The more ready you are before your baby gets here, the easier it will be when your baby gets here.
Here's a checklist so you can make sure you've got all you will need in time for your baby.
Baby car seat
- Find a rear-facing model that isn't too heavy and designed for infants under 20 pounds
- Read the written rules that come with your car seat
- Once set up, go to a police or fire station to check to see that your car seat has been set up the right way
Clothes
During the first few weeks:
- Your baby will likely wear onesies - one-piece, stretchy suits with snaps on the front and bottom to open for easy diaper changing
- Look for snaps near the crotch or all the way down the leg
- Cotton feels good on baby's skin and breathes well
Seasonal extras
- A knit cotton cap, even in summer, for the first couple of months
- A broad-brimmed sun hat
- A warm wool or fleece hat that covers ears in the winter
- Winter mittens for babies and a bunting or baby bag with zipper and hood
Crib and bedding
- If you can, buy a new crib - older cribs may not meet today's safety standards
- Make sure the crib slats are two and 3/8 inches away from each other or less
- Don't choose a crib with raised corner posts or fancy cutouts in the headboard
- The mattress should be firm, easy to clean and fit snugly
- Bumper pads are still in dispute: the Consumer Product Safety Commission says parents should avoid putting any soft objects in the crib, including bumper pads
- The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Safety Council have said bumper pads are safe, as long as they're removed once the baby is able to pull up and stand
Diaper-changing spot
- Make sure the changing table is secure by placing it against a wall (not a window)
- Choose a sturdy, stable piece of furniture with a two-inch-high guardrail on all four sides
- If you use a padded mat, just make sure it's covered with something that's easy to wash
- You may also need a diaper pail
Medicine chest
- Digital thermometer
- Baby nail clippers
- A nasal aspirator bulb syringe (often given to moms at the time of birth)
- Cotton swabs
- Medicine dropper
- Diaper rash cream
- Petroleum jelly
- Antibacterial ointment
- Bandage strips and gauze pads
- First-aid guide
Stroller
- Look for models that can both fold flat and switch to a seated position
- A hood offers good protection from bad weather
- Look for safety belts
- Check that the stroller doesn't wobble too much by pressing down lightly on the handles - it should not tip back
- Many people have more than one stroller - a lightweight one for walking and a sturdier one for jogging
Bath goods*
- Thick towels
- Soft washcloths
- A basin or clean sink
- Mild baby soap and shampoo
- A hooded baby towel
*Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even when he or she can sit up or use a baby bath ring (they can be a drowning hazard if they tip over or trap a baby underneath). A baby can drown in only a couple of inches of water.
These items are not really needed but are nice to have:
- Rocking chair
- Baby monitor (so you can hear your baby when you're not in the same room)
- Baby carrier
- Bouncy seat
- Baby toys
- A music box or wind chimes
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