Congratulations! You are pregnant. Your baby is on the way to your home. Are you confused about buying things before your baby is born? While getting a list of baby items ready from A to Z, it is necessary to keep in mind every little aspect of having a newborn baby. Your newborn baby requires different sets of clothing and accessories suitable for every activity and every season of the year. Let us discuss the important things you need to buy before your baby is born.
1. Breastfeeding
While preparing your home for a new family member, in case of breastfeeding, the list below gives you a clear idea of what baby-feeding essentials you will require.
Nursing clothes: For mothers, clothes in light fabrics and nursing covers are very useful. Choose good quality nursing bras, nightwear, and tops for comfortable breastfeeding, and use a good nipple cream to protect your skin. Mothers can go for breast pads or nipple shields to soak up the excess milk that could leak while they are breastfeeding.
Breast pumps: There are different types of breast pumps such as battery-operated, electric, and manual. You can choose between pumps that have a closed or an opened system, or pumps that work on one or both breasts at the same time. Some accessories like bottles, bags for storage, labels, clips, etc. can be bought along with it.
Sterilizer: If you are bottle feeding, you will need to sterilize the teats, pacifiers, and bottles until the baby is a year old. You can clean them thoroughly and rinse them in boiling water. Electric sterilizers are available and studies suggest that electric sterilizers can kill about 99.9% of germs.
Formula: Add feeding essentials to the baby-shopping list if you are bottle-feeding your baby. Start with a small test to see if your newborn baby has allergies, discomfort, or constipation.
Feeding bottle: Feeding bottles are available in different materials like glass, plastic, and silicone. Anti-colic nipples on feeding bottles are best for newborn babies as they help in minimizing the amount of air a baby swallows. Ensure that you purchase BPA-free feeding bottles made of good quality material that can endure high temperatures while buying feeding bottles.
Bottle cleaning brush: The bottle sterilizer can help maintain cleanliness and hygiene for feeding bottles.
Bibs and muslin cloths: While feeding your newborn baby, you can use a bib on the baby to avoid spills and mess. You can use a support pillow to maintain a comfortable posture while breastfeeding your baby.
2. Bedding
You can let your newborn baby sleep in your room for the first couple of months, it is ideal to plan his sleeping area. If you decide to co-sleep, it is important to keep the baby’s area safe and clean. Add a blanket based on the weather conditions and make a comfortable little bed for the newborn baby.
Baby mattress and crib: A lightweight crib and a well-fitted new mattress is the first item on your baby bedding essentials list. Avoid using fluffy mattresses since these could suffocate the baby. Instead, you can buy firm mattresses and use light sheets and tuck them in properly. Buy pillows that are double-layered, properly stitched, and firm enough to avoid any suffocation if the baby turns in the crib.
Baby blanket and sheets: Make sure that the blankets are light and breathable. You can buy mattress protectors or quick-dry sheets to ensure your baby has a dry, and comfortable bed to sleep in.
Mosquito net: You can use a mosquito net with an ultrasound mosquito repellent to protect your baby from bites and diseases.
Baby monitor: You need to buy a baby monitor from a good company that will help you keep an eye on your sleeping child. While buying a baby monitor, make sure it has a rechargeable and long-lasting battery.
3. Diapering
While preparing your home for a new family member, the first thing that comes to mind when buying things for a newborn baby is a diaper. This item holds the top position in the list of baby essentials.
Disposable diapers: While buying diapers, avoid buying diapers in bulk. Instead, you can buy sample packs of a few brands and try each on the baby. Based on the most comfortable brand, buy the remaining in bulk for your newborn baby.
Cotton nappies: If your baby has sensitive skin, you can choose reusable cotton nappies and they can be washed in the washing machine. Cotton nappies need to be changed as soon as they are soiled, which requires you to stock up on them so that you don’t run out before you can toss them in the laundry. A biodegradable lining is present in the reusable nappies which can be removed and flushed down.
Rash cream: You may buy a good quality diaper rash cream or check with your pediatrician for an effective diaper rash cream and the directions for use.
Wet wipes: You can retain the moisture in your baby’s skin in the bottom area while leaving the area clean and smelling fresh by using wet wipes. Make sure that your baby has no allergy to using wet wipes.
Changing mat: Changing mat keeps bed linen from getting soiled when you will be changing your baby’s diaper. They are easy to clean and are extremely useful when you travel with your newborn baby.
Dustbins and garbage bags: Use a separate dustbin or garbage bag to collect dirty diapers so that you can throw them out all at once and also helps you to maintain hygiene.
4. Clothing
While preparing your home for a new family member, the first thing you must buy for your newborn baby’s clothes. Their clothes must be comfortable and cotton-based. You can buy soft fabrics and try to avoid glitter, heavy work dresses, ribbons, ties, and buttons because these can be a source of skin irritation. Avoid buying too many clothes as newborn babies grow fast.
Sleepsuits: While buying clothes, you can buy full bodysuits or sleepsuits for newborn babies as they are designed for easy changing and dressing your baby.
Tops: Avoid dresses that have buttons on the back or go over the head as it is slightly risky to dress the newborns.
