Checklist: Buying for Baby

Posted Friday, March 23, 2007 7:22 PM

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.)

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)*

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

□ 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)