What to Buy for Baby

Here’s everything you’ll need to get through those first few weeks with baby.

Layette

• 4-8 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings and loose legs)
• 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)
• 4-8 one-piece pajamas
• 2 blanket sleepers for winter baby
• 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)
• 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits
• 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks)
• 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)
• No-scratch mittens
• Bunting bag or fleece suit for winter baby
• Swimsuit for summer baby
• Gentle laundry detergent

Nursery

• Crib (Guidelines: Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, corner posts no more than 1/16 of an inch above frame, no cutouts in headboard or footboard, top rails at leasy 26 inches above mattress)
• Cradle or bassinet
• Firm, flat mattress fit snugly in crib (less than two fingers should fit between mattress and crib)
• 1-3 washable crib mattress pads
• 2-4 fitted crib sheets
• 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets
• 1-2 heavier blankets (for colder climates)
• Rocking or arm chair
• Baby monitor
• Nightlight
• Dresser
• Toy basket
• Swing or bouncy chair

Changing

• Changing table or cushioned changing pad for low dresser or bureau, with safety strap or railing
• Changing table pad
• Changing table pad cover
• Diaper pail
• Diaper pail liners
• Diaper cream
• Baby wipes
• Soft washcloths
• 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers

Bath

• Baby bathtub
• Baby soap
• Baby shampoo
• 2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels
• Baby hairbrush
• Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)

Feeding

• 10-16 bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce (if fed strictly by the bottle, baby will go through about ten in the four ounce size per day)
• Liners, for disposable bottles
• Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)
• Bottle sterilizer (if your dishwasher doesn’t have one)
• Bottle brush
• Dishwasher basket for small items
• 4-8 bibs
• Burp cloths
• High chair
• 2-4 pacifiers
• Formula (if not nursing)

For nursing moms:

• 1-3 nursing bras (Breasts swell following birth, so start with one size larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down — about two weeks after birth — to purchase additional bras.)
• Nursing pads
• Nipple cream
• Nursing pillow
• Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)
• Milk storage bags

Medicine Cabinet

• Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors
• Cotton balls (don’t use swabs to clean baby’s nose or ears)
• Baby thermometer
• Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
• Medicine dropper
• Petroleum jelly and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)
• Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Antibiotic cream
• Saline nasal drops
• Baby gas drops

Travel

• Infant or convertible car seat
• Stroller (reclining to almost flat for infants)
• Diaper bag
• Changing pad
• Baby carrier/sling

For Mom

• Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)
• 2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads
• Panty liners
• Hemorrhoid wipes and cream

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