Things Needed for Bringing Home a Baby

Newborn babies need only a few basic items in the first few weeks of life.

Babies require new things as they grow, but newborns aren't in need of that many items for the first few weeks of life. Their basic necessities are geared toward eating, sleeping and being comfortable. While many new parents want to have everything in place when their baby arrives, only a portion of that extensive list is required.

Car Seat

A rear-facing infant car seat is your baby's first necessity that's required by law, if you're leaving the hospital by car. Infant car seats are available alone or in travel system combinations, which are comprised of a car seat, a base for the car, and a stroller to set the car seat into.

Clothes

New babies generate a lot of laundry, so having a sufficient amount of clothing on hand is key. Kimono-style, side-snap shirts help protect the healing umbilical cord, onsies, or bodysuits, offer more coverage; footed sleepers and sleep sacks provide warmth. Buy at least five of each, as well as a few pairs of socks, a hat and mittens, to help prevent scratched cheeks.

Diapers

Newborn-sized diapers fit babies up to eight pounds, so if your baby weighs more at birth, you won't have a need for diapers that size. It's best to buy several packages of "size one" diapers, for babies that are 8 to 12 pounds, and a couple of packages of "newborn" size diapers so you don't have useless diapers on hand.

Burp Cloths

Whether breast- or formula-feeding, newborns need burp cloths for that bit that may come back up afterward. Some babies don't spit up much, while others spit up enough to create an extra load of laundry daily. Aim to have at least 10 burp cloths on hand.

Changing Pad

A changing table is convenient if space and budget allow, but all a new baby really needs is a changing pad for the floor or the bed. A diaper bag filled with changing necessities such as diapers, baby wipes and diaper rash ointments takes the place of changing table shelves or drawers.

Bed

The baby's bed is arguably one of the most important items on the list. While a crib with a firm mattress will be a necessity, a cradle, bassinet or Moses basket---outfitted with the proper mattress and fitted sheet---suffice for the first two to three months of life, when most babies sleep in their parents' bedroom.

Blankets

In the womb, babies were curled into the fetal position, arms and legs tucked tightly in. Swaddling, or receiving, blankets are one basic that most new parents wouldn't want to do without. Most babies sleep better when swaddled, because their arms can't startle them awake. Five blankets should suffice.

Bathtub

A baby bathtub is a necessity as soon as the baby's umbilical cord comes off, two to three weeks after birth. Prior to that, you should only give your newborn sponge baths with a washcloth on top of a soft fluffy towel. Baby-sized bath towels make drying easier.

Basic Care

Basic body care items, such as emery boards, infant nail clippers, baby shampoo and lotion, baby wipes and a fast-reading thermometer are all essentials that you're likely to use in the first days and weeks of your baby's life.

References

• Child Care Aware®: Bringing Home Your New Baby: Making the Transition a Smooth One
• What to Expect.com: Bringing Home Baby Checklist