Parents: Help Me Figure Out What to Buy

[fci5767]

Ok, my four-month-old foster child will be coming on Tuesday night. I have a few things ready but I'm going to have to do a major Target run later today or tomorrow. I'm also hoping that friends will be able to help out but there's several babies about to be born or are about the same age as mine.

I'm going to post some things below that I know/think that I need to get and a few questions. Let me know if there's anything glaring that I'm missing. I've got a stroller and a baby tub and will pick up a carseat from DSS.


Formula- she's currently on premixed liquid formula but I'll be switching to powdered. She's eligible for WIC but it will take a little time to get her signed up. She's not eating any solids yet but I expect we will start cereal soon.

Diapers/wipes/changing pad- that's easy. Just need to get some. She's still wearing size 1 but I know that probably won't last too much longer. I'll have to provide them for child care (hopefully if she stays longer then I can get her into a Head Start classroom and I won't have to provide anything.)

Bottles- I think she will come with a few. I'm waiting to hear what type she uses so I can be consistant.

Baby Seat

Clothes- I think she is coming with a bunch. Once I hear from her current foster mother, I can decide what we need to get.

Rocking or Glider Chair

Toys

Crib- I've ordered a folding one online but it won't be here for awhile. Got to get something for her to sleep in. Probably a pack n play.


I'm drawing a blank about additional things that I will need in the beginning. Please let me know what essentials to add.

Thanks!

[lindrusso]

Let's see.....

Diaper bag to haul her stuff around? Or is she coming with one?

How about things like "no tears" shampoo? I never used baby powder, but some people like to.

A thermometer for baby - one that you can use in the ear or whatever is the easiest these days? Along those lines - baby Tylenol, etc.

If she starts sitting up and eating solids soon, you'll eventually need a high chair.

Sheets and such for the crib? Especially those liners to keep the mattress from getting wet.

Bibs! Lots of them! :)

Maybe burp cloths, but you may be past that stage already...........but mine spit up until about 6 months, I think.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Best of luck!

[lindrusso]

Oh - what about a baby monitor?

How long will you have her?

Babies often start crawling at about 7 months (some earlier, some later), at which point safety items will come into play - like putting plugs into all the outlets, etc., but you'll be okay for a while yet.

[Andrea_2]

I don't think we could survive without our bouncy seat or swing. Those have been lifesavers for us. Looks like you have everything pretty much covered though. Congratulations!

[MrsReber]

Of course, diaper wipes, diaper cream for rashes (I liked Balmex the best), some spoons and small dishes for meal time once she's eating solids, small blankets, washcloths and nice hooded towels (I liked the bigger ones because I could really wrap the kids up nice in them.

We had a swing, but we also had an infant to toddler rocker. It could vibrate, it had some toys on it, and when DD got a little older, she could use it as a rocker.

Infant Tylenol for those nights of teething! (and maybe some baby orajel).

Teething rings if she'll be with your for a while. I think DD started teething around 5 months- We had at least 3 rings that we kept in the freezer.

Baby nail clipper- those nails grow so fast.

Sunblock! I am always putting sunblock on my kids.

Gentle laundry detergent (we liked Dreft a lot).

Humidifier (vaporizor)- very important once baby gets a cold.

Be careful of getting a pack n' play for every day sleeping. We used our's for vacation, but in the past, there have been some that have collapsed, so be careful about which one you buy. Not sure what the guidelines are.

Don't forget some baby toys, maybe a play mat for "tummy time." My kids loved those simple plastic links that they could hold on to or just chew on. And board books or soft cloth books.

As far as a high chair, we had one, but I wished we had just gotten one of those seats that attaches to the table. It sure would've saved a ton of room. We got one when DS was about 6 months or so. It was great- we could use it at home and it was easy to take it with us when we went out to eat or went to someone else's house for a meal.

We never got a baby rocker or glider- instead we got a glider/recliner that is now able to be used as part of our living room furniture. Also, it was comfortable to sleep in. I hear the regular gliders aren't so comfortable. This was a must for me, since I spent many nights sleeping in that chair with both my kids!!

