While it may seem like your newborn needs everything you come across in the bubs shop, you don’t have to get it all. All your baby needs for survival are diapers, a place to sleep, a blanket to wrap them, and a few pieces of clothes for the frequent changing. Sounds simpler than you thought, right?
As a new mom, it’s quite challenging to tell the nice-to-haves from baby essentials. If you don’t work with a list, you may end up spending on items that your baby may never use. Since there’s still a lot to buy as the young one grows, it’s essential to stick to the necessities and work with a lower budget.
Here are 10 essential items for your newborn.
Table of Contents
1. Diapers
Diapers should be at the very top of the baby gear list. Before you even think of furnishing the nursery, ensure you have a stock of diapers. There will be frequent changing and you better get ready for that. You can buy them several weeks before the baby is born and keep refreshing the supplies once the little one is here. As they grow, be sure to adjust the sizes so that they’re comfortable at every stage. Babies grow fast and you may realize that they may only wear the newborn size for just a few weeks. So just buy enough at a time.
2. Scratch-Proof Mittens
The little one’s nails are growing very fast and it might be challenging to trim or file them every time. But you still need to protect their delicate face from scratches, and that’s why you need scratch-proof mittens to keep the little hands covered. Go for mittens that are soft and made of organic cotton to ensure they don’t react with the baby’s skin. The good thing is that these mittens have a gentle elastic that keeps them firm on the little wrists so that they don’t fall off as the baby is moving their hands.
3. A Crib Set
When expecting a baby, you should think about where you’ll be putting them to sleep. Definitely, your bed isn’t safe for them, and, therefore, you need to have a sleeping space dedicated to the little one. A bassinet would do, but if you need something your baby will uses as they grow, it’s advisable to get a crib instead. Along with it get the necessary bedding, including a firm crib mattress and fitting bed sheets. Remember you don’t need a pillow for your newborn, so don’t bother getting one.
4. A Set Of Onesies
Onesies are one of the most essential baby clothing that shouldn’t miss out on your list. You need plenty of them for frequent changing in case of leaks. You can get plenty of them, but keep in mind that the baby is growing very fast. It would be wise to buy sets of onesies that vary in size so that they’ve got a piece for every stage. And since you’ll keep adding more pieces to their wardrobe it’s better to get a few at the start.
5. Burp Cloths
As you stock the little one’s wardrobe with all kinds of fancy clothes, be sure to buy a few burp cloths to keep away the spits and any other baby-related spill. As usual, go for organic cotton burp cloths that are absorbent and gentle on the baby’s skin. You can get as much you can but it’s essential to just keep just a few pieces, as you’ll keep buying more as the baby grows.
6. Changing Pad
With a newborn, frequent diaper-changing is going to be the order of the day. You’ve already stocked enough diapers in readiness for this, but you still need something more to make your parenting easier – a changing pad. You want something that’s easy to clean in case of spills. While you may as well get a changing table for this, like nursery chairs, tables, and stools, it’s not a necessity.
7. Baby Carrier
Even though you’ve got to give your baby all the attention they need, sometimes you need to take a stroll or move from place to another and you can’t leave the little one behind. On that note, you should have a baby carrier to make it easier for you to transport them. Baby carriers, however, aren’t recommended for newborns, but you can always get the right size for them. You may also use a sling instead of a carrier, but get more information about baby transportation from your pediatrician to know what’s right.
8. Baby Bottles
Whether you’re planning to breastfeed or bottle-feed, you need to keep a few feeding bottles. Even though breastfeeding is recommended, once in a while bottle-feeding is necessary. When you’re away someone else will have to step in and use the bottle to feed the baby on your behalf. So, keeping a few bottles for such days is essential. Be sure to clean the bottles properly to protect your baby from germs-related diseases.
9. Baby Thermometer
While most fevers can be managed safely at home, they can potentially be more serious than expected. Most parents would suspect that their babies are having fever by simply feeling their forehead, but a baby thermometer is much more efficient. A thermometer will give you the accurate temperature of the baby so that you know whether it’s manageable at home or you need to see a doctor.
10. Breast Pump
Once in a while, you may want to switch between bottle-feeding and breastfeeding. For this reason, you need a breast pump to express the milk and use it when you’re taking a break from breastfeeding. It’s also useful for working moms who must leave their baby under someone’s care to go to work. So have one.
Is your baby coming soon? Arm yourself with these necessary items.