Bringing home a new baby is scary enough and all new parents are overwhelmed with the thought of caring for every need for their newborn. Everyone tries to be as prepared as possible by reading books, taking parenting or birthing classes or talking to other “experienced” moms but you can never really be prepared for the reality of bringing your little one home.
When I was pregnant with David we followed Jewish tradition and did not bring any baby items into the house until he actually arrived. Of course we registered for what we thought were all the baby necessities but little did we realize at the time that there were so many ‘little’ things that we needed day one. This resulted in us running out to the baby store and the drugstore to get all those essentials the moment we arrived home from the hospital. Having just given birth and not in the best physical shape, getting around was challenging enough and running errands was much harder than I ever expected. So, as I learned from my experience, you must have the necessities for your baby’s arrival BEFORE he or she arrives. Even if your religious beliefs prevent you from having these items in your house, I recommend having a family member, friend or neighbor hold on to them and bring them to your house while you are in the hospital.
Several of my friends have since had babies or are expecting babies and I have put together what I call “Baby Necessity Baskets” and “Mommy Necessity Baskets” for all those things that you need that you will most likely never get as gifts. For all you ‘Mom’s to Be” I thought I would share the contents of my baskets. Hopefully this will help to make bringing home baby just a bit easier.
Baby Necessity Basket Items:
- Diapers – newborn or size 1
- Wipes
- A&D Ointment (I prefer this over Desitin which is too creamy and sticky)
- Rubbing Alcohol and Cotton Balls to care for the umbilical cord
- Bacitracin and gauze to care for a newly circumcised penis if you have a boy
- Bibs
- Birp Cloths
- Receiving Blankets
- Undershirts/Blanket Sleepers/Onesies/Stretchies/Gowns
- Dreft or All Free and Clear for Laundry / Oxy Clean Baby
- Aspirator and Little Noses Saline Drops
- Baby Tylenol/Motrin
- Mylcon and/or Gripe Water – I like ColicEase…works great!
- Rectal Thermometer
- Pacifier – have more than one
- Underpads for your changing table – these are found in the ‘incontinence” aisle of the drugstore. Regular size are perfect for the changer. They are disposable and great for catching any pee/poop that may leak from the diaper (or your little one) during changing
- Diaper pail and bags
- Diaper Bag – your first doctor visit will most likely be your first venture out of the house just days after bringing the baby home
- Bottle Drying Rack and/or Sterilizer
- Bottles/Bottle Warmer/Bottle Brush
There is nothing glamour about your body and its needs after giving birth. You will need to care for yourself in ways you never thought possible. The most simplest act will now seem like climbing Mount Everest would be easier. To help ease your recovery, have the following on hand – trust me, you will need these items – especially the hemorrhoid items even though you will deny needing them before the baby comes.
Mommy Necessity Basket:
- Maxi Pads
- Motrin
- Colace or PeriColace
- Tucks Pads and/or Witch Hazel Pads
- Preparation H Maximum Cream and/or suppositories
- Sitz Bath
Also, keep old sheets, towels and underwear on hand that way you don’t ruin any of your ‘good stuff’. The first week is the hardest, the second week gets better and in a month you will feel more like yourself again although completely and utterly sleep deprived.
Hopes this helps all first time Mom’s to Be’. If you have other ‘must have items’ to add to the list, please share in the comments section. Good luck!
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