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The Basics: What to Buy Before Baby Arrives

Based on content from Johnson & Johnson's Baby Care Basics: Practical Tips for Parents-to-Be.

Outfitting Your Baby

If you listened to everyone's advice, you'd have a never-ending list of necessities for your baby. But really, your baby is going to need your unending love, and a few basics. You'll find it helpful to have these supplies (and one or two cute outfits that you can't resist!) on hand before your baby comes home:

  • Diapers (newborn size) - get a few packages
  • Undershirts
  • One-piece suits
  • Socks
  • Blanket sleeper
  • Stretchy suits
  • Bibs

What to Get for the Medicine Cabinet

While you're out shopping for baby supplies, pick up a few items that you'll need for baby's medicine cabinet. Here's a list of the essentials:

  • Thermometer (digital)
  • Nonaspirin liquid pain reliever
  • Gas-relieving drops
  • Nasal aspirator bulb syringe for removing mucus from a stuffy nose
  • Safety manicure scissors
  • Sterilized cotton balls, or cotton squares or rounds, such as JOHNSON'S® Pure Cotton Rounds
  • JOHNSON'S® Safety Swabs

Baby Toiletries

It's important to keep your baby clean and to keep your baby's skin healthy and moisturized. Here are a few of the essentials to have in your home:

  • Ultra-mild baby wash, such as JOHNSON'S® HEAD-TO-TOE® Baby Wash
  • Baby wipes
  • Diaper ointment with zinc oxide such as DESITIN® Maximum Strength Original Paste or DESITIN® Rapid Relief Cream
  • Baby moisturizer such as JOHNSON'S® Baby Lotion or JOHNSON'S® Baby Oil - Baby Skin Care
  • JOHNSON'S® Baby Shampoo