First Weeks at Home — What Equipment and Supplies You Need

All you need is something with sides to keep the baby from rolling out and a soft but firm pad or mattress to lie on. A basket, cardboard box or bureau drawer will serve just as well as the fanciest crib or bassinet. The pad or mattress should be waterproof or have a waterproof casing. Watch out for sharp protruding edges on cribs or bassinets, and be sure that rails of the crib are close enough so that baby's head can't get stuck (3 1/2 inches). No pillow is desirable or necessary. A pillow makes too soft a mattress—better a pad made from 4 or 5 thicknesses of blanket, or a thin plastic foam pad.

Bedclothes

2 or 3 pieces of waterproof flannelette sheeting. Each piece should be large enough to cover the mattress or pad.
3 or 4 sheets. Sheets that are fitted or contoured to the shape of the crib mattress or pad are easy to use.
4 to 6 18-inch squares of waterproof flannelette sheeting. Placed under the baby, these will protect the sheets from overflow from the diaper or from spitting up, and will save many changes of sheets.
3 or 4 cotton flannel "receiving blankets." These can be used as blankets in warmer weather, for bundling before and after baths, and as towels.
A blanket bag, sleeping bag or coverall. These are usually much easier to use than individual blankets for cold weather sleeping. Get one that is machine washable and that is easy to get on and off and to open for diaper changes. With such a sleeping bag you don't have to worry about blankets coming off.

Clothing

3 or 4 cotton knit nightgowns. The long ones don't get kicked off as much. They are plenty of cover for most sleeping in most climates.
3 or 4 cotton knit shirts. The kind that slip over the head without buttons, snaps or tapes, with short sleeves, and with large arm and head openings are the easiest to use. Taping or pinning shirts to the diapers just gets them wet with the diaper. Leaving an inch or two of bare midriff will save a lot of shirt laundering.
2 or 3 sweaters or sacks. Nylon or orlon washes well. A few easy-to-open buttons in front are easier than bows or ties or many small buttons.
A cap. Knit nylon, orlon or dacron, for going out or for sleeping in cold weather.
3 to 6 dozen diapers. Pre-folded diapers save a lot of time. A diaper service will cost many times as much as buying and laundering your own diapers. Disposable diapers will cost about the same as diaper service. Either one is a real time and work saver if you can afford it.
2 or 3 plastic pants. Use them to protect outer clothing. Many babies will get diaper rash if they wear plastic pants all the time. If the diaper area gets red and irritated, don't use the plastic pants except for outings and other times when soiling will be particularly inconvenient.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/479/Jeff-Beaumont

Jeff Beaumont

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