What does a baby really need?  YOU!  At Be By Baby! ®, we believe that you, the parent, are the essential element to developing a healthy, happy baby. 

The following checklist reflects items we believe may help in that parenting.  They are products we found useful as mothers  and we want to share them with you.  If you are searching for items to help the new mama pre- and post-natally, check out our New Mama Checklist.

 

Baby Gear

  Sling or Baby Carrier (it’s the most practical, mobile way to get around with babies – and baby is exactly where he wants to be!)

  Diaper Bag (why not have something cute and functional to tote Baby’s diapers in?)

  Bouncy Seat (particularly helpful when you want to take a shower)

  Carseat (they won’t let you leave the hospital without one!)

 

Layette
Babies have a habit of growing out of clothing fairly quickly.  It’s a good idea to register for a few different sizes, so that you have something when you wake up one morning and realize your kiddo doesn’t fit into the outfit from yesterday!

  Onesies (12 or more – great on their own or as a layer in cooler months)

  Kimono Tops/Side-snap Undershirts (7 – these are perfect especially for the newborn stage when it’s important to keep anything rubbing against the umbilical cord.)

  Footies (4 or more – easy, one-piece outfits that keep the feet warm)

  Gowns (4 or more – these are often elasticized or easy-snap at the bottom to make nighttime diaper changes easier)

  SleepSack (2 – these go over a long-sleeve onesie or kimono top as a kind of “wearable blanket” to help keep Baby warm at night or during naptime)

  Socks (12 pair – those little toes get chilly!)

  Booties (1-2 pair – to help keep socks on and to keep toes warm)

  Leg Warmers (2 pairs – these are a very useful garment that lasts newborn-toddlerhood – they keep legs warm in Winter, make diaper changes easy in Spring and are great for protecting the knees of crawlers later on)

  Chin bibs (4– these useful little bibs keep clothing dry from drool and burps)

  Blankets (4-5  – blankets are great for nighttime, keeping Baby warm in the car seat, or putting on the floor when setting Baby down at a friend’s house)

  Swaddling Blankets (1-2 – at first, babies are shocked by the big, outside world and a swaddling blanket can simulate the comfort of the womb and help calm and soothe them)

  Laundry Soap (it’s important to have a residue-free laundry detergent, so nothing is left on the clothing to irritate Baby’s skin)

 

Baby Care
We recommend using only mild, organic baby care products on Baby’s skin – remember that the skin is the largest organ on the body and anything that you put on the skin can soak in and either nourish or irritate.  Why not choose something natural and soothing?

  Organic soap or body wash (either a bar soap or foaming body wash works – keep in mind that newborns do not need to bathe every day – once or twice a week for most is fine)

  Shampoo (you can usually use the same soap you’re using for Baby’s body on Baby’s hair.  Keep in mind that most organic shampoos/soaps  are not tear-free, but most tear-free shampoos are not organic or in any way natural)

  Lotion (especially in less humid locations, or if you use a heater in the winter, you may find baby’s skin a little dry – lotion can help alleviate some of this dryness)

  Diaper cream (organic diaper creams can help soothe and heal without the thick pastiness of other creams.)

  Hooded bath towels (1-2 towels - just slip on Baby’s head and wrap Baby up in cuddly softness!)

  Tooth brushes (1-2 - once your kiddo can grasp, a baby tooth brush can be very helpful as a teether as well as a tool to massage the gums before the actual teeth break through.)

  Bath spout cover (as your baby grows, bath safety becomes very important.  A bath spout cover can protect against painful head bumps and burns.)

  Ice packs (1-2 -for those bumps and bruises, it’s always good to have a malleable ice pack ready to go)

 

Feeding
It’s important to have the safest supplies for feeding baby.  That’s why we always recommend using BPA-free bottles and storage containers.  We particularly love glass bottles.

