When you're having a baby, equipping a room is part of the fun. Focus on essentials first, to ensure that you don't have to run to the store once the baby is home. While many of these items aren't as glamorous as fun and fuzzy toys or beautiful pictures, they are items that ease the transition to parenthood by ensuring you've got the basics covered.
Clothes
Babies grow quickly and don't always fit newborn sizes. However, it's critical to have some clothing on hand to start out the first few weeks. Remove the tags and wash the clothes in hypoallergenic detergent to avoid skin irritation.
Have on hand seven one-piece outfits (also called bodysuits), seven one-piece pajamas and seven cotton T-shirts to layer under clothing that snap at the crotch to avoid bunching. For outerwear, have on hand two jackets and a snowsuit for winter babies, one jacket for a summer baby. For your baby's extremities, you won't need shoes, but have 7 sets of socks and three hats.
In addition, it's essential to have 4 receiving blankets to swaddle your baby.
For all clothing, check that the seams are soft and won't rub the baby's skin. Avoid zippers as they can pinch with even the most careful parent. Look for well-placed snaps that come apart with a gentle tug.
Diapering Equipment
Diapers in many sizes are critical to any nursery. Babies grow in unpredictable bursts, so make sure you don't overstock on newborn sizes. Get three packs of modern, disposable diapers in newborn size. Also buy diapers wipes (start with cotton balls and warm water to avoid skin irritation), diaper cream (ask your pediatrician for a recommendation) and a means of disposing of soiled diapers.
If you're using cloth diapers, calculate how many you'll need by assuming 12 diaper changes per day. Typically, you'll need six to 10 packs of diaper-service diapers, assuming 12 per pack. Remember if you change your mind and switch to disposable, cloth diapers can be used a myriad of other ways, such as burp cloths. If using cloth, you'll also need a diaper pail, covers for the diaper and waterproof pants (typically made of rubber) as well as diaper covers to avoid using pins.
You don't need a diaper changing table, the top of a dresser or a pad on the floor is fine, especially once your baby starts rolling over. However, you do need a diaper bag to accompany you on trips.
Furniture
Your baby needs a place to sleep. For many parents, especially if you are nursing, a bassinet or co-sleeper makes night nursing much easier. Make sure to install the co-sleeper snugly to avoid suffocation issues. Wash any bedding in hypoallergenic detergent to avoid skin rashes. Once the baby is older, she needs a crib to sleep in during naps and at night.
A baby's room also needs some sort of clothes organizer. This can be a dresser, an insert in a closet or a series of baskets. Make sure to label drawers or baskets clearly with the age ranges of clothing so that those who are helping out can find clothing quickly and easily.
In addition, it helps to have a rocking chair to sit in while soothing the baby, feeding her and holding her while napping. It's also useful to have a light that has a dimmer switch so that you can check on the baby without turning on a bright light.
