toddler travel necessities image
pretty in
this is my friends email and she said i could use it. i just need to know some things that my baby cant live without when shes born. i have a tight budget so just the must haves please. and if possible could you put the price and how many of each item i need to buy a month. thank you!
Answer
The necessities for a newborn are these:
Diapers (don't buy a ton of newborn diapers because they grow out of them pretty quick. Start with one pack and if you need more, buy them after.) Pampers are about $20 for a box. I'd say we bought diapers every 1 1/2 - 2 weeks at the newborn age) There are cheaper diapers out there too, but we preferred Pampers.
Wipes (Buy in bulk if you can. Trust me you'll use them for everything.) Big box of wipes cost $7-12 depending on how big the box is and the brand name. They will last you a good while and the cheap ones are just as good as Pampers or Huggies.
Onsies and Sleepers. All the cute clothes can wait until later on. Trust me, the baby will spend more time in onsies than anything else.
If you will be nursing, get a Boppy/Nursing Pillow and at least a manual pump. They are a life saver. If you go back to work you'll need bottles and an electric pump. Make sure the pump is for woman who pump regularly. Some are only for occasional pumping and are not as good at keeping up a supply. Medela is great, but also expensive ($250 approx. for a double electric pump, but is worth the price). You can find them used for much cheaper, but you will want to buy all new bottles and pump parts. Replacement parts are not very expensive.
If you are formula feeding and when feeding pumped breastmilk, bottles are a must have. Make sure they are slow flow nipples for a newborn. I suggest buying some decent ones and don't go too cheap. You want some that reduce the amount of air your baby gets, so he/she wont be too uncomfortable after each feeding. It will also reduce spitting up.
You'll want a crib and mattress for sure, unless you will be co-sleeping. A changing table is nice, but definately not a necessity. We will just be using a changing table pad on one of our lower dressers. Crib Sheets, Mattress Pad. No need to buy an expensive bedding set. You aren't even supposed to use the comforter when they are a newborn either. It can cause SIDS, so you really don't get too much use out of it before they want a character bedding set. We bought a toddler bedding set at Walmart for $35 once our son was a bit older. Until then we just used some thin blankets we got from our baby shower.
You'll want a car seat. The hospital will not let you leave without one. The travel systems are a bit pricey, but well worth it. Once that baby is asleep, you will not want to wake him by lifting him out of a car seat.
That's all I can think of right now. Buying things used can save you a ton of money. Try Craigslist.org, but make sure things are not recalled and are not more than 3-4 years old. Many items have more safety standards and what not these days. Also, be careful when buying a car seat used. Make sure it has not been in any accidents. I really do suggest buying a new one. Sign up on websites for coupons and offers. Huggies sends out tons of coupons. Pampers kinds sucks with the coupons. If you'll be using formula you'll want to sign up and many will send you checks you can use at the store.
The necessities for a newborn are these:
Diapers (don't buy a ton of newborn diapers because they grow out of them pretty quick. Start with one pack and if you need more, buy them after.) Pampers are about $20 for a box. I'd say we bought diapers every 1 1/2 - 2 weeks at the newborn age) There are cheaper diapers out there too, but we preferred Pampers.
Wipes (Buy in bulk if you can. Trust me you'll use them for everything.) Big box of wipes cost $7-12 depending on how big the box is and the brand name. They will last you a good while and the cheap ones are just as good as Pampers or Huggies.
Onsies and Sleepers. All the cute clothes can wait until later on. Trust me, the baby will spend more time in onsies than anything else.
If you will be nursing, get a Boppy/Nursing Pillow and at least a manual pump. They are a life saver. If you go back to work you'll need bottles and an electric pump. Make sure the pump is for woman who pump regularly. Some are only for occasional pumping and are not as good at keeping up a supply. Medela is great, but also expensive ($250 approx. for a double electric pump, but is worth the price). You can find them used for much cheaper, but you will want to buy all new bottles and pump parts. Replacement parts are not very expensive.
If you are formula feeding and when feeding pumped breastmilk, bottles are a must have. Make sure they are slow flow nipples for a newborn. I suggest buying some decent ones and don't go too cheap. You want some that reduce the amount of air your baby gets, so he/she wont be too uncomfortable after each feeding. It will also reduce spitting up.
You'll want a crib and mattress for sure, unless you will be co-sleeping. A changing table is nice, but definately not a necessity. We will just be using a changing table pad on one of our lower dressers. Crib Sheets, Mattress Pad. No need to buy an expensive bedding set. You aren't even supposed to use the comforter when they are a newborn either. It can cause SIDS, so you really don't get too much use out of it before they want a character bedding set. We bought a toddler bedding set at Walmart for $35 once our son was a bit older. Until then we just used some thin blankets we got from our baby shower.
You'll want a car seat. The hospital will not let you leave without one. The travel systems are a bit pricey, but well worth it. Once that baby is asleep, you will not want to wake him by lifting him out of a car seat.
That's all I can think of right now. Buying things used can save you a ton of money. Try Craigslist.org, but make sure things are not recalled and are not more than 3-4 years old. Many items have more safety standards and what not these days. Also, be careful when buying a car seat used. Make sure it has not been in any accidents. I really do suggest buying a new one. Sign up on websites for coupons and offers. Huggies sends out tons of coupons. Pampers kinds sucks with the coupons. If you'll be using formula you'll want to sign up and many will send you checks you can use at the store.
what exactly do i need for a newborn baby?
