Question about "stocking up" before baby comes

[buffygirl]

For those of you who are already parents, what items should we stock up on before baby comes? I've heard and read lots of conflicting info. Stock up on diapers, don't stock up on diapers (baby may be smaller/larger than expected, certain diapers fit certain babies differently....)

Any who, my normal tendency would be to stock up on stuff and be prepared. I don't see myself having a whole lot of time to go out and shop for diapers, wipes, bf'ing necessities, etc. However, I don't want to waste a bunch of money either...

TIA,
Kim

[MISSINDI]

Stock up on diapers, but just not too many in the smallest size.

Definitely OK to stock up on wipes.

If you're bottle-feeding, you can stock up on formula and many places, i.e., Buy Buy Baby, it's cheaper if you buy it by the case and it has a long expiration date.

You don't want to stock up on clothes in the smallest size as a) if you have a shower, that's usually what most people buy and b) the baby will outgrow that size quickly. BUT, stock up on onesies.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head - hope this helps. :D

[lindrusso]

I do agree about not stocking up too much on newborn-sized diapers and other clothing at the 0-3 month stage. They grow soooo quickly that if you buy too much, you will be stuck with things you may never use. Even my tiny little peanut first son (5 lbs 6 ounces) grew out of the smaller sizes pretty quickly.

I would just get a reasonable supply - maybe for 2 weeks. It's nice to feel prepared, but it's not so hard to run out and get a few more things if you need to - or to send someone out for them.

After 2 weeks, you may really WANT to get out and about a bit anyway. :)

One thing you might want is lots of bibs. You seem to go through those like crazy. If your baby spits up a lot (both of mine did, but not all do), you'll go through lots of them every day and that's even before they start anything more than milk! :)

Now wipes - there's no getting around the fact that you'll need tons of those, so stock away. :D

And if you keep receipts, I'll bet you can return any unopened items pretty easily, so do whatever works best for you.

Alysha

[valchemist]

the main reason for NOT stocking up on diapers (as far as I am concerned) is that your baby may have a reaction to a certain brand or a certain brand may not be good for you. Julia got a rash whenever I put pampers on her and I didn't make the connection for a few weeks. when I switched to huggies, the rash disappeared, never to return. also, I have heard that certain brands just work better for some babies than for others. I think Mrs. Reber (susan) preferred one brand for her girl and another for her boy (but I am sure she will be along to correct me if I am wrong!)

[RebeccaT]

Thanks for starting this thread, Kim. I have been wondering the same thing.

I am planning to get a Sam's membership soon and will use this to stock up on some things, like wipes. We are waiting until we meet BabyT to get many clothes, because we don't know whether to get trucks or flowers! :D

As for diapers, my work gave me a package of newborn size Pampers. I thought I might get another small package of Huggies, just to try them both and see which works for us.

[KimE]

One of the most important things I stocked up on and it was great is easy meals, I made pans of lasagne and froze portions large enough for my DH & me. If someone was visiting I could just pull out 2 portions. I made meatloaf, basically anything that could be homemade and frozen. So much easier and much more handy, not to have to think about what we were going to make or have for dinner. You will have more important things to do with your time!

Also items for you, an extra deoderant, toothpaste, cleaning products.

I would have to day that was one of the best ideas I had received at my baby shower.

Kim

[slknight]

Originally posted by valchemist
the main reason for NOT stocking up on diapers (as far as I am concerned) is that your baby may have a reaction to a certain brand or a certain brand may not be good for you.

Personally, I think the same thing holds true for wipes, and I would *not* stock up on them. Just my 2 cents.

[Laura]

Umm... stocking up on feminine supplies... Trying to explain to my ex-DH the brand that I needed after pregnancy was different from what I usually needed was an experience. :rolleyes:

[jellyben]

I seem to recall sending DH out right after DS was born for cotton balls. I think we needed them to clean his belly button. Of course, DH bought q-tips...

I second having meals on hand. And feminine products.

[hrk]

As other moms have said- Don't stock up on wipes and diapers.
I had three packs of new born diapers at home cause all the books said to stock up and one of the first thing the nurses said when they looked at my son was "we need size 1 diapers this baby is to big for newborns" Yes I had kept the receipt but never got around to returning them, etc and just ended up giving them to a friend who had a new baby a couple of weeks later.
DH or someone else will gladly run to the store and pick up a pack or two of newborn diapers and some hospitals even send you home with an extra supply of them for the first day or two you are at home.
To start off we got one small pack of each type of Diaper and wipe to see which worked best for Logan, and then stuck with that.

