So, you’ve had your baby … the months of planning and anticipation are over…you’re ready to bring baby home from the hospital and begin a new normal for your newly expanded family. Maybe you’re the type of person that plans out major life events down to the last detail or perhaps, you prefer to wing it, so to speak, and have done very little preparation for the time your baby will be joining you. No matter what camp you fall into, at this point you need to start off on the right foot to enjoy your newly delivered baby.
What will you need to ease into having a newborn baby into the home?
Well, the obvious thing is you will need to set up a sleeping area for your baby. Are you wanting your baby to have her own separate space in another room or do you want the baby to share your room? Would you be most comfortable bed sharing or having a bassinet/cradle near your bed? Or, would you prefer something between the two…having a separate sleep surface that attaches to the side of your bed? Whatever your preferences, just remember that you as the parent gets to make the decisions that are most comfortable to you. You’re capable, intelligent, and responsible and can determine the course of action that suits your family best. Furthermore, you’re not locked into one course of action. Maybe, somewhere along the way you decide to change plans…you have that prerogative.
You will also need to decide your preferred method of feeding. This seems like a no brainer but, for some folks, this can be a big deal. Maybe you’re accustomed to the idea of breastfeeding because that’s what your Mom/sister did. Or, perhaps you were only exposed to bottle feeding and that feels like the natural choice to you. Either way, you will need to have things in place to make either path easier to navigate. If you decide to go with bottle feeding you will need to give some thought to the bottle types and formula you will need. And don’t forget the supplies that will make that choice easier to facilitate such as a bottle brush for cleaning, a sterilizing method (by hand or sterilizer), bottled water, and a drying rack). If you decide to breastfeed your baby you may benefit from purchasing nursing bras, nursing tops (optional), nursing gown, and some nursing pads. Some moms feel more comfortable using a nursing cover of some sort.
Here are a few supplies that will also need to be on hand as you transition to having a new baby in the home…some are optional while others are definite needs:
~ swaddle blankets or swaddles (I prefer the swaddles as baby doesn’t wiggle out of them)
~ pacifier
~ diaper bag
~ crib sheets
~ wipes, diapers, diaper pail (optional)
~ baby monitor
~ onesies, baby gowns, socks, etc.
~ infant care books and other parenting helps
~ nail clippers, lotion, bath soap, diaper rash ointment, etc.
As you can see this is not an exhaustive list but rather a starter list of the minimal essentials needed to start you off on the right foot with a few optional items that make newborn-hood a bit more manageable.
Ruth Green is a trained professional birth and postpartum doula serving Richmond and Farmville, Virginia area. She is a married Christian mother of 13 hospital and home-birthed children that has experience working with midwives and doctors in both home and hospital settings since 1992. Find more blog posts from Ruth here on the website!
