Dollface
06-06-2008, 07:39 PM
Going into a store that' s bulging with baby goods can be a little overwhelming. How do you know what you really need right away?
Here's a list of basic layette items to get you started for your baby's early days. Some of the amounts may seem like a lot, but with extra items on hand, you won't have to do laundry every day.
• 2 or 3 soft, baby-size bath towels and 6 to 10 baby washcloths
• 6 to 8 receiving blankets
• 6 front-snapping stretch jumper suits, newborn gowns, or onesies
• 6 to 10 cotton-knit, front-snapping T-shirts
• 1 or 2 sweaters
• 2 to 3 sleeper suits
• 3 or 4 crib or bassinet sheets (be sure they fit tightly on the mattress)
• 2 to 3 thin blankets or quilts (fluffy blankets pose a SIDS risk), tucked in around the mattress
• 4 to 6 pairs of socks or booties
• Diapers sized for newborns. If you're planning on using disposable diapers, look for the kind with a notch cut out in the front for your baby's umbilical cord stump. Cloth diapers can just be folded over.
• At least one wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby's head and face from the sun during outings.
• Bunting or snowsuit if you live in a cold climate.
• Mittens if you live in a cold climate. Don't bother with the thin hand covers sold in many stores; infants need their hands free for exploring.
Clothing Safety Tips
Keep these guidelines in mind when shopping for all children's clothing.
• Stick with all-cotton or cotton blends, which are soft and easily washable.
• Check labels for the phrase "flame retardant."
• Don't dress your baby in items with strings (like hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings); these can twist around little hands, fingers, toes, and even necks.
• Buy tops with generous head holes so that dressing your infant is easy for you and comfortable for her.
• Check regularly for loose buttons, which pose a choking hazard.
• Avoid outfitting your baby in clothes with decorative items like beads or ribbons, which are tempting for little hands. If they come loose, they present a choking risk.
Here's a list of basic layette items to get you started for your baby's early days. Some of the amounts may seem like a lot, but with extra items on hand, you won't have to do laundry every day.
• 2 or 3 soft, baby-size bath towels and 6 to 10 baby washcloths
• 6 to 8 receiving blankets
• 6 front-snapping stretch jumper suits, newborn gowns, or onesies
• 6 to 10 cotton-knit, front-snapping T-shirts
• 1 or 2 sweaters
• 2 to 3 sleeper suits
• 3 or 4 crib or bassinet sheets (be sure they fit tightly on the mattress)
• 2 to 3 thin blankets or quilts (fluffy blankets pose a SIDS risk), tucked in around the mattress
• 4 to 6 pairs of socks or booties
• Diapers sized for newborns. If you're planning on using disposable diapers, look for the kind with a notch cut out in the front for your baby's umbilical cord stump. Cloth diapers can just be folded over.
• At least one wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby's head and face from the sun during outings.
• Bunting or snowsuit if you live in a cold climate.
• Mittens if you live in a cold climate. Don't bother with the thin hand covers sold in many stores; infants need their hands free for exploring.
Clothing Safety Tips
Keep these guidelines in mind when shopping for all children's clothing.
• Stick with all-cotton or cotton blends, which are soft and easily washable.
• Check labels for the phrase "flame retardant."
• Don't dress your baby in items with strings (like hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings); these can twist around little hands, fingers, toes, and even necks.
• Buy tops with generous head holes so that dressing your infant is easy for you and comfortable for her.
• Check regularly for loose buttons, which pose a choking hazard.
• Avoid outfitting your baby in clothes with decorative items like beads or ribbons, which are tempting for little hands. If they come loose, they present a choking risk.