When it comes to newborns, especially first-time parents, it’s easy to go overboard with baby stuff. We tend to buy things we both need and don’t need. Plus, baby stuff is so cute that it’s hard to resist! However, with the unstable market, we’re facing today, we can notice the prices skyrocket in all aspects of our lives. That’s why we need to be more considerate and careful when buying essentials for our newborns. Keep reading to learn about the baby items you need and items you can live without.
We will disclose some essentials that you do need for a newborn. We will start with baby clothes, diapers and changing. Also, we will mention bathing essentials as well as essentials for sleeping. There are certain things regarding nursing and feeding that you need. Finally, even though babies don’t require much, they need some gear and furniture. What babies need unconditionally is devoted, loving and caring parents – that’s what helps them grow into people.
1. Baby clothes
Babies don’t require special clothing in the first few weeks of life. You should dress them in clothes made of quality materials, comfortable and easy to dress and undress. It’s best to stick to some basic, budget-friendly baby clothes. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have some cute outfits you can dress your baby to show off. Don’t go overboard and buy too many newborn outfits, as babies tend to overgrow them quickly. Also, newborn clothes tend to get messy quickly and require frequent changing. For starters, get 5 to 8 onesies, 3 to 4 baby sleepers, some socks and hats, depending on the climate.
2. Diapers and changing
One of the obvious newborn basics is diapers. When you start preparing for your newborn and researching diapers, you will see plenty of kinds, so you should choose them carefully. Read some online reviews and ask for personal recommendations. You soul choose the ones suitable for your baby and your lifestyle. Choose diaper size accordingly. Besides diapers, other changing essentials include wet wipes, diaper rash cream, a special diaper bin and a waterproof changing pad.
3. Bathing essentials
When it comes to bathing, in the first few weeks, until the umbilical cord falls off, you should give your baby a sponge bath every day. After the umbilical cord falls off, you can bathe your baby three times a week; for instance, it will be sufficient. If you bathe your baby too often, you can cause skin dryness or irritation. Some bathing essentials include 3 to 5 baby washing cloths, 1 to 2 towels with hoods, a baby sponge, a baby bath wash, a baby lotion and a baby tub.
4. Sleeping
As far as sleeping is concerned, a few baby sleeping alternatives are available. You can opt for a crib, bassinet, cradle or a co-sleeper. Your baby is recommended to sleep in the room with you for the first 6 to 12 months. Some paediatricians don’t recommend putting pillows, bed bumpers and other things in the crib or wherever your baby sleeps. The reason for this is the risk of choking. You need a quality baby bed mattress, 3 to 4 fitted sheets, a waterproof mattress cover and a baby monitor. These are handy and can help you hear your baby when you go to the bathroom, for example.
5. Nursing and feeding
If you’re breastfeeding, you don’t need much. You should have a comfortable place to sit and relax, a pillow for your baby so it’s easier for you and perhaps a lactation consultant’s contact. On the other hand, if you’re formula feeding, you should consult your doctor about the best formula to use. Regardless of how you feed your baby, you need a lot of burp cloths. You also need a few bottles, a brush, and different bottle nipples for formula feeding. You might also need a breast pump, nipple cream and nursing pads.
6. Gear and Furniture
As for other gear and furniture, besides the bed, you also need a closet to store baby clothes and other necessities. You can also opt for a changing table, but it’s unnecessary. What you do need are a suitable car seat and a stroller.
We should be very smart when making choices for our newborns – we should be aware of the genuine essentials and things that are nice to have but are not quintessential.
