Hello Baby Must Have Baby Items
Preparing for a new baby is stressful and can be overwhelming when you look at some of the must have baby items that are listed in magazines. As an experienced mom, I can tell you that actually very few of the items are things that you must have to bring baby home and survive.
Yes, there are some things that would make life a little easier, but even they are not things to stress about if you don't have them when baby comes home.
So when creating your baby registry, I suggest making sure the basics are covered and then think further out for the other would be great to have items. A newborn really needs very little once you get home other than a safe place to sleep, diapers, clean clothes, and bottles and formula if you are not nursing.
Let's look what what is required. Well, in order to bring baby home from the hospital or birthing center you must have a car seat that is made for a newborn. This is a must have item…cause you do want to leave the hospital with the baby!
Now car seats are almost like buying a new car with all the options. The most important things to consider are both the weight range and seat positions. Did you know that not all car seats will fit in all vehicles? Nope? How would you know?
Reach for your owner's manual and see if it has a section on installing a car seat. Most of the newer vehicles will have a section on the proper installation as well as additional equipment that might be needed.
When considering which car seat to purchase, it might be tempting to reach for the style that displays it fits all weight ranges required by law. This may not be the best option, not only because of the length of time your child would be using the seat might compromise the integrity with wear, but depending on the weight and age of your child they have different physical needs in order to be fully protected.
Newborns and babies up to at least 35 pounds and one (1) year of age need to be placed in a rear facing car seat. Their little bodies are not strong enough to handle the trauma of inpact when facing forward.
Some car seats are made for just rear facing use while others can be turned around as your child grows. Personally, I strongly recommend a rear facing car seat that is made to keep your child safe during an accident.
The Graco SnugRide® SnugLock™ 35 DLX Infant Car Seat would be on the top of my must have list for a newborn. It is built for safety and comfort for your child. The SnugRide® SnugLock™ 35 DLX helps protect rear-facing infants from 4 – 35 lbs. and up to 32″.
Key Features:
· SnugLock™ installation in 3-easy steps using LATCH or Seat Belt
· The InRight™ LATCH provides a quick and easy connection
· 1-Hand Adjustable Handle for easy in-and-out
· Silent Shade™ canopy adjusts without disturbing baby
· SafetyCore™ Crash Absorption Zone helps absorb crash forces from a front collision
· 4-position spring loaded recline makes proper installation easier
· Easy-to-read premium bubble level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork
· EPS, energy absorbing foam for effective impact energy management
· Removable infant head and body support cushions
In addition to a car seat, your child needs a safe place to sleep. This could be in a crib, bassinet, or even a pack-n-play playpen. The important factors to consider are that the bed is safe, that mattress is supportive, and that the baby is placed in the bed without a lot of loose bedding.
As far as clothing, my recommendation is less is more..your little one is going to be growing like a little weed and for the first few months they will outgrow clothes faster than you can imagine. A few onsies and soft sleepers are really all baby needs for clothing at first. Diapers and wipes will be two things that you will go through around the clock.
Depending on whether you are nursing or bottle feeding, or a combination of both; having a quality set of bottles is worth the investment. They will hold up throughout the time needed and you can change the nipple as your child grows.
If you have the above, you and baby will be fine. All the other stuff can be added as the need arises. Your newborn doesn't need a walker, a high chair, or toys.
Oh, and if you have more than one vehicle, or if granma will be caring for your child, pick up a second or third base for your car seat. Believe me…you will not want to have to uninstall and install the car seat each time you need to change vehicles.
Have you heard about the Graco Hello Baby registry? Now through the end of June, if you buy two or more Graco products* and you send a copy of your receipt, you can receive a $100.00 Baby Gift Bundle including the Graco Bumper Jumper, NUK Simply Natural Bottles and a Yankee Candle. * To be eligible, the 2 or more Graco products must have a combined value of $300+
If you are setting up a baby registry for your first baby or for shopping for an expectant friend, make sure to check out the Hello Baby! offer from Graco.
I love the baby mirrors that attach to the back oh the front seat. They allow you to be able to see the kids without turning around.
Thank you for sharing such useful information! I am sharing this with my friend who is expecting!
I love Graco products. They are really well made and durable.
My grandma has some stories about the old days! I sure wish I could have experienced the changes!
My friend is pregnant for her first baby. I am going to print this for her shower.
(Hello Baby Must Have Baby Items) Our family has been buying Graco products for generations now. They just come out with more and more neater things for babies every year. Great stuff and would recommend them to anyone.
Most hospitals have loaner car seats for people whom maybe cant afford to buy one right when babys born!
I read that while waiting for a friend to deliver her baby. Also the fire department often has car seats that have been donated.
Yes a carseat is a definite must have it’s so interesting to me if you ever talk with your elders about pregnancy the times sure have changed my mother in law told me her doctors told her she couldn’t take a bath while pregnant because she would wash out the baby and she believes that lol funny to me what information we see now lol such a great article the best thing a new mom can do is be prepared! It makes the whole process so much easier!
Yes it is amazing how things change over the years. When my first was born, husbands weren’t allowed in the delivery room and now they are right beside you on the operating table for c-sections. I remember my gran telling me not to hang out the laundry because reaching so high could wrap the cord around baby.
This is really helpful information I was pregnant up until two months ago I had a late misscarriage we just brought our baby home from the funeral home last month and now our baby is in a place of honor in our living room I’m happy at the very least I was able to bring my baby home this is really useful advice seems like every pregnancy I wait until the last minute should I ever get pregnant and carry to birth again I’m definitely going to use this list! Thanks for the information!
I am so sorry for your loss.
This car seat looks like a great, safe option. I agree a rear facing carseat is needed for newborns!
My biggest buys for baby were a carseat and crib. I am all about safety, and affordability!
Great tips and reviews. Good to know when I have baby showers coming up.
Thank you for the information.
Thanks for the reminders! I am due in three weeks.
A car seat for a new baby must have safety features for it to be in it.
Good review of car seats. Very well written!
There is 1 thing I enjoyed most about this article, and that is that even though some things might make life a little easier they really aren’t essential. I remember with my firstborn I was basically given a huge list of items that at the end of the day just ended up occupying space and money that I could have used for something that actually was necessary like food. I also enjoy that you go into detail as into what to look for when purchasing the essentials which I agree is a carseat and somewhere for baby to sleep, I personally had a bassinet then switched to a playpen, I also think a stroller comes in handy especially when you are out for long periods.
I love the grayco snugride carseat! I choose grayco carseats for all 3 of my kids!
We have a Graco carseat we used with my son, and are now using it with my daughter – I really really like it. Thanks for this!
That looks like a great design for a car seat. Getting a quality safe one is important.
im haven a new baby