5 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

extra milk supply in the refrigerator or freezer. This may be in preparation for a return from maternity leave, a small trip or simply because your milk supply is greater than the baby is demanding and you need some relief. Bottle-feeders will be sterilizing bottles/nipples frequently and will need space for mixing dried formula or pouring liquid formulas into bottles at all hours ... You will also need to get an infant tub or else keep your sink clean and ready for baths directly in the basin. Stock the area with a water temperature gage, baby shampoo, baby wash and washcloths. Never leave the baby alone in the bath - keep these items within reach and let the answering machine get the phone if it rings.

Carrier/Car Seat

To even take the baby home in your car you will need an infant car seat, many of these double as carriers that fit into a stationary base that will remain in your car. Note: hospitals will not release your baby unless you bring one in to bring the baby home!

Ready Any Family Pets For the New Arrival

Likely, mom and baby will have to stay a day or two in the hospital and someone else will have to be checking in on the family pet. You may wish to send an item the baby has worn home with this caretaker so that your family pet can get used to the new scent/new being that is about to invade their space. Make sure that you watch your baby closely around any pets. Never leave the baby alone in the room with your pet - no matter how docile you think they are. You will know in a few months if you can relax with this. Watch for signs that the animals are jealous or that the baby is starting to chase down, grab or hit the animals. It will be awhile before baby knows how to interact with the animals either!

Tummy Time Recon

Doctors recommend that your baby spend supervised time on their bellies each day to build muscles and gain new perspective in this other position. Before you lay baby on any surface for their tummy time, check the area for small objects that they can grab and put in their mouths. These can be lint specs or objects that are large enough to be choking hazards - anything smaller than the inner ring of a toilet paper roll is a potential threat.

These are the absolute essentials when bringing the new baby home. Of course, there are MANY other items you can get that are quite useful, and may be essential for your situation - including the baby monitor, bouncy seat, baby swings, strollers and more.

The above will get you started, and the other items can be bought later if you don't have the money right away. It will be several months before baby is crawling, when you will need to worry about cabinet locks, electrical outlet plugs, sharp cornered end tables and more. Don't worry about baby-proofing the entire house before the newborn arrives - the above essentials will cover you for the first few months as you get to know your newborn child.

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Wesley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to prepare your home for a new baby?
We want to hear your view. Write now!