What Do I Absolutely Need For A Newborn

Bedding And Sleep Needs

Whatever bed you choose for your newborn , it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that your baby sleep in the same room with you for the first 6-12 months of life. In addition, bumpers, blankets, pillows, and soft toys are no longer recommended in baby beds. Talk about going minimalistic!

Although the AAP doesnt recommend sharing a bed with your baby, most breastfeeding mothers will fall asleep with their baby in their bed at some point, so its wise to keep a checklist of safe bedsharing guidelines on hand.

Diapers: Buy The Right Sizes

Every mother hits the nesting phase in late pregnancy and wants to stock up on the necessities. Diapers are a definite necessity, and those who use disposable diapers will want to purchase the correct sizes. Most infants only remain in newborn diapers for a very brief period of time: it is wise to avoid purchasing too many packages of the newborn size, as a baby will outgrow them by the time they are 9-10 pounds .

Infants will remain in size one diapers for a month or so, and will spend the majority of their first year in size 2 and size 3 diapers. The amount of time spent in size 2 vs. size 3 will vary by the baby – children vary in weight as they approach the 1 year mark. In general, you can expect your baby to double his or her birth weight by six months, and triple it by a year.

It is better to buy several packages of size 2 and 3 diapers than many packages in the newborn size: babies grow quickly!

In addition to diapers, you will need:

• Baby wipes

What Baby Clothes Do You Need

Baby fashion trends are just as popular–and perhaps as expensive–as adult fashion trends. Every mother is enticed by the notion that the fashionable clothes will make their precious newborn super cute and irresistible.

Here’s a little secret: Newborns spit-up, pee, poop, and grow out of their clothing in record speeds.

Personally, I don’t see the need in buying expensive newborn clothing that could be easily damaged or only last for a few weeks, unless of course it’s an outfit for the first family outing, a baptism, christening, or first photos.

A newborn only needs a few items of clothing, especially in the first few weeks. Here’s what you should have:

• 5-10 Onesies or snap-side t-shirts
• 5-10 pairs of footed pajamas
• 2-4 shirts
• 3-5 swaddling blankets or sleep sacks
• 2 pairs of scratch mittens
• a winter coat or baby bunting
• a sunhat

Don’t go crazy at first buying too many things in the same size. Newborns will outgrow their clothing quickly. Average size newborns might fit best in newborn sized clothing, but they’ll only be in it for two weeks at best. Clothing in size 0-3 months will last longer, even though it may be a bit big at first.

Shoes aren’t necessary for newborns. Socks and booties will suffice until your little one is moving around more.

Read Also: Do Newborn Babies Cry A Lot

Sunglasses And Sun Hat

When the babys under 6 months, he/she cant have sunscreen. When youre going for walks or lounging at the beach or outdoor pool, a good hat, sunglasses or combination are essential for protecting babys skin.

We used both a hat and sunglasses. Her grandma gifted her cute sunglasses.

Before she was 6 months, she didnt bother trying to remove the sunglasses.

After 6 months, it became a bit tricky to get her to keep them on. Like everything, you just have to be persistent about it. It took quite a few days, but eventually she knew that when mom puts on her sunglasses, she has to keep them on.

Along with sunglasses, its a good idea to get a baby hat that protects your babys face and neck for those sunny days at the park or beach.

The Real Talk Version Of Your Baby Registry

These are the products you actually need for a newborn

• Read in app

This story was originally published on May 2, 2019 in NYT Parenting.

Brand new and expecting parents could not be easier to market to: Were hungry, tired and desperate for our children to be safe, comfortable and, ideally, asleep. Plus, were often trapped under a baby and looking at our phones, a mere press of the forefinger away from purchasing an idiotic cashmere onesie at any moment.

My first time at the baby gear rodeo, I made some rookie mistakes, and ever since then Ive been eager to make sure my friends dont replicate my errors. After the birth of my second child in 2018, I even started sending around a document titled How not to up your registry, whether the recipient had asked me to or not.

