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Sweet Dreams Baby Boutique is committed to bringing you the best, most up-to-date information regarding your new baby.
We’ve collected helpful information that will assist you in preparing for your precious arrival. If you’re considering using a
hand me down crib, please reference our safety section for helpful information on what to look for. As always, if you have
a question, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
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Decorating and furnishing the nursery is probably one of the most enjoyable parts of preparing for your baby's arrival.
And because your baby will be spending lots of time there, you'll want to make it comforting and cozy for sleep (Sweet Dreams!)
and stimulating for when she is awake.
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The following list is a general guide to items you'll want:
___ Bassinet or Moses Basket
___ Convertible Crib
___ Crib mattress (quality foam or innerspring)
___ Crib mattress cover
___ Crib wedge
___ Full bedding set with bumper, diaper stacker, and crib skirt
___ Extra crib sheets (2 or 3 should suffice)
___ Lamp(s)
___ Baby monitor
___ Organizers for small supplies
___ Mobile
___ Cool-air humidifier
___ Diaper pail
___ Glider/swivel Rocker with ottoman
___ Nursing pads
___ Chest of drawers, dresser, combination dresser, and or armoire
___ Changing table with safety belt and pad
___ Changing table pad covers (at least one extra while you wash)
___ Night-light
___ Curtains that allow some light
___ A shade or heavier curtains (to darken baby's room at nap time)
___ Decor - curtains, pictures (check out Wall Candy Arts), rugs, etc
___ Toy chests/storage
___ Vertical or Horizontal bookcase and bookends
___ CD player and clock
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___ Infant tub
___ 3 to 5 hooded terry cloth towels
___ 3 to 5 soft washcloths
___ 2 to 3 hooded terry cloth bath sacks
___ Mild anti-bacterial soap
___ Mild baby shampoo
___ Nail scissors
___ Hairbrush & comb
___ Lotion
___ Cotton swabs
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If you're bottle-feeding, you'll want about 8 bottles on hand, plus extra nipples and caps. If you're breastfeeding, you may want 2 to 4 bottles for water, juice, expressed breast milk, or formula.
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___ 6 to 8 washable bibs
___ 8 bottles (or more)
___ Extra nipples and caps
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___ Receiving blankets (2-5)
___ Clothing Undershirts, sleepers, socks or booties, hat, sweater or jacket
___ Diapers (prepare to use 10-12 per day)
___ Burp cloths
___ Wipes and creams
___ Infant medicines and medicine spoon
___ Anal thermometer
___ Pacifiers
___ Electrical outlet covers
___ Bouncy seat
___ Stroller
___ Car seat
___ Baby swing
___ Developmental toys
___ Rattles
___ Photo album
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It’s 3:00 AM and your water broke. Do you know what you’re supposed to take with you to the hospital? If not, this list should give you a good start!
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___ Birth plan (your wishes)
___ Bathrobe (if hospital or birth center doesn't supply one, or you want your own)
___ Slippers
___ Socks
___ Tennis balls or rolling pin (for back labor massage)
___ Massage oils or lotions
___ Ponytail holder or band
___ Lip moisturizer (hospitals have very dry air)
___ Camera and film/tape
___ Relaxation materials: books, magazines, games, music, candles, music, etc
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___ Watch with a second hand, to time contractions
___ Toiletries
___ Change of clothes
___ Snacks Postpartum
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___ Going-home outfit
___ Nursing bra
___ Nursing pads
___ Sanitary napkins
___ Nightgown
___ Toiletries
___ Address book
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___ Infant car seat (car seat cover if cold outside)
___ An outfit for the trip home (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest)
___ Receiving blanket (a heavy one, if weather is cold)
___ Diapers
___ One pair socks or booties
___ Infant Cap
___ Bunting or snowsuit for winter
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| Since over half of your child's time during his or her first two years will be spent sleeping, nursery safety is an extremely important area for parents to focus their attention. |
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Make sure there are no loose, improperly or broken parts on the crib. The crib hardware should be checked for disengaged, broken, bent or loose pieces. Special checks should be made of the mattress support hangers and brackets so they cannot drop. The hardware and the crib should be smooth and free of sharp edges, points and rough surfaces.
There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between the slats of the crib to prevent baby's body parts from sliding through.
Be sure you have a firm, tight fitting mattress so baby won't get trapped between it and the crib sides (no more than two finger widths of space).
Dispose of antique cribs with decorative cutouts, corner posts or lead paint.
