[Submitted Question]

I know it is silly but I am rather superstitious. I would rather not set up the nursery before the baby is born, because I am afraid something could go wrong. Still, I don't want to be completely unprepared when we come home from the hospital either. What are the really necessary things and how easy would it be for my boyfriend to set everything up on his own while I am still in the hospital?

[WombToBloom]

The great thing about newborns is that they really don’t need much. They need clothes, a carseat, some diapers and you. They don’t need a designer nursery. They don’t even need a crib.

If you don’t want to set up a full-blown nursery before your baby arrives (and I totally get that sentiment, by the way), have a portable bassinet or pack ‘n play on hand. Your boyfriend can easily set it up before or when you get home. Or you can just choose to co-sleep with your baby for a while.

He’ll need to pick up some newborn diapers and wipes to have on hand. And you’ll need a handful of dressing gowns or sleepers to alternate between baby and laundry. Some receiving blankets will be necessary too – for swaddling your baby and keeping her warm.

Other than that, there really aren’t many “necessities” for a newborn. For as exhausting as the newborn phase can be, they’re really about as low-maintenance in terms of “stuff” as they’ll ever be again! Good luck!