Today we'll start with the basics, and over the next several days I'll post about additional items that will make life easier with your new baby.
Let your friends know that you are open to hand-me-downs and watch the clothes grow! |
Bare Basics
If you really want only the essentials for the first week or two you can get away with just the following:
- Diapers/wipes - Lots of people suggest that even if you plan to use cloth diapers it's easier to use disposables those first few weeks when baby poops upwards of 12 times a day! You can also skip the newborn size and go straight to size 1 for most babies.
- A pack of 2-3 onsies
- A couple of receiving blankets or swaddles (I loved the HALO SleepSack Swaddle for the first several months.)
- Nail file or clippers (I was too scared to use the clippers so I filed baby's nails until she was older. Also, don't waste money on those baby mittens. A nurse in the NICU said that they keep babies from sucking on their fingers, which is soothing and will help them sleep.)
- Car seat - Required and should be new! Some hospitals give them to new mothers so make sure you check before purchasing.
- A sample of formula and a few bottles - experts recommend breastfeeding your baby, but if you initially have issues (and many women do!) you might feel less stressed about it knowing you have a temporary back-up plan (with that being said, babies only need a very small amount of colostrum those first couple days since their stomachs can only hold 5-7mLs!)
I love that book also! I send it to all of my pregnant friends :-). I'm going to share this link with my friends that are pregnant too - great info, Aimee!!
ReplyDeleteGreat list.
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