Having a child is a huge responsibility that requires a big investment in time, money and effort. But whilst it can be tiring and expensive, it’s also one of life’s most magical journeys.
Some of us are natural parents, immediately understanding our role as a mum or dad, but for others, it can be daunting and unsettling preparing for a newborn.
Below, we’ll look at how you can prepare for your newborn baby by listing some of the essential items to have on your shopping list, so you can relax (sort of!) in time for the big day.
1 – Essential Clothing
Around 10 all-in-one suits (or baby gros) should be more than sufficient for your newborn. Investing in 4 or 5 vests is also a good idea so you can add layers for extra warmth, depending on the weather.
Most small babies won’t need much else, so having a week’s worth of clothes should be fine for the first few months.
If it’s a little chilly, you’ll want a cardigan to put over the all-in-one suit. Investing in a couple of lightweight cardigans should be more than enough to keep you going initially.
If it’s very cold, snow suits can be beneficial for when you go outdoors, as they cover all of the baby’s body and usually come with a hood as well.
A warm hat for winter and a sun hat for spring and summer months should finish off your newborn’s look nicely when you take them outside.
If you want more info, here’s a handy guide to what you’ll need for your baby, as recommended by the NHS.
2 – Plenty of nappies
Newborn babies may need to have their nappies changed up to around a dozen times per day. So you’ll need to have sufficient nappies on hand to keep you going!
If you plan to use disposable nappies, investing in some biodegradable nappy sacks can make disposing of them much easier. A supply of baby wipes will also help to keep your baby’s bottom and surroundings clean.
Whilst compostable nappies are now available to buy, you may want to consider reusable nappies as an option. If so, you’ll want around 20 of them to make sure you’ve got enough to keep you going between washes. You’ll also want to have some nappy steriliser to keep them clean and hygienic.
Even if you plan to use reusables, having a few disposables nappies to hand can be useful for emergencies.
3 – Milk and bottles
There’s really no substitute for nature’s breast milk, but sometimes breastfeeding just isn’t possible or practical.
So if you don’t plan to breastfeed (or there are times when it’s just not practical for you or your baby) you’ll need a good supply of baby formula and some feeding bottles.
There are many brands of baby formula out there and your health visitor or doctor should be happy to advise you if you want some guidance. Alternatively, here’s a guide to some of the best organic baby formulas on the market.
4 – A cot or crib
If you don’t plan to co-sleep with your newborn, you’ll need a suitable cot or crib.
Some cot features can make baby’s environment safer to sleep in, so you’ll want to give careful consideration to which one you buy. Here are some things to look for when choosing a cot for your newborn.
Keep in mind as well, if you like the idea of co-sleeping, but just aren’t ‘quite sure’ (or your partner isn’t), you also have the option of a bedside co-sleeper crib. Bedside co-sleeper cribs mean you can keep your baby close to you at night, without them actually being ‘in’ bed with you.
5 – A suitable baby carrier
An expensive baby buggy is all the rage these days, but you may find that investing in a baby carrier could be all you need at first.
You’ll want to ensure your baby carrier it’s from a reputable brand, so you can rest assured your baby is safe and positioned correctly. The carrier should feel tight (but not uncomfortable) against your body and your child should be kept close enough that you can kiss them at any time.
If you ever feel like your child could fall out at any minute, your carrier isn’t safe enough or it’s not set up correctly. Here are the T.I.C.K.S. Rules for Safe Babywearing, a set of guidelines created by the UK Sling Consortium to help you make sure you baby wear safely.
It can take a bit of research to find the baby carrier that’s right for you and your baby, but it’s usually well worth the time and financial investment.
6 – Toys and games
While your child probably won’t have much use for toys at a very early age, it can be a good idea to start investing in some toys and games for when they become more aware of their surroundings.
Check out this list for some of the best toys for children under one.
Remember, you should avoid any kind of toys with small parts as they could be dangerous. And if you’re keen to reduce your plastic footprint, these wooden, eco friendly and organic toys should help.
If budget allows, it can also be worth spending a little bit more so you invest in something that is sturdy and long lasting. This way, you can pass the toys on to another child or sell them at at a later date.
Essential Purchases For Your Newborn Baby – A Final Word
Investing in loads of paraphernalia for your newborn baby can be tempting, not to mention expensive!
Whether it’s well meaning friends and family drawing you in with the latest ‘must have’ baby product or a barrage of marketing emails promoting endless baby goodies, it can be hard to say no sometimes.
But at the end of day, whether you’re on a budget or not, a newborn baby really doesn’t need all that much, as long as it receives love, milk and sleep.
The items above should help guide you towards sticking to the essentials.
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