Bringing Baby Home Checklist

This is the first must have item on this list. When we say crib, we are not just talking about full-size cribs. In the crib category, we also include bassinets and portable cribs. If you have a bassinet, we recommend that you also purchase a full-size or portable crib that will hold your infant for his/her entire first year.

a portable crib is also recommended even if it is not your baby’s primary sleep space. We recommend it because whether you are taking your baby to grandma’s house for the day or taking a week-long vacation to the beach, your baby will need a sleeping environment no matter where they are sleeping for naptime and bedtime.

If you purchase a full-size crib, please make sure that you purchase a mattress that is the correct size for the crib. The mattress should fit snugly in the crib. There should not be a gap between the edges of the mattress and the sides of the crib.

Whether you purchase a full-size or portable crib, you should also get several fitted sheets that are for your specific mattress or mattress pad size. We would recommend getting at least four (4) or five (5) sheets. That way you will have extra in case of late night diaper blowouts!

This is another must have. All babies should be put into a car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be placed rear-facing in a car seat until two (2) years of age. Car seats should never be used as your baby’s sleeping environment. Read more about car seats and how to safely use them HERE. (This will link to the Vehicle and Garage page under Safe and Healthy Home.)

When taking your baby anywhere you are going to want a bag that is stuffed will all of your baby care essentials. You do not have to purchase a bag specific to carrying baby items. You can use any other bag that you may just have lying around your home, like a book bag or large tote bag.

Strollers and their usefulness are pretty much self-explanatory. They are great for those days where you will be walking around with your baby so you don’t have to constantly be carrying them or their bulky infant car seat around.

Pacifiers not only help to soothe babies, but help to protect your baby from infant sleep related deaths like SIDS!

Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, your baby will need bottles. If you are breastfeeding, you may want your partner or another caregiver to watch your child during the day or handle a late-night feeding, they will need a bottle. So, make sure your baby remains well fed (and happy) and has a few bottles for these instances.

These are not to be used during sleep. Blankets of any kind can increase your baby’s risk of suffocation during sleep. Receiving blankets are multi-functional items that can help you in many situations. situations. Receiving blankets can be used as a burp clot, or a temporary cover for a car seat or stroller on cold days. They can also be nice for breastfeeding moms to give them privacy when breastfeeding.

If you live in an area that gets cold during the winter months, you may want to consider getting sleepers of different weight fabrics (cotton vs. fleece). If you use a fleece sleeper, we would not recommend using any other layers to keep your baby warm to avoid the risk of your baby overheating.

Regular blankets are no longer to be used in the sleep environment because they increase the risk of suffocation.

These are one-piece cotton suits that snap between the legs. These articles of clothing can be used as outfits for the summer or just around the house and used as undershirts in the winter time.

You have to keep those little baby toes warm somehow! These are especially important if you are having a baby in the winter time. If your baby is expected in the summer, you probably do not need to go out and buy a lot until it starts to get colder, or you might, depending on how cool you keep your house during the summer with the AC!

Fabric or disposable. The choice is yours.

You will definitely want to have a stock of baby wipes for when your baby comes home.

Make sure you are prepared for diaper rash and get diaper cream or zinc paste to help take care of the symptoms.

Purchase shampoo that will not sting if it gets in your baby’s eyes. Also, use unscented and undyed products to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Test the shampoo on a small patch of skin to check for any kind of reaction on your baby’s skin.

Use unscented and undyed products to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Test the lotion on a small patch of skin before rubbing all over your infant’s body to make sure their skin does not react to the lotion.

As with shampoo and lotion, use unscented and undyed products to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Test baby soap in the same way as the shampoo and lotion.

This will be helpful to have in case your baby gets a cold. Use it to suction mucus out of your baby’s nose to help them breathe a little easier.

Uses these manicure items on your baby’s nails to keep them from scratching you or themselves. Nail clippers can be hard to use, so if you don’t feel comfortable using them, try only using nail file exclusively.

Use a soft bristled hair brush to brush your baby’s hair.

You can start using a tooth brush as soon as that first tooth pokes through. Teach good dental hygiene from day one (1), your child’s dentist will thank you!

Wash clothes are useful to have around, because not only are the perfect to use around bath time, but they can also be used to clean the baby’s gums before they have any teeth.

Use a thermometer to take your baby’s temperature to know if they are sick. This will take away any of the guessing of “does he/she feel warm to you?”

Use outlet covers in your home to prevent your baby from getting shocked.

Use toilet locks to keep your babies out of the toilet and reduce their exposure to germs and reduce the risk of an accidental drowning.

Cabinet and drawer locks are a good thing to have as soon as your baby becomes mobile because many cabinets are down on their level. Always lock cabinets and drawers that contain anything that may be of danger to your child such as cleaning products, medicine, scissors, knives, forks, etc.

These may not be useful until your child can pull themselves up into a standing position, but these locks will keep them from opening doors and entering rooms that you may not want them to be in.

Door stoppers may be pieces of foam that go high up on the door, they prevent the door from closing eliminating the risk of any smashed fingers.

Prevent severe injuries by purchasing and putting up baby gates. Baby gates are perfect to put at the top or bottom of staircases to keep your children from climbing the stairs without supervision. In the beginning, they can also keep children out of rooms that they are not allowed in such as the kitchen.

An infant swing isn’t a requirement, especially because some can be expensive. But they can be very helpful in soothing your fussy baby! However, an infant swing or any kind of sitting device should never be used a sleeping environment.

Infant carriers are nice for moms who want their hands to be free, especially when traveling with a baby. However, infant carriers should not be used for young infants. You can introduce infant carriers once your baby can hold his/her own head up. If you choose to use slings, make sure that you know how to use it properly. Have someone show you how to wear your baby properly. If you use either item, make sure that your baby’s face is exposed and gets fresh air at all times.

Baby monitors are a great way to keep an eye on your baby when you are not in the same room as them. They help alert you to your baby’s needs.