What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

prescribed for cradle cap. But no need to use it routinely or to cover your baby in the stuff—remember, oiled-up babies are slippery babies.
    Ointment or cream for diaper rash. Most diaper rash creams or ointments are the barrier kind—meaning they act as a barrier between baby’s tender tush and the harsh ingredients in pee and poop. Ointments go on clear, while creams (especially those that contain zinc oxide) usually smear on white. The creams, which are thicker than the ointments, tend to provide better protection against—or even act to prevent—diaper rash. Some brands also contain other soothing ingredients such as aloe or lanolin.
    It’s always best to try a brand out before you start stocking up—some work better for some babies than others.
    Petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline. You can use this to lubricate some rectal thermometers (others require a water-based lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide). It can also be used as a diaper rash preventer, though not as a treatment for rash.
    Diaper wipes, for diaper changes, hand washing on the go, cleanups after spit-ups and leaky diaper incidents, and dozens of other uses. There are also reusable cloth diaper wipes if you’d rather go green, or if your baby turns out to be allergic to certain brands. Thinking of buying a diaper-wipe warmer to go with? Though some parents swear by a warm wipe (especially on chilly nights), the bottom line is they’re not a must-have. Bottoms are plenty warm without prewarmed wipes. Plus, some warmers dry the wipes out quickly. Another consideration if you’re thinking about a warmer: Warm wipes are an easy habit for babies to buy into, and once they do, they may be reluctant to switch to straight-from-the-package.
    Cotton balls, for washing baby’s eyes and for cleaning that sweet bottom in the first few weeks. Skip the cotton swabs, since they aren’t safe to use on a baby.
    Baby nail scissors or clippers. Sharp adult nail scissors are too risky to wield on a squirmy baby—and those tiny nails grow faster than you’d think. Some clippers come with a built-in magnifier so it’s easier to see what you’re doing.
    Baby brush and comb. Far from all babies have hair to brush or comb, so you may or may not end up needing these items in the first few months.
    Baby tub. New babies are slippery when wet—not to mention squirmy. All of which can serve to unnerve even the most confident parents when it comes time for that first bath. To make sure it’s fun and safe to rub-a-dub-dub when your infant’s in the tub, invest in or borrow a baby tub—most are designed to follow a newborn’s contours and offer support while preventing him or her from sliding under the water. Theycome in myriad styles: plastic, foam cushions, mesh sling, and so on. Some “grow” with your baby and can be used all the way through the toddler years (when placed in a regular bathtub).
    When buying a baby tub, look for one that has a nonskid bottom (inside and out) and a smooth rounded edge that will retain its shape when filled with water (and baby), is easy to wash, has quick drainage, a roomy size (large enough for your baby at 4 or 5 months, as well as now), support for baby’s head and shoulders, portability, and has a mildew-resistant foam pad (if applicable). Another option to the baby tub, at least initially, is a thick sponge specially designed to cushion the baby in a sink or a tub.
    The Green Scene
    Forget pink or blue. The hot color these days is green—at least when it comes to baby-care products. From organic shampoo to all-natural lotion, store shelves (and online shopping portals) are stocked with all things green for your little one. That’s because many parents are understandably concerned about lathering up or rubbing their baby’s soft and sweet-smelling skin with chemical additives and fragrances. But will you really need to shell out the big bucks