Search the net and you're sure to find list upon list of what you need
for a new baby. Most of those lists go way overboard. Babies don't
usually need much at all. Here's a list of what I found, through my own
experiences, to be the most useful.
Clothing
Plenty of t-shirts and sleepers. If you only want to do laundry
every few days, figure around 4 tshirts, and 2 sleepers per day. This
may be a bit more than necessary on most days, but there will always be
the occasional day, or days, when baby is spitting up more than normal,
or has messy blow-outs. You'll appreciate the extra tees.
Diapers and Wipes
Disposables or Cloth. In todays internet world, you will find
diapers and wipes in variety of styles, patterns and personalities. The
options are even wider for cloth than they are for disposables, can you
imagine? There are some really ingenious designs that make diapering a
baby's tush almost seem exciting! And the following within the cloth
diaper community feels the same way. However, beware, you may end up
needing to one day admit "My name is ___. And I'm a cloth diaper
addict."
Can't talk yourself into cloth? No worries, the disposable diapers
have come along way and while they aren't soft natural cotton and wool,
they do keep your baby dry and don't leak.
How much of each? Only keep a couple jumbo packs of disposables on
hand at a time. Babies grow so fast you aren't always able to guage how
soon they'll be into the next size. Planning on using cloth? A dozen or
two dozen would probably be a good start. What I've seen is cloth
diapers are an addictive thing and you may end up with wonderful cloth
diapers coming out your ears! Wipes? I always buy by the package and
sometimes by the box. Making your own? A yard of flannel or fleece
would probably yeild a good start.
Blankets
Receiving blanket. Those itty bitty blankets you wrap a newborn in,
but after the first month aren't good for much baby wrapping. But if
you, like most women, end up with a few dozen of them, they make great
lap pads, burp pads, and for mom, use them to wrap your hair when you
get out of the shower - they are light-weight so they don't fall over
when you are tending to baby, or use them as a nursing pad when you are
bra-less. They work just fine. They may also be used when baby is going
bare - to catch any accidents.
On the other hand, a couple of really nice, kid-sized blankets are must have!
Sling or Carrier
The online mothering community has been inundated with every type
of baby sling and carrier you could imagine, and then some! Padded to
unpadded slings, pouches, wraps and carriers. These, like cloth
diapers, may lead to addiction, tread with caution! But a good carrier
is a must have. You even see mothers in the public eye touting their
babes in slings nowadays. It's no longer alternative, having paved a
path into mainstream.
Structured carriers are great too. Do some research and where
possible, give one a test run. Some communities offer baby wearing
classes and have slings you can test. Some online shops will even send
you a used sling to try, reserving cost on your credit card - then
applied back when you return the carrier.
Sleeping Area
Co-sleeping has become more commonplace practice, but it isn't
always for everyone. Not to mention, some moms, even the attachment
parenting mom would like a place to lay baby. Some ideas include a
bassinet or cradle, a travel crib, a moses basket, or many others. This
is something you may need to experiment with to find the best fit for
you and the baby. Different stages of babyhood may require some
changes.
Pad an out of the walk-way area of the floor with a couple
receiving blankets and make a little nest for baby to lay. No extra
expense.
Required:
Car Seat
Unless you live in a walking/biking community, chances are you'll
need a carseat. For safety's sake, do your research on this one. An
infant seat is nice when you can take it in and out of the car easily
while baby sleeps, but any secure, up-to-date infant approved carseat
is great, necessary! Also, take note that not all car seats fit all
cars.
Optional:
Stroller
Most mothers who "wear" their babies say you don't need a stroller.
Strollers don't have to recieve use directly from the baby to be
useful. It comes in handy to carry coats and jackets, drinks, purse or
diaper bag, extra diapers, change of clothes, not to mention any
purchased items on your outing. As an added benefit, it leaves mom
pretty hands free - you get really good at pushing a stroller with one
hand! If you opt for a stroller, choose one that has drink carriers.
Bouncy Seat
A bouncy seat comes in handy so often, that while I'd classify it
as "optional", for myself, it was necessary. I loved our bouncy seat as
much as baby enjoyed it. I carried it everywhere with me, to the
bathroom for instance. It was a great baby holder while I took care of
bathroom duties, did the dishes and cooked dinner. Baby and I would
sing, talk and play while I got chores done.
Diaper Bag
Any bag with a couple pockets works well. The younger the baby, the
bigger the bag needed. As baby grows and has less accidents (i.e. spit
up, bottom blow-outs), you'll get more efficient at packing just what
you may need. Don't go overboard on a diaper bag with all the frills. A
nice canvas bag, decorated by you and siblings, works just as well.
Toss in a couple gallon-sized baggies for messes, a couple of receiving
blankets for padding and you're good to go!
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Judi Cox is a wife and mother of 4 children. Her hobbies include making handmade soap from scratch, gardening, crafts, web design and maintaining Mom’s Little Garden ( http://www.momslittlegarden.com ), an online resource for pregnant mothers, as well as her personal website, Momma Muse (http://www.mommamuse.com ).
Disclaimer: All information on this site is
provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice
provided to you by any health care or other professional or
organization.
