The area designed for your baby should be clean, comfortable, and safe. When you shop for your baby, there will be many items to choose from. It’s not necessary to have them all, but the following items may be helpful:

A crib that meets all safety specifications

A crib mattress that is covered with easily cleaned material

Crib bumpers

Bedding for the crib, including a flannel-backed, waterproof mattress cover

A changing table that meets all safety specifications

A 3-gallon diaper pail

A large plastic washtub for bathing the baby

As your due date nears, you will also need to buy or borrow the basic clothes and accessories your baby will require for his or her first few weeks. These include the following:

3 or 4 pajama sets, with feet

6 to 8 undershirts

3 newborn gowns

2 sweaters

1 sleeping bag or bunting

2 bonnets

4 pairs of socks or booties

4 to 6 receiving blankets

1 set of baby washcloths and towels (look for towels with hoods)

3 or 4 dozen newborn-size diapers

Diaper pins and 4 pairs of plastic pants (if you use cloth diapers)

Clean out your closets and consider throwing away unused items that take up valuable space.

If you look carefully and are creative, you can find all kinds of storage space (under beds and other furniture, on top of cabinets, in crawl spaces, etc).

Make sure any furniture you buy for the baby has storage space for clothes and supplies.