One of the most stressful things as a mum-to-be can be deciding what you need to buy before your bub gets here. There’s so much information everywhere, and it can easily get overwhelming. The best way for you to move forward is to remember why you need these things. During the first few weeks, the only things your baby needs is a place to sleep, absorbent nappies and milk. To make it easier for you to decide on what you need to buy, here is a newborn essentials checklist to guide you through.
Feeding
Babies need to be well-fed to maintain their birth weight or gain some more. The first thing you'll need to decide is how you'll feed your bub. A lot of hospitals nowadays are pro-breastfeeding, as the mum’s milk is tailored to the baby's needs. However, if you want to move forward with a formula for ease and convenience, there is a separate list you can go through.
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Breastfeeding essentials: Nursing tops and dresses are what you need to look into. I personally favour Peachymama clothing as it's comfortable, convenient and feeding your bub while wearing these clothes is really easy. Another post-pregnancy necessity is a high-quality nursing bra that can provide you with good support and accessibility. Accessories that will help you through the process include burp cloths, lots of bibs, a high-quality breast pump, and a nursing pillow.
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Formula feeding essentials: Formula feeding is relatively easier and requires fewer things. Decide on the formula you want to give your baby and stock it up for the first few weeks. Get a set of bottles with newborn nipples, a bottle steriliser, bibs, burp cloths and a thermal bottle carrier.
Nappies
Eco-friendly nappies are all the hype nowadays. Whether you decide to go with reusable cloth nappies or disposable ones, I suggest that you get a lot of them for starters.
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Reusable cloth nappies: Buy several dozen good-quality cloth or reusable nappies. For cleaning the baby's bottom, decide on wipes or cotton washcloths. The nappies must be secured well, which is why you need to get some safety pins or Velcro. You'll find a good ointment or nappy rash cream can do wonders to keep the bottom rash-free.
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Disposable nappies: Get two packs of newborn nappies for the first few weeks post-birth. Remember to get a good changing pad, nappy rash cream and a nappy bin to make the process easier.
Clothing
Here is a checklist of all the clothing items your bub will need:
- Short-sleeved and long-sleeved onesies
- Stretchy sleepers (the ones with zippers will make your life so much easier)
- Some shirts and pants
- Newborn hats
- Socks and booties
- Nightgowns
- A few dressing up outfits
Also, remember to get a detergent that is safe for infants.
Bedtime
You must have the right supplies for your baby to get some good sleep. Remember to keep the SIDS guidelines in mind when you're buying things. Get an approved cot and cot mattress, some mattress covers and cot sheets, a few light blankets, and a sleep sack.
Other essentials:
A few other things that you'll need to buy before the baby gets here are:
- An approved infant safety car seat
- A stroller that reclines back and helps the newborn lie flat
- Baby carrier for shorter walks and quick errands
- Large nappy bag
- Large cotton blankets
- Some bath-time essentials like an approved infant tub, some towels and baby soap
- Nail clippers or scissors
A basic rule of thumb when buying things for your newborn is to steer clear of things that you will not need immediately. Quite often, such things go unused. If there's anything else you need, you can always go on a quick shopping spree while the baby is with another caregiver.
Further Reading:
https://www.parents.com/baby/gear/registries-buying-guides/baby-shopping-guide/
https://www.todaysparent.com/checklists/newborn-checklist/