I need some advice from all of you moms out there who read my blog. Most of you know we are heading home soon after the baby is born so we don't want to buy a bunch of stuff and then have to ship it all home. So I would like to know what are some things that we absolutely need to have as soon as we bring the baby home. Preferably things that are easily sent home. What do you think?
Baby nail clippers. They don't give them to you in the hospital and the baby's nails are usually long. Also Lanolin cream for your nipples, they will be really sore. Those are the things I didn't think about. Also bring a blanket to take the baby home in. Sometimes they don't let you take them home from the hospital.
Don't forget to buy a nursing bra before the baby is born. You won't want to go shopping for one once you are home from the hospital.
If you're going to nurse -Soothies gel pads (www.soothies.com) and a nursing bra to wear at night with liners so you don't wake up soaked.
Baby clothing - onesies! We were always changing them.
Baby carrier- a sling.
You look great!
Okay, so those are all good suggestions, but I have a few that I would advise. The baby sling is good, a "Peanut Shell" is really good. Also a good swaddling blanket is recommended. You will need to get a infant car seat that you can bring her home in. You really can get away with very little. I found that a lot of the stuff that I had was stuff that I thought I needed. I agree with the baby nail clippers and you should have a thermometer. Easy clothes are also better, like onsies. Bibs help if your baby spits up a lot, than you don't have to change the clothes as much, but there is nothing that you can do about the blow outs. I am sure that you guys will figure it out. Wipes are a must and of course diapers. Don't by too many newborn size, she may grow out of them too fast. Also, for you, you should be sure to have food and lots of water for a good week after you come home. Like fruits and veggies and foods (that don't give you gas) that you can snack on and be sure to get a good milk supply. Also, don't forget your lady products. You will need pads and panty liners for about a month or so after you have her. If I think of more I will let you know.
I have a sling (peanut shell variety I think) that you can use if you want. I always used adult size nail clippers, I had a hard time with the smaller size. You will need onsies, maxipads, breast pads, burp cloths, diapers, wipes, pjs for night-time. You may want to get some different pacifiers and try them out. I have a few swaddler blankets I can send if you want. I lived in nursing tank tops. I don't know where they are now though. If you can find one, I would strongly suggest it. I've heard great things about the soothies.
I would also suggest getting 1 avent bottle and some formula (a brand you could find in the US too!). Even if you are going to breast feed you will want to get your baby used to having a bottle, so you may want to give a bottle once a day. You will want to wait to do this until she is a month old (after she has already learned to breast feed). So it depends on how long it will be until you are back.
I have loads of clothes that I could send, but you probably wouldn't need much of them. I could send the most useful things if you want.
Heidi is right about the newborn size. I only needed two packs of them. The pads are a must have the bleeding never seems to end. Mine lasted two months.