Here's everything you'll need when baby comes... for the first few weeks. (Items with a * are essential.).

To add more items and help out the moms-to-be to plan their nursery, click here.

[ ] 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)

[ ] 4-8 cotton shirts (front buttoned, without sleeves for summer baby) *

[ ] 4-8 one-piece pajamas *

[ ] 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)

[ ] 1-3 other dress-up outfits *

[ ] 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks) *

[ ] 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby) *

[ ] 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets *

* Buy 100% cotton materials.

[ ] Cradle / Crib (you get it with attached mosquito net in the market) *

[ ] Bassinet

[ ] Cloth Bassinet / Yanai (you get it with attached mosquito net in the market)

[ ] Play pen

[ ] Bouncer

[ ] Stroller

[ ] Walker

[ ] Crib musical mobile with black and white images (remove when baby can support self on hands and knees) *

[ ] Baby monitor *

[ ] Nightlight

[ ] Dresser (you get cloth dressers too that can be folded)

[ ] Toy basket

[ ] Laundry basket for the baby cloths *

[ ] Mattress *

[ ] 2-4 fitted crib sheets *

[ ] 1-2 heavier blankets / quilt (for colder climates)

[ ] Neck pillow

[ ] Mosquito net (when the baby sleeps on crib or bed) *

[ ] Disposable diaper (use it at nights or whenever baby sleeps so that you don't wake up the baby while changing the soiled cloth diaper, baby's dress, underneath cover etc) *

[ ] Play mat (for the little one's tummy time) *

[ ] Mosquito netted sleeping bag (it's of the size of the baby with the thin cushion below and zipped mosquito net on top)

[ ] Newborn-size diapers (disposable or cloth)

[ ] Diaper/Nappy rash cream *

[ ] Unscented baby wipes (causes less irritation. You get this in various pattern in the market) *

[ ] 5-6 Soft washcloths *

[ ] Nappy pins (if you plan to use cloth diapers)

[ ] Tissues (for you)

* The newborn size can be used only during the first few weeks. You can buy the next size as and when the baby grows and as many as required. You get different varieties, shapes, colors and sizes of cotton cloth diapers in the market.

[ ] Baby bath tub

[ ] Baby bath seat

[ ] Oil Massaging sheet

[ ] 2-4 soft thin towels or hooded baby towels *

[ ] Baby hairbrush *

[ ] 2-3 Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!) *

[ ] Baby soap *

[ ] Baby shampoo

[ ] Baby oil

[ ] Baby lotion

[ ] Baby powder

[ ] Baby hair oil

[ ] Baby cream

[ ] Baby bath

[ ] Baby buds

[ ] 3-6 feeding bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce (if fed strictly by the bottle, baby will go through about ten in the four ounce size per day) *

[ ] 1-2 Burp cloths

[ ] Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)

[ ] Bottle and nipple sterilizer

[ ] Bottle drying rack

[ ] Bottle cleaning liquid

[ ] Bottle brush

[ ] 4-8 bibs

[ ] High chair

[ ] 1-2 Pacifiers

[ ] Nursing bras (breasts swell following birth, so start with one size larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down -- about two weeks after birth -- to purchase additional bras.)

[ ] Nursing pads (washable or reusable)

[ ] Nipple cream *

[ ] Nursing pillow

[ ] Breast Pump (manual or battery operated) *

[ ] Milk storage bags (if you plan to use pump) *

[ ] Massage cream

[ ] Abdominal belt

[ ] Nipple shield

[ ] Nipple puller

[ ] Disposable Panties

[ ] Nursing nighties

[ ] Stretch mark cream

[ ] Baby nail clippers

[ ] Safety / Blunt scissors *

[ ] Cotton balls (don't use swabs to clean baby's nose or ears)

[ ] Alcohol swabs or Alcohol + cotton to clean the umbilical cord area *

[ ] Baby thermometer *

[ ] Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator

[ ] Medicine dropper or spoon with measurements

[ ] Antibiotic cream

[ ] Saline nasal drops

[ ] Disinfecting hand soap (for you)

[ ] Infant or convertible car seat

[ ] Stroller or Pram (reclining to almost flat for infants)

[ ] Baby things bag / Diaper bag

[ ] Changing pad

[ ] Carry Cot (hood or without hood) / Baby carrier / sling

[ ] Baby record book (online version of this is coming soon in Chennaimoms!)

[ ] Baby hair brush and comb

[ ] Baby clothing detergent

[ ] Powder box

[ ] Olive oil

[ ] Almond oil

[ ] Rattles

[ ] Squeeze toys

[ ] Storage bins

[ ] Baby carrier or sling bag

[ ] Air filled rubber sheet

[ ] Baby food mixer (it's easy and handy when you travel)

[ ] Baby travel kit / pouch (to store baby cosmetics when you travel)

[ ] Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)

[ ] 2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads

[ ] Panty liners

[ ] Hemorrhoid wipes and cream (can become necessary after labor, even if pregnancy was free of problems...sorry)

* Preparing the nursery for your newborn may differ from family to family depending upon many things such as season/weather, baby's weight, laundering facilities, as well as country and clothing customer.