Car Seat

There are so many options in choosing the right car seat and it is hard to find the right fit for you and your family. Infant car seats need to be rear-facing because it’s the safest position in a crash. Car seat safety experts recommend keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible. Use extreme caution with used car seats: car seats can’t be used again after a crash, they expire and models are often recalled.

Sleeping area

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in your room, but not necessarily in your bed. When choosing a crib or a bassinet make sure it has not been recalled and is free from soft, fluffy crib bedding and stuffed toys that can suffocate your little newborn. Get some extra mattress sheets and washable waterproof pad to act as a barrier for the mattress.

Feeding your newborn baby

If you choose to breastfeed, you won’t need much in the way of supplies. Nursing bras, reusable breast pads, nipple cream and a nursing pillow are great to have on hand. If you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll need bottles, nipples and formula. Regardless of how you choose to feed your baby, you’ll also want to have burp cloths on hand!

Diapering

Since your little ones birth weight might vary have a couple sizes on hand from newborn to size one, but do not buy too many at the begging to make sure they don’t outgrow them before using them up. I would also recommend to have a changing pad, wipes or a washcloth and diaper rash cream handy. A diaper bag is great way for on the go needs.

Clothing & blankets

New babies need several changes of clothing every day, thanks to spitting up and diaper blowouts.

Here is a list of a few recommended items:

Short- and long-sleeved onesies
One-piece sleepers – the ones with zippers save you some time
Socks
Scratch mittens (so baby doesn’t scratch his face)
A snowsuit (depending on climate and when baby will be born)
Hats
Receiving blankets
Heavier baby blankets
Dressier outfits (optional)

Bathing your baby

I recommend an infant bath tub as it is much easier, but you can put a towel down in a sink and use that instead. You need to supervise baby at all times. You will want to have baby washcloths, hooded towels, baby shampoo and lotion or oil on hand.

Medical supplies for newborns

A bulb syringe for mucous
Baby scissors or nail clippers
Anti-gas drops
Thermometer

Non Essential, but great to have

Frozen dinners for the first week or two
Pads or adult diapers
Swaddles
Baby Carrier or wrap
Baby bouncer or swing
Baby Monitor
Car mirror

Bringing your baby home is an exciting time, but can also be very overwhelming especially since you are still recovering as well. You will find that this list will prepare you for all the essentials needed to start with, but what baby needs most is you and your love!

I am Tanja, a Maternity & Newborn photographer based in North Vancouver. If you are considering to capture your newborn baby, I would love to answer any questions you might have your newborn baby photoshoot! I am looking forward to hearing from you!