakes and cries you will hear it!

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How long should a newborn sleep in your bedroom?

best baby monitor for newborn image

Jillian Ir

I am expecting and am new to this all. As a new mother, I know there are going to be things that are going to go wrong but, I'd prefer to keep them to a minimum, as we all do. I am planning on keeping her in a bassinet in our bedroom until she outgrows it. But, I was thinking, once she outgrows her bassinet is it okay to leave her in her crib at night and rely on baby monitors? Or is there a certain amount of time she should spend in our room with us? (Of course not in the same bed obviously).

Answer
You are going to hear from two camps on this issue. Some people believe that kicking your baby out of your bedroom and making him scream until he passes out will teach him independence. Other people have yet to find evidence to support this, and we prefer to allow our babies to sleep where they are happy.

You absolutely may share a bed with your baby if you like, and doing so safely will actually REDUCE the risk of SIDS. Studies that say otherwise fail to differentiate between safe cosleeping and unsafe cosleeping. If you change your mind about cosleeping after baby is born (many parents do, including me), learn how to do it safely and enjoy it. It makes nighttime feedings easier!

You may also move baby out when you want, and there are techniques to do so gently. There is a great book called The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. If you start from birth, your job will be easy!

There is another book that all new parents need to read, and it addresses sleeping, feeding, development, first aid and medical care and parenting among other topics. It's called The Baby Book by William Sears. Dr Sears will teach you that you already know how to take care of your baby, you just need to tune out bad advice.

To answer your question, There's no way to know what you'll need to do about sleeping arrangements until that time gets here, so make up a tentative plan, and don't be afraid to change it as you go. That's an important lesson in parenting: things rarely go as planned, so go with the flow and keep a sense of humor about your well-laid plans!

Congratulations!

How much did you spend on your newborn for yhe first three months?

Coolchikk

My baby hasnt come yet but I spent 800 on all necessities non were used ,had to get a bassinett though couldnt afford a crib with changer like I so desperately wanted :( a car seat,etc etc im not breastfeeding and I get free formula through wic. Also I didnt get baby monitors. So how much did you spend?

Answer
I would definitely reconsider breastfeeding your baby as it is not only good for your baby, but for your health. Breastfeeding decreases your risk of cervical and breast cancers. I would try and breastfeed. After a couple of times, if it doesn't work for you, then breastfeeding just wasn't meant to be.

Expect to change your baby's diaper around 20 times a day when they are first born. That means you will go through around 30 X 20= 600 diapers a month! I hope you have a lot of diapers stocked up. Don't open the boxes that you won't use right away- you can return them if your baby grows and doesn't fit them anymore.

Did you say that you do not have a car seat? You don't have to get an infant car seat for an newborn. Another option besides infant seats are convertible car seats. You can use a convertible car seat for a newborn provided that the harness is adjusted at or slightly below your baby's shoulders (when rear facing, the harness needs to be adjusted at or below the child's shoulders). The Cosco Scenera is an affordable convertible car seat that goes up to 35 lbs in the rear facing position and has low slots for the harness so that it is likely that it will fit your baby well. It costs around $40 at Walmart. Most babies outgrow their infant car seats with as little as 6 months of use to as much as a 1 year of use, so buying a convertible car seat would be the best option. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that kids ride rear facing as close to age 4 as possible. They recommend this do to the reasons below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyIv9QVRBE

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-Convertible-Car-Seat-Renaissance/16932760
Above link: Here is the Cosco Scenera

Most parents don't use the diaper changing station like how they planned. Trust me :)
I always found that it is much less stressful to change a baby on the floor. You don't have to worry about the baby rolling over or falling. Everyone in my family ended up changing their baby on the floor (but this is just my family).

Always buy baby clothes a couple of sizes bigger than what your baby is- your baby will outgrow these rather quickly. This means skip newborn clothes- get 3 month sizes and even a couple sizes bigger than that. (I believe the sizes start at newborn and then skips to 3 months).

Remember that babies just love being loved and cuddled. You can never give your child too much attention.

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