Having everything you need for the baby before bringing your newborn home is a good idea for a new parent. But what to give a newborn baby?
Keep in mind that you never need as much as you think you will need. Be realistic. Do you really need a bottle warmer? If you are a parent who can afford it and wants it even if you don’t need it, go for it. Just know that in a few months you will probably resell it because you have realized that some things are more troublesome than they are worth.
I advise having the daycare set up, supplies in place, clothes washed and ready to go, three to four weeks before the due date. That way, even if your baby is early, she will be prepared. It’s so much easier to go home from the hospital when you know you have everything you need close at hand.
Below is a list of must-have items for your baby’s comfort and safety.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
• Bassinet, Co-Sleeper / Crib or Pack and Play for your bedroom.
For the first 12 weeks, you will feed your baby every 2 to 4 hours, so keeping him in your room will save you from having to come and go to the baby’s room. It is also good for keeping your baby cuddled and close. Your newborn has just arrived from a compact space, so he likes to feel comfortable. I recommend using the bassinet instead of the crib until your baby can roll over or there is no room for him to stretch. You will only need it for the first few months, but you will be really happy to have it!
• Cot and mattress
When your baby’s bassinet is too small, it will be time for the crib. Make sure you buy one that meets current safety standards and make sure the mattress fits snugly on the sides so the baby doesn’t move or get trapped underneath.
• Baby sling
Every mom I know SWEARS on a sling or some kind of baby carrier. It allows you to be mobile and keep your baby physically connected to you. Make sure it provides adequate head and neck support and is made from a washable fabric. It should feel comfortable for you and allow you to carry your baby in or out. At first, you want to have her looking inward. As he gets older, he will want to face off so he can see the world.
• Changing mat
This is a plastic pad that you put on to change your baby. You can put a towel on top or use a cover so your baby doesn’t feel the cold plastic. If you have the budget, you can also buy a changing table, although it’s not really a necessity. The amount of time you will use it is very short.
• Baby carrier / Car seat / Stroller
I am a huge fan of the ‘system’. It is a baby carrier that connects to the car and the accessories of the stroller. They make it much easier for you and your baby to get from the house to the car and stroller. Be sure to inspect or install your car seat at the hospital where you will deliver. You won’t be able to leave the hospital with your newborn without a proper car seat, so have it installed 1 week before your due date, if you can.
• High chair
You won’t need a high chair until your baby is at least 5-6 months old, so you may want to put off this purchase for a while.
• Baby Bumbo Sitter
Once your baby is around 3 months old and has some neck control, this is great! They can sit on it for everything.
• Baby bath
It’s important to start with a small bathtub because in a small space with just a little water, you gain confidence in how to hold and handle your baby. I love the ones that wear a sling because up to 3 or 4 months they don’t have neck control. The sling helps you keep them in place.
• Bouncing / vibrating seat and / or swing
Having a safe place to put your baby while cooking or dressing is vital and babies love the movement they provide.
OTHER EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
• Large and comfortable rocking chair
• Sound machine: they are great to help calm your baby. They reproduce sounds of the mother’s womb, sounds of water, sounds of nature, etc. They even come in soft stuffed animals.
• Baby Monitoring System – There are now many options including video monitoring systems so you can see the baby in his crib. Dual or multiple monitors are a must if you have multiple levels in your home or your master bedroom is on a completely different level. There are also remote paging systems so you can hook it up and listen to it as you move from room to room.
• Breast pumps and accessories
• Nursing pillows: I like the Boppy. It can also be used by the baby, so it has multiple purposes. The Brest Friend, however, provides good support and leverage and has a strap that can be tied around it if you need to move. It also has a zippered bag for storing things.
• CD player with headphones and audiobooks: for you when you are awake at night with the baby
• Baby Car Mirror – Since children look back until they are about a year old and / or over 20 pounds, I love this. Allows you to see your baby through your rear view mirror. Some of them will even entertain your baby with lights and songs.
• Activity Mat or Baby Crib / Gym Mobile: If you get a crib or play mobile, make sure it’s colorful and musical. The same goes for activity mats. Make sure toys include mirrors and sounds.
