Adoptive and Foster Parent Shopping List

Families are made in many beautiful ways, including bringing a child into your life through adoption or the foster care system. Adopting or fostering a child is an exciting milestone. Once it appears certain that a baby or toddler will be joining your family, you'll want to prepare your home for their arrival. Here's a suggested list of things you may need to buy (or borrow) for children of various ages.

Note that this list includes some items you may not need or want. For example, if you don't have a large living space, you might not need a baby monitor. Or if you live in a warm climate, you may not use cold weather items. Also, remember that babies and toddlers come in many different sizes and grow and develop at different rates. So, don't invest heavily in clothing, toys, or other age or size-specific items until you get a sense of what will fit and what they really need.

Shopping List for Babies Under 1 Year

These are the key items to stock up on when adopting or fostering a baby. Remember, if cost is an issue, there are many resources out there that can help you get free or low-cost items for your baby. Your child's pediatrician, local charities, and your local county and city government offices can help connect you with these resources. Many items can be bought used. Also, many people are happy to pass on gently used children's clothing and other reusable items, so ask around!

For the nursery

• Baby monitor
  
• Blankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season)
  
• Changing pad or table
  
• Chest of drawers (for storing baby's clothes, if needed)
• Crib
• Crib mattress
• Diaper pail
  
• Diaper rash ointment
• Diaper wipes
• Diapers (either disposable or cloth)
  
• Fitted sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season)
  
• Night-light
• Rocking chair or glider
  
• Quilted mattress pad
  
• Waterproof pad
  

Bathing and grooming

• Baby brush and comb
  
• Baby oil and/or lotion
• Baby nail clippers or nail files
  
• Baby tub
• Baby soap or bath liquid
  
• Baby shampoo
• Cloth diapers (to be used as burp cloths)
• Hooded terry robes
• Soft towels
  
• Soft washcloths
• Sterile cotton balls
• Tub seat and bath toys (for when baby graduates to the big tub
  

Feeding

• Accessories basket for dishwasher
  
• Baby spoons and forks (for feeding older babies)
• Bottles/nipples
• Burp cloths
• Drying rack for bottles
  
• Formula
• High chair
• Plastic or washable bibs
• Wire brush bottle washer
  

Medicine chest

• Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center)
• Antiseptic cream
  
• Baby acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  
• Baby decongestant
• Baby ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
• Baby powder
• Cool mist humidifier
• Gas drops
  
• Heating pad and/or hot water bottle (for soothing a colicky tummy)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Medicine dropper/measuring spoon (these often come with baby liquid medicines)
  
• Nasal aspirator/saline nose drops
  
• Rehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte)
  
• Sunscreen
• Sterile bandages and gauze pads
  
• Thermometer (ear and/or rectal)
  

Travel gear

• Baby carrier (front pack or sling)
  
• Car seat
• Diaper bag
  
• Portable playpen/crib
• Rain shield
  
• Stroller
• Stroller blanket
• Travel changing pad
  

Safety

• Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)
• Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)
• Outlet plugs
  
• Safety gates
• Safety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)
• Window guards
  

Clothing

This is a basic wardrobe shopping list for newborns and very young babies. When shopping for your baby, you'll need to take into account their age, size, and the season in which you'll adopt. Then, adapt this list accordingly. (An older baby, for instance, wouldn't need a hooded bunting, but could wear a hooded sweatshirt or jacket.)

• 1 to 3 sweaters or sweatshirts
• 2 to 4 pairs of booties/socks
• 3 bodysuits
• 3 pullovers
• 3 to 5 side-snap undershirts
  
• 4 to 6 footed coveralls
• 4 to 6 rompers
  

Fun and games

• Activity gym
  
• Baby swing (for babies older than 6 weeks)
• Books
• Mobile (for young babies)
• Musical toys
• Stuffed animals
• Stacking cups
• Soothing baby music
• Teething toys
  

Shopping List for Babies 1 to 2 Years Old

Use this shopping list for 1 to 2-year-olds as a starting point for what you'll need to get for your toddler. Again, you may not need all of these items. Many of them can be purchased used or borrowed. Focus on stocking up on the basics and then adding optional items, like swimsuits, toys, or special occasion clothing, if the need arises.

For baby's bedroom

• Baby monitor
• Blankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season)
• Changing pad or table
• Chest of drawers
  
• Crib or crib that converts into a toddler bed
• Crib mattress
• Diaper pail
• Diaper rash ointment
  
• Diaper wipes
  
• Diapers (either disposable or cloth)
• Fitted sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season)
• Night-light
  
• Rocking chair or glider
  
• Waterproof mattress pad
  

Bathing and grooming

• Baby brush and comb
• Baby lotion
• Baby nail clippers or nail files
  
• Baby shampoo
• Baby soap or bath liquid
  
• Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Bath toys
  
• Hooded terry robe
• Soft towels
• Soft washcloths
• Tub seat
• Cotton balls
  

Feeding

• High chair or booster seat
• Plastic bowls and plates
  
• Plastic or washable bibs
• Sippy cups
• Toddler spoons and forks (for self-feeding)

Medicine chest

• Antiseptic cream and/or antibiotic ointment
  
• Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center)
  
• Baby acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Baby cold medicine
• Baby ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
  
• Cool mist humidifier
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Medicine dropper/measuring spoon
• Nasal aspirator/saline nose drops
  
• Rehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte)
• Sterile bandages and gauze pads
  
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer
  

Travel gear

• Car seat
  
• Diaper bag
• Portable playpen/crib (for younger children)
• Rain shield
• Stroller
• Stroller blanket
• Travel changing pad
  

Safety

• Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)
• Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)
• Outlet plugs
• Safety gates
• Safety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)
• Window guards
  

Clothing

This is a basic list of items that an older baby or toddler will need. You may want to adapt this list to your child's gender and the season in which you're adopting or fostering. Another option is to buy gender-neutral clothing.

