Newborn Baby Checklist

Summary:Ok moms and dads, grab your pen and paper and get ready to make a list of all the essentials you need before the beautiful baby arrives. It’s good not to put this sort of thing off for too long, since near labor and delivery mom and dad will, understandably, be preoccupied. This is a very basic list, so remember that each family’s needs are different. Just use this as a guideline to prepare for your bundle of joy.

Baby Layette - A baby layette is a fancy word for a collection of clothes and blankets that your baby can use right away. It’s the perfect kind of gift to register for in your baby shower, so don’t stress too much about finding one yourself.

Diapers – They are more than important, they’re an absolute necessity. Get plenty of newborn size diapers for the first month or so, and it helps to get some that have space for the umbilical cord before it falls off. If you’re planning on using cloth diapers, kudos to you! It helps to get a kit that includes diapers, snappies to hold them and the outer shells. Also, for the times you have to use disposables, remember that chlorine free diapers are available now.

Car Seat - The car seat is actually required by law, so don’t skip this step. The hospital will not let you take little one home without one. All car seats on the market are required to meet safety standards, so just look for one that fits your life style best.

Formula – If you’re not planning on breastfeeding, you will of course need to stock up on formula to feed your growing bambino. You will also need all the bottles and related equipment that go with it. Just as a note, however, children who are breast fed have been proven to develop stronger immune systems and higher IQ scores. They also don’t have as many problems with obesity, a big issue for our society today.

Stroller – It’s almost inevitable that you’re going to travel somewhere with your baby, and you’ll need a good stroller, preferably one that can hold the car seat. This is a great help when baby is sleep and you don’t want to disturb his or her slumber.

Crib or co-sleeper – Baby is going to have to sleep somewhere, so make sure somewhere is ready before the big day. If you’re co-sleeping with your child, make sure that you have something to block your child from falling off. There are many good products available, but keep in mind that a mother’s instinct is the best protection. Cribs can be borrowed so long as they meet safety standards, or you can get your friends and families to pitch in together