Baby Supplies - What Does Your Infant Really Need?

New parents are excited about registering for baby supplies until they see the list of items they are going to need. Often stores will list more items than are really necessary because they know you do not want to deprive your baby of anything essential and are clueless as to what you really will use. Probably half of the list could be eliminated and shockingly your baby would still survive. But how do you know what your baby really needs? Talking with other parents who have done this before you can be helpful to get their suggestions about what supplies really are essential in caring for an infant. But ultimately you know what will work best in your home.

Some items obviously are nonessential, but can be very useful depending on your specific situation. A bottle warmer may not be necessary, but can be quite beneficial if you will primarily be feeding your baby breast milk or formula in a bottle. It is not recommended to heat bottles of milk in the microwave because it can eliminate some nutrients and can be too hot for your baby. Heating bottles in hot water is fine but can take several minutes, which can seem like an eternity with a screaming baby. Therefore, a bottle warmer may be an essential item for you. If you will be breastfeeding your baby most of the time, however, and not using bottles very often a bottle warmer will most likely be an unnecessary item you will have to store. A wet wipe warmer on the other hand may be a luxury for your baby's bottom, but is probably not something most parents would consider essential.

Every experienced parent will have their thoughts on what baby item they would not have survived without. And you quickly will become proficient in the world of baby terminology after completing your baby registry. Who knew what a bumbo, boppy or diaper genie was before becoming a parent? Now these are supplies you are sure you could not live without. But before you become confused with all these items, let us stick to the basics.

To get started with gathering essential baby supplies for your baby, we will begin with the layette (baby's bedding and clothing). At the bare minimum you will want your baby to have 6-8 onesies or T-shirts, 6-8 sleepers, 4-6 pairs of booties or socks, 4-6 receiving blankets, 3-4 sets of sheets, 4-6 burp cloths and 6-8 washcloths. Depending on how frequently you want to be doing laundry, you may want more of these items. Remember with clothing your baby will outgrow sizes quite quickly the first year. Also, you are likely to receive many adorable outfits from friends and family.

Other essential baby items are medical supplies and baby toiletries. Make sure to have available a rectal digital thermometer (not a mercury thermometer) and lubricant (petroleum jelly). A rectal digital thermometer gives the most accurate temperature reading for infants until they are 6 months old. After 6 months of age you can use other types of thermometers for accurate temperature readings. Also have in your medical supplies non-aspirin liquid pain reliever for infants (such as acetaminophen). Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs are important for the first couple weeks to clean the umbilical cord stump. Other good items to have on hand are saline drops for a stuffy nose, diaper rash cream, and infant nail clippers. Bathing items your baby will need are baby shampoo or body wash, a baby tub or bath sponge, and towels and washcloths.

Obviously you will want to have purchased some diapers before you come home from the hospital. Depending on the size of your infant, you will use either newborn or size 1 diapers. Do not go overboard on purchasing one size of diapers or you may have remaining diapers after your baby outgrows them. Most newborns use approximately 80 diapers per week so purchase accordingly.

After these baby supplies, the bigger items are based on preference. You will have to decide what stroller system works best for you, whether you want a full-sized crib or bassinet, dresser or changing table, baby papasan, or wet wipe warmer. One item that is absolutely essential before you go to the hospital is an infant car seat. The hospital will not let you check out until they know you have a car seat safely installed inside your vehicle. This is one baby item you may want to do some extensive research on and make an informed decision before purchasing. But most items are whatever you determine to be essential baby supplies. Here is another article with more information about essential baby supplies and what you will need as a new parent.

By Rylee James