Newborn Checklist: Everything You Need Before the Baby Arrives
Now that your due date is fast approaching, it’s time to make sure that all things are in order一you included一before the stork drops. Whether it’s your first or third child, this newborn checklist will help you prepare everything you need before your little one arrives!
✔ Baby Clothes
Your baby is coming out in their birthday suit, so you need a lot of clothes to keep them warm and cover them up. Here are the garments you need to stock in their cabinet:
Onesies
Shirts and pants
Nightgowns
Sleepers
Hats
Mittens
Socks or booties
Jackets, cardigans, or snowsuits (if you’re in a colder area)
When shopping for clothes, go for cotton, muslin, or bamboo garments. They’re soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. For best results, wash your infant’s outfits with baby-safe, hypoallergenic laundry detergent.
Tip: Buy baby hangers to keep your child’s clothes organized and crease-free.
✔ Feeding Kit
If you’re planning on breastfeeding, you’ll need some good milk storage containers. That way, your baby has a stockpile of milk whenever you’re at work.
Other materials that’ll come in handy during breastfeeding include:
Breast pump
Breast pads
Nursing bra
Lactation aids
Nipple ointment
Meanwhile, if you’re going for formula feeding, you’ll need these items:
Pediatrician-approved baby formula
Baby bottles
Bottle and nipple cleaner brush
Bottle sterilizer
Bottle drying rack
Bottle warmer
Whatever feeding format you choose, note that your baby will probably make a mess after feeding. So be sure to stock up on bibs and/or burp cloths and washcloths!
✔ Hygiene Kit
You need to be prepared once your infant flushes out everything they ate! Arm yourself with a complete hygiene kit, which should include the following:
Newborn-size diapers, disposable or reusable (the general rule is you need at least ten pieces per day)
Snaps or pins for reusable diapers
Changing pads (one for the home and another portable one to bring on trips)
Disposable wipes or hygiene washcloths
If you can afford a diaper-changing table, buy one as well. It’s at the right height, so you don’t have to worry about back aches. They also often come with drawers where you can place all the hygiene essentials mentioned above.
✔ Bathing Kit
There are many recommendations on bathing, with a report putting the range anywhere from 1 to 24 hours after birth. No matter what rule you wish to follow, you need to be ready with these bathing materials:
Infant bathing tub
Gentle baby cleanser
Soft towels
Soft-bristle hair brush
More washcloths
✔ Sleeping Essentials
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, it’s best to sleep in the same area一but, not the same bed一during baby’s first six months. To follow this, you’re going to need the following:
Consumer Product Safety Commission-approved Crib
Crib mattress
Waterproof pads/ mattress covers
Fitted crib sheets
Light blankets
But if you’re geared towards co-sleeping, you can keep your baby safe by buying a firm mattress.
✔ Health and Safety Kit
Your newborn’s health and safety are of utmost priority; that’s why you need to have the following materials:
Eye dropper or a special spoon for administering medications
Baby thermometer to check for fever
Fever medications as needed
Bulb syringe to remove mucus
Ointment to soothe your baby’s rashes
Nail clippers/scissors to keep your baby safe from injury
✔ Baby Toys
Entertain your newborn with safe and approved toys, such as mobiles, rattles, squeeze toys, pacifiers, and teething toys.
And, when they’re all fussy, be sure to use baby warmies to soothe them. Scented with fresh, dried lavender, this microwaveable plushie can keep you and your baby calm. You may even put this warm cuddly toy on your bosom to reduce breast engorgement and stimulate milk flow.
Tip: Freeze the warmie for a few hours if you want some quick cooling relief!
✔ Parenting Essentials
Your baby is not the only person who needs a lot of things in your house! If you’re a new parent, you’ll benefit from these essentials as well:
Baby monitor
White noise machine
Blackout shades
Nursing pillow
Night light
Parent’s rocking chair
✔ Transport Essentials
Your family and friends would surely love to see your bundle of joy! So, before your baby out to meet them, make sure you have the following:
Baby carrier or sling
Diaper bag
Thermal bottle tote
Reclining stroller
Infant car seat
Start Shopping
This list is quite extensive, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! So, start shopping (if you haven’t started yet) to get all the stuff on this checklist. That way, everything’s set once your bundle of joy gets home. Congratulations on your soon-to-be new little addition!
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