Preparing to Bring Baby Home List
Below is a basic list of items that you will need to have ready before you bring your baby home. When you are buying furniture, please make sure that it fits into the guidelines by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Safety Council, mainly if you are getting the items handed down to you. These guidelines change frequently so it's important that you check to make sure your baby is safe.
- Diapers (newborn size & maybe size 1) and wipes
- Some sort of changing pad/table
- Have the bassinet set up or crib (also multiple sheets & waterproof mattress covers because it's just a matter of time before the baby pees or pukes everywhere)
- Have clothing in both newborn and 1-3 month sizes (because you really don’t know what size the baby is until he/she makes his/her arrival)
- Socks
- Hats
- Mittens (this one is important because the little one's nails will scratch)
- Vaseline/ infant lotion
- Baby body wash
- Infant bathtub
- Baby towels
- Swaddles
- Monitor (if the baby is going to be sleeping in another room)
- Infant car seat and base (rule of thumb is have the car seat base installed in your 8th month of pregnancy - you will not be able to take the baby home without a car seat)
- Stroller
- Burp cloths
- Bibs
- Washcloths
- Nail cutter or grinder
- Bulb syringe
- Baby thermometer a rectal or Axillary thermometer (under armpit) recommended for baby under 6 months or accuracy)
- Bottles
- Bottle cleaning brush
- Breast pumps
- Milk storage bags
- Breast pads
- Nipple Cream
- Pacifiers
- Formula (I say always have formula because you never know how long it may take for your milk to come in or if you produce enough, please do not underfeed your baby just because you want to keep your baby on breast milk)
- Meal prep (have a few meals pre-made in the freezer, you will not have time or energy to make meals for you and your family)
- Find pediatrician
- Get sibling ready for the new addition (both human and animals)