Good list. Some of the stuff on there we haven't needed (currently on day 8), but there were two things that we have found essential:
* baby monitor. Sony makes a 27 channel 900Mhz model (basically, you set three channel toggles on the mic and speaker, and each toggle has three positions, hence the channels...no auto-hopping like my inner geek hoped). Comes with LiIon batteries that last pretty much through the night, so we can leave it running where we'll hear it in the living room (plugged in and charging) then move it around between rooms as each of us gets some sleep at night. Gets some interference from cell phones, but that is acceptable. Otherwise, it helps with our new-parent paranoia and lets us get things done while the kid is sleeping.
* sleeping wedges. Not sure what the correct name for these are, but basically two padded wedges that velcro together that the baby sleeps between (on his back). On our first night home, the kid was inconsolable -- was too warm to be swaddled, but could not stand to be put into his rather spacious bassinet. Two sleep-deprived parents could do nothing but take turns getting naps. The next morning, the grandparents put him in with the wedges, and he slept like a rock. Newborns are basically agorophobic -- they need to feel enclosed and restrained, because that feeling is familiar and comforting. Swaddling is great for that if they'll allow it. The wedges kept his elbows at his side, which seems to be all that he needed. We haven't had a problem getting him to sleep when he was properly tired since. Of course, we ended up needing several due to diaper leaks, but that is going to be true of everything.
I saw some mention of bassinets on the list, and in particular, the Pack-n-play which ours is sleeping in. But no, not much mention of cribs. Maybe they are just assumed.
I have been led to the conclusion that co-sleeping is not a good idea, partly for safety of the baby and partly for getting the kid to sleep on his own. For the latter, one of my co-workers described the situation where her daughter will absolutely not sleep anywhere but with them. She is basically waiting for her daughter to start talking so they can reason with her about it.
We have been putting the kid in his own room to sleep, and he seems to be fine with it. It is easier to get him to sleep while holding him, and he tends to wake up half the time when we try putting him down in the bassinet, but we can deal with that.
.... Unnecessary for us: Play pen Crib Big, bulky stroller Baby shoes!
.... I didn't need my crib with either baby - what a waste of money.
.... Stuff we had but didn't need - infant tub crib bottles - only used them with baby #1 when I had to work - never used them for #2 or #3 baby powder - never used it! we still have the bottle 7 years later and it was hardly ever used!
I'm sure there were more, but those were a couple. I couldn't imagine not having a separate room for the munchkin, at some point, I'm sure i will want to sleep too.
6 comments:
Good list. Some of the stuff on there we haven't needed (currently on day 8), but there were two things that we have found essential:
* baby monitor. Sony makes a 27 channel 900Mhz model (basically, you set three channel toggles on the mic and speaker, and each toggle has three positions, hence the channels...no auto-hopping like my inner geek hoped). Comes with LiIon batteries that last pretty much through the night, so we can leave it running where we'll hear it in the living room (plugged in and charging) then move it around between rooms as each of us gets some sleep at night. Gets some interference from cell phones, but that is acceptable. Otherwise, it helps with our new-parent paranoia and lets us get things done while the kid is sleeping.
* sleeping wedges. Not sure what the correct name for these are, but basically two padded wedges that velcro together that the baby sleeps between (on his back). On our first night home, the kid was inconsolable -- was too warm to be swaddled, but could not stand to be put into his rather spacious bassinet. Two sleep-deprived parents could do nothing but take turns getting naps. The next morning, the grandparents put him in with the wedges, and he slept like a rock. Newborns are basically agorophobic -- they need to feel enclosed and restrained, because that feeling is familiar and comforting. Swaddling is great for that if they'll allow it. The wedges kept his elbows at his side, which seems to be all that he needed. We haven't had a problem getting him to sleep when he was properly tired since. Of course, we ended up needing several due to diaper leaks, but that is going to be true of everything.
Do you find it odd that a crib is on the not needed list? I suppose they might be co-sleeping.
I saw some mention of bassinets on the list, and in particular, the Pack-n-play which ours is sleeping in. But no, not much mention of cribs. Maybe they are just assumed.
I have been led to the conclusion that co-sleeping is not a good idea, partly for safety of the baby and partly for getting the kid to sleep on his own. For the latter, one of my co-workers described the situation where her daughter will absolutely not sleep anywhere but with them. She is basically waiting for her daughter to start talking so they can reason with her about it.
We have been putting the kid in his own room to sleep, and he seems to be fine with it. It is easier to get him to sleep while holding him, and he tends to wake up half the time when we try putting him down in the bassinet, but we can deal with that.
the odd crib comments
....
Unnecessary for us:
Play pen
Crib
Big, bulky stroller
Baby shoes!
....
I didn't need my crib with either baby - what a waste of money.
....
Stuff we had but didn't need -
infant tub
crib
bottles - only used them with baby #1 when I had to work - never used them for #2 or #3
baby powder - never used it! we still have the bottle 7 years later and it was hardly ever used!
I'm sure there were more, but those were a couple. I couldn't imagine not having a separate room for the munchkin, at some point, I'm sure i will want to sleep too.
You should be coming up on 20 weeks (if not there already) -- you going to find out what type of munchkin is a-brewin'?
If it's super-easy to tell (enormous junk, or "Basic Instinct" leg crossing), probably. If it isn't I don't think we will go out of our way.
I'll be happy to burden a child of either gender with unmeetable expectations.
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