You have to prepare for bringing your newborn home long before the delivery. Besides making preparations to deal
with her requirements, also take the time to prepare the rest
of the family for the new member.
Take special care to make your older child ready to welcome a new brother or sister. (See Sibling
Rivalryin the chapter on CARE OF THE
NEWBORN.)
Also make sure that you involve your husband preparations; husbands may worry that new babies will
usurp their place in their wives attention.
Buying For Your Baby
When buying equipment for your newborn, consider what
you already have either passed down from your older child or received from relatives and friends.
Also, always choose cotton over synthetic fabrics for
your babys clothes.
Nappies or diapers:
2 dozen cotton square nappies,
2 dozen cotton triangular nappies
and one box of disposable diapers
Plastic panties:
4
Diaper bag:
1, for keeping clean diapers
Bucket (plastic with lid):
1, for used diapers
Diaper pins:
1 dozen with safety lock arrangement
Macintoshes (big):
2
Macintoshes
(small, encased in towelling cloth):
6
Turkish towels : 2
2
Bath towel with a hood:
1
Baby bath-tub (thick plastic):
1*
Booties:
4 pairs
Cotton vests:
4
Frocks (with front
4
Frocks or jhablas with sleeves:
4
Blankets (cotton/woollen):
2
Sweater:
1
Caps:
2
Cotton (absorbent):
1 packet
Alcohol or spirit : 1 small bottle
1 small bottle
Wrap cover:
2
Mosquito net:
1
Mat cover:
1
Small bedsheets for bottom:
6
Small bedsheets for cover:
6
Baby quilt : 1
1
Blunt scissors or clippers for nails:
1
Baby hair brush:
1
Car seat:
1
* May not always be needed.
To buy only if a proper one is available.
Moses basket
You will notice that this list does not include special baby soaps, talcum powder (or baby powder), ear buds,
shampoo, cream and baby lotion. Any non-smelling bath soap is adequate. Baby powder, cream, shampoo and
lotion are not required. Talcum powder and ear buds, in fact, can be harmful (see sections on
Skin Conditions
and Earache, Ear Infections And Deafness respectively in
THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD
ILLNESSES).
Dont buy a baby cot if the baby will sleep with you,
though a carrycot (Moses basket) is usually useful. If you are expecting twins, make the necessary
arrangements for bringing home two babies instead of the usual one.
