If you are expecting you may want to start preparing early for the arrival of
your new baby. Below is a checklist of things you will need when the baby
arrives. I found this list in Consumer Reports and thought it would be helpful.
You might want to start shopping early so you don't have to incur a very large
expense all at one time. It would also save some money if you had a baby shower
and shared the list with friends and family.
Here is a checklist of what you
should have on hand before your baby arrives.
Tooling around
_____Car seat
_____Stroller
Beds and linens
_____Crib
_____Crib mattress
_____Bassinet/cradle (if you don't want to put your baby in a crib right
away)
_____Two to three fitted crib sheets
_____Four or more waffle-weave cotton receiving blankets for swaddling baby
_____Two mattress pads
_____One to two waterproof liners (for crib or bassinet).
Diaper duty
_____Diapers. Disposable or cloth
_____Diaper pail. (Optional with disposables)
_____Diaper bag Dressing baby
_____Four sleeping outfits or onesies (one-piece sleepers), preferably with
attached feet
_____Six side-snap T-shirts
_____Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch
_____A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one)
_____Six pairs socks/booties
_____Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. Get only a few items in
newborn size. Then,
go for clothing in the 6-month size--your baby will grow into it quickly. But
don't buy baby
sleepwear that's too big; it'sa fire hazard
_____Cotton sweater or light jacket
Summer babies
_____Brimmed hat Winter babies
Winter babies
_____Snowsuit or heavy bunting
_____Heavy stroller blanket
_____Warm knit hat
Feeding time
If you're planning to breast-feed:
_____Two or three nursing bras
_____A box of washable or disposable breast pads
_____Breast pump if you expect to use one
_____Four small baby bottles with newborn nipples for expressed breast milk
_____Bottle drying tree
_____Bottle brush
_____Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one)
_____Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths.
If you're planning to bottle-feed
_____Six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples, rings, and a dishwasher basket
if you use a dishwasher
Bathing/grooming
_____Three soft hooded towels
_____Two packs of baby washcloths
_____ Baby body wash that doubles as shampoo
_____Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers
_____Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment
_____Infant bathtub
_____Soft brush and comb
_____Mild laundry detergent
Medicine chest essentials
_____A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby's doctor,
such as Infant's Tylenol
_____Cotton pads/swabs
_____Nasal aspirator
_____Digital thermometer
_____Rubbing alcohol
_____Petroleum jelly
Keeping baby happy
_____Pacifiers
Extras: Nice but optional
_____Monitor
_____Changing table
_____A rocker or glider
_____Soft carrier
_____Swing
In addition to shopping so you don't have to incur a very large expense all
at one time you should also do some price comparison research on the internet to
save some money.
