First-time parents soon discover that they need to get a lot of new things when a baby arrives. Whether you are going to shop for them yourself, or you are putting together a list of gift ideas for your baby shower, here are some of the essentials that you will want to make sure you have in time for the new arrival.
Medicines
One of the first things you will want to stock up on is health-related items. When babies get ill, you want to keep a close eye on them and ensure they are as comfortable as possible. A few basic first-aid items can help to give you more peace of mind.
A thermometer will be essential to check when your baby has a temperature. Antibacterial cream and bandages are also useful to have to hand.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are useful for keeping fevers down. However, always speak to your doctor to find out how much you should be giving them or whether you should give them any at all.
Diaper Changing Kit
Changing diapers is something you’re going to get very used to over the next few months as soon as the baby arrives, so stock up on everything you need in advance.
Buy plenty of diapers, but don’t get too many just yet because babies grow very fast and you might need to go up a size. Also get some diaper cream and wipes, a diaper bin, and a changing mat.
Sleeping-Related Items
Sleepless nights are one of the biggest problems for new parents, and anything you can do to help your baby to sleep peacefully will be a big help.
This will include getting a crib with a firm mattress to sleep on during the night, along with a crib sheet. You might want to consider the innovative Babynest too, which can help the baby to sleep better either during the night or during their daytime naps.
Bathing Items
Bathing your baby is great fun, but make sure you have all the kit you need. This will include a baby bath, baby shampoo and soap, a few towels, and some toys to play with.
Clothes
Clothes for new babies can be tricky. You’ll want to have plenty of onesies and sleepers, but just be aware that your baby will grow out of them very quickly.
If people are buying you gifts, perhaps for your baby shower, suggest to a few of them that some larger items of clothing will be useful too. Otherwise, you may end up with too many items for newborn babies and nothing for when they are a few months old.
Items for Feeding
Feeding your baby is another area where you will need some essential items. If you breastfeed, you will not need much in the way of feeding equipment apart from perhaps a breast pump, a nursing pillow, and burp cloths.
If you are bottle feeding or doing a mixture of both, you will need a kit including bottles, a bottle sterilizer, and formula. You might want to wait until the baby arrives to get bottles because you might not need them as much as you thought.
Toys & Books
Friends and family are certain to stock you up with plenty of toys and books to keep your baby happy, but you might want to buy some as well.
Always buy toys that are suitable for babies, and check the age recommendations before buying them. Consider getting some toys and books with bright, bold colors, which babies love.
Traveling Gear
When going out and about with your baby, you’ll need quite a bit of kit to travel in comfort. To start with, you’ll want to get a good stroller that is strong and sturdy but also light enough to carry. You will also want to get a car seat that is suitable for newborn babies so they can travel safely in your car.
You will also probably want to invest in a baby carrier of some description, perhaps a sling, and this will help you to get around with greater ease wherever you go.
Stock Up on the Essentials in Time
It can seem like there are so many things that you need to get for your new baby, and the list is certainly quite long. These are some of the essentials that you should stock up on to ensure your first few weeks and months are as comfortable as possible.
So add them to your list of things to buy, or drop a hint to your family and friends if they are wondering which gifts to get you.
