Amber and I attended a baby class at the local hospital this past weekend. We learned about changing diapers, dressing, car seats, sleep habits, making formula, bottles, and much more stuff that I have already forgotten. And we got our baby manual. (So glad the thing comes with a manual!!) After the baby class we picked up Amber's mom and we went to Target to make a registry. (Brian is ashamed to admit he had a mini-breakdown at the big box store. Brian is not a good shopper.) It was decided that several crucial items required more research before scanning into the registry, including: bottles, formula, stroller, carseat(s), and slider (aka rocking chair).
Lingering questions .... do you buy "organic" baby formula? Does that matter? Or is it okay to feed your baby all the bovine growth hormone it can drink? Should you buy size 1 diapers or newborn size diapers? If 10 pounds is the cutoff, and if we're gonna pack a months supply of diapers (80/week * 4-5 weeks.... and do you really have to change a baby 10+ times a day?!?!?) in the luggage, then will the baby hit 10 pounds WHILE we're in India?
Should we have "his and hers" car seats? I mean, we have two cars and both work in different locations and we will both have to go back to work at least part time fairly soon because the amount of PAID leave is about enough for India and another couple of weeks and that's IT. So do we really want to have only one car equipped for baby? And if so then will we be willing to prepare the other car in a pinch when its twenty degrees below zero and we're in a hurry? What makes a good rocker/glider and how can you pick one online without a test drive?
Fun stuff!!
You can buy diapers in India. Ditto for formulas. We didn't use organice formula but now that they ahve converted to whole milk, we always buy organic. Some have concluded that BGH might be a culprit for all the precocious puberty that is occuring in girls 8-9 years old or boys also. I can't imagine it's a good thing when one's biological clock is disturbed like that.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you got a manual. In many ways babies are like toys and other gadgets. The only thing is that there is no OFF switch...
LOL
Enjoy
I vote two car seats, and pick up a used one from a friend if you don't think you'll use the second one much. We only have one brand of organic formula here, so will be interesting to see what you discover as we never researched that. And bubs doesn't have to be changed 10 times a day if you use good nappies. We average about 6 a day, but maybe more if lots of solid stuff is coming out.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with it all!!
How wonderful - shopping for baby and worrying about formula and nappies and not cycling or getting pregnant. A long time coming but so worth it. You're almost there!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying yourselves! Shopping is so much fun. Make sure you get some cute things for the baby while you're at it. Being practical is good, but frivolity is fun too. :)
ReplyDeletexxx
changing 10 times a day is a little excessive and you can always buy more diapers in India if you need to.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't do organic formula, now that she's on table food we do organic as much as possible, but not exclusively. I'm not sure why we didn't do organic formula...price I guess.
for the car seat, the infant seat that just plugs into the base is great, then you just need one car seat with two bases. They are also easier because you don't have to wake a sleeping baby to get in/out of the car, and they make it much easier to keep the little one warm during the cold Alaskan winters.
There are usually only one or two choices of gliders in department stores. I recommend checking out furniture stores. They usually have a much better selection.
We got organic formula, which we ordered in bulk online (http://www.naturesone.com/), direct from the company and it was very inexpensive that way--less even than buying non-organic brand names in the store. (Side note: they say the formula is a toddler formula b/c they want people to breastfeed [grr, some of us can't--and some don't want to!] but it has all the same nutritional components of a "baby" formula--they have detailed analysis charts on their website, which were very thorough. We checked with the pediatrician, who said it was fine).
ReplyDeleteAs for diapers, I'd expect the baby to need newborn ones the whole time you're in India. We're not seeing too many 8-10lb babies being born over there. It doesn't hurt to have both, just in case, and we put Bella in a few size 2s in a pinch and they worked. And as people said, you can certainly buy diapers in India.
As for the car seat, I agree with Amanda--one car seat, two bases.
Baby shopping is confusing, but exciting. Isn't it nice to be picking furniture and formula and not worrying about whether a transfer will take?
I'm so excited for you guys!
Although I havent bought much for our babies I went "shopping" several times now. Every baby store excursion gives me more and more knowledge. Soon I will be ready to just go and buy anything we need. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad that everything is going well with your pregnancy and that you are all ready and have "the manual" :)
Wishing you all the best with everything ... specially with the registry :)
Ula
This is an exciting time that spirals towards better and better each day. Try to enjoy each choice and decision as they bring you closer to your family.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed the classes we took too.
BEST WISHES IN THE COMING WEEKS!!!!
How exciting for you to be at this stage!
ReplyDeleteWe did the organic baby formula thing (Earth's Best) once our sons moved on from a neonatal formula -- they never really liked it. We've been through lots of different brands and types since, and ultimately found that the gentle versions of any of the major brands work good (we've even tried the Sam's Club brand and they like that the best!) One of our daughters has milk protein allergy so she gets Alimentum or Nutramigen (expensive and horrible smell to them... but she has done very well on them and worth every penny we pay for it).
Size NB diapers work fine up to about 8 lbs, then we switched to size 1. Even if your baby is around 7-8 pounds at birth, she / he won't put much weight on for the first 2 weeks so the NB will be pretty safe to take. They are notched out so they don't irritate the umbilical cord. Pampers Sensitive work great for us -- 4 babies and NEVER a serious diaper rash. As to the numbers needed, we find that babies are highly variable as to their tolerance of this. Ours sons never cried with a soiled diaper, but one of our daughters simply won't stand for it (even though the diapers are excellent at keeping them dry)
Agree with other on 1 infant carriers with a base in each vehicle. You don't want to be fooling around with belts in winter -- just snap in and go. Get a carrier that is good to over 30" / 30 lbs (Chico or Graco sell in this size range) and you'll be good for the first year (most likely, although one of our sons may be too long soon...)
Good luck with the rest of your shopping!
I have meltdowns in Target trying to decide which brand of white t-shirts to buy. I can't even imagine your stress! Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mama!!!!! So excited for you & Brian and the little pumpkin! :)
ReplyDeleteYay, Amber gets to shop! So fun!
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