But definitely stock up on frozen meals and feminine supplies. I was wearing pads (the extra long, super absorbent) ones for about a week after I got home. So it was nice to have those in the house.

Heather

[Jen]

Originally posted by hrk
I was wearing pads (the extra long, super absorbent) ones for about a week after I got home. So it was nice to have those in the house.
Heather
A week!! More like a month here. :o I had a C-section though, and I think you have a longer period of bleeding on that route.

Anyway, I definitely agree that you shouldn't stock up on diapers or wipes. But check with your hospital - we did need to take diapers with us (they only provided something like 10 - I can't remember now). Just buy one of those smallish newborn packs (or get one from a friend who didn't need them, like I did) and if you really need size 1s, DH can run out for them.

I never understand the whole "running out of diapers" thing. Honestly, we've never really had a problem with this - but we always buy the big warehouse packs from Costco or wherever. They are soooo much cheaper...I can't imagine buying my diapers anywhere else for 25-50% more!! Once we figured out what brands were OK (we're lucky - Amanda is pretty versatile!) we felt fine buying the big package, and it lasts quite awhile. We have come close to running out of wipes a few times, but it's not like they're essential, like diapers are - you can always use washcloths or something until you get some more.

As for other stuff, stocking up on frozen meals is a great idea, as well as quick stuff to make at home when the frozen stuff runs out or if you need a quick lunch - canned or packaged soups, dried pasta and pasta sauces, bread or bagels, etc. We didn't worry too much at the beginning about even attempting complete balanced meals - just getting food in our mouths was hard enough!

[mlynn]

Originally posted by Laura
Umm... stocking up on feminine supplies... Trying to explain to my ex-DH the brand that I needed after pregnancy was different from what I usually needed was an experience. :rolleyes:

Actually, this is the best piece of advice I got from my girlfriends when right before delivery. This may be indelicate, but my advice would be to buy the thick longer sanitary napkins(i.e. the kind in jr. high restroom dispensers) rather than the thinner high tech type. Umm, Tuck's pads kept in the refrigerator may come in handy as well. :o

[LaraW]

We got diapers and wipes from the hospital that kept us for a few days, and there is a Target right next to our dr. office.

The thing that I would really suggest stocking up on is food. I remember stocking my freezer with meals, and that was SUCH a lifesaver for us. You're not going to feel like putting any effort into dinner, and if you are breastfeeding, it is very important to make sure that you are getting adequate nutrition. I'd stock up on other things that are easy to eat 1-handed: cereal, maybe make some muffins or somethign for the freezer that kind of thing. I found those first few weeks that trying to figure out what I needed to buy and then shopping for food was way more exhausting than stopping to pick up diapers. :)

Good luck! :)

[Molli526]

Just to agree with others- you should stock up on are pads- a variety of absorbancies, for the bleeding after. I also made a bunch of food for the freezer, dinners and muffins and that was a godsend. We had enough that we didn't have to cook for about a month! I also got a bunch of paper plates/napkins from work (for free) so that was nice not to have to wash plates etc.

We used the sensitive skin wipes on Charlie for quite a while. He is also a Pampers Boy. We had a newborn pack of each, Pampers and Huggies and both of those were OK, but when we went to the size 1's, the Huggies leaked ALL OVER!!! So not good. We tried them down the road again, to have leaks again. Pampers just fit Charlie better.

[buffygirl]

Thanks ladies! Hadn't thought of the feminine supplies thing...I have been thinking of the food though and plan to start cooking at the end of June and putting things in the deep freeze. I've thought of lasagne, soups, enchiladas (not spicy obviously) and spaghetti sauce so far.

Kim

[Chefzhat]

Make sure you have plenty of laundry detergent - you're going to need it!

Ditto on the feminine products. Also, waterproof matress pads came in handy for breastfeeding/letdown. Also breast shields. I went through bunches the first few weeks.

Lucky you - new babies are fun! Enjoy!

[clairea]

I would advise against stocking up on too many clothes of any size. While it is fairly common for babies to outgrow newborn clothes quickly, you can also have the opposite problem and all those bigger clothes will go to waste as they won't be appropriate for the season when baby grows into them. My children both weight around 71/2 lbs at birth but both lost a lot of weight (around 2lbs) within the first week and then did not gain well for the first few months, and both were still wearing newborn clothes at almost 6 months old.

