Filling Baby’s Bedroom

During the final stage of pregnancy, reality starts to set it. You can feel that change is in the air, and you may wonder whether you’re prepared — emotionally and physically — to deal with it. This chapter gives you advice on how to best prepare for Baby’s arrival, what you may experience during your hospital stay, and how to ease into that transformation from pregnant to parent. Many moms-to-be experience a nesting phase late in pregnancy, during which they can concentrate on little else aside from preparing a home for Baby. And good thing, because you simply will not believe how much stuff a baby needs, not to mention how much he will acquire in the form of gifts over his first few weeks of life. Your home, once a sanctuary for your most beloved material goods, will become Baby’s storage locker. Soon enough, baby clothing, diapering supplies, toys, bottles, pacifiers, and props (his swing, stroller, and bassinet) will be the only visible items in your house — and the only things you’ll care about, anyway.

Stocking up for Baby’s arrival

After Baby comes home from the hospital, you need to be ready to rock and roll with supplies and clothing. (In fact, you won’t even be able to drive him to your house without an infant car seat, so that should be at the top of your registry list). The following list covers the items you need during your first few days and weeks:

- Travel cot and Infant car seat: Baby needs something sturdy that will last at least through the first couple of years, so don’t cut corners on this purchase.
- Baby Strollers: As soon as you’re up to it, you want to show Baby off to the neighbors.
- Baby Cribs: These vary widely in selection and price, so assess your needs before you buy. If you’re planning on having a large family, for example, look for a sturdy crib that can be used again (and again).
- Baby Changing table: Having a designated area for diaper changes makes life easier during those first few weeks. Stock it with all of the supplies you may need (listed in “Supplies” section).
- Baby sack or sling: Slings allow for discreet and instant nursing and constant cuddling. Sacks carry Baby upright on your chest (also allowing for lots of snuggle time).
- Swing: Wind-up swings are cheaper, but you may wake a sleeping infant when it stops. Battery-operated swings allow Baby to rest comfortably and quietly with no disruptions.
- Infant seat: This serves as a safe place for you to put Baby while you’re preparing his bottle or folding the laundry.
- Bassinet or co-sleeper: Most infants need to feed so frequently in the early weeks that it’s just more practical to have them in the same bedroom with their parents. A Moses basket type bassinet is portable, so you can easily move it from room to room during the day. Co-sleepers (cribs with a side that drops down and opens up to the parents’ bed) are suitable too.
- Baby bathtub: After the umbilical cord heals, you can wash Baby in this small tub that fits right into your sink.

Clothing

- One-piece outfits: You’ll choose between sleepers (long sleeves, long legs) and rompers (short sleeves, short legs), depending on the time of year and/or climate. You need at least  eight to ten of these, because babies tend to mess themselves frequently.
- Drawstring nightgowns: These are easier to manipulate at changing time than clothing with snaps, but they’re a bit harder to find in stores these days.
- One-piece undergarments: Similar to rompers, with short sleeves, no legs, and snaps in the crotch. The one-piece design doesn’t bunch up under Baby’s clothes, and adds a layer  of warmth. Have at least eight of these on hand.
- Mittens: Some babies are face-scratching champs. These little mitts are designed to cover Baby’s hands and protect him from himself.
- Outerwear: A baby born in Maine in November is going to need a bunting of some sort, a hat, and baby mittens.
- Booties and socks: Look for foot coverings with fairly strong elastic around the ankles. Babies who kick a lot are often left barefoot while their moms are searching for stray socks.

Supplies

- Changing table supplies: Stock the table with diapers, a waterproof changing pad, wipes, petroleum jelly (for care of the circumcision), diaper rash ointment, and a garbage can.
- Burp cloths and bibs: Spare yourself from wearing spit up. Have at least four tiny bibs and/or six burp cloths handy.
- Bottles and formula: You need four to six 4-ounce bottles during the early months; when Baby starts to eat more, you need four to six 8-ounce bottles. You also need a bottlebrush and a drying rack.
- Breast pump: After you and Baby have successfully established breastfeeding (around 6 weeks), you can start pumping your milk. Your partner can take over the occasional feeding at that point.
- Breast pads to prevent soaking your clothes: You’ll really come to appreciate these items.
- Diaper bags: You only use one at a time, but it doesn’t hurt to have a backup. These bags are now available in the coolest, hippest fabrics and colors, so you don’t have to frump up your cool-parent outfits with a striped vinyl tote.
- Bath supplies: For sponge bathing Baby, you need baby soap and shampoo, a waterproof pad, cotton balls (for cleaning her eyes), baby nail clippers (or scissors), a comb, a bath thermometer, and a medium-sized bowl for water.
- Pacifiers: Some babies love ’em, some hate ’em, and some are very particular as to what type of silicone nipple they’ll accept. Have several different types on hand if you plan to comfort Baby with a binkie.
- Linens: You need crib sheets (at least four), a crib quilt or blanket, a bumper pad (protects Baby’s head from the side of the crib), receiving blankets (for swaddling, stroller outings, and placing Baby on an otherwise unprotected surface, like the floor), and baby-sized towels and washcloths.