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While the parents-to-be wade through the vast assortment of products to determine what they need, I do a little bit of the same. After all – what types of things does a grandma need? We’ve created a first time grandma checklist to answer that question.
Here you’ll find the practical as well as the philosophical things that will make our grandparenting lives (and thus our grown kids lives) easier!
Adjust your list to the needs of your family.
Do they visit frequently but don’t stay long?
Are they arriving once a month and stay for several days?
Is their visit the highlight of your year?
Are they flying? Driving?
Have a conversation with your adult kids and ask them what would be helpful for their visit.
Grandma’s House Checklist
Diapers, wipes and a changing pad.
Parents can’t ever have enough diapers stashed.
They store them in the worry that they have underestimated how many they need when they come to visit you!
Make sure you check with them on brands and size and buy exactly what they use.
When it is about time to switch to a bigger size, make sure you send your supply with them, and then purchase the new size for your house.
Pack ’n Play
Having a safe place for baby to sleep is priceless! And as a parent, not having to lug around a Pack ’n Play is right up there too!
There are some great options available, and they all store nicely.
Check out the Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard.
If we didn’t already own a pack and play, it’s the one I would buy.
Some Soothing Sounds – White Noise
Is baby used to sleeping with some white noise? Here are a couple of affordable solutions for your house.
Who knows, after baby goes home, you might find that these little machines help you sleep too!
The Yogasleep machine is very small, battery operated and portable – think stroller and car rides.
The Easysleep Sound White Noise Machine also gets great reviews. This will be the one for me.
I like it’s small size, the timer feature, and that it is powered by AC – so no worries about batteries running down at a critical time!
Exersaucer
An exersaucer was one of my favorite purchases after our first grandchild arrived. She had so much fun in it!
Now after a couple of kids, we are looking for a replacement, and I think we’re landing on the ORIBEL PortaPlay Baby Activity Center.
I really like the learning toys included (not an overwhelming amount!) And that it can be transformed into a table when baby gets a little older.
Add in the fact that the legs fold for storage, and it seems like a clear winner!
Bouncer/Rocker
What?! Put the baby down? Yes, you will need to put the baby down every once in awhile, and when you do, these little seats are great.
You’ll be able to keep an eye on that little sweetie while he/she relaxes in her comfy vibrating seat complete with toys and music.
Always remember – we never leave baby unattended in these little seats!
Extra Outfits
Hit up the sale section, or a consignment store in your area and pick up an emergency outfit or two.
It’s hard to pack enough outfits for babies!
In fact if you’re heading out with baby, you might toss in an extra shirt for yourself too!
Just last weekend, we saw a baby, mom and grandma in the middle of an emergency diaper change, and let’s just say grandma really wished she had a change of clothing too.
Kitchen Items
Bottles
Get the kind your grown kids recommend.
Sippy Cups
We love these ‘no bite’ cups and have used them with multiple grandkids now.
Plastic Plates and Bowls/Snack Containers
My daughter would choose some very classy colors that go with her home decor.
But since these kitchen essentials won’t be part of our everyday look I have a ton of fun picking fun colors and patterns.
I think the kids will remember me for them haha!
Baby Spoons
My how things have changed since my kids were little.
These spoons are part teether, part trainer, and all practical for baby’s first foods!
The Medicine Cabinet
Have a thermometer on hand. You will need it. Trust me.
I can’t count the times one of the two girls have come down with a little something while they were here.
At first we were ‘guesstimating’ their temps, but now we have a thermometer so we have facts to go on.
There are lots of options – get whatever you feel the most comfortable with.
I also stock my daughter’s preferred infant medicine here.
Do I give it to them without asking her? No way!
But as I mentioned before, we’ve needed it more than once while they were visiting.
Not running to the store in the middle of the night is so worth it!
Toys
Don’t go crazy! Just pick up some classics! I steer away from toys that need batteries, or the small items that are probably already in the diaper bag.
A Soft Crinkly Book to Experience
Just for Grandma Checklist
An Athletic Position
Not just for wrangling the baby! We like to say we are in an ‘athletic position’ because you just never know what a baby is going to need.
Hold your plans lightly when they visit, because sometimes better memories may come from changing plans.
Kleenex
I always have a box on hand, not just for little tiny runny noses, but for this grandma when they pack up and leave. Every. Single. Time. But not in front of them of course!
The Power of a Praying Grandparent (Book)
If you are a grandma who prays, this book will offer lots of suggestions on how to pray for your grandkids.
We believe it’s one of the best gifts you can give them!
A Journal or Designated Planner Page
When your visit is over, write down your favorite moments or milestones you were able to be part of.
You know – it is all the moments I was going to write down about my own kids when they were little, but somehow didn’t. I am making up for it!
A Sense of Humor
Sometimes it’s just better to laugh.
When you are changing the diaper for the third time in a row, when your house has become a baby obstacle course, when you are trying desperately to get that squirmy body into a onesie….go ahead and laugh and delight at that amazing little creation who is making all of ‘this’ possible!
What types of items do you find indispensible to have on hand? I’d love to know!
Here’s to preparing for visits from the best little ones in the world!
Wonderful article!!!! My youngest grandchild is 3 now. How about compiling a list for older age range. 16-3. Can’t decide what to keep, what to get rid of. We are downsizing. Time to go thru the books, and keep the favs…? Then the toys…
Thanks so much for that suggestion! We’re guessing you aren’t alone in trying to figure out the best things to keep as you downsize. Be on the lookout for a post on this subject soon!