Checklist for new babyChecklist for new baby In terms of "stuff" you need for your new baby, the following checklist for new baby outlines what I consider essential supplies for your infant, including infant bedding, bravado nursing bras, and info about a baby gift registry. Ok, here's what you need: · Diaper rash ointment - I do not use diaper cream after every change. If necessary, I recommend using an all natural one containing: Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Chickweed, Comfrey, Marshmallow, and Goldenseal which you can purchase online. · 2 packages of disposable diapers (I would get one size Newborn and one size 1. Your baby might quickly outgrow the newborn ones or never fit them at all) · Or two dozen cloth diapers - even if you are totally committed to using cloth (I was for my first baby too!) do yourself a favor and buy a small number of disposables as well. I found that my newborns would wake up every time they peed when wearing cloth, and that was every 20 minutes! Checklist for new baby continued... Wipes & Soap · Baby wipes – I didn’t use store-bought wipes on Hana. I felt that she didn’t need any propylene glycol, ocopheryl acetate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, polysorbate 20, disodium phosphate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, and last but not least, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate on her perfect, soft bottom. I just bought a couple of yards of flannel fabric, cut them into squares and every day I would put a fresh bowl of warm water beside her change table. I would wipe her bottom with clean water after every change and place the used wipe in a diaper pail and then launder them in hot water and bleach. I have to admit, when she pooped, I used what I call the “chemical wipes”. She never got a bad diaper rash. · Note: You do not need to spend your money on expensive Ivory Snow or any other "gentle" baby laundry soap. Just use a small amount of regular laundry soap and do a double rinse. · Gentle baby soap - You really don't have to use soap on your newborn baby because they can't even get dirty. I just used plain old water for the first few weeks. Sometimes I would use a tiny bit of soap on the "Extra dirty" bits · Baby shampoo – You don’t really need to use shampoo for the first while either, but I do like the smell. Note: If your baby gets cradle cap (scaly, yellow flakes on her scalp), don't agonize over it. It is painless and usually goes away by itself. You can help it disappear by rubbing all natural oil on it and carefully remove the flakes with your fingernail. Then shampoo all the oil out, and rinse well. Checklist for new baby continued... Supplies · 2-4 pacifiers - you should sterilize them beforehand so they are ready to go in the middle of the night. (See "Pacifier Debate" in my EBook) If you never need them, that’s great. But if you do really need a pacifier to calm your little one in the middle of the night, you will be deliriously happy that you had the foresight to get them ready in advance. · Blunt baby nail scissors or clippers - those nails get so long and so sharp at an amazing speed. You think, "How did she get that scratch on her face? Wasn't she just born?" Of course, the scratch always shows up the day you have pictures scheduled. (grrr...) · 4-6 bottles (4 and 8 ounce size). Even if you are planning on strict breastfeeding, there may be times when you pump and if you have a bottle on hand, your partner can feed the baby. Checklist for new baby continued... For You! · 2 nursing bras (if nursing). I highly recommend Bravado nursing bras. They are extremely comfortable and they have great fabrics and colors. Also, Motherhood has nice sleeping bras. It’s important to avoid underwire because they can compress the milk ducts and cause blocked ducts. See the article on Blocked Ducts in the Breastfeeding Section of this website for more information. · Breast pads (if nursing). Buy soft cotton ones (several layers thick) that you can throw in the washer and dryer. When you breastfeed, milk comes out of both breasts at first and then the breast that the baby is not feeding from stops, so you need pads tucked into your bra to soak up any leaks. You also leak milk until your milk gets established. They make plastic backed breast pads that are waterproof, but only wear them occasionally, such as if you are going out to a party, because if you wear them all the time your breasts won’t breathe and you can develop thrush. · Breast pump (if nursing). See Summary of Breast Pumps in my EBook or the article on Manual pumps vs. electric pumps in the Breastfeeding section. Checklist for new baby continued... · Bottles – There are two kinds, regular ones that are either plastic or glass, or those with disposable, pre-sterilized liners. You may have to try several nipples to see which ones your baby prefers. Avoid bottles in weird shapes because they are difficult to clean. · 6 bibs - the ones that fasten with velcro around the baby's neck are better than the ones that tie. And bigger is better. The small ones hardly cover any of the baby's shirt. · 10+ wash cloths - the more the better. Use these to wipe little hands, faces, etc. Baby washcloths are softer, thinner and smaller than "adult" washcloths. Checklist for new baby continued... · Infant Bedding: As far as infant bedding goes, I think you can never have too much! · 4 bassinet sheets - only if you have a bassinet! Make sure they are the right fit, then wash them and put them away. · 3-4 crib sheets - if you have a crib. These are bigger than bassinet sheets. · 2 crib blankets - I like the knitted ones that are "holey" because then I don’t have to worry if my baby puts it over her face. Put it up to your face and see if you can breathe through it before you let your baby sleep with it. Checklist for new baby continued... Clothing · 6-8 snap t-shirts or onesies · 4-6 lightweight sleepers · 6-8 receiving blankets · 4 pairs of socks · 2 sweaters · Booties - Robeez are great. They are made of leather, they're adorable and guaranteed not to fall off. Checklist for new baby continued... Absolutely Indispensible Stuff · Baby Swing – I highly recommend that you get a swing. The battery operated ones are better than the wind up ones because the latter stop swinging after 30 minutes and that usually wakes up the baby. · Bouncy Chair. Get one that has a vibrating feature you can turn off and on. · Crib or bassinet. If you buy a crib, make sure you can lower the side rail to put the baby in. I prefer a side rail that lowers with a foot mechanism rather than the ones that you have to use two hands to lower. Why? Because if someone takes the baby out without lowering the side (i.e. your husband reaches in and lifts baby out), later when you tiptoe into the room holding your sleeping baby only to realize that you cannot lower the side because you need two hands to do it, and therefore have to break your back to lower the baby in without waking her up, you will wish you had one that you can lower with your foot. This checklist for new baby is expanded on in my eBook "And Baby Makes Three: Now What Do We Do?" There is plenty more information there, and a long list of things you don't need as well. In addition to looking over this checklist for new baby, you may want to fill out the Target Baby Gift Registry, and point your friends and family towards it. The Baby R Us Gift Registry is great too. By the way, it is not considered impolite to tell people you are registered, if they ask.
Use this checklist for new baby and have fun shopping for your new baby!
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