What Do You Really Need for a New Baby?

Here is my list of what you need for a new baby:

1. A really good stroller (Not necessarily $600 good, just something that is good quality and won’t fall apart)
2. An infant car seat that can attach to the stroller
3. Bassinet or Moses basket for the first few months
4. Crib, crib mattress, and crib sheets for when the baby is 4-6 months and up
5. Cozy baby blankets and swaddle blankets
6. Bath towel and lots of washcloths
7. Gentle baby soap (I like Burt’s Bees)
8. Comfy Bath Sponge for the kitchen sink (see this post for how I give a newborn baby a bath)
9. Cotton balls (I recommend using wet cotton balls instead of wipes for the first few months to avoid diaper rash)
10. Diapers
11. Burp cloths
12. Baby hats, socks, long sleeved onesies, clothing that you can layer.
13. Gentle laundry soap (I like Mrs. Meyers)
14. Cozy, warm baby pajamas
15. Board books
16. Infant carrier or wrap of your choice
17. Possibly a baby swing that swings side-to-side and front-to-back (brilliant for my 1st baby, but now I don’t need one)
18. Possibly bottles and supplemental formula
19. Summer Infant Snuzzler Infant Support (I’m convinced that it’s the reason my 3rd and 4th baby did not scream in the car the way my 1st and 2nd did)
20. I’m probably forgetting something that I will add here later, but I think that’s it

And a few things for Mommy to Be!

1. Cozy jammies to bring to the hospital (loose enough for nursing)
2. Lots of feminine pads
3. Nursing bras
4. Breast pump and supplies
5. Boob pads for leaking breastmilk
6. Lanolin ointment for sore boobs
7. Nursing shawl
8. Good pillows
9. Books and resources for encouragement for the first two weeks of learning to breastfeed a newborn baby
10. A network of supportive people who will bring meals, help clean your house, and tell you what a great job you are doing

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