Preparing Home For Baby - 12 Things You Must Buy

Before you bring a baby home from the hospital, you should think about the essentials you are going to need. Getting the house ready for a baby is an easy way to relieve stress because you know once you are going home there isn’t much you are going to have to worry about. You might be asking yourself tons of questions though. How many onesies do I need? What type of clothes should I buy?

All of these questions are easily answered and you can have your house stocked in no time. Here are some recommendations:

1. Onesies: Stock up on these items. Onesies make perfect everyday wear, great sleepwear and you put them on your baby underneath his or her clothes when you go out. They are a great all around piece of clothing. Depending on if you have a washing machine at home, you should have about eight. If you don’t do wash at home, get more so you have plenty on hand.

2. Sleeping gowns: These cute little numbers are very practical. In the summer time, they make a great pajama because they are loose and comfortable. Your baby will be able to move around and won’t be restricted. Plus, it will help make diaper changing easier with the easy access bottom.

3. Undershirts: Have about six or so on hand. You are going to use onesies more often than undershirts, so you aren’t going to need as many. Also, buy them slightly bigger to have them last around a little while.

4. Stretchies: These are great, cute items. You can find them in many different colors with tons of prints. Before you pick up any, find ones that are 100 percent natural fibers so it won’t irritate the baby’s skin. For the summer have about three that are cool and light. If you don’t like sleeping gowns these also make good pajamas. In the winter, you could get stretchies that are warmer. Also in the winter, put a onesie under the stretchies because some tend to be fuzzy. This helps keep the baby warm as well prevent irritation.

5. Sweaters: You usually only need or two of these. This will keep the baby warm in the winter, but don’t stock up because your baby will grow out these quickly.

6. Cute outfits: You will only need about three or four. Remember, babies grow quickly at this age so there aren’t going to be many clothes you are going to get a ton of wears out of. Keep it simple.

7. Booties and socks: Five pairs of socks should do the trick in most cases. Get cotton ones without a built-in heel. These are comfortable and will last longer.

As far as clothing goes, these are the essentials. Remember not to go too crazy when buying clothes because your baby will grow out of them quickly. Also, don’t buy too many 0-3 months clothing because you might get only one wear out of these if you’re lucky. Go straight for the 3-6 months line. Besides clothing, there are other items are you going to need.

8. Diapers: This is must. Depending if you are going to the disposable or cloth diaper route, get at least two packages to start. If you get disposable kind get a newborn as well as the next size. You might be surprised at how fast your baby grows. You can still purchase cloth diapers because they make excellent burp rags.

9. Bibs: Babies are messy, there is no doubt about this. Get two to three bibs and keep them handy for when it’s time to start feeding your baby food.

10. Washcloths: Baby washcloths are essential for your baby’s bath. The clothes should be soft and made of 100 percent cotton as to not irritate the baby’s skin. You are going to need these right away.

11. Hooded towels: You could use about two to three of these. They are great for wrapping the baby up after a bath. This is a great piece for cool homes where the baby should be wrapped up quickly.

12. Receiving blankets: These can be used a number of different ways and don’t have to be limited to just carrying the baby. These make good burp rags, you can swaddle your baby, place them over the carriage to block out the sun and use them for privacy during breast feeding. There is no limit as to what you can use receiving blankets for. Get a good number of these, anywhere from six to 12. You won’t be disappointed that you had them.