As the birth of your baby quickly approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the plethora of daily activities and easy to forget some of the baby’s necessities which will make your infant’s first days home easy. To avoid this hiccup, it is a great idea to slowly purchase required products before your due date so you can make sure you have everything you need and you have time to procure any missed items. There are some essential items which will assure you and your baby have an easy hospital-to-home transition.

First and foremost, have a rear-facing car seat. The hospital will not allow you to depart with the baby without such a seat. It is not necessary to immediately have a stroller to bring your baby home though you may want to consider looking into baby travel systems which provide the required infant car seat and also a stroller which you’ll later need.

Often overlooked by many parents is the value of babywearing. Research has shown that the use of baby wrap and sling-style carriers that keep baby close to mom or dad offer many benefits to the baby’s development. Although these types of carriers are not crucial to baby’s arrival day, many parents find it helpful to begin right away.

You’ll need a place for your baby to sleep when he or she arrives home. Either a crib or bassinet and bedding will be necessary. Some parents opt to purchase both a bassinet and a crib, as the bassinet offers a more confined space which tends to make newborns feel the most comfortable when first outside of mom’s womb. In several weeks to a few months, after your infant has become more acquainted with the outside world, he or she can more comfortably sleep in the crib.

Receiving blankets are excellent for swaddling your baby, as newborns have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. They also come in handy when there’s spit-up after a burping. Tightly wrapping your newborn in a receiving blanket provides a soothing sleep at night time and during the day.

Many infants appear to have a near-constant hunger, especially in the first days and nights, so being prepared for proper feeding is crucial. Much of the feeding supplies you’ll need will depend upon whether you choose to breast feed or use baby formula. Burping cloths, a handful of bibs, and even several baby bottles will be necessary for breastfeeding as well as formula-based parenting, as breastfeeding parents often find that storing some breastmilk for future feedings is often necessary.  For formula feeding, you’ll want to make sure you have at least a couple of weeks of formula prior to baby’s arrival. For breastfeeding, you should consider purchasing a breast pump and nursing pads to comfort sensitive nipples.

You’ll also need to have plenty of diapers for baby’s arrival home. It’s likely that your baby may need a dozen diaper changes each day. You’ll need to determine whether you want to use cloth diapers or disposables. Disposable diapers generally offer the easiest use but will add up to much more money during the course of diapering. One-size cloth diapers are also easy to purchase and use, but you’ll also need diaper inserts with them. With either option, you’ll need to also have plenty of baby wipes on-hand, changing pad, diaper rash cream, and baby powder.

Having initial health care items specific to your baby will also be very important. One such item is a infant first aid kit which should include a thermometer, nasil aspirator, nail clippers, and other basic infant care items. For baby’s first bath, make sure you have an infant tub, hooded bath towels, tearless shampoo, and baby lotion.

Though baby toys can be extremely fun to pick out, generally, your baby won’t need many toys during the first couple of months, but there are a few worth having upon arrival. Invaluable to your baby’s enjoyment are toys which can stimulate his or her senses. It’s never too early to start stimulating development. Mobiles or stuffed animals that play soft music can provide hours of enjoyment and offer a comforting atmosphere that places your little one at ease.

All you need to address are these basic items to ensure a joyous arrival home with the entire family. With a proper understanding as to what’s important for baby’s first few weeks at home, you’ll be able to better plan his or her arrival and reduce your stress. Most of all, remember that this is a very special time for your whole family so, even if you do overlook something, don’t let the “little things” get in the way of enjoying this time with your new baby.

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