Bringing a newborn into your home for the first time can be daunting! Heres a comprehensive list of everything to consider in the months leading up to the special day your baby comes home from the hospital.
Baby Monitors
Get a video monitor so you can see and hear baby from different rooms. Make sure it has good range and night vision. Here are some of the best baby monitors currently available:
- Nanit Plus – Highly-rated smart baby monitor with overhead HD camera that tracks sleep, breathing, and growth. Has background audio, night vision, and mobile alerts.
- Eufy Spaceview – Features crisp HD streaming, pan and tilt function, two-way audio, and 12+ hour battery life. Sends motion alerts and has clear night vision.
- Miku Pro – Contactless respiratory and sleep tracking monitor. Has helpful metrics in a user-friendly app and operates wirelessly up to 90 feet away.
- Infant Optics DXR-8 – Reliable and versatile with interchangeable optical lens capability for customized viewing angles with a smooth panning feature.
- Owlet Cam – Streams HD video and snaps photos while monitoring baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels. Syncs with other Owlet smart products.
- Lollipop Pro Ai – Features cry detection technology, a wide-angle 138° lens, and a 5” HD display screen. Has enhanced night vision and 24 hour battery life on power-saving mode.
- VTech VM5261 – Affordable option with pan/tilt, two-way communication, lullabies, and temperature monitoring at a lower price point.
I’d recommend considering video quality, connectivity range, battery life, extra features like tracking or sensors, smartphone integration, and cost when selecting the right monitor.
- Cabinet and drawer latches – Install latches to secure potentially dangerous items like cleaning supplies, medications, knives, etc.
- Outlet covers – Cover all electrical outlets with plastic guards so baby cannot stick anything into them. The covers just press fit or slide over the outlet.
- Baby gates – Use gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs, and to block rooms or areas you don’t want baby accessing. Check that the gates have safety features like wall mounts and banister attachments.
- Corner and edge bumpers – Pad sharp corners of furniture, countertops, walls, etc. to prevent injuries from falls and bumps.
- Cord winders or ties – Keep loose electrical cords from appliances contained and tied up out of baby’s reach.
- Temperature monitor stickers – Place stickers that change color on baby’s bath water to make sure it’s an appropriate temperature.
- First aid kit – Have a kid-focused kit containing medical essentials to treat any minor bumps, scrapes or injuries.
- Fire extinguisher – Have an easily accessible fire extinguisher in case of emergency and make sure smoke detectors are installed and working.
- Carbon monoxide detector – Install a CO detector to alert you of any potential gas leaks that could be extremely dangerous.
A well-stocked first aid kit for a home with a baby or young child should contain:
Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes of BandAids)
Sterile gauze pads and rolls
Adhesive tape
Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
Hydrocortisone cream
Tweezers
Scissors
Digital thermometer
Infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Micropore paper tape
Cold pack
Calamine lotion
Hand sanitizer
Disposable gloves
CPR breathing barrier
First aid manual
Emergency numbers
Common injuries in little ones
The most common injuries for little ones are scrapes, cuts, bumps and bruises so you want to stock supplies that can treat those. Having infant pain relievers on hand is also key. And basic tools like scissors, tweezers, tape and bandages tend to come in handy. Make sure to check expiration dates and restock any used items. A pediatric first aid book can also act as a reference on how to handle pediatric emergencies.