The Ultimate Newborn Checklist: Things You Need Before Your Baby Arrives
Having a new baby is an exciting time. You can expect to have so many new things to think about and buy. But with all the excitement, it’s easy to neglect some important preparation. These moments call for a little bit of planning ahead and ensuring you have everything covered. Preparing for your bundle of joy doesn’t need to be stressful; it just requires some foresight and organization from you first. Here is the ultimate newborn checklist that should make things easier for you:
A Change of Clothes For You
One of the first things people often forget is clothing for the parent. You’ll spend a lot of time in this outfit, so make sure it’s comfortable and easy to take care of. It would help if you also had a pair of comfortable shoes. You might need to walk around the house a lot with your new baby, and you’ll want something you can be comfortable in. While you may not use them as often as you think, a few pairs of socks are also good to have on hand. You might be in them more than you think, with all the foot traffic in and out of the house with friends and family stopping by to meet the new baby.
A Change of Clothes For Baby
The first thing you want to ensure you have for the baby is a nice outfit for their arrival. Babies are photographed upon coming home from the hospital, and it’s tradition to dress them in their first outfit. Also, newborns generate a lot of fluids, so a couple of outfits that can be easily removed and thrown in the wash are highly recommended. You will also want to have one or two receiving blankets available. These blankets are large and soft for wrapping your newborn in. You might want to ensure a couple of other items such as a pair of soft, warm earmuffs, a soft plush, etc.
A Safe Space For Baby To Sleep
Babies spend a lot of their time sleeping, so you’ll want to make sure you have a safe place for them to do it. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their crib or bassinet in the parents’ room. There are some safety precautions you should take with the crib. First, check to ensure it meets the latest safety standards and is free of defects. You should also use a crib sheet that is tight enough to keep the baby from sliding around. Also, make sure you have a firm crib mattress and check it regularly for any signs of damage or wear. You may consider putting a thin mattress pad on top of the mattress for added comfort. A baby sound machine can also help your baby sleep better.
A Place For You To Sleep
You will need a place to sleep during the first few weeks after the baby arrives. Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you will be tired and in pain after delivery. You might want to consider a reclining couch for a bed. If you’re breastfeeding, you might want to have a blanket or pillow to put between your legs to help keep them elevated while you feed your baby.
Bottles, Formula, and Bibs
Since you don’t know what your baby will be like when they come, you’ll want to have some bottles on hand. While some babies are happy feeding from the breast, others simply aren’t interested in it. You will also want to have some bottles with formula in case your baby isn’t interested in breast milk. You will also want to have a few burp cloths or bibs on hand for the inevitable spit-up. These things can be mixed and matched depending on your child’s needs. If your child is lactose intolerant, you will want to have lactose-free formula on hand.
Diapers and Wipes
All babies go through lots of diapers, and it’s good to have a supply ready. You will also want lots of wipes to keep your baby clean and happy. You can never have too many of either. All babies are different, so you’ll have to experiment with what works best for your child. If your child has sensitive skin, look for a hypoallergenic brand.
Medications for Mom and Baby
You will probably want to keep some common over-the-counter medications on hand for both you and the baby. Make sure you have some medicine for pain and fever. You might also consider keeping some nasal spray on hand for the baby’s congestion and some infant massage oil for the baby. This helps to soothe the baby and relax their muscles.
What To Bring To The Hospital
You can do some things to make the hospital stay more comfortable for you and your partner. Bring a phone charger with you to stay in touch with people while you’re in the hospital. You don’t want to be cut off from the world completely while in the hospital, but you also don’t want to be distracted by texts and calls. Another good thing to bring with you is snacks. You’ll be eating a lot more often than usual while in the hospital, so you will want some easy snacks on hand. While there are plenty of options at the hospital cafeteria, you may want to have some food that fits your tastes and cravings.
A Newborn Care Plan
Many parents create a care plan to help them easily access all of their information amid newborn chaos. It is a good idea to have a care plan on hand that includes your doctor’s information, instructions for medications you are taking, any special considerations for your baby’s health, your birthing plan, and any other information you may need in a hurry. The newborn care plan will allow you to easily communicate essential information to others concerning your baby’s feeding and diaper schedule and any other important information.
A Newborn Registry
Many parents create a newborn registry for friends and family members who want to buy them a gift. However, a newborn registry is also a great way to ensure you have everything you need for your new baby. You can use a website like Amazon to create a digital newborn registry that can be accessed and managed by yourself or anyone with the link. Additionally, many retailers offer digital newborn registries where you can select from various potential gifts, including everything from clothing to cribs and beyond. This makes it very easy and convenient for family members to purchase what you need for your newborn.
