Having a baby is something that is both exciting and scary. As a parent, you want to provide the best for your new baby. This aspiration means choosing products that are safe and effective. The good news is there are many resources available to help you get only the best items for your newborn.

1) Baby Bassinet

Of course, bringing your baby home means that you will need a place for them to sleep comfortably and safely. The exciting moment entails you want to get an ideal bassinet for your newborn to welcome baby home.

Choose a bassinet that matches the theme of the nursery. Also, you need to make sure that it is safe.

Current Federal laws concerning bassinet safety only went into effect in 2014. If you plan on purchasing a bassinet secondhand or getting one from a friend or family member, keep this in mind. Items produced before 2014 may not be up to par.

Look for labels that say ASTM or JPMA. These refer to companies that participated in safety standards voluntarily before being federally required.

2) Car Seat

A lot of factors go into choosing the right car seat for your baby. The installation alone can be overwhelming. However, if you keep a few key factors in mind, you'll be able to make a choice easy.

You want to consider three main things when choosing the right car seat: your baby's age, weight and height, and the safety standards.

Purchasing a car seat that is too small or too large will negate the benefits of the car seat since your baby won't be getting the proper support. For example, if you purchase a car seat that is too large with the intent of your baby growing into it, the baby could shift or move while the car is moving and become injured.

Much like with the bassinet, you'll need to make sure that if you choose to purchase a car seat secondhand, you double-check the safety of the seat.

3) Tools for Feeding

If you are planning on breastfeeding, you'll only need minimal supplies. This point only applies if you plan on bottle feeding, in which case you'll need bottles, nipples, and the formula.

Make sure to examine the expiration dates on the formula. Purchasing ahead of time to be prepared is a good idea, but you don't want to do this too soon.

Burp cloths are also essential to have available, regardless if you are planning on breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

4) Clothing and Blankets

New babies are going to need changing several times a day, so it's vital to have plenty of clothing at hand. In general, you will want to have several of the following:
Short and long-sleeved onesies
Nightgowns
Socks
Booties
Scratch mittens

As for blankets, you will need a few receiving blankets for swaddling. You might also need a selection of lighter and heavier blankets, depending on the weather.

5) Bathing Supplies

It's common for parents to bathe new babies in the kitchen sink since a newborn doesn't need that much space. It's also easier for the person washing them to stand at the sink, rather than bending over the bathtub. To do this, you will need a plastic infant tub to place in the sink. Also, another practical option is getting baby bath tub from Kidsco which will make baby bathing a lot easier.

You'll also need gentle washcloths, hooded towels for drying, as well as shampoo and other toiletry items that are baby-safe.

Final Thoughts

Bringing home a baby can be a stressful process, but research properly into what you will need to prepare, and you'll find it's a great way to calm those nerves. Once you have these basics, all you need to focus on is spending time with your little one.