Socks: It is important to keep your newborn’s feet warm all the time so you can buy up to 3 pairs of cotton socks for your little one to keep them warm and comfortable.
Caps: To keep newborn babies warm and give them a secure feeling, you need to cover their heads with a blanket, hood, or cap.
Swaddle cloth: A wrap-around cotton blanket or swaddle cloth is a must as it helps in keeping your newborn protected from cold temperatures.
5. Bathing and Cleaning
During the initial days, newborn babies just need a quick wipe using a sponge or cotton but it is not long before your baby will have fun splashing water in the bath. Some bathing and cleaning essentials you will need for your baby are
Bathtub: Pick the bathtub based on the size of the baby and your comfort. Plastic tubs are easier to clean. Buying a convertible tub can expand as your baby grows. You can buy inflatable or foldable tubs, which are travel friendly.
Towels: Buy soft, light-colored, cotton towels made from absorbent as it is gentle on the skin and soaks in water immediately.
Baby wash & shampoo: Buy a mild, tear-free, fragrance-free shampoo and body wash for our baby. Make a small patch test or any allergic reaction before use.
Massage & hair oil: You can use traditional oils such as almond or coconut oil for massaging the baby or in the case of bottled oils, remember to get the gentle, organic-based ones, or check with your baby’s doctor for recommendations.
Baby cream: It is important to moisturize your baby’s skin after every bath. Buy a good quality baby cream in the market and do a small patch test before using it.
6. Safety
Creating a safer environment for your newborn baby is an important task in baby proofing. You can invest in high-grade carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for your home. Plug socket covers, fireguards, nightlights, and furniture corner protectors can help make your home safe for your newborn baby. Some other essential items are a thermometer, a first-aid kit, nail scissors, and a book on illnesses are also some other essential items.
7. Baby Gear
It is essential to have baby gear items ready while you are preparing your home for a new family member. You can invest in a kangaroo pouch baby carrier to carry your baby. When the baby grows, you can buy a rocker, a baby swing, bouncer, stroller, or pram.
8. Leaving the House
While preparing your home for a new family member, it is important to be travel-ready. Here is a list of essential items while traveling.
Diaper bag: Buy a good quality diaper bag that has enough room and pockets to store all baby essentials while traveling.
Car seat/baby stroller: You can buy car seats and baby strollers are some more useful baby gear. If you are a more homely person, then cut these expensive items off the list as it is useful only if you travel often.
9. Health
To keep your newborn child healthy, it is important to make regular visits to your baby’s pediatrician’s clinic or the hospital. You should clip your newborn’s nails using only baby clippers as they have curved blades with rounded points to ensure safety. Use hand sanitizer to ensure the safety and health of the newborn.
Season-Wise Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist
When buying newborn baby essentials, it is necessary to consider the weather conditions. Here is a list of items to invest in according to the season.
1. Summer Essentials for Newborn Babies
While preparing your home for a new family member, choose clothes for your baby according to the season. Here is the list of some baby essentials needed in summer.
Baby vests: Bodysuits with popper buttons and envelope necks are ideal summer-wear options. You can pick light colors and fabrics to keep the baby cool when the temperatures are high.
Sleepsuits: Choose sleepsuits in the right fabric which make the season comfortable for your little one.
Sunshade for the car or pram: While traveling, you can fix a shade on your baby’s pram and on your car windows to protect him from heatstroke.
Summer hat: While buying a hat, you can pick a lightweight hat with a rim to shield your baby’s eyes from the sun.
Muslin cloths: Synthetic fabric makes babies sweat so line the seats with good quality cotton or muslin sheet which will keep your baby cool when he is sitting over it.
2. Winter essentials for newborn babies
During winter, the temperature drops which makes it harder for your baby to stay warm. Here is the list of essential things needed for your baby.
Baby quilt: Baby quilts are available in various sizes, patterns, and colors. You can choose the ones which are soft, non-bulky, and would keep your baby warm.
Flannel sheets and blankets: You can invest in buying good quality blankets or flannel sheets with hoods as they are ideal to wrap your newborn in and to add another cover to keep him warm.
Full-sleeved vests: When looking for full-sized vests, you can go for cotton vests since they directly go on your baby’s skin.
Thermal wear: Depending on the cold weather in the winter season in your region, you may go for thermal pants and vests too.
Sweater or cardigan: Sweaters and cardigans give additional protection to your baby from winter. Some wool could give your baby a rash so choose a good quality product.
Woolen caps and booties: Most sweater sets come with caps and socks. Wearing booties over a pair of cotton socks also provides an additional layer of clothing for your baby.
Short-sleeved baby vests: While buying baby vests for your baby, you can go for the cotton fabric to keep the baby comfortable.
Cotton jackets: Buying cotton jackets will be useful on cooler monsoon days. You can buy a bigger size so that your newborn can wear it during winter as well.
Insect repellent and prickly heat powder: While babyproofing your house, invest in buying the best insect repellent cream and prickly heat powder. You can use these on your baby to protect him from mosquitoes and rashes that occur due to heat during monsoons.
