New Baby Must Haves -- Clothing

So, you think you are ready to start your baby registry? Go to Baby Superstore, gun in hand (no, not a real gun. that would be...bad.) and like a brisk wind on the first Winter morning, it hits you, wow! The options are truly endless! What do you really NEED to be prepared for welcoming your little one? In all honesty, the baby only needs momma's loving arms to sleep in and booby juice. Alas, what do you, the parents need, to make your transition into this new season of your lives easy manageable? This will be one post in a multipost series, otherwise we may be here for a while and one thing you won't have much in the very near future is time for yourself. Hopefully, my experience can help you out!

CLOTHING
Warmth from the elements for the wee one, the poopy and pee-pee one, the spit-one, the apple of your ever-loving eye one! :) What do they need?

1.This is where I am going to tell you that Function>Fashion. For the first two weeks or so, there will be wardrobe upon wardrobe changes that put Bey, Britney, and Janet to shame. To keep that to a minimum, I would suggest these little kimono shirts, this will be the only item that I would recommend to purchase in the newborn size 6-8 of these would be perfect. Otherwise the baby will be swimming. Depending on the time of year, this little shirt and a good Swaddle are all that you need.


2. After the umbilical cord comes off, I found I could get a little more creative with their clothing options. They are still regulating their digestive tract (pooping without shame or shyness) so you are still changing the diaper about 8 times a day (and night!!) so I fell IN LOVE with zippered sleepers, buttons are for the birds. PS if someone gifts you any outfits with an ungodly amount of buttons in the configuration you can be sure of one of two things, a. the giver doesn't have children or b. they don't like you very much. There is a slim chance they don't know about zippered sleeper, if you are a benefit of the doubt kind of gal, go with that. Wal-Mart, of all places, has some really cute zippered sleepers that wash and wear well. The brand is Faded Glory, Carter's also has nice options. My littles were born in beginning of Fall and the middle of Winter, so we used these under their swaddle blankets to keep their tootsies nice and warm. I would say 6-8 of these. The point is to have a couple leftover between washes and blowouts.


3. White Onesies. You CANNOT have too many. Serious, and if you have a boy, you need double, because these are GREAT for putting as little under shirts anytime other than Summer, to make your little man look dapper like his daddy. Love! Love! Love! I would say 5-10 for each size starting at 3 months, would be good, so 1-2 packs. Love these. Did I mention that I love these?



Publishing for now -- have a Little who just woke up. More LATER!

xoxo,
Melissa

The Hospital Bag

You've probably waited until the last minute to pack your hospital bag and if you are anything like me you're probably missing half of the things you'll really need once there with baby. I think the main reason I procrastinated is because I wasn't exactly sure what I would and would not need. So, with this in mind, I have compiled a list of the things you'll need to remember to bring with you to the hospital. I think this is a pretty comprehensive list, but it is inevitable that something is missing and you'll have to send hubby/family member home to retrieve.

For Mommy

• 1-2 button-up pajama tops -- these are for breastfeeding and just general comfort
• Night Robe for breastfeeding discreetly and also to wear for walking around the maternity ward - the hospital gowns are annoying
• Nursing Cover - 'cause your gonna have guests, but baby's got to eat!
• Slippers - so you can go out and walk the halls with Baby
• Socks
• Night nursing bra
• Going home outfit for you (Something cute you wore at 5 months preggers)
• Pillow from home 
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, hair dryer, brush, lotion
• (1) Towel you don't mind ruining (for showers, the hospitals are not soft. In fact, they are very rough)
• (1-2) Washcloths or a bath sponge
• Snack Bag (Nutrigrain bars, fruit snacks. Think quick energy, the hospital takes about 45 minutes to deliver food and breastfeeding makes you HUNGRY!)
• What to Expect the first year book and/or Breastfeeding Basics book 

For Baby

• Sleep Sheep
• Boppy
• Swaddle Blanket
• Receiving blanket to take home to the dogs (or take one from the hospital)
• Cuddly blanket to cover baby when leaving hopsital
• Going home outfit
• Carseat

For Daddy

• Change of clothes
• Blanket/Pillow for staying the night
• Camera
• List of people to call/text
• Your "push" present!! 

Good luck!!

If you can think of anything else, feel free to leave it in the comments below.