ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

You will need a safety car seat before leaving the hospital. Consider buying one that is convertible and usable until you child reaches 40 lbs and 40 inches. Until you child reaches one year of age and weights more than 20 pounds, the car seat should be facing backwards. If you are not sure about the proper installation of your car seat, you may consult with the local fire department. Car seats must conform to federal safety standards and many times they are ranked in consumer magazines. Do not purchase a used car seat because you do not know if it has been in a car accident or not.

For more info and detailed regulations please read the AAP's section on car seats.

Safety is a big issue with cribs. Federal safety standards require that all cribs built after 1974 have spaced between the crib bars of more than 2 3/8 inches. That is approximately the width of 3 fingers. The reason for that is so the infant cannot get his head trapped in between the bars. The mattress should also have an exact fit, so there is no space for the baby to get trapped in. Bumper pads are really unnecessary in the first few months, since the baby will not be moving much, and it provide another area where baby's head can get stuck.

If you plan on breastfeeding you probably only need 3-4 bottles in case you need to supplement with formula or give pumped breast milk. If you will be feeding you baby formula you need about 10 bottles with nipples. Make sure you have several bottle brushes and a drying rack for the bottles.

You will most likely be given one at the hospital, but make sure you have at least one in the house. It helps clean out your baby's nose from secretions, and you can use it to also help baby's mouth from spit up as well. At times we may instruct you to use infant nasal saline drops as well in order to clear out the more sticky and dry secretions

The most accurate way to check your baby's temperature is with a rectal thermometer. You may use a digital one that will obtain a treading in about 30 seconds.