Even if you do decide to breastfeed, keep bottles and nipples on hand for pumping. This will give your partner a chance to feed and bond with the baby, and enable you to take a break if necessary. (Items with a * are must-haves.)

[ ] 10-16 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)*

[ ] Liners, for disposable bottles

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

[ ] Bottle sterilizer (if your dishwasher doesn’t have one)

[ ] Bottle brush

[ ] Dishwasher basket for small items

[ ] 4-8 bibs

[ ] Burp cloths (or cloth diapers)*

[ ] High chair

[ ] 2-4 pacifiers

[ ] Formula (if not nursing)*

For nursing moms:

[ ] 1-3 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

[ ] Nipple cream

[ ] Nursing pillow

[ ] Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)*

[ ] Milk storage bags*