Any drop-side latches should be too difficult to be released by a young child.
The space between the slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent infants from getting their head stuck between them. Cribs manufactured after 1974 must meet this and other strict safety standards.
The corner posts should be the same height as the end panels or less than 1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels.
Be sure there are no cut out areas on the headboard or footboard so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
Teething rails that are damaged should be fixed, replaced or removed immediately.
The top rails of crib sides, in their raised position, should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its lowest position.
Check the crib often to make sure the frame is solid. Tighten loose screws regularly.
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| A little crib history goes a long way towards explaining why (and/or understanding) not to accept a hand-me-down crib from parents, siblings, or well-meaning friends and neighbors. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, only cribs made after 1991 are likely to meet all current safety standards. Because a crib is the only children's product manufactured with the intention that a child will be left unattended, parents should be extremely careful in the selection process. |
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1973 - Crib slat standard adopted of 2 3/8” between the slats and double locking mechanisms on drop sides
1976 - Standard for cut outs in the end panels was actually set in 1976 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as a mandatory standard
1978 - Non-toxic finish on cribs
1981 - Recall of two model cribs with cut-out designs
1988 - Voluntary standard F1169-88 (Re-approved 1993). Deals with mattress support hardware, failure of glued or bolted connections, drop side latch failure, and dislodgment of teething rails.
1990 - No corner posts or finials on a headboard or footboard; no projection more than 1/16th of a inch above a drop side.
1998 - Portable cribs must meet the same standards as full size cribs.
"... The Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association cautions parents to beware of hand-me-down cribs; many older models don't meet current safety standards. Look for a new crib that has the JPMA certification seal, which shows that the crib has met industry safety standards." (American Baby, Crib Notes: Keeping Baby Safe at Home, September 1995, p. 10)
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Always assemble baby furniture according to instructions and continually check for sturdiness.
Make sure that the paint used is not lead-based.
Position crib away from windows (especially away from blind cords) drafts and heat registers.
Crib and mattresses must be in excellent condition, and should meet current mandatory and voluntary safety standards.
Crib mattresses should fit snugly - less than two finger widths between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
Do not use plastic packaging materials, such as dry cleaning bags, as mattress covers. Plastic film can cling to children's faces and should never be in or near the crib.
As soon as the child can pull himself to a standing position, set and keep the mattress at its lowest position.
When a child reaches 35” in height, the crib should be replaced with a bed. Stop using the crib once the height of the top rails is less than three-fourths of the child's height.
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Don't place a baby to sleep in an adult bed. The baby could become entrapped between the bed & wall, or in headboards, footboards, bed frames. Put your baby in a crib or bassinet if you have to put them down.
Place babies to sleep on their backs in a crib that meets current safety standards and has a firm, tight-fitting mattress. If you use a portable crib or playpen, make sure it meets current safety standards. Use only the mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.
Do not place baby on a waterbed.
Do not overheat baby. The temperature in the room should feel comfortable to you.
Pillows and plush toys should only be used for decoration. Be sure to remove them when baby is sleeping or unattended.
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Do not hang pictures or ornaments on the wall or ceiling above the crib.
Remove bulky toys, hanging mobiles and bumper pads from the crib when baby reaches 4 months old, or when baby starts to roll over.
Coffee tables and end table should have corner guards.
Fireplaces should have doors or protective grills.
Dressers or wardrobes that are higher than wider should be bolted to the wall.
Put away most knick-knacks or be sure they're out of reach.
Make sure that wall units are stable and bolted to the wall if necessary.
Install smoke detectors. Follow the manufacturer's directions for placement. Check at least once a month to make sure battery and smoke detector are in good working condition.
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes safety alerts and recall notices, has a Hotline service (800-638-2772, TTY: 800-638-8270)
and has a Website .
The CPSC can also send you information for hosting a Baby Safety Shower, a great way to inform
new parents how to protect their babies from harm in their own homes.
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Baby Center Track your baby’s development week by week the free email newsletter parents rave about.
Pregnancy Today The online journal for parents-to-be. Create your birth plan with helpful tools and resources or read a variety of expert questions and answers.
4woman.gov The National Women’s Health Information Center (U.S. Department of Health) provides information for those looking to become or already are pregnant.
American Baby Sign up for the free American Baby magazine and browse many useful topics from fetal development to healthy recipes.
Baby Names Plus Over 8,000 names and meanings on this helpful website.
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