Baby supplies you need

As you begin to get ready for your baby to come home, there are a few essential items that you'll want to make sure you have. Many of these items can appear on your registry as baby shower gifts. Otherwise, you may want to purchase them at your convenience. The more you plan ahead, the more relaxed and ready you'll be when you bring your baby home.

Here is a list of items that you'll need:

• Crib — the side should go down quietly and easily
• Sheets (3-4 sets). Flannel sheets are nice in the wintertime.
• Mobile or noise machine.
• There should be NO loose toys that can strangle the baby or pillows/soft bedding that can suffocate the baby. Do NOT install loose or fluffy bumper pads.
• Make sure everything in the crib is age-appropriate.
• Changing table supplies
• Diapers — plenty of them (8-10 per day).
• Baby wipes — unscented, alcohol free (don't get too many because some babies are sensitive to them).
• Vaseline — good to prevent diaper rash, and for boy's circumcision.
• Cotton balls or gauze pads to apply Vaseline.
• Diaper rash cream.
• Rocking chair with a footstool
• Pillow for resting arm when nursing.
• "Donut" pillow helps if you have an episiotomy.
• Blanket to put around you and baby when it's chilly.
• Clothes for new baby
• One-piece sleepers (4-6). Gown-types are easiest.
• Mittens for their hands if they scratch their faces.
• Socks or booties.
• One-piece daytime outfits that snap (they are easiest and most functional).
• General items
• Burp cloths (a dozen, at least).
• Receiving blankets (4-6).
• Hooded bath towel (2).
• Wash clothes (4-6).
• Bathtub — one with a "hammock" is easiest when they are tiny and slippery.
• Baby wash.
• Shampoo.
• Nursing pads and nursing bra.
• Car seat — properly and securely installed before leaving hospital.

A.D.A.M.'s health encyclopedia is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.