  Bottles for the breastfed baby (Breast is best for your baby!  But sometimes you need to be away from your baby.  What you need: 6 if you’re occasionally pumping, 2-6 per day if you are working, depending on supply and need – glass bottles are best for storing breastmilk, but if you choose plastic, be sure you choose BPA-free bottles or bags.)

  Bottles for the formula-fed baby (2-12 per day, depending on need)

  Bottle tree (a handy little item that can help dry your bottles in a safe and efficient way)

  Bibs (3 terry, 3 waterproof – not just for snacking toddlers – terry bibs are great for catching spit-ups and drool as well)

 

Feeding Solids
Babies aren’t ready for solids until they are at least 6 months old, but it’s good to be prepared – these months will go by faster than you can imagine!

  Dishes & Flatware (BPA-free dishes are the way to go for your little one)

  High Chair (we like high chairs made from natural materials that are multi-use as your child grows.  Some high chairs expand and change to fit your child, up through grade school and beyond)

 

Cloth Diapers
If you plan on using cloth diapers, these are items we found essential in our cloth diapering adventures.

  Diapers (you need 10-12 per day for a newborn – we like having enough for 2 days plus 2 = 26.)

  Covers (If you choose a 2-part system, you’ll need 6-8 covers for 2 days.)

  Cloth Wipes (you’ll need double the number of wipes to diapers you have)

  Diaper Pail (1 pail - to keep the dirty diapers and their smell contained)

  Diaper Pail Liners (2 liners - you can wash this with your diapers)

  Laundry Soap (cloth diapers should always be washed in a residue-free detergent in order to avoid build-ups that cause leaks)

  Diaper Sprayer (1 sprayer – it’s the easiest and cleanest way to get the poop into the toilet – no dunking – just spray the diaper and, voila!, no more poop!)

  Bio-Liners (1-2 packages - for when you’re out and about or if you need to use diaper cream, this liner goes between baby and diaper and can be easily flushed)

  Wet Bags (2 wet bags - for storing dirty diapers when you’re out and about – they’re also great later on for putting kids’ wet swimsuits into, too!)

  Portable Changing Pads (1-2 pads, depending on how often you go out & about)

  Tea Tree Oil (1 bottle - a few little drops on a cotton ball at the bottom of your pail or in your laundry can help keep diaper smells down to a minimum – it’s anti-bacterial too!)

 

Furniture
Although there are a lot of options for furniture, we like the ideas of minimalism, natural materials, and reusability.  If you’re going to spend money on new furnishings, get things that will last and can be used for years to come.

  Nursing Chair/Glider (a good, comfortable glider should be at the right height for easy breastfeeding or bottle feeding.  We particularly like gliders that don’t scream “Hey, I’m a Nursing Chair”, but that become part of household furnishings later on.)

  Family Bed Sleeper or Co-Sleeper/Bassinet (it’s easier to meet Baby’s needs immediately when Baby is right next to you, either in your bed or next to your bed)

  Changing Pad & Changing Pad Covers (1-2, depending on your home – a contoured pad can help keep baby safe and comfortable during diaper changes)

  Nursing stool (this useful little stool lifts up your knees to save your back during nursing or feeding)

  High Chair (we like high chairs made from natural materials that are multi-use as your child grows.  Some high chairs expand and change to fit your child, up through grade school and beyond)

  Bouncy Seat (particularly helpful when you want to take a shower)

 

Activity
Even the littlest ones are active – and as they grow, the more active they are!  Following are a few items that we found useful as new moms.

  Teethers (with our little ones, we discovered that it wasn’t “teething,” but “teeeeeething” - safe, non-toxic teethers can help those little gums feel better.)

  Rattles (to help with hand-eye coordination and rhythm, plus babies love to grasp)

  Bouncy Seat (because, yes, you will need to put them down so you can take a shower)

  Crawling Accessories (to prevent bruises and rug burns.)

 

 

 

 

 

©Be By Baby! 2010