Checklist for Expecting Mothers

by Robert Meyer

If you are expecting you may want to start preparing early for the arrival of your new baby. Below is a checklist of things you will need when the baby arrives. I found this list in Consumer Reports and thought it would be helpful. You might want to start shopping early so you don’t have to incur a very large expense all at one time. It would also save some money if you had a baby shower and shared the list with friends and family.

Here is a checklist of what you should have on hand before your baby arrives.

Tooling around

_____Car seat

_____Stroller

Beds and linens

_____Crib

_____Crib mattress

_____Bassinet/cradle (if you don't want to put your baby in a crib right away)

_____Two to three fitted crib sheets

_____Four or more waffle-weave cotton receiving blankets for swaddling baby

_____Two mattress pads

_____One to two waterproof liners (for crib or bassinet).

Diaper duty

_____Diapers. Disposable or cloth

_____Diaper pail. (Optional with disposables)

_____Diaper bag Dressing baby

_____Four sleeping outfits or onesies (one-piece sleepers), preferably with attached feet

_____Six side-snap T-shirts

_____Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch

_____A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one)

_____Six pairs socks/booties

_____Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. Get only a few items in newborn size. Then,

go for clothing in the 6-month size--your baby will grow into it quickly. But don't buy baby

sleepwear that's too big; it'sa fire hazard

_____Cotton sweater or light jacket

Summer babies

_____Brimmed hat Winter babies

Winter babies

_____Snowsuit or heavy bunting

_____Heavy stroller blanket

_____Warm knit hat

Feeding time

If you're planning to breast-feed:

_____Two or three nursing bras

_____A box of washable or disposable breast pads

_____Breast pump if you expect to use one

_____Four small baby bottles with newborn nipples for expressed breast milk

_____Bottle drying tree

_____Bottle brush

_____Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one)

_____Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths.

If you're planning to bottle-feed

_____Six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples, rings, and a dishwasher basket if you use a dishwasher

Bathing/grooming

_____Three soft hooded towels

_____Two packs of baby washcloths

_____ Baby body wash that doubles as shampoo

_____Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers

_____Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment

_____Infant bathtub

_____Soft brush and comb

_____Mild laundry detergent

Medicine chest essentials

_____A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby's doctor,

such as Infant's Tylenol

_____Cotton pads/swabs

_____Nasal aspirator

_____Digital thermometer

_____Rubbing alcohol

_____Petroleum jelly

Keeping baby happy

_____Pacifiers

Extras: Nice but optional

_____Monitor

_____Changing table

_____A rocker or glider

_____Soft carrier

_____Swing

In addition to shopping so you don’t have to incur a very large expense all at one time you should also do some price comparison research on the internet to save some money. My favorite site is http://www.bestbabythingsonline.com.