Advertisement

The Haves And The Have Nots: What Exactly Does A Newborn Need?

All new moms will tell you the exact same thing: planning is super critical when you are pregnant. Once the baby is here, you won’t have a lot of spare time on your hands, and simply popping out to the shop to pick up some items might not always be possible. Sure, you could try ordering things online, but are you sure you can wait a couple of days for it to be delivered? Probably not! So, your pregnancy is the best time to head out to the shops for all your baby’s essentials.

pexels-photo-235126.jpg

But are you clear on what exactly is essential and what you and your baby will need in their first few months? It can be difficult to tell what is an essential these days as everything is marketed as such. But don’t worry - here is my complete guide to the things that you and your baby will almost certainly need once you get home from the hospital.

Sheet SaversSome parents think that they can get away without using any sheet savers. Generally speaking, though, it is important to buy this important piece of bedding as they can help your baby’s mattress and sheets last longer. If you don’t know what sheet savers are, they are basically a waterproof sheet that goes in between the fitted sheet and the mattress. If your baby ever has an accident in their crib and their diaper leaks, you don’t have to worry about the moisture soaking into the mattress.
 
shoes-pregnancy-child-clothing-47220.jpg

Breast Pump. Most mothers want their babies to get the best possible nutrition, and the best way to do that is to breastfeed them. Unfortunately, life always seems to get in the way of the best plans, and you might find it almost impossible to breast feed to your baby’s demands, especially once you start back at work. This is where a breast pump comes in. You can pump your breast to extract your own milk and fill sterilized bottles with this. You can then keep this in the fridge until you need to use it. This is a great solution to those times you are at work or head out for the day and your partner has to look after the baby. It also means you don’t need to rely on formula milk if you don’t want to.

Baby Moisturizer.  Do you think that moisturizers are only for adult use? Think again! In fact, it’s good practice to keep your baby’s face hydrated with some baby face cream as it can really protect the skin. It can greatly reduce the risk of certain skin conditions and rashes from developing. It also helps your baby’s skin to stay beautifully soft! When you are looking for baby moisturizer, try and look out for ones that are made from natural ingredients, such as Jojoba oil and sunflower oil.
 
pexels-photo-437746.jpg

Plenty Of Books.  You will no doubt buy lots of toys and teddy bears for your newborn baby, but have you also thought about getting plenty of books for them? Even though they won’t be able to read for a few years, it’s still a good idea to get them books so that you can read them a bedtime story every night. This is even important for babies that don’t yet fully understand English just yet. Lots of scientific studies show that reading to young babies helps them to develop their listening skills. It also helps to speed up their speech development as they become used to sounds and pronunciations much quicker. 
 
Video Monitor.  These days, parents don’t have to just settle for a simple baby monitor that functions much like a walkie talkie. Instead, you can now buy a video monitor that lets you look in on your child even when you aren’t in its bedroom. You might be wondering what the point is of this extra piece of kit. Well, it’s simple really - better peace of mind! The video lets you hear your baby as well watch, so you can be absolutely sure that your small baby is doing fine. You can also check whenever you hear them make a noise. That way, you don’t have to trek upstairs for no reason!
 
baby-handle-tiny-father-51966.jpg

Co-Sleeper.  If you are nursing your baby, you will know that waking up multiple times through the night is one of the main reasons you feel so drained through the day. But a co-sleeper can really help you improve your sleep patterns even if you need to wake repeatedly to feed your baby. This is a small crib that attached to the bottom of your bed. It’s much safer for your baby than sleeping in your bed with you, as this could lead to some injuries. Once you have the co-sleeper at the bottom of your bed, you won’t need to waste time traveling to the nursery and back.

Swaddle Blanket.  You might think that just any old blanket will do for your newborn but, in actual fact, a swaddle blanket is the best that you can buy. As a new mom, you might find it incredibly difficult to get the technique of swaddling with a regular blanket just right, so investing in a proper swaddling blanket can save you a lot of time, effort, and stress! This blanket will come with velcro straps and flaps so you know exactly which pieces of fabric to fold over and where they should go. 
 
pexels-photo-235127.jpg

Humidifier.  You might not think about buying a humidifier while you are pregnant but, trust me, this will be a complete godsend for you once the baby is here! Babies and young toddlers are very prone to catching colds, but having a humidifier can half the infant’s chances of falling ill. That’s because the humidifier purifies the air and takes away any nasty germs that might be floating about. It can also make it easier for your baby to breathe when they do fall ill. When you buy a humidifier, make sure that it has a filter, as this will make it much easier to clean. It’s also worth dropping in a few drops of essential oils when your baby is ill, as this can open up their airways.
 
Baby Car Seat.  One of the most important items you will need is a car seat for your baby. It is now illegal for any babies and toddlers to travel in a car without a proper seat that fits them correctly. So, you will need to get your seat before your baby is here, especially if you plan to bring them home from the hospital in your family car. It’s super crucial that you get a seat that will correctly fit the child. As you can’t measure your baby while you are pregnant, you should simply buy a seat that is made for newborns. Your child will grow very quickly once they are born, so you should expect to buy a couple of different seats to accommodate them during their first few years. 
 
pexels-photo-54547.jpg

A Changing Table.  One thing is for sure, changing your baby’s diaper is definitely a messy job! To make sure that the mess doesn’t get spread all over by your baby rolling over, for instance, you should change them on a table. When you are looking at different changing tables, make sure that you find one that has plenty of space for all your diaper creams and lotions. After all, you don’t want to keep bending down to pick things up from the floor!
 
So, looks like it’s time for you to go shopping!

Post a Comment

0 Comments

Comments

The ZOO banner 3