Claire

[buffygirl]

You all are a wealth of information!

Molli, excellent call on the paper plates and such. Those are not something I keep around the house normally, but what a great idea!

What sort/brand of breast shields work well? I'd like to have some ahead of time just to spare poor DH the anxiety:o

Kim

[stacy7272]

Stock up on sleep! Just kidding - but it would be nice if you could.:D

As for the price of diapers, I find that I can get them cheaper at the grocery store than anywhere else if I time it right. They occassionally go on sale for $7.99 for a jumbo pack and with a doubled $1.00 coupon (many times the coupon will be even more) I get a jumbo pack for $5.99. When you're comfortable with a brand and have to stock up because of a price, size 3 is a safe bet - I think babies/toddlers are in that size for the longest amount of time.

Another possibility is crib sheets. If that diaper leaks in bed (boys are more prone to this but girls are not immune) you'll be needing to change the sheet. Depending on how much you want to spend you might also consider more mattress pads. When I would change the crib sheet after a leak I would have to take the mattress pad off because it was wet but I felt bad putting baby down on just a mattress and sheet - it seems colder and not as comfy.

I saw in a parenting magazine that they have crib sheets with a zipper so you don't have to actually take the whole darn mattress out to change the sheets. You just zip the top off and zip another one on.

[LaraW]

Since your baby is going to be born in the summer and its going to be hot, maybe some ideas of things to stock your freezer with are ready-made hamburgers or other meat that can be grilled.

One thing I did was to cook a couple of whole chickens, and then froze the shredded meat in 2C portions. Its just right for making chicken salad for 2 plus some left over, or any recipe that calls for already cooked chicken.

You can also freeze the stock in portions, and have that ready for soup or anything that needs chicken broth.

[buffygirl]

Originally posted by stacy7272

I saw in a parenting magazine that they have crib sheets with a zipper so you don't have to actually take the whole darn mattress out to change the sheets. You just zip the top off and zip another one on.

Yes, I saw these too and added them to my registry, it sounds like a great idea!

Lara, great idea about the chickens! That is so flexible!

[Kristilyn1]

I WOULDN'T buy huge quantities of:

diapers: the size thing, the rash thing. Babies have an annoying habit of growing out of diapers before you are done--(if that does happen, box them up with the leftover clothes for baby #2) Look for a product called diaper doublers. These are pads that look like feminine pads without the tape--you just stick them in the diaper and they make them more absorbent. Great for finishing up a supply.

clothes: I bought several newborn outfits, neither of my children were able to wear these even to leave the hospital (#2 was less than 8 lbs. so it's not like I'm birthing monsters here). Also, the rule of thumb for my kids was their size was double their age. They were wearing 6 mos. at 3 mos., 12 mos. at 6 mos., etc. Makes it hard to anticipate seasonal needs ahead of time. My niece was the opposite.

bottles/nipples/binkies: a lot of kids I run into are extremely finicky about what kinds of bottles, nipples and binkies they would deign to use. I bought a lot of all of these items until I pleased mine.

Rash creams, lotions, soaps and powder: some babies have sensitive skin and buying industrial size cans of this stuff may go to waste.

Formula: Two of my friends ended up with babies who had to have soy, after they stocked up on something else. Same goes for the kind with iron. Some babies can't handle it.

Baby medications,(infant tylenol, etc.) every pediatrician has different medications they suggest you use and when they can be used, find out first.

I WOULD:

stock up on socks, cloth diapers (they make excellent burping cloths), bibs and onesies in different sizes. I also second the idea of buying lots of sheets.

After having said I wouldn't stock up on a bunch of things above--I would try to have on hand small quantities of different kinds of bottles/binkies, clothes, diapers, formula, creams, soaps etc. so you can try things out or have them when needed. If possible try to get some "samples" from other friends with older babies so you can find what works best for you and your new bundle of joy.

Kristi

[BeckyM]

I agree on the sanitary napkins & Tucks! Also, if you're planning to breastfeed, having a tube of Lansinoh on hand is another thing I'd highly recommend!

I also wouldn't go too hog-wild on the wipes. Our daughter had (and still has) very sensitive skin, so at first we were only using these special dry wipes that we moistened in water when we used them. We then tried regular wipes but fairly quickly switched to the Pampers Sensitive ones, which we have been using ever since.

