https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:45:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310520 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 06:59:55 +0000 looch 2310520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so prepared, or so I thought. My husband had to go and do shopping runs several times.</p> <p>The thing that still surprises me the most is the newborn sleepers. I was convinced I would be fine using the 0-3 month size, but they swam on my 7 pound son. So, get some newborn sized stuff, even if you only use it for a very short time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310470 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 23:39:57 +0000 Keybee 2310470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all the feedback! I am headed to Target and Costco this week to start stock piling! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310398 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 21:07:13 +0000 Littlebit7 2310398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Lots of pillows! Pillows for the sofa, for your bed, etc. I had the boppy but still needed back support for prolonged periods on the sofa and in bed<br /> -the number of a local lactation consultant. I hope it goes smoothly for you and you don't need it. It wasn't easy for me and I was scrambling to google some names when baby wasn't making her diaper counts. If I did it again I would reach out to one before I gave birth for tips and to schedule a post partum appointment even if I thought things were going swimmingly<br /> -formula. See above for the diaper count problem. You don't want to need it and not have it. I had the little pre-sized packets. Easy<br /> -bottles for reasons above. Singles of a few brands. Babies can be picky. My child went through 5 brands before settling on munchkin and lansinoh<br /> -a pump and extra parts. Read the manual before baby arrives. Ask your lactation consultant if the horns are the right size (spoiler: they probably won't be! Hellooo amazon)<br /> -5 pack black granny panties. Black. Only black. and then throw those things away when they have done their job<br /> -pads. Thin ones. Lots of them.<br /> -I bought a huge pack of disposable chux like they have in hospitals. I've used them for everything from particularly messy blowouts, changing pads on the go, to line her bouncer when she was having constant blowouts<br /> -a little portable tiny cheapo flashlight. Left it on my bedside table and could use it for nursing<br /> -nipple cream. Lansinoh stains. Earth mama angel baby doesn't<br /> -swaddle blankets. Use them for everything<br /> -re: stroller. Depends where you live. We live in a very urban environment. Popped the car seat on our stroller<br /> -long charging cables. And an extension cord. I had a little "nest" on the sofa<br /> -see if there is a grocery delivery service. </p> <p>Don't let these lists scare you! Amazon is a beautiful thing; if you don't have X odds are Amazon can get it to you thr next day :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310368 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 20:21:38 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2310368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything pp have said! Lots of side snap kimono style long sleeve with built-in mitten shirts for Lo! My favorite snacks are still Kind bars in the dark chocolate flavor. Find them at Costco. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310359 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 20:12:26 +0000 gingerbebe 2310359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nightgowns or duster robes that unbutton or unzip for easy nursing. Comfy nursing tanks and lounge pants or yoga pants. A pack of puppy pads or incontinence pads - you can use them under you in bed, I used them as changing pads in the living room, and DH even likes lining the changing pad with it to avoid washing the cover. We also used it under DS' crib sheet because he had reflux and puked all the time. Lanolin or nipple cream. Lansinoh disposable nursing pads were the best. A mix of different pacis. Have a few nursettes of formula and some disposable nipples (you can ask the hospital for some) as back up. A 10ft iPhone charger cord - you will be on your phone a lot and it will lose battery fast! Instead of night lights, we used lamp dimmers everywhere and they worked so well. A Marpac Dohm white noise machine - it plugs in and never turns off. An eye mask and earplugs so you can get good rest when you're off duty. Some place to put the kid during showers like a bouncer or rock n play. Zipper footie PJs only! Lots of washcloths and cloth diapers as burp cloths. A nice big water bottle that seals, a big straw cup, and a coffee mug that seals for all your beverages. Stock up on products that make your life easier. For us we got a ton of pods for the washer and dishwasher, paper plates and plastic utensils, and paper towels. Make some lactation cookie dough and scoop it and freeze it and then it's ready to go. Buy some Costco muffins and cut them into halves or quarters and freeze too - they thaw perfectly in a few hours. And once every few days boil 6-8 eggs and keep them in the fridge. Oh you can also pre-make and freeze "dry" sandwiches - just bread, meat, and cheese or PBJs and cut them in half and wrap them in foil. Thaw on the counter when you need them or you can just make a bunch every few days (or it's something your husband can make for you). Easy to eat fruit like apples, Cuties, or bananas or precut fruit was a lifesaver. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310262 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 16:43:06 +0000 hocuspocus 2310262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-AA swaddles<br /> -rock n play sleeper chair<br /> -baby wrap carrier<br /> -lots of nursing pads and nipple cream<br /> -Lansinoh gel cooling nipple pads were lifesavers for me in the beginning. Pop them in the fridge until you use them.<br /> -burts bees lavender night time baby wash. LO would pass out right after night time bath.<br /> -obviously lots and lots of diapers. Some NB an size 1.<br /> -comfy clothes and netflix :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310191 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 13:19:01 +0000 Ms.Badger 2310191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: as long as you actively manage it every month, it works great. You can delay deliveries for a month or change the frequency it delievers. There are a few things that I'm particular about I can't get so there's still a target run once per month, but it's so much easier, especially with a baby, to grab 4 or 5 things instead of everything </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310174 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:41:06 +0000 SweetiePie 2310174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Badger: I've always wondered about this! I am always afraid I won't be out of something and will get a shipment and have too much. But, I live in an apartment so storage space is at a minimum. Maybe if I had a house I wouldn't feel that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310159 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 11:52:20 +0000 Ms.Badger 2310159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with Amazon Prime, but additionally, would recommend setting up Subscribe and Save so that most of your needs just arrive when you need them. Way less running to target because your out of paper towels or whatever </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310119 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 10:08:07 +0000 cam 2310119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yes nightlights! turning on a light in the night is so jarring </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310112 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 09:51:02 +0000 Ginabean3 2310112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ah, everyone has given such good suggestions already! I would say:<br /> -Comfy clothes for nursing, I tried a bunch of nursing tanks and my fave were the Target ones!<br /> -Lots of stuff DVR'd to watch in the middle of the night<br /> - Food!<br /> - Amazon Prime was helpful to order stuff I forgot!<br /> -A bouncy seat<br /> - I also had the stretchy Boba wrap which was amazing</p> <p>Good luck, you'll be fine!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310094 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 08:49:44 +0000 SweetiePie 2310094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every mom and baby are different so you'll do a LOT of trial and error and despite your best efforts, you'll be buying a lot of stuff after LO arrives in the first few weeks. Diapers.com was a life saver for me. ANYTHING you need for a baby or yourself is on diapers.com and if you spend $50 (and you will) it's delivered next day for free!</p> <p>My list, and many of these I only discovered after we struggled without them at first:</p> <p>- side snap kimono style undershirts. I hated putting stuff over his head till he was about 4-5 weeks<br /> - swaddle me or other brand of "swaddle pods". So much easier than trying to swaddle for real.<br /> - footed sleepers, zippered were best for us. No fumbling during the night with buttons<br /> - the "happiest baby on the block" book AND we downloaded the hairdryer sound from iTunes. It calmed him during changes or other stressful situations.<br /> - even if you are BF - have a can of formula and some bottles there. You never know how it'll go and if you have latch or supply issues, you don't want to be without formula at 3am with a screaming newborn.<br /> - we loved the boppy newborn lounger (not the same as the regular boppy). I would put him in it next to me on the couch so I could give my arms a rest but still keep a hand on him for comfort. Or I would put it on the floor outside the bathroom where I could see him.<br /> - boppy for bottle feeding<br /> - rock n play. Hands down. I waited till he was 5 weeks to get one and I have kicked myself every day that I didn't have it from day one. He didn't sleep in it, but it was one of the only devices he would chill in while awake.<br /> - a manual pump. Many times this worked better for me than the electric one.<br /> - if you have an electric one, get the simple wishes hands free pumping bra. Don't get medela. You will thank me!<br /> - sound machine<br /> - lots and lots of diapers. You'll be changing about every 2 hours, so that's minimum 12 in a day. Don't overstock in the small sizes though, they grow fast. Again, diapers.com or Amazon prime. I would just keep an eye on how many we had left and when we got down to a couple days worth I would know what size he was, if he was on the cusp of the next size, etc and order based on that. We've only ever wasted a few diapers that way.<br /> - a nightlight near the changing table<br /> - if it's a boy, keep lots of wash cloths near the changing table. We always threw one on his penis when we were changing him and avoided getting too much pee in the eye that way. ;-)<br /> - LOTS of bibs and burp cloths. But, we had a spitter/reflux baby. So I don't know if that's normal.