While you are getting ready to bring your baby home from the neonatal unit, you might feel a mix of excitement and worry after spending so much time there. You will probably want to prepare everything ahead of time, but you do not need to get overwhelmed by a long shopping list! The list of the most essential items is usually shorter than you expect.

Clothes

Preterm baby clothing needs to be soft and comfortable to meet the special needs of preterm infants. The best preemie clothes are made from soft, hypoallergenic⍰ cotton with flat seams that are gentle on delicate newborn skin to avoid irritation. Outfits with front or side snaps make dressing and continuing skin-to-skin contact easier, while also allowing access to medical equipment such as feeding tubes. Preemie clothing should also help keep babies warm without causing overheating.

A tip: you do not need to buy too many clothes in preemie size as your baby will be growing very fast and will need new sizes. Same goes for buying preemie sized diapers. By the time babies go home, most of them will be in normal newborn size. 

If you are unsure about what clothing your little one needs, you can always ask the NICU care team or the hospital's social worker⍰ for advice.

Recommended supplies to get before bringing your baby home:

• Baby wipes
• Bassinet⍰
• Bibs
• Blankets
• Bottles, bottle warmers, and other feeding equipment in case your baby is not fully breastfed
• Cot and mattress
• Infant sleeping bags (without a hood)
• Linen – cot/bassinet sheets, mattress protectors, wraps, towels
• Nappies (diapers)
• Warm socks, and clothes

Non-essential items which might be nice-to-have based on your individual needs or preferences:

• Baby bathtub
• Baby carrier (wearable)
• Bottle sterilisers (electric or microwave) in case your baby is not fully breastfeeding
• Bouncers (with a 3 or 5-point harness)
• Breast pumps (manual or electric) in case your baby is not fully breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding pillows
• Car seat (infant/baby capsule)
• Changing mat and/or changing table
• Heat lamp for use above the changing table
• Nappy (diaper) bags
• Nursing pads
• Pyjamas, sleepwear
• Strollers⍰ (must recline for newborns, recommended with a 5-point harness, a sun hood, a carry basket, and a warm insert depending on climate and season)

Some items, like the car seat, need to meet specific safety standards depending on where you live. Be sure to stay informed about these country specific requirements. 

Read more about going home by car.