About the crib sheets -- we found some special waterproof crib sheet "toppers" that have a plastic-y bottom layer, an absorbent middle layer, and a sheet-like top layer. They're the size of the top of the crib mattress, and they have elastic loops which snap around the crib bars to hold it in place. So if you have a leaky diaper in the middle of the night, you simply take off the "topper" and have a sheet & mattress pad ready to go underneath. OR you could have a second "topper" and put that in very quickly & easily. We used these for several months when leak-throughs were somewhat common. I'm pretty sure we found ours at Babies 'R' Us.

I'd also say to have a supply of the pre-folded cloth diapers to use for wiping up spit-up and any number of other baby messes. They're very absorbent (much more so than bibs or other burp cloths), plus they're soft for wiping on baby's skin.

I'm enjoying reading this thread, because baby #2 is due for us in July. It's a good reminder of things I'll need, AND is giving me some good new ideas (particularly about the food).

Becky :)

[newtricks]

Alcohol and q-tips for the belly button. And if you have a boy who's circumcized you need vaseline. Oh, and what ever clothes and bedding that you do have should be washed ahead of time.

Good luck!

[Blissful_in_TX]

As far as Breast pads, go with the disposable Lansinoh. Seriously those are absolutely the best. The hospital should also give you some Lansinoh breast cream, but it’s nice having another tube around if you’ll be BF in a couple different areas.

Do not throw away those free formula checks! Even if you will be BF, few people make it to a year (and if you do, then kudos!) so you’ll likely eventually need them, so might as well cash them in before they expire. And if you don’t need them, you can always donate them to a children’s organization.

To throw in my two cents about diapers…we LOVED Pampers Swaddlers. For wipes I much preferred the Huggies Newborn.

As far as crib sheets, I have NEVER been able to get DS to sleep in his crib (he’s over a year now). So now I regret having all those mattress pads and sheets (especially since they were already washed and non-returnable).

And some people may disagree with me on this, but we LOVED those little gowns for when they're really little b/c it makes diaper changes soooo much easier. DS lived in those for the first several weeks.

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by Blissful_in_TX
And some people may disagree with me on this, but we LOVED those little gowns for when they're really little b/c it makes diaper changes soooo much easier. DS lived in those for the first several weeks.
I loved them too and used them for both my kids.

I think this thread really illustrates the point that babies are so different! You don't know what you'll get. :D

When I was nursing DD and I had disposable breast pads, DS found them and threw some in the toilet. If you've ever wondered how absorbent they are - it grew to the size of a breast implant!!

[Molli526]

Originally posted by Blissful_in_TX


And some people may disagree with me on this, but we LOVED those little gowns for when they're really little b/c it makes diaper changes soooo much easier. DS lived in those for the first several weeks.

Oh no, I completely agree. We LOVED the gowns. I have already planned for not yet #2 to have a few more gowns b/c they just made life easier.

[cchhbb]

Now they don't require any care for the cord stump. They just say leave it alone so no need to stock up with anything there.

I bought a ton of diapers when Costco had them on sale during the last few months. I even borrowed coupons from people who weren't going to use them. I also bought some formula since it was $5 off too. I'm breastfeeding, but it's nice to have it around. Costco is great about taking things back, you don't even need a receipt. I know I can always use a gift card there.

Cheryl

[magdon]

I had lots of crib sheets but only 2 cradle sheets and that is where DS slept for the first 3 months or so (when he wasn't sleeping with us). And cradle sheets are not as available so that is something to think about if you are going that route.

I think we used Viva paper towels and warm water instead of wipes for the first couple of weeks but now we go through them like gangbusters.

And Tuck's pads. Definitely.

And some big blankets for swaddling (or the swanky velcro swaddlers). More than one b/c they'll get wet too.

[Blissful_in_TX]

It also just occurred to me...if you’re nursing, make sure you have a good BF reference book. Read it before baby comes and then hold on to it for when problems come (and most of the time there ARE challenges….BF can be very difficult!) I think I had The Nursing Mother's Companion. Also, I wasn’t wearing breast shields in the hospital b/c my milk hadn’t come in yet, but I was using the breast cream. Well that stuff stained my nursing bra, so learn from my mistake! And by far my favorite nursing bras were Bravado. At first I gawked at the price, but they are so comfortable. That’s all I wore towards the end of my pregnancy.

