Preparing for the arrival of a new baby is both exciting and daunting, not to mention choosing which products you really need. As a mom myself, I've been through this before, so I thought I'd share my list of essential products you might find helpful as you prepare to bring your baby home.
I'll focus on four areas, preparing for the hospital, at home and the nursery, feeding, and on the go. Now, a couple of weeks before your due date, it's a good idea to pack your hospital bag so you're all ready to go when the time comes.
Check with your doctor to see how many nights you expect to be in the hospital. And aside from the personal items and clothing you'll need for yourself, there are a few things you really need to remember for your new baby.
Weather-appropriate onesies, plus an outfit for them to wear home from the hospital. Burp cloths and bibs to help clean up the spit-up.
Pacifier: Babies have a strong sucking reflex and a pacifier can help soothe them. Hats, socks, and mittens, to keep them warm and help prevent them from scratching themselves. Swaddles and receiving blankets, to wrap them up safe and secure.
One of the most exciting aspects of preparing for your little one's arrival is preparing their nursery. But aside from the theme and cute factors and obvious items such as a crib, there are few practical items you will need.
Swaddling: The outside world can be a scary place for a newborn. Swaddling helps them feel safe and secure, just like in the womb. Having a good couple swaddling blankets is a worthless investment.
Clothes: New babies don't need much, but they will go through a few changes a day, so having 10 to 12 outfits will help you manage the laundry pile.
Diapers: A changing station provides a safe place to change your baby's diaper as well as store these essential diapers and wipes. For your home supply of diapers, it's a good idea to have a couple of packs on the newborn size. And since babies grow so quickly, having like one pack of the next size up ensures that you're ready when the time comes to move up.
Wipes: I like wipes that are gentle on their skin for diaper changes and to help clean up little messes. A quality thermometer. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with fever temperatures.
Bath time: You'll want two to three washcloths and baby towels. Once you move beyond the sponge bath stage, you also might want to consider a baby tub or baby mat to keep them secure during bathing. Outside of the nursery, you will need a safe place to sit the baby, such as a bouncy seat or swing. I also recommend one or two soft toys in high-contrasting colors to catch their eye. We also had a little baby gym, and she loved it. Now, for the first few months, you will feed your newborn every two to four hours around the clock, so I highly recommend having a feeding pillow to help ease the stress on your back and make feeding more comfortable for both of you.
Whether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed, you may want to have a supply of bottles and nipples and perhaps some high quality formula. Bibs and burp cloths are helpful too, because your baby will spit up. And I recommend having 10 to 12 burp cloths so you always have a clean one handy. Even though your life is going to change, you probably don't plan to be at home 24 hours a day, so the first thing you'll need for a baby on the go is a diaper bag.
Now, make sure it's easy to clean, with plenty of room and pockets. Aside from the obvious diapers and wipes, I also recommend stocking your diaper bag with a spare change clothes for your baby, a clean burp cloth and bib, pacifiers, and a few toys.
To complete your on-the-go items, you'll also need a car seat and a stroller. Now, make sure the car seat is installed and checked by a professional before you go head to the hospital so you're ready to bring your new baby home.
For the stroller, consider how easy it is to fold and unfold. If you can do this with one hand, that is ideal. Now, there are also different kinds of baby slings and carriers that hold your little one close to you while giving you and your hands the freedom to move about.
Remember to wash all the fabrics that your new baby will come in contact with before they come home. And most of all, get ready to enjoy the new addition to your family.
About video: Preparing to bring home your new baby can feel a bit daunting. These tips will help you prepare for leaving the hospital, coming home, in the nursery and life on the go.
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