Parental Playground

New Baby Checklist - What You Need the First 2 Months

It's best to have all of your shopping done by your Eight Month of pregnancy, because you will be tired and busy as soon as baby comes. Nobody wants to have to rush out to the store in the middle of the night with a newborn! These suggestions are based off of personal experience from parents!

Furniture
• Crib.
  • How much money you decide to spend on a crib is up to you. A few questions you may want to ask yourself when choosing the right crib are:
  • 1. Do I want the crib to convert to a toddler bed, or will I purchase a special toddler bed for my child (racecar bed, etc)?
  • If you want the crib to convert to a toddler bed, see question #2.
  • If you think you will buy a special bed for your child in the future – purchase a traditional crib.
  • 2. Do I want the crib to convert to a full-sized bed so my child can use it into adulthood?
  • If you answered “yes” then consider a “Forever Bed” that converts from crib to toddler bed to full-sized bed. Generally about twice as much money as the traditional crib, but saves you money in the future.
  • If you answered “no” then consider a convertible crib that does not become an adult bed or a traditional crib. Traditional Cribs do not convert into a bed. The benefits of this crib are it is usually less expensive and the side-rail can be moved up/down for easier access to your baby.
• Changing table.
  • This isn’t a necessity but many parents find a changing table useful. A less expensive alternative is to purchase just the changing pad that would go on top of a changing table. This can be attached to a table or used on the floor.
  • 1. Traditional changing table – this type is normally small with a couple of shelves below where your child lies. They are inexpensive, but become obsolete once your child outgrows the table.
  • 2. Convertible changing table – this is usually a dresser with a long flat area to attach a changing pad. Once your child has outgrown the need for a changing table you can remove the pad and continue to use this piece of furniture as a dresser.
• Bassinet.
  • This is not a necessity but many parents find a small bassinet useful during the first few months of your baby’s life. You can either keep it in your bedroom so baby is close-by until you are comfortable putting baby into his or her own bedroom, or you can keep a bassinet elsewhere in your house to so baby has a safe place to be put down during the day.
• Rocking Chair / Gliding Chair
  • Soothing a colicky baby to sleep is easiest with a good rocking chair. Shop around! Baby stores are generally more expensive than regular retail stores for the same chairs.

Travel
• Stroller.
  • Deciding on what type of stroller to purchase depends on your individual needs. Go to your local baby store and try them all out. Then search online for customer reviews to be sure your stroller choice truly will fit your needs.
• Portable crib / Pack-n-Play
  • No need to go bankrupt buying a portable crib! Just think about how often you will use it and what it will be used for. For occasional use, go for inexpensive. You won't need the special bassinet attachment or changing table if you're not going to use it. If you're going to use it often and as soon as baby comes home - the extra accessories may be worth the extra cost.
• Car Seat
  • Your baby will need to be in a rear-facing infant carseat until baby reaches his or her 1st Birthday AND 20 lbs. (after that baby will be in a forward-facing toddler seat). If you decide to purchase a convertible car seat (one that can be used rear-facing and forward-facing) save your receipt! Test the car seat in your car before baby is born to make sure it will work in the rear-facing position. As all cars are built slightly different you may find yourself spending extra money on the convertible seat only to find out it doesn't fit in your car.
• Diaper Bag
  • Choose something both you and your mate will feel comfortable carrying.

Soothing and Play Items
• Bouncer/Vibrating Seat
  • Everyone agrees that the bouncer seat is a life-saver! Gentle vibrations sooth your baby and also help break up gas bubbles. But be careful when choosing a bouncer seat - some sit too far upright for newborns and your little one could end up in very uncomfortable positions. Bring a baby doll (fabric, not plastic) shopping with you to see how a baby would sit in the seat. If the doll doesn't look supported, neither will your child.
• Infant Swing
  • Some babies love the automatic infant swing while others do not. Ask around for opinions on different models before making your final purchase, but always remember that what works for one may not work for another. Look for a swing with multiple speeds, and that is easy to get baby in and out of.
• Baby Gym
  • These colorful toys typically include a playmat with vibrant colors and multiple textures to stimulate baby as well as lights and sounds above. The idea is to entertain, stimulate the senses and give your child "floor time" to learn how to roll over, sit-up and eventually crawl.
• Crib Mobile
  • These simple toys provide plenty of soothing entertainment to baby. Choose a mobile runs on batteries or has a remote control. The old-fashioned turn-key versions don't always play long enough and you'll find yourself turning it back on numerous times.

