With adorable baby products clamoring for your attention in every store, and every baby company claiming that their new product is a must-have item, deciding what's essential equipment for your newborn can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are guidelines to follow that will help keep keep you focused and on-budget.
Sleeping
You can place your baby in a crib from the get-go, or you can use a bassinet. For bedding, you will need several small blankets for swaddling your baby, a couple of large cotton blankets and several snug-fitting fitted sheets. Crib bumpers, pillows and comforters are unnecessary and pose a suffocation hazard.
Feeding
If you are planning to bottle feed, Consumer Reports notes that you will need about six 4 to 5 oz. bottles, a bottle drying rack and bottle brushes. Breastfeeding comes with its own set of gear: you will need several nursing bras, breast pads and a nursing cover for public feedings. If you plan to use a breast pump, you will need four or five 4 to 5 oz. bottles for milk storage. No matter how you feed your baby, you will need plenty of washable or disposable spit-up rags and bibs.
Bathing/Grooming
Hooded towels and fancy washcloths are cute and plastic tubs are handy. However, none of these items are necessary for bathing your baby. You can use a liner or a large dish pan to bathe your baby in the sink, or you can take her into the bath or shower with you. The only real bathtime essential is a gentle baby soap/ shampoo. To groom your baby, you'll need a soft brush, a comb and nail trimmers or scissors.
Diapering
Consumer Reports suggest that you have one 40-count package of diapers on hand. If you are using cloth diapers, you'll need two to three dozen diapers and six to 10 plastic outer pants. Besides diapers, you will need wipes, diaper rash ointment and a diaper pail. A changing table is nice but not necessary; your bed or a low dresser will work just fine. Just be sure to invest in some waterproof covers.
Clothing
You'll need a collection of long- and short-sleeve undershirts--preferably the kind that snap closed on the bottom--several pairs of pants, a couple of baby caps, several pairs of socks, and a few nightgowns or one-piece sleepers. If you have a winter baby, you'll need a warm knit hat and a bunting bag or snowsuit. Today's Parent notes that, because babies grow quickly, you should only buy a few clothing items in newborn size. The rest should be in three- to six-month sizes.
Medication
Your baby's medicine kit should include a pain-and-fever reducer--such as Infant's Tylenol--that's recommended by your pediatrician. It should also contain a bulb syringe for removing mucous, cotton pads and swabs, rubbing alcohol and a thermometer.
On the Go
First and foremost, your baby will need an approved, rear-facing carseat and a stroller. Travel systems that come with an interlocking carseat and stroller are a better investment than a separate carseat and baby carriage, according to Today's Parent.