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING
I highly recommend all cotton. It is gentle and can be washed in hot water to sterilize. Everything should be washed with a mild detergent, such as Dreft, before coming into contact with your baby. For the first six months, wash babies’ clothes separately from other clothes. Baby bedding should keep your newborn comfortable and safe. Use only quality breathable materials and avoid fluffy things until your baby can move items like blankets from his face.
• 3 adjustable stretch cotton sheets for the bassinet and then for the crib
• 4 cotton blankets that can be used for wrapping
• 3 warmer blankets
• 2 mattress protectors
• Lots of burp cloths (cloth diapers) that can be used to clean spit up and all kinds of dirt.
• 2 towels and hooded cloths
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING
When it comes to baby clothes, it’s all about layers. One key thing to know is that babies cannot regulate their temperature very well until they are around six months old. It is very easy for them to overheat or get too cold. It is up to you to maintain the proper temperature through layers of clothing and the use of blankets.
Think of the practicality and ease of dressing. Make sure the crotch opens easily to change the diaper. Soft, easy-to-change outfits are recommended, as you will likely change your baby several times a day.
• 4-6 sleepers
• 5-7 one-piece garments
• 3-4 dresses / kimonos
• 5-7 comfortable outfits for the day
• 8-10 undershirts
• 3-4 bibs
• 4-5 pairs of socks or booties
• 3 cotton caps / hats
• 2 sweaters if it is winter
• 1 snow suit or fleece if it is winter
Optional: a sleeping bag. These are making their way from Europe – they are a brilliant way to keep baby warm at night without blankets, which the baby can remove. It’s like a sleeping bag, but it has open arms for ventilation and a zippered bottom for easy diaper changes.
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
• Diapers – Your baby will go through approximately 5,000 diapers before being potty trained! And in the first few days, you may change your baby up to 12 times a day. Whether you plan on using disposables, recycled fabrics, or a diaper service, make sure you have plenty on hand.
• Wet diaper wipes: I like the unscented ones for the first few months.
• Diaper Bag – Get a nice durable bag with big pockets and make sure it always has:
• 4-5 diapers
• Wet diaper wipes
• Cloth diapers / burp cloths to clean spits and spills
• Diaper sacks for dirty diapers
• Cream against rashes
• Antibacterial gel to clean your hands
• Pad changer
• A change of clothes from head to toe
• Replacement pacifier
• 1 bib
• A pair of stuffed animals and rattles
• 1 bottle of water that can be used to make a bottle
• 1-2 bottles
• Formula
ESSENTIALS FOR BREASTFEEDING
• 2-4 nursing arms
• A box of disposable breast pads
• Nipple cream
• Either an electric breast pump or a manual breast pump
• Breast milk storage containers
• A kit or bag to hold your milk bottles and ice packs.
• At least 2 bottles
• A good support book: I like La Leche League’s ‘The Feminine Art of Breastfeeding’
FOUNDATIONS FOR BOTTLE FEEDING AND PUMPING
• 6-8 slow flow or folded neck bottles with soft nipples
• Bottle brush and optional disinfection system: it is important to wash the bottles well after each use and then disinfect them at least every 2-3 months. You will also want to sterilize the parts of your breast pump if you are expressing milk.
OTHER ESSENTIALS
• Baby thermometer
• Baby soaps and lotions
• Shampoo without tears
• Bath toys
• Baby oil
• Ointment for diaper rash
• Vaseline
• Sterilized cotton balls
• Baby scissors / clippers
• Baby brush / comb
• Rub alcohol
• Q-tips
• 3-4 pacifiers
• Nasal Suction Bulb Syringe – Usually supplied by the hospital, so be sure to take it with you
• Hypoallergenic laundry detergent (without dyes) that is mild.
• Night lite
• Several good parenting books: I like ‘Secrets Of The Baby Whisperer’ by Tami Hoag and ‘The Happiest Baby On The Block’ by Harvey Karp
Being prepared for your newborn will help to eliminate as much of the worries you may have about being a parent as possible so that you can enjoy the process. It’s so much easier to feel safe coming home from the hospital when you know you have everything you need close at hand. Enjoy your new baby!