Before you bring home your newborn baby, prepare by purchasing some items ahead of time. Throughout your pregnancy, stock up on essentials to avoid having to buy everything last minute after the baby arrives. If you register for gifts, most baby stores will provide a checklist of all items required from birth to toddlerhood.
Types
The New Parent's Guide provides a website checklist that names essentials for newborns. Basics include gear, furniture, feeding, clothing, bathing and diapering. Items listed include diapers, bottles, crib, mattress, changing table, stroller, car seat, infant tub, pacifiers, child safety locks, wipes, diaper creams, blankets, sleepers and a baby bodysuit.
Features
When leave the hospital after delivery, have certain items with you. At the very least, have a take home outfit for the baby, diapers, wipes and a receiving blanket. Most hospitals also require that you have a car seat they can inspect before releasing you. The hospital may provide a goody bag with some items for the newborn, including diapers, formula samples, diaper cream, pacifier and bottles.
Considerations
The time of year will also affect what you need to buy for your newborn. If you are having a winter baby, Consumer Reports suggests that you purchase a snowsuit or heavy bunting, heavy stroller blanket and knit caps. Babies with a summer due date should have a wide-brimmed hat to avoid sun exposure. Breast-fed and bottle-fed babies also require different items. Breast-fed babies require breast pumps and breast pads. Bottle-fed babies need formula, bottles, nipples and bottle brushes.
Expert Insight
Some newborn gear products are nice to have, although not considered essentials. These items listed by Consumer Reports include swings, baby carriers, bouncy seats, baby monitor and night-light.
Warning
If you have an older child and have saved her baby items for reuse, take them out of storage before the newborn arrives. If the used items are not in good condition, you may need to discard them. Otherwise, wash the clothing and put the items away in the newborn's dresser.
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