Expectant parents are easy marks for retailers. They want their baby to have the best of everything, and are susceptible to marketing messages that bathe them in guilt for not buying the latest fad in baby equipment. Items like an infant swing, doughnut-shaped pillow, changing table and bouncy seat are nice to have but they are not essential items when you first bring your baby home.
Getting Around
Protecting your baby and keeping her safe begins on the ride home from the hospital. Federal law requires car safety seats for any child weighing less than 40 lbs. Equip your car with an infant rear-facing car seat. On the nice-to-have list are other forms of getting around with the baby, including a stroller, baby carrier and baby slings.
Warmth
Infants do not regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so it is important to keep them warm. Swaddling babies gives them a secure feeling and lends warmth, so be sure to have several cotton receiving blankets on hand. Stock up on long-sleeved side-snap undershirts or one-piece undershirts that snap at the crotch on hand, as well as a few lightweight daytime outfits and one-piece sleepers. Keep the head, hands and feet warm with an infant cap, socks and shirts that have fold-over cuffs.
Feeding
The supplies needed to feed your new baby depend on whether you plan to breast feed or bottle feed. Breast-feeding moms should have a breast pump and storage bottles on hand for baby, and nursing pads and bras for herself. A bottle warmer is a handy item to have when breastfeeding, as you should not heat breast milk in the microwave. Only buy a small amount of formula to begin with for bottle-fed babies, as it will take a few days before you know whether baby has any sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients. Whether you breast or bottle feed, have some small baby bottles and newborn nipples on hand, as well as a bottle brush, drying tree, insulated bottle holder and several burp cloths.
Hygiene
Although your new baby is not mobile yet, she will still get dirty. A plastic infant bathtub with foam insert is the best way to bathe your newborn. You will also need hooded towels, washcloths and baby body wash and shampoo.
If you plan to use disposable diapers, stock up on the newborn size if your baby weighed less than 8 lbs. at birth, or size one diapers if your baby was larger. Moms who go the cloth route will need a good supply of cloth diapers, diaper pins, waterproof diaper covers and diaper inserts. All moms should have a good supply of baby wipes and a covered diaper pail.
Sleeping
You do not need a crib when baby first comes home from the hospital. Many moms use a smaller bassinet the first few weeks. Bassinets are small enough that they can be close to where mom is sleeping. The smaller size gives baby a sense of security. Whether you use a crib or a bassinet, be sure to have cotton or flannel fitted sheets and a waterproof mattress cover. Swap out the cotton blankets for waffle weave blankets at night to keep the baby warm. If you plan to have the baby sleep in a crib in another room, have a baby monitor system turned so that you can hear her when she wakes up.
In Case of Emergency
One of the first lessons that new parents learn is that emergencies always happen when they are least expected. Get ahead of the game and keep your medicine chest stocked with baby basics. ConsumerReports.org recommends a pain-and-fever reducer, cotton swabs, nasal aspirator, digital thermometer, rubbing alcohol and petroleum jelly.
