Expecting a baby is a time of fun, joy and excitement. But there’s also a lot of preparation involved so you know the both of you are taken care of. Essential baby items range from the obvious, like nappies, to the things you will need to clean any of the mentioned items. So if you aren’t sure about what you need, don’t fret. Here’s a comprehensive list.
Sleeping and Bedtime Stuff
Newborns sleep. Then you feed them, and they sleep some more. Then they wake up, cry for food and sleep more. And that’s pretty much it for six months before they start teething and moving around, raging against their cradle safety. Your baby needs plenty of sleeping clothes and bedtime stuff through all that crying and sleeping. Of course, they grow pretty quickly, but you can stock up on newborn baby grows. And you will need plenty because they will be sick on all of them. And then there’s the wee and poo situation that doesn’t just stay in the nappies.
Comfortable Things for the Both of You
Your baby needs as much comfort as possible, ranging from what they wear to where they sleep. Buy the best baby mattress for the crib you can afford because the cheapest ones don’t last as long and will cost you more in the long run. Additionally, buy comfortable things for parents too. Nighttime feeding sessions can be long, so it’s a good idea to get a comfy chair for sitting in while doing so. Some warm clothing like wool will also help keep you warm during cold nights when turning on your heating systems isn’t necessary.
Essential Baby Items Include Bomb Disposal
Babies consume a lot of milk, and it needs to come out. Nappies are where it goes, and they can be horrendous. And with the amount of disposal you need to do, you need somewhere to place used nappies ready for collection. It isn’t possible to run up and down the stairs 4 to 8 times per day. Yes, you read that right. Diaper Genies are excellent for storing the day’s dirty nappies so you can get rid of them later on. Alternatively, you could buy a bin and use scented bin bags or odour killing powders like in the kitchen. Just make sure you empty either of them.
Essential Baby Items – All the Nappies You Can Muster
As mentioned, you will need a lot of nappies. The first week of your new baby means you will be very busy getting used to being a new parent. So running the store to get nappies every couple of days becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it’s a good idea to stock up as much as possible. Of course, they aren’t free, so you should buy what you can afford, but make sure you have enough at least for the first week until you are ready to begin leaving the house with a newborn. Discount stores like Aldi offer excellent baby products that are just as good as more prominent brands.
Feed, Food and Formula
Your baby will need a lot of food as it develops from birth. Whether you plan on using formula or breastfeeding, you can get a headstart to make bringing the baby home and feeding as effortless as possible. You will lactate before birth, so you can stock up on some supplies by expressing yourself with a breast pump and storing them in the freezer or fridge. Make sure you label and date any expressed milk to know which to use first. You can safely store depressed milk in the freezer for up to six months. After that, the formula can be made up and stored in the fridge.
Storage Items You are Going to Need
Bringing a baby home means you must make many changes. Many things are associated with a baby, which means their room is more than a regular bedroom. It is multifunctional since it is where they will feed, get changed, sleep and play. Therefore you need extra storage space:
- Nappy bundles for storing fresh nappies.
- Diaper Genies for used nappies.
- Locked cupboards for creams, ointments and powders.
- Drawers and wardrobes for essential baby clothing.
- A steady surface for preparing baby feeds.
- Somewhere to store clean bottles.
- A station for the sterilizer.
It helps if you have everything you need organized in one place or room. For example, having cleaning supplies, fresh clothing, and hygiene products within reach means you can attend to your baby as quickly as possible without loving them unattended.
Cleaning Tools and Equipment
Newborn babies are susceptible to germs and bacteria. Therefore, hygiene is critical when bringing a baby home. Fortunately, there are many cleaning tools you can get before they come home and set them up as needed. You will need basics like fresh wipes and washcloths for tushies. But you will also need sterilizing equipment for the bottles. You can hand wash bottles, but you aren’t guaranteed to clean them properly. Sterilizers clean bottles at a high enough temperature to kill any lingering bacteria that could cause harm to your baby.
Don’t Forget Bathtime Essentials
Further to hygiene, you will need some bathtime essentials for cleaning your little one. You could just use the bath or sink, but it can be dangerous. So instead, you will need an infant bath. Additionally, you will need bath washcloths that aren’t used when changing nappies. Cleaning your baby also requires baby shampoo and soap, like Johnson’s and a gentle soft-bristled brush on their skin. Hooded baby towels will also help dry them and keep them warm and protected. This seems like a lot, but a newborn only needs bathing two to three times per week.
Essential Baby Items Also Includes Medicinal Supplies
Cleaning your baby and changing nappies isn’t enough for the best care. Some medicinal supplies are also required. Baby medical supplies mainly refer to creams and ointments, many of which you can use to prevent things like nappy rash and drool rash. Nappy creams should be gently applied to your baby’s bottom after changing, and you can apply ointments for dry skin. However, it’s also good to get a first aid kit to check your baby’s welfare and treat them when something happens, like cutting themselves with their fingernails.
Essential Baby Items Consider Some Smart Tech
Your baby needs constant attention, and as a parent, you will want to provide care. However, you can’t be with them every minute of the day. Fortunately, smart tech devices are affordable and easy to use. For example, you can install sound and video monitors for keeping an eye on your baby when you rent there. Additionally, some devices allow you to speak to your baby through them. Others come with soothing sounds and night lights you can control remotely with your smartphone. You can even go a step further with smart baby chairs that gently rock your child to sleep.
Emergency Contact Details
Of course, with all the excitement of bringing a new baby home, it can be easy to forget that you need help as you try to do it all. In addition, as a new parent, you will need a break now and then, and there’s the possibility that something might not be going right. Therefore it is essential you gather contact numbers for every eventuality. For example, keep your closest family members or friends’ numbers handy for advice when you aren’t sure about something. Additionally, make sure you have the contact numbers of free advice charities and emergencies.
Summary
When your baby comes home, they will need essentials. Most of these are common sense items like nappies, food and clean clothes. But you will also need adequate equipment for cleaning your baby’s stuff, like a sterilizer and the baby itself. Further, it will be a great help if you keep necessary medicinal supplies handy such as cleaners and wipes.
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