What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff Page B

convert into snowsuits. Any bunting you use should have a slot on the bottom for a car seat strap, to make buckling up easier and more secure.
    Booties or socks. As you’ll soon find out, these are often kicked off within moments after they’re put on (something you probably won’t notice until you’re halfway down the street or on the other side of the mall), so look for styles that promise to stay put. You’ll need just 5 to 6 pairs for starters—add more as baby grows.
    Bibs. Even before you introduce your sweetie to sweet potatoes, you’ll need bibs to protect clothes from spit-up and drool. Consider buying a minimum of 3 bibs—you’ll always have at least one in the laundry basket.
Baby’s Linens
    Soft against baby’s skin is a given, but here are some other practical hints for choosing the right linens. You’ll notice that bumpers and crib blankets and comforters don’t make this list at all—that’s because none of them are recommended for use in a baby’s crib or other sleeping area.
    Fitted sheets for crib, portable crib, bassinet, and/or carriage. Whatever colors and patterns you choose, when it comes to sheets, size matters. For safety’s sake, sheets should fit very snugly, so they can’t get loose in the crib. You’ll need around 3 to 4 of each size—especially if your baby spits up a lot and you’re changing the sheets often. You might also consider half sheets that tie or snap on to the crib bars and go on top of the fitted sheet. It’s easier to change just the half sheet than to take up the hard-to-remove fitted sheet. Be sure the half sheets are securely attached. Also for safety’s sake, don’t use any top sheets or other loose bedding.
    Waterproof pads. How many pads you’ll need will depend on how many surfaces in your home will need protecting: think crib (put the pad under the mattress cover), carriage, furniture, laps. At a minimum you’ll want 1 to 2.
    Quilted mattress pads for crib. Again, the fit should be very snug. And skip the kinds that have plush tops. Two pads should be enough (one to use when the other’s in the wash).
    Blankets for carriage or stroller. Blankets are fine to use over a baby who’s buckled into a car seat or stroller (or a baby who’s otherwise being supervised). But don’t use any blankets on your baby during sleep (except for that swaddler or sack), since loose bedding of any kind is a SIDS risk factor. It’s much safer to rely on sleep sacks or other toasty sleepwear to keep your little one comfortably warm. Buy 1 to 2 blankets and you’re covered.
    Towels and washcloths. Hooded towels are best, since they keep baby’s head warm after a bath (and weren’t you eyeing that one with the puppy ears anyway?), and wash mitts are easier to use than standard cloths (plus they’re often cuter). Look for soft towels and washcloths, and consider buying 2 or 3 towels and 3 to 5 washcloth mitts.
    Burp cloths, for protecting your shoulders when burping baby, for emergency bibs, and much more. A dozen burping cloths are a good start. If you find you’re going through many more because your little one has proven to be a big-time spitter, you can always add to your collection.
    Receiving/swaddling blankets, swaddlers with velcro, or zip-up pods. Most newborns like being swaddled right from the start, especially during sleep, which is one reason hospitals routinely bundle them in receiving (or swaddling) blankets. Click here for tips on how to swaddle your baby safely—and keepin mind there are many easier alternatives to do-it-yourself swaddles, from velcro wraps (some secure baby’s arms with swaddle “wings” within the swaddler) to snug zip-up pods (two-way zippers allow you to access the diaper region without unswaddling baby) to hybrid swaddle sacks (swaddle on top, sack on the bottom). Since you may have to do some switching