As your baby’s birth approaches, you may find yourself so caught up in the homecoming event that you may overlook items you need to help make your baby’s arrival home as smooth as possible. By slowly purchasing your infant's items before your due date, you'll be able to avoid overlooked items by reviewing your purchases with ample time to procure any forgotten baby goods. To ensure a easy transition home from the hospital, there are some vital items you need to have.
First and foremost, have a rear-facing car seat. You will be unable to take your baby out of the hospital without a proper 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. A crib or bassinet and a couple of sets of bedding will be needed. 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.
As newborns want to feel confined and have difficulty with the regulation of their body temperature, receiving blankets not only provide a health benefit but a comforting one as well. They also come in handy when there's spit-up after a burping. Receiving blankets will often be used for wrapping your infant during nap and nighttime sleeping.
Many infants appear to have a near-constant hunger, especially in the first days and nights, so planning for proper feeding is crucial. Many of the feeding accessories you need will depend on your choice of breast or formula feeding. There are some basic items that you'll need whether you choose formula or breastfeeding such as soft burp cloths, several bibs, and baby bottles - many breastfeeding moms often store a couple feedings of bottled breastmilk in case of milking difficulty or for dad to participate.If you'll be formula feeding, you will need to have a couple weeks of formula before your baby's arrival home. If planning to breastfeed, you may want to consider breast pumps and nursing pads.
For your baby's arrival, you'll also need to have plenty of diapers at home. You may find yourself going through as many as 10-12 diaper changes each day. You will have to decide whether to use disposable or cloth diapers. Disposables are the easiest to use but can cost you quite a bit of money over the years you will spend changing diapers. One-size cloth diapers are also easy to purchase and use, but you’ll also need diaper inserts with them. Wether cloth or disposable diapering, you'll need to have an abundance of baby wipes, a diaper changing pad or table, baby powder, and diaper rash cream.
Basic baby health care items your infant will be important to have upon arriving home. A newborn or infant first aid kit, which includes a nasal aspirator, thermometer, and toenail clippers, among other things, is one such item. For baby's first bath, be sure to have an infant tub, hooded bath towels, tearless shampoo, and baby lotion.
Though purchasing your baby's first toys is a fun part of every soon-to-be parent's experience, only a few are important during the first weeks, as your baby won't yet be ready for a lot of individual play. Invaluable to your baby's enjoyment are toys which can stimulate his or her senses. It's always good to start stimulating baby's development as early as possible. 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.
If you cover all of the basics, your baby’s first days at home will be a joy for both you and your child. With a proper outlook as to what's important for baby's first month at home, you'll be able to better plan his or her arrival and minimize your stress. Most importantly, don't forget that this should be a special event for everyone in the family so don't let any little oversights from detracting from this memorable time.
Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of Bustling Baby, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products, such as Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers.
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