So many things I wish to jot down here, but most of my time during the long maternity leave was well spent (and now badly missing) with little Raihanna. Definitely no regret there, but I figured I have to write more because I might forget things later on, and this could be a tool to remember :D
I'm back in the office now, starting this week. My mind is still at home, hence I foresee loads of blog post hehe. Let's start with reviewing our baby's checklist. Bear in mind though, each baby stuff really depends on the parents' lifestyle.
a) Newborn diapers.
Was told we don't really need that much. How much is much? We bought two packs (1 huge, 1 small) at Citta Mall (post small baby stuff sale there) months before she arrived. I saved the photo of us buying these, because it finally dawned upon me that we'd be entrusted to take care of a human being.
Guess what? She's done with that, PLUS one whole week's supply from the hospital, PLUS two huge packs (baby gift, thank you dear neighbour! thank goodness we're using the same brand)... in a month and two weeks. That's 4 huge packs, more or less.
I think it depends on how well (or is it frequent) is the feeding. Because for a 2 hours-schedule baby, we changed her after 4 hours. And that is only for wet nappies. Often more than not, she'd poo right after we finish change her on routine (4 hours). So glad we stuck to our gut, and very much thankful for the diaper presents!
She's reaching 3 months soon insya Allah (woah too fast now) and she's only in size S for a month. That equates to 2 and half packs. She's upgrading to M soon, like in a week or two. Alhamdulillah.
b) Newborn clothes.
This time around, the advice does ring true. Fortunately, we've known that way earlier hence we bought loads of 3-6 months. Alhamdulillah, with her size (as of 12th Feb, she's 6.2kg) she has had new clothes presented almost every other week. Her grandma obviously misses her hence weekly shopping, and her own mom never goes to grocery shopping without coming home with a set of two-piece. Don't worry, most of it comes from Anakku or Pureen. I'm still sensible enough as I've got bills to pay :D :D
c) Baby toiletries.
The whole Paraben, SLS, chemical-free thing does concern/attract me so as much as I can, we've been using Pigeon (great brand! great smell too) and Pureen (great wipes & powder, not so for the bath though), Buds lotion and minyak Telon every single time for her bath. We got a set of Pigeon care products from the hospital, and I love each and every of them due to the fact it's mostly chemical free and they smell nice. We started using baby powder after 6 weeks, and only cornstarch powder.
I would also recommend buying cotton balls and bud in bulk size because we used the balls to clean her gums and tongue, and do you know how much earwax does a newborn generate? Be careful though, baby's still small so you can use up to a quarter of the bud. Our baby's ticklish, but hey, it is freaking scary to see bits and pieces hanging out from ears and nose. Hence.
d) Baby cot
Some told us she wouldn't like it, waste of money, harder for night time feedings.. bla bla bla. For us, we just want to train her from the start, and most importantly, everyone to sleep comfortably. We bought two for each house, and so far she sleeps well during the night in her cot. Ha! Her first few weeks, she just would cry and we'd give in.. which is understandable because she just wants the warmth. Now, there is definitely no drama.
I do have to thank my husband cos he's the one putting her back in the cot most of the nights after I fed her.. personally, parenting is all about cooperation. Secondly, i do have torn muscles that needs resting..
e) Swaddle
This is strictly subjective, and when I say this I am referring to the baby. Some likes it, some don't. Please put the baby's comfort way way high in priority than what-the-old-folks-say.. Those stuff about how the legs would be 'kengkang', or how baby wouldn't sit still (and why on earth would you want your child to just SIT?) .. those are just myth.
She was swaddled about a month, and even during that short period she'd be ok for only mid-morning naps. I noticed that, and had her only covered since then. She seems to like moving her hands and legs during both awake and asleep so why not, right?
Material wise, I didn't get the zip up or strap swaddle.. we used the thin blankets (RM 10 each) as well as napkins. I understand these ready made swaddle are cute (albeit expensive), but my daughter does not like being 'contained' . Hehe.
f) Napkins
Yeah we modern-lazy ass parents no longer use them for diapering.. Got a pack of 10s to swaddle, as alas, and recently wiping her drools. They're super soft, we used it to blanket her as well! We bought another pack later though.. a must buy for us!
g) Wet wipes
Buy loads. Boxes of packs, if you can. Not exactly an investment, but for daily users like us, it saves time (quicker clean up then feed), it's cleaner and most importantly, younger babies would cry if we were to wash them by standing them up.
Tried and regretted it.
That's all for now.. will add more when time permits :D
