You may be surprised to discover how much stuff a newborn baby needs. According to Healthy Children, you should have your home and car well-prepared for the arrival of your newborn before your baby is born. The most important things your new baby will need include a car seat, diapers and diapering supplies, clothing, a safe place to sleep and feeding supplies. Having each of these things on hand before your baby is born will make bringing her home from the hospital less stressful for you.
Carseat
Making sure your newborn is safe is one of the most important responsibilities you will have as a parent. A car seat will protect your baby as you transport her home from the hospital as well as on any outings you will take in the coming months. Your baby's car seat should be a federally approved one that is a rear-facing model. Follow the car seat installation directions or have a car seat technician ensure that your car seat is installed properly so that your baby will be safe while traveling.
Diapers and Diapering Supplies
Your newborn will go through about 10 diapers per day, reports Kids Health, so stocking up before your baby is born will ensure that you have plenty of diapers for those first few days home from the hospital. Kids Health also recommends having plenty of wipes so you can keep your baby clean when changing his diapers. Diaper rash cream is another diapering supply that will make your baby comfortable while wearing a diaper, particularly if he develops a diaper rash, says Kids Health.
Clothing
You may have spent a great deal of time choosing your baby's clothing for bringing her home from the hospital. Your baby will need several items of clothing and purchasing them before your baby is born will help you prepare for her arrival. According to Baby Center, your baby will need several changes of clothing each day, particularly during her first six weeks. You'll want her clothing to be comfortable, soft and easy for you to remove for diaper changes. Baby Center recommends that you have four to seven one-piece outfits, four to seven pairs of pajamas, four to seven shirts, one jacket, a snowsuit if your baby is born in the winter, four to seven pairs of socks and one to three hats for the season she is born in.
A Safe Place To Sleep
Your newborn will spend many hours a day sleeping and it is important to have a safe sleeping area prepared for him before he is born. There are many sleep options including cribs, bassinets and cradles and Kids Health reports that whatever sleeping area you choose must be free of any soft bedding, pillows or stuffed animals in order to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Feeding Supplies
Once you make your decision to breastfeed, formula feed or to use a combination of both, whatever choice you make, will require feeding supplies. Having sufficient feeding supplies on hand before your baby is born will make feeding your hungry newborn easier. If you formula feed, you will need several canisters of formula, several bottles and several nipples, says Kids Health. If you breastfeed, you may need a breast pump and milk storage supplies. Breastfeeding supplies are especially important if your baby's dad wants to have a chance to bond over a feeding session. Kids Health recommends sterile nursing bags or sterile milk storage bottles to safely store your breast milk.
