Mom’s Checklist for Baby’s Arrival

preparing for a newborn baby

“Do I have everything I need?”

That’s a question a soon-to-be-mom will ask herself a thousand times as she approaches her delivery date. The part of a mom’s brain that makes them want to create the perfect nest will study all the baby supplies over and over to make sure everything is perfect.

Here’s a helpful checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Diapering

  • Multiple packages newborn diapers
  • Diaper changing pad
  • Diaper rash ointment
  • Changing table or changing pad for dresser top
  • Wipes or cotton cloths
  • Small thermos to hold warm water
  • Plastic wipes holder (for the diaper bag)
  • Dirty diaper receptacle (or small bags for sealing up dirty diapers)

Clothes

  • 1 pack T-shirts
  • 6 onesies
  • 3 bibs
  • Cotton sweater
  • Knit cap
  • 4 pajama sets
  • 6 pair socks
  • 2 pairs stretch cotton pants
  • Sun hat

Feeding

  • Nursing pillow
  • Nursing bras
  • Nursing pads for bras
  • Breast pump
  • 6 burp cloths
  • 6 bottles equipped with newborn nipples
  • Bottle brush
  • Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag
  • Milk storage containers
  • Formula

Cleaning

  • 3 towels
  • 2 packs of washcloths
  • Cotton swabs
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Digital thermometer
  • Bulb nasal aspirator
  • Mild soap for laundry
  • Infant laundry detergent
  • Baby shampoo
  • Baby body wash
  • Baby lotion
  • Infant bathing tub
  • Baby nail clipper
  • Soft brush and comb
  • Rubbing alcohol

Nursery

  • Crib and mattress
  • Baby monitor with 2 receivers
  • Cool mist humidifier or vaporizer
  • Lullaby CDs or audiotapes or white noise machine
  • Glider/rocking chair and footrest
  • Dresser
  • Hamper

Travel

  • Sun shields for car windows
  • Portable playpen
  • Diaper bag
  • Nursing wrap/cover
  • Sling or soft front carrier
  • Rear-facing infant car seat with head support
  • Stroller (that reclines so newborn can lie flat)

Play time

  • Bouncy seat
  • Baby books
  • Digital camera or camcorder
  • Baby music CDs or audiotapes
  • Play mat with toys attached
  • Infant toys

Bedding

  • 4 receiving blankets
  • 2 crib mattress pads
  • 2 waterproof liners
  • 2 cotton blankets
  • Cradle or bassinet with cotton sheets

Some things to take care of

  • Install the car seat – It’s not as simple as it sounds. You might even have to stop at your local police station and meet with a car seat technician.
  • Join a wholesale club – If you plan to buy disposable diapers and use formula, join a Sam’s Club, BJs, Costco or whatever you have near you. The savings will be worth it.
  • Precook some easy meals for the family for the first week – It will be a tough week; make it as easy on yourself as possible.
  • Call in some help – Family members will be happy to help during the transition (and months baby’s sleep is erratic). Don’t be afraid to ask for their help.
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    Written by Stephanie Parker from Sleepingbaby.com, inventors of the Zipadee-Zip

    The motto for Sleeping Baby, makers of the Zipadee-Zip, is: "Inspiring Dreams One Night at A time," and that, in a nutshell, is how it all started…with one little dream that has since become the Parker family's reality. When Brett and Stephanie Parker's daughter, Charlotte, was born, the feeling that welled up inside of them was indescribable; they never realized until first looking into those baby blues of hers that they were even capable of that kind of love.

    When it was time to transition baby from swaddling, the Parkers tried every sleep sack on the market and everyswaddle weaning trick they could find for nearly two weeks and nothing worked to get baby Charlotte to fall and stay asleep.

    Stephanie became determined to restore sleep and sanity to their household and set out to find a solution that would soothe Charlotte's startle reflex and provide her the cozy womb-like environment she loved so much but still give her the freedom to roll over and wiggle around in her crib safely. Out of sheer desperation and exhaustion, the Zipadee-Zip was born. The first Zipadee-Zip(R) Stephanie put together on her little sewing machine worked like magic!

    To date tens of thousands of Zipadee-Zips have been sold and all from word-of-mouth marketing. It is so rewarding for the Parkers to see other parents and babies getting the sleep they both need and deserve!

    Interested in writing a guest blog for Sleeping Baby? Send your topic idea to pr@sleepingbaby.com.

    All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Sleeping Baby makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.