What do/don’t you need?

I know some people are anti-dummies, but I wish I had bought one to put in our hospital bag to use from day 1. I had a shocker of a first few days in hospital because all Ashlee wanted to do was suck and suck and suck. We spent way too much money on them trying to figure out which one she'd take. Turned out she took the cheapest one from the supermarket and that was about 2 months later! She didn't need it often when she got a bit older, and doesn't have it at all now but she's since found her thumb and then only sucks it when she's tired and in her cot.

Next child I'll definitely be putting one in the bag!

I think I probably could have done without the change table. Although that was partly to do with the fact that it killed my back every time I changed her because we chose the lowest one (because I'm short!) thinking it would be best for me but it obviously wasn't. And it was at the height where Ashlee could give me a great boot in the c-section scar area. You don't want to be bending over too much when changing a nappy.

Storage drawers have been a godsend for me. We have a small flat, and hardly any room for everything to have its own place so we got a storage stacker trolley with 5 trays and wheels (Warehouse for about $20) which we store disposable naps, baby towels (with hoods - those are great!), blankets - everything that is used often and easily accessible. You'll probably get given a whole bunch of blankets so don't buy too many yourself.

Also, for a winter baby, have a nice warm dressing gown for yourself to chuck on for those late night/early morning feed sessions. My friends mum made one for me out of polar fleece and it was GREAT!

I may be wearing my big comfy polar-fleece dressing gown as I type.

I would have lived in it for the first three months of Han's life... except that it was summer, so I just wore nothing. (Poor step-dad! )

Just remember the first few days of bfing determine your supply so you sort of want them to do as much drinking from you in the first few days. Once your milk has come in tho they are great.

A dummy was great for our silent reflux baby but I didn't get her one until she was 2 1/2 mos old.... so no hurries if you're not into them much anyway.

One thing I keep forgetting to get is a new dresser for the Baby. I'm starting off this time with a stackable trolley (you can get them from Warehouse) and plan to get a dresser a couple of months down the track. Around here you can get a s/hand dresser for around $70.

i wish i had had a sling would of been sio much help

Yeah I'm keen to see the pic of how it worked, too.  We've got a sling but I'm not sure I've used it correcrly and wouldn't be able to hold a heavy baby in it. 

Another 'essential' - if you're going to get a dummy (yes, we find them really helpful as Ella likes to suck on stuff SO much - would've saved a lot of heartache in that first month if I'd known that then), then a dummy clip is great for when you're out and about.  I use a dummy to settle Ella to sleep when we're not at home if she won't doze off easily, and having the dummy secured to her pram or clothing means it doesn't get left behind or dropped as I walk along.  Only thing is it pays to watch the cord/ribbon between the dummy and the clip - I'd shorten some of them for safety. 

Oh wow! Ive just notcied that the last post on this thread was 18th Jan 07! and today I bump the thread and its the 18th Jan 08!! hehe weird!

Sheza,

You need my burp cloths!!!! LOL!!!

*shameless advertising*

Edited by Bee

I *need* your breast pads Bee

Am refusing to buy burp cloths coz I am NOT having another refluxer, I am soooo owed a nice, placid, HEALTHY baby this time!