Bringing Home Baby
A Checklist For New Parents
It’s one of the most anticipated times of a new parent’s
life. After nine months of waiting, it’s finally time to bring the
new baby home. While this experience often is filled with excitement,
it also may be a time of uncertainty for new parents. However, preparing
for baby’s arrival during pregnancy can help to ease the transition
after baby is born.
One way to prepare to bring baby home is to have all of the needed supplies
ready to go before he or she is born. The following checklist will help
you when shopping for the essentials for your new baby:
- Cradle, bassinet or crib
· Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
· Drop side of crib should be easy for you to work with one hand.
- Crib mattress
· Make sure it fits tightly inside the crib.
- Bumper pad
· Make sure bumper has at least six straps to hold it in place.
· Bumpers with snaps are more secure than those with ties.
- Fitted crib sheets
- Waterproof mattress pads or sheets
- Receiving blankets
- Warm blanket, quilt or comforter
- Dresser for storing baby’s clothes
- Changing pad
- CD player for helping to soothe baby to sleep
- Baby bathtub with foam pad or insert
- Terry cloth bath towels
- Washcloths
- Tearless shampoo
- Baby soap
- Brush and comb
- Baby nail scissors or clippers
- Diapers
· You’ll likely need 70-90 diapers per week for the first
six weeks.
- Disposable diaper wipes
- Diaper rash ointment or cream
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Petroleum jelly
- Diaper pail with locking lid
- Undershirts that snap on the bottom or tie on the side (Onesies)
- T-shirts
- Infant gowns with elastic or drawstring bottoms
- Stretchy socks or booties
- Hats
- Sweaters
- Sleepers or stretch suits
- Mild laundry detergent to wash baby’s clothes
- Bottles with nipples and caps (if breastfeeding or bottle-feeding)
- Baby formula and measuring cup (if bottle-feeding)
- Breast pump (if breastfeeding)
- Nursing bras (if breastfeeding)
- Nursing pads (if breastfeeding)
- Bibs
- Burp cloths
- Infant car set
· Choose a car seat appropriate for your baby’s age, height
and weight.
· Remember that older car seats handed down from relatives or
friends may not meet current federal safety standards .
· If you have questions about safety seats, call the Auto Safety
Hotline at 1 (888) 327-4236.
- Stroller
- Diaper bag
- Ask your pediatrician which medications he or she recommends for
your baby’s medicine cabinet
Purchasing the items on this checklist is just one way to help prepare
for your new baby’s arrival. However, no matter how much you prepare,
being a parent can always bring about the unexpected. Enjoy your role
as a new parent. Parenthood is a learning experience that helps you to
grow along with your new bundle of joy.
Editorial provided by Kristin Colello, public relations
specialist at St. Clair Hospital
in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.
Resources: The Center for Women and Children at St. Clair Hospital, ChildCareAware.org,
VeryBestBaby.com, and WebMD.com
