Birth and Baby Preparedness: 20 Things You Need To Have!
Getting ready for a baby can be difficult in normal circumstances. Add in a crisis or a disaster and you have to be even more ready! Even if you don’t have a baby in the house, I recommend having a basic birth kit and a baby kit just in case. You never know who could be coming over or stranded at your home and will need these items!
Most of this list is very basic. I recommend keeping if not all, most of this on hand. However, I can understand not wanting to keep a breast pump or a car seat in your storage. I had no use for a breast pump, but you never know. If a new mother has trouble with breastfeeding, you might want one on hand and/or keep a small can of formula to help supplement.
20 Things You Need To Have To Be Ready For The Baby!
1. A Birth Kit. I would specifically look for a home birth kit so you can have the basics on hand. A tape measure and a hanging weight scale would also be handy for getting the baby’s measurements and to keep track of the weight for the first few weeks. I would also keep some sanitary pads and some pain reliever for the new mother.
2. Diapers – cloth or disposable. A small pack of newborn and size 1 diapers should be fine.
3. Breast Pump and Pads.
4. Formula and Bottles. I recommend keeping a small can and a pack of bottles.
5. Blankets. 3-4 receiving blankets and 2-3 warm blankets work great.
6. Baby Food and/or a Food Mill. Babies typically do not start eating food for six months, but I still recommend having some in your food storage
7. Baby Wipes. A box or two will suffice although these are great to have on hand if the power goes out and you need to clean your face and hands.
8. Clothing Including Hats. 1-2 hats, a package of onesies, 3-4 sleepers, and a few socks will keep the baby warm and toasty. A sleep sack will also help at bedtime and naptime.
9. Soap to Wash and Sanitize.
10. Baby pain reliever and fever reducer.
11. Teething rings. Again, this will not be needed for a few months, but they are handy to have on hand when the baby is teething or needing to gum something to death.
12. Bibs and Burping Cloths.
13. Diaper Rash Ointment and/or Baby Powder.
14. Crib or someplace for a baby to sleep.
15. Car Seat.
16. Toys and Books.
17. Baby Fingernail Clippers.
18. Nose Syringe.
19. Baby First Aid Kit.
20. Digital Thermometer designed for babies.
Other ideas to make a new mother’s life easier:
1. Some form of a babywearing carrier – sometimes it is handy to have a way to be hands-free while still holding the baby.
2. Pacifiers or something for self-soothing
3. A bouncy seat or someplace safe for a baby to stay and be entertained.
4. Dreft or a gentle laundry detergent that can be used on babies
You don’t need a lot to be ready for a baby, but these essentials will make welcoming the baby easier on you and the new parents! In case of an emergency, you will be ready for it anytime. I recommend storing these essentials (except the crib and car seat) in a five-gallon bucket or a storage tote. You can find many of these things at garage sales and thrift shops, making your cost for this low.
What would you add to this list?
Thanks for reading,
Erica
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This post contains affiliate links including from Amazon LLC. While you are not required to use them and you do not pay any more to use them, I do earn a small commission from those affiliate links. That bit of income helps to support this blog and my family so we really appreciate you using them. Thanks!