How to Buy a Baby’s Layette

From the moment you learn you’re expecting, your life is filled with excitement and anticipation. You’ll have a long list of things to do in preparation for your baby’s arrival. Among those tasks is buying your newborn’s very first layette.

A layette includes the clothing items and accessories you’ll need when you bring your baby home from the hospital.

It can be helpful and easier to budget if you pick up layette items throughout your pregnancy, instead of purchasing everything at once.

 

Things You’ll Need

 

Buying a Baby’s Layette

1.Make a List

Make a list of what items your baby will need at the hospital and for her first trip home. You’ll need to buy an outfit and socks for her to wear home, along with an undershirt if it’s chilly outside.

Most hospitals provide nightgowns for newborns to wear while there, but you can also bring your own nightgowns or sleepers for her to wear at the hospital. You’ll need to pack a receiving blanket, as well as a thick blanket to use if the weather is cold.

Your baby will need diapers and wipes in the hospital, but some hospitals provide a small supply of these as well. It will be helpful to have a diaper bag to carry everything in, too. Finally, you’ll need an infant car seat to transport your baby home in.

 

RELATED : List of Necessities for Newborn Babies

2.Buying

Buy the things you’ll need for your baby’s nursery, including a crib or bassinet, bedding, a dresser to hold his clothing, a changing table, a baby monitor and a rocking chair for those late-night feedings.

A clothes hamper and night-light would be helpful as well.

3.Shopping

Shop for the clothing items your newborn will need during her first few weeks.

HealthyChildren.org suggests having six to eight T-shirts or onesies, three or four sleepers, a few newborn sleep sacks for nighttime, four pairs of socks, two sweaters, four to six outfits, a few hats, approximately six receiving blankets, baby towels and washcloths, wipes and approximately four dozen newborn or small-size diapers.

4. Purchase

Purchase your baby a snowsuit if he’s born during the winter and you live in a cold climate. Alternatively, you could purchase a car seat cover that fits over the top of an infant car seat to keep your newborn warm.

5. Buy Some

Buy some of the infant care items your baby will need, such as bottles and nipples — if you’re bottle feeding — pacifiers, a digital thermometer, a baby bathtub, burp cloths, waterproof bed pads, baby fingernail clippers and a bulb syringe.

Purchase a breast pump and breast milk storage bags, too, if you plan to breastfeed.

 

RELATED : Pregnancy Shopping List

 

Tips & Warnings

• Buy your newborn’s clothing a bit big, keeping in mind that newborns grow quickly during the first month, suggests HealthyChildren.org.
• Go for comfort over cuteness when it comes to baby clothing.
• Choose clothing items that make diaper changing easier, such as those with snaps between the legs.
• Consider purchasing some other baby gear that can come in handy, including a stroller, bouncy seat, baby swing and portable play pen.
• Only buy flame-retardant clothing and sleepwear for your baby.
• Wash your baby’s clothes before you put them on her to avoid irritating her sensitive skin.
• Only use an approved car seat cover on your newborn’s infant seat, and follow all the instructions that come with it.
• If you use a blanket in her car seat instead of a car seat cover, strap your baby into the seat first to ensure her harness fits snugly, suggests Safercar.gov. Then, carefully place a blanket over the top of the harness to keep her warm, but avoid covering her face with it.

 

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