New Baby Checklist

Here's a handy new baby checklist for items to stock up on, and how many, for that first week home.

• Diapers: newborns go through 10 to 14 diapers per 24-hour period. You should always have at least twice that many on hand, though. The hospital will give you a small supply to take home. It's best to have several packages in newborn size, and maybe one in size 1 in case your baby is big enough for that size.
• Wipe supplies: plan to use a soft paper towel or washcloth and warm water for wiping the baby during changes for the first week or two.
• Diaper disposal system: whether cloth or disposable, you'll need arrangements for handling the soiled diapers.
• Rubbing alcohol or alcohol pads and cotton swabs: these are for caring for the umbilical cord site, which will need to be cleaned and swabbed with each change. If you have a circumcised boy, you will also need Vaseline and cotton gauze for wrapping the penis while it heals. The Vaseline keeps the circumcision site from sticking to the diaper.
• 12 onesies: the staple of a newborn's wardrobe
• 12 snap undershirts: long- or short-sleeved, for wearing before the umbilical cord falls off
• 10 receiving blankets: they get messy quickly
• 6 sleepers
• Baby bathtub, 2 baby washcloths, baby wash
• Pacifiers: an assortment of types so the baby can choose, in newborn size
• Diaper bag
• Cloth diapers for use as burp cloths: at least 10
• 3 outfits: you'll probably have more
• 1 warm baby bunting for going out
• 1 car seat: you'll need this to get the baby home from the hospital. Learn how to use it before you go there and have the base already installed in the car.
• 2 or 3 hats
• Newborn socks: 10 pairs
• Nursing bras, nursing pads and a nursing pillow (if you're nursing)
• Bottles, bottle brush, nipples and the formula the pediatrician recommends (if you're bottle feeding): formula is the one thing you should wait to buy. See what recommendations your doctor has after your baby's first blood test.
• Stroller: optional for the first week, yet it makes life easier if you have it. Unless the weather is very nice, you probably won't be taking your baby outside for a walk.