Getting Help After The Birth
Consider getting help during this time, which can be very hectic and overwhelming. While in the hospital, talk to the experts around you. Many hospitals have feeding specialists or lactation consultants who can help you get started nursing or bottle-feeding. Nurses also are a great resource to show you how to hold, burp, change, and care for your baby.
For in-home help, you might want to hire a baby nurse, postpartum doula, or a responsible neighborhood teen to help you for a short time after the birth. Your doctor or the hospital can help you find information about in-home help, and might make a referral to home health agencies.
Relatives and friends often want to help too. Even if you disagree on certain things, don’t dismiss their experience. But if you don’t feel up to having guests or you have other concerns, don’t feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.
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.
Baby Checklist For 0 To 3 Months Old
This is the biggest list, because youre buying items that will last well into babys first year. And you wont want to run out on emergency shopping trips after bringing baby home from the hospital.
Aim to have the 0-to-3-month items purchased at least a month before the due date. If youre considering any delivery services, such as Amazon Mom for diaper and formula deliveries, nows the time to set them up, too.
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Burp cloths |
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Bunting or snowsuit, depending on the season and your location |
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Hats |
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Infant rocker, bouncing chair or age-appropriate swing |
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Toys: At this age, baby cant use his hands for grabbing, but high-contrast colors and patterns get his attention. Visual stimulation, such as a mobile above his crib, and soft music are best. |
Budget tip: If you purchase a stroller, crib or high chair secondhand, make sure it’s safe. Examine all buckles, harnesses and moving parts, and perform a quick search on the Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s website to see if the product was involved in a recall.
We dont recommend buying a used car seat because of the possibility that its safety has been compromised as the result of a car crash, but local law enforcement agencies often inspect them for free, so take advantage of this option if you must buy used.
Read Also: Why Do Newborns Get Fussy At Night
Newborn Baby Essentials You Actually Need From Day One
From baby clothes to the baby car seat, it can be overwhelming thinking just how much stuff one tiny person needs and the costs can soon mount up.
But the good news is that all these things can be easily split into what’s a baby essential, and those bits and pieces that are by no means a must.
Even if the buggy’s been ordered but hasn’t arrived yet, don’t stress! There are only some baby essentials that you need from day one. You can invest in that all-singing/all-dancing baby sensory system centre later
To make things easier, and make sure you dont forget anything important, we’ve broken everything down for you so you can simply follow our shopping lists below to help you tick off everything on your baby checklist. As with most things, we recommend that the earlier you start, the better as not only does this give you lots of time to do your research before your due date, but it’ll spread out the cost of some of the bigger items too.
In this article:
Burt’s Bees Baby Burp Cloths
Yet another multitasking must have, these absorbent, 100 percent organic cotton burp cloths wont just absorb any spit up and other baby-related spills they’re also big enough to double as on-the-go changing pads. Plus, theyre soft on babys skin and completely cover your shoulder for mid-meal burps. The tri-fold towels easily fit in your diaper bag, and the buzz-y bee patch adds the right touch of sweetness. You’ll get two cloths in a set.
Size: 16 x 11.8 inches
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Get Ready For Sleepless Nights
Its pretty common knowledge that the second you say hello to your new baby you say goodbye to a decent nights rest for the next 6 months to a year or two if you decide to co-sleep like I do. So how can you prepare for sleepless nights? Here are some ideas: Both parents should get lots of rest in the weeks leading up to babys due date, make some energizing smoothies in batches and freeze them, stock up on your favorite caffeinated tea or coffee, stock up on these 27 foods that give you more energy!
How Many Onesies Do I Need For A Newborn
Onesies are the comfiest outfits. They are quick to put on and easy to change. Despite the season, at least three onesies can be bought in a newborn size. Then, it is better to opt for 0-3 size. Remember that onesies with built-in footies should have sufficient length so that not to prevent your baby from movements. Still wondering how many onesies do I need, buy three pieces. These are the most comfortable outfits for active pastimes, sleeping, and strolls for newborns.
Read Also: How To Tell If Newborn Has Autism
How To Save Money On Newborn Baby Essentials
There are a variety of ways to spend money on newborn baby essentials:
- Ask for free baby samples or products during pregnancy
- Shop the sales
- Register for everything on your baby shower registry
- Borrow or buy second-hand items
- Find items that have multiple uses or that will last through two or three babies
Playtime For A Newborn
It may seem silly, but newborns need a bit of playtime or alone time just like us. They need a safe place to stay in while they have this alone time . Here are some items to have:
- Baby swing or bouncer seat. Baby swings and bouncers provide a safe, comfortable seat for newborns as they take in their surroundings, plus they give you a chance to complete a task or take a rest. These swings or seats are generally very colorful and have music for the baby.
- Play Yard. A play yard is an item that can be used from infancy through toddlerhood. It is a foldable play area that has a firm mattress and see-through netted sides. Many today come with a bassinette attachment for infants, plus a diaper changing area. They can be easily transported from room to room or taken on a trip.
