Newborn Babies: Getting Ready at Home

Preparing for a new baby doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Experienced parents have learned that newborn babies just need some basic items at first. These include a warm and safe place to sleep, food, clothing, and diapers.

Although there are many baby products available, listed below are the essential items you’ll want to have ready for your new baby.

Choosing carefully

Safety is an important issue when choosing your baby’s new furniture, especially for the bed. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers the following recommendations:

Crib

Baby cribs must meet federal safety standards which include:

Slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.
All slats should be intact, not missing, or cracked.
Mattress should fit snugly—less than the width of two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib.
Mattress support should be securely attached to the head and footboards.
Corner posts should be no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) to prevent entanglement of clothing or other objects worn by child.
The head and footboards should have no cutouts, which would allow for head entrapment.
Drop-side rail cribs are no longer considered safe.
All screws or bolts, which secure components of crib, should be present and tight.
The CPSC recommends against placing a crib near draperies or blinds where a child could become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches in height, or can climb and/or fall over the sides, the crib should be replaced with a bed.

Crib mattress and bedding

According to the CPSC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, soft bedding may be a major contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These organizations offer the following recommendations for infant bedding:

Place your baby on his or her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.
Remove pillows, bumper pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib.
Consider using a sleeper or wearable blanket as an alternative to blankets, with no other covering.
If using a blanket, put your baby with his or her feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, only as far as the baby’s chest.
Make sure your baby’s head remains uncovered during sleep.
Don’t place your baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.

Bassinet or cradle

These small beds are helpful and portable in the first few months. The CPSC recommends following the manufacturer’s guidelines on weight and size of the baby in determining who can safely use these products. For safety reasons, be sure to look for a bassinet or cradle with the following:

A sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability
Smooth surfaces (no staples or other hardware sticking out that could hurt the baby)
Legs with strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use
A firm mattress that fits snugly

Changing table

Changing tables offer a convenient place to change your baby’s diaper. Always use straps to prevent your baby from falling. However, straps are not a substitute for constant supervision.

Playpen

These provide enclosed areas where a baby can nap or play safely. The CPSC recommends never leaving an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Even a very young infant can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate. Only playpens that meet federal safety standards should be used. These include:

Drop-side mesh playpens or cribs with warning labels to never leave the side in the down position
Mesh with small weave (less than 1/4 inch openings)
Mesh with no tears, holes, or loose threads
Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate
Top rail cover has no tears or holes
Wooden playpen with slats spaced no more than 2 inches (60 mm) apart
If staples are used in construction, be sure they’re firmly installed and none are missing or loose

Strollers and carriages

These are helpful in transporting babies on outings. The CPSC recommends always securing the seat belts when the stroller or carriage is in use. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Keep children’s hands away from pinching areas when stroller is being folded or unfolded, or the seat back is being reclined. For safety reasons, be sure to look for a stroller or carriage with:

A wide base to prevent tipping
The seat belt and crotch strap attached securely to the frames
A seat belt buckle which is easy to use
Brakes that securely lock the wheel(s)
A shopping basket which is low on the back and directly over or in front of rear wheels for stability
Leg hole openings which can be closed when being used in the carriage position

Car seat

All states have laws requiring babies and children to travel in an approved car safety seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers recommendations for choosing a car safety seat, which include:

Buy the car seat well before your due date.
The simplest and least expensive model usually will work as well as one with fancy features.
Choose a seat that you find easy to use and that fits in your vehicle.
If you choose a convertible seat, try it facing both toward the front and rear.
Look for a seat you can use as long as possible that faces the rear.
Keep up with child safety seat regulations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). An AAP policy advises parents to keep their infant in a rear-facing child safety seat until age 2, or until the infant has reached the maximum height and weight of the car seat’s manufacturer.
If you buy an infant-only seat, you will need a convertible seat later. Most babies need to use rear-facing convertible seats as they get larger, because they outgrow their infant-only seats before age 2.
When you purchase a car seat be sure to follow instructions on proper installation.
Nearly every car seat and most vehicles manufactured since Sept. 1, 2002, are required to have the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. The LATCH makes it easier to install the child seat correctly.