<br /> - lots of microwave meals, homemade or store bought. When I was home alone with him I always felt like I didn't have time or free hands to make anything, even a sandwich or eggs. So I had lots of freezer meals. Healthiest? No. Better than starving? Yes. But to be fair I'm not much of a cook by nature so maybe this was my own personal struggle :-)<br /> - NETFLIX. for sure. </p> <p>Lastly, this isn't an item, but it's something that made me enjoy those first couple months way more - cut yourself some slack. I felt like I had to have the house perfected every day on top of taking care of a newborn. It made me feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate if things weren't perfect. Once I realized a few weeks in that it's OK to just veg and do NOTHING when the baby is sleeping, I felt a lot better. I used the dishwasher instead of hand washing every bottle and apparatus. I watched Netflix instead of making beds. I just relaxed. Because taking care of a newborn is enough! It took me way too long to realize that. </p> <p>Good luck, it'll all work out. You can try to be as prepared as possible but things will still be missing or forgotten. And that's ok :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310093 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 08:49:05 +0000 Miss Flamingo 2310093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter hated all baby gear, so the first month I needed food that I didn't have to prepare and could eat with one hand, a tablet to entertain me during all those nursing sessions, nipple cream, and nipple pads. Other than swaddled and sleepers everything else went unused at first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310037 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 07:31:29 +0000 Cole 2310037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read the other comments but instantly my mind went to a comfy place to sit in front of a TV with cords for charging phone tablet etc. A great water bottle, a basket of snacks, a nursing pillow, nipple cream, a swing and a bouncy seat or some other easy to move baby holder. </p> <p>I feel like the rest of the stuff wasn't useful until after the first month. </p> <p>Have fun and good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310024 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 06:53:58 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2310024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Comfy clothes, granny panties, a good spill proof travel mug (I needed coffee but was terrified of spilling on my baby), Netflix.</p> <p>Set up a station with snacks, water, any remotes you'll need and be prepared to spend a few weeks there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2310017 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 06:23:09 +0000 Elizabear 2310017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cloth diapers to use and burp clothes and a thermometer that you can take your newborn's temp rectally are essentials! Aveeno baby for bathing and aquaphor for protecting baby's skin. I didn't realize till after my baby was born that other products are not recommended by my ped because they are not gentle enough for baby's skin. Amazon prime so you can get anything you need I'm 2 days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309820 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 19:13:40 +0000 mrsrugbee 2309820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Receiving blankets, a wrap/baby wearing shirt, those swaddle sacks and a carseat cover for winter time. Other than that, maybe some lanolin but you wont necessarily need it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309796 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:25:14 +0000 autumn865 2309796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Buy things you will need in postpartum...<br /> Comfy pjs/ robe (you spend whole days without getting dressed), pads for when you're leaking, stool softener, nipple cream, easy snacks, a good water bottle, nursing bras/ sports bras (I actually liked the sports bras for nursing that I just pulled them down), comfy socks, thick pads for bleeding etc. With my first I was so focused on the baby coming it never occurred to me that I would need things too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309784 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 17:44:10 +0000 cam 2309784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things I remember running out for in the beginning were breast pads, lanolin, Vaseline, desitin, nursing tanks, a cheap nursing bra (until my milk settled down around 6 weeks and I went for better ones). Was also very happy to have big muslins for swaddling (later got a velvro thing), zip sleepers and bouncer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309760 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:20:47 +0000 hummusgirl 2309760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Formula and a couple bottles, even if you're planning to BF. Things didn't work out in that area the way I'd hoped, and I was completely unprepared - had nothing and hadn't researched any options. You can always donate that stuff if you don't need it but it's not fun to have a hungry baby and no way to feed it in the middle of the night. </p> <p>Agree with pp on a baby carrier. We used a Baby K'tan for the first month and Beco Gemini after that, multiple times a day for a whole year. Rarely used our stroller and could have done without it for a long time. </p> <p>Last - a subscription to Amazon Prime! So helpful to just order what you need as you need it and have it come in a day or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309630 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 11:17:41 +0000 buttermilk 2309630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh! And Medela soft shells reeeeeally saved my nipples. Little boob helmets!