Choose natural materials, that breathe, simple designs, products without fragrances, petrolatum and mineral oil.

3-5 Newborn (small) cotton outfits with long legs and sleeves (no matter what season). www.ingeling.com

3 small shirts. www.ingeling.com

A hat with ties. www.ingeling.com

3 pairs of socks –make sure the elastic is good around the ankle. Jefferies baby booties are great. www.ingeling.com

5 cotton blankets – at least 30x30 inches and made of a stretchy material. www.ingeling.com

1 or 2 thicker blankets. Cotton or wool. At least 40x40 inches. Great for floor time or in the stroller.

1-2 dozen cloth diapers (burp cloths),diaper service kind or birds eye weave -great for a lot of things. Don’t buy the really thick ones, they do not work as well.

2 baby bath towels- it is easier to dry a small baby with a light weight, stretchy towel. www.ingeling.com

Brush and/or comb. www.ingeling.com

2-3 packs of unscented newborn diapers or cloth diapers with covers. I like: Tushies (www.tushies.com), Seventh generation, Huggies. (Pampers are scented) Imse Vimse and Nikky cloth diaper covers.

Unscented baby wipes or thick paper towels and a bowl of water.

Diaper ointment- should be unscented and without mineral oil and petrolatum. – use ointment only when there is a rash, not to prevent one. www.ingeling.com

Diaper pail –it should be easy to open and have a large opening, preferably with a foot pedal. Diaper Decor works well.

Unscented or very mild baby shampoo, soap and lotion. California baby shampoo is good and can be used on the body as well. Sensitive skin should not be exposed to fragrance.

Regular size nail scissors - clippers are harder to use and baby size ones are too small to hold on to. www.ingeling.com

Digital rectal thermometer.

Baby fever reducer- just in case (Saccharin and color free)

4 pacifiers – Gerber soft center pacifiers. (Round shield, bulb tip, soft center pacifiers works well)

6-8 baby bottles –Plain Evenflo glass or squeezable, opaque plastic is the safest. Bisphenol -A free. Even if you nurse they are good to have around for pumping etc. Don't buy into gimmicky bottles that have straws and vents. If your baby swallows air, he/she will burp it up. www.ingeling.com

Nipple basket for dishwasher.

Diaper bag – easy to wipe off, sturdy, long straps and not too big. Back packs are great.

Changing table or counter space.

Stroller –it should recline and be easy to fold with good size wheels, sturdy and lightweight. Try to figure out how and where you are going to use it most before you get a specific kind. Inflatable wheels can get flats, not so fun when you are out on a walk. Maclaren Techno and Maxi Cosi Perle are both good reclining umbrella strollers. Both at Babies "r" us.

Car seat – light weight, easy to buckle. More bells and whistles does not necessarily mean better. Make sure you can use the seat without the base too.

A crib with a healthy crib mattress (www.naturepedic.com) or you can get your baby mattress at IKEA. They make conventional mattresses, but they’re free of the most problematic fire retardants, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes), 3 fitted cotton sheets, 2 cotton mattress pads (breathable) and a thin bumper pad (1/2 inch max).

Laundry detergent- Unscented laundry detergent. All free, Tide free, Seventh generation. Most baby detergents are fragranced; get regular unscented laundry detergent for the whole family instead.

Saline drops- great to have around if baby gets a stuffy nose. Drops of breast milk works great too.

Baby bath tub-get one that actually gets your baby wet. The reclining seats with hammocks and gadgets will not keep your whole baby warm. IKEA has a great plain bath tub. "Lättsam".

A digital alarm clock that is easy to read in the dark, a must for those 2am feedings.

Here are additional products I recommend:

Bouncy seat: Baby Bjorn 123.

Baby carrier: Baby Bjorn.

Changing table: Stokke and IKEA has great ones with the correct height and angle for your back.

Nursing shirts: Boob.

Nursing pillow: "My brest friend". A silly name but a really good, flat nursing pillow that works better than the Boppy.

Nursing night gown: Japanese weekend . Criss- cross front.

Great wooden toys and baby gym: Haba and Selecta.

Bibs, potties, feeding spoons, diaper bags: Baby Bjorn.

Bottle/ food warmer: The first years.

Gliders: Dutailier. Make sure you can wash the fabric. Reclining is nice.

High chair: Stokke , The Svan.

Washable nursing pads: Medela.

Pump: Medela Pump n’ Style or a rented pump.

ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE AROUND BABIES:

Anything antibacterial(triclosan)! Do not use hand soap, dish washing liquid or any other product with Triclosan around the baby. Some tooth pastes have Triclosan. If you are nursing, do not use them.

Try to stay away from fragranced items, especially wipes, skin products, detergents and diapers.

Do not use lap pads, rubber sheets and non breathable items around baby's sleeping area. Most mattresses are plastic. If you do not get a natural mattress, make sure you have a cotton mattress pad.

Strong smelling cleaning products. Try to buy more natural products like Seventh generation.

Synthetic fibers like fleece and polyester, especially when it comes to clothing and bedding.