In general, primarily buy clothing at least one size ahead of what you'll need. For instance, if you're adopting a 12-month-old, buy 18-month sizes. Babies outgrow their clothing more quickly than you'd expect! Don't guess about shoe sizes, though. Wait until your child arrives and can have their feet measured correctly.

• Bathing suit
• Dresses
• Footed pajamas
  
• Hooded sweatshirts or fleece jackets
  
• Lightweight sleepwear
• Pants
  
• Overalls
• Rain jacket
  
• Shoes/sandals
  
• Snow boots
• Snowsuit
• Socks/tights
• Sun hat
  
• Shorts
• T-shirts/long-sleeve shirts
• Undershirts
• Winter coat
  

Fun and games

Here is a partial list of items that are developmentally appropriate for 1 to 2-year-olds. You may want to buy a few toys and books before your child arrives, and then purchase others once you have a sense of your child's tastes, developmental readiness, and personality.

• Balls
• Books
  
• Building blocks
• Children's music and videos
• Crayons and finger paints
  
• Dolls
  
• Musical toys
• Nesting and stacking toys
• Pull toys, push toys, and riding toys
• Shape-sorters
• Simple wooden jigsaw puzzles
• Stuffed animals
• Toy cars, trucks, and planes
• Water and sand toys
  

Shopping List for Children 2 Years Old and Up

Here's what you'll need to buy or borrow for kids 2 years old and up.

For the bedroom

• Blankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season)
• Changing pad
• Chest of drawers
• Diaper pail
• Diaper rash ointment
• Diaper wipes
• Diapers or training pants (for older toddlers ready to be toilet trained)
• Fitted sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season)
  
• Guardrail (for junior bed)
  
• Night-light
• Toddler bed or junior bed, with mattress (depending on child's age)
• Waterproof mattress pad
  

Bathing and grooming

• Baby soap or bath liquid
  
• Baby shampoo
• Baby lotion
• Bath toys
• Children's nail clippers or nail files
• Children's potty seat (for those who are toilet training)
• Children's toothbrush and toothpaste
• Haircare supplies, such as brush and comb
  
• Soft towels
• Soft washcloths
• Cotton balls
• Tub seat (for younger children)
  

Feeding

• Booster seat
• Plastic bowls and plates
  
• Plastic or washable bibs (for younger children)
• Sippy cups or plastic cups (for older children)
  
• Toddler spoons and forks

Medicine chest

• Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center)
• Antiseptic cream
  
• Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  
• Children's decongestant
• Children's ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
• Cool mist humidifier
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Measuring spoon for medicine
• Nasal aspirator/saline nose drops
• Rehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte)
  
• Sunscreen
• Sterile bandages and gauze pads
  
• Thermometer
  

Travel gear

• Diaper bag
• Car seat
• Rain shield
• Stroller (for younger children)
• Stroller blanket
  
• Travel changing pad
  

Safety

• Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)
• Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)
• Safety gates (for younger children)
• Safety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)
• Outlet plugs
• Window guards
  

Clothing

This is a basic list of items that a toddler or preschool child will need. Feel free to adapt this list to the particular needs of your child and the climate in your local area. Aim to mostly buy clothes one size ahead of what you'll need, as kids this age tend to outgrow their clothes pretty quickly. Wait on buying shoes until your child arrives, so that you can ensure proper fit.

• Bathing suits
  
• Dresses or skirts
• Footed pajamas
• Leggings
• Lightweight sleepwear
• Hooded sweatshirts or fleece jackets
  
• Overalls
• Pants
  
• Shoes/sandals
  
• Shorts
• Snow boots
• Snowsuit
• Socks/tights
• Sun hat
• T-shirts/long-sleeve shirts
• Underpants (for kids who are toilet trained)
  
• Undershirts
  
• Winter coat
  

Fun and games

Here is a partial list of items that are developmentally appropriate for 2 to 3-year-olds. Remember, little kids can turn just about anything into something to play with from wooden spoons to cardboard boxes. So, there's no need to buy everything on the list. You may want to buy a few toys (especially a stuffed animal) and books before your child arrives, and then purchase others once you have a sense of what your child enjoys.

• Alphabet blocks or magnetic letters
  
• Arts-and-craft materials, such as crayons and paints
  
• Books
• Building blocks
• Character figures or plush toys (from storybooks, TV shows, etc.)
• Children's music and videos
• Dolls
• Hand and finger puppets
  
• Musical toys
  
• Toy trucks, cars, and planes
• Toy typewriters, cash registers, shopping carts, tool chests, etc.
• Simple wooden puzzles
  
• Shape-sorters and pegboards
• Water and sand toys