What You Need Before Bringing Home Baby

Each time I have had one of my four children, I arrived home only to discover that I had forgotten to purchase something important that I needed.

Really, you would think by, at least, number four I could have remembered.

But every time I was busy preparing for the birth and just walking around with that foggy pregnancy brain and a miserable body.

So I hope to help other parents out by creating a comprehensive list of things needed before bringing home baby I created while the memories were still fresh in my mind following the birth of my last child.

Diapers: First on the list, of course. And I really think it’s self-explanatory!I strongly recommend the Pampers Swaddlers. With a cut out notch for the umbilical cord, these diapers were the only diapers where baby seldom suffered leaks. And Pampers offers a rewards programfor loyal customers where you can cash in points for awesome gifts!

A diaper pail such as the Diaper Genie is an optional purchase. However, I only owned one with one of my children and during that time, I think it was used to one fill up. It was too much hassle!

Lastly, don’t forget to stock on the baby wipes! You may even want to consider the optional baby wipe warmer – baby will really love you for it!

Clothing: You don’t need a whole fancy wardrobe for your newborn, just some essentials. I recommend plenty of onesies for a baby born in the warmer months and sleepers for babies born in colder weather. Purchase a couple of “going out” outfits for those visits to the pediatrician’s office.As for sizing, that can be a bit difficult. Every one of my children have easily fit into the newborn sized clothing for at least a couple of weeks. My last child, the largest of the four, weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces at birth and was 20 inches long to give you a general idea.

If this is your first child, I recommend purchasing a couple of newborn sizes but actually accumulating more of the 0-3 month size. After all, it’s easier to grow into something a little larger than it is to have too many things that are too small.

In addition, don’t forget the baby mittens, socks, and bibs!

The Smell Good Stuff: This is my favorite part of newborns! You’ll need on hand lotions (I highly recommend Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream as it was the only lotion capable of clearing up that newborn baby dry skin) and body wash (can be used as a shampoo too for the first few months).

And thinking about all the good stuff, brings up a common question: Do I need towels and washcloths specifically made for babies? The answer is no. While some may enjoy them – I personally found them to be a wasted expense – they aren’t necessary. Regular sized towels and washcloths will suffice.

Lastly, you may also consider purchasing a baby bathtub and/or sponge mat; although baby won’t be able to use these products until the umbilical cord falls off 7 – 10 days following birth.

Car Seat: With a newborn, you’ll need a rear facing infant carrier. You may also wish to combine this option with a stroller and get it as an all-in-one package; or better known as Travel Systems. I’ve found that you get a much better deal when you purchase the Travel Systems, but it is purely optional.

Bedding: If you’re not planning on co-sleeping, I recommend starting off with a bassinet (and fitted bassinet sheets). The small, tight space helps baby adjust to life outside the womb.My oldest two slept in a crib from the beginning. I know realize just how much I wish I had started them with a bassinet instead. However, if you prefer to start with a crib that is perfectly okay too. Just don’t forget the crib set!

Feeding:You’ll first need to decide if you want to breastfeed or bottlefeed or both (supplement breastmilk with formula)

.For breastfeeding:Nursing pads, Nursing bra, and nipple cream. Although optional, a nursing pillow is a very convenient item to have on hand.

For bottle feeding: 4 oz (or 8 oz if you prefer) bottles (Dr. Brown’s bottles comes highly recommend by many parents) and extra nipples.

Frequently you see discussions on whether to purchase a bottle warmer. Personally I have found this to be a waste of money and never work very well.

Lastly, for bottle feeding, you will need baby formula. Most pediatricians will leave your newborn baby on the same formula used at the hospital unless problems, such as reflux, arise. And it seems that the majority of hospitals today are using Similac Advanced. However, I recommend checking with the hospital where you intend to deliver to ask what formula they use so that you can stock up before baby’s arrival.

The Medicine Chest: Alcohol prep pads (for the umbilical cord), thermometer, Vaseline (especially for circumcisions), Q-tips, bulb syringe, and Mylicon drops.When I had my first child, it was also recommend to keep Tylenol and similar products on hand. However, by the time I had my last child, this is no longer acceptable. If your child appears to need any type of medication until they reach the age of 2, you should contact your pediatrician.

The Easily Forgotten: Brush and comb set, manicure set, pacifiers (one from the Soothie brand is usually provided at the hospital), and diaper bag.

I hope this list serves as a helpful reminder to what you need before bringing home baby. If you have any additional items that you feel should be added to the list, be sure to leave me a comment!