What

on earth do I need for this baby?!

!1. Babies Eat.

baby registry tips from Kat Hickey CD(DONA) and mother of four

Breastfeeding:
1 nursing pillow (My Breast Friend is recommended. Boppys are not that great because

they are rounded and the baby rolls. lots of bed pillows also work.)
3-5 nursing bras/nursing tanks
6-8 pairs reusable nursing pads OR disposable nursing pads
nipple ointment (Lansinoh or Earth Mama Angel Baby)
6-8 burp cloths (classic pre-fold diapers work well for this)

!Pumping:

1 double electric breast pump OR single electric pump OR manual breast pump
1 pump parts kit (if not included in pump)
extra bottles that Jit your pump
breast milk storage bags OR breastmilk freezer storage trays OR lots more bottles to store milk in
if youll be pumping a lot or pumping and multitasking, you may consider a hands-free pumping bra

!Medela is the top of the line in breast pumps and highly recommended. You can buy a used pump or

get a hand-me-down pump, just make sure to get a brand new kit of pump parts. If you will be
returning to work or gone from the baby every day, youll want a double electric pump. If youll only
be gone occasionally, you can likely get away with a good quality manual or single pump. Try to
avoid pumps made by formula companies.

!Bottles: Do a little research to see what your preferences are. Do you want BPA free plastic bottles?
Glass bottles? Dont care? Some breastfed babies can be funny about taking bottles. Some couldnt
care less what kind of bottle/nipple you use. Recommendation: get one each of several different
types of bottles/nipples. This way, you can try a few and then buy more of the one the baby seems
to like. Nipples come in different Jlow rates. The hole in the bottle nipple is smaller for younger
babies. Smaller hole = slower Jlow. As a general rule, babies can usually handle a faster Jlow as they
get older. If your baby seems impatient while drinking from a bottle, try a faster Jlow nipple. If the
baby seems like he/she is drowning in milk, sputtering and coughing, try a slower Jlow. The
number of bottles youll need depends on how often baby will be taking one.

!Paci<iers: Sure. Probably a good idea to have one around. If you are having latch or milk supply

challenges, try to avoid any artiJicial nipples (bottles or paciJiers) until the problem is resolved.
Other than that, carry on. PaciJier preferences can be similar to bottles. Buy one of several types
and see what your babe likes. Some babies dont take a paciJier at all.

!Solid food: You dont have to spend a lot of money on baby spoons and bowls and baby-speciJic

food mashers and blenders. Most babies seem to want to try solid food around 6 months old. At
that point, you can slightly overcook the vegetables that you are preparing for yourself and let the
baby pick up chunks of food off his/her high chair tray. check out baby-led weaning resources or
Real Food for Mom and Baby by Nina Planck for more information.

High chair: Sure! It is nice to have something that allows baby to be a part of mealtimes once he/
she is old enough to sit upright. You can also buy a booster seat that straps to a kitchen/dining
room chair instead of a full high chair. This doesnt have to be bought right away, since babies cant
usually sit up in them before 4-6 months of age.

!2. Babies Poop. there are a wide variety of options for catching your little persons waste.

Disposable diapers: extremely thorough article on choosing a disposable diaper for your
baby: http://www.babygearlab.com/Disposable-Diaper-Reviews
traditional disposable diapers OR green disposable diapers
(for disposables, consider ordering online, perhaps Amazon subscribe and save or something
similar to get the best possible price on this recurring expense.)

!Cloth diapers: learn more about cloth diapering options at the Birth Matters cloth diapering class
or here: http://thegreennursery.com/cloth-diapers-for-newbies
hybrid diapers
cloth diaper service
all in one cloth diapers (24-30 diapers)
pocket cloth diapers (24-30 diapers, plus 6-8 extra inserts or doublers)
cloth prefolds and covers (12 diapers and 3 covers per day, depending on how often you want to
wash. Snappis are pretty handy for prefolds.)
elimination communication/infant potty training

! wipes (disposable wipes or reusable/washable baby washcloths or Jlannel squares)

diaper rash ointment/cream (make sure its safe to use with your cloth diapers)
FYI - baby powder isnt a thing anymore. apparently babies breathe it into their lungs or
dont buy any.
!if csomething.
loth diapering:

diaper sprayer
diaper pail and washable diaper pail liner
wet bag
the right kind of laundry soap for your diapers
cloth diaper-safe diaper rash ointment