Health and Wellness
• Infant Gas Drops
  • Most parents agree that infant gas drops can be a lifesaver. Your baby's delicate system will take time to adjust to feeding and gas can become painful.
• Infant Nail Clippers and Nail Files
• Nasal Aspirator
• Tear-Free Body Wash and Shampoo
• Baby Body Lotion
• Infant Tub or Mesh Bathing Chair
• Baby Monitor
  • Choose a monitor with at least 2 receivers so you can hear baby from multiple rooms.
• Thermometer
  • Rectal thermometers continue to be the most accurate. However, medical professionals have recently switched to Forehead Thermometers. These new thermometers are fast, efficient, non-invasive, and easy to use.
• Dye-Free Laundry Detergent
  • Baby has very sensitive skin. All of your child's clothes, as well as any fabric he or she will come into contact with (including your own clothing) should be washed in Dye-Free Detergent. Dreft is a popular detergent but can often be expensive. Other brands have since created similar products that work just as well for less money.
• Infant Vapo-Rub or plug-in vaporizer for cold season.
• Baby Powder
• Diaper Rash Cream
  • (read member reviews in our forums for the best kinds)
• Diapers
  • Size 1 diapers will normally work for any newborn unless your baby is very small or premature. Most hospitals stock size 1 diapers as opposed to Newborn sized.
• Baby Wipes
  • For cleaning baby's delicate tushy.

Clothing
• Fitted Crib Sheets
  • Purchase at least 3 or more fitted crib sheets. The sheets must fit tightly around the mattress to prevent your baby from getting the sheets loose and suffocating beneath it.
• Receiving Blankets
  • Receiving blankets are great for swaddling a newborn and can be used on top of the crib sheets as added protection against spit-up and diaper leaks.
• Baby Bath Towels and Washcloths
• Burp Cloths
  • You can either purchase additional receiving blankets for use during burping your baby, or special burp clothes. Burp cloths are thick and absorbent, and protect your clothing from accidental spit-ups.
• "Onesies", 8 - 12
  • Depending on how often you'd like to do laundry purchase 8 to 12 short-sleeved onesies in your baby's size.
• Pants and Shorts, 3 - 6
  • Your baby should generally be wearing one layer more than you in cold weather and the same number of layers in warm weather.
• Pajamas, 4 - 7
  • Long-sleeved, footed cotton pajamas will keep your baby warm at night.
• "Sleep-Sacks", 2
  • During especially cold temperatures a sleep-sack can be a life-saver. Designed as blankets your baby can wear, Sleep Sacks decrease the risk of SIDS by removing the need for a traditional blanket in your baby's crib.
• Socks, 8 - 12
• Hats, 2
  • In cold weather a hat helps to keep baby warm. In warm weather a hat protects baby's delicate scalp from the sun.
• Newborn Mittens, 3
  • Your baby will probably be born with long fingernails that are difficult to clip. Newborn mittens help prevent baby from scratching his or her face.
• Miscellaneous Outfits
  • Don't forget to buy those cute outfits to dress up baby! Just remember that your baby will outgrow clothes quickly.

Miscellaneous
• Baby Journal
  • For writing down keepsake memories about your new baby.
• Books to Read to Baby
  • Vibrant colors and rhyming to get your child interested.
• If your son will be circumcised you will need Vaseline and Medical Gauze during the first couple weeks.