Newborns also need tummy time to strengthen their necks. A nice item to have is a tummy time play mat which can be used until the baby is standing months down the road. They are colorful and have mirrors or little toys for the baby to look at and eventually reach for.
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Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper
Okay, yes. The Snoo is very expensive, but if youre lucky, you can catch it on sale. And it seems that every single parent who invests in one cannot stop raving about it. The Snoo swaddles your baby to sleep and responds to fussiness with white noise and gentle motions that mimic your own. Babies end up getting 1-2 more hours of sleep than they normally would.
Just read this raving testimony from : I really did not want to buy this since we were trying so hard to be minimalists and all-natural with our first baby girl. Then she came in like a wrecking ball. In her first 6 weeks I could count on one hand the number of times I got any more than 1.5 hours of sleep. Then one night at 3 am I started getting worried about what life would be like when I had to go back to work at 11 weeks. I have a one hour commute each way and I work in patient care and got more and more nervous about the potential of getting in a car accident or making a terrible mistake at work because of sleep deprivation. The internet led me to the SNOO. I couldnt say no to the possibility of 1-2 extra hours of sleep a night, plus it was on sale and they have the 30-day guarantee. The Snoo came when she was 7 weeks old, and on the 7th day of using it, she slept a full 8 hours. By the time I had to go back to work she was consistently sleeping 9-11 hours every night. NINE TO ELEVEN HOURS EVERY NIGHT.
Products You Need To Buy When Having A Baby
Right after you learn that you’re having a baby, you learn that babies seem to need a lot of stuff! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. This list will help you figure out what to buy for baby. There are millions of products available for purchase, but the following products are the most common needs or wants for newborns.
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Meal Prep And Grocery Shop
The last thing you want to do right after having a baby is go to the grocery store or make a meal. Look into prepping some frozen meals a few weeks before your due date and fill your kitchen with all your favorite foods. That way no one has to do any last minute shopping or cooking and instead that time can be spent with your new baby!
Breast Pump And Pump Parts
Even if you decide to nurse exclusively, buying or renting a pump gives you an option to hand the baby to someone else to feed. Pumping, especially in the first few days, also helps stimulate production and increase milk supply.
Tip: Check with your insurance provider to see if theyll cover the cost of a breast pump.
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Changing Pad And Covers
Youll need a changing pad to place on top of the changing table. Make sure you can permanently attach the pad to the dresser so it doesnt slide around, and that the pad has safety straps for the baby.
Youll also need to get at least two changing pad covers that you can wash regularly or after messy changes.
Baby Checklist: Shopping Guide For Pregnancy To 12 Months
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Most parents’ new baby checklists include necessities as well as a few purchases that are over-the-top optional. Your baby really needs only enough clothing to keep him or her clean and warm, a comfortable environment, proper nutrition and plenty of love. Here’s a look at the items you may want that are just the start of the cost of raising a child.
But chances are you want more than the bare minimum for your little one, so these lists err on the comprehensive side.
Nerd tip: Friends and family are often more than willing to spoil your bundle of joy. Even if a baby shower isnt in the works, directing loved ones to a registry can make a big dent in your shopping list and lessen the chance that youll receive unnecessary items.
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How To Prepare For A Newborn: Your Ultimate New Baby Checklist
September 12, 2018 By Sydney Horton
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This post is your ultimate new baby checklist where you will learn how to prepare for a newborn so youre completely ready when baby arrives.
It doesnt matter what stage of life youre in, what kind of home you have, if youre having a baby alone or with a partner, or if youre on your first baby or your third having a new baby is a big deal! Thinking about all the things that need to get done before your new baby makes their grand entrance is overwhelming, to say the least.
However, having a new baby is also one of the most exciting and special times you will ever have in your life. The last thing you want is stress, worry, and chaos to overshadow those precious yet fleeting newborn days. So how can make sure those first couple months with your new baby are the best they can possibly be?
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
When you are completely prepared in every way for your new babys arrival, you have the opportunity to really just enjoy bonding as a new family and soak up every newborn moment with the least amount of distractions as possible!
What Should You Buy Before Baby Arrives
One of the most obvious things you need to do before your newborn arrives is buy stuff for them. This is the part where many parents get overwhelmed, I know I was. This is because the list of things you need for a new baby can be very long and confusing. All this stuff can also be a big financial burden. My tip for expecting parents is to stick to the basics.
While you might have a long list of things you want to buy for your newborn, the list of things you will actually need to buy is much shorter. Take it from someone who is obsessed with all things baby gear, baby gadgets, and baby clothesthe world of baby products can suck you in real quick and before you know it youve wasted money and space on things your baby didnt actually need. Baby stuff is a huge post in and of itself, so Ill briefly list the things I think you need to buy before baby arrives:
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