OctoberBab
i'm due in October, and want to be uber prepared, but i don't want unnecessary things like sterilizers and kimonos for babies. what do i really need, including # of articles of clothing..thanks
Answer
i have a 3 month old and honestly, the only things i've used for her so far have been:
diapers (i use disposable at night, reusable during the day)
wipes (A LOT of them)
socks (i'd get a lot, considering your baby is a fall/winter baby)
blankets (maybe 3-4)
diaper bag
onesies (ALOT of them.. my daughter usually only wears 1 a day, but a lot of babies go through multiple a day. get as many as you wish. just remember that you have to do laundry more often for the less you have lol)
sleepers (we only have a couple of these as she wears them only at night)
breast pump
and bottles (i have 3x4oz bottles, and 3x8oz bottles)
car seat (i have an infant rear facing and will switch to a convertible when she is too big for this one)
a stroller (i'd decide how often you plan on using it before you purchase one. also, make a list of what you HAVE to have with it, such as parent cup holders, basket underneath, etc. before you purchase)
crib
infant bath tub (we use this one, which can be found at target: http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Infant-Toddler-Sling/dp/B000067EH7)
wash/shampoo: we use california baby or some other natural stuff. a bit expensive, but i would rather use something natural, paraben, and sulfate free than use something harsh- like johnson's, etc.
1 hooded towel, a couple wash cloths
mittens- we don't have any for my daughter and she hasn't scratched yet, but they would probably be good to have. we just make sure her nails are pretty trim.
we were also gifted 3 pack n plays (i know.. alot!). we keep one downstairs for her to sleep in instead of taking her upstairs for a nap during the day. pack n play would be very handy for someone that traveled alot. i was gifted a couple cute little outfits with pants and jackets and stuff, but seriously, those things are just a pain in the arse to get on and off. i only use the bottles to dump pumped milk in if i am going to be gone. i use the playtex drop-ins system. i have the liners for those and lansinoh bags for milk storage. but those are really only needed if you're planning on breastfeeding.
i also have a bouncer for my daughter which she LOVES. definitely worth the investment, for us. we just recently went to a second hand store & got her a swing since she absolutely loves to move. it looks brand new for $14 (sells for $90 on amazon). if you're interested in getting her some other things that aren't really necessities, check out second hand stores if you have any close to you. most of the time i find things that have been used maybe just a couple times, and they are definitely a lot cheaper than buying a new one from the store.
some other little things that aren't really necessities but that i personally have found useful have been a rattle (she is starting to grasp things now) and baby einstein take along tunes. the take along tunes has flashing lights & plays music. it's the perfect size to just throw in the diaper bag and hopefully calm her down when she is upset.
i have a 3 month old and honestly, the only things i've used for her so far have been:
diapers (i use disposable at night, reusable during the day)
wipes (A LOT of them)
socks (i'd get a lot, considering your baby is a fall/winter baby)
blankets (maybe 3-4)
diaper bag
onesies (ALOT of them.. my daughter usually only wears 1 a day, but a lot of babies go through multiple a day. get as many as you wish. just remember that you have to do laundry more often for the less you have lol)
sleepers (we only have a couple of these as she wears them only at night)
breast pump
and bottles (i have 3x4oz bottles, and 3x8oz bottles)
car seat (i have an infant rear facing and will switch to a convertible when she is too big for this one)
a stroller (i'd decide how often you plan on using it before you purchase one. also, make a list of what you HAVE to have with it, such as parent cup holders, basket underneath, etc. before you purchase)
crib
infant bath tub (we use this one, which can be found at target: http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Infant-Toddler-Sling/dp/B000067EH7)
wash/shampoo: we use california baby or some other natural stuff. a bit expensive, but i would rather use something natural, paraben, and sulfate free than use something harsh- like johnson's, etc.
1 hooded towel, a couple wash cloths
mittens- we don't have any for my daughter and she hasn't scratched yet, but they would probably be good to have. we just make sure her nails are pretty trim.
we were also gifted 3 pack n plays (i know.. alot!). we keep one downstairs for her to sleep in instead of taking her upstairs for a nap during the day. pack n play would be very handy for someone that traveled alot. i was gifted a couple cute little outfits with pants and jackets and stuff, but seriously, those things are just a pain in the arse to get on and off. i only use the bottles to dump pumped milk in if i am going to be gone. i use the playtex drop-ins system. i have the liners for those and lansinoh bags for milk storage. but those are really only needed if you're planning on breastfeeding.
i also have a bouncer for my daughter which she LOVES. definitely worth the investment, for us. we just recently went to a second hand store & got her a swing since she absolutely loves to move. it looks brand new for $14 (sells for $90 on amazon). if you're interested in getting her some other things that aren't really necessities, check out second hand stores if you have any close to you. most of the time i find things that have been used maybe just a couple times, and they are definitely a lot cheaper than buying a new one from the store.
some other little things that aren't really necessities but that i personally have found useful have been a rattle (she is starting to grasp things now) and baby einstein take along tunes. the take along tunes has flashing lights & plays music. it's the perfect size to just throw in the diaper bag and hopefully calm her down when she is upset.
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