Bringing home a new baby brings feelings of joy, excitement, anxiousness---and stress. You've been waiting for your bundle of joy to arrive for the last nine months, and now that the time is near, you may find yourself wondering which items are necessary to have such as the correct sized diapers, the right crib for your baby and feeding supplies.
Crib
Every baby needs a crib. Letting your baby sleep with you in your bad can develop a bad habit, which can be difficult to break, according to PubMed Central. Adult beds are unsafe for babies as they can roll out of the bed or you could possibly roll onto your child and suffocate her. Choose a crib that will allow the sides of the crib to slide down easily so that you can get your baby in and out of bed. Along with the crib, purchase three to four sets of crib sheets in case your baby spits up or her diaper leaks. To protect the mattress of the crib, purchase a mattress protector to help shield the mattress from becoming soiled. Bumper pads for the crib help protect her head in case she begins to roll around, and it will also prevent her arms or legs from becoming tangled in the bars of the crib. Consider keeping at least one to two blankets close by to cover her up with if she gets cold at night. Never place any loose toys or other items such as pillows in the crib as she may suffocate.
Changing Supplies
You will need size appropriate diapers for your newborn. Diapers are sized by your baby's weight. Your baby's pediatrician will supply you with her weight at each wellness visit. Use baby wipes when cleansing your baby's bottom. You may use hypoallergenic wipes to ensure your baby is not sensitive to scented wipes. Keep diaper rash medicine on hand in case she would develop a diaper rash, which can cause discomfort to your baby.
Feeding Supplies
If you choose not to breastfeed your baby, she will need baby formula and bottles. Your pediatrician can recommend a specific brand of formula for your baby and the measurements are on the labels. A bottle brush is a good investment to ensure the bottle nipples are clean as well as the inside of the bottles. You may also want to purchase burping cloths as smaller babies tend to spit up when being burped. This will help protect your clothes as well as your baby's clothes.
