Things I know…

So, take what you will from this post but here are a few things I know that work for me and my Sophie.  I know everybody and everybaby is different, but I always liked to look at all the information and then sort out what works for me so if you or someone you know can take something from this, good.  If not, I’ll have it preserved in cyberspace so I can look it up in the future should I forget!

Clothes organization is key.  If, like me, you have a bunch of clothes from someone else (thanks Kelly and April!) then you need a system to keep them separate.  My solution is to devote separate drawers to the clothes in the dresser and to turn the hangers around in the closet.  That way, when I take something out in a month or two, I know that it’s not mine (and this memory is usually strong enough to last through the next load of laundry so I can put it back where it belongs!)  Along the same lines, I organize clothes in the closet by hanger colors (I couldn’t get the little divider rings that I wanted) so I can see at a glance what size I have (3 colors, now, next, later) and how much of it.  This makes it easier to look ahead too and not waste a chance to wear clothes when she is growing into them.  And what to do when done?  Well, I leave two bags (actually box and bag) on the floor in the closet.  When she outgrows something of mine, it goes in the bag (after the wash!) and when she outgrows something that goes in the totes, it goes in the box.  This way, I can do big clothes organizations every month or two.

Clothes sizes are inconsistent!  Gerber onesies will always be at least one size smaller.  Diapers generally follow clothes sizes (so far – and I do mean generally).  Newborn = Newborn.  0-3 = Size 1.  3-6 = Size 2.  Maybe this seems obvious to some of you, but I wasn’t sure if it correlate for sure.  Also, if it seems like she’s getting close to growing out of a size, I just move up to the next instead of having a half box of too small diapers.  She seems more likely to leak out of a small one than a large one.  And different brands fit better at different times.  Hated Huggies for Newborn but wasn’t a fan of the Size 2 Pampers.  And quality does matter, especially early.  Sophie got an instant rash from Walgreens Size 1 diapers because they didn’t wick away the moisture as well.  Now though she wears them just fine.  But of course, every baby is different.

Don’t put the water-filled teethers in the microwave steam sterilizer.

You probably don’t need the straps that they put on everything (at least right away) and it’s easier to take them off than to keep moving them.

If you can find a car seat whose handle is lowered and raised with one button instead of two, get it.  Get the car base, way easier than strapping the seat in every time.

Socks will not stay up on a baby’s foot (at least not on Sophie’s).  Buy pants with the feet attached for the early months if it’s cold out.

Here’s a list I sent on to Becky that really captures some of the products that I think are important.  I thought I had more to say about this, but of course my mind blanked now so I’m sure I’ll add more some other time.

SwaddleMe (2) - there's a couple of brands out there, I personally don't like the zipper because it's one more thing to try and put together while putting her to bed.  I'd get a couple because she'll spit up/leak out of diaper (on a side note, I usually do her laundry every 3-4 days so I plan on having enough clothes/supplies based on this schedule.  Basically, you don't need too much of something since you'll be doing a lot of laundry anyway and it just means you won't use it all.  Also, I wash her clothes separate (make sure you attach all velcro to itself) on gentle - it gets washed a lot so this helps ensure that it'll last)

Sheet Saver (3) - I'd get a couple of these, maybe even three.  These are the things that tie to the sides of the crib

Sheets (3) - you could get away with two of these, but 3 is safer.  With the sheet saver you don't have to change these as often, but things happen and you might go through a couple in a day

Mattress Cover (1)

Mattress - We got a mattress that converts to a toddler mattress (it's softer on one side - harder on the other for her infant stage) - this depends on whether you're going to get a convertible crib, if you're just going to use a big bed, then it doesn't matter

Burp Cloth (8) - You can get by with 4 and 10 would be playing it safe.  I like the flannel ones because they dry well and her spit doesn't soak through it.  I also use these to lay her under her head when I put her on her play mat (she sometimes spits up when she gets excited)

Play Mat - You can start using this early on and it's good to have a spot to put her where there's a chance she might be entertained.  Sophie really likes that ours has music and things she can hit

Swing - sometimes she just doesn't want to take a nap in her crib and I'm not going to fight that battle all day, especially this young

Bibs (20) - the more the merrier!  Of course, if you are solely breast feeding this need will be reduced

Nail Clippers - buy a new pair so they are sharp (I bought the baby ones, they are less slipper to hold...I don't use the magnifying glass though)

Boppy - Love it!

Diaper Genie - Love it!  Use it for poopie diapers and keep a small garbage can for pee ones to save on changing it so often.

Receiving Blankets (12) - I probably go through more of these than normal because they are magnets for Zeke's hair so they end up in the wash frequently.  Plus I use them on the changing table (with a lap pad underneath) over the pad cover so when she pees all over I don't have to wash the pad cover.  If you don't use this system you should get about 3-4 pad covers.  People seemed to buy these even if they weren't on the registry.

Bottles (4) - I rotate through 4 bottles and this works for me because I wash them by hand and then use the steam sterilizer (it all came as a set, but the numbers work).  Again, depends on breastfeeding and some people just wash their bottles in the dishwasher (if you do this, you'll probably need more than 4)

Clothes - my recommendation is to not register for too many outfits.  They'll be tough for people to find and people just want to buy what they think is cute.  I would register for some of the basics like onesies.  Keep in mind your laundry frequency (don't get too many, you won't use them all).  Sophie usually goes through a couple of outfits a day (she'll pee on it or spit too much) - some days she only goes through one, but I wouldn't count on that frequency.  I saw suggestions for tshirts in addition to onesies, but I found that we needed the onesie to keep her diaper on (her butt is too little, she wriggles right out of the diaper).  Sleep and plays are great, gowns are tough to get on and usually cause crying because her arms are trapped inside for a few - plus they're not any easier to change a diaper with, maybe tougher because you have to pull it so far up.

Bathtub - I have the blue one with the teal newborn sling.  It works great.  The first couple of baths (until her cord fell off) we just laid her on towels and used one washcloth of soap and one to rinse and did it that way.  Now I have her out of the sling and leaning in the tub - she loves being submerged.  I'd recommend 2-3 towels and 6 washcloths.  She gets a bath about every other day or so.

So yeah, that’s about all I have to say about that (for now)!