amaebi519's Profile

I lived in a non-English speaking country for a while and took pics of business cards, addresses, etc. - made it a lot easier to communicate with cab drivers. Great tip for travel, too!

Love the egg carton photo!

It's true that kids need so little beyond love! That said, different kids really do respond to different things for comfort or stimulation, and it's really unpredictable.

My musts were: glider, crib, sling, diaper bag, high chair, travel system, a blanket that zips onto the carrier, Medela's microwave sterilizing bags, swaddling blankets (most receiving blankets are actually too small!), sleeveless sleeping bags for when they are too mobile to sleep swaddled, mesh feeders (great for teething, too), Dollarama's socks (the only ones that stayed on), and a billion terrycloth hand towels (as burp cloths). I also loved the boutique bibs and matching burp cloth sets (eBay) for going out - I wanted stylish bibs since they totally covered any cute outfits anyway!

I would avoid things like wipes warmers, bottle warmers, undershirts, crib bumpers (dangerous) and the whole matchy-matchy room set, any scented products (including scented butt creams), snack dispensers (spilled all over anyway). If you really 'need' scratch mitts, just put socks on their hands instead.

The teepees are more of a gag gift...If a boy has an erection when you want to change him, just switch out the diaper as fast as you can - don't bother wiping or using vaseline, because you don't have time! Also make sure the penis is pointing down when you fasten the diaper.

Good luck, and remember that the sleepless stage only lasts a few months (whew). Have fun!