Congratulations! You are expecting a new baby, and whether it is your first or fourth child, you may not be sure how best to prepare for your new family member. It is common for parents to be anxious before and within a few months after the baby is born. But if you get your home ready and work on your connection with your spouse, you can successfully prepare for a new baby.
There is a lot to do in preparing for the baby’s birth, which includes buying all important stuff for the newborn. From furnishing the nursery to arranging the necessary items for sleeping, feeding, and changing, it is simple to deal with the buying of baby-related necessities. Finally, the quantity of baby nutrition that a newborn baby might consume can surprise any future mom. However, the question is what baby products can be omitted and what important childcare products cannot be avoided. Do not worry: we will break down the details for you. Continue reading for a comprehensive overview of the essentials you should have for a newborn baby.
Baby things to buy before birth
1. Breastpump and baby bottles
If you plan to breastfeed, a breast pump is an indispensable aid. It is ideal for supporting everything from stimulating milk production in the first days after birth to allowing tired mothers to rest while their partner gives the newborn baby a bottle of breast milk. Once you are back at work, consider investing in a hospital-quality pump or a freehand pump to reduce the time it takes to pump the milk; ask your lactation consultant or postpartum nurse if your hospital rents one. For mothers who will stay at home, a single or hand pump is probably sufficient.
2. Newborn diapers
Whether you choose disposables or fabric, you’ll want to have a few diapers at home waiting for the myriad changes you’ll be making in the first days of your baby’s life. If you’re not sure that your baby will be tiny, don’t buy more than a small pack the size of a newborn; if your baby weighs almost 10 pounds at birth, they will have outgrown them before they’ve even tried them on.
3. A crib, cradle or co-sleeper
Even if you plan to sleep in, your baby needs his own bed. Some things to consider when buying a crib: bassinets may be nice to look at, but they tend to outgrow the bed. Used cots and bassinets are not recommended because they probably do not meet the frequently updated federal safety standards. To prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), be sure to buy a firm mattress appropriate to the size of your cot and only fit the cot with a close-fitting sheet.
4. Wraps
Most newborns find comfort in the soothing act of swaddling. To prepare your baby burrito, you need blankets that are the right shape and size. You can either buy blankets that are specially designed for nappies, or you can choose lightweight square baby blankets and have them wrapped.
5. Newborn car seat
It is the only baby item you need to have in your hospital before discharge: a baby car seat. This cuddly baby car seat could prove to be worth its weight in gold, as many babies find it a cozy place to snooze. Read the instructions for use thoroughly in the weeks before your appointment, make sure you know how to adjust the straps and install the base in your car long before the baby is due to arrive.
6. Onesies with protective mittens
Little tiny baby mittens for little tiny baby hands are really sweet, however, they occasionally drop off and are regularly eaten by the laundry machine, like the mysteriously vanishing socks. Luckily, some kind of genius working backstage at Baby Products’ headquarters had the idea of matching mittens with pajamas, which are already the first things your child is supposed to be wearing in the first couple of weeks after birth. The foldable mittens keep babies from scratching their faces with their small but unexpectedly strong nails. Start a stock.
7. A mobile nappy-changing mat
The singing and dancing nappy changing places for the baby’s room are definitely a “want” rather than a “need”, although a transportable nappy changing mat is absolutely necessary if you plan to go out of the house with your baby. A lot of public toilets are not equipped with changing places, and some of those that are may not be as tidy as you would wish. Finally, you may just have to change a nappy on the ground or in the passenger seat of your car. This isn’t much fun, it’s not attractive, but a lovely wearable changing mat with a pocket for extra nappies and tissues will keep you from a total collapse.
8. Night light
As long as your little one is awake all night – and it is perfectly normal for this to happen until infancy and beyond – a night light is a gift from heaven. They can help to ease bed restlessness, calm a restless sleeper, and minimize disturbance to other family members when you walk down the hall at 3 am (if the screaming baby doesn’t wake you). Like most baby products, nightlights come in all shapes and sizes; some are multi-functional devices that show you the room temperature, create plays of light, and play lullabies or white noise.
9. Baby monitor
Many mothers have found it indispensable, especially if they want to check on the baby without possibly waking him or her (darn door creaking!). A baby monitor also makes it easier to fall asleep when the baby is asleep so that you don’t feel forced to run in every time your baby whimpers.
And if you have a big house, you can use a baby monitor to do other things further away from the baby. So you can check on him even when you are not in the next room.
10. Changing table and dresser
Instead of getting a separate changing table and dresser, get one that combines both! Put the baby’s clothes in the drawers and use the surface of the chest of drawers as a changing table. You’ll also earn bonus points if you find a chest of drawers with storage compartments – these are great for things that are easy to get hold of, like diapers and wipes.
And yes, you can always change your baby on the floor with a changing mat, but if you do it too often without having the chance to get up, you’ll break your back (believe it or not).
11. Changing pads and covers
You will need a changing mat, which you place on the changing table. Make sure that the changing mat is permanently attached to the chest of drawers so that it cannot slip and that the mat has safety belts for the baby.
You will also need at least two changing mats, which you can wash regularly or after unclean nappies.
12. Car seat and stroller system
Get a stroller in which you can easily put a baby car seat. As soon as your baby grows out of the infant carrier, he or she can sit upright in the stroller.
Tip: It may feel strange to include large capacity baby items in your register, but do it anyway. Some people like to give a group gift, and essential items such as a car seat and stroller would be perfect for them.
Essentials items for the first 3 months
Baby essentials first 3 months
What are the most important requirements for the baby in the first 3 months?
The first three months are both exciting and exhausting. You are looking forward to finally taking care of your little one, but there is an enormous learning curve. You want to equip yourself with the best equipment for your newborn.
