Baby Item Checklist for New Moms

As any new mother soon discovers, newborns require many items. It's better to prepare for baby gradually and well before the due date, as babies sometimes arrive unexpectedly. Having all of the necessary items already in the nursery makes for an easier and calmer homecoming for everyone involved.

  1. Baby Basics

    • Diapers are one of the top items new moms need. You'll need to decide if you'll use disposable or cloth diapers. Pros of disposable diapers include ease of disposal (simply throw them in the trash or put in a diaper receptacle) and convenience. Cons include not being environmentally friendly because they can last indefinitely in landfills, and cost. Cloth diapers will cost less in the long run but require a lot of laundering and are regarded as being eco-friendly because they don't turn into a lot of trash.

      Other baby necessities are clothes. Babies grow quickly, so it's better to have a small selection of newborn sizes and a larger selection of 3- to 6-month sizes. For moms who don't know their baby's gender before birth, choose gender-neutral colors such as white, beige, yellow and green. Buy plenty of onesies, pajamas, socks and T-shirts, but keep going-out clothes on hand, too.

      Nursing mothers might not need bottles right away but might need nursing pads and breast pumps for pumping milk for future feedings. Moms who plan to formula feed should have a selection of bottles on hand in four- to eight-ounce sizes. Choose which formula brand you want to use, and begin buying cans or bottles of it about a month before your due date. Other feeding basics you should have are bottle warmers, bottle brushes for cleaning and bibs.

      Buy an infant car seat before you go to the hospital for delivery. Many hospitals won't allow you to leave if a baby isn't strapped safely into his car seat when you're discharged.

      Have a baby first aid kit at home with items such as nail clippers, safety scissors, thermometers and nasal aspirators inside.

    Bath Time

    • New moms will need a baby-sized tub for baths. Because newborns can be slippery and hard to hold, you might want to buy a tub that has a cloth or non-slip floor. Buy gentle cleansers for baby's delicate skin, washcloths and towels.

    Sleeping

    • A bassinet or crib is a big purchase, but you'll also need a crib or bassinet mattress, crib blankets, receiving blankets and sheets. A changing table is nice to have but not a necessity if you need to conserve space. A baby monitor is a good item to have in larger homes so you can hear the baby crying if your room is far away from hers. Place a glider or rocking chair in the baby's room for those middle-of-the-night feedings; it will give you a comfortable place to sit.

    Other Items

    • Additional items that can prove helpful include pacifiers, baby swings, strollers, diaper bags, bouncers, lotion and crib mobiles.

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