Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad
The Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad is by far the best bang for your buck. The contoured sides and quick-release safety belt keep your baby from easily rolling off, plus the bottom security strap can be attached to a changing table to keep the pad from moving. The vinyl coating easily wipes clean in case an epic blowout seeps through the cover, and the foam pad is comfortable and durable.
Buy it: $18,
Burts Bees Original Baby Shampoo & Wash
A great alternative to the classic Johnson & Johnson baby products, which unfortunately contain chemicals you really dont want your baby exposed to on a regular basis, Burts Bees Baby Wash is definitely a baby essential.
The original is fantastic, and while weve never tried the calming version, the lavender scent especially can be a great addition to a calming bedtime baby routine!
Best Inflatable Nursing Pillow
Sometimes you need a second nursing pillow, whether you want to use it for travel or to keep it at Grandmas house. The inflatable version of the My Brest Friend has the same design as the original, but you can inflate it and deflate it as needed, so it can be easily stowed away when not in use.
Buy it: My Brest Friend Travel Nursing Pillow, $17,
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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A Comfortable Secure Carrier
I didnt use a baby carrier for my first baby but it was a game changer with my second partly because I had a toddler running around as well as a newborn, but also because its just magnificent to be able to use both of your hands. A good carrier should have the same effect on your infant as swaddling in that it mimics the womb, and being right next to your heartbeat ticks another box. Some parents like wrap slings while others prefer something with more structure go for what you feel most comfortable wearing.
Image: Ergo.
Newborn Baby Clothes List: The First 3
And even if you dont plan to register for many clothes, make sure to add at least a few things to give people an idea of your style. People love to buy baby clothes as gifts. They also like to make you happy! So register for a couple items so people either buy those items, or can see what style of clothes you want for your kiddo. No, this wont work for everyone. But most people will be happy for some inspiration so you like your gift! When it comes to when to start buying baby clothes, for the bulk of it, wait until after your baby shower or baby registry. In your third trimester is a good time to make sure you have the items youll need.
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Where To Buy High
This newborn checklist should give you an idea of all the baby essentials you’ll need during those first few months. Youll find many of these must-haves at Parachute, including nursery furniture, crib mattresses, crib sheets, washcloths, small plush toys, swaddle blankets, bibs and burp cloths to name a few. Whatever you choose, you can count on safe materials and high-quality designs.
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:
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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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Bathing Baby: What You Need
- 4 terry cloth bath towels
- 4 to 6 washcloths
- Baby soap. Many brands make baby shampoo and soap all in one.
- Rounded-tip nail scissors or clippers.Baby’s nails grow quickly and can scratch their face.
- Bulb syringe nasal aspirator. These are used to suction excess mucus from baby’s nose and mouth .
You may want to check with your baby’s doctor before the first bath. Most doctors recommend that you wait until the umbilical cord has fallen off and the circumcision site has healed before giving your baby a tub bath. In the meantime sponge baths work great.
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New Baby Necessities What Do You Really Need For A Baby
I hate clutter, we lived in a small house, and I was determined to gather only the new baby necessities when my first was born and yet I STILL ended up with a bunch of stuff we didnt use!
Im going to sort of blame this on the internet. If you google what do I need for a baby youre gonna get ALL KINDS OF LISTS that insist you need changing pads, carriers, bottle warmers, pacifier clips and on and on.
I am here to tell you that a newborn actually needs VERY LITTLE.
This is good news for parents on a budget and also those who just dont want to fill their homes with stuff they wont ever use!
I also want to encourage you to WAIT to buy baby stuff until the third trimester, for the most part!
Even though I was 100% committed to not collecting too much stuff, its really hard not to! You didnt honestly know what a new baby really needs until youve had one.
You feel like you truly need it all for the baby.
Looking back, now that Ive done the newborn thing twice, I know what really needs to be on the list of things you need for a new baby and what doesnt.