</p> <p><a href="http://babeegreens.com/p/cashmere-shoes/" rel="nofollow">http://babeegreens.com/p/cashmere-shoes/</a><br /> These are the booties we have. Got as a gift and they are so awesome, she wears them every day and they never fall off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309628 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 11:12:28 +0000 buttermilk 2309628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 7 Wks and what has been invaluable so far: </p> <p>Miracle blanket (works so much better than regular swaddle blankets)<br /> Swing (this is a recent purchase and has saved my sanity and given me my hands back in the daytime! She hates the bouncer we already had)<br /> Rock n Play or bassinet for sleeping near you<br /> Earth mama angel baby nipple butter<br /> Pump &amp; pumping bra<br /> Oral syringes for supplementing and eventually we moved to the Medela Calma nipple at 3 Wks<br /> So many burp cloths<br /> iPad with Netflix and books on it<br /> Baby gas relief drops<br /> Find some little booties/slippers that actually stay on their feet. Socks suck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309608 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 09:41:48 +0000 sera_87 2309608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FOOD. Healthy, filling snacks - nursing hunger is like no other hunger in the world.<br /> And make ahead freezer meals because baby allllllways seemed to be super cranky just as I was about to make dinner. Every. Single. Night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309602 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 09:36:28 +0000 Eko 2309602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would agree with what most everyone has suggested above. But for us DS hated the bouncer, we didn't have a swing, and for the first month or so he spent any down time in his RNP. We got a swing once he became more alert and wasn't eating every 2 hours. So some of those things were pointless for us. Every baby is different. You mentioned this already but hands down the best thing I did ahead of time was do plenty of freezer meals and stocked up on household items, so definitely don't skimp on that!</p> <p>We have a britax stroller that his bucket car seat attaches to and that's what we use. DS likes his stroller more than his carrier so that's what we use. DS was born in June and I found that he got so hot in his carrier so we may have gotten more use out of it if the weather was different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309511 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 07:20:18 +0000 Keybee 2309511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all of the replies!<br /> What sort of stroller do you have for your new borns? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309506 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 07:12:51 +0000 blackbird 2309506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Swaddle (we like zip up ones!)<br /> A sling<br /> Bouncy vibrating seat<br /> Disposable nursing pads. Johnson and Johnson are my favorite because they are curved<br /> Extra underwear-lots of bleeding and discharge<br /> Zip up sleepers for baby (target sells them. THE best) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309495 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 06:16:32 +0000 Ms. RV 2309495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I highly recommend a donut cushion for you to sit on. Hopefully you won't need it but they aren't horribly expensive. And if you do need it you'll be so thankful you have it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309491 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 04:59:57 +0000 Nutella 2309491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't realise how thirsty &amp; hungry I would be! So lots of easy/healthy snacks ready, I guzzled sparkling water so had to have loads of that around. </p> <p>I also wish I knew just how much time I would be in maternity/nursing wear (ie always!!!) so I would recommend getting some nice good so you don't feel too daggy hanging out in home clothes 24-7. That, and nice nursing bras. Sounds silly but it's definitely something I would organise better next time! </p> <p>If you are BFing, babies really don't need too much for the first few weeks! Though I agree with the above suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309486 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 04:49:44 +0000 FaithFertility 2309486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-swing<br /> -PNP or bassinet<br /> -boppy<br /> -pump<br /> -onsies, socks...<br /> -blankets, swaddle/sacks<br /> -comfy clothes for you </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-i-really-want-to-have-for-babys-first-month#post-2309480 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 03:44:18 +0000 wrkbrk 2309480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PPs - I think you should get a baby carrier! We just bought a ring sling (under $100) and it seems awesome so far. I am due in 6.5 weeks. Congratulations, mama!! </p>