Prepare for New Baby with These Tried and True Items
Search the net and you're sure to find list upon list of what
you need for a new baby. Most of those lists go way overboard.
Babies don't usually need much at all. Here's a list of what I
found, through my own experiences, to be the most useful.
Clothing
Plenty of t-shirts and sleepers - If you only want to do laundry
every few days figure around 4 t-shirts, and 2 sleepers per day.
This may be a bit more than necessary on most days, but there
will always be the occasional day, or days, when baby is
spitting up more than normal, or has messy blow-outs. You'll
appreciate the extra tees.
Diapers and Wipes
Disposables or Cloth - In today's internet world, you will find
diapers and wipes in variety of styles, patterns and
personalities. The options are even wider for cloth than they
are for disposables, can you imagine? There are some really
ingenious designs that make diapering a baby's tush almost seem
exciting! And the following within the cloth diaper community
feels the same way. However, beware, you may end up needing to
one day admit "My name is ___. And I'm a cloth diaper addict."
Can't talk yourself into cloth? No worries, the disposable
diapers have come along way and while they aren't soft natural
cotton and wool, they do keep your baby dry and don't leak.
How much of each? Only keep a couple jumbo packs of disposables
on hand at a time. Babies grow so fast you aren't always able to
gauge how soon they'll be into the next size. Planning on using
cloth? A dozen or two dozen would probably be a good start. What
I've seen is that cloth diapers are an addictive thing and you
may end up with wonderful cloth diapers coming out your ears!
Wipes? I always buy by the package and sometimes by the box.
Making your own? A yard of flannel or fleece would probably
yield a good start.
Blankets
Receiving blankets; those itty bitty blankets you wrap a newborn
in, but after the first month aren't good for much baby
wrapping. But if you, like most women, end up with a few dozen
of them, they make great lap pads, burp pads, and for mom, use
them to wrap your hair when you get out of the shower - they are
light-weight so they don't fall over when you are tending to
baby, or use them as a nursing pad when you are bra-less. They
work just fine. They may also be used when baby is going bare -
to catch any accidents.
On the other hand, a couple of really nice, kid-sized blankets
are must have!
Sling or Carrier
The online mothering community has been inundated with every
type of baby sling and carrier you could imagine, and then some;
padded to unpadded slings, pouches, wraps and carriers. These,
like cloth diapers, may lead to addiction, tread with caution!
But a good carrier is a must have. You even see mothers in the
public eye touting their babes in slings nowadays. It's no
longer alternative, having paved a path into mainstream.
Structured carriers are great too. Do some research and where
possible, give one a test run. Some communities offer baby
wearing classes and have slings you can test. Some online shops
will even send you a used sling to try, reserving cost on your
credit card - then applied back when you return the carrier.
Sleeping Area
Co-sleeping has become more commonplace practice, but it isn't
always for everyone. Not to mention, some moms, even the
attachment parenting mom would like a place to lay baby. Some
ideas include a bassinet or cradle, a travel crib, a Moses
basket, or many others. This is something you may need to
experiment with to find the best fit for you and the baby.
Different stages of babyhood may require some changes.
Pad an out of the walk-way area of the floor with a couple
receiving blankets and make a little nest for baby to lay. No
extra expense.
Required: Car Seat
Unless you live in a walking/biking community, chances are
you'll need a car seat. For safety's sake, do your research on
this one. An infant seat is nice when you can take it in and out
of the car easily while baby sleeps, but any secure, up-to-date
infant approved car seat is great, necessary! Also, take note
that not all car seats fit all cars.
Optional: Stroller
Most mothers who "wear" their babies say you don't need a
stroller. Strollers don't have to receive use directly from the
baby to be useful. It comes in handy to carry coats and jackets,
drinks, purse or diaper bag, extra diapers, change of clothes,
not to mention any purchased items on your outing. As an added
benefit, it leaves mom pretty hands free - you get really good
at pushing a stroller with one hand! If you opt for a stroller,
choose one that has drink carriers.
Bouncy Seat
A bouncy seat comes in handy so often, that while I'd classify
it as "optional", for myself, it was necessary. I loved our
bouncy seat as much as baby enjoyed it. I carried it everywhere
with me, to the bathroom for instance. It was a great baby
holder while I took care of bathroom duties, did the dishes and
cooked dinner. Baby and I would sing, talk and play while I got
chores done.
Diaper Bag
Any bag with a couple pockets works well. The younger the baby,
the bigger the bag needed. As baby grows and has less accidents
(i.e. spit up, bottom blow-outs), you'll get more efficient at
packing just what you may need. Don't go overboard on a diaper
bag with all the frills. A nice canvas bag, decorated by you and
siblings, will work as a great bag for outings. Toss in a couple
gallon-sized baggies for messes, a couple of receiving blankets
for padding and you're good to go!