baby stuff. help me here .................

[MaeveoSliabh]

One... to hell with diaper rash cream! LOL... Seriously, all of the doctors i've ever gone to when mine were tiny agreed that the best diaper rash medicine was yeast infection cream. Works like a charm.

Rubbing alcohol and good, soft cotton swabs for cleaning the cord.

Spit rags!!! She'll go through them like nobody's business. Either a LARGE package of cloth diapers works well, or ones to fit the shoulder are easy to make. Just take two pieces of cotton flannel and cut them like giant maxi pads with the side indents (so they won't bunch up around your neck) and long enough to hang easily over one shoulder to about halfway down your breast, sandwich a piece of the thin quilting batting, and sew it all together. They're washable, super absorbent, and last until you won't need them anymore.

Baby monitors are handy.

So are strollers or belly packs.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

so the gynea said to me we better start preparing for incase Vana has the baby earlier. he said she could go into labour anytime.

i know if its a premie they stay in hospital for like a really long time but i'd like to check that she has everything she needs.

and ive never had a baby so i have like NO clue. Shes got lots of stuff already. but to be safe help me here.

what do u need for a new born baby? and if its a premie is there any stuff u need extra?

indulge me

If she's a preemie (funny, never heard that word before! ), then you'll need sheep skin. No kidding. A rug made from sheep's fleece. REAL sheep's fleece, not the synthetic crap they sell in cheap stores. REAL sheep's fleece, I can't stress that enough.
That's what Swedes use for preemies. They work wonders. The wool not only keeps the little thing warm, it also sucks up bodily fluids (sweat, pee, drool), so the baby stays dry. It keeps tiny bodies just the right temperature.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Lots of whiskey. The baby won't need it, just the adults.

Fem --->

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

Extra gentle laundry detergent. Unscented works best. All the chemicals in most laundry detergents can cause wee ones to break out in a rash.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Most of the necessities have already been mentioned but I'll give them a second:

1) lots of sleepers, onesies, and gowns... you can go through 4 or 5 (or more) sets a day
2) diapers
3) wipes
4) recieving blankets
5) burp clothes (I used these instead of bibs until baby started holding own bottle because you could tuck them directly under chin. Dribbled milk always leaked underneath the bibs because they hung down a bit below chin.)
6) sheets for whatever baby will be sleeping in
7) I used one of those props that kept baby on side to sleep (mine actually was like a wedge that the baby fit between... got swaddling and stability at the same time.)
8) bottles, pacifier (if not breastfeeding)
9) baby sling if mommy plans on keeping baby close during the day
10) Boppy pillow (great for using during breastfeeding or just to keep baby comfy)
11) monitor if baby will be napping in another room

All three of my boys were preemies though they weren't extremely early.

 

[angelicminx]

Haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if I duplicate something. One thing that I personally think is a must are cloth diapers. No, not to use on the baby's butt... to use as a burp cloth. Much more absorbent than anything I ever tried. Prefolded (without the padding) was my preference, but the unfolded ones work too.

My daughter was a preemie. 6 weeks early and 3 lbs 12oz. She was in the NICU for 3 weeks. In that case breastmilk is essential. Most of the pumps on the market 11 years ago were awful. I got a great one from the home health nurse. A single handed pump is the best option there (Or an electric one rented from a medical supply store... with a preemie they rent them out.)

My daughter wore home doll clothes, but we were able to find a few preemie outfits a couple days after she came home. I'm guessing they are easier to find now.

I loved onsies, but they HAD to have snaps in the shoulder as well. Gowns are great, also with snaps in the shoulder.

Make sure the hospital gives her a nasal bulb or two, the ones you buy in the store don't work as well.

Also, if the baby IS a preemie, get them to send home Preemie pacifiers... at least 4. I couldn't find anything to buy that was small enough for my daughter's mouth, she gagged on everything but what came from the hospital.

The hospital sent home a package of preemie diapers, but they sell them now. (Once we ran out we had to use the newborn size, which she wore until she was 7 months old.)

Stay away from walkers, especially in a preemie. The physical therapist we had until Chey was 18 months old told us walkers can cause hip development problems. (If in doubt, call a PT and ask)

Plenty of tissues, hugs and chocolate for Mom. (Not to mention Kotex )

I'm sure I'll recall essentials I've forgotten, but for now that's it. Now I'm going to read the thread.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Judging from my friend M's 3 births (none of them were preemies, though), the most important thing of all is a baby-sitter, so mummy can get some hours of sleep. She'll need it.

 

[angelicminx]

If she's a preemie (funny, never heard that word before! ), then you'll need sheep skin. No kidding. A rug made from sheep's fleece. REAL sheep's fleece, not the synthetic crap they sell in cheap stores. REAL sheep's fleece, I can't stress that enough.
That's what Swedes use for preemies. They work wonders. The wool not only keeps the little thing warm, it also sucks up bodily fluids (sweat, pee, drool), so the baby stays dry. It keeps tiny bodies just the right temperature.

Absolutely! Also very comforting for a fussy babe.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Absolutely! Also very comforting for a fussy babe.

I'm relieved to see that someone agrees with me.

 

[angelicminx]

I'm relieved to see that someone agrees with me.

My mother was introduced to them at the hospital where my baby brother was born (29 years ago ) and swears by them. She wished she'd known when my twin brother and I were born (We were 6 weeks early too), so she supplied one for me when my daughter was born. I have NO idea where she got it, but I was certainly grateful.

 

[kendo1]

What Mae said.
Sometimes you have to rinse clothes twice to get rid of washing powder properly. Babies are susceptible to rashes from it.

Sudocreme is good for nappy rash.(despite what Mae said)


And speaking of which- don't buy any nappies untill the baby is born.
Babies come in different sizes, and so do nappies. You won't know untill baby is born.
Same goes for clothes really.

 

[matriarch]

Go to this link, its Bliss, the Premature baby charity website. Lots of info.

 

[kiten69]

Preemies are a rough road...i know from personal experience...if she is born early the NICU is a great resource on what you will need to have for when the baby comes home, so don't be afraid to ask...some of my recomendations would be...

~ a preemie headrest for the carseat...if you can't find one rolled up receiving blankets around the top of the head work just as well.
~ preemie bottles...don't want to waste and when they are that small they don't eat much at a time they just eat more often...when my son came home he only ate 1/2 ounce every hour...HUGE SLEEP DEPRIVATION!!!
~ PREEMIE CLOTHES ...I found these at www.babiesrus.com
~ mylicon drops for belly aches and gas...and glycerin suppositories...preemies get constipated easily and this is a surefire remedy
~ preemie diapers and lots of wipes and a good body cream their skin dries out so easily.
~ mine loved the "MOMMY BEAR" it is a bear that makes "womb" sounds when you turn it on
~ if she requires a NICU stay take in a notebook and ask the nurses to write her progress every day so that you have a record. I did this with both of mine and it is such a nice keepsake.
~ this BABY BATH is great for preemies...very soothing
~ also a neat trick is that if the baby spends time in the NICU tell Vana to take one of the receiving blankets and sleep with it or just "wear" it around the house...the blanket on her skin held in place with a bra or tight top works best...do this for a week and then take the blanket in for baby to sleep on...it really helps the bonding process since she will not be able to be there all the time and baby will have something that is CONSTANT during a very confusing time...tends to be very soothing

hope this helps...and best wishes...


kiten

 

[Guest]

thanks peeps.

will check it all out on the morrow