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In this Article

• What baby gear do you need for your newborn?
• The nursery
• Crib linens
• Diaper time: what you need for the changing table
• Layette: baby's first clothes
• Bathing baby: what you need
• Washing baby's laundry
• Feeding baby
• The diaper bag
• Other baby essentials
• The baby medicine cabinet
• Baby gear nonessentials (but nice to have)
• Pregnancy (What To Buy For Baby) Glossary
• Pregnancy (What To Buy For Baby) Index

Crib Linens

• 1 quilted mattress pad
• 2 fitted crib sheets (smaller sizes are sold for cradles, bassinets, or port-a-cribs)
• 2-4 waterproof mattress pads or waterproof sheets
• 2 light blankets
• 1 sleep positioner: This is not essential but it does helps keep baby sleeping on his or her back or side. It is sold in most baby stores.

When making the crib, you have a few options. You may choose to use a waterproof mattress pad on the bottom and put the fitted crib sheet on top of that or you may want to look in to purchasing a waterproof pad/sheet (called sheet-savers) that goes on top of the fitted crib sheet. These can be found in most baby stores and make cleaning up accidents easier since all you have to do is change the top sheet of the crib. If you go this route, be sure to get one that snaps or ties on to the crib railings (you do not want the ones that you just place on top of the fitted sheet - these can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome).

If you choose to use the waterproof sheet savers you really only need 1 fitted crib sheet and 2-4 waterproof sheet savers. The fitted crib sheet should require few changes since the waterproof sheet savers on top will keep it dry. You do, however, want to get multiple waterproof sheet savers since you will need to change those regularly.

Note: Babies don't need pillows or fluffy comforters in their crib! They also should not sleep with stuffed animals or toys. They could cause your baby to suffocate since he or she is not strong enough to roll over or push them away.

Diaper Time: What You Need for the Changing Table

• Diapers (plan on using 70-90 per week for the first six weeks, then 50 per week)
• Disposable diaper wipes (alcohol-free)
• Diaper rash ointment or cream (such as Desitin or A&D)
• Rubbing alcohol to wipe around base of umbilical cord
• Cotton swabs to apply rubbing alcohol
• Petroleum jelly to apply on circumcision (so the baby's penis doesn't stick to the diaper)
• Pad for baby to lie on during changing
• Diaper pail to dispose of soiled diapers