Q: Buying for baby?
Posted
Saturday, March 31, 2007 5:31 PM
Q: What should we have to be ready for our baby when she comes home?
A: Here's everything you'll need when baby comes... for the first few weeks. Find real mom reviews at lila guide. (Items with a * are must-haves.)
>> Create your own registry
Layette
□ 4-8 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings and loose legs)
□ 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)*
□ 4-8 one-piece pajamas*
□ 2 blanket sleepers for winter baby
□ 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)
□ 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits*
□ 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks)*
□ 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)*
□ No-scratch mittens
□ Bunting bag or fleece suit for winter baby
□ Swimsuit for summer baby
□ Gentle laundry detergent
Nursery
□ Crib, cradle or bassinet*
• Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart
• Corner posts no more than 1/16 of an inch above frame
• No cutouts in headboard or footboard
• Top rails at least 26 inches above mattress
□ Firm, flat mattress fit snugly in crib (less than two fingers should fit between mattress and crib)*
□ 1-3 washable crib mattress pads
□ Bumper pads covering inside perimeter (secured by at least six ties or snaps, with all extra length removed)
□ 2-4 fitted crib sheets*
□ 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets*
□ 1-2 heavier blankets (for colder climates)
□ Rocking or arm chair
□ Music box, sound machine or CD player
□ Crib mobile with black and white images (remove when baby can support self on hands and knees)
□ Baby monitor
□ Nightlight
□ Dresser
□ Toy basket
□ Swing or bouncy chair
Changing
□ Changing table or cushioned changing pad for low dresser or bureau, with safety strap or railing*
□ Changing table pad*
□ Changing table pad cover
□ Diaper pail
□ Diaper pail liners
□ Diaper cream*
□ Unscented baby wipes (causes less irritation)*
□ Soft washcloths*
□ Tissues (for you)
□ 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers*
Bath
□ Baby bathtub
□ Baby soap*
□ Baby shampoo
□ 2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels
□ Baby hairbrush
□ Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)
Feeding
□ 10-16 bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce (if fed strictly by the bottle, baby will go through about ten in the four ounce size per day)*
□ Liners, for disposable bottles
□ Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)
□ Bottle sterilizer (if your dishwasher doesn’t have one)
□ Bottle brush
□ Dishwasher basket for small items
□ 4-8 bibs
□ Burp cloths (or cloth diapers)*
□ High chair
□ 2-4 pacifiers
□ Formula (if not nursing)*
For nursing moms:
□ 1-3
nursing bras (Breasts swell following birth, so start with one size
larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down -- about two
weeks after birth -- to purchase additional bras.)
□ Nursing pads
□ Nipple cream
□ Nursing pillow
□ Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)*
□ Milk storage bags*
Medicine Cabinet
□ Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors*
□ Cotton balls (don’t use swabs to clean baby’s nose or ears)
□ Baby thermometer*
□ Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
□ Medicine dropper or spoon with measurements
□ Petroleum jelly and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)*
□ Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol)
□ Antibiotic cream
□ Infant decongestant or cold medicine
□ Saline nasal drops
□ Baby gas drops
□ Disinfecting hand soap (for you)
Travel
□ Infant or convertible car seat*
□ Stroller (reclining to almost flat for infants)
□ Diaper bag
□ Changing pad
□ Baby carrier/sling
For Mom
□ Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)
□ 2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads
□ Panty liners
□ Hemorrhoid wipes and cream (can become necessary after labor, even if pregnancy was free of problems…sorry)
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