New Baby Must-Haves
There are many baby checklists but what do new parents REALLY need to prepare before their firstborn arrives? There are many views depending on your parenting style and approach. Here is my list of essential new baby aids (for first 3 - 6 months). These are based on the bare minimum. Mums and dads out there, feel free to add/subtract and share your experiences!
1) Loose and comfotable breastfeeding tops (for those first post-delivery breastfeeding moments!)
2) Heavy flow sanitary pads
3) Day wear (rompers, t-shirts - at least 8 to 10 sets to begin with)
4) Newborn baby clothes & swaddling cloth to bring home baby
1) Small bath tub
2) Soft washcloths (about 10)
3) Hooded towels (about 3)
4) Mild baby liquid soap
5) Small cootn buds to clean baby's ears and nostrils
Diapering
1) Diapers (standby at least 6 - 8pcs per day at the beginning. Eventually this number dropped to 4 by the time my son was 6 mths).
There are disposable diapers and reusable cloth diapers. There are many types of cloth diapers. For more info on cloth diapering, click here.
2) Wet wipes (2 - 4 sheets for each diaper change)
3) Diaper cream (for diaper rash)
4) Baby powder (to keep baby's skin folds dry)
Breastfeeding
1) Breast milk storage containers (milk bottle, bottle liner bags, etc)
2) Breast pump
3) Nursing bras & bra pads
4) Pillow to prop baby up when breasfeeding
5) Nursing poncho or nursing clothes (for breasfeeding in public)
There are disposable diapers and reusable cloth diapers. There are many types of cloth diapers. For more info on cloth diapering, click here.
2) Wet wipes (2 - 4 sheets for each diaper change)
3) Diaper cream (for diaper rash)
4) Baby powder (to keep baby's skin folds dry)
Breastfeeding
1) Breast milk storage containers (milk bottle, bottle liner bags, etc)
2) Breast pump
3) Nursing bras & bra pads
4) Pillow to prop baby up when breasfeeding
5) Nursing poncho or nursing clothes (for breasfeeding in public)
1) Feeding Bottles & nipples (min 2 - 3 to begin with)
Glass bottles are making a comeback due to concerns of toxic chemicals from plastic bottles leaching into baby's milk. To read more on glass vs. plastic, click here.
2) Bottle warmer (the electric type or simply a bowl with hot water)
3) Bottle & bottle nipple cleaning brushes
4) Bottle steriliser (boiling water in a pot will do to save cost!)
5) Bottle thongs (to handle sterilised bottles/nipples)
6) 3-compartment milk powder container (for convenience!)
7) Bibs and burp cloths/hankys (lots and lots of it!)
Solids Feeding (4 - 6 mths onwards)
1) Soft baby feeding spoons
2) Food masher/blender
3) Food warmer container (for feeding on the go)
4) Baby chair (to prop baby in upright position while feeding)
Clothes
1) Baby mittens, booties & hats (for newborns)
2) Baby socks (older babies)
3) Day wear (rompers, t-shirts - at least 8 to 10 sets to begin with)
4) Sleep wear (Button-down t-shirts and long pants - 8 to 10 sets)
Health & Safety
1) Baby nail clippers
2) Nasal Aspirator (to clear baby's blocked nose)
3) Thermometer 4) Fever patch (the one that sticks to baby's forehead)
5) Fever medicine (pls check with your pediatrician)
6) Baby tummy rubbing oil to sooth tummyaches (pls check with your pediatrician)
Nursery
1) Swaddling cloth (to wrap new born baby)
2) Baby cot with safety rail
3) Mattress and bedding set (no need any pillow for first few months)
4) Cot bumper (to keep baby from bumping into and getting limbs stuck in rail)
5) Mosquito net & net stand (if neccessary)
6) Soothing musical toy/mobile
7) Dim night light
Out & About
1) Baby carrier cum car seat
2) Baby stroller with full recline and overhead shade
3) Battery-operated clip-on fan (for our hot weather!)
4) Travel changing pad
5) Diaper bag to keep baby diapers / bottles, etc
6) Sunshade for car window where baby seat it
7) Baby view car mirror (to view baby at backseat)
Toys & Activity
1) Soft play mats / play gym
2) Any toy that makes sounds! (rattler, musical toy, etc)
3) Teether (to chew on)
4) Touch & Feel story books are great introduction to books.
Nice to Have!
1) Baby milestones photo album
2) Growth chart for baby's room
3) Specially designed diaper bag
4) Book on how to remove common food stains
5) Baby foam chairs (to keep inquisitive babies in upright position for play)
2) Food masher/blender
3) Food warmer container (for feeding on the go)
4) Baby chair (to prop baby in upright position while feeding)
Clothes
1) Baby mittens, booties & hats (for newborns)
2) Baby socks (older babies)
3) Day wear (rompers, t-shirts - at least 8 to 10 sets to begin with)
4) Sleep wear (Button-down t-shirts and long pants - 8 to 10 sets)
Health & Safety
1) Baby nail clippers
2) Nasal Aspirator (to clear baby's blocked nose)
3) Thermometer 4) Fever patch (the one that sticks to baby's forehead)
5) Fever medicine (pls check with your pediatrician)
6) Baby tummy rubbing oil to sooth tummyaches (pls check with your pediatrician)
Nursery
1) Swaddling cloth (to wrap new born baby)
2) Baby cot with safety rail
3) Mattress and bedding set (no need any pillow for first few months)
4) Cot bumper (to keep baby from bumping into and getting limbs stuck in rail)
5) Mosquito net & net stand (if neccessary)
6) Soothing musical toy/mobile
7) Dim night light
Out & About
1) Baby carrier cum car seat
2) Baby stroller with full recline and overhead shade
3) Battery-operated clip-on fan (for our hot weather!)
4) Travel changing pad
5) Diaper bag to keep baby diapers / bottles, etc
6) Sunshade for car window where baby seat it
7) Baby view car mirror (to view baby at backseat)
Toys & Activity
1) Soft play mats / play gym
2) Any toy that makes sounds! (rattler, musical toy, etc)
3) Teether (to chew on)
4) Touch & Feel story books are great introduction to books.
Nice to Have!
1) Baby milestones photo album
2) Growth chart for baby's room
3) Specially designed diaper bag
4) Book on how to remove common food stains
5) Baby foam chairs (to keep inquisitive babies in upright position for play)
Great checklist !!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I'm 20 weeks preggers and a new mom :)
xx