[mlynn]

Originally posted by stacy7272



I think this thread really illustrates the point that babies are so different! You don't know what you'll get. :D

When I was nursing DD and I had disposable breast pads, DS found them and threw some in the toilet. If you've ever wondered how absorbent they are - it grew to the size of a breast implant!!

I guess it's not only babies that are different--I bought a huuuge box of nursing pads because all my gf's told me I wouldn't be able to leave the house without leaking. Of course, I never leaked once in the 14 months I BF'd my son. But, they were one of his favorite playthings while I was in the shower. He'd take them out of the box, put them in the box, take them out again...

We also liked the gowns, but DS was so tall he feet were sticking through the end in a month. I would suggest buying a Sleep Sack or two. They were great since I could easily change him at night without taking the whole thing off (the zipper is at the bottom end) and I didn't have to worry about him kicking off a blanket.

[newtricks]

Originally posted by cchhbb
Now they don't require any care for the cord stump. They just say leave it alone so no need to stock up with anything there.


Really? man, things change quickly! My youngest is only 3, I wish I hadn't had to do all that swabbing, kind of grossed me out. Oh well:)

This thread is really showing that while the idea of stocking up before baby comes seems like a good one, it's hard to know what you'll need. By my third I didn't prepare anything! DH literally had to go buy her some outfits while I was in the hospital. With my first I gave away tons of newborn diapers because he was a big big boy. And I never used all the crossover shirts or "bag" sleepers. they just weren't for me.

Parenting is all about flexibility and adaptability! And doing what works for YOU and the baby.:)

[slknight]

Originally posted by mlynn


I guess it's not only babies that are different--I bought a huuuge box of nursing pads because all my gf's told me I wouldn't be able to leave the house without leaking. Of course, I never leaked once in the 14 months I BF'd my son.

Yep, you just never know. I nursed DS for 15 months and never leaked or used nursing pads. I also don't like the gowns, but that's because I didn't like having to pull them over DS's head when he was still in that really "floppy" baby stage. I much preferred things that snapped up the front.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by newtricks
Really? man, things change quickly! My youngest is only 3, I wish I hadn't had to do all that swabbing, kind of grossed me out. Oh well:)

Ours will be 3 in August and DH did all the care. We did have to the swabbing. Funny thing is, we never could find it when it fell off. He had it on when he went to bed, off the next morning, and searched high and low - never did turn up. Happened with a goldfish once --- went to bed, he was in his bowl, next day, vanished. The stump and the fish are probably in the same place where all the socks go when they disappear from the dryer.

OT for Barbara -- went to Madison today for lunch (dogs got groomed in Chatham) and visited Beau at the Waverly. My sister and I LOVED their mac and cheese, and my son is now a new convert. Saw that Baskin Robbins is gone and Carvel is there - very cool!

Back on topic -- I loved Sleep Sacks! They were great for keeping our son warm, without having to worry about suffocation with blankets (though interestingly enough, my mom said that they were never told that was a problem when she had me!).

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by newtricks


Really? man, things change quickly! My youngest is only 3, I wish I hadn't had to do all that swabbing, kind of grossed me out. Oh well:)

Yes, we are already being set up to be the Grandmother/MIL who doesn't know what she's doing! :D

I too, loved the sleep sack! We only had one and it was VERY difficult to take a break from it and wash it. It is so much nicer than having to bundle in tons of layers when it's cold.

[erinl]

DD will be three in July and we were told not to do anything with her cord stump--just keep it dry. It probably depends on what hospital you're at, too. My new suburban pediatrician was surprised that the city hospitals are still giving the first hep B shot before baby goes home.

[newtricks]

Originally posted by stacy7272

Yes, we are already being set up to be the Grandmother/MIL who doesn't know what she's doing! :D


Oh, you're so right and we'll be making disparaging comments like the ones my mom makes about car seats. :rolleyes:

You know those fabric things that people put in grocery carts now to protect their kids from germs? Weren't around when my kids were babies so... I sort of laugh at them as if the parents using them are overprotective. Even though they really are a great idea and grocery carts gross me out!!:p

[newtricks]

Originally posted by MISSINDI

OT for Barbara -- went to Madison today for lunch (dogs got groomed in Chatham) and visited Beau at the Waverly. My sister and I LOVED their mac and cheese, and my son is now a new convert. Saw that Baskin Robbins is gone and Carvel is there - very cool!

