Preparing for Baby
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Adding a new baby to your life means lots of changes are in store. What do you need to know in order to make sure that you are fully prepared to bring baby home? Below we will explore some areas you need to cover during the next few months.
One area you will need to address is where your baby will sleep. In the first few weeks most babies do quite well in a cradle or a bassinet. This sleeping option allows you to keep baby close to you and a bassinet will even allow you to move baby around the house with you with ease. Keep in mind that after the first few months, your baby will need larger sleeping accommodations and you will need to acquire a crib. Remember when choosing a crib that this is one area where you should never cut corners. Cribs are expensive but they are an investment in the health and safety of your baby. Avoid using second-hand cribs unless it was produced in the last year or so for safety reasons. The slats should be no more than 2 3/8" apart. When buying a new crib, be sure to check out several models to determine which one will function best for you. Keep in mind that while one model may look nice, in the end function will override looks.
In addition, you will also need a safe and secure place to change your baby. The most ideal option is a changing table that has a storage area for keeping diapers, burp cloths, wipes, etc. A secure changing table will have sides, but remember that you should never leave your baby unattended.
Car seats are also an essential. Take the time to do your research and find out about recent recalls in car seats. Until your baby is one year old or at least 20 pounds he or she will need to ride in a rear facing car seat. This is the safest option. At that point, your baby can ride in a front facing car seat. Many strollers come with combination carriers in which the carrier can be locked into a base that is secured in your vehicle.
Your baby will also need a full wardrobe and layette. Although baby's clothing needs are fairly simple in the early days, you will need to make sure that you have plenty of little sleepers on hand for your baby. In addition, you will also need an ample amount of other baby supplies such as baby wash cloths, burp cloths, blankets and fitted sheets for your baby's bed.
Of course, you will also need diapers. Consider whether you plan to use cloth diapers or disposables. While many parents do choose to use disposables today, there are also many parents who prefer to use cloth diapers as well. Expect your baby to need at least a dozen diaper changes per day when figuring the amount of diapers that you will need.
In addition, consider whether you will be nursing or you will bottle feed your baby. While studies have shown that nursing is beneficial for both mom and baby, you may decide this is not the right option for you or you may discover that nursing is not possible. In either case, you will need to prepare to have supplies on hand. For bottle feeding, having a minimum of two dozen bottles on hand along with a bottle brush. Discuss formula needs with your baby's pediatrician, but do not be surprised if you need to change the formula until you find one that suits your baby. For nursing you will need some good quality maternity bras, nursing pads and a nursing pillow to make nursing more comfortable.
Other items that you will need to have on hand in order to be prepared for baby include wipes and baby wash.
