We are all excited about the addition of a newborn to our family. However, preparation to welcome the newborn can be challenging especially for first time parents. It seems easy yet overwhelming when you start figuring out what to prepare and Googling this topic just serves to add fuel to that confusion.
Mummies and daddies, fret not, we hear you!
With the goal of avoiding last minute shopping for baby stuff, we have prepared a list of essential things for you to welcome your newborn and make sure your baby is well-fed, comfortable and has everything that a happy baby needs to be well-fed, comfortable, and…well, be a happy baby.
Clothing
Keep in mind that a newborn doesn’t need fancy outfits. As parents, you might want to choose some cute outfits to show-off your baby. While we are not suggesting that you Tarzan your little one (no clothes, just diapers), putting together some plain and simple clothing like onesies is perfectly fine.
Babies grow fast. Our advice is to not over purchase or go too wild on the clothing items. At the same time, you might need to change baby outfits quite often as it can get messy quite often (spill ups, diaper accidents, spit ups, throw ups, other forms of ups, etc).
A typical baby wardrobe may consist of the following items of garments and items (at least, it does for us).
| • 8 undershirts or onesies (short-sleeve and long-sleeve)
• 3-4 one-piece stretchy sleepers or sleep sacks • 5 pairs of pants • 2 newborn hats • 8 pairs of socks or booties • 2 pairs of scratch mittens • Laundry detergent for infants • Swaddles |
When choosing the clothing, you might want to take into consideration the weather and how often you want to do the laundry. Staying in a warm tropical country like Singapore, you can go without the hats, but it would look cute on them.
If they’re chilly, you could always swaddle up your baby to keep warm using. Just zip up and you instantly have a literal bundle of joy.
Diapering
Diapers are the basic cornerstone must-have items for any newborn and parents alike. It can be a daunting task when you first come to choosing diapers. Cloth diapers or disposable diapers? At the end of the day, both have their own pros and cons.
All you need to do is choose something that works for you and your family. Cloth diapers are more eco-friendly while disposable diapers are more convenient and they save time.
Other things you’ll need aside from the diapers themselves are:
| • 2 boxes of newborn size diapers
• Changing pad • Baby ointment or rashes cream • 2-3 large boxes of unscented baby wipes • Diaper bag |
Bath Essentials
You will need to sponge-wipe your baby for the first two weeks until the umbilical cord falls off. After that, you can start bathing your baby. So, gear up and let the fun times roll with the following bathtime essentials checklist:
| • Baby bathtub
• Washcloths • Baby soap or cleanser • Baby sponge • Towels • Baby lotion |
Grooming/ First Aids
These are some necessities that most mums might miss out on.
Have you ever seen scratches on a baby’s face? This is because of long fingernails. You will need to trim your baby’s nails. Sometimes, you might need to measure the baby’s body temperature and clean their nose too!
The checklist of items here isn’t really that long and we’ve just about covered it all in our previous paragraph, but just in case you’ve missed it, here it is:
| • Baby nail clippers
• Digital thermometer • Nasal Aspirator |
Bedding
No matter which type of bed you are going to choose, you are advised to sleep with your baby in the same room for the first 6 to 12 months. Some mums prefer to co-sleep with their baby while some will use a crib. It is important to make sure that your baby has a safe sleeping space.
Diapers nowadays have a very good waterproof function. You might not need to clean up too often during the middle of the night. However, having a waterproof mattress cover and several fitted sheets will save your night. Nonetheless, here’s a checklist for you:
| • Crib, cradle or bassinet
• Mattress • Waterproof mattress cover • Fitted sheets • Baby monitor |
Feeding
Depending on whether you are breastfeeding or planning on using formula milk, the items to prepare will be different. If you are going to breastfeed, nothing is more important than your breast. Some moms might need help from a lactation consultant or breast massage to smoothen the journey of breastfeeding.
If you are formula-feeding your baby, then you will need to consider which brands to go with. Either way, for both breastfeeding and formula feeding, you will need a bunch of baby things for mealtime!
| If you are breastfeeding your baby:
• Bibs • Burp cloths • Breast pump • Milk storage containers • Nursing bras • Nursing pillow • Breast pads • Nipple cream • Bottle if you are bottle feed • Bottle brush • Different size of bottle nipples |
| If you are formula feeding your baby:
• Bibs • Burp cloths • Breast pump • Bottle • Bottle brush • Different size of bottle nipples • Thermal bottle carrier • Formula milk powder |
Support Gear
This is crucial for moms who need to travel around. You might not need them for the first few months because you are in your confinement period for recovery. But you will eventually need this to free your arms.
If you are traveling in your own vehicle, you will definitely need a safe car seat. To carry your baby around with your hand free, you need to invest in a good carrier. Other than that, a stroller will be more comfortable for your baby to lie down and sleep.
| • Car seat
• Baby carrier • Stroller |
For your convenience, here’s a rundown of all the basic baby essentials checklists for you!
Basic Baby Essential ChecklistClothing
Diapering
Bath Essentials
Grooming/ First Aids
Bedding
Feeding If you are breastfeeding your baby:
If you are formula feeding your baby:
Gear
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Closing Words
Whether it is the one month celebration or the 100th day celebration, remember that Celegift has the perfect full month gift box waiting for you! So, go on ahead and swing by our website to browse through all the baby full month gift with delectable treats and packages that you need to get the party started.