These are things that still make my newborn necessities list a couple of them might seem frivolous to the most hardcore minimalists, but these are the things I would buy again, or tell my daughter to buy for her new baby.
These things are also the absolute best gift ideas for a new baby, in my opinion, because buying mom things she will actually use/need is always a good idea.
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How Many Onesies Do I Need
When it comes to newborn baby essentials, theres no clothing item more versatile and timeless than the onesie. Onesies lend themselves to be dressed up for more formal affairs or dressed down for playtime and lazy-day lounging. Whether youre expecting a boy or a girl, they are a must-have item on your newborn checklist!
However, you might find yourself wondering just how many onesies you will need. Here are some basic questions to ask when calculating how many of those adorable onesies to add to your little ones wardrobe:
Postpartum is a busy season of life. And lets face it, laundry is going to slide down on your list of priorities. Be sure to gather enough onesies to cover the amount of days between laundry loads plus one or two extras for messy days. If you wash laundry once a week, 9 onsies is a smart amount to start with.
If your newborn will be in the care of someone else, having a couple of extra onesies stashed away will come in handy. With many messes and mishaps to be expected, its a wise idea to keep an extra onesie in your car or diaper bag and one at your caregivers house. As a general rule, add in an additional 2 onesies to your checklist if your baby will be cared for outside of the house.
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How To Save Money On The Baby Essentials
Preparing for your babys arrival can quickly become expensive. If youre trying to stick to a budget, take a look at the tips below. They can help you save money while still getting everything you need to be prepared for delivery day.
- Create a registry before your baby shower, and put all the baby essentials on the list.
- Ask for baby essentials as gifts for your birthday or Christmas.
- Check with family, friends, and colleagues for hand-me-down baby essentials.
- Have a look at thrift stores to get the larger baby essentials, like furniture and strollers, for cheap.
While purchasing all the newborn baby essentials may be pricey, it doesnt even compare to the joy and fulfillment of giving birth and bonding with your baby. You cant put a price tag on love!
Start with the basics like a crib, diapers, Cleansing Wipes, and Gentle Cleansing Gel then go from there. With this baby essentials shopping list, youll have everything you need to be fully prepared for your little ones arrival!
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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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Quick Check List Of Baby Things To Buy Before Birth
- 3 x Cot sheets and mattress protectors
- White noise machine
- 3 x fitted crib sheets and 3 x waterproof mattress covers
- Nappy liners for reusable nappies
- Nappy changing mat
- Nappy sacks – for when youre out and about
- Car seat that turns into a stroller
- 2 x boxes of nursing pads
- 7 x burp cloths
- Baby shampoo and body wash
- Hat – sun hat or winter hat
- Snowsuit – for winter babies
What To Consider When Choosing Baby Blankets
- Fabric. Your newborn has soft, sensitive skin and their comfort and safety must come first. Avoid materials or embellishments that may irritate the skin and check labels for washing instructions.
- Thickness. Consider the climate where you live and what purpose your blankets will serve. Unless you live in an especially cold climate, lightweight blankets are a great option, making it easy to add or remove layers when needed.
- Size. Larger blankets can be folded for additional layers of warmth, but might be bulky and take longer to launder. Smaller blankets are great for changing bags.
- Style. If youre planning to swaddle your little one in a crib or bassinet, you may want to consider blankets designed specifically for this purpose.
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Best Travel Nursing Pillow
Whether you have to feed baby on the go or stuff your breastfeeding pillow into an already-crammed suitcase, this is one of the best nursing pillows for travel, Weve never seen anything quite like this innovative nursing sling before, but the design is genius. The adjustable shoulder strap and padded sling hold babys head to your breast so you can feed hands-free. Its compact shape and convenient pocket mean it can double as a cross-body bag on the go, or you can stash it away in the included travel bag.
