Essential Items for Newborns

Newborns require a lot of things. I would suggest making a list of items you will need. You will need to buy a diaper bag to store diapers and bottles in. You will need to buy newborn diapers- but only a few packs of them. Babies grow quickly and you most likely will not need more than 2 or 3 packs of diapers with a cut out for the umbilical cord. You will also need to buy wipes and a wipe warmer. The best bottles that you can buy are Dr. Browns bottles which have a tube that reduces the amount of air taken in during feeding. I would not buy any other types of bottles. Most other bottles that you buy will leak.

You will need to buy a small bath tub and tear free body wash and hair wash. You will need to buy a kit which includes nail clippers, a thermometer and other necessary medications such as infant tylenol. I would also buy gas drops to reduce colic as much as possible. If your baby has colic the best thing you can do is rock your baby and walk around with your baby. This reduces the amount of gas in your babies belly. Always burp your baby after every ounce or two ounces of formula. The best formula to buy would be Goodstart. Similac seems to be very foamy.

I would buy a lot of hooded towels, onsies and sleep n plays in all different sizes. Do not buy a lot of newborn clothes because they only go up to 8-10 pounds which might only last a month or two. I would buy 0-3 months or 3-6 months but pay attention to the weight. I would also buy a hat, gloves, coat and a lot of socks. To avoid socks disappearing in the washing machine you can place them in a bag when being washed. You can buy special baby safe laundry detergent also. They make a spray at Toys R Us called Totally Toddler and this will save all of your baby clothes. Babies are very messy and the spray will eliminate all stains, guaranteed!

I would also buy a pair of slippers, a comb and pacifiers. When purchasing items I would suggest buying them from Toys R Us, Target or Walmart. Walmart has very good prices and very cute clothes. Make a list of items and as you buy them I would mark a quantity and cross them off. Make sure to pick an easy outfit to get the baby in when you take the baby home. Babies are very delicate when they are born. You will feel as if you are going to break an arm off!

Until the umbilical cord falls off you will need to give your baby a sponge bath. Your baby will sleep a lot the first month or so. People say that you will never sleep again, but this isn't true. Sleep when the baby is sleeping. Try to get the baby on a schedule as soon as possible. Give your baby a bath before bed and make it a routine so they expect to go to sleep after they have a bath.