| |
EVERY DAY
THINGS
- Take lots of video; they'll appreciate it when they get
older. Make it a point to take a little video on the one week, two week, and
etc. anniversary of baby's birth so you can see the changes.
- Take
lots of pictures and immediately put them into albums, otherwise it's VERY easy
to get behind, forget the date, and/or have them add up! Leave room in album
for family & friends to give you good copies of photos they've taken. Keep
some envelopes in your kitchen (or any place you frequent) and when you get
your photos developed, separate them, throw out the bad ones, label them and
then you will be ready to put them into your album. If you don't scrapbook, it
is still best to just get them in an album right away. Invest in a digital
camera. You'll be so glad you did! Black and White photos are a great artisitc
change and addition to your album.
- While changing Baby's diaper, put a
cloth or blanket across their chest so that they don't feel so naked. For
little boys, it is great to buy a big pack of those white cloths that are
labeled as just "rags"....you can put that across their belly and it's there to
catch a "spray" if needed.
- When burping a baby, always cup your hand
so that you aren't slapping your flat palm against their body but you are using
the air pressure from your cupped hand to burp them.
- Be sure to check
Baby's outfit to make sure that the embroidery is sharp on the inside. That
sometimes can be the main reason for crying.
- Get a baby calendar to
mark every day accomplishments & milestones like first smile, first bath,
first tooth, first solids, first step, etc. Plus it's great to have that on
record to look back on. Even the little accomplishments are fun to write
down.
- Get a tape recorder and have it ready and around for those first
sounds, laughs, and words. It's amazing to listen back at how far they've come
with their babbles, giggles, and words. The video camera will also document
these.
- Start saving for college fund NOW. A 529 College Plan is
perfect to start for baby. Money can be taken weekly/monthly from your
paycheck. Perfect gift for Grandparents to give as well.
- Get a will.
Death is not something we don't think can happen to us so young, but it can.
Pick who will be legal guardian to your baby.
BABY NECESSITIES
- Huggies Utrathin Diapers are my #1 pick for diapers. They fit snug as a
bug and are easy to use.
- Diaper Champ....not the Diaper Genie. The
Champ uses regular kitchen trash bags and is much easier to use.
-
Huggies Non-Fragrance & Non-Alcohol for wipes or Costco has great ones that
come in a huge box and they are frangrance-free and non-alcohol too. They're
gentle & won't cause rash.
- Baby Positioner for crib helps baby
from rolling over on tummy which also helps reduce SIDS.
- Desitin
Crème for rashes and red spots. Goes on smoothly, wipes off easily, and
it WORKS! Make sure it's the Desitin CREAMY If the diaper rash gets
really bad....mix the Desitin with some Mylanta and make a paste...it will
clear up completely in 24 hours.
- Vaseline for the times baby doesn't
have a rash. Still protects bottom & privates from wetness and helps poo
wash off easier.
- Mylicon Gas Drops are a GODSEND for fussiness from
gas & bubbles. Within minutes it helps baby's tummy feel better. Make sure
you get the NON-STAINING formula.
- Anal Thermometer is the best and
most accurate way to take a baby's temperature. Keep some KY Jelly around to
make it easier going in. Keep diaper underneath because the anal thermometer
stimulates the bowels and can cause quite the mess.
- Lotions - Some
say all the baby lotions cause dryness so that you keep using more and more.
Lubriderm is the best and Aquaphor is good for their face and arms and anything
they can get near their mouth.
- Baby Tylenol & Baby Advil are a
must for teething & fevers.
- Baby Orajel is also great for sore
gums due to teething for babies over 4 months of age.
- Hand
Sanitizer/Purell should be kept at all diaper changing stations. It's healthy
for you until you can get to a sink to thoroughly wash your hands, great for
the road trip diaper changes when you don't have water, and great to put on
baby's hands after a good dog licking.
- Nightlight in baby's room will
help ease baby from complete darkness, will help you for late night feedings,
and to check up on baby without having to turn on the light to see them fully.
You can also use a book light above the changing table so that you don't need
to turn on a bright lamp, you can just "focus on the task at hand..or
butt"
- Closet organizers are a must because you WILL receive 100
outfits from friends & family for baby from newborn all the way up to 12
months. These help separate the outfits and keep you on track. You can buy them
at Babies R Us. They look like those size dividers in stores.
Laundry -
Just be prepared to do a LOT more often! - Keep clothes hamper in baby's
bedroom as it helps keep clothes separate. Those mesh hampers are great! They
are cheap and so easy to use and keep air circulating through. KMart has those
or Linens-n-things.
- Dreft laundry detergent is good but it is
expensive. Acutally ALL Free and Clear is half the price (especially when
purchased at Costco or Sam's Club) If you don't have major skin allergies then
your baby should be just fine with ALL. - Keep plenty of Shout or Spray-n-Wash
on hand for soiled clothes & prespot immediately. Pooh and spit-up WILL
stain. - Pin baby's socks together or use one of those mesh zip up bags. You'd
be surprised how easily baby's small socks just disappear into thin air and
never make it out of the dryer again! - Dry clothes on lowest temp possible.
They shrink easily.
NAILS - They grow very fast & will
scratch baby's face. Keep short and cut weekly. - As a baby, using a nail file
is easiest because the nails are so small and thin. - As they get older, try
cutting with clippers during nursing as it distracts them. - Don't forget the
toes because they will get caught on clothing & socks.
PETS
- Carry around a doll before the birth so dog gets use to you caring for
something so small & important. - Bring something home from the hospital
that has baby's smell on it first so dog gets use to it. - They're your
firstborn, so ALWAYS greet/acknowledge them at the door first & have
visitors do the same. - Bring dog to baby's crib every time you go to baby so
they both get to know each other better. - Always acknowledge the dog around
the baby and ignore him when the baby is napping so he learns that being around
the baby is a good thing and not taking any attention away from him. - Always
be in the room with the two and never leave them alone together. You never want
to take the chance of anything bad happening no matter HOW good you think your
pet is.
BATHS - Always wash face first, then work your way down,
saving private parts for last. - Make it a fun time for baby so he learns to
love it. You can purchase a small bathtub for baby or keep it simple and just
buy a sponge pad thing to put in your tub. Invest in rubber ducky or other
rubber toy especially made to fit over the water spicket. Baby can easily hit
their head on it when they get older.
- When bathing them...keep a
washcloth on their chest so that again, they don't feel so naked.
-Use
you inner arm to check water temperature...no thermometer is needed..common
sense.
- A Syringe or Squirt Bottle is great to wash or rinse tose
little wrinkles.
- Be very careful as baby is so slippery when wet!
- Use a lot of lotion afterwards as baby's skin gets extremely dry.
TRAVELING - Go for car rides, stroller rides, and walks often to
get baby use to carseat. - Traveling can be a stressful time for all involved
so allow yourself at LEAST an extra 20 minutes to get yourself ready, baby
ready, car warmed up or cooled down, car seat ready, fix last minute accidents,
etc. - Allow yourself twice the time to get somewhere because you find yourself
driving slower, not taking chances, stopping far in advance of yellow
stoplights, etc. - Bring the diaper bag wherever you go, if even for a quick
trip down to the store. You never know when you'll need it, especially for
dirty diapers and clothes changes. - Keep baby wipes in car for quick messes,
spit ups, dirty hands, etc. - Invest in a baby mirror for back seat of car.
Until baby is old enough to sit forward-facing, the mirror works great to keep
a constant watch on baby.
|
