What to Stock Up On: Checklist
For your First Weeks Home with Baby
Compiled by The Cradle Staff
lthough babies really don’t need much, there are still some items that you’ll want to stock up on before your newborn’s arrival. (Some items are for you, too!)
Print this checklist to mark your completed items.
| | For You |
 | Extra meals (cook several big dishes in advance and keep in the freezer to reheat at a moment’s notice) |
| | Hand sanitizer (infants are very susceptible to germs) |
| | Thank you cards (keep a stash of stamps handy, too) |
| | Gifts for your older child (pre-wrap a bunch of goodies for the older sibling so they don’t feel left out when the new baby gets gifts) |
| | A 4-6 week supply of maxi-pads (Believe it or not, you’ll have medium-heavy bleeding/discharge, called "lochia," for several weeks after delivery, regardless of whether you've delivered vaginally or via a C-section. Even if you’ve used tampons for decades, you should not use them for at least 6 weeks post-delivery.) |
| | For Your Baby |
| | Breast milk storage bags (if breastfeeding) |
| | Formula (if formula feeding, you’ll be surprised about how fast you’ll go through a can!) |
| | Bottles (have a good supply of 4 oz-sized bottles with the newborn nipple – it’s a slower flow) |
| | Diapers (newborns need to be changed every two to three hours) |
| | Baby necessities (ointment, baby wash, wipes. Visit The Cradle’s Must Have list and our Nice to Have list.) |
| | Burp cloths (use them for feeding, burping, even bathing) |
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