Feeding and Newborn Care: Pre‑Adoption Planning Essentials

You’ve taken all the necessary steps to fulfill your dreams of adopting a baby, from researching adoption types, laws, and costs to gathering documents and completing the interview and home study processes.  

Now that you’ve been approved — congratulations! You’re ready to move on to the fun part: preparing for the arrival of your newborn.  

At The Center for Advanced Pediatrics in Norwalk and Darien, Connecticut, our team is here to help however we can. We offer pre-adoption counseling services for soon-to-be parents, as well as post-adoption wellness visits for babies and kids of all ages. 

In this month’s blog, we’re offering a quick guide to all the newborn care and feeding essentials you’ll want to have on hand the day your little one arrives home. 

1. Must-have newborn gear

Newborns may be the tiniest humans, but they still need a lot of “gear” for a healthy, safe, and comfortable start in life. Well before the day your baby is due to come home, be sure you have the following:

Installed car seat 

Install a new rear-facing infant car seat in the middle of the back seat of your car. Proper installation is vital to your baby’s safety. If you need assistance, contact us or consult a certified technician (often available at local hospitals, fire departments, and police stations). 

Safe sleep space

Your newborn needs a safe sleep space. Whether you place a bassinet near your bed or in a crib in their own nursery, ensure they have a flat, firm mattress covered with a tightly fitted sheet. Keep soft bedding and plush items (i.e., pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals) out of their sleep space.

Newborn clothing

New parents often receive piles of “cute” baby outfits from family and friends. We’re here to remind you that newborns grow fast, and all they really need at the start of life is a couple dozen onesies, a few comfortable sleepers, a couple of hats, several pairs of socks, and a few weather-appropriate outfits.

Nursery essentials 

Basic nursery essentials include a nightlight, a changing table or changing pad, a diaper pail, a comfortable chair for feeding and rocking, and a baby monitor. 

2. Hygiene, health, and comfort

Keeping your newborn clean and healthy also requires several essentials, including:

Diapers and wipes

Buy enough diapers (preemie, newborn, or size 1) to maintain a one-month supply; the average newborn uses 8-12 diapers per day. Don’t overbuy these small diapers, however — babies grow fast. You’ll also need a supply of wipes and diaper rash cream. 

Baby health kit 

At a minimum, your baby’s health kit should include a digital thermometer, a nasal aspirator bulb, baby nail clippers and emery boards, and gas drops. We can help make sure you have everything you need on hand. 

Bathing and grooming 

Newborn bathing essentials include an infant bathtub, a gentle liquid baby wash, a few soft washcloths, baby oil or lotion, and one or two soft, hooded baby towels to swaddle the baby in after bathtime. You may also need a soft baby brush for their hair, too. 

Comfort and travel 

Swaddling blankets, receiving blankets, and burp cloths are indispensable comfort items. When you’re on the go, you’ll need a fully stocked diaper bag and a stroller; many parents also find it helpful to have a baby carrier, wrap, or sling.  

3. Newborn feeding necessities

Essential newborn feeding supplies vary depending on whether you want to bottle-feed with formula or donor breastmilk, or use induced lactation to try to breastfeed your baby. 

For bottle feeding

Have enough formula or donor breastmilk on hand for at least a month, along with a dozen baby bottles with slow-flow nipples. You’ll also need a bottle brush or sterilizer to clean the bottles between feedings. Many parents find it helpful to use a feeding-support pillow.

For breastfeeding 

If you opt to take lactation-stimulating hormones for a few months before your baby’s birth, you’ll also need a breast pump for mechanical lactation stimulation. Our Tiny Tummy lactation consultants are here to help you prevent and overcome breastfeeding challenges. 

Get breast milk storage bags, a couple of nursing bras, nursing pads, and a few bottles with slow-flow nipples. Using the breast pump, aim to have several bottles of stored milk on hand for your baby’s arrival; be sure to have formula available as well. 

4. Adoptive parent readiness

In addition to taking newborn care classes and learning infant CPR and first aid, you’ll want to choose a pediatrician from our caring team and schedule your pre-adoption visit. We can answer all your questions, provide expert guidance, and help you feel confident in your abilities from day one.  

The Center for Advanced Pediatrics has been making parenthood easier — for foster parents, adoptive parents, and biological parents alike — for over 60 years and counting. To learn more, contact your nearest office in Norwalk or Darien, Connecticut, today.