What Do I Really Need For My Newborn

What Baby Clothes Do I Need: Final Say

While getting ready for a baby, parents ask numerous questions and follow the recommendations they are provided with. In this hassle, it is important to remember what you like and want. All the recommendations can be divided into two groups: health-and-safety concerns, as well as opinions of the other people.

It is easy to guess that following logic and common sense, you will make the choices that will not endanger your child. All the other decisions should be based on the convenience of parents. Should I buy newborn clothes in advance? Can I do to the seaside with my 2-months-old baby? These all are the decisions to be made by parents, not other people. Enjoy the shopping and let yourself buy whatever you like so that to enjoy dressing your beloved baby.

Baby Checklist For The Hospital

Many of the items in the hospital bag will already be part of your layette a fancy word for babys wardrobe but you might have some purchases to make specifically for the time in labor and delivery.

Nerd tip: Be conservative in buying clothing for your little one. Many babies wear newborn sizes only for the first few weeks, if at all. As your baby grows, youll know better which sizes youll need and when.

Best Weighted: Nested Bean Zen Sack

Don’t let the word “weighted” alarm youNested Bean’s wearable blanket is called “The Zen Sack” for a reason. It has gently weighted padding on the chest to mimic the soothing touch of your hand. The best part? Once your little one can roll over to their tummy on their own, the sleep sack can be reversed so that the weighted side is on their back. It comes in several adorable prints and sizes ranging from newborn to 2T. Parents praise the fact that it helps their baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

To buy: $38$43

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Baby Products You Love

1. Second-hand BabyBjorn bouncer Hux can look around, watch me cook and it frees me up to do things. Also I got it on eBay for half the price of a new one. Hardly any wear and tear.

2. Sock-ons. These go over babys socks and keep them on. Cheap as chips, never lose another sock and you only need one pair!

3. Neals Yard organic baby oil. Its the only thing that doesnt dry his skin out.

4. Angelcare nappy bin. This bin is always on offer on Amazon and you can get it for as little as £5. Each nappy is locked away inside the sealed nappy sack. No more smells.

5. SkipHop change bag. Loads of pockets, easy to get the change mat out with one hand, clips to the pram, very light.

What About The Bottle And Wipe Warmers

Personally, I’ve never owned or used a bottle warmer or a wipe warmer. My kids, for whatever reason, would never take a bottle, which we learned the hard way during a botched hearing test in which the nurse tried to give our oldest a bottle and the contents ended up regurgitated all over my husband’s chest. From what I understand about bottle warming, you can warm a bottle in a pot of hot water, however just for convenience sake, I think that having a bottle warmer would be nice, especially in the middle of the night. That being said, how hot does formula really need to be? Can’t you just use warm water to mix it? And my understanding of breastmilk is that is shouldn’t be heated up too much at all.

As for the wipe warmer, a nice idea and totally unrealistic. What are you going to do – tote the wipe warmer with you to each room you end up changing your baby in? Nah. Save the money and the space and store your packages of wipes at room temperature, then warm the wipe in your hand for a moment before cleaning baby up.

Final Verdict: You don’t need the wipe warmer at all, but the convenience of a bottle warmer might be worth it if you do plan to heat your bottles.

Your diaper bag doesn’t have to be an actual diaper bag. Any bag you love that can be versatile and hold a whole lotta stuff will work to contain the chaos.

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Do You Really Need A Diaper Bag Then

In my experience, yes, you need a diaper bag or at least a designated bag that you keep packed and at the ready. I guess technically it doesn’t have to be an actual diaper bag. There are tons of cute and versatile mini-luggage bags out there that will suffice but the important thing to make sure of is that you have lots of little pockets, zippers and a place to store your own things . I used my trusty ol’ Skip Hop diaper bag with both babies until last year when my kids’ clothes and carry-along needs began to expand beyond burp rags and swaddles.

Mine was a dark gray and my husband and I both carried it while my brother has always used a tactical backpack to store his own gear alongside wipes, diaps and pacifiers. A quick search of Amazon brings up a more stylish slew of backpacks and messenger bags by names like Herschel and currently, to get my two toddlers through a day away from home, I’m sporting the super roomy Gray Arrows Weekender Tote Bag by White Elm . All of this is to say – find a bag or two that work for you. If you’re debating putting one on your registry definitely do it. You’ll be glad to have it.

Final Verdict: Yes, you need a diaper bag, or any bag that functions as a diaper bag.

Best Transitional: Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit

Designed by a mother of four and a pediatric physical therapist, Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is a comfortable sleepwear option for little ones ready to exit the swaddle stage. Plus, well over 8,000 reviewers are convinced it’s quite literally “magical.” The patented sleepsuit offers more security than other sleep sacks because of its snug fit throughout the arms, tummy, and legs. It’s important to note that it’s only suitable for babies who sleep strictly on their backs.

