Things I wish I knew before buying for a baby.

I typed this up for a pregnant friend so I thought I would sling it on here in case anyone found it useful - also so you can share your thoughts and I could pass those on to her as well - who knows we could maybe get a little manual going.....
NOTE: These are just my opinions after 2 boys. Others having different experiences may think differently!

Feeding
Buy a highchair with as few seams and crevices as possible – forget all the fancy stuff like padding – because you will be cleaning that thing after every meal for about a year and a half.
Bibs – both my boys worked out very quickly how to get these off. Velcro looks easy – and its easy for them too. Get large press stud fastening ones. Or just forgo them later on and accept that kids clothes do get stained.
If breastfeeding, keep those belly band things that you used to lengthen tops in pregnancy – great to fill in the gap and keep you warm when feeding.
Lots of plastic spoons – anything like me and mine, you will leave them behind everywhere.

Nappies and stuff
Sadly, with disposables, only huggies really work well, at least for night. You get your money’s worth from them. Next to that the aldi ones are OK.
Don’t get those special bins – they then charge you through the nose for refills. You will have to take the bag out daily anyway. And you get used to the smell of poo pretty quickly.
With a potty just get a basic cheapie, plus one of those inserts for the toilet.We had a super duper fancy potty for no 1 and my conclusion was it was just harder to clean.
And if you are going to use disposables, when people ask what to give you as a present say nappies!!! And get them to get you the size above newborn.
Change table is worth getting as saves your back.

Clothes.
For babies, the cheap classic stuff is much more useful . Let other people give you the cute going out stuff. Up to 6 months, all in one jumpsuits are easiest and most comfy. 6-12 months, I found leggings and a tee great for a crawler. If your kids are anything like both mine, at night you need warm pjs with feet in – both mine didn’t stay under the blanket – No 1 til about 2, and no 2 is going for the same time. Unless really hot, bonds suits for summer/spring and for winter, the very warm fleecy jobs.

Out and about
Something very light in a stroller, cause you lug that round a lot.
Nappy bag – get something that is practical AND stylish. You will be carrying it everywhere so do yourself a favour and have it look good.
A pouch is very handy IF your bub will go in it (no1 NO, no 2 YES) . And I never got, but wished I had, one of those sling things for very little bub to sleep in while you do stuff.
A portable highchair – didn’t have with first got with 2nd. Fantastic!!!! Just keep in the car.
A travel cot is worth the investment (we didn’t get one and kept borrowing my parents one).

Toiletries.
Depends on the kid, but mine really didn’t use powders, moisturisers, oils etc etc. All I needed for first 6 months was a top to toe J&J wash and nappy rash cream. After that used normal soap and a baby shampoo (DON’T get a cheap baby shampoo- cheap one hurt my kids’ eyes).

Toys
You WILL be given LOTS. Pre 6 months, a baby gym that you can fold up and take with you is great. Just buy off ebay. One thing I found great with both boys from about 6 months was a learn to walker (not the sit in ones, the push along ones) – get one that has another function like converts into a ride on.


Well , that’s all I can think of for now --------hope it helps!

(Just added a picture of a seamless easy clean highchair called the flair highchair, but it is pricy!)

Juno

We finally went out for our anniversary. We saw the movie Juno. It was good - the young actor who plays the title role is, as all are saying, very good. Without giving away the ending, I found myself very strongly wanting her to keep her baby and bring the baby up. Since becoming a mother I find the idea of someone other than myself raising my child one that causes me great distress. not because they woud do a bad job, but because I want to do it. quite apart from other considerations, this feeling is what keeps me from taking on full time work at the moment. I want to be their port in the storm, and the person who lights up their eyes when I enter the room.

another sleep update

Well, sleep for owl is a lot better - he goes in cot now, and evenings are now great, and we get most of the night at least- but we haven't had a magic fix. Continuing problems:

1. daytime sleeps - if I don't time this right, owl screams for the whole hour before as per instructions I pick him up. A bit trial and error - it seems that the very alert owl needs to be up for at least 4 hours before he can be counted on to sleep in the day. still testing this...

2. breastfeed number and sleep at night. It looks like 6 feeds at the moment means good night sleep, but 5 feeds means not making it all the way through. Problem is, that 5 feeds during the day suits him and us better - otherwise he has to be fed when not hungry, and he vomits some up, and hard to time this around sleeps, and hard to time with brother's nap and going out. Also seems to eat solids better on 5 feeds.

3. Even on 6 feeds 5:00am is all we can count on - not the 6am the Earl childhood nurse suggested. This is the least of our worries though - i think I can live with this if 1. and 2. can be solved!!!

trying at the moment to get an appointment to see nurse again. Any suggestions are welcome.....

teaching to sleep

We are currently using controlled comforting/crying - whatever you want to call it - to teach our baby (Owl) to sleep. I know there is a huge debate on this but as Owl had got to the point of refusing to sleep in his cot at all, we were desperate. Done one night so far - went really well. 3/4 hour to go to sleep, but then we only had to go in twice more during the night. Best sleep in 6 months for me, and now I feel like i can be a good mum to Sparky (2 y.o.) and a good wife too - manage all my responsiblities better. Still, not there yet, but an encouraging start - and owl doest sem traumatised. Lots of cuddles this morning!

rotarix vaccine

for anyone contemplating the new rotarix vaccine for their baby, owl has now had both doses and been sick both times - this time days of high fever and diarrhea - still worth it compared to a hospital stay I think - but considering the doctor didn't warn me - forewarned is forearmed.

things I miss

things I miss from my life pre 2 kids (currently 11 weeks and 2.5 years):

thinking. I can't get very far into any abstract thought at moment due to both sleep deprivation and intervening thoughts like - when is Owl (the baby) going to want to feed next? has Sparky gone to the toilet enough today?

working outside the home. or doing anything that takes me out of home and home concerns for longer than half an hour- though I'm back at work soon - excited but apprehensive.

cooking elaborate creations

eating slowly

watching movies (even on DVD, they take too long at the moment)

Having something to talk (or blog) about that doesn't involve small children

To be honest, I'm meant to be all "aren't babies wonderful", but instead I'm very keen for latest one to be at least crawling!!!!! doing something!!! showing ability to get beyond baby age!!!