Many doctors and nurses still recommend a rectal thermometer of the type made especially for babies for the most accurate temperature measurement in infants. You may want to have cotton swabs and soft cotton balls on hand before the baby comes home. Swabs are effective right after the baby comes home. You can put a little alcohol on them and use them to keep the new navel area clean and dry. But remember that cotton swabs should never be used in a baby s nose or ears.
Cotton balls are very handy to have for cleaning the eyes and the ears.
Pre-packaged baby washcloths are handy and really good for traveling, but in the home you can just use a washcloth for cleaning the baby at diaper changes. Another item that comes in really handy is a pacifier. Some babies enjoy some extra sucking time and when a child is fussy, this soft, little mouthpiece will help comfort the baby. But don t be concerned if your baby just rejects a pacifier. My daughter wouldn't take one.