"Nursery Necessities" excerpt excerpt from Full Of Life

So, now you know not to buy blankets on your own; you will be given plenty. But here's a list of items that no one mentions you'll need and certainly no one will give you at your baby shower because they're not cute, tiny, soft, or cuddly, nor do they have lace trim. They're not fun to buy, and they definitely don't get "oohs " and "ahhs " at the shower. But once you have the baby, they're essential. And you want to stock up on these items before the baby arrives. Because the last thing you want to do after giving birth is run errands!

• Gauze pads - They're used to clean the baby's bottom the first two weeks. You can't use grocery store wipes at this point because a newborn's skin is too sensitive. I didn't know this until I was leaving the hospital. All I wanted to do was bring my baby home, but instead, we had to stop at the drugstore so Keith could run inside for gauze pads. So, take it from me. Stock up ahead of time.
• Baby nail files - Babies are born needing a manicure. Their fingernails grow in the womb and by the time they're born, they need a serious trim. Otherwise, they scratch themselves. And trust me, it is too terrifying to use fingernail clippers on a newborn. Thank goodness I got a tip from a friend: buy some baby emory boards and have them on hand for when the baby is born. I didn't know they existed, but they do and they work like a charm.
• Acquaphor - Newborns tend to get eczema (a non-contagious rash that can appear on baby's forehead, cheeks, and scalp). Ashby had a minor case of eczema. Her pediatrician recommended I get Acquaphor and it helped to soothe her sensitive skin.
• Thermometer Head Strip - Now, no one wants to imagine their newborn getting a fever but if we suspected Ashby might have one, we found this was the easiest way to check. All you have to do is place the strip on the baby's forehead and the thermometer gives you a reading by whichever color lights up.
• Baby Sleep Positioner - This is a covered piece of foam with two wedges on each side. It helps keep the baby sleeping on his or her back (which is the recommend position.) I got one that inclined slightly so it elevated Ashby's head for breathing.
• Moses Basket - This is where Ashby slept for the first six months of her life, even though she had the most beautiful crib! A nurse told me newborns like small spaces, which makes sense. Think about it, they've been rolled up in a ball in your belly for months. So lots of babies love to sleep in cozy Moses baskets. An added plus is that you can carry your baby from room to room in the Moses basket without your little one ever waking up. I went through three of them!
• Bisphenol-A-Free Bottles - You want to make sure that your bottles are polycarbonate free. Studies show that certain bottles, when heated, can release toxic chemicals, and the concern is that prolonged exposure to BPA in infants can cause developmental problems. Remember Abby, my pregnancy partner in crime? Well, she's the one who clued me in on getting BPA-free bottles. Again, it's great to compare notes with other moms.