Many new mothers find themselves worrying about having enough for their little bundles of joy. What to get? What to buy? What’s important?
Ideally you’ll be as prepared as possible before your baby comes home. However, the unfortunate news is that you won’t really know what is important to you until you start mothering. What’s important to somebody else might not be important to you.
So with that said, here’s a little list of items *I* think are bare minimum for your new little babe (and you).
1. bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper. Baby has to sleep somewhere! Also, be sure to get extra sheets!
2. crib (for when baby gets bigger)
3. receiving blankets (lots of them. You’ll use them to make your child into a “burrito”, wipe up spit, put under baby, etc. I use mine as “sheets” in the bassinet…a little trick I learned while my son was in the NICU. You just have to make sure you tuck the blanket tightly around the mattress)
4. burp rags. I prefer ones that aren’t so bulky. Aden and Anais makes awesome ones.
5. diapering system (disposables or cloth)
6. wet wipes or cloth wipes
7. essentials: medicine syringes, booger sucker, thermometer, nail clippers
8. bath tub
9. clothes in varying sizes. Think practical: sleepers, onesies, etc.
10. swing
11. sling (easie r to carry the baby around this way)
12. travel system (you need a carseat- required by law- and a stroller is a necessity anyway)
13. play mat
14. diaper bag
15. CPR certified
16. baby laundry detergent
17. baby hamper
18. A& D lotion
19. baby soap and shampoo
20. boppy. I’m on the fence on this one. Sometimes I like it, and other times I’d rather just use my legs or a regular pillow.
21. Plastic organizer drawers. I get these from Target and use them to store nipples, medicine syringes, or whatever is important for the baby.
22. Drying rack.
23. Pump (if you will need one and plan on breastfeeding)
24. Bottles (if you’re bottle feeding) with nipples (make sure you get the right flow for the nipples. Infants have a slower flow).
25. If you’re breastfeeding, nipple pads and nipple cream.
…and that’s pretty much it! Everything else is totally optional.
So dear readers who are already parents, what do YOU think is essential???
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