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. 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. To ensure a easy transition home from the hospital, there are some essential items you need to have.
Above all else, you must have an infant car seat which faces to the rear. Your baby will not be allowed to leave the hospital without one. 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.
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 few feedings of bottled breastmilk in case of milking difficulty or for dad to participate.If you’ll be formula feeding, you should have a couple weeks of formula before your baby’s arrival home. For breastfeeding, you should consider purchasing a breast pump and nursing pads to comfort sensitive nipples.
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. 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. A newborn or infant first aid kit, which includes a nasal aspirator, thermometer, and toenail clippers, among other things, is one such item. Be sure to have a baby bathtub, baby shampoo, lotion and hooded towels for a complete bath time experience.
Though purchasing baby’s first toys is a fun part of every soon-to-be parent’s experience, there are only a few that are important during the first months, 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 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.
By covering all of the essentials, you and your baby will find the transition home enjoyable. Keeping a proper perspective as to what’s really important within the first several week’s will help you plan well and keep the stresses that come with being a new parent to a minimum. Most importantly, don’t forget that this should be a special event for the entire family so don’t let any little oversights from disrupting this memorable time.
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