Layette (baby clothes, for those who need translation!)
- 8-10 bodysuits or onesies (like little undershirts that snap at the crotch)
- 4-6 one-piece PJ’s
- 2 blanket sleepers for winter nights (these are like little wearable sleeping bags, very handy for drafty daytimes, too)
- 1-3 rompers or other “dressy” outfits
- 4 pairs of socks, or booties (I find that socks often fall off and get lost. You’re better off with footsie pajamas if it’s cold weather)
- 2-3 hats (sun-hats with brims for summer baby, warm hats that cover ears for winter baby)
- Bunting bag or fleece suit for winter outing
Nursery
You can skip some of this for a while if you plan on keeping baby nearby (which is best in my personal opinion), either in a bedside bassinetter or in your own bed.
- Crib, cradle or bassinet (follow safety guidelines)
- Firm, flat mattress that fits snugly into crib
- 2 washable mattress pads
- 2-4 fitted sheets
- 4 soft, light receiving blankets
- 1-2 heavier blankets for winter
- Comfy chair for nursing, or pillows to prop yourself up in bed
- Baby monitor, if you will out of hearing range of baby’s room
- Nightlight (this is for you, to make nighttime feeding and changing easier)
- Dresser for storing baby clothes and paraphernalia
- Swing or bouncy chair
Diapering station
It’s nice to have a changing station where you have everything handy for changing your baby. But you can always improvise by putting a changing pad down on your bed or on top of a dresser (never leave baby alone there, of course).
- Changing table or cushioned changing pad
- Changing table pad cover
- Diaper pail and liners (optional but handy)
- Diaper cream
- Unscented baby wipes (these are supposed to cause less irritation, although simply rinsing baby’s bottom in the sink is even better!)
- Disposable newborn-size diapers, or 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers
Bath
Again, you can improvise when baby is small by plugging up a bathroom sink, lining it with a towel (to keep baby from slipping around) and filling it with warm water.
- Baby bathtub
- Baby shampoo (can use for hair and body)
- 2-4 soft towels/hooded baby towels
- 2-4 soft washcloths
Feeding
For nursing moms:
- 1-3 nursing bras (Start with one size larger than your maternity bra, as breasts swell right after birth. After a couple weeks you can purchase additional bras.)
- Nursing pads (bra inserts that protect you if you leak)
- Nipple cream (alleviates soreness for beginner breast feeders)
- Nursing pillow (props baby up so you don’t hurt your back by curling up over him)
- Pump and milk storage bags (in case you ever need to leave baby for an extended amount of time)
For bottle feeding mothers:
- 10-16 bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce
- Liners, for disposable bottles
- Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)
- Bottle sterilizer (some dishwashers have one)
- Bottle brush
- Formula (if not nursing)
- 4-8 bibs
- Burp cloths/cloth diapers
- High chair (not necessary until baby can sit up on his own)
- 2-4 pacifiers
Medicine Cabinet
- Baby nail clippers
- Cotton balls (to clean baby’s nose, ears, umbilical cord)
- Baby thermometer
- Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
- Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) and medicine dropper
- Antibiotic cream and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)
Travel
- Infant or convertible car seat
- Stroller (reclining for infants)
- Diaper bag
- Changing pad
- Baby carrier/sling
If you can check off most of the things on these lists, then you are probably ready for for the stork’s special delivery. Congratulations!!