"Baby's on the Way"

A new baby can bring lots of joy, but also lots of work! Be sure to have all the essentials prepared at least a few weeks before your baby is due to arrive (in case she or he is early!). At very minimum, your little one needs a warm and safe place to sleep, clean and dry clothes and diapers, nutrient-rich milk to drink, and most importantly, a loving parent close by. Beyond that, there are still some nice little extras that a new parent would want to gather up. Here is a list of commonly purchased baby items:

Baby Needs Checklist:

Nursery:

• Crib
• Crib Mattress
• Crib sheets
• Crib skirt
• Decorations
• Changing Table
• Bassinet
• Receiving blankets
• Knitted/heavy blankets
• Baby monitor
• Crib Mobile

Feeding Supplies:

• Nursing Pillow
• Nipple lotion
• Disposable Nursing Pads
• Bibs
• Soothers & Clips
• Feeding Fork
• Feeding Spoons
• Sippy cups
• Feeding bowls
• Highchair
• Portable highchair
• Booster seat

Travel:

• Infant car seat
• Diaper bag
• Infant carrier
• Snuggli carrier
• Infant Sling
• Stroller
• Car toys
• Car sun shades
• Child view mirror
• Travel toy organizer
• Warm carseat cuddle bag

Layette:

• Outfits
• Sleepers
• Onesies/undershirts
• Infant caps
• "Coming home" outfit
• Socks and Shoes
• Knitted Booties
• Snowsuits (if winter baby)
• Sweaters (if weather is cool)
• Light Sleeping & Carseat Bag
• Warm hat (if winter baby)

Diapering:

• Disposable diapers - newborn size
• Disposable diapers - size 1 & 2
• Disposable diapers - size 3
• Diaper rash ointment
• Baby Wipes
• Diaper pail
• Change pads

Bathing:

• Infant Bathtub (with newborn seat)
• Older infant Seat (ring)
• Hooded bath towels
• Washcloths
• Bath mat
• Babywash
• Baby shampoo
• Bath toys

Medicine Cabinet:

• Baby Grooming Kit
• Diaper rash ointment
• Baby oil
• Lotion
• Nose syringe
• Infant gas drops
• Infant cold drops
• Pain Reliever/infant drops
• Antibacterial hand soap
• Antibacterial ointment
• Teethers

Entertainment :

• Exerciser
• Jolly jumper
• Music
• Puzzles
• Bouncer
• Rattles
• Board books
• Learning toys
• Play yard
• Toy frame
• Activity mat
• Stuffed animals
• Blocks
• Swing
• Portable Open-Top Swing

Other:

• Stroller/playpen net
• Clothes hamper
• Clothes hangers
• Baby gate

Bio of Author: * This article is © YoungMommies.com 2006 and may be printed without the author's permission for personal use only. It may not be distributed, modified, or sold. * The author is Kris Cormier, webmaster/founder/owner of www.YoungMommies.com. * Kris is a young mom of 2 who resides in Ottawa, ON. She has her B.A.honours Psychology, B.A. Women's Studies, and works in the field of counselling. She has been running YM since 1999.

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