To buy: $40

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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.

Out And About With Your Baby

Spend some time looking at what’s available for getting around with your baby. Think about what will suit you best before you make a choice, and ask other mums what they have found useful.

Before buying a pushchair or a pram, check that:

• the brakes are in good working order
• the handles are at the right height for pushing
• the frame is strong enough

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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.

Do All Babies Like To Be Swaddled

It depends on the baby. My oldest hated it, my youngest really took comfort in it. For our oldest we had the Aden + Anais muslin swaddles but instead of swaddling her she just liked to use them as a blanket while we rocked her.

For our youngest the Halo and SwaddleMe brands offered comfy, easy to wash swaddles that helped us to create the most delicious baby burrito without having to become folding masters. These are different from swaddle blankets because all you have to do is pop your cutie in like you would any other sleep sack, then use the velcro wings to wrap your baby up into a swaddle as tight or loose as he likes.

Final Verdict: No. And that sucks because the ones who do seem to sleep wayyyyy better.

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Graco Everyway Baby Swing

Keeping baby quiet and content? Yep, definitely essential, and babies who constantly like to be swayed will love lounging in a baby swing or rocker. The Graco EveryWay will keep your little one on the move with 16 motions from rocking to swinging . A mobile and built-in tunes provide even more entertainment to keep Baby happy. And you know who else will be happy? You, because youll have both hands free.

Bringing Home Baby: The 20 Essentials You Actually Need

When I was pregnant with my first child, friends offered a heap of advice on all the baby gear I absolutely had to have. I ended up creating not one, not two, not three, but five different registries to account for all those necessary items.

Of course, no one ever sets out to be that excessive. But with the wave of parenthood approaching, I wanted to cover all my bases. When it comes to our kids, even the most rational and levelheaded among us can succumb to that nagging fear: If I just buy X, then Ill win at parenting . . . or at least not mess up so badly.

It doesnt have to be like that. Before you go wandering glassy-eyed through the aisles of Babies R Us, check out this list of 20 must-haves built from hard-won wisdom and experience in the child-rearing trenches.

1. Car seat: Car seats are mandatory by federal law, and the hospital wont let you take baby home without one. Baby car seats, or infant buckets, snap into a base and have a carry handle. There are numerous brands available to fit your budget and style.

2. Soft carrier: When you cant put your newborn down but want to move around with your hands free, soft carriers are lifesavers. Styles range from sling to wrap to front-to-back convertible, so talk to a friend, try a few out and keep your receipts!

6. Nursing wear: A nursing mom should have two good nursing bras or tank tops, plus nursing pads so you dont leak through all your shirts.

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Hudson Baby Unisex Cotton Gowns

Outfits with buttons and snaps are cute and all, but when youre seriously sleep deprived and your baby needs a diaper change every hour, quick and easy is the way to go. Your baby will most likely live in shoulder gowns because theyre just so easy. Here are some cute animal ones, but you can easily find others on Amazon.

Grow By Gerber Baby Organic Mittens

Your peanut starts growing nails during week 12 of pregnancy, and they pretty much never stop growing from there. Trimming or filing baby’s nails can be tricky and a chore to maintain.

These scratch-proof mittens keep your little one’s hands covered and are an easy solution to prevent scratches on her sweet face. The mitts are made of soft 100 percent cotton, come in a variety of colors and are machine washable. Plus, the gentle elastic helps them stay put on her tiny hands and wrists. You’ll get three pairs in a package.

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Tips From A Mom On Necessary And Unnecessary Items For Your Baby

Kierstin is a mom to two little girls and host of the satirical podcast Really Good Advice for New Moms.

I had two little girls, one right after the other. The first time I had a baby, it seemed like each morning of my last trimester was welcomed by another package at the door from a far-off friend or relative sending well wishes in the form of baby goods that had either been purchased off of my shower registry or picked with care by the sender.

After months of tossing my cookies every ten minutes or so, it was so exciting to finally be sporting a real, obvious baby bump that garnered celebration from every stranger I encountered and all I could think about were all of the things that bump was going to need once she was on the outside.

Then my second baby came soon after, and save for a few random congrats, everyone was over me, my vomiting and my ability to conceive at a pace that puts rabbits to shame. While I still had all of the stuff from my first baby tucked into corner closets and folded under the bed, I found myself pulling out just a fraction of it the second time around.

Baby Checklist For The Nursery & Home

If budget isnt a concern for your nursery, furnishings such as low-allergen wood or cork flooring, soothing paint colors and custom furniture are nice options. For the majority of expectant parents, however, theres a happy medium between building your baby a dream palace and ensuring she has a safe and comfortable room. Essential buys:

Breast-feeding moms might also want bottle supplies for times when they can’t feed their babies personally.

Nerd tip: Manufacturers websites often offer free samples of diapers, formula and other baby care products, as well as valuable coupons.

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