A New Baby Checklist

by Barbara Eastcairn

When preparing for the arrival of your new baby, it helps to have a checklist. If this is your first baby, you are unlikely to already have many of the things you will need.

The new baby checklist will include furniture, clothing, feeding equipment, safety equipment and some other items. All these baby-related requirements are sometimes called a 'layette'.

Furniture and accessories

• A crib and a mattress with sheets (three or four sets); a soft swaddling blanket
• A washtub; baby wash liquid; some hooded towels for after baby's bath
• A changing table, or a changing pad (if you want to change baby on the floor) and baby wipes
• A diaper pail 
• Blankets for the crib and the stroller

Other items you may want to have include a playpen, and a high chair for feeding (once your child is able to sit up). If your baby is very restless, a baby sleeping bag may help.

Clothing

• A going home outfit
• Six undershirts
• Six stretch suits or 'onesies' (must open at crotch for changing)
• Two hats; one sunhat
• Six night gowns or sleepers (with long sleeves and long legs, and feet)
• Two sweaters
• Three pairs of booties or socks
• A winter coat or fleece snowsuit
• Four plastic-backed bibs (you may need more if baby dribbles a lot)
• You will also need several dozen disposable or cloth diapers. If using cloth diapers, you will need pins, and several sets of waterproof pants to put over the diapers. Remember that your baby may need to be changed up to ten times a day in the early weeks.

Feeding

• Nursing bottles for formula feeding (if not breast feeding)
• Nipples for the nursing bottles
• A bottle brush
• Burp cloths (you could use cloth diapers instead)

Safety (when baby starts to crawl)

• Gates for stairs and doors
• Window guards if necessary
• Cabinet catches
• Plastic electric outlet covers

Other baby items

• Baby carrier or baby front pack
• Baby or infant car seat
• Baby stroller or baby carriage
• Diaper and accessories bag
• Medicine dropper
• Baby intercom or monitor (only necessary if you think you won't be able to hear your baby crying from where you sleep or from your living area/kitchen)
• Cleaning powder or cleaning liquid for cloth diapers