by Shannon Lawrence

Created on: January 16, 2009

Nine or ten months seems like a lifetime at the beginning of your pregnancy, but as that due date approaches, many mothers realize they suddenly have little or no time to get things done! They start thinking about how quickly those months actually passed, and how quickly baby will actually be here. This is when the panic sets in.

No need to panic! There are very few things you actually need before baby comes. Baby's needs are very basic, and they get many of those needs met by mom. When babies first come home, their basic needs are food, diapers, love, and a place to sleep. Love is completely free, as is food if you breast feed. For now, we'll just scratch love off the list, as it can be assumed that it's already set up for baby.

For baby's living space, consider where you want your precious little one to be when they're not with you. Some mothers co-sleep, some room in, and others put baby in another room from the beginning. There is no one correct option, so just go with what you think you'd prefer. If you will not be co-sleeping, choose a crib, bassinet, cradle or whatever baby will be sleeping in and set it up where you can easily get to it. Don't place their sleeping surface near a window, vent or heater, as this isn't safe. Also, keep it away from anything that might be hanging down into it or near it, such as curtains.

All you need in the crib is a mattress and crib sheet. Bumpers, blankets and other parts of a layette set are not only unnecessary, but dangerous! If you truly feel the need to have bumpers, invest in mesh crib bumpers, which are much safer for babies. Sleep sacks are a fantastic and much safer alternative to blankets, and can be found at a wide variety of stores. Mind you, these are not necessities, simply alternatives if you feel you need them.

As far as diapers, the hospital will provide diapers while you're there, so don't stress about having them in advance. There's plenty of time to run to the store once baby is here, though diapers are fairly pricey, so stocking up in advance doesn't hurt; it simply isn't vital. It's not quite as easy to stock up on cloth diapers at the last minute, unless you're in an area that is very friendly to cloth diapering, but the basics can often be found at a Target, Walmart or similar store. Wipes or clean cloths are also important accessories, especially when baby first comes home and has meconium diapers. You will need something gentle that is either already wetted or that you can get wet. Otherwise, you

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