The Ultimate Baby Checklist
By Scott Zak

Baby Checklist:

Clothing: (plan for spit-ups, accidents, diaper leaks, etc.
8 nightgowns
8 side-snap undershirts
8 ‘onesies’
8 pairs of socks/booties
2 pairs of no-scratch mittens
2 hats/bonnets

4 sweatshirts/sweaters

Seasonal wear as needed:
Winter jacket, hat, mittens, full snow suit
Fall coat
1 ‘Bundle Me’ – lines baby seat in winter
Baby shoes – not essential, but fun

Blankets:
4 blankets (expect them to get dirty)
4 receiving blankets – great for swaddling babies

Feeding:
Formula feeding:
10 four ounce bottles with nipples (having more means less cleaning)
8 eight ounce bottles with nipples (less feedings as baby grows)
Hi-chair
Pacifiers (start with 4, watch them vanish)
3 Bibs (keep one in the diaper bag)
Formula (when starting, buy small amounts since your baby may need to switch brands)
Dry-formula storage unit – pre-measured, great for traveling

Breast feeding:
Breast pump
Nursing bras
Breast pads

Diapers:
Only need 1 box of newborn size diapers
Have newborn and size 1 ready to go – trust us, you’ll use them
Wet wipes – great for ‘messy’ situations
Diaper disposal system

Bath time:
Plastic baby tub (easier than the sink)
Wash cloths – get a few
Tearless cleanser and/or shampoo
Baby hair brush
Hooded towels – keep baby warm while drying him/her off
Baby oil
Bath toys

Bedtime:
Crib
Crib mattress
Bedding Set: bumper/comforter/skirt…
Dresser
Rocker or glider
Changing Table Pad

Changing Table Cover
Hamper
2 waterproof mattress covers
3 crib sheets (pick fun colors)
Blanket (big enough to tuck in)
Sleeping bag – great idea
Mobile – music helps
Nightlights
Toys and stuffed animals (keep them OUT of the crib)
Lamps

Healthcare:
Nail clippers or scissors
Bulb syringe (for clogged noses – be careful)

Baby thermometer
Lotions
Vaporized / Humidifier

Traveling Baby:
Diaper bag – many to choose from, get one with a changing pad built in
Infant car seat (it’s the law, get your local fireman to install safely for you)
Stroller (getting one where the car seat fits in is very convenient)
Pack-n-Play – a crib to go (so Mom and Dad can get out)
Baby carrier (slings are good too)

Keeping the baby quiet at home:
Baby swing
Bouncy baby seat – get the one that vibrates

Around the house:
Baby monitor – listen in so you can rest too! (you can watch with some models)
Outlet plugs – plug them all
Cabinet and drawer safety locks
Corner protectors (and the edges of coffee tables)
Play Yard
Potty Chair
Bassinet – perfect for naps
More toys
Baby book
Growth chart
Photo album and frames
Safety gates

Scott Zak is a publisher of http://www.babynamesusa.com and http://www.thetop100babynames.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Zak

Ten Great Ideas for a New Baby
By Scott Zak

Mom’s top 10 gift ideas – for Baby

Ever wonder what the best gift would be for that new baby? You’re not alone.

There is not one perfect solution for everyone, and you’ll definitely get different answers depending on who you ask. Look not further, because we went right to the expert for you – MOM!

1. Diapers and Baby Wipes – For some, this may seem to practical, but the baby (and Mom) will no doubt need them – and they are going to need a lot of them! Don’t be afraid to ask what brand the baby prefers.

2. Diaper Bags – Mom’s can never have enough diaper bags, especially today’s active moms. And guess what, baby bags have gotten very fashionable. You will find many to choose from, so be sure to look around. A few thoughts:

1)Choose a bag with compartments to store clothes, formula, bottles and baby food.

2) If you go the ‘fashion’ route – be sure you find one that Mom will like. This can get tricky, so you may want to ask first.

3. Onesies and sleepers – You can never have too many, just be sure to get the right size.

4. Blankets – Pick one that is soft and washable. Every baby needs a special blanket (or a few), one that makes them feel at home, even when they are out.

5. Carseat/Stroller Combination – Make it easy on Mom! Look for an infant that Mom can lift out of the car and quickly place direcgtly onto the stroller.

6. Baby Swing – If you want to give a gift that will make everyone happy – especially Mom and Dad – give them a baby swing (or vibrating chair – OR BOTH). The motion and/or humming sound are a baby favorite – which makes them a parent favorite as well.

7. Pack-and-play – Bring the crib with you, so Mom and Dad can enjoy themselves when it’s time for baby to take a nap – or a break.

8. Clothes – not only will most babies need several outfits a day, they will be growing out of them as quickly as you can buy them. Make sure you buy the right size, as many clothes may say ‘6 to 12 Months’, but every baby is different, so check with Mom first.

9. Gift Cards/Certificates – It may not be as personal as other gifts, but letting Mom choose the gift is going to be appreciated – remember, Mom told us so.

10. Burp cloths and Bibs – Mom can never have too many bibs and burp cloths – especially during the first year. It will also save a bundle on dry cleaning for Mom and Dad’s clothes.

Scott Zak is a publisher of http://www.babynamesusa.com and http://www.thetop100babynames.com

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Choosing A Name For Your Baby
By Tony Luck

Apart from life itself, a name is perhaps the most precious thing you will give to your baby. Sociologists, baby experts and teachers agree that your child’s name impacts on his or her personality, baby’s ability to interact with his or her peers, and how he or she is seen by total strangers. Here are a few things you should take into account when choosing your baby’s name.

Uniqueness: The current fashion is to give baby an unusual name or a traditional name with different spelling so that she stands out from the crowd. A friend has a daughter called Emily. At school there are 2 other Emilys in the class, so she is known as Emily T. It was a year before the little girl understood that her name was Emily and not Emily T! So it is easy to understand the temptation to go for a name that’s different.

However, there can be problems too: the name will be misspelled and mispronounced. “My name is Elvira, but children and teachers would make it Elmira, Olivia, Alvera …I soon learned to come to whatever sounded like my name”, said Elvira Bates. “Only my mother and husband get it right!”.

Sound and Compatibility: Someone suggested that, before you finally decide on a name, you go into the garden and shout the name five times to see how it sounds! A bit drastic maybe, but it is important to ensure the name sounds right.

General advice is to avoid a name that ends in a vowel if the last name starts with a vowel – the names tend to run together. Also, if the surname is long, choose a short first name, or vice versa.

And please avoid the puns. I once worked with a girl called Hazel Nutt! Fortunately she had a strong personality and coped with the laughter and jokes, but many in her position could have developed a complex about the name.

Once, when I was in hospital, there was a nurse with the name Rosie Bottom! (If you are reading this in the USA, Canada, or anywhere but in the UK, you may be wondering why that should be amusing – well, it translates as ‘Rosie Butt’!) Of course the patients found the name amusing and I suppose anything that cheers up the patients has to be beneficial, but what were her parents thinking of when they named her?

Initials: Obvious really, except some people miss this one. Spell out the initials of the first, middle and last names to see if that makes a word.

Finally, consider whether the name suits a grown-up as well as a child.

Tony Luck runs a web site about babies. You will find more articles about baby names on his site.

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