Buy it: Nurse Sling Nursing Pillow, $40, Nordstrom.com
A Place For Them To Sleep
You dont need a $5,000 crib and changing table. All you need is a pack n play. You can use a pack n play from the time they are born until theyre ready for a big bed. You can even get a pack n play with a changing attachment if youd like. But honestly, chances are that youll just wind up changing your baby on the couch, floor, bed, or any other moderately flat surface you can use especially as they get older.
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Baby Bath Time Essentials
You donât need to give your newborn baby a bath every day â every three days or so is usually enough. Between bath days itâs OK to just âtop and tailâ your infant by carefully washing his or her face and nappy area.Hereâs a checklist of the essential items youâll need for bath time in the first few months:
â¡Baby bath. This might be a specifically designed baby bath or just a clean washing-up bowl or tub. Just make sure it works for newborns or that it comes with a newborn insert to suit your babyâs small size.
â¡Cotton wool. Dipped in warm water, this is great for cleaning your babyâs face .
â¡Cup. A plastic scoop or cup can be used to gently pour water over your babyâs hair or skin.
â¡Towels. Buy some soft towels. Some come with a hood for easier drying.
â¡Washcloths. These can help with gently wiping your baby.
â¡Emollient cream. A newborn doesn’t usually need any soaps or special lotions â plain water is recommended for bathing your baby â but if there are drier patches of skin you can apply an emollient-based cream. Read more about how to take care of your babyâs skin.
Maman Portable Changing Pad Station
Not only is the Maman Portable Changing Pad Station super-chic, its totally practical as well. The cushioned diaper changing pad is waterproof and easy to wipe clean, and the inside pockets hold everything a parent needs for quick changes on the go. When its not being used as a changing pad, it folds up neatly and compactly to the size of a clutch. Plus, this changing pad station has an adjustable strap so it can be worn around the wrist or clipped onto a stroller.
Buy it: $35,
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Cold Weather Car Seat Liner
Some mamas swear by the car seat covers, but when we lived in Boston, I swore by the car seat liners.
THIS cover is the one we used and loved, and it made it SUPER easy to transport a baby in cold weather. You didnt even need to bother with jacket, which are a safety hazard for use with car seats.
Put on a hat, zip baby in, and youre good to go!
Colgate Contour Changing Pad
If you have an extra-long baby, the Colgate Contour Changing Pad is a great choice. Measuring at 33 inches, its three inches longer than most standard changing table pads. It has a safety strap that can be secured to any piece of furniture, and its hypoallergenic as well as phthalate-free.
Buy it: $36,
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How Can Mothers Prepare Themselves For A New Baby
Bringing a new baby into the family is a big deal for everyone, but lets be honest here its the hardest on the mother! Not only does she carry the baby for 40+ weeks and give birth, but the postpartum stage for new mothers is extremely hard both physically and mentally. Being sufficiently prepared for everything that happens after the baby is born can be very helpful. Here are a few things I think every mother should do to prepare themselves for a newborn baby:
1. Create a birth plan
One of the most important things to do before your baby arrives is to create your birth plan. However, I like to call it more of a birth outline. Because you can never really predict how a birth will go, I think its really important to keep an open mind and go with the flow. That being said, you should still have a few things decided on and prepared.
For example, where do you want to give birth? Hospital, birthing center, home? Who would you like in the room with you? Do you want to hire a photographer or have a family member or friend there to take photos? Do you want to make a music playlist? Check out this post on things to consider when writing a birth plan, if you need some help.
2. Prepare for breastfeeding
3. Get yourpostpartum essentials ready
4. Learn about the baby blues, postpartum depression, and anxiety
Must Have Baby Items: What To Buy Before The Little One Arrives
Heres the thing
A newborns material needs are few. This newborn must haves list includes the basics needed to help baby sleep and stay warm, fed, and clothed. Thats it! (Dont worry Ill include some more fun items at the end that I really enjoyed so you can have a well-rounded registry!
Assuming youve started your registry , lets get to adding these items to it!
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