This is a version of that document that I have adapted for a broader audience. It has recommendations for the gear I ended up using with both my kids, including items that I think are worth their price tag and others you can buy used, skimp on or skip entirely. While Im a connoisseur and cultivator of product recommendations and hand-me-downs from parent-friends with a range of budgets, my own kids have been born and raised in a small third-floor walk-up, which means my picks are road-tested for maximum space-saving and portability.

Furniture and strollers

Sleep

Feeding

Baby carriers

Bathing and grooming

For bio moms

Moms are human beings with needs also!

Things you dont truly need

Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Body Wash For Newborns

Newborn Baby Essentials: The Ultimate First Year Shopping List

If youre expecting, youve definitely started thinking about all the baby essentials youll need in the upcoming months. Some things are obviousclothing, a crib, diapersbut other baby essentials are easier to overlook.

Thats why the baby experts at Mustela have created the ultimate first year shopping list. Weve thought of everything, so you can put your mind at ease and focus on other, more important thingslike preparing your babys room and deciding on a name!

Lets take a look at all the newborn baby essentials.

Which Items Are Actually Essential

Its not easy to know which baby items are truly essential and which ones you can ignore. Your baby doesnt need brand-name clothing, but what about a hooded towel or a humidifier? Its not always clear whats absolutely necessary and whats just nice to have.

The truth is that some newborn baby essentials arent exactly essential. Humans have survived for thousands of years without things like breast pumps and pacifiers, so we dont need them in order to take care of our babies.

However, we dont live in the Stone Age anymore, and life in the 21st century requires a few extra items. Diapers, for instance, are impossible to go without. The same is true of bathing products and cleansers.

If youre looking to save money on baby essentials or just prefer a minimalist approach, here is a list of what you will definitely need to care for your baby:

• Clothing
• Baby food
• Cleansers to bathe your baby with

These are, to quote Baloo, the bare necessities of life. But there are a number of other baby essentials that will make caring for your child easier. And making life easier for you and your partner should be a high priority!

So lets get started with the ultimate first year shopping list.

Also Check: What To Do For Jaundice Newborn At Home

What Do I Need To Have Ready For When Baby Comes Home

We had almost all of the essentials for baby ready to go and organized BEFORE she came home. The crib was set up. The car seat was installed. All of the clothes were put away.

I highly recommend preparing as much as you can before the baby comes home. Once the baby comes home, you will have very little time to do anything other than take care of the baby.

Layette: Baby’s First Clothes

• 6 undershirts that snap on the bottom or tie on the side, commonly called “onesies”
• 3 to 4 infant gowns with elastic bottoms. These make for easy diaper changes. All you have to do is pull the gown up over the belly to change the diaper and then pull it back down when finished. There is no stumbling around trying to snap the gown back together, which is especially nice when it’s 3 a.m. and all you want to do is get baby back to sleep so that you can get back to sleep.
• 6 sleepers/stretch suits . These are nice to put baby in during the day, but are not essential items. When buying these, make sure you get the kind that zip up the front. These are easier to get baby in and out.
• 3 to 4 pairs of booties or socks with stretch elastic band at cuff
• 3 to 4 receiving blankets
• 1 sweater and hat

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A Safe Place To Sleep

But hold on dont run out and start buying baby beds!

If I was going to do it again, knowing what I know now, I would purchase a playpen only. This is the one we have, and I LOVE it.

The playpen gives the baby a safe place to sleep but does double duty as a safe place to play once their mobile and mom needs to make dinner or just go pee.

We ended up co-sleeping with both our kids and all five baby beds just hang out empty.

Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers

You need a tried-and-true diaper brand to rely on, and Huggies has been there for us for awhile. The brand offers diaper sizes for newborns up to 6. Parents love Huggies for their GentleAbsorb Liner which protects your little ones skin while the Pocketed Back Waistband helps prevent, um, explosions from happening. Their Leak Lock System also helps eliminate leaks for up to 12 hours so no matter what, you and Baby are protected from a big ole mess, and your little one stays as clean and comfy as possible. Go ahead and sign up for Subscribe & Save on Amazon, because trust us, youll be using em.

Read Also: How Much Milk Does A Newborn Baby Need

Yes You Absolutely Need To Baby Proof

Its a lot of work, but it can help prevent many childhood injuries.