Most of all- bless your heart for opening your home to a child that needs you. I think that's great!

[fci5767]

Whew, there's a lot of stuff that I still need to get. I'm not sure if the baby will be here for a few weeks or a lot longer. They are checking out a relative but I heard that they've looked at several others who didn't qualify.

The baby doesn't sit up yet so I don't need a high chair yet. I think I'm going to get a booster seat with tray to use instead of a big chair (I don't have a lot of room in my kitchen.)

I'm torn. My Head Start/Early Head Start program is really "anti-container" for babies. We don't use swings, bouncy seats, high chairs, exersaucers, etc. We do understand that parents don't have the same situations at home and there are times when these items are necessary but shouldn't be overused. Our infant rooms have three babies with one adult whose sole responsibility is to care directly for them. No other distractions (cooking, laundry, older children, etc.) I don't plan on getting a swing but I will if this baby really seems to need one. I'll see how it goes. I think I'm going to definitely get a bouncy, or other similar, seat.

We got simple glider chairs at Walmart (I know, I don't like it either but it saves us from having to get multiple bids and it's the only big store in our school's town) for our infant rooms and they are pretty comfortable. I think I'm going to get one of those. I don't have room for something bigger.

I won't need a monitor since my house is pretty tiny. I don't think I'll have a problem hearing her from any place in the house. The pack and play (if my crib doesn't come sooner) will only be used for a day or two until the real crib gets here. I thought I was having a compact wooden crib donated from a friend but she had forgotten she had given it away.

I've already got the outlet covers and kitchen latches. I needed to get them before I had my home inspection. I do need to get gates for the top and bottom of the stairs. I had completely forgotten about those. Luckily she isn't moving yet (other than rolling over.) I've got lots of big blankets for the floor (I'm big on floor time.) I've got a few bibs and burp cloths but have to get a bunch more.

I had completely forgotten about a thermometer, infant tylenol, gentle detergent, teething rings and nail clippers. I'll have to add those to my list.

I have had a lot of experience with infants. I was a nanny for an infant starting when he was six weeks old and have good friends who had twins and triplets (not the same family.) I worked in an infant classroom for about six months years ago. I've rushed a baby to the hospital when he was having febrile seizures (that was pretty scary.) I know that I haven't experienced everything that could happen but I have a pretty wonderful support system at work.

Thanks everyone. I'm now in a frenzy but I have a list of things that I need to get.

[ssgold]

I just saw this article (http://www.parenting.com/parenting/shopping/product/list/0,20818,1224719,00.html) about gear that folds up in Parenting Magazine and I immediately thought of your post.

Another alternative to a high chair is a booster seat. We love the Fisher Price one (http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2001&e=detail&pid=27475). It attaches to any chair and there are two trays that can go in the dishwasher. I actualy keep it my car and use it in restaurants and at friend's houses but I know a lot of people who use it in place of a high chair. My son is 2 and still uses it comfortably, so it will be useful for many of your foster children.

Like other posters suggested, I would put together a first aid kit with infant tylenol, a thermometer (our ped always wants a rectal temp), oralgel, Mylicon gas drops, etc.

Hope that helps!

[LaraW]

If you can get a Boppy Pillow cheap, that might be something to consider. My DS is 7 months old now, but he liked the Boppy for tummy time, and we then used it when he was learning to sit up, but still needed a bit of support.

He also really likes his activity gym. Ours is a baby einstein one, but another brand is Gymni (I think). Both of my kids have liked ours, and played with it for a long time. That might be something to pick up at a garage sale, though.

[jmarie]

I can't remember, but does she need a booster seat/high chair, right now, since she can't sit up well enough? I can't remember the age we started using ours..It has been 23 years since I had to think about these things.... but I was thinking this might be something that the baby won't need right off the bat. I could be wrong and feel free to correct me, if I am.
Joyce

I just wanted to add that you are a very special person to take this little person into your life, to care, love and protect. May God richly bless you.