Tip Tuesday: Check list for New Baby

Since I am almost week 36 pregnant, I decided it is time to go through a check-list for the new baby. Here is a list I used from a friend during my first pregnancy I thought I would review. And of course, based on my previous experience, I took some away and added a few other items. Please share from your own experiences what items you would include or not include and why.

These are the must have items you should have before baby arrives.

1. Crib with at least 2 sets of crib sheets and waterproof pads. You do not need a bumper or a baby positioner for baby as they are unsafe.
2. Mobile to hang over crib
3. Chest of drawers
4. Diaper pail, Diaper Genie for disposables
5. Changing table with a changing pad and 2 pad covers
   
6. A good night light
7. A clock with indigo light to see what time it is in the wee morning hours
8. A comfy rocking chair
9. Lots of receiving blankets. Consider the size of the swaddle blankets as the ones in the store are way too small for swaddling. Also I could not have done without my Halo Sleepsacks which relieved nighttime fears of blankets falling over babies face.
   
10. Boppy pillow or I actually prefer My Best Friend Delux (for post-Ceseran recovery as it sits high above your incision and allows you the ability to do several feeding positions).
    
11. A vibrating bouncy chair
12. Diaper cream, Infant Tylenol, Infant Gas Drops, and safety and hygiene kit with an Emory board and nail clippers and a working thermometer.
13. Baby bath tub and baby wash clothes/towels for tub.
    
14. Diaper bag or I actually prefer a baby back pack to free your hands when unloading the car.
    
15. Breast pump if you are pumping - If you do not work outside the home, I would consider a Medela Swing Pump as it is convenient to store in your diaper bag for traveling. Then consider renting a double pump machine for the first few weeks after your hospital stay until your milk production goes down to allow you to store enough milk in the freezer. When you rent a machine, you will buy brand new tubes (which you will need for you own machine anyways) making it totally sanity.
    
16. Breast pads - I like the disposable Johnson and Johnson cotton inserts that fit into your bra so you do not leak all over.
    
17. Lanisol cream for you breast if you are breast feeding
    
18. Breast milk storage bags and marker
    
19. 4 - 6 ounce bottles (if breast feeding) - Most lactation consultants at the hospital start you on a certain brand like Avent. Take your cue from them before purchasing your own set of bottles as babies respond differently to the different nipples.
    
20. A container for the dishwasher to wash bottles and drying rack for bottles that sits on the counter. We also used our bottle warmer quite often on our second story but not that it is not necessary to have.
    
21. Stroller based on your needs - I recommend a jogger if you exercise frequently. Otherwise, consider one that fits with your car seat for daily use. Remember to make sure that it fits in the trunk of your car and you can open it with one hand as you may have the kid on the other.
    
22. Car seat - I would recommend getting a car seat base for each of your cars. Never buy a used car seat because you do not know if it has been in an accident or meets all the safety requirements. Also, keep in mind after a number of years, your car seat will actually expire and by kid number three you may need to buy a new seat.
    
23. A car seat cover for the winter.
    
24. Baby monitor - We prefer a video monitor that we can hook up our smart phone and computer too.
    
25. A sling to carry baby around.
    
26. 2-3 nursing bras - I suggest not buying them until right before your due date as your bust size does change. Consider getting fitted at your local hospital boutique before leaving for home to find the most comfortable size and fit. I prefer Bravado Designs as they were the most comfortable with the back pain I experienced my cesarean.
    
27. 1-2 pacifiers
28. 2-3 packages of 0-3 month onsies
29. 3-4 packages of 3-6 month onsies
30. 2-5 pairs of pants
31. baby socks
32. baby hat
33. 4-5 sleepers - I like the nightgowns for newborns as it is easier to change their diapers
34. Baby book and/or first year calendar - I like to have them available at the hospital to do an extra set of footprints directly into the baby book.
    
35. Outfit to bring baby home from the hospital as well as comfortable clothes for mom to go home in. I suggest a dress or skirt for post-ceserean if you incision is still painful and sore.
    
36. Burp Clothes
37. Diapers - I recommend the Pampers Swaddles for newborns because the yellow line changes colors after the diaper has been wet.
    

These Items are really nice to have on hand but I recommend borrowing them from a friend or family member for storage reasons. Please note that each baby is different and may not always take to one of these items anyways.

1. Bassinet and bassinet sheets
   
2. A swing

These items are nice to have or again borrow but you do not need them right away.

1. Exersaucer
2. Baby Bjorn
3. Exercise/play mat
4. High chair
5. Pack and play
6. Bath toys
7. CDs of lullabies
8. Toys- rattles, teethers, blocks, rings, books
9. Cute lamp for the nursery

Things to do before baby arrives

1. Chose a pediatrician before baby arrives
   
2. Try and get your nursery done before you are 7 months pregnant
3. Make meals to freeze
4. Stock up on 1-2 months worth of : toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo, razors, 1month supply of maxi pads (with wings), dish soap, diapers and wipes, rice/pasta, frozen vegetables, bread (can freeze), etc.
5. Consider hiring a cleaning service
   
6. Consider buying a digital camera, video recorder
7. Consider a mini vacation before your bundle of joy arrives
8. Starting thinking about who might babysit for you
9. Have the car seat bases installed a few weeks before you are due
10. Get thank yous done before baby arrives if possible
11. If you think you might need daycare, start looking now
12. Start looking at places where you might want to get baby pictures taken
13. Wash all baby clothes in gentle detergent prior to having baby