Getting Ready for Baby

Try to have everything you need before you bring your baby home. Talk to other parents about what you may need. What you decide to buy will depend on your lifestyle, personal preference and budget. What babies need most are loving parents. With careful planning, you can prepare to care for your new baby in comfort and in style.

Clothing

Baby will grow out of the newborn or first size very quickly. Clothes should be machine washable. Babies can go through a large number of full changes in a day. We suggest you start with:

4-6 sleepers
10 shirts or onesies (diaper shirts)
2-4 pairs of booties or socks
2-3 sweaters
1-2 hats depending on the season
Outer wear – snowsuit, jacket or bunting bag for colder weather

Crib

Baby needs a place to sleep. Check under the “Babies and Sleep” section if you are considering sharing a bed with baby. When baby is sleeping alone, consider the following:

Cribs must meet safety standards (see “Safety” section).
The mattress should be firm and tight against all four sides of the crib.
A bassinette with solid sides is not safe.

Bed Linens

2-3 fitted sheets
1-2 tightly woven blankets
2-4 receiving blankets

Feeding

Supplies for breastfeeding are not required, but having these on hand may be helpful:

Breast pads
Head of green cabbage (for engorgement)
Containers to freeze excess milk either glass or food-grade and BPA-free plastic
Pump
Nursing pillow

Diapers

You may choose either cloth or disposable diapers, or you may choose to combine them. Many parents use cloth diapers at home and save the disposables for when they are out.

Disposables

Have at least 2 dozen on hand for when you first come home.
A new baby will go through 8-10 per day.
If you buy diapers ahead of time, keep the receipts in case you need to exchange them for a larger or smaller size.
Some babies react to disposable diapers and wipes, so be prepared to change brands.

Cloth Diapers

You will need 2-3 dozen
babies must be changed as soon as diapers are wet or soiled to prevent a rash
choose a detergent without added perfumes, oils, or softeners if possible
diapers must be washed daily in hot water, and put through an extra rinse cycle to remove residue. Do not use bleach as this may cause a rash. Dry diapers on hot cycle as well.

Diapering Extras

6 washcloths
Disposable wipes (optional)
Diaper pail or nursery garbage
A diaper cream (for diaper irritation). The Health Unit recommends one that has zinc oxide
Plain petroleum jelly (for dry skin)

Do not use talcum powder, baby powder or corn starch. Baby will breathe in the fine dust, which is not good for his or her lungs.

Bathing

Extra soft baby face/wash cloths
Extra soft baby bath towel
Mild soap
Baby shampoo

Car Seat

Baby must have this to be in a car
Equipment must meet Canadian safety standards
Additional information is in the “Safety” section

Baby Gate

If you have stairs, you must have a gate that attaches to the wall
Equipment must meet Canadian safety standards
Additional information is in the “Safety” section

Entertaining/Playing with Baby

You will be baby’s favourite entertainment
Play is how a child learns
Some toys for a newborn: books, rattle or mobile over crib
Babies should not be put in front of the TV

Nice Things to Have for Baby, but Not Required

Diaper bag or diaper backpack
Change table (you can use the crib or the floor)
Baby bathtub
Baby brush and comb
Stroller
Cloth carriers or sling
Activity saucer
Mild laundry soap
Nasal aspirator
Baby swing or baby bouncy chair
Cool mist vaporizer
Calibrated dropper, syringe or spoon for administering medicine
Thermometer
Playpen (or playpen/crib combination)
Baby monitor

Reference:

Caring For Kids (online) 2013

No bumper pads, pillows, comforters or soft mattresses in the crib. These increase the risk of SIDS and/or injuries.