!3. Babies Sleep. a lot.

its a bit difJicult to make a straightforward list on what youll need for babys sleep because the idea
of where babies sleep safest is a bit controversial. do some research and thinking about where you
want your baby to sleep and potentially, prepare a few locations for baby to be able to sleep safely.
the link has general information about making spaces safe for baby: http://
www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=58
heres the inclusive answer on supplies:

!co-sleeper OR bassinet OR pack-and-play OR crib OR mom and dads bed OR a combination

waterproof pad for babys sleeping space
mattress pad for babys sleeping space
2 sets of sheets for babys sleeping space

!4. Baby Carriers. (check out the Fort Wayne Babywearing Group to learn more about which type

works best for you and your baby)

ring slings (most versatile carrier for babies under 25 pounds. most have a tail that can block sun
and facilitate more discreet breastfeeding, if desired)
wraps (Moby Wrap is a well-known brand)
pouches (not used as often, but many dads/partners often like them for their simplicity.)
soft structured carriers (Ergo is the most common. dads and partners tend to love these as well.
great for older, heavier babies.)

!Strollers: there are all kinds of brands. Some like the brand that Jits their car seat. Others like

high-end convertible strollers like the Mamas and Papas brand. pick something you like and can
afford. or get someone else to buy you one you love. ;)

!Other baby holders: swings, bouncy seats, Bumbo seats, exersaucers, etc. Buy used or borrow

from a friend. If you get one at a shower, keep it in the box. Try it with your baby several times. If
they like it, great! If not, return it or sell it at a consignment store. They are short-term tools and
some babies like one or all of these tools and some babies like NOTHING BUT A PERSON.

!5. Babys Layette. (fancy word for clothes and linens for a new baby)

1 going home or Jirst outJit that you can forever look back on and marvel how small it is
3-4 short sleeve onesies (may be the primary clothing for a summer baby)

3-4 long sleeve onesies

5 pairs of pants (the footie pants are fabulous for babies who insist on kicking off their socks)
6 sleepers/rompers/one piece outJits
2 hoodies/jackets
2 sleep sacks for the early days
8 pairs of socks
4 hats - some stocking and at least one sun hat
winter bunting AND/OR car seat cover for winter babes
1 set gauze swaddling blankets (oh em gee - the Aden and Anais blankets make me want another
baby.) OR a velcro swaddler
4-6 receiving blankets (work great for lots of things except actually wrapping up a baby)
12 prefold cloth diapers or burp cloths, bibs (babies are messy)
4-8 bibs
*insider tip: at all times, have a full change of clothes for baby, a diaper and wipes in a gallon ziploc
bag stashed in your car somewhere. trust me.

!6. Babies get baths.

4 soft washcloths
2-3 hooded towels
gentle baby soap (California baby or other natural soap. avoid Johnson and Johnson. that stuff is
junky.)
your sink OR your bath tub OR Tummy Tub OR a regular baby bathtub

!7. Car Seats: breakdown of car seat info - http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-

prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
!do your research. buy a car seat. the bucket ones with the handles work well for a while, then youll
need a bigger one. or, you can save money and just buy a convertible car seat that works from birth
to 4 years or so. you just wont have the convenient bucket to carry the baby around in.

!8. Other Baby Items.

1 baby backpack or diaper bag or purse or paper bag or whatever (its a good idea to choose
something that isnt terribly embarrassing for your partner to carry. if its easy to clean/wipe out
the inside of the bag, thats ideal.)
travel changing pad and travel wipes holder
baby nail clippers
thermometer
snot sucker (the NoseFrida is the bomb. and you can clean it out)
baby monitor, if desired
teething toys, wooden toys, Sophie the giraffe
cloth grasping toys
soft or board books
1 thick blanket, quilt or play mat for Jloor playtime

!8. Other things you might not have thought about:

non-toxic cleaning products (try to transition away from chemicals to more green cleaning

products. and put them in cabinets up and out of babys reach ASAP.)
free and clear laundry soap (regular free and clear soap or a green laundry soap works well. or
there are lots of great green laundry soaps out there.)
a book on breastfeeding
a book on baby care
a book on vaccines, if youre still researching those options
a book on holistic healing, if youre hoping to avoid doctor visits and medications for everyday
childhood illnesses

!Resources:

A Green Nursery (out of Bloomington - has baby registry, rewards program, cloth diaper bundles)