Baby Gear

Furniture and Expedition Gear

• Baby bathtub: A portable tub that fits into your sink.
• Baby sling: A fabric sack worn across the chest that allows you to “wear” (hold) your baby. Also allows for discreet breastfeeding.
• Crib: Should be certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The crib’s bars must be no more than 2 3/8" apart. Be careful to check that hand-me-down cribs conform to this requirement. Plastic covering over the rails and wheels are also good features, but not necessary. The crib’s mattress should be firm and fit tightly into the crib.
• Changing table: Buy one, or just use any solid, flat surface in your home.
• Infant seat: A safe, secure place for your baby to sit. Should have straps, a non-skid bottom, and a handle.
• Rear-facing car seat: Should have an easy-to-use harness and simple installation instructions. Don’t use the infant seat you use in the house as a car seat.
• Stroller: Should be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Certain strollers, such as joggers and some umbrella strollers, are not suitable for newborns.

Clothes

• Hats (1–2): Lightweight and with a brim for sun protection in the summer; heavier during the winter.
• Mittens (1 pair): For fall or winter babies.
• One-piece outerwear (8–10 of each): Called onesies, these garments come in long-sleeve and short-sleeve varieties. Get a mix of each.
• One-piece underwear (8–10): Onesies with short sleeves and no legs.
• Sleepers, with and without feet (4–5): For a fall or winter baby, get more with feet; for a spring or summer baby, get more with no feet.
• Snowsuit bag: For fall or winter babies.
• Sweaters, sweatshirts, or fleece pullovers (1–3): Lightweight for spring or summer babies; heavier for fall or winter babies.
• Socks and booties (2–3 pairs): Look for socks with strong elastic around the ankle.
• Washable bibs (4): To protect your baby’s clothes from stains.

Supplies

• Bottles: At least six 4-ounce bottles for the first three months. After that you’ll need six or more 8-ounce bottles.
• Breast pump: An apparatus that allows breastfeeding mothers to express milk from their breasts for storage in bottles. Stored breast milk allows the father to help with feeding, freeing up the mother’s schedule. Pumping milk can also help stimulate milk production.
• Burp cloths (4): Cloths used to protect your clothes from your baby’s spit-up when burping your baby.
• Changing supplies: Diapers (cloth or disposable), waterproof changing pad, diaper wipes (for use only with babies older than one month), diaper ointment, rubbing alcohol, diaper pins (for cloth diapers only).
• Diaper bag: Tote bags used to transport diapers and other necessities.
• Diaper pail: For disposing of dirty diapers.
• Linens: Fitted crib sheets (4), square receiving blankets (4), hooded towels (4), washcloths (4).
• Toiletries: Baby soap and shampoo, baby brush and comb, baby nail clippers, cotton balls, diaper wipes.

Medicine and First Aid Supplies

• Bandages, tweezers, antiseptic, calamine lotion: For cuts and rashes.
• Calibrated spoon and dropper: To give medicine.
• Humidifier: Cold-water humidifiers are safer than warm-mist (steam) humidifiers.
• Nasal aspirator: To remove mucus from the nose.
• Thermometer: Rectal thermometers are best for infants. They must be used with petroleum jelly.