Going looking for new things for your child? Here are the unquestionable requirements (and the don’t-needs) to enable you to shop keen.Please find the list below.
Nursery furniture
The necessities
- Crib or co-sleeper
- Crib mattress
It’s better to have
- Changing table
- Bassinet (though it’s only safe until 3 months or 15 pounds)
- Rocking chair or glider
- Humidifier or vaporizer
- Dresser/chest
- Hamper
- Baby monitor (if you have a big house)
Not essential
- A secondhand crib (get a new one for safety)
Linens
The necessities
- 2 fitted crib sheets.
- Crib bumper that ties on securely (this is controversial — some people worry that they’re a SIDS risk; others say they keep baby from banging into the bars).
- Several thin cotton receiving blankets.
- 2 waterproof mattress protectors.
Optional
- Matching quilt or a crib skirt (they’re only decorative).
Not essential
- Pillows (a SIDS risk)
- Sleep positioners (yet another SIDS risk)
- Mattress padding (ditto)
Baby-proofing
- Gates at the top and bottom of all stairs.
- Cabinet latches.
- Drawer latches.
- Outlet covers.
- Fireplace bumper.
- Furniture anchors.
It’s better to have
- Toilet lock
- Corner guards for low tables
Feeding
For formula feeding
The necessities
- 8 or so bottles with newborn nipples (try several brands to find the one your baby prefers)
- Bottle-cleaning brush or a dishwasher basket
- Bottle-drying rack
- Several weeks’ worth of baby formula to start
- 6 or more cotton bibs
- 6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job)
- Insulated cooler/carrier for outings
It’s better to have
- Dry formula dispenser
- Bottle sterilizer
Optional
- Bottle warmer (heating in hot water takes the same amount of time)
- Bottle proper (unless you have multiples and use it sparingly when you can’t otherwise feed all the babies at once)
For breastfeeding
Visit our following blog articles to know more about importance of breast feeding and Collection and Storage of Breastmilk .
The necessities
- Nursing pillow
- 2-3 nursing bras
- 2-3 boxes of nursing pads
- 6 or more cotton bibs
- 6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job)
It’s better to have
- Breast pump (electric if you’ll use it every day at work, otherwise a hand pump is fine)
- Breast milk storage bags or containers
- Several bottles and nipples if someone else will be feeding baby pumped breast milk
- Nipple cream (for the first few weeks)
Solid-food feeding
The necessities
- High chair
- Plastic bibs
- Infant feeding spoons
- Infant bowl
It’s better to have
- Mess mat for under the high chair
- Baby food mill (if you’re ambitious enough to puree your own baby food)
Basic Baby Care
For diapering
The necessities
- 2 packs of newborn diapers to start
- Wipes
- Diaper rash ointment
- Waterproof changing table pad
- 2-3 changing table pad covers (usually cotton or terry cloth)
- Diaper pail or trash can with a lid
It’s better to have
- 4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under baby’s bottom (protecting the cover that’s protecting the pad — you won’t be sorry)
- Baby cream (if your baby has dry skin)
- Non-talc powder (to help the diaper area dry faster)
Optional
- A wipe warmer
- A diaper stacker (though they’re pretty)
Bathing and grooming
The necessities
- 2 hooded towels
- 4 washcloths
- Infant tub (for after the umbilical cord falls off)
- Bath seat or inflatable tub-within-a-tub (for after 6 months)
- Baby bath wash
- Baby shampoo
- Baby comb and brush set
- Nail scissors/nail clippers/nail file set
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton balls
It’s better to have
- Bath toys
- Mesh bag to hold bath toys
- Bath thermometer
- Faucet guard
Optional
- A baby-size robe (it’s hard enough to get baby dressed in her real clothes!)
Clothing
The necessities
- 7 or more snap-crotch bodysuits/oneness
- 3-4 T-shirts and/or side-snap shirts
- Several snap-up rompers
- Several shirt-and-pant sets
- 7 pairs of pajamas and/or sleeping gowns
- Sun hat
- Cold-weather hat
- Cardigan sweater
- Bunting or snowsuit if it gets cold
- 6 pairs of booties and/or socks
- Baby hangers for the closet
It’s better to have
- A special outfit to bring baby home in and/or show her off
- Several diaper covers
- A wearable sleep sack, to use instead of a blanket
Optional
- Shoes (until baby is walking outside, i.e., the toddler years)
Going Out
The necessities
- Car seat that fits a newborn
- Stroller that accommodates a newborn
- Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, and a spare outfit
- Front carrier
It’s better to have
- Sling (for the newborn stage)
- Baby backpack (for after 6 months)
- Stroller that your car seat fits onto
- Rain cover for the stroller
- Infant headrest for the car seat (if it doesn’t come with one)
- Warm blanket or “boot” to wrap baby in during winter strolls
- Sunshades for the car windows
- Big diaper bag for overnight trips
Not essential
- Mirror to see baby in the car (it can be a hazard if there’s an accident)
- A secondhand car seat (always get a new one)
REFERENCE
parents. 2017. registries-buying-guides. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.parents.com/baby/gear/registries-buying-guides/baby-shopping-guide/. [Accessed 28 June 2017].
