Baby Items For Week 1

What you need for the baby to survive baby week 1.  

This is what I can remember that really mattered and I’m writing this on day 10.  Your memory will get fuzzy fast due to sleep deprivation and how fast you do everything.  My baby was healthy with no problems so this doesn’t include anything necessary for a sick baby.

  1. A swing that rocks.  We used something called a cradle and swing from Fisher Price.     Basically it’s two legs that support a motor which rocks a swing.   This thing soothes the baby in many circumstances and they love to sleep in them.  It’ll save your life.
  2. Tons of newborn diapers preferably the ones with the yellow line that turns blue when they are wet.  We use 8-12 diapers per day for the first 10 days so buy them in a large pack to save a little cash.   FORGET the cloth diapers.   It’ll take you a day to decide those things suck.
  3. Tons of sensitive skin wipes.   My wife purchased 3 small packs of 63 and on day 5 I was sent to the store to restock.   I purchased a bock of 443 for less than the 3 individual packs.  Sensitive is important for that delicate skin.
  4. An electric breast pump.  Also get breast feeding accessories like 2-3 bottles and bags to store the milk.  Forget about the hand pump unless you are strapped on cash.  
  5. Baby nail clippers and a delicate file.   My baby hated the little mitts and they wouldn’t stay on her hands.  Babies scratch themselves if not manicured.
  6. A dozen+ swaddling size blankets and instructions on how to swaddle.(see appendix for swaddle)
  7. Two dozen spit up clothes for all purpose cleanups.
  8. Bibs to wear during nursing.   Don’t worry you get tons of these as presents.
  9. A snuggle nest or bassinet.   Both rock and allow you to have the baby in the room with you.  Snuggle nest is more portable and easy to carry.
  10. A baby monitor.  Trust me your wife won’t let the baby stay in another room without one.
  11. 2-3 different types of pacifiers or more to figure out which your baby likes.  Then buy more of it.
  12. A boppy pillow.  It’s like a Swiss army pillow for having babies.
  13. Boudreaux’s but paste or similar for when their skin gets red.
  14. Lots of socks, onezies.  They mess them up a ton so you have to have them.
  15. Car seat.
  16. Baby bath tub

Notice I left off a lot of things you’ll need like a crib for example remember we’re in week one now.  A crib might come in handy only if you put the baby in the same room.  Your wife won’t let the baby out of her sight let alone put her in another room so keep that in mind while shopping for a baby night time sleeping item.  Also don’t even worry about buying a damn glider rocker.   Your wife will quickly be propping up with pillows and blankets to feed the baby.   Many of the thousands of accessories might seem like a must have but they’re not.   The list above will manage your baby’s needs.