Moving baby into your home
Filed under: New Born — Alan @ 12:13 pm
The arrival of a newborn is a time of great joy and excitement, but it’s also fraught with worries and anxiety, especially for first-time parents. Until a baby goes home from the hospital, professional care is available 24/7, and the transition to your home can be very stressful if you are not prepared. The way to ease that transition is to plan ahead and have everything you and your baby will need in the first few months right to hand, so here are a few tips from the voice of experience.
Equipment should include a moses basket or cot and a changing table or mat with a wipe-able plastic cover; you’ll want plenty of soft, washable cloths to place over the plastic for baby’s comfort and easier cleanup. An infant car seat is a must; you’ll need it to get the baby home from the hospital and on every car trip thereafter, so shop carefully and make sure the seat is fitted to the vehicle you’ll be using.
There is a huge range of equipment in this category, including convertible items that can be used as a pram or a buggy or a car seat. If you get the convertible type, make sure it fits both the car and the house. You may have to manoeuvre around a corner in the hallway, or through a narrow door, so check the dimensions and try the car-to-house-to-bed trip before the baby arrives.
When it comes to bedding and clothing, the list gets longer; and the following is just basic necessities. For nappies, there’s the choice of cloth (much cheaper and environmentally much ‘greener’ but more work) or disposable. Start with at least two or three packages, plus a nappy bag, nappy cream and baby powder. Baby wipes should be fragrance-free, or just get soft washcloths – at least six of them to begin, but you can’t have too many.
You’ll want at least four and preferably six or more baby suits, both lightweight cotton for summer and terry, velour or the like for winter. Sleeper outfits with a drawstring or other closing that doesn’t involve a lot of buttons and snaps will make changing a lot easier for you and more comfortable for the baby. You should have at least three all-in-one vests (the kind that will stay in place and not bunch up) and hats for cold and hot weather as well as booties and mittens.
At least two sets of fitted sheets for the basket or cot, plus a couple of waterproof mattress pads and two or more blankets and/or comforters will be needed for bedding. You will also need several swaddling blankets for holding and cuddling your baby; for which soft organic fabrics are best. If your budget allows, a sheepskin rug makes a wonderful liner for bed or pram.
Don’t forget a baby bath and soap, shampoo etc. You can use a washtub or sink if necessary but the specially designed bathtubs are probably easiest to use. If you’ll be nursing, you’ll want at least three nursing bras and pads; if not, at least six bottles with teats and at least that many bibs.
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