Shop 'til you drop

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By: Suzanne Dixon

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Article Summary

Going into a store that' s bulging with baby goods can be a little overwhelming. How do you know what you will really need when the baby is born? 

Here's a list of basic items to get you started for your baby's early days. It may seem like a lot, but you'll be amazed how quickly your little one will dribble and posset his way through clothes and bedding every day. Having a few extra items on hand, means less worry over the laundry.

  6 or so front-fastening cotton stretchsuits, babygroes, or all-in-ones

  6 to 10 cotton-knit, front-snapping baby vests with poppers (long and short-sleeved)

  a couple of cotton hats

  1 or 2 thin cardigans

  4 pairs of socks  

  2 pairs of booties

  Newborn-sized nappies. If you're planning on using disposables, look for the kind that can also absorb newborn's soft poo

  A soft cotton hat

  At least one wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby from the sun during outings

  A warm suit and mittens for going out in cold weather

  Optional - one or two pairs of thin scratch mittens. Don't use these unecessarily: most infants don't actually need them, and all babies benefit from having their hands free for exploring, and for self comforting by sucking their fingers. It's better to keep baby's fingernails trimmed, rather than his hands hidden away! 

  2 or 3 soft, baby-size bath towels and 3 or 4 baby washcloths  

  3 or 4 mattress sheets for your cot or moses basket (be sure they fit tightly round the mattress)

 Several cotton sheets

 2 or 3 cotton cellular baby blankets (so that you can easily adjust the number of layers covering your sleeping baby to prevent overheating - remember, a folded blanket counts as two layers). Avoid fluffy blankets. Some experts think they pose a risk of cot death

 Optional - A couple of pram-sized blankets

 A thick, soft blanket or quilt to lay on the floor for baby to play on

Keep these in mind when shopping for all children's clothing.

  Stick with cotton or cotton blends, which are soft and easily washable.

  Check labels for the phrase "flame retardant."

  Don't dress your baby in items with strings (like hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings); these can twist around little hands, fingers, toes, and even necks.

  Buy tops with generous head holes so that dressing your infant is easy for you and comfortable for her.

  Check regularly for loose buttons, which pose a choking hazard.

  Avoid clothes with decorative items like beads or ribbons, which are tempting for little hands. If they come loose, they present a choking risk.

For information on setting up your baby's nursery, read Kid Stuff. And to find out which type of car seat you'll need for your baby's first ride (home from the hospital!), see our Car Seat Shopping Guide.

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