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Bringing Baby Home: The Prep List

Bringing Baby Home

Are you bringing baby home soon? Congratulations! This is such an exciting time, but I also know it can be a stressful time. There’s a lot to think about, plus you may still be working or taking care of other children while also trying to prepare to bring your newest love home. When I get overwhelmed (which is often), I make lists. So while I was preparing to bring our second bundle of joy home, I made a list of all the things I would need to get ready.

My Bringing Baby Home List

  • Clothes
    • You have all those cute little newborn and 0-3 month clothes, you want to make sure they’re ready for baby to wear them! We took out a lot of the gender neutral clothing we had from our first baby and washed it all in free and clear laundry detergent, which means it’s free of dyes and unscented. Most laundry brands have their own version of free and clear detergent, but there are also brands that are created just for babies. You use whatever works best for your family and budget! If this is your first baby and you were given new clothes from friends and family at a shower, you will still want to wash those clothes. New clothes have been chemically treated to keep them wrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, and mold- and mildew-resistant. After you’ve washed the cute new clothes, put them away in whatever way works best for you. That may be in a beautifully prepared nursery or, like us, a makeshift dresser in our bedroom.
  • Blankets, burp clothes, etc.
    • Just like with the clothes, there are some other items you’ll want to wash while preparing for bringing baby home. I mean things that come into contact with baby’s delicate skin, like swaddles and muslin blankets. I also wash the bibs and burp clothes as they will also be touching baby’s skin. Just like the clothes, organize those where you think it will make most sense for when baby comes home.
  • Diapers and Diaper Bag
    • You might not need to bring the diaper bag to the hospital, but you definitely want it ready! After you purchase the perfect diaper bag, you’ve got to stuff it with all the right stuff! For us, the essentials are: diapers, wipes, Aquaphor or another diaper cream, an extra outfit, and hand sanitizer. Getting the diaper bag ready now will just be one less thing to prep when you’re ready for your first outing after baby is born.
  • Nursery Set-Up
    • You might have had this done a while ago, but if you’re like me, this one was last minute. If you’re bringing baby home, they need a place to sleep! With our first child, we created the nursery of our dreams. With our second baby, he or she will be sleeping in our room as Sam is still sleeping in his nursery. Wherever you’re having baby sleep, you’ll have to have that set up. Decide what works best for your family and get everything in order so you don’t have to worry about moving furniture while you’re recovering from giving birth.
  • Car Seat and Stroller
    • You’ve done the research and you have the perfect, safe car seat for bringing baby home. Make sure it gets installed! You may want to wash the cover if it’s from a previous child. Plus, you might want to put together the stroller. When you do want to go for a walk, you don’t want to be putting together a stroller.
  • Feeding Items
    • No matter how you choose to feed baby, you’ll need to be prepared. If you are choosing to breastfeed, you might need more than you think. Some items to consider are: nursing bras and shirts, nipple cream, and nipple pads. You may also want a breast pump. Most insurance companies cover a free breast pump per birth. Give your insurance company a call to find out! If you are choosing to formula feed, you’ll need bottles, nipples, formula, and a bottle rack. No matter how you feed your baby, a Boppy pillow is nice to hold baby.
  • Hospital Bag
    • You will need a bag to bring to the hospital before you’re able to bring baby home. This bag will vary for everyone. In our bag, we have baby’s coming home outfit, outfits for me to wear or come home in, comfort items for me, and a phone charger. We’ll also throw in some clothes for my husband as he’ll be staying with me. We are bringing baby’s diaper bag, too.

What is on your bringing baby home list?

Share with us in the comments below! Did we miss anything? Do we have something you don’t need? Let us know!