It is a given that you will need a newborn diaper for your new baby. Not only will you need "a diaper" but many diapers and a whole plethora of items. While you're pregnant is the best time to start preparing for the new baby. I will go over the basics for a newborn.

Just how much stuff does a tiny newborn need? Food, clothes and lots of love, right? Amazingly these tiny humans require a lot of things to make life with a newborn easy and comfortable.

One item you need before you can ever leave the hospital is an infant car seat. These seats keep the baby safe in the vehicle and cost anywhere from $25 up - depending on what style and brand you want. I recommend a 5 point seat with a base - that allows for maximum safety and convenience.

Now let's talk clothing, which is another item that baby will need prior to leaving the hospital. The actual type of clothing you need for your baby will depend on the time of year they are born. For summer you want to start off with several unisex "Onesies" and/or gowns. For winter you'll want footed pajamas.

As tempting as it is to go buy all the little cutesy outfits, the truth is most of these outfits will swallow a newborn. You're smart to stick with the simple items at the beginning. Also have several pairs of socks. You can skip the shoes at first. And if it's cold, have a knit cap or two.

Next item to consider is sleeping. This is where you need to decide what will be best for you.

• Co-sleeping (allowing the baby to sleep in your bed with you.  It's handy when baby needs to have a change at night, you can have the newborn diaper right there along with the wipes and you won't need to even get up!)
• Bassinet
• Crib

Any combination of the above is feasible. It's important though if you co-sleep to have a crib or bassinet or someplace safe for the baby to nap in. Even a Pack-n-Play can be used as a make-shift baby bed. 

You can decorate the crib with cute mobiles and little lights to strap on the sides. These things work well to keep baby entertained. A bassinet can be placed right next to the bed. This gives you both convenience and peace of mind having the baby that close while you sleep. There are also co-sleeping bassinets that are open on the side of the bed.

Baby will need several receiving blankets - for when they leave the hospital, while in the car and at home. Newborns love to be swaddled with the blankets.

Baby needs many "little" items that just make life easier. To start off for hygiene:

• Baby Bathtub
• Baby Soap
• Baby Washcloths and Towels
• Burp Cloths

Items like powders, lotions and oils are strictly up to you. These aren't necessary to the well-being of your baby.

You will want to keep some first-aid supplies for your new baby.

• Acetimetiphen (Tylenol)
• Simethicone Drops (for gas)
• Baby Thermometer
• Nasal Aspirator

When the baby is big enough you will want a high chair of some sort when you start to introduce solids to them.

These items aren't necessary - but are to me a luxury and really help make life easier.

• Bouncy Seat
• Baby Swing
• Changing Table
• Exersaucer
• Jumping Johnnie
• Playpen
• Walker

And let's not forget the newborn diaper! You can choose from cloth or disposable. Just be sure have plenty of them on hand, along with some wipes. A newborn will go through about 6 to 10 diapers a day (and more cloths). The market is certainly geared toward baby items. There's probably a baby item for every little thing and stage you can think of. Just make wise decisions when shopping and think of convenience and safety above all. One last tip, keep one newborn diaper as a keepsake - to remember how very tiny they were.