Baby Wardrobe Essentials
It won’t be much sweeter than tiny baby clothes, but you’ll want to choose practical baby clothes that will keep your newborn cozy and cuddly. As far as clothes go, these are the baby’s necessities:
- 4-8 singlets (folds at the shoulders and press studs at the bottom)
- 4-8 shirts (kimono style with press studs or folds at the shoulders)
- 4-8 trousers (booties can be a great option)
- 4-8 pajamas in a one-piece suit
- 1-3 playsuits or other dressing-up suits
- 1-3 Pullovers or coats ( front buttons)
- 4-7 Socks or shoes ( footwear is not required before the baby begins to walk)
- 1-3 hats for newborns ( broad-brimmed for a summer baby, smooth, soft cap, ears are covered for a winter baby)
- Non-scratch gloves
- 2 portable blankets for the winter
- Flag sack or fleece suit for the winter
- Light and heavy pram blankets
- Gentle detergent
Basics about the children’s room
A baby’s room certainly requires gorgeous furnishings, but you also need furniture and cribs that make baby care all the easier (and safer). Here are the most important utensils for any nursery:
- Cot, cradle, or bassinet
- Solid, low mattress suitable for the crib (no more than two fingers needed to get between the mattress and the crib)
- 2-4 fitted sheets
- Rocking chair or glider
- Baby monitor
- Changing table or chest of drawers with changing mat
- Toy basket – a device with white noise (optional)
- Nappy pail (optional)
- Wrap (optional)
Baby nappy changing – Basics
A nappy changing may appear discouraging at first sight, but rely on us, you will quickly get the hang of it – and these baby must-haves are going to make your practice even more quickly. Take a look at this checklist of baby necessities for nappy changing:
- 2-3 full-sized cartons of newborn size diapers or 6-10 dozen fabric nappies and 6-8 diaper wrappers
- 2-3 big cartons of fragrance-free baby wet wipes
- 2 big bottles of diaper cream
- Nappy changing bag
Essentials for the baby bath
A bath can be a lot of fun – at least once you get a grip on the slippery baby. It’s best to prepare yourself with the right equipment. These are the most important utensils a baby needs for a bath:
- Baby Bathtub
- Baby shampoo and body wash
- 2-4 baby towels with hood
- Soft washcloths
- Baby lotion (optional)
Basics of baby nutrition
You should be ready to start feeding your newborn at any time of day or night – this means that no matter if you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you will require a variety of baby items for the mealtimes. Below are the essential baby-related things to stock up on:
- 8-10 feeding bottles and teats, each of them 4 and 8 ounces
- Brush for bottles
- Kit for a dishwasher for little items
- Formula (if not nursing)
- Breast pump ( if you plan to nurse)
- Lactation sachets (if you plan to nurse)
- Nursing pads (if you intend to nurse)
- Breast cream (if you plan to nurse)
- Babysitting high chair
- 4-8 bib numbers
- 4-8 burp cloths
- Breastfeeding cushion (optional)
- Warming device for bottles (optional)
- Sterilizer for bottles (optional)
Key aspects of baby health
Don’t forget: babies also need occasional care. And if your child should ever get sick, you should have the right baby utensils at hand. Here is what you should buy:
- Baby nail clipper or file
- Baby thermometer
- Vaseline and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)
- First aid kit
- Brush with weighing cap
- 4-6 pacifiers (optional)
Best things you can do for your newborn
Welcome to the brave new world of motherhood! To help you find your way around this unfamiliar area, we have asked doctors from all over the country to share their most important tips for newborns. By following their practical advice, you will ensure the safety, happiness, comfort, and well-being of your child – not only today but for many years to come!
Newborn tip #1: Try to breastfeed
Breast milk is the only food that is perfectly suited to human babies. It meets all your baby’s nutritional needs and provides immune components that compensate for the baby’s deficiencies, which is especially important before vaccination.
If nursing is not possible for you, you can be sure that formula feeding provides adequate nutrition. It is important to ensure babies get an appropriate mix of calories, minerals, and vitamins. The bottom line is that as your baby grows and behaves happily and contentedly, his or her diet will most probably be adequate.
Newborn tip #2: Establish a healthy sleep routine
Allow your baby to determine his or her individual sleep regime and follow his or her sleep rhythm.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of more postnatal fatalities in the US compared to every possible reason. To avoid SIDS, consider these newly updated sleep guidelines:
- It is advised that babies should sleep in a crib (or cradle) near or in their parents’ bedroom. Sharing the same bed heightens the danger of suffocation.
- For sleeping, turn babies onto their backs. No side sleeping: babies often have a tendency to roll over on their tummy when sleeping on the side.
- Babies need to be put on a solid crib mattress (wrapped in a blanket) without cozy bedding (cushions, quilts, etc.) in a comfortable position in a not too warm place.
Newborn tip #3: Check out your home
Before you realize it, your child will be able to move around the house, so we recommend that you start preparations now.
We provide you with the enclosed checklist to ensure that your home is in no danger:
- Keep electrical cables and sockets covered
- Store cleaning agents, drugs, and medicines under lock and key
- Take off pieces of furniture with sharp corners
- Attaching bolts to cupboards
- Place gates before stairways
Conclusion
There are a lot of childcare products that are not included in the above lists, such as high chairs, bouncers, and swings. All of these items may be wondering if your newborn baby enjoys them. However, if your baby doesn’t, they are a complete waste of money. Think about lending these types of things from family members and relatives until you decide which are worth the money. In addition, there might be a few objects on this list that you might agree or disagree with strongly. Ultimately, each baby is different.
