Having your first baby is a cause for celebration especially when you have been planning on growing your family. It can also be a time of stressful planning as some new moms may not know what they need to get through the first couple of months after their baby arrives. I’m a mom 3 and I have been there. I now have an idea of what you need to buy versus what you don’t really need. Here is a list of some of the newborn baby essentials you should get in preparation for your little bundle of joy.
1. Diapers
This is a pretty obvious one BUT when I had my first baby, I underestimated the amount of diapers that I would be going through in the first couple of months. People did warn me but I thought there was no way that was possible. Being a first time mom, there will be things that the veteran moms will advise you on but some of them are so hard to believe until you actually experience them yourself.
So if you are going to have a priority list, diapers should definitely be included on it. A good idea if you are having a baby shower, is to ask attendees to bring a bag of diapers of your choice each. If you are not having a baby shower, just make sure you stock up on different diaper sizes.
2. Sleep suits and bodysuits
For the first few weeks and months, all your little one will be doing most of the time is sleeping. The most comfortable clothing for them to be in will be sleep-suits and bodysuits to keep them warm and snug. It is easy to get excited and buy a lot of cute little baby outfits that you see. I would advise you not to overdo it simply because you may find they will never wear most of them anyway.
If you are going to buy cute outfits, try and buy them in bigger sizes so they can wear them when they are a little older and more active. You can buy two or 3 fancy outfits for newborn photoshoots and special occasions but keep these to a minimum in the first few months.
3. Baby hat
Your baby is going to need to stay warm as soon as their delivered. Be sure to stock up on a 2-3 warm hats for this. There are baby grows that come with cute little hats to match. If you have friends or family that knit, they can make you cute personalised hats for your little one. Etsy has some amazing designs too. You can also find some cute newborn baby essentials while you are on the site.
4. Baby mittens and bootees
For one reason or another babies tend to move their hands towards their face and they can end up scratching themselves. Mittens will help avoid this while keeping their tiny hands warm too. Again, some baby grows come with mittens or you can buy them separately.
5. Bibs
To protect your newborn’s skin from milk and drool, make sure to buy a couple of bibs for this. The liquid and drool can irritate their skin and ruin their clothes. This means changing their entire outfit which can be inconvenient especially if they are about to fall asleep. These newborn baby essentials can make life much easier and less messier.
6. Burp cloths
Burp cloths can be used to wipe away milk and drool. You can also use them over your shoulder to protect your clothes when burping your little one. Make sure to have couple of these ready for when your newborn arrives.
7. Nappy barrier cream
With a new baby, there will be lots of nappy changing going on. Make sure to include a nappy barrier cream in your baby bag to protect the skin on your baby’s bottom. Barrier creams protect against sore skin and nappy rash that can be caused by your baby’s skin being exposed to wet or soiled nappies. Changing your baby’s nappy regularly and applying a barrier cream is key to preventing any irritation.
8. Washcloths or baby wipes
Stock up on baby wet wipes to help you clean your baby’s bottom during nappy changes. Some babies can become sensitive to these. One way to overcome this is by going for wipes that are for sensitive skin. You can also get a couple of washcloths for wet nappy changes and save the wipes for the soiled nappies to limit exposure to wipes.
9. Changing pad
Nappy changing can get quite messy. Having a nappy changing pad you can wipe clean will save you ruining your textiles or surfaces when changing your little one. They also provide comfort for your baby while you change him or her.
10. Baby blanket and snowsuit
Keep your baby warm and snug with a blanket or a snowsuit depending on the weather. A summer baby may not need a heavy snowsuit but perhaps a lighter one to keep them warm during those not so warm summer days.
11. Nursing pillow
For yours and your baby’s comfort, a nursing pillow is something that will help you position your little one correctly when its feeding time. Some mothers can do without them but I have included this as one of my newborn baby essentials because I found it quite helpful with my little ones. A nursing pillow meant I didn’t struggle to hold my little one up in the right position. I also found it less strenuous on my back when I was nursing.
12. Car Seat
Depending on where you are in the world, some hospitals will want to ensure you have a car seat to to safely transport your baby from the hospital to your home. Some parents-to-be may argue they will simply walk home after the birth. The difficulty with this is you cannot predict how your delivery will go. For those of you that live near the hospital and feel you have no need for a car seat, you can hire one just incase. If you have a c-section you definitely won’t be up for walking long distances for a while.
Are you are mom yourself and have other newborn baby essentials you can think of that you found helpful? Please do share in the comments section below so you can also help another new mom with ideas on what else they should get.
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*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Just so you know I only ever recommend products from retailers I trust and have used.
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