Every parent has a story about safety. Heres mine: One night, my newly mobile daughter suddenly grew interested in a small, but heavy, console in our apartments entryway. Within my sight, but out of my reach, she pulled the console over, pinning herself underneath. Fortunately, she wasnt seriously injured though there were plenty of tears and her mom and I put anchoring the console at the top of our to-do list.

We were lucky, but many parents are not according to a 2017 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injuries are a leading killer of children ages 1-4 in the United States more than 2,500 children younger than 4 die from them every year. Thats why, soon after you find out youre pregnant, let the childproofing begin. Its a lot of work, so youll want to give yourself plenty of time.

Where to start? Its best to break it down into small steps. Dr. Wendy Pomerantz, M.D., co-director of Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Cincinnati, recommends going room by room, and creating a checklist of tasks for each.

The Electric Steriliser Method

This is probably the easiest of all the methods, and is very effective. Its pretty straightforward load the pre-washed bottles and feeding equipment, add water, and press the button. As long as you keep the unit shut, everything inside remains sterilised for 24 hours. Its this sort of modern convenience that makes our mums jealous lamenting that we have it so much easier! Obviously an electric steriliser requires more financial outlay than the other methods, but it may be worth it to you if youll be needing to sterilise bottles frequently.

So there you have it, the three most widely-used methods of sterilising baby equipment. Heres my two cents I used an electric steam steriliser for my childrens feeding equipment , and it was a godsend. I originally started out using the stovetop boil method, and while it worked well, I found it pretty inconvenient to constantly have bottles boiling on the stove. Several minor burns later, I went for the electric steriliser option and didnt look back. It took up precious little room on the countertop, and it was no problem to sterilise one bottle, or six and a bunch of teats. And I was really happy that I was using nothing more than steam to keep the germs at bay.

The decision is completely up to you, but Im one of those mums that tends to think, if theres an easier way to do something, why make life any more complicated than it already is when youre juggling a newborn?

Also Check: How Big Are Newborn Diapers

Diaper Rash Cream Or Ointment

Not all babies develop diaper rash, but the treatment is nice to have on hand. This is on the list of things youll need a constant supply of when the baby is still in diapers. I especially loved this brand > > Boudreauxs Butt Paste

Experienced mom tip: the quicker you can change your babys diaper after a poop, the less diaper rash cream youll need. The poop contact with skin is highly irritating and the cause of most diaper rashes, in my experience.

Baby Checklist For 4 To 6 Months Old

Much of what youve already bought will suffice as your baby grows. For instance, you wont have to replace her blankets every few months. But some of her needs will change as she grows into new clothes, cuts her first teeth, begins grabbing objects and starts putting everything into her mouth.

Read Also: What Should A Newborn Schedule Look Like

Have You Tried Munchkin Milkmakers Breastfeeding Cookie Bites

Munchkins no.1 bestselling breastfeeding cookie in the US has now launched in the UK. Recommended by lactation consultants and with over 16,500 positive reviews on Amazon US, the Munchkin Milkmakers® Breastfeeding Cookie Bites conveniently fit into your busy breastfeeding life.

Available in delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Milkmakers® Breastfeeding Cookie Bites are preservative-free, and made with ingredients traditionally used to support breast milk supply. Delicious AND nutritious whats not to love?

Fenugreek: the most popular, well-known and researched ingredient to boost milk supply

Oats: a delicious comfort food and a nutritional powerhouse, providing whole grains, fibre, iron, and lots of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

Brewers Yeast: a traditional ingredient used to increase milk supply, rich in B-vitamins, proteins, and minerals essential for nursing mums

Flaxseed: provides omega-3 fatty acids necessary for babys brain development which can be passed from mother to baby through breast milk

These Cookie Bites have already become a bestseller on Amazon UK, with 4.4 star ratings. 96 Mumsnet testers recently tried Munchkin Milkmakers and 9/10 liked the taste. Heres what they said:

The cookies are delicious and really filling so make a perfect snack when breastfeeding as I am always so hungry.

Lovely taste. Chocolate chips were perfect and the texture was lovely.