Newborn necessities

So we were thinking we had this baby thing under control. We figured we had the necessities, the 3 C's (clothes, crib, car seat). Then we talked to some family and found out it is a little more complicated than that. We went on line and found a list of newborn necessities, and now we realize we are missing a few things. Here is the recommended list and how it stacks up against what we have.

Newborn necessities checklist
A master list for moms and dads

Here's a checklist of what you should have on hand before your baby arrives.

Tooling around

__1/1__Car seat.

__1/1__Stroller.

We thought we were off on the right track with one category filled, but then we continued to look down the list and realized we have a long way to go.

Beds and linens

__1/1__Crib.

__1/1__Crib mattress.

__1/1__Bassinet/cradle (if you don't want to put your baby in a crib right away).

__1/3__Two to three fitted crib sheets.

__4/4__Four or more waffle-weave cotton receiving blankets for swaddling baby

__1/2__Two mattress pads.

__0/2__One to two waterproof liners (for crib or bassinet).

Diaper duty

__0__Diapers.

Disposables: One 40-count package of newborn (birth weight under 8 pounds) or of size 1 (birth weight over 8 pounds).

Cloth: Two to three dozen, plus six to 10 snap-on, water proof outer pants, and two to three sets of diaper pins, eight to 10 all-in-ones or diaper system covers;two to three dozen diaper system inserts (none of these for us, thank you).

__0__Diaper pail (with refills or bags as needed).

__0__Diaper bag.

Dressing baby

__4/4__Four sleeping outfits or one-piece sleepers with attached feet.

__0/6__Six side-snap T-shirts. (Do you really need these???)

__4/6__Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch.

__2/1__A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one).

__0/6__Six pairs socks/booties.

__way too many/2__Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits.

Get only a few items in newborn size. Then, go forclothing in the 6-month size--your baby will grow into it quickly. But don't buy baby sleepwear that's too big--it's a safety hazard.

__0/1__Cotton sweater or light jacket.

Summer babies

__0/1__Brimmed hat.

Winter babies

__0/1__Snowsuit with attached mittens or fold-over cuffs, or heavy bunting.

__0/1__Heavy stroller blanket.

__0/1__Warm knit hat.

Feeding time

If you're planning to breast-feed:

__0/3-5__Three to five nursing bras.

__0/1__A box of washable or disposable breast pads.

__0/1__Breast pump if you expect to use one (manual or electric).

__0/4__Four small baby bottles with newborn nipples for storing expressed breast milk.

__0/1__Bottle-drying tree.

__0/1__Bottle brush.

__0/1__Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one).

__0/3__Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths.

If you're planning to bottle-feed:

__0/4-5__Six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples, rings, and a dishwasher basket if you use a dishwasher.

Bathing/Grooming

__0/1__Plastic infant bathtub.

__1/3__Three soft hooded towels.

__1/2__Two packs of baby washcloths.

__0/1__Baby body wash that doubles as shampoo.

__0/1__Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers.

__0/1__Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment.

__0/1__Soft brush and comb.

__0/1__Mild laundry detergent.

Medicine chest essentials

__0/1__A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby's doctor, such as Infant's Tylenol.

__0/1__Cotton pads/swabs.

__0/1__Nasal aspirator.

__0/1__Digital rectal thermometer. (Don't know about the rectal part; maybe an ear one or something a little more humane!)

__0/1__Rubbing alcohol.

__0/1__Petroleum jelly.

Keeping baby happy

__5/4__Pacifiers.

Extras: Nice but optional

__0/1__Baby monitor.

__0/1__Changing table.

__0/1__A rocker or glider.

__0/1__Sling or strap-on soft carrier.

__1/1__Boppy, a doughnut-shape pillow designed to make holding baby during breastfeeding or bottlefeeding easier (although we don't have a pillow case for it yet).

__0/1__Nursing coverup. Attaches at your neck and allows for private breastfeeding when you and yourbaby are in public.

__0/1___Infant swing.

__0/1___Bouncy seat.

__0/1__Night-light.

As you can see, other than the traveling system, sleeping system, and everyday clothes, we have quite a long way to go!