Back on topic -- I loved Sleep Sacks! They were great for keeping our son warm, without having to worry about suffocation with blankets (though interestingly enough, my mom said that they were never told that was a problem when she had me!).

OMG, I think I ate their mac and cheese every DAY when I was pg. As a side!!!:o My kids are so into Carvel. Most Friday afternoons they are at the benches under the clock eating crazy cotton candy ice cream.

And the whole no blankets/ babies sleeping on their backs thing is another great example of how things change. It makes some people crazy that babies sleep on their backs now. It is counterintuitive actually.

[misskitty100]

One thing I wished I had stocked up on was plain t-shirts for myself. I wore my regular clothes after coming home from the hospital and they ALL ended up stained and ruined from leaking b/milk or spit ups etc. I think my son was about 2 months old when I went to my local craft store and bought a bunch of plain white Hanes Beefy-T's (they were 2 for $5) and started wearing those around the house instead.

[cminmd]

My best friend was pregnant this winter with her second. Since they knew she was going to be a girl like her big sister they didn't need a lot of clothes and supplies. Instead of a traditional baby shower our very creative friend threw her a "dinner' shower instead. She mailed out invitations with tupperware containers, reheating instrutions and lables. Everyone made a dinner in the tupperware for after the baby was born. About 20 meals for mommy, daddy and older sis. What a great idea!

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by newtricks


Oh, you're so right and we'll be making disparaging comments like the ones my mom makes about car seats. :rolleyes:


My MIL does the same thing! I can't understand it! And she thinks the whole bit about putting car seats in the backseat is ridiculous... "How on earth are you supposed to tend to a screaming baby while you're driving if it's in the back seat?" Yikes! Talk about a driving hazard!!! :eek:

[jellyben]

Originally posted by MISSINDI


Ours will be 3 in August and DH did all the care. We did have to the swabbing. Funny thing is, we never could find it when it fell off. He had it on when he went to bed, off the next morning, and searched high and low - never did turn up. Happened with a goldfish once --- went to bed, he was in his bowl, next day, vanished. The stump and the fish are probably in the same place where all the socks go when they disappear from the dryer.



The same thing happened to DS1's stump. Never did find it. We did have 2 dogs at the time, but we prefer not to connect those 2 facts..

[zippy478]

Like someone else said - it's amazing how different things are. I just had my first and when MIL had her kids - they slept on their tummy - a big no-no now.

Anywho...I second the idea of food in the freezer - we didn't really have a lot (we moved the day we brought DS home!) and I think that was a major contributor to non-successful BF'ing. I know that I *needed* to eat but I just didn't have the energy to prepare meals. I love the idea of a "food" shower - I'm going to have to remember that one.

We loved the sleep gowns - it made changes in the middle of the night very easy.

We stocked up on wipes but we weren't able to start using them until DS's circumcision site healed so we had those blue and white cloths and a little bowl for warm water for diaper changes. The hospital was great and sent us home with a huge supply of stuff. We asked for stuff and they also gave us stuff. Ask the hospital because you never know what they will give you. We literally came home with doubles of everything - diapers, formula samples, cloths for wiping, tucks and other "mommy" supplies. I second the suggestion to get the thick junior high dispenser pads.

The other thing we use a lot of is receiving blankets. We would use those at first instead of bibs because they covered more of DS. We still use them a lot. They are great to cover you, too when you need to burp baby. DS spit up a lot in the first few weeks and these were great to wipe up the mess. We didn't bother with burp cloths because they are so much smaller.

[BeckyM]

What a GREAT idea for a shower for a second (or third, or fourth . . .) baby! I've heard of people doing a "consumables" shower for things like diapers & wipes, but I hadn't heard of doing food for the family. Since I'm pregnant with #2 right now, and it's another girl (so no great need for baby clothes), if anyone asks me for ideas, I'll suggest that! With baby #1, I had at least some time to make meals and get them in the freezer ahead of time. I KNOW that will be more challenging this time around, so it would be a wonderful gift to know I had some meals all stacked up in the freezer, ready to be heated up. Thanks for sharing that idea! (And even if no one does that for ME, it's a great idea to keep in mind for other friends of mine who are also having baby #2.)

Becky :)

[buffygirl]

Thanks everyone for such great suggestions and insight!

I started baking muffins over the weekend, then sealed them up with the Food Saver and threw them in the deep freeze. I'm so paranoid of going into labor early and not having anything to eat once I get home:o Silly, I know.

Kim