Supplying your home appropriately for your newborn’s arrival

The following is a suggested list of items you may want to have on hand before you bring your newborn home.

Linens	3 to 4 fitted crib sheets 2 waterproof crib pads 2 lightweight cotton crib-sized blankets (no fringe) 3 to 6 receiving blankets 4 waterproof lap pads
Diapers	About 10 to 11 disposable diapers per day for the first few weeks, or 48 cloth diapers (plus 3 to 5 diaper covers or wraps) Diaper pail at each changing area Diaper wipes
Bath Items	Baby bathtub 4 to 6 baby washcloths 2 to 4 hooded towels Mild bath soap No tears baby shampoo
Clothing	Choose simple clothing that’s easy to get on and off, without long strings or ties that might be a choking hazard. Make sure sleepwear is flame-retardant. You may want to buy mainly size 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 months size clothing and a few newborn items. 4 to 6 receiving gowns 2 to 3 one-piece footed sleepers 4 to 6 undershirts or onesies 2 to 3 pairs of booties or socks 1 to 2 blanket sleepers (depending on the season) Bibs Sweater
Miscellaneous	Pacifier Baby brush and comb Baby nail clippers or scissors Baby acetaminophen drops (given as advised by your baby’s healthcare provider) Bulb syringe for clearing baby’s nose Humidifier Rectal or digital thermometer A front baby carrier or backpack

As you prepare your home for your new baby, look for sturdy furnishings and equipment. Be sure that all products meet current safety standards. This is especially important if you’re borrowing or buying items secondhand.

What to know about preventing SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths

Here are recommendations from the AAP on how to reduce the risk for SIDS and sleep-related deaths from birth to age 1:

Breastfeed your baby. The AAP recommends breastmilk only for at least the first 6 months.
Make sure your baby is immunized. An infant who is fully immunized can reduce his or her risk for SIDS.
Place your infant on his or her back for sleep or naps. Place your baby on his or her back for all sleeping until he or she is 1 year old. This can decrease the risk for SIDS, aspiration, and choking. Never place your baby on his or her side or stomach for sleep or naps. If your baby is awake, allow your child time on his or her tummy as long as you are supervising, to decrease the chances that your child will develop a flat head.
Always talk with your baby’s healthcare provider before raising the head of the crib if your baby been diagnosed with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn).
Offer your baby a pacifier for sleeping or naps, if he or she isn’t breastfed. If breastfeeding, delay introducing a pacifier until breastfeeding has been firmly established.
Use a firm mattress (covered by a tightly fitted sheet) to prevent gaps between the mattress and the sides of a crib, a play yard, or a bassinet. This can decrease the risk for entrapment, suffocation, and SIDS.
Share your room instead of your bed with your baby. Putting your baby in bed with you raises the risk for strangulation, suffocation, entrapment, and SIDS. Bed sharing is not recommended for twins or other higher multiples. The AAP recommends that infants sleep in the same room as their parents, close to their parents’ bed, but in a separate bed or crib appropriate for infants. This sleeping arrangement is recommended ideally for the baby’s first year, but should at least be maintained for the first 6 months.
Avoid using infant seats, car seats, strollers, infant carriers, and infant swings for routine sleep and daily naps. These may lead to blockage of an infant’s airway or suffocation.
Avoid placing infants on a couch or armchair for sleep. Sleeping on a couch or armchair puts the infant at a much higher risk of death, including SIDS.
Avoid using alcohol and street drugs, and don’t smoke during pregnancy or after birth. Keep your baby away from others who are smoking and away from areas where others smoke.
Avoid overbundling, overdressing, or covering your baby’s face or head. This will prevent him or her from